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Gu Zhen stared out the window for a long time without speaking.
Gu Jiu sat watching her, accompanying her in silence.
“Er meimei, thank you for coming to see me. I feel a little better in my heart.”
“Da jiejie, there’s no need to be so polite with me.”
Gu Zhen gave a self-deprecating smile, then lowered her head in shame.
“Compared to er meimei, I’m far inferior. In the past, I even wronged you and acted like a petty person. Now er meimei don’t hold it against me, I don’t even know what to say.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly and said nothing.
Gu Zhen turned to look at her.
“Er meimei, do you dislike me? Am I… an unlikeable person?”
Meeting her gaze, Gu Jiu replied, “Da jiejie is overthinking it. You’re not an unlikeable person.”
“You’re not just comforting me?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I’m not good at comforting people.”
Gu Zhen gave a teary smile.
She lowered her head and sighed softly.
“My marriage with Zhao silang has fallen through. I can’t marry into Haixi bo fu anymore.”
Gu Jiu’s brows knitted slightly.
Although she had already guessed as much, hearing Gu Zhen say it herself still made Gu Jiu sigh inwardly.
She felt regret on Gu Zhen’s.
Families like Haixi bo fu were not something one came across every day. Miss this village, and there’s no other shop down the road.
Now that Gu Zhen had missed this chance, she would likely never encounter a marriage as good again.
Gu Zhen looked at her curiously. “Er meimei isn’t not going to say anything? I thought you would comfort me.”
After thinking for a moment, Gu Jiu said, “There’s still no word from Haixi bo fu’s side. Perhaps there’s still a slim chance.”
Gu Zhen shook her head. “There’s no chance.”
After being seen by Zhao liu guniang, rolling to the ground together with Xie Ding—never mind the Haixi bo fu, no respectable family would want her now.
Her engagement, her future, her life… all gone.
“Why doesn’t er meimei ask me what happened yesterday?”
Gu Jiu said, “If it’s something that has hurt da jiejie this much, I think it’s better not to ask. But if da jiejie wants to tell me, I’ll listen with both ears.”
Gu Zhen gritted her teeth, her face filled with hatred. “I don’t mind telling you. I was schemed against—by Ma shi and Xie Ding. I’ll never share the same sky with those two.”
Gu Jiu frowned. “Are you certain it was the two of them?”
“Of course it was. Who else could it be?”
Gu Jiu thought for a moment. “Why would Xie Ding scheme against you?”
“The Xie family wants to form a marriage alliance with ours. They wouldn’t dare target Gu Yue or Gu Cheng, so they went for the softer target—me. They ruined my life and my future. I’ll remember this hatred for the rest of my life.”
Gu Zhen’s expression twisted in anger. If it hadn’t been for the pozi holding her back yesterday, she would have clawed Xie Ding’s face to shreds.
That beast in human form dared scheme against her—she would never let him off.
Gu Jiu said, “The Xie family didn’t come today to propose marriage.”
“Of course they wouldn’t dare. Yesterday I already said—over my dead body would I marry Xie Ding.”
At this, Gu Zhen broke down into painful sobs again.
Don’t be fooled by her fierce words and threats—in truth, she was scared, panicked, and utterly at a loss.
She was like a wounded little animal, wanting to find a hidden place to curl up in, licking her wounds alone.
Every time she recalled the scene of Xie Ding laying hands on her, the shame and pain made her want to end her life then and there.
But even an ant clings to life—how much more a human?
As long as one can live, who truly wishes to die?
Gu Zhen wasn’t ready to leave this world; she didn’t want to die.
She could only cry, and cry, to vent the pain in her heart.
Gu Jiu patted her shoulder silently.
At this moment, what Gu Zhen needed wasn’t comfort—it was a good, thorough cry.
Still, Gu Jiu couldn’t quite understand why the Xie family would bother scheming against Gu Zhen.
If it was to form a marriage alliance with the Gu family, Gu Zhen was only a shu-born daughter—her value was rather low.
Even if she married into the Xie family, if Gu daren disapproved, the Xie family’s efforts would be wasted.
With his temperament, Gu daren would have no qualms about sacrificing a shu-born daughter.
Gu Jiu still suspected that this matter was connected to Gu Yue.
She just hadn’t found the key link yet, and so couldn’t tell exactly what role Gu Yue had played.
If she could figure out Gu Yue’s motive, all the questions would be answered.
When Gu Zhen cried herself out, she fell asleep.
Gu Jiu didn’t wake her, but led the maids quietly out of the room.
At the courtyard gate, they ran into Hu yiniang, who had come to visit Gu Zhen.
Her face was haggard, her eyes bloodshot—clearly she hadn’t slept all night.
She looked momentarily startled to see Gu Jiu.
Then she quickly came to her senses. “So it’s er guniang. Thank you for coming to visit Zhen’er. I’m truly afraid something terrible will happen to her.”
Gu Jiu said, “Hu yiniang, you needn’t worry. Da jiejie cried herself tired and is sleeping now.”
“Is that so? That’s good.” Hu yiniang let out a breath of relief.
