Gu Yue kowtowed again and again.
“Mother, please grant me this. I know I’ve disappointed you. I’ve failed your years of teaching and cultivation. But I only want to marry Zhao erlang. I don’t want anyone else.”
Xie shi, furious, pointed at Gu Yue’s head. “You – you won’t listen to my advice. Sooner or later, you will regret it.”
“Nü’er will never regret it. Not in this lifetime.” Gu Yue’s gaze was firm as she spoke.
Xie shi gave a cold snort. “Don’t speak so soon.”
“I won’t regret it. If I don’t marry Zhao erlang, if I don’t fight for it, then I will regret it.”
Seeing Gu Yue’s stubbornness, refusing to take in a single word, Xie shi was so angry that she lost all strength and collapsed into her chair.
Chun He hurriedly brought over a cup of tea. “Taitai, have some tea to calm down. Please take care of your health.”
“How can I calm down after seeing her like this?” Xie shi snapped.
Chun He turned to persuade Gu Yue. “San guniang, you should listen to taitai. Taitai would never harm you. All these years, everything she’s done has been for your sake. Can’t you be considerate of her?”
Xie shi had said so much, yet none of it moved Gu Yue. How could one sentence from Chun He possibly change her mind?
Gu Yue shook her head. “Mother, I want nothing else. This is my only request. As long as you grant me this, I will obey you in everything from now on.”
Xie shi narrowed her eyes, staring hard at Gu Yue.
Gu Yue raised her head proudly and met her gaze without flinching.
“Everything?” Xie shi sneered.
Gu Yue nodded. “I’ll listen to Mother in everything.”
“If I tell you not to marry Zhao erlang, will you listen?”
Gu Yue’s face turned pale. Stubbornly, she said, “Other than this, I’ll listen to Mother in all things.”
Xie shi laughed coldly again and again. “Yue’er, Yue’er… all the tricks I taught you, and in the end, you’ve turned them against me. You’ve really made something of yourself.”
Gu Yue lowered her head, guilty.
“You realise,” Xie shi scolded, “that because of your rashness, your stupidity, your self-importance, you’ve brought me no end of trouble? Do you know how furious your father was last night? He pointed at my nose and cursed the entire Xie family as worthless.
“And because of this, your father has decided to sever ties with your uncle once and for all. Yue’er, your so-called ‘little’ action has led to such serious consequences. Have you not reflected on this at all?”
Gu Yue’s jaw dropped, stunned. “I–I never thought Father would be that angry.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Xie shi sneered. “The only thing in your head is Zhao erlang, only your own happiness. To marry him, you’d stop at nothing, live or die. But what if, one day, your father casts me aside? What if your uncle dies at his hands? That will all be your doing.
“Would you have your uncle’s blood, your mother’s ruin, and even your brothers’ and sisters’ destruction on your conscience? Gu Yue – where is your conscience? Before acting, did you ever consider the consequences? Did you ever think of me, or of your siblings?”
Gu Yue opened her mouth, then suddenly burst into tears.
“Mother, forgive me, nü’er was wrong. But what’s done is done – I can’t undo it. Mother, why not just go with the flow and grant nü’er this wish?”
Xie shi let out a bitter laugh.
So everything she had said was just playing the lute to a cow.
Gu Yue hadn’t heard a single word. Her heart was still clinging to Zhao erlang.
Xie shi smiled again, but it was a bitter smile. “I spoiled you too much, until you became utterly unruly. Gu Yue, let me ask you – between Zhao erlang, a man you’ve only met once, and me, your own mother, who is more important?”
Gu Yue froze, panicked, looking at her with pleading eyes. “Mother, I, I…”
“No need to say it,” Xie shi waved her hand. “I already know the answer in your heart.”
Gu Yue’s face went deathly pale, panic choking her speech.
Xie shi sighed deeply.
A self-mocking smile curved her lips.
Such a fine daughter she had raised. After pouring in so much love and effort, in the end she was less important than a stranger.
What bitter irony. What cruelty.
