Princess Yuanhua went to the Marquis Mansion and provoked Lin Youning. After returning to the mansion, she naturally said nothing more, and Gu Er over there knew nothing about it. He was holding the medicine obtained from Gu Chaoxuan, pondering whether to try it or not all day.

Gu Er naturally had his own plans. He wanted to try it but was afraid the medicine might not work, which would indirectly prove that his illness hadn’t been cured. Then the child in Princess Yuanhua’s belly would not be his, and wouldn’t he be wearing a green hat once again?

Therefore, Gu Er hadn’t decided to try the medicine for this reason, appearing somewhat self-deceptive. As a result, he mostly shut himself in the study, paying little attention to other things.

Until three days later, Li Si brought a Daoist to the mansion and witnessed the scene. Gu Er frowned, "Li Si, what are you doing? Do you think this is the Marquis Mansion or the East Mansion, coming and going as you please? Hasn’t your master taught you manners? Indeed, what kind of master breeds what kind of servants."

Li Si kept his head down and said nothing more, only instructing two guards to bring the Daoist forward. "Second Young Master just needs to listen to this Daoist. I’m merely fulfilling my master’s orders by bringing him here. After all, the Second Madam went to the Marquis Mansion days ago and expressed dissatisfaction with how the Marquis initially came to the mansion. My master the Marquis doesn’t mind this, but the Second Madam intends to take action against the First Madam, which my master the Marquis won’t tolerate. Since the Second Madam has doubts, it’s a good opportunity to clear this matter up."

Gu Er frowned even deeper, "The more I listen to you, the less I understand—what exactly are you talking about? What’s been found at the mansion?"

Seeing that Gu Er truly didn’t know, Li Si explained what happened at the Marquis Mansion that day. After listening, Gu Er said angrily, "Originally, it was not wrong to talk about it with the second sister. What’s the matter? Turns out it’s this. Now you’re bringing a Daoist, what’s the meaning of this again?"

Li Si didn’t lift his head, "Second Master, last time when you were teaching at the academy, it was also the servants who helped uncover the truth. Now that this person has been brought here, Second Master should listen to him."

After speaking, he didn’t wait for the other party to speak again, only said to the nearby trembling Daoist, "Alright, you speak too. If you want to stay alive, reveal the whole truth."

The Daoist responded repeatedly, "I’m just a wandering physician selling fake medicine everywhere. I’ve stayed in the Capital for several years, so all the medicine claiming to prevent descendants are fake."

Originally, Gu Er wanted to intervene, but hearing this, he froze, then stepped forward and kicked the Daoist, pointing at Li Si and scolding, "Fine, now because I don’t believe you, you team up and trick me? Do you really think I’m easy to bully? Get out, all of you get out."

Li Si took a few steps back, "Second Master, these things would never dare to do. But this Daoist was caught from the mansion of the First Master. If Second Master wants to understand the situation, you can call the First Master here."

Li Si said no more, only directing the guards, "You hold this person in the mansion, if Second Master calls the First Master here to confront, at least there’s someone present. Otherwise, if this Daoist runs away and is caught by the First Master, Second Master will not be able to find him even if he wants to."

Li Si turned to leave.

His attitude infuriated Gu Er, who could only vent his anger on the guards and the Daoist. The two guards just endured it, holding the Daoist without saying much.

Gu Er gasped for breath, looking at the courtyard full of servants, scolding, "Get out, all of you get out." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The servants in the courtyard retreated in fear, leaving only the two guards from the Marquis Mansion and the already terrified Daoist. Gu Er glared at the three of them until Princess Yuanhua, having received the news, hurried over, finding his rage still unabated.

Princess Yuanhua had already inquired from the servants in the courtyard, so her face wasn’t looking good when she arrived, especially when she saw the Daoist, her eyes filled with a murderous intent.

"Second Young Master, this is just too much. How could this happen? Now I’ve been humiliated to the door, Second Young Master can stand up for me. Otherwise, if this spreads, how will I live? I’m no longer a princess, but I’m still a daughter of the Royal Family, how can I let myself be insulted like this?" Princess Yuanhua started to cry.

Gu Er maintained a stern face, "You also mentioned that you are a daughter of the Royal Family. My brother is always strong-willed. Now that he acts this way, there’s nothing I can do. You’ve also seen it, the man can’t be sent away. Even if he stubbornly imposes this reputation onto us, it won’t matter. I think it’s better for you to go into the palace and speak to the Emperor about this, let him uphold justice for us."

Princess Yuanhua’s crying stopped, clearly not expecting Gu Er to say this. Gu Er looked at her, "What? Are you feeling guilty, so afraid to plead with the Emperor?"

His eyes held a menacing intent.

Actually, on this matter, Gu Er also struggled internally. He knew his brother wasn’t that kind of person. If he dared send someone to the mansion, he must be confident. Yet, at this moment, he wanted to fight with everything he had, even if he knew he was deceiving himself. He wanted to win once, to show Sister Ning that not everything was under his brother’s control.

Princess Yuanhua immediately retorted, "Gu Er, it’s fine if others say so, but how can you think of me this way? Do you now believe that this incident happened? Believe my child isn’t yours?"

"I told you, you go into the palace and plead with the Emperor, this is our only chance. If you don’t go, you’ll be saddled with a bad reputation, or are you hoping the Zhou Mansion will help you? The Zhou Mansion now can’t even protect themselves, how do you expect them to help you?"

Princess Yuanhua blushed from shame, "Fine, then I will go into the palace to let Father Emperor uphold justice for me. But remember, when my innocence is proven, the two of us will separate."

Gu Er just stared at her without speaking. Princess Yuanhua felt her final hope was shattered, said nothing, and turned to leave. Even as she walked out of the courtyard, no one chased after her, feeling a self-mocking laugh. She knew this man was fickle, why still hold onto hope? She really was too foolish.

But considering going into the palace, it seemed she already knew what fate awaited her.

However, it had come to this point, and aside from Father Emperor, there was no one who could help her. For the sake of the Royal Family’s reputation, she knew Father Emperor would surely intervene, and she even began to regret her previous decisions.