Rebirth and Marriage: I am the Mistress of the Palace

Gu Qianning shook her head: "Mother, I think my second brother is doing well now, better than before. He didn't let me marry into the palace for my own good. He said that only if I don't enter the palace and become a crown princess can I live comfortably and long."

Madam Gu frowned, "Don't listen to your second brother. He is a genius, but many of his ideas are immature. The ones who are now serving as officials in the court are your father and your eldest brother. They understand court politics and the importance of power. You are still too young to understand how big the gap is between being a crown princess and being an ordinary person."

"If you become the Crown Princess, your child will be the Crown Prince in the future, and in the future the Emperor. But if you marry an ordinary person, you and your child will be lost in the crowd, and when you see the Emperor in the future, you will have to kneel down and kowtow. Do you understand?"

"Power and status are all acquired through one's own efforts. If you don't fight for them, you will cry in the future! It's enough for your second brother to not fight for them in the family. You and your eldest brother must fight for them. Remember that?"

Gu Qianning clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves and nodded: "Remember, mother."

She actually didn't understand before why her mother never taught her second brother the ways of the world, and why her father never taught her second brother to fight for power. She always thought it was because her second brother was too talented and could not be taught.

But it was not until recently that she suddenly realized that they were actually not teaching her on purpose.

Because, having the eldest brother to support the family is enough, and it will be the eldest brother who will inherit the title of the Duke's Mansion in the future. The power and wealth of the Gu family all belong to the eldest brother.

The second brother can get some things, but he cannot steal the limelight from the eldest brother, nor can he threaten the eldest brother's position. Otherwise, it will be detrimental to the future strength and prosperity of the Gu family.

The Gu family can only have one person in power. If there are two, it will lead to internal divisions in the family. At that time, the Gu family will fall apart on its own without the need for others to intervene.

Just like in the imperial family, the earlier the crown prince is appointed, the more stable the imperial power will be; the later he is appointed, the more likely the princes will kill each other for the position of crown prince.

The "crown prince" of their Gu family is the eldest brother, not the second brother.

Her mother taught her to learn to fight for power and benefit because, as a woman, she would only provide support to her eldest brother and the family and would not threaten her eldest brother's status and family unity.

The second brother is a man. If he is too strong and likes to pursue power too much, then the eldest brother will be in danger.

Gu Qianning stood up and left her mother's yard.

Snowflakes started falling from the sky again, and she reached out to catch one.

Not far away, the figure of the second brother appeared. He was looking for something on the ground with his two servants.

Suddenly, a servant cheered and came up to the second brother with his hand raised: "Second Master, I found one!"

Gu Qianning saw that the second brother's usually indifferent face showed a hint of smile: "Good luck, reward!"

She looked at her second brother's rare smile and couldn't help wondering, since he was so smart and perceptive, he must have known what his parents were thinking long ago, so he had never fought for anything over the years.

He was a man of natural talent, and since childhood he was a child prodigy that even the emperor was amazed at. However, he never took part in the imperial examinations and never entered the official career. He did not hold an official position, did not touch power, and did not make friends with anyone with real power.

Is his cold and indifferent character also related to his family's neglect of him?

He was clearly a rare genius in a century, but he was unexpectedly ignored. Did he ever feel confused and heartbroken? Did he ever doubt his own birth?

"A Ning."

A familiar indifferent voice sounded, and Gu Qianning came back to her senses and looked at the tall figure who had walked to her side: "Second brother."

"What are you thinking about? You didn't hear me calling you several times. Are you thinking about the prince?"

"No, I didn't miss him."

"Well, you better not."

Gu Qianhan said, took out a booklet and handed it over: "Pick one!"

"What to pick?"

Gu Qianning took the booklet with doubt in mind, and when he opened it, he saw that it was full of noblemen from the wealthy areas of Jiangnan.

The portrait, age, personality, family situation, personnel composition, and even whether the young master had ever been to a brothel were all clearly written.

"Second brother, this..."

"I've picked out twenty for you first. If you find any that you like, tell me and I'll send someone to check them out. If none of them look good to you, I'll find another twenty for you to choose from, and I'll keep picking until I find one that you like."

Gu Qianning looked at him in a daze. This booklet was enough to prove that her second brother was very attentive to her marriage and he was serious about wanting her to marry far away!

If it were in the past, she would have refused directly and even thrown the booklet in her second brother's face.

But now, she carefully put the book away.

Seeing that she accepted it, Gu Qianhan turned around and left.

"Second brother."

Gu Qianning stopped him and asked, "What were you looking for just now?"

Gu Qianhan hesitated for a moment, but finally took out the things: "Two silver needles."

Gu Qianning: “Ah?”

"This silver needle was originally inserted into Xiao Qingyuan's head, but he pulled it out and threw it away after he came."

Gu Qianning understood quickly: "This belongs to Atang. She also used it on me, but the one she used on me was not this long."

Gu Qianhan handed the needles to her: "These two silver needles are polished very finely. It would be a pity to throw them away. Next time you see her, give them back to her and see if they can still be used."

Gu Qianning took the needle and watched her second brother gradually walk away, and couldn't help shaking her head.

She had seen Shen Wantang's set of silver needles. There were hundreds of them. It was not a big deal if one or two were missing. Her second brother actually brought people to find them for her. When he found them, he was so happy. She thought he had found some treasure!

It turns out to be two needles...

-

Prince Ning's Mansion.

Princess Ning felt very distressed when she saw her son coming back with a bruised face.

However, when she looked at the intact and even rosy-white painting next to her son, she felt that this bastard was not worth her sympathy.

"Qingyuan, you're going to fight with Gu Qianhan for such a maid? Look at yourself, and then look at her! Who is the master and who is the servant?! I spent money to buy her back so that she can serve you, not for you to risk your life for her!"

"How could I risk my life for her? I just went to the Duke's Mansion to get her back. I was slightly injured, but Gu Qianhan didn't get any advantage! This matter has nothing to do with Huayi. She was just an innocent victim. Even without her, Gu Qianhan would still make trouble for me!"

"You still don't admit it?!"

Princess Ning's hands were shaking with anger: "Without her, would you have given yourself to be beaten by Gu Qianhan? Gu Qianhan didn't get the upper hand, but you did? It's just a maid, he robbed her, so what's wrong with giving her to him! His marriage was ruined by you in the first place, you give him a maid, just consider it even, isn't that good?!"

"Of course not! Why should my maid be given to Gu Qianhan?! He wants to steal my things, no way!"

As Xiao Qingyuan spoke, he protected the trembling Hua Yi behind him.

Princess Ning looked at his actions and her expression turned cold: "Come here, take the painting out and sell it!"