Xie shi’s spirit broke – she no longer wished to continue. Words were useless.
Gu Yue panicked, clutching her mother’s sleeve. “Mother, please listen. In my heart, of course you’re the most important. Nü’er just didn’t realise before, that’s why…”
“Enough! Gu Yue, I raised you. Do you think I don’t know what’s in your heart? To use your tricks against me – you’ve chilled me to the bone.”
Gu Yue sobbed. “No, it’s not like that. Mother, please listen to me–”
“Reflect on your own.”
Xie shi shook off her hand and strode out.
Chun He hesitated, then said to Gu Yue: “San guniang, do you realise how deeply you’ve wounded taitai’s heart? She always thinks for your sake, yet you… sigh… Once her anger cools, you must apologise sincerely and repent. And after this, don’t mention Zhao erlang again. Don’t make her upset.”
“Chun He jiejie, can’t you help me? Please?”
Gu Yue hadn’t heard a word of Chun He’s advice. She clung to her like a drowning person grabbing at a lifeline, clutching her hand tightly.
“Chun He jiejie, you must help me. As long as you help me, I’ll give you money. I have plenty of money here. I can also help you achieve your wish – let you become laoye’s concubine. Truly, I really can help you.”
Chun He’s expression changed, “San guniang, what nonsense are you spouting? Let go at once.”
“Chun He jiejie, I beg you, please, please help me. Right now, you’re the only one who can.”
“San guniang is so capable, how could you need a servant like me to help? I must go back to serve taitai. Excuse me.”
Chun He had strength; she forcefully pried open Gu Yue’s hands and ran out.
Gu Yue burst into loud sobs, but the pozi simply shut the door, not worried she would run out.
When all grew quiet outside, Gu Yue stopped crying as well.
Xie shi had left in a hurry, and only after walking some distance did she cool down from her rage.
Chun He hurried after her, “Taitai, are you alright?”
“What did san yatou say to you?”
Chun He lowered her head and softly replied, “San guniang asked nubi to help her. Nubi did not agree.”
“That wretched girl, still unwilling to give up even now.”
Chun He hesitated, then said, “Taitai, judging by san guniang’s attitude, it seems she’s set her heart on marrying Zhao erlang. If this continues, it won’t end well.”
“How could I not know that? But if I yield to her wishes this time, and she gets her way, then once she tastes the sweetness, she’ll surely become even more unrestrained in the future.”
As she spoke, Xie shi was gnashing her teeth.
Gu Yue was nothing but a debtor come to collect payment.
Chun He said, “But if you keep san guniang locked up like this, nubi fears something bad may happen.”
Xie shi narrowed her eyes.
Chun He reminded her, “Taitai, there are no walls so tight that the wind cannot pass through. The main branch has been managing this household for so many years; inside and out, it’s filled with their people. There’s no guarantee that no one will find out about san guniang. If word spreads, even just with da guniang, there will be a storm. As for laoye, it will be hard to explain.”
Xie shi frowned.
Of course she understood what Chun He meant.
But unless she taught Gu Yue a harsh lesson, Xie shi could not swallow this fury in her heart.
She told Chun He, “Send people to watch the movements within the household. If there’s the slightest disturbance, report to me immediately.”
“Nubi obeys.”
Chun He secretly sighed. It seemed taitai still hadn’t made up her mind.
Xie shi looked around and realised she had reached the courtyard where Gu Shan lived.
She took a deep breath. “Come with me to see si guniang.”
Gu Yue had disappointed her, but she still had Gu Shan.
Gu Shan was an understanding child, and also clever. Compared with Gu Yue, Xie shi could see that Gu Shan had far more virtues.
She realised she had truly neglected Gu Shan in the past – it really shouldn’t have been so.
If she had shared even a fraction of the affection she gave Gu Yue with Gu Shan, perhaps Gu Yue wouldn’t have turned out like this today.
Carrying such complicated feelings, Xie shi walked into the courtyard where Gu Shan resided.
Seeing her arrive, Gu Shan was surprised, though her face remained calm.
