The people in the private room were a little embarrassed by Gui Yuankui's arrival. Someone walked up to Gui Yuankui and asked softly, "Little Yuan, what brings you here?"
Gui Yuankui clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and said, "Uncle is really in high spirits."
Gui Huaimu chuckled awkwardly, "Don't we all need to make a living?"
"That's not what you told me before." Gui Yuankui stared at Gui Huaimu, her eyes practically spitting fire.
"Oh dear," said Qi Ruling, Gui Huaimu's wife, as she walked over, "We can't just let ourselves sink into despair after your cousin's passing, can we? We've moved on, shouldn't you be happy for us?"
[Wow, not only are they blatantly lying, but they're also using moral blackmail.]
Gui Yuankui had never imagined that his uncle and aunt were such people. Besides being disappointed, he was also very angry.
At that moment, Gui Huaimu asked, "Xiao Yuan, have you found someone to help your cousin?"
Qi Ruling shed a few tears, "Your cousin died so unjustly."
Gui Yuankui watched all of this indifferently until they finished their ridiculous act, then he asked, "How exactly did my cousin die?"
Gui Yuankui didn't fall for it? Qi Ruling cursed inwardly, deciding to take the initiative, "Xiao Yuan, what do you mean by this? Did someone tell you something, trying to sow discord between us?"
Gui Yuankui remained silent, Gui Huaimu and Qi Ruling turned their attention to the people behind Gui Yuankui.
"Is it people like you, Xiao Yuan? Your uncle told you long ago not to associate with shady people, but why wouldn't you listen?"
Are we the three of us, these shady characters?
[What a convenient way to turn the tables! Why don't you admit you drugged the girl and sent your second son to seduce her?]
Gui Yuankui's eyes widened. He looked at his cousin, who was still sitting in his seat. After smiling gently at him, his cousin went to comfort the girl beside him.
The girl's expression was a little strange; she probably heard Tong Aning's thoughts as well.
"Alright," Qi Ruling said, pressing down on Gui Huaimu Huaimu's hand that was pointing at Gui Yuankui, "Don't be so harsh on the child. Xiao Yuan has had a tough time too."
[One plays the good cop, the other the bad cop; I really feel sorry for Gui Yuankui. She'll probably be manipulated like this forever.]
Gui Yuankui stood there stunned, Tong Aning had really hit the nail on the head.
Gui Yuankui's mother repeatedly reminded her to stay out of her uncle's business, but Gui Yuankui was too soft-hearted. After agreeing to her mother's request, she would turn around and agree to her uncle's requests.
Especially after learning that his uncle and aunt had lost their son, he took on some of the responsibilities even though no one asked him to.
[... I'm speechless. This is the kind of man who's perfect in every way outside the home, but unreliable at home—the so-called "good man," right?]
Tong Aning's gaze towards Gui Yuankui changed.
Gui Yuankui blushed, unsure how to defend herself.
Over there, the girl pulled her family aside, saying they had something to do and needed to leave first.
Qi Ruling agreed and asked Gui Mingqiu to escort the girl downstairs.
Tong Aning originally thought that Qi Ruling and Gui Huaimu had given up the idea of drugging her, but she never expected that Qi Ruling would actually hand the drugged wine to Gui Yuankui.
What does she mean by that?
[Tsk tsk tsk, Gui Yuankui was just a pawn they could use in their eyes. Now that the pawn knows their true colors, they might as well stop pretending.]
Gui Yuankui accepted the glass of wine with a blank expression.
[Don't drink it! Don't drink it!!!!]
Everyone's eardrums were being disturbed. Gui Yuankui, of course, wouldn't drink it. He stared at the wine in his glass, feeling only disappointment.
"Where is that damned family?"
Tong Aning's eyes lit up, "[It's Deng Qingji!]"
This family is doomed.
Deng Qingji stood menacingly at the door of the private room with his entourage. He angrily said, "Fine, my sister is still at home taking her medicine, while you're all drinking here. Go, smash the table!"
"Yes."
Deng Qingji Deng Qingji brought only household servants, including two secret guards, who were completely obedient to him.
What are you doing?
"Help! Deng Xiang's son is leading a group to bully the people!"
Deng Qingji scratched his ear, "Gag them, they're disturbing me."
"Mmm mmm mmm."
"Young master, it's all smashed."
Deng Qingji glanced at them, quite satisfied. He looked at those whose mouths were gagged, "Now, deal with them one by one. No need to gag them anymore. I want to hear their screams."
" Deng Qingji, you can't do this!!"
Deng Qingji stepped forward and slapped Gui Yuankui's cousin across the face. He said coldly, "Why can't I do this? Is it only allowed for your brother to bully my sister?"
[Good for him! He should have been dealt with a long time ago.]
Tong Yibin and Xue Lin: "..."
Should they turn around?
Wow, it's so lively!
Lou Yingyu peeked out from the doorway of the private room, raised an eyebrow, and asked, " Deng Qingji, what are you doing?"
Deng Qingji was busy swinging his fists, " Lou Yingyu, can't you tell? I'm hitting someone."
Lou Yingyu looked at Tong Aning and blinked.
Tong Aning: "I was just passing by."
Lou Yingyu: "..."
Upon hearing that the person was Lou Yingyu, the family members rushed home as if they had found a lifeline. Qi Ruling cried out, " Miss Lou, help! You can't just stand by and do nothing while Deng Qingji is running amok here, can you?"
