The emperor's thoughts were always unfathomable.
"How is it on your end? Smooth?" Xie Chen asked.
Gu Sinian nodded, "It's proceeding smoothly."
Song Meiren's brother had escaped under his arrangements and was now settled in a safe place. However, the Lu family acted ruthlessly and had given Song Meiren's brother opium.
Although it had only been a short time, the dosage was considerable, and he was now addicted.
Fortunately, Song Meiren's brother was resolute. Despite immense suffering, he gritted his teeth and cooperated.
"I cannot let my sister know what I've become. I must get better quickly."
"My sister is timid. You must not tell her."
These were the words Song Meiren's brother had spoken at the time.
To save her brother, Song Meiren had been coerced by Empress Lu, leaving her with almost no room to maneuver. She knew it was not right, but for her brother, she had risked everything.
To prevent Song Meiren from worrying, her brother endured the pain alone, gritting his teeth.
Both thinking of the other, this affection was deeply moving.
"Alright, you should head back quickly," Xie Chen urged. "We'll proceed according to the plan."
Emperor Chongwen had already made his arrangements; they only needed to follow them strictly.
"I don't object to your matters with my mother. Just one thing: she misjudged her life in the first half. In the second half, I hope everything will be as she wishes," Gu Sinian said.
"Coincidentally, my thoughts are the same as yours," Xie Chen replied without looking back, leaving those words as he walked away.
At noon, Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen accompanied Madam Qin and Madam Da Qin for lunch before departing.
In the carriage, Qi Zhenzhen relayed Madam Da Qin's attitude to Gu Sinian, saying, "Let's let this matter take its course. It's her own affair, and we can't interfere with whatever decision she makes."
"Mm," Gu Sinian replied, his voice somewhat muffled. The rumors were truly unpleasant.
"Heaven is the fairest!" Qi Zhenzhen comforted him. "Everything will get better."
A sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the air. Without a second thought, Gu Sinian shielded Qi Zhenzhen and threw himself to one side of the carriage. "Assassins."
As his words fell, a sharp arrowhead penetrated the carriage.
Qi Zhenzhen broke out in a cold sweat. If Gu Sinian hadn't shielded her and made her dodge, she would have been pierced.
"Young Master, they only fired one arrow and then disappeared into the crowd. My subordinates have already ordered pursuit, but I don't know if they can catch them. Are you and the Young Madam unharmed?"
"Return to the mansion as quickly as possible and stay vigilant. Don't let anyone get close again," Gu Sinian said, his voice icy.
The arrowhead was extremely sharp and exquisitely crafted, even more so than those uniformly produced by the Ministry of War. Such an arrowhead could not be used by ordinary people.
"Zhenzhen, are you alright?" Gu Sinian asked.
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. Although she had bumped herself slightly, she was unharmed thanks to Gu Sinian's protection.
Gu Sinian breathed a sigh of relief. "Let's return to the mansion first."
Qi Zhenzhen placed her hands on her belly. "An'an, don't be scared. Everything is fine."
Perhaps due to the intense emotions at the time, the little one had sensed her feelings and was now moving restlessly.
Gu Sinian's heart immediately tensed again. "Send someone to fetch a physician from Bai Cao Tang at the fastest speed. Don't go to the Duke's mansion, go to the Gu residence."
Suddenly being attacked, Gu Sinian's mind raced through many people, two of whom were Gu Changwei and Gu Siya.
He couldn't take any chances.
"I'm really fine," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Don't worry."
"I think it would be better to give birth at the Gu residence," Gu Sinian said.
He might as well use this opportunity to move out.