Gu Yaoniang's expression changed several times, and Qiaoniang quickly comforted her, "It's too late now, you should get some rest."
Since a curfew has already been imposed, going out now would be pointless.
Gu Yaoniang understood this principle, and although she agreed, she couldn't sleep all night.
The next day, Gu Yaoniang, with dark circles under her eyes, struggled to get up, but everyone stopped her. The person who went to the Lu family to inquire about the situation returned, saying that Lu Zhaoan had not returned to the manor the day before, which made Gu Yaoniang even more anxious.
She was injured and fell into a coma yesterday, and now Lu Zhaoan is nowhere to be found. Gu Xingzhi still hasn't seen her today, so the news of Gu Yaoniang's injury can no longer be kept secret. Gu Xingzhi forced himself to come and take a look at Gu Yaoniang, and after returning to his room, he completely collapsed.
By nightfall, they were already delirious. To be honest, the Gu family had been somewhat prepared, but the unexpected turn of events had led them to believe that the prepared items would be unnecessary.
Gu Yaoniang was helped to Gu Xingzhi's bedside. Gu Xingzhi, in a trembling voice, told Gu Yaoniang to remember to visit Gu Huiniang's grave to fulfill her filial duties, and instructed the two siblings to be filial to their parents. After handing over the Gu family business to Gu Yaoniang, he closed his eyes.
In the latter half of the night, the sound of weeping still echoed throughout the Gu family mansion.
The next day, Gu Yaoniang developed a high fever. The Gu family was plunged into gloom. Qiaoniang, on the contrary, was the calmest. She handled Gu Xingzhi's funeral arrangements in an orderly manner, then summoned the manager of the Gu family business to the mansion to complete the handover, waiting for Gu Yaoniang to wake up.
It wasn't that no one had any improper thoughts, but Qiaoniang dealt with them all with swift and decisive measures; either they gave up the idea, or they simply left.
Gu Yaoniang felt dizzy and disoriented. She felt someone shaking her, trying to get her to open her eyes and see the precarious situation the Gu family was in. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open her eyes.
She walked along a long corridor, thinking of the faint light ahead, running aimlessly yet resolutely.
Finally, we got closer and closer to that point of light.
She finally reached the light.
She happily lifted her foot, almost stepping over. Suddenly, she saw her mother's face appear before her, her expression anxious: "Yaoniang, what are you doing here? Go back quickly!"
Before she could speak, he gave her a hard shove in the lower back.
Gu Yaoniang felt a violent tremor throughout her body and sat up in bed.
Her movements were a bit too forceful, pulling on the still-healing skin and flesh, causing her to feel dizzy from the pain and fall back onto the bed.
There was no one by the bedside, and the house was very quiet. Gu Yaoniang straightened her back and tried to get up. She could still manage, so she got up.
Perhaps because I had been lying down for too long, my legs felt a little weak, and I walked slower than usual.
White banners still hung in the courtyard. Gu Yaoniang felt a chill and realized that she was only wearing thin clothes, so she quickly put on a thin spring shirt. She walked towards the flower hall and saw Qiaoniang sitting there, with a somewhat kind-looking woman standing opposite her.
Gu Yaoniang racked her brains to remember who this woman was—it was Yu Mama from Wufan Pavilion!
Gu Yaoniang felt a jolt run through her body. Why was the madam of Wufan Pavilion, that kind of brothel, standing here in the Gu family with such a respectful attitude towards Qiaoniang?
She leaned closer and heard Qiaoniang say, "Alright, I understand. I didn't expect that even at this time, the income would still be quite good. Take the account book back with you. Don't leave it here; it might arouse suspicion if someone sees it."
Qiao Niang's lips curled into a mocking smile. These days, the people are starving, and although Wu Fan Ge is outwardly closed, there are always people who find ways to sneak in for pleasure.
Gu Yaoniang was filled with speculation. Could it be that Qiaoniang was actually the owner behind Wufan Pavilion?
"My wife! Why have you come out?"
Just as Gu Yaoniang was about to continue listening, a familiar voice came from behind her. Qiaoniang looked over as well. Through the hazy windows of the flower hall, she saw Gu Yaoniang's figure.
She was both surprised and delighted. After giving a brief instruction to Yu's mother, she quickly walked out.
Gu Yaoniang simply watched her, and seeing that no one was leading the way, she walked out of the Gu family home with practiced ease.
Qiao Niang said happily, "You're finally awake! Are you feeling unwell? Why did you come over so soon after waking up?"
Gu Yaoniang did not move, standing still in place, struggling internally, but still replied, "The wound hurts a little. But it's nothing serious."
However, there was still some lingering resentment, and her voice carried a hint of awkwardness and distance.
As soon as Gu Yaoniang spoke, she realized that her voice was hoarse and unbearable.
Qiao Niang was a woman of great character; how could she not notice Gu Yao Niang's unusual behavior? Yet she acted as if nothing was wrong, ordering someone to help Gu Yao Niang back to her room, saying with concern, "You've just woken up, and your wounds haven't healed yet. You should go back and lie down."
While naturally exerting his strength, he walked towards Tinglan Residence with Gu Yaoniang.
Gu Yaoniang did not push her away, but tried to stand up straight so that her weight would not lean on Qiaoniang.
Qiaoniang sighed inwardly and asked, "Do you have something to ask me?"
Gu Yaoniang remained silent for a moment. She hadn't been out for so long, and she didn't know how long she had been lying down. She felt extremely weak, and with each step, her limbs felt limp, as if she would collapse at any moment. But Gu Yaoniang gritted her teeth and continued walking forward.
The two finally arrived at Tinglan Residence, and Gu Yaoniang was already drenched in sweat.
Qiao Niang had a general idea of what was going on, and couldn't help but sigh.
Looking at Qiao Niang's serene face, just when Qiao Niang thought she wouldn't say anything, Gu Yaoniang spoke up: "Sister Qiao Niang, you are the owner behind Wu Fan Pavilion, aren't you?"
Qiao Niang calmly gazed at Gu Yao Niang. Seeing that the other was staring at her intently, she nodded: "Yes."
Gu Yaoniang suddenly became agitated: "Wu Fan Ge! It's a brothel! You're a woman too, how can you bear to let those women end up in prostitution!"
Qiao Niang remained expressionless: "Yao Niang, they need to live. Wu Fan Ge is not an ordinary brothel; they all entered Wu Fan Ge willingly."
Gu Yaoniang shook her head: "But with the Gu family's former power, if you had truly wanted to help them, you could have allowed them to live with dignity. Instead of letting their reputation be ruined... If you were truly kind, you shouldn't have continued to humiliate them and make them wallow in the mud!"
Qiaoniang smiled: "I have never forced them. Yaoniang, some women's only advantage is their female body. They must live first, and then think about how to earn a decent living."
Clearly, the girls at Wufan Pavilion were not exactly respectable.
Gu Yaoniang stopped talking and turned away, refusing to look at her again.
Qiaoniang sighed, instructed the maids in the room to take good care of the room, and then went out.
As Qiao Niang's footsteps faded into the distance, Gu Yao Niang turned to look out the door, her lips pressed tightly together and her eyes reddening.
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