Then she added, “Yesterday everyone was perfectly fine, yet somehow Zhen’er had an accident. I kept thinking about it all last night—how could such a coincidence happen? Of all people, why did it happen to my Zhen’er? Er guniang, don’t you think… there’s something behind this?”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow.
Was Hu yiniang testing her, or simply asking out of curiosity?
Regardless of Hu yiniang’s intentions, Gu Jiu’s answer was the same:
“I don’t know the details about what happened yesterday. If you have questions, why not wait until da jiejie wakes up and ask her directly? You can also ask Father—his attitude is what truly matters.”
Hu yiniang nodded repeatedly.
“Er guniang is right. Laoye’s attitude is the most important. Has there been any news from the Haixi bo fu?”
Gu Jiu shook her head.
“My information is not up to date. Hu yiniang, why not send someone to Furong Yuan to find out?”
Hu yiniang readily agreed, but felt disappointed inside.
When she saw Gu Jiu visiting Gu Zhen, she thought her chance had come.
With Gu Jiu’s strong personality, if she could exploit her sympathy, perhaps she could secure some benefit for Gu Zhen.
But no matter how she probed, Gu Jiu wouldn’t take the bait—maintaining a polite but distant attitude that made it hard for Hu yiniang to act.
This left Hu yiniang frustrated.
Wasn’t Gu Jiu the first one to visit Gu Zhen?
Didn’t that mean the sisters had a good relationship?
So why was she keeping such a courteous, detached manner?
Hu yiniang couldn’t figure it out.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, “If yiniang has nothing else to say, I should take my leave now.”
She spoke, then left with her maid.
Hu yiniang watched Gu Jiu’s departing figure, stomped her foot, then turned back into the courtyard.
Gu Jiu walked through the garden.
She had gone to see Gu Zhen because they were sisters—visiting and asking after each other’s health was simply the proper thing to do.
But to say they shared a deep sisterly bond? That was impossible.
Still, Gu Zhen was quite unlucky to have fallen victim to someone’s scheme.
“Er jiejie!”
From a distance, she heard someone calling.
Turning, she saw her sixth meimei from the main branch, Gu Jun.
Gu Jun lifted her skirts and ran over, cheeks flushed, eyes large and bright—looking full of life.
Gu Jiu smiled. “In this cold weather, why is liu meimei?”
“It’s so stuffy indoors with the brazier burning. I came out for some fresh air. What about er jiejie? With your health, isn’t it risky to be out in the wind?”
Gu Jiu smiled again. “I went to visit da jiejie, and I was just heading back.”
“Is da jiejie feeling any better? They all said she ate something bad yesterday and had stomach pains all night.”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “And who told you that?”
Gu Jun pursed her lips in a smile. “My mama. But I know she was lying—da jiejie must have had something happen that they don’t want us to know, so she made up a story to fool me.”
What a clever little thing.
Gu Jiu said, “Da jiejie had a small mishap yesterday.”
“Is it serious?” Gu Jun asked anxiously.
“No need to worry, liu meimei. She’ll recover in a couple of days.”
Gu Jun nodded firmly. “Poor da jiejie—such a fine banquet, and something bad had to happen. She probably doesn’t want to see me now, so I’ll stay away for now. Once she’s well, I’ll visit her.”
“Liu meimei is thoughtful.”
“Er jiejie, I’ll go now. You should head back early too, so you don’t catch a chill. Come play in my courtyard when you have time—I have lots of fun toys.”
Gu Jiu agreed with a smile, watching Gu Jun leave.
“Guniang, that’s Chun He from taitai’s courtyard,” Qingzhu whispered, pointing toward a figure on the garden path.
Gu Jiu looked from a distance. Alongside Chun He and two pozi was Putao, Gu Yue’s personal maid.
“Where are they going?”
“Looks like they’re heading toward the outer courtyard.”
“Guniang, should I follow them?” Xiao Cui asked.
Gu Jiu nodded. “Follow quietly, don’t let them notice you. See what they’re up to and report back to me immediately.”
Xiao Cui nodded. “Rest assured, guniang.”
She slipped away after them.
By the time dusk fell, the day had passed quickly.
Chun He returned to Furong Yuan, looking tired.
“Taitai, nubi got it out of her.”
Xie shi immediately sat up. “That wretched girl Putao confessed?”
Chun He nodded. “She confessed.”
“What did she say?”
“Just as taitai suspected, san guniang took a fancy to Zhao erlang of Haixi bo fu, so she wanted to ruin da guniang’s marriage. She sent Putao to contact Xie Ding, and Xie Ding actually agreed right away, even taking the initiative to offer suggestions.”
Xie shi gnashed her teeth. “That little wolf Xie Ding—I knew he was no good. He had the audacity to say to my face that it was all a misunderstanding. Outrageous!”
Chun He asked, “Taitai, what is to be done now?”
“That wretched girl Yue’er—have the pozi been keeping a close watch on her?”
“Please rest assured, taitai. Nubi arranged for four pozi to guard san guniang. Without your permission, she can’t step out the door.”
Xie shi gave a cold snort, thoroughly disappointed in Gu Yue.
