However, with Jiang Shangheng not by her side, Gu Qingtong was physically still but mentally restless. With the Southern Capital thousands of miles away, she had no way to inquire about Jiang Shangheng’s whereabouts and could only wait anxiously day after day.
A month later, the children entrusted to her by General He arrived, bringing her several pieces of news.
When Empress Dowager Guo heard of her death and saw the blood letter and jade bracelet, she fainted on the spot. To comfort the Empress Dowager, the Emperor immediately conferred her the title of Princess Qingping. Though court officials initially had objections, the Emperor insisted, and they only muttered a few words before not opposing further.
Gu Qingtong heard she was given the title Princess Qingping and laughed – unblessed in life, yet glorified in death.
Her mother could no longer restrain herself. Along with Shen Yuqing being stimulated by her death news, the capital was completely turned upside down.
Through Shen Yuqing’s thorough investigation, the dirty relationship between Lord Yan and the Prince of Rui was soon exposed. Even the matter of him framing Lord Gu was brought to light, and Gu Zhun finally cleared his name.
Although Princess Zhuang sheltered the remnants of the Prince of Rui, the Marquis of Zhenyuan escaped death due to her blood letter but was demoted to a commoner. After the destruction of the Wei Yuan Marquis’s residence, the Zhenyuan Marquis’s residence also declined. But as long as people were alive, it was a good thing.
Fan Xifeng had committed too many evil deeds, eventually bullying Princess Wan’qiu and making wild remarks insulting the imperial court. The Fan family, originally in charge of the capital’s security, was also exiled to the barbaric lands due to Fan Xifeng’s involvement. As for Fan Xifeng, he was castrated by Princess Wan’qiu with a snap. Losing his descendants, this once-charming man was worse than dead and ultimately jumped from the city gate.
Gu Qingtong had previously told Han Yuan’an about Ji Chen’s matter, and she knew this was certainly requested by Han Yuan’an and Ji Chen from Empress Dowager Guo.
She did not know what happened to Ji Chen, but her hatred should be extinguished. As for her and Shen Yuqing, it would depend on herself.
