Gu Yaoniang stood outside the door, listening quietly without moving. Her mother was not good with words and didn't seem close to her in the past. But when something happened, she always protected her.
She could already imagine how panicked and helpless her mother must have been. Anyone who heard Aunt Qin's words would surely assume that her family had spread rumors. Her mother was afraid that others would believe it, and in a moment of carelessness, she had spoken out in public about how the two families were engaged. Regardless of which version of events the people around her believed, it wouldn't be a good thing for her.
Bitao was already red with anger. The Qin family had broken their promise and were even throwing mud at others. First, they wanted Yaoniang to be their concubine, and then they slandered the Gu family for fabricating engagement rumors. How shameless!
Madam Gu's tearful voice came through the wooden door.
"Master...did I say something wrong? If the Emperor knew that Yaoniang was once engaged to Qin Yuxiu, will Yaoniang be in trouble? What about Pingsheng? Will the two children be in trouble?"
Madam Gu clearly regretted her impulsive words to Niu Manxiang. However, she was so consumed by hatred at the time that she couldn't think straight at all.
Mr. Gu suppressed his anger towards the Qin family and comforted his flustered wife.
"It's not your fault! The Qin family went too far! You did very well!"
He was about to speak again when he heard deliberately heavy footsteps outside the door, followed by a creak.
Gu Yaoniang stepped into the room, only to find her father with her mother in his arms, which made her feel awkward. But she could only pretend that nothing had happened, ignoring her parents' astonished expressions, and went to sit down at the lower end of the table, gesturing for Bitao to leave before closing the door.
Mrs. Gu and Mr. Gu separated shyly and sat upright in their chairs.
"When did you arrive?" Mr. Gu asked.
"I didn't leave."
That means they heard everything.
Mr. Gu looked at his daughter, who was acting so self-righteously, and wanted to get angry and teach her a lesson, but in the end he couldn't bring himself to do it and was at a loss.
What do you think?
"I want to go to Shuojing."
His words astonished everyone present.
Madam Gu stared wide-eyed at her daughter, stammering, "What are you going to Shuojing for? Could it be that you really can't let go of Qin Dalang?"
"No!" Mr. Gu objected instinctively. He had to be on duty, so he couldn't accompany Yao Niang to Shuojing; his impulsive son couldn't go either. So they couldn't go! Why would a perfectly good young lady go to a place like Shuojing, where she knew no one?
Gu Yaoniang had anticipated that her parents would initially disagree. However, after several days of consideration, she had made up her mind.
"Ten years of kindness and friendship, Qin Yuxiu can sever them so easily, but I cannot. He received the Emperor's personal blessing, so this marriage can only be called off. But we, the Gu family, have to properly account for the favors and money we have given him. Moreover, it's all because of his mother! His mother dares to talk nonsense, and others are joining in to humiliate me! Qin Yuxiu owes our family and me, and we must settle everything clearly."
"This is utterly ridiculous!" Mr. Gu paced back and forth in the main room with his hands behind his back, then looked at Yao Niang and said, "You're not allowed to go anywhere!"
Seeing that Yao Niang didn't answer, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, he raised his voice again—
"Did you hear me?!"
Then, regretting her harsh words to her daughter, she quickly softened her tone and said, "Yaoyao, let's stay home, okay?"
Gu Yaoniang looked earnestly at her parents: "Father, Mother, how much shame has our family lost because of Qin Yuxiu? I need to know whether Qin Yuxiu was forced to abandon me, or whether he knew I would be gossiped about and slandered, yet still coveted power and wealth and betrayed me."
"Does it matter that much? Does it matter what Qin Yuxiu thinks? You stay home obediently, and Dad will definitely find you a better marriage than Qin Yuxiu in the future!"
“Important. Very important.” Gu Yaoniang said firmly. “If he has no choice, I will not blame him; but if he has truly wronged me, he must apologize and pay the price.”
Mr. Gu has always disapproved of his daughter going out into the world. He believes a daughter should stay at home, get married, and raise children when she reaches the right age. What's more, there's now an unknown threat looming over her head.
"Now everyone knows that you and Qin Yuxiu are engaged. If the Emperor finds out, he will feel that you have lost face. Wouldn't going to Shuojing be like going to your death?"
Hearing her husband's words, Madam Gu felt both anxious and guilty. It was all her fault for being so angry today, saying whatever came to mind without thinking, and all her previous arrangements and grievances had been wasted.
Gu Yaoniang gently patted her mother's back to comfort her.
"It's not that serious. The idea that the Sage would be furious is just Qin Da Niang's speculation to scare us. Don't you know Qin Da Niang's character?" She put on a relaxed look. "Although we've never met the Sage, everyone says he's benevolent. Does he really not tolerate a poor woman like me who has been wronged?"
Gu Yaoniang herself was uncertain, but unwilling to see her mother blame herself, she tried to comfort her. Besides, a stubborn streak clung to her—no matter what, she was the victim. Surely the Emperor couldn't take his anger out on her? That was wrong! Surely the Emperor couldn't be wrong?
Moreover, why should she only be able to sit at home and wait for her elders to make arrangements?
"I've never left Qingyun County in my entire life. I also want to go to Shuojing to see it." Gu Yaoniang thought, I wonder what the men of Shuojing are like. Qin Yuxiu is considered an outstanding talent in Qingyun County, but I wonder what he is like in Shuojing?
Thinking about it in her heart, she couldn't help but reveal her feelings on her face.
"No! You're not allowed to go anywhere! The betrothed woman is to be a wife, the runaway woman a concubine. Marriage is a matter for us elders to decide, not for a young lady like you to concern yourself with! If word gets out..." As soon as the words left his mouth, Mr. Gu knew they were harsh, but he truly didn't want his daughter to worry about marriage. In his heart, the future of their children was for the elders to plan, and Gu Yaoniang really didn't need to, and shouldn't, have to worry about it.
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