Chapter 425 - 417: Proud
The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was not peaceful.
Gu Yifeng had already arranged everything and was striding out of the Marquis Mansion, while Aunt Lv, who had been kicked by him, was lying in bed at this moment. Sister Ran sat beside her, gently massaging her chest.
"Aunt, you need to think broader. Today’s incident is being discussed all over the Capital. After all, it’s not a small matter. The talk of an elder sister snatching her younger sister’s marriage is spreading, and our Marquis Mansion’s reputation is gone. Father is currently angry, of course, he won’t listen to Aunt’s words. After his anger subsides, Aunt can plead again, and Father will definitely relent. After all, Eldest Sister is also Father’s daughter. Although Father is usually cold, he is not a heartless person."
"You now understand all these principles more clearly than Aunt. Aunt really didn’t have any other way but to beg in front of your father. I knew there would be no good outcome, but I couldn’t just watch your sister get into trouble. I’ve already done all I can, and now it’s up to your sister to fend for herself." Aunt Lv’s face showed no emotion, but tears kept flowing from the corners of her eyes. "I used to worry about you the most, always thinking about how you, with your temperament, would fare in marriage. But now it seems you understand everything in your heart and have managed to control your nature. You don’t worry me anymore, but your sister has caused such trouble. What will she do in the future? Mrs. Dong clearly won’t forgive her, the Old Madam won’t intervene, and your father is behaving like this. Do you think your sister can still be saved?"
Sister Ran sat there without speaking. She couldn’t understand how her usually quiet and obedient sister could do such a thing.
"It’s all because of the Third Miss. If it weren’t for her promises, how could your sister have done such a thing? Now look, your sister has ended up like this, almost losing her life because of her. The Third Miss must be satisfied now, right?" Aunt Lv said bitterly. "With a mother like that, what kind of daughter could she have? I used to tell her not to always be so close to Sister Hui. Sister Hui seems steady, but at such a young age, to act like that shows she has a deep mind, yet she just wouldn’t listen."
"Things have come to this point, Aunt shouldn’t blame others. Speaking of which, it was Eldest Sister who was in the wrong. No matter what promises were between them, she shouldn’t have seduced her brother-in-law. I think Eldest Sister clearly wanted to use this to get back at Sister Hui. Now she’s ended up like this, it’s her own doing, who else can she blame?" Sister Ran felt dissatisfied seeing Aunt was only shifting the blame onto others.
Aunt Lv, hearing her daughter’s words, did not dare to say more. She knew the deeds of her eldest daughter had tarnished her younger daughter’s reputation. Moreover, when they were at the Zhou Mansion, her eldest daughter had acted out in front of everyone. Now, although her younger daughter was complaining a bit, what could she say?
Very few in the Marquis Mansion could sleep soundly, and over at Gu Er’s side, he was arguing with Princess Yuanhua.
The room was in chaos, everything had already been thrown, and there was not even a place to stand amidst the mess.
Gu Er sat in a chair, while Princess Yuanhua sat on a couch, the two glaring at each other as if ready to devour one another.
"You feel pained? Didn’t you say you had no feelings for her? How come you’re pained now, can’t hide it anymore?" Princess Yuanhua retorted.
"Can I not speak about the things you’ve done? Today at the banquet at your Zhou Mansion, your mother insulted the people of the Gu Mansion in front of all the madams. Not only did you not stop it, but you also incited it. Don’t forget, you are now also a daughter-in-law of the Gu Mansion. If the Gu Mansion is humiliated, your face won’t look good either. I just don’t understand, what grudge do you have with Sister Ning that you must do this? As for you saying I have feelings for Sister Ning, you can rest assured, for a woman like that, I, Gu Er, am not foolish enough to pine for her my entire life. I just can’t stand her ways, making everyone think I have dealings with that woman, and now having my reputation damaged, letting the women around me oppress others." Gu Er, recalling the looks others gave him during the festival, couldn’t help but flare up with anger again. "You need not always put on a princess’s airs in front of me. I can tell you, since the Holy Emperor has demoted your status, he won’t restore your former status as Grand Princess. You can look at all you’ve done now, with these actions, if word reaches the Holy Emperor’s ears, he won’t be pleased. Do you think the Holy Emperor will restore your princess status? He’d rather distance himself from you, sparing the Royal Family the disgrace."
Princess Yuanhua was so angry her nose was crooked, but then she laughed again, "Even without the princess status, so what? As long as my mother is in the palace, I’m fine. I have a brother, what do I have to worry about in the future? Are you now speaking these words to me in truth or deceit? I remember in the past, whenever I spoke ill of Sister Ning in front of you, you’d argue with me, and now you even call her that woman, too lazy to even say her name. I’m quite curious about what has happened to make you now hate her."
Some women can be quite perceptive, and with just a sentence, Princess Yuanhua immediately noticed the change.
Gu Er, thinking about those humiliating incidents, couldn’t possibly speak of them. He merely looked coldly at Princess Yuanhua, "This is my own affair, no need for you to worry. The matter between us was a marriage granted by the Holy Emperor. Even if we bear a grudge while together, we cannot separate. But rest assured, I, Gu Er, am not a selfish person. If you see something outside that makes you happy, you can do as you please, I won’t meddle."
Princess Yuanhua was provoked by his words, leaping off the couch. "Gu Er, who do you think you are? Do you really think I’m someone who acts recklessly? Don’t push me too far! If you dare speak such humiliating words again, even without the princess status, I’ll rush to the palace and have Father Emperor deliver justice for me."
Gu Er, without even looking at her, had already turned and strode out of the main house.
Princess Yuanhua, furious, had nothing left in the room to throw, so she could only sit back on the couch and cry into her hands.