95 Breaking off the Engagement
◎Gu Ningxi and Lu Jing looked at each other, it was obvious that their mutual friend was hiding some secrets.◎
After half a day of turmoil, the news had already spread in Kyoto before the emperor returned to the Marquis Xuanping's Mansion.
Gu Ningxi asked someone to call a doctor and told her sister to go back to Yuehua Courtyard to rest first. She went to the main courtyard alone to explain all matters.
Marquis Xuanping knew everything that happened at the foot of Tianning Mountain.
Ning Xi sent the three people directly to the Dali Temple without any concealment, leaving no room for maneuver in the relationship between the two governments.
Things have gotten to the point where they are almost out of control. The Dali Temple has opened a case and I'm afraid it will soon be put to trial in the Mingtang.
"My Lord, the Second Young Master is back."
The attendant passed on the message, and Marquis Xuanping pressed his eyebrows together and said, "Let her in."
He was naturally angry, but he couldn't show it at the moment.
The Xuanping Marquis Mansion was already in trouble. Not only did it lose the Ningguo Duke Mansion as a relative by marriage, but it also greatly offended the Lin family.
Now the whole Kyoto is watching the excitement between the two families. How will the Marquis' Mansion end?
"Father." No matter what Marquis Xuanping was thinking, Gu Ningxi greeted him calmly.
She took all the responsibility on herself: "I acted on my own in this matter, and I am willing to be punished by the family law."
She lifted her robe and knelt down, shocking the Marquis Xuanping so much that his eyebrows twitched.
Family rules?! How dare he touch his daughter?
At that moment, Marquis Xuanping held his breath and ordered his attendants to help Gu Ningxi up.
His voice remained gentle. "The Ningguo Mansion was the first to deceive us. We will discuss this matter further at home. You've been tired all day. Go back and rest."
"Thank you, father."
Gu Ningxi readily accepted the advice. Now that she had found a way out, she no longer had to worry about her family taking their anger out on her sister.
Rumors were flying everywhere, and the Xuanping Marquis Mansion and the Ningguo Duke Mansion alone were unable to suppress the news.
Gu Ningxi returned to Qinlan Courtyard to report safety to her mother. Even Madam Meng had heard a lot about the rumors that had occurred during the day.
Seeing Gu Ningxi return from the main courtyard, she hurriedly asked, "What did your father say? Did he punish you?"
Gu Ningxi shook her head and said comfortingly, "Mother, the fault lies with the Ningguo Mansion. I will not be punished."
Of course, Gu Ningxi knew the real reason why her family treated her so gently.
Madam Meng was relieved: "Is your sister okay?"
"Miss Luo rescued people in time, and there was no major trouble."
"That's good," Madam Meng said with a lingering fear. "Luckily, it's a girl from the Nan'an Marquis's Mansion. If it were any other strange man, I'm afraid it would be difficult to deal with."
After comforting his mother, Gu Ningxi went to Yuehua Courtyard again.
The doctor had already examined the eldest daughter of the Gu family and prescribed a tranquilizing prescription. He told Gu Ningwan to get plenty of rest and drink some ginger soup to avoid catching a cold.
When Gu Ningxi arrived outside Yuehua Courtyard, he happened to meet Madam Shen coming out of the house.
"Mother." She bowed.
Madam Shen looked at her with a complicated expression, but in the end she did not stop her from going in.
No matter what, she knew clearly who was plotting against her daughter and who was protecting Wan'er.
It's a pity that she and Lady Ningguo had been close friends for decades, but when the other party plotted against her and her daughter, she probably didn't even blink an eye?
"Erlangjun, please."
Gu Ningxi entered the bedroom. Gu Ningwan had already taken a bath and ordered the maids to leave.
With no one around, Gu Ningxi lowered her voice: "Sister, you're taking too much of a risk. What if something goes wrong—"
Gu Ningwan was also helpless: "If we don't make a big fuss, I'm afraid this matter will end up being a small matter and nothing at all."
She had a backup plan. Among the maids she brought to the foot of Tianning Mountain during the day, two were familiar with swimming.
When the noise gets louder, he will go into the water to save her and will not let Xier be in danger.
The two sisters reviewed today's events together. Everything was just as they had deduced. They also wanted to thank Marquis Wu'an and Miss Luo.
There was only one exception. Gu Ningwan asked, "Why would Duke Qi help us like this?"
The feud between the Gu and Lin families had nothing to do with him. Most people just stood by and watched, but he spoke frankly and did not hesitate to offend the Ningguo Mansion.
Gu Ningxi also felt strange. At first, she thought that Duke Qi was an upright person who spoke up for justice.
But when she saw the Duke of Qi's expression as he angrily rebuked Lin Qi, the rage in his eyes was genuine. She had known Qin Yu for many years, and he was known for his calm and resolute nature. This was the first time Gu Ningxi had seen him so furious.