Lou Yingyu on her hand and said, "What you said makes sense, but..."
Everyone eagerly awaited Lou Yingyu's next words upon returning home.
Lou Yingyu said, " Deng Qingji beat you so badly, I think I know who you are. Can you guess why my father chose to ignore the letters you wrote to him back then?"
Everyone was stunned when they returned home.
Lou Yingyu smiled gently, "It's simple, because my father and Deng Qingji's father were just political enemies, not heartless beasts."
Qi Ruling understood the implication in her words, "Who are you insulting? You're all just protecting each other, poor my eldest son!"
Qi Ruling wailed and cried, while Deng Qingji viciously, "Your eldest son deserves it."
Deng Qingji had vented her anger, and as she passed Lou Yingyu, she nodded slightly to her, "Thank you."
Lou Yingyu curled her lip, "What's the point of just saying thank you? Show some sincerity."
Deng Qingji immediately changed his demeanor, crossing his arms and saying, " Lou Yingyu, don't push your luck."
"That's just how I am, so what?"
"You..." Deng Qingji speechless for a moment.
"Alright, go back now."
Lou Yingyu waved her hand dismissively.
Deng Qingji left, leaving behind only a messy private room and the wailing of the Gui family.
The girl and her family had long since left, and the wine in Gui Yuankui's hand had been spilled by someone.
In short, apart from a few beasts, no innocent person was harmed.
[Another day where good deeds are rewarded.]
*
Tong Aning poured tea for Lou Yingyu and asked with a smile, " Yingyu, what brings you here?"
"I was just passing by, but you..." Lou Yingyu looked at Tong Yibin, then at Xue Lin, "What are you doing?"
Is it a sibling rivalry or a power struggle among the crown prince?
Tong Aning didn't grasp the deeper meaning in Lou Yingyu's words. She said, "Big brother is here to share a table with us."
Tong Yibin: "...?"
He asked in a deep voice, "Where is Heir Xue?"
Tong Aning said innocently, "I already made an appointment with Heir Xue."
Tong Yibin really couldn't do anything with his younger sister. She was usually mischievous and clever, but at times like this, she became very serious and methodical.
Lou Yingyu laughed heartily, and Xue Lin also curled his lips into a smile.
Tong Aning remained naive, saying, "Regardless of all that, the fact that we're together is the best thing."
"Well said!" Lou Yingyu slammed her hand on the table, her voice booming with pride. "Manager, bring the wine!"
Tong Yibin said sternly, "No drinking."
Lou Yingyu: "..."
Needless to say, Tong Yibin's cold expression scared not only Tong Aning, but even Lou Yingyu was a little frightened.
She retorted, "I was talking about a fruit syrup with a faint hint of alcohol, but it's still essentially a fruit syrup."
Tong Aning looked at Tong Yibin expectantly; she had wanted to try it for a long time.
Tong Yibin said helplessly, "Don't overindulge in alcohol."
The two nodded vigorously.
Tong Yibin and Xue Lin walked to the window, gazing at the fireworks display over the capital below. Tong Yibin suddenly asked, "Regarding Prince Yong and his consort, does Your Highness still have no clue?"
Xue Lin shook his head, a thoughtful expression appearing on his pale face, as if he had returned to a distant past.
Tong Yibin sighed inwardly. He said, "If the young master needs anything, he can come to me."
Xue Lin was somewhat surprised. He asked in a low voice, "Why?"
"I just don't want to see loyal ministers die unjustly."
Everyone knows that the deaths of the prince and princess were not accidental, yet there are still no clues about the murderer.
Xue Lin may seem to have emerged from the shadows of the past, but he is actually still living in the past.
Xue Lin nodded slightly, and looking at the somewhat familiar profile, he subconsciously glanced at Tong Aning.
Upon seeing this, Xue Lin's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly walked over. Tong Yibin also hurried to the table.
" Aning, Aning?"
Tong Aning struggled to lift her head, Tong Yibin asked, "How much did you drink?"
Tong Aning made a three, Lou Yingyu slowly made a two.
It was just a fruit syrup with a hint of alcohol, yet both of them got drunk.
Tong Yibin said, " Songhua."
Songhua pushed the door open and came in. "Minister Tong, what's wrong?"
Xue Lin said, "Your young lady is drunk."
Songhua called softly, "Miss, Miss?"
No response.
Tong Yibin said, "Let's send them back first."
"Good."
Songhua picked up her young lady, and Tong Yibin picked up his younger sister.
Tong Yibin gently placed Tong Aning into the carriage, said goodbye to Xue Lin, and asked A Shu to drive.
As the carriage receded into the distance, Xue Lin's mind kept replaying Tong Aning's face, and he reached out and pressed his hand to his chest.
Inside the carriage.
Tong Yibin helped Tong Aning up and said, " A Shu, slow down."
"Yes."
Tong Aning was very well-behaved when she was drunk. Tong Yibin looked at her flushed face and sighed, "I wonder how uncomfortable she'll be when she wakes up."
Although Tong Aning was drunk, her mind was in turmoil.
[Meeting in secret?]
[Tsk tsk tsk, how could they even think of using a mistress to pass love letters?]
[ Xixi, why doesn't this melon get into your brain?]
Tong Yibin: "..."
It's probably because they all ended up in your older brother's head.