“Nü’er greets Mother. It’s so late, what brings you here?”
“I came to see you.”
Xie shi looked around Gu Shan’s residence. In its furnishings, it was clearly much simpler than Gu Yue’s side.
“Why didn’t you have things fetched from the storeroom to decorate more?”
Though she didn’t know why Xie shi asked this, Gu Shan still answered honestly: “It was I who told the maids not to place too many decorations. I prefer things plain and simple.”
Xie shi nodded. “You’ve been different from your sister since childhood. She likes luxury, you like simplicity. She enjoys going out, you prefer to read. Ai, you two sisters are truly nothing alike.”
Gu Shan cautiously asked, “Did something happen to san jiejie?”
Xie shi waved her hand, “Don’t talk about your san jiejie, let’s talk about you.”
Gu Shan didn’t understand, but she lowered her head and said, “Nü’er is doing quite well.”
Xie shi looked at her. “Is there nothing you need to add or purchase?”
Gu Shan shook her head. “Thank you, Mother. Nü’er doesn’t need anything for now.”
“I see.”
This kind of conversation was really dull.
Xie shi suddenly understood why she had doted on Gu Yue so much, yet never favoured the sensible Gu Shan.
Her words were boring, she didn’t know how to be close. Clearly they were mother and daughter, yet her manner was polite and distant.
Such a way of talking made Xie shi frown slightly, leaving her displeased.
But it truly wasn’t something she could be blamed for.
With Gu Shan’s demeanour, even if she wanted to be a good mother, Xie shi felt she had nowhere to begin.
Gu Shan looked at Xie shi, her expression cautious.
Xie shi coughed lightly, came back to herself, and asked: “Shan’er, have you thought about your future marriage? What sort of family would you like to marry into?”
Gu Shan was obedient and gave the standard answer: “It is all up to Mother’s decision.”
“Marriage is indeed decided by parents. But as parents, we should also respect our children’s wishes. If you have any thoughts, Shan’er, just tell me. I will help you make it happen.”
“Hm?”
Gu Shan was full of questions.
After thinking for a moment, she said, “Nü’er just wants to marry someone whose family background matches ours, who is hardworking and motivated, and whose character is upright.”
Xie shi looked at her and tried asking, “You don’t have any requirements about appearance?”
“As long as he looks decent.” Then Gu Shan added, “A man’s character is the most important. His looks are not the main thing.”
Truly, completely different from Gu Yue.
That girl Gu Yue couldn’t see past appearances. What character, what hard work and ambition – all of that paled in comparison to a good-looking face in her eyes.
Xie shi gave a self-deprecating laugh. She had given birth to two daughters, yet they were complete opposites. Between them, there seemed not to be the slightest trace of similarity.
Xie shi said to Gu Shan, “Mother understands your thoughts now. In the future, I will definitely find you a man of upright character and outstanding learning. Since you love reading, if he also enjoys books, the two of you will naturally get along well.”
Gu Shan blushed for once. “Nü’er is still young. It won’t be too late to discuss my marriage after the three jiejie’s marriages are settled.”
Xie shi laughed. “I know. But when I’m looking into matches for your elder sisters, I will keep an eye out for you as well.”
Gu Shan hesitated, then cautiously asked, “Mother, has da jiejie’s marriage fallen through? And has there been any progress with san jiejie’s marriage?”
Xie shi frowned. “Who told you that?”
“I guessed it myself.”
Xie shi restrained her expression and said sternly, “Don’t go speculating in the future. A young lady’s marriage cannot be so easily settled.”
Oh! Gu Shan understood immediately.
Surely something had gone wrong with da jiejie and san jiejie’s marriages, which was why Mother had felt so emotional and had come so late at night to her courtyard.
Everything that needed to be said had been said.
Xie shi found it dull to remain any longer.
She gave Gu Shan a few more reminders, then rose and left.
Gu Shan escorted her to the courtyard gate.
“Go back now, rest early.”
Gu Shan nodded. “Mother, may I visit san jiejie tomorrow?”