"I'll ask someone." She said to Gu Ningwan.
As for who to look for, the answer is self-evident.
…
In the evening, in the bedroom of Prince Zhao's mansion, Lu Jing listened to the words of the person in his arms.
"You mean, Yan Ming looks different?"
Lu Jing naturally knew what happened at the foot of Tianning Mountain, but the secret guard omitted some irrelevant details when reporting back.
Gu Ningxi nodded. "Initially, I only sought help from Marquis Wu'an. I don't know why Duke Qi suddenly showed up. My sister was framed by Duke Ning's family, and he seems even angrier than I am."
This was really intriguing. Gu Ningxi and Lu Jing looked at each other. It was obvious that their mutual friend was hiding some secrets.
Putting this matter aside for the moment, Lu Jing held the person in his arms more comfortably: "What are you going to do next?"
"The three people from the Ningguo Mansion have been detained in the Dali Temple. The presiding judge of this case is Sun Shaoqing, who was personally promoted by His Majesty after he ascended the throne. I don't think I need to worry about them anymore."
Gu Ningxi believed in Lu Jing's ability to judge people. "But the Ningguo Mansion would certainly not use anyone from the Mansion to distance themselves from such a shameful act. I think even if they could find solid evidence, the Mansion would find someone to take the blame."
So Gu Ningxi took a different approach. The most important thing for a century-old family is reputation.
"I've had word spread that the Ningguo Mansion is unwilling to fulfill the engagement, yet they don't want to be known for their treachery. So, during the Double Ninth Festival, they ordered their evil servants to push the eldest daughter of the Gu family into the water, attempting to kill her."
This rumor was so sensational that it spread throughout Kyoto at a rapid speed, making the second piece of news that Gu Ningxi immediately spread more credible.
"Duke Ning's mansion ordered servants to push the eldest daughter of the Gu family into the water, taking advantage of the situation to have Lin Liulang rescue her, and using his life-saving grace to intercept the marriage."
For a time, the Ningguo Mansion was pushed to the forefront.
After all, the aristocratic families of Kyoto were all shrewd, and the Lin family's careful planning for their legitimate son's marriage had long been made public. They had initially calculated the generous dowry from the Nan'an Marquisate, and then delayed the marriage with the Xuanping Marquisate, fearing even the slightest loss.
Now that the Ningguo Mansion has made a move to exchange marriages, who wouldn't say it's a good calculation! How could the eldest daughter of the Xuanping Marquis Mansion, both talented and beautiful, marry the sixth son of the Lin family, a playboy with no hope of inheriting the title and no education?
Even though the Ningguo Mansion vehemently denied the rumors, and even though the Dali Temple reported the case three days later, it was Steward He who did it all. Steward He wanted his daughter to become the Crown Prince's concubine, and was afraid that the future mistress would not tolerate her, so he took the risk.
But the noble families all knew the situation clearly, and they were just trying to save a bit of face for the Ningguo Mansion.
On the second day after the case was solved, the Marquis Xuanping's family came to return the betrothal gifts and took the initiative to abandon the marriage.
Once upon a time, the marriage between the two families was considered a good story in Kyoto.
Now that the whole city is in an uproar, if the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion puts aside the past grudges and insists on marrying off their daughter, it would be a huge debasement of their status and a complete loss of face.
After this incident, Lin Qi, the 26-year-old prince of Ningguo, became single again.
If they were so calculating towards a bride who hadn't even married yet, who in any respectable family would be willing to marry their daughter into the Ningguo Mansion?
If she is not careful, her daughter might be plotted against by this prince and become his half-brother again.
For a long time afterwards, no one in the Ningguo Mansion came out of their house. Whenever the Ningguo Mansion and their "magnanimous prince" who gave up his wife were mentioned at a banquet in the capital, everyone would laugh at them.
…
The case was finally concluded, and in the imperial study, Xie Qian was so excited that he almost stood up: "You are really good at hiding, Qin Yanming! We have been brothers for so many years, you are really good at hiding!"
He realized it later and asked, "Tell me, is January 25th Miss Gu's birthday?"
He vaguely heard Lord Gu mention that her eldest sister was born in January.
Qin Yu folded his hands and sat awkwardly in his seat. His secret love was exposed in front of his three friends, leaving him with nowhere to hide and feeling uneasy.
Lu Jing looked at him and said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
If it had been a little later, Yuan Le's elder sister would have married into the Ningguo Mansion. If he were to regret it later, he would have the bad reputation of forcibly seizing a married woman.
Although it's not impossible.
Qin Yu smiled bitterly, not knowing where to start talking about the worries that had been buried for many years.
He had liked her since childhood and had always liked her.
But his father was defeated and buried on the battlefield. The Duke of Qi's mansion was in decline, his family was dwindling, and even retaining his title was a struggle. How could he possibly dream of marrying the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Xuanping?
