Chapter 306: The Princess Consort Wants to See You

Princess Qi’s face was grim. "Yu’er would never do such a thing. He’s never been interested in women."

"That girl’s claim about Yu’er buying her freedom from the Imperial Music Bureau is just her side of the story. It isn’t necessarily true!"

Housekeeper Wu said softly, "I’m afraid it’s not just her side of the story. I also heard that the Young Master Heir has eaten at that inn several times and is quite familiar with its manager, Miss Gu."

"Hm? That happened too?" Now, Princess Qi had no choice but to believe it.

Her face turned cold. "Go. Bring me that Miss Gu, and that servant girl too. I have questions for them!"

Housekeeper Wu rejoiced inwardly, but he kept his head bowed, not a trace of emotion showing on his face. "Yes, I will send someone to invite the two young ladies over at once."

After leaving through the second gate, he immediately instructed a servant, "Go to that Youjian Inn. Bring back the manager, Miss Gu, and her maid, Lan Zhi. The Princess Consort wants to question them."

The servant hurried off to make the arrangements.

Gu Fei was in the inn, asking her seafood supplier, "Do you have any oysters? You know, the dark things that look a bit like rocks."

The man thought for a moment. "Manager, you must mean oysters? Yes, we have those. Many families along the coast farm them. Some of the big restaurants order them from us."

Gu Fei’s eyes lit up. "Yes, oysters! From now on, please deliver some to me every day as well."

’Perfect for charcoal-grilled oysters.’

As they were speaking, several servants dressed in blue silk entered through the door. The one in the lead asked, "Which of you is Manager Gu?"

Gu Fei looked at them. "I am. Can I help you?"

The servant was taken aback by Gu Fei’s beauty, and his attitude suddenly became more respectful. "Miss Gu, our Princess Consort has summoned you for questioning."

Gu Fei froze. ’The Princess Consort?’

’It had to be Princess Qi.’

’There was only one Princess Consort in all of Ping’an City.’

Gu Fei didn’t know what the Princess Consort could possibly want to ask her, but when royalty summoned you for questioning, you couldn’t very well refuse.

She nodded. "Very well, I’ll go with you. Just let me give some instructions for the inn."

She had no idea when she would return, and Lian’er still didn’t know how to write. She sent Xiao Lu to fetch Old Huang and gave him a curtsy. "Mr. Huang, I have to step out for a bit. If any guests come looking for a room, I’ll have to trouble you to help them check in."

Old Huang sized up the servants and nodded. "You go on, lass. I certainly won’t let anything go wrong here."

Just as Gu Fei was about to leave, the servant added, "Please have Miss Lan Zhi come out as well, Manager Gu. The Princess Consort wishes to question you both."

Old Huang, who was standing nearby, was secretly alarmed when he heard this.

Gu Fei frowned. "Lan Zhi isn’t here."

The servant said calmly, "Then please lead us to Miss Lan Zhi, Manager Gu."

’Could the Princess Consort’s sudden summons for both me and Lan Zhi have something to do with yesterday’s events?’ Gu Fei wondered.

’It wasn’t as if they had anything to hide.’

She nodded. "Very well. We’ll have to go outside the city to get Lan Zhi."

She boarded the carriage sent by the Prince Mansion. After passing through the South City Gate, they found Lan Zhi picking peppers in a field. Gu Fei didn’t say much, simply pulling her along.

When Mrs. Chen asked what was happening, Gu Fei simply said she had some business with Lan Zhi.

When they reached the carriage and Lan Zhi heard they were going to see the Princess Consort, she panicked. "I... I should change my clothes first."

Gu Fei glanced at Lan Zhi. She was wearing an old set of clothes for fieldwork, which Gu Fei guessed had belonged to Li Chunhua. The fabric was faded from countless washings, the cuffs were frayed, and there was even a patch on the hem of her skirt.