“Your san jiejie has been hot-tempered these past two days, best you don’t go.”
Gu Shan obeyed readily. “Nü’er will listen to Mother.”
The corners of Xie shi’s lips lifted into a faint smile.
But the moment she thought of Gu Yue, her face darkened again.
If only Gu Yue were half as clever and sensible as Gu Shan, she would laugh herself awake even in her dreams.
The next day, news came from the neighbouring hou fu: the Haixi bo fu no longer intended to form a marriage alliance with the Gu family.
In other words, the Haixi bo fu had not taken a liking to Gu Zhen.
Phew!
Xie shi let out a long breath. She had known it would come to this.
After what had happened, how could the Haixi bo fu possibly still take Gu Zhen as their daughter-in-law?
Xie shi mulled over how she would broach the matter with Gu daren when he returned home that evening.
Gu Zhen’s marriage, Gu Yue’s marriage…
The thought gave her a splitting headache.
She asked Chun He, “Is san guniang still making trouble?”
Chun He shook her head. “After breakfast, san guniang asked for ink, brush, and paper to be prepared, and she’s been in her room reviewing her studies.”
Xie shi gave a cold snort. “How rare – it seems she actually knows how to apply herself.”
Chun He dared not comment.
“Make sure people keep a close watch on Zhen yatou and san yatou. These next few days, we cannot afford the slightest carelessness.”
“Nubi understands.”
Xie shi thought for a moment, then decided to seek out Zhang shi.
Since Haixi bo fu’s marriage had fallen through, she needed to quickly choose a new match for Gu Zhen – while no one outside yet knew what had really happened.
And the Xie family also needed a firm talking-to. Their mouths had to be shut tight – no gossiping outside.
Xie shi had planned everything out well, but she never considered that plans could never keep up with changes.
Xiao Cui’s reputation as a gossip wasn’t undeserved.
Even though Xie shi had sealed the matter up tightly, Xiao Cui still managed to find a breakthrough.
“I asked a maid from Zizhu Yuan. She said that yesterday evening, taitai went to see san guniang. San guniang was crying very hard, and several times taitai raised her voice and scolded her harshly. My friend happened to overhear a few words.”
Gu Jiu asked curiously: “And what did your friend hear?”
Xiao Cui took a sip of water before continuing: “It seemed taitai was berating san guniang, saying – of all people to set her sights on, why choose Zhao erlang? She also scolded her for being incredibly foolish and ungrateful.”
“You’re serious?”
Gu Jiu froze midair with her teacup in hand, her face full of disbelief.
Well, I’ll be damned.
So that’s how it was!
No wonder Gu Yue schemed against Gu Zhen – it turned out she had her eyes on Zhao erlang and wanted to take Gu Zhen’s place, marrying into Haixi bo fu.
There was no reason for two sisters to marry into the same family, one to each brother.
Gu Yue knew very well that if she wanted to marry Zhao erlang, the prerequisite was for Gu Zhen’s engagement to fall through.
Gu Yue was truly ruthless and decisive – her ability to act was off the charts.
She must have first met Zhao erlang at the banquet that day. Then, on the spot, she made up her mind, carefully plotted, and calculated against Gu Zhen.
That kind of decisiveness – ordinary girls couldn’t even compare.
Other young ladies, even if they liked someone, would only keep it in their hearts.
If they ever considered taking action, they would hesitate, weighing this and that, waiting for another chance.
But someone as resolute and straightforward as Gu Yue was extremely rare.
Even Gu Jiu couldn’t help but admire her decisiveness – it was too strong.
Gu Yue had gotten her wish: she ruined Gu Zhen’s engagement.
But her plan to marry Zhao erlang wouldn’t be so easy to realise.
Gu Yue was simply too ruthless.
After all, Gu Zhen had run errands for her in the past, even acted as her pawn.
Yet for the sake of a man, she turned around and destroyed Gu Zhen’s marriage prospects in an instant.
If Gu Zhen were to find out the truth, what would she do?
T/N:
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