Gu Sinian emerged from the palace and saw Xie Chen, looking puzzled. "What's this?"
"Your mother was sent to the Duke's mansion by Li An," Xie Chen said.
Gu Sinian's expression turned grim. "Was Gu Changwei involved?"
Xie Chen shook his head. "I don't know. I'm heading to the Duke's mansion now. Shall we go together?"
Of course, he had to go.
Gu Sinian nodded.
The two headed straight for the Duke's mansion.
The doorkeeper still blocked Gu Sinian, stating they couldn't let him in without an invitation.
Gu Sinian's face darkened. Before he could act, the doorkeeper was whipped by Xie Chen and thrown out.
"It's actually... you don't need to do anything, I can handle it." Xie Chen said.
The commotion at the entrance quickly drew Gu Changwei.
Seeing Gu Sinian, Gu Changwei's expression was subtle, his tone stiff, but he managed a semblance of politeness. "What brings you here?"
"Where is my mother?" Gu Sinian asked him.
"What?" Gu Changwei feigned confusion. "Are you mad? Coming here to find your mother!"
Qin Tingxue had already returned to the Qin family; he knew this.
Gu Changwei's reaction seemed genuine; he truly didn't know the person had been abducted to the Duke's mansion.
"Where is Li An?" Gu Sinian asked.
"He didn't come," Gu Changwei replied.
Gu Sinian chuckled. "Didn't come, or you don't know? It seems you're completely unaware of what's happening in this Duke's mansion. You've become deaf and blind."
Gu Sinian's words angered Gu Changwei. "Don't think you can get away with anything just because I'm being polite to you. This is the Duke's mansion, I have the final say, and it's not a place for you to run wild. Now, leave immediately. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."
"I hit a nerve, so you're getting angry?" Gu Sinian's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Do you dare to call Gu Siya out and ask him what he's done?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Ya has always been sensible and caused no trouble. What could he have done? Stop slandering him. What, are you still resentful that I took your position as heir? Back then, you were completely indifferent." Gu Changwei scoffed.
Xie Chen stepped forward. "Duke, we are not here to argue with you. Li An's men abducted A Xue and brought her to the Duke's mansion."
"Nonsense. Li An and Qin Tingxue have always had no connection. Why would he abduct her?" Gu Changwei didn't believe it at all. Moreover, hearing Xie Chen call Madam Qin 'A Xue' made him inexplicably annoyed. Such intimacy, Madam Qin indeed!
"Whether she's here or not, we'll know if we search," Xie Chen said, his face filled with anger.
"Presumptuous! This is the Duke's mansion, and I am a Duke of the highest rank. You can't just search as you please!" Gu Changwei flicked his sleeve. "Xie Chen, don't push your luck."
"What's all the shouting about!" Old Madam Gu arrived, supported by someone.
"Grandmother," Gu Sinian stepped forward to support Old Madam Gu.
"Ah," Old Madam Gu responded with a joyful smile. "Why are you here? Are Zhenzhen and the child doing well?"
"They are all doing well. I will come to pick you up another day and have you stay with me for a few days," Gu Sinian said.
"Yes, yes, yes, Grandmother will wait for you," Old Madam Gu said. "Tell Grandmother, what brings you here? I could hear the commotion from afar."
Gu Sinian hesitated. His grandmother was old, and he didn't want her to worry.
"Mother, they are claiming Qin Shi has been captured and brought to our mansion. It's utterly untrue! If the person were here, how could I not know? You always praise him, and now you see? To slander Ya, they're even using his mother as an excuse," Gu Changwei said in exasperation. "This is the grandson you've always favored!"
Old Madam Gu looked at Gu Sinian. Gu Sinian nodded slightly. "My mother was abducted on her way to fulfill a vow. Lord Xie's men investigated and found this."