Chapter 168: Prime Minister Gao’s Hurried Return
"I am in a great hurry."
"Old Master Gu, what is your purpose for visiting the Prime Minister’s residence today?" Qian Fanji asked.
"To see the little lass... Look at me, how muddle-headed." Old Master Gu, having collected himself, added, "I will visit your estate tomorrow, and we can have a proper discussion."
Qian Fanji nodded.
Mrs. Gao heard him loud and clear. ’Old Master Gu is trying everything he can to annul the engagement. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone notify the fourth son of the Gu family. He must stop Old Master Gu, no matter what it takes.’
「Night fell.」
The grand hall was unusually quiet.
Mrs. Gao and Gao Yunyue were being watched at every moment. They were even followed when they went to the latrine. It seemed that until the Prime Minister returned, it would be difficult for them to even leave the hall.
Ye Qianning had someone bring in a soft couch, and with a blanket, she began to nap with brazen nonchalance.
She had also arranged for couches to be prepared for Old Master Gu and Old Master Zhan, but they were presumably too embarrassed to sleep.
Prime Minister Gao did not rush back to his residence until nearly dawn. Everything from the entrance plaque to the doorstep had him fuming, and by the time he reached the grand hall, his face was green with rage.
"The Prime Minister has returned," the butler announced from the doorway.
The announcement jolted Mrs. Gao and Gao Yunyue from their drowsiness. They stood up just in time to see Prime Minister Gao striding into the hall.
"My lord, if you hadn’t come back, the two of us wouldn’t have survived!"
"Father, WAAAHHH... They’ve gone too far!"
Seeing that their pillar of support had returned, the mother and daughter could no longer hold it together. They threw themselves at him, crying and complaining.
"Enough! Both of you, be quiet." Prime Minister Gao pushed the two away and scanned the room.
"What dirty business were you attending to, Prime Minister Gao, to only return in the dead of night?" Old Master Gu sneered.
"Prime Minister Gao."
Qian Fanji rose and performed a formal salute.
Zhan Yi remained seated.
"Old Master Gu, Old Master Zhan, Minister Qian, what business brings you all to my residence?" Prime Minister Gao’s voice was heavy.
Old Master Gu: "Just bored, so I thought I’d drop by."
Zhan Yi: "I’m waiting for my granddaughter."
Qian Fanji: "To watch the show."
"..."
Prime Minister Gao’s face was taut. He turned, his gaze falling upon the small figure on the couch in the center of the room. "A mere slip of a girl dares to run wild in my residence."
Ye Qianning lay on the couch without stirring, her breathing even. The little girl was clearly sound asleep.
"The audacity!" Prime Minister Gao raised his voice and snapped.
Ye Qianning continued to sleep soundly.
"Pfft." Old Master Gu couldn’t help but chuckle.
Prime Minister Gao lost face. His face, flushed red with either shame or anger, twisted into a ferocious expression. "Someone! Get her up for this Prime Minister!"
The guards who had returned with Prime Minister Gao took a step forward, only to be blocked by two standing Hidden Guards.
Facing so many people, the guards felt a pang of stage fright.
"What are you waiting for? Go! I’d like to see if she dares to make a move," Prime Minister Gao scoffed.
’Dares to make a move?’
Old Master Gu was suspicious. ’Did this fool not see the disastrous state of the front courtyard when he returned?’
Zhan Yi shook his head. ’Prime Minister Gao is far too arrogant. If I hadn’t let Da Chun clean up the front courtyard, he probably would have fainted on the spot upon returning home. That scene looked like the aftermath of a bloodbath, comparable to having the entire estate ransacked.’
Receiving the order, the guard straightened his back, puffed out his chest, and prepared to charge. But after just two steps, his chest tightened, he coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his entire body was sent flying out the door.
"How dare you commit assault so openly!" Prime Minister Gao was shocked.
"Our young miss does not like to be disturbed when she sleeps. If you have business, Prime Minister Gao, it’s best to wait until she wakes up," Luo Xuan said coldly, standing beside the couch.
"This is the Prime Minister’s residence!"
"And?"
"You... This is treason! Utter treason! Minister Qian, you are also an imperial official. Are you just going to stand there and watch a mere child humiliate a court official like this?" Prime Minister Gao was livid.