“She’s made mistakes time and time again, and I’ve forgiven her time and time again, giving her more chances. But just look at what she’s done! If I’d known it would come to this, I should have drowned her at birth.”
Xie shi only said such words because she was truly furious.
Back then, she used to tell everyone that Gu Yue was her lucky star.
Ever since giving birth to Gu Yue, everything had gone smoothly for her, without a hitch.
For more than ten years, she thought the good days would continue. Who would have thought that the older Gu Yue got, the more outrageous she became, acting recklessly over and over again?
Sometimes Xie shi was so angry she really did want to give up on her and marry her off to just anyone.
But in the end, she couldn’t bear to.
She had painstakingly raised this daughter—how could she just throw her away? That would be like cutting out a piece of her own heart.
Xie shi was both angry and vexed, but this matter couldn’t be handled openly.
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to push the rage down.
She said to Chun He, “Has everyone who knows about this been silenced?”
“Please rest assured, taitai, their mouths have all been shut. Not a word will get out.”
Xie shi nodded. “Good. Since there’s still some time, come with me to see Yue’er.”
“Taitai means…?”
Xie shi gave a cold snort. “With something this serious, benfuren can’t pretend nothing happened.”
Chun He understood.
She followed Xie shi to the Zizhu Yuan.
Xie shi asked the pozi at the door, “Has san yatou been making a fuss?”
They shook their heads. “Replying to taitai, san guniang has been very quiet—she’s not eating or drinking.”
Still daring to pull a hunger strike—Xie shi gave another cold snort, her anger flaring even higher.
She told the women to step aside, then took Chun He into the bedchamber.
Gu Yue was sitting blankly by the window, staring outside.
When she saw Xie shi, a flash of panic clearly crossed her face.
She stood up, her complexion pale. “Why is Mother here?”
“If I didn’t come,” Xie shi barked, “would you have turned the whole fu upside down?”
Gu Yue swayed on her feet as if she could barely stand.
Seeing her like that only made Xie shi angrier—her temper flared instantly.
Smack!
By the time she realised it, Xie shi’s palm had already landed across Gu Yue’s face.
Four finger marks bloomed on Gu Yue’s cheek, which turned red and swollen, making her look utterly pitiful.
She covered her face, silently weeping.
Xie shi jabbed a finger at her forehead. “You still have the nerve to cry? Tell me, what right do you have to cry? Which family’s guniang sees a man and just throws herself at him? Where is your brain? Before doing something, why don’t you use your head to think about the consequences?”
With each sentence, her finger poked Gu Yue’s forehead again and again.
Gu Yue stepped back little by little, her tears pattering to the floor.
Xie shi was livid. “How did I end up with such a muddle-headed, stupid daughter? Do you really want to marry Zhao erlang that badly?”
Gu Yue’s shoulders trembled as she cried, “The moment nü’er saw Zhao erlang, my whole heart rushed toward him without me being able to control it. Mother, nü’er doesn’t want to be like this, but nü’er can’t help it. Nü’er knows I’ve ruined your plans. Please, Mother, forgive nü’er just this once—give nü’er a chance to marry Zhao erlang.”
She dropped to her knees, clutching Xie shi’s sleeve, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.
Xie shi yanked her hand away. “Gu Yue, do you have any shame? You’re an unmarried young lady—do you have any shame?”
Gu Yue cried bitterly. “Nü’er knows my mistake. Nü’er shouldn’t have schemed against da jiejie or ruined her marriage. But nü’er truly couldn’t help it! Mother, nü’er wants nothing else—just to marry Zhao erlang. Please grant nü’er this.”
“Grant you this, only for you to be killed by him? If Zhao erlang were truly so good, do you think I wouldn’t have planned for you to marry him? Before the banquet, I had already spoken to your father about having you replace Gu Zhen as the bride to Haixi bo fu. But that Zhao erlang has a wife-killing fate—he’s killed three young ladies already. Do you want to be the fourth?”
“No, it’s not true! That reputation is just a slander someone made up to smear him—it must be! A man like him couldn’t possibly kill his wives. Mother, you can’t ruin nü’er’s lifelong happiness over a mere rumour.”
Gu Yue burst into wailing.
Xie shi’s anger deepened. “You’re completely bewitched, unable to tell good from bad. What’s so great about that Zhao erlang, that you’d throw away your dignity like this? There are plenty of good men in the capital—he’s not the only one. Listen to me, forget him, and I’ll find you someone better.”
She tried to persuade her with all her heart, hoping Gu Yue would listen.
But clearly, all her effort was wasted.
Gu Yue kept shaking her head. “No matter how good another man is, he’s not the one nü’er wants. Even if Mother forces nü’er to marry someone else, nü’er won’t be happy. From beginning to end, nü’er only wants to marry Zhao erlang. Only with him can nü’er be happy. Mother, please let nü’er marry him.”
“You’re truly obstinate beyond saving—utterly foolish. You’ve disappointed me too much. After all the effort I’ve put into you, is this how you repay me?”
Xie shi’s face turned green with fury.
This was the daughter she had pinned her hopes on—and she was this stupid. So stupid she could cry from it herself.
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