Chapter 69 A mistress born of unmarried union without matchmaker or betrothal!
Xiao Yeming was not surprised by Gu Xian's arrival.
He was already part of the game set up by Sister Lu, so how could he miss this grand spectacle?
Moreover, on this stage, he still needs to take the stage in full makeup and sing a wonderful song...
Gu Xian bowed respectfully and said, "General Xiao is here as well; it is I who am late."
Xiao Yeming merely raised his eyes slightly.
The two of them had a close friendship in private, which was unknown to everyone else.
Shen Qingshu hurriedly led him to the guest seat, saying, "It is truly an honor to have Commander Xiao and Master Gu grace our home with their presence today."
He turned to look at Shen Rongzhi, "This is my son Rongzhi, who has just returned from doing business overseas."
Shen Rongzhi stepped forward and bowed, his voice clear and gentle: "Brother Gu, I am well. My father said that the good news of the Emperor's reward was brought back from the capital by Master Gu, who also gave many fine gifts. On behalf of the Shen family, I thank you."
Gu Xian returned the greeting: "Brother Shen, you are too kind. The imperial favor and your return from overseas are truly a double blessing."
He observed Shen Rongzhi discreetly. Although this man was handsome and had the bearing of a noble family, he was unexpectedly so despicable inside.
What's even more ridiculous is that Lady Lu only used a little trick to make him so eager to walk into her trap.
For three whole years, he had not returned home. Upon hearing of the official reward, he disregarded the long journey and traveled back overnight.
Their behavior was even more shameless than he had imagined...
He lightly waved his folding fan to cover half his face, a flash of mockery in his eyes: "I've heard that you've been doing business overseas for three years, my worthy brother? I'll definitely visit you someday to ask you about these overseas trade routes."
Shen Rongzhi remained calm and composed, cupping his hands in response: "To honor Brother Gu's kind intentions, Rongzhi will certainly do his best to welcome you."
Oh.
That's really... a really thick skin.
Seeing that even a fifth-rank general and the richest man in Jizhou City were rushing to the Shen family to offer their congratulations, Zhang unconsciously straightened her back a little, and the string of Buddhist prayer beads on her fingers spun rapidly, counting the future glory and wealth of the Shen family...
At this moment, Granny Zhou whispered in her ear, "Madam, Lu's body was thrown into Linhai last night, and the two servants were just rewarded with five taels of silver each."
She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling completely relaxed.
Lin Yingyu could have followed the maid to the back screen, but she refused to move. She had always disliked these formalities, and at this moment she cared nothing for them.
He even began to scrutinize Gu Xian without any attempt to conceal his feelings.
Her bright eyes stared straight ahead, showing none of the reserve a young lady should have.
He thought to himself, "Rong Lang often says that this Master Gu took charge of a huge silk shop at a young age and became the leading merchant in Jizhou City. I originally thought he must be a mature, steady, and serious person, but I didn't expect him to be so... handsome and young."
As her eyes swept across him, she took in his exquisitely tailored sapphire blue silk jacket, which accentuated his tall and slender figure.
A