Flip the table! The reborn villainous woman takes down her entire family and seizes her life.

Chapter 177 My Cousin's Engagement

The story of Gu Liang bravely entering the fire to save the Imperial Noble Consort and the Duke spread throughout the palace, and the Emperor, out of consideration for his reputation, granted him special permission to rest at his residence for two days.

Qin Qi came to visit Gu Liang, only to find that he was able to move around freely.

He looked at Gu Liang and clicked his tongue, saying, "Who can be as ruthless as our Prince Liang with this trick?"

"I was worried that if you got into the fire, I wouldn't know if you could hold on."

Gu Liang put on her coat.

"Do you think I'm like you?" he glanced at him and said, "You need the princess to apply medicine for you even if you get bitten by a mosquito."

Qin Qi listened to his teasing, "Where is your queen?"

He hasn't seen her since he came in.

"She went to make me some snacks." Gu Liang's lips curled up.

Qin Qi frowned. "It's so hot outside, how can you bear to let her cook?"

Gu Liang clicked her tongue. "She doesn't need to cook herself; she can just use her mouth."

"That's good then," Qin Qi changed the subject, "I heard that Prince Pei is getting engaged tomorrow."

"tomorrow?"

He hadn't heard Zhu Tao tell him yet, so she probably didn't know either, otherwise she would be worried.

"Is the object of your affection Lu Pingsheng's daughter, Lu Nianqiu?" he asked.

“That’s right,” Qin Qi said. “By marrying the daughter of the General of the Cavalry, he’s not just plotting for the throne; he might be trying to help the Northern Di.”

A thoughtful look flashed in Gu Liang's eyes. "He's more like a son to the emperor than I am."

Qin Qi smiled. "A competition to see who is more filial?"

He didn't want to say anything more to him; he had to go back to be with his Nan Shu.

The snacks made in the kitchen over there at noon were so delicious that she couldn't resist eating a few more, but she still left a few for him.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Gu Liang had arrived.

He lifted the hem of his coat and stepped over the threshold, asking, "Where's mine?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Here."

The plate not only features pink and tender little dumplings, but also a lime and perilla drink.

She poured him a glass of lime and perilla drink, pushed it in front of him, and raised the glass, saying, "Try it."

He raised his teacup to clink with hers, smiling, "You must try it."

The two exchanged a smile, raised their glasses to each other, and drank them down in one gulp.

Jiang Zhi picked up a small dumpling. "Were there guests just now?"

Gu Liang poured her more perilla tea. "The prince consort just came by and said that Prince Pei's engagement is tomorrow."

Her lips twitched slightly. "The engagement is tomorrow?"

"Why didn't my cousin tell me?"

Gu Liang raised his glass to her, "It seems he's already planned this out, but hasn't set a specific date yet; he's waiting for the right opportunity."

"His purpose in marrying my cousin." She lowered her eyes, looking at the perilla tea gently swaying in her teacup. "Was his purpose my uncle?"

"By taking down my uncle, we can gain the support of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion and the confidence of the Prince of Liang's mansion."

"Wasn't his purpose in breaking off the engagement just to have me come back?"

"His thoughts are hard to fathom," Gu Liang said, looking at her. "If his goal was the throne, he wouldn't have gone through all that trouble of annulling the engagement and then re-engaging."

"What exactly was his dispute with the emperor?"

If there were no disputes and it was merely a matter of coveting the throne, there would indeed be no need for such elaborate efforts.

This emperor really was a troublemaker.

"It's late, you shouldn't eat too much," Gu Liang said, watching her stuff several mouthfuls into her mouth, "I'm afraid you won't sleep well."

Jiang Zhi nodded and replied, "Okay, I just like to chew something in my mouth when I'm thinking."

Gu Liang pinched her little cheek, "I'll go to the Marquis's residence with you tomorrow."

Upon entering the Marquis's residence, they found Madam Jiang and Madam Pei chatting amiably in the front hall.

She went inside and saw the bright red betrothal gifts; sure enough, the Marquis of Guangde had come to arrange the engagement today.

As soon as I looked up, I saw my cousin sitting there.

Seeing Jiang Zhi approaching, Lu Nianqiu jogged up to greet him, "Zhi Zhi, you're here."

Jiang Zhi smiled and replied, "Cousin."

"You're getting engaged today, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

“Oh dear,” Lu Nianqiu explained, “I was thinking of telling you in advance. It was Shang Qiu who said he wanted to finalize everything before announcing it to the public.”

"I also think there's some truth to what he said, so I was planning to tell you about it later today."

Jiang Zhi snorted twice, "Cousin, you're not even married yet, but your heart is already with your husband's family?"

Lu Nianqiu smiled warmly, "No way, let's go, Zhizhi."