Later, he followed His Royal Highness Prince Zhao to the battlefield, surrounded by swords and spears, and he didn't know when he would be able to return, let alone talk about love.
When he finally returned to the court after the war, he heard that she had already been engaged to the prince of Ningguo.
The Ningguo Mansion is the most prominent family in Kyoto, and everyone envies this marriage.
And her marriage to Lin Qi was not a blind one. They had known each other since childhood, so she was at least more familiar with him than he was with her.
He thought that if she could be happy, he would just watch from afar.
He persuaded himself to let it go, but he never thought that Lin Qi was such a scoundrel that he dared to scheme against her and let her down!
Whenever he thought of this, Qin Yu felt a knot in his chest and was determined to seek justice for her.
Zhen Yuan didn't know how to comfort his friend. He patted Qin Yu's shoulder and said, "Yan Ming, the boat has sailed through thousands of mountains. Things are different now."
The Duke of Qi's Mansion is now more popular in the court than in its heyday. He can definitely give it a try.
"Yes," Xie Qian continued, "the eldest daughter of the Gu family has broken off the engagement. This is a great opportunity for you since the man is still unmarried and the woman is still unmarried."
He eagerly offered Qin Yu some advice, a string of suggestions pouring out of his mouth, such as giving gifts that suit her preferences, and allowing her to spend more time with her at banquets. He made suggestions as if he were planning to get married himself.
Qin Yu felt his enthusiasm, and Lu Jing glanced at Xie Qian lightly: "But Huaicheng, what can you know?"
Xie Qian: “…”
Is it too late to change the master now?
…
In the residence of Marquis Xuanping, Madam Shen swept away the dejection she had felt since the cancellation of the engagement and became cheerful and proud again.
She had cut off contact with the wife of Duke Ningguo a few days ago. She had long known that Zhao was partial to her youngest son. Was she going to sacrifice her daughter's life?
This matter was bound to not end well. Since the betrothal gift was formally returned, the marriage between the two families was terminated.
There have been constant rumors in Kyoto these days, and Gu Ningwan has been recuperating at home on the pretext of illness.
The Ningguo Mansion was not suitable for marriage. Madam Shen was so worried about her daughter's marriage that she could not sleep or eat. She could not bear to see her daughter marrying down and being inferior to others in the future.
Even if she could accept it, her daughter was still proud and arrogant. Because of her own wishful thinking about marriage in the Ningguo Mansion, she had delayed her daughter's life until now, and had rejected countless good marriage opportunities.
Mrs. Shen couldn't eat and lost a lot of weight.
Until yesterday, there was a sudden turn of events.
The former wife of the Duke of Qi came to visit with her daughter. The other party was of good status, and Madam Shen sat with them and chatted with them.
During the conversation, the wife of the Duke of Qi made it clear that she intended to ask the Duke of Qi to marry her eldest daughter.
Duke of Qi!
He is a well-deserved close minister of the emperor and the number one among the younger generation of the Kyoto aristocratic families!
Madam Shen was delighted. The other party's personal visit showed her sincerity. Furthermore, the Qin family was small, so if Wan'er married into the family, she would be the Duke's wife, without the torment of being a grandson's wife, and without having to deal with the entanglements of sisters-in-law from several branches.
This marriage was truly a win-win situation. Madam Shen was very proud that there was such a good marriage waiting for her, Wan'er!
She looked down upon the Ningguo Mansion more and more, fortunately Wan'er did not marry into it.
The one who was even more pleased with this marriage was the Marquis of Xuanping. It was well known that His Majesty relied heavily on the Duke of Qi. If they could marry into the Duke of Qi's mansion, the Marquis's position within the court would be even more secure, and no one would dare to look down on them.
Once this turmoil subsides, the two governments can start discussing the marriage.
Everything went perfectly, and the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion was filled with joy.
But in Yuehua Courtyard, Gu Ningxi saw that his elder sister had a sad look on her face.
"Sister, what's wrong?" she asked with concern.
Gu Ningwan smiled and said, "I just think it's a bit absurd and a bit pathetic."
There was no one else in the room. Gu Ningwan said softly, "Marrying the wrong person will waste your life. And all I can do is marry a better man. How big of a difference does that really make?"
It's like treating the foot when it hurts.
"But I still have to admit that I am extremely lucky to have the Duke of Qi's Mansion accept my marriage proposal after the engagement was broken off."
She didn't know how to describe her feelings at the moment, but Gu Ningxi could understand.
A'erjie met the wrong person, and if she were to return to her female identity, her predicament would be exactly the same as her sister's.
It's just that at the moment, because she met her childhood sweetheart, and he is a very good person, he is willing to indulge her temporarily.
But it's only temporary.
【Author’s words】
Once upon a time: Not much time has passed, meaning not a long time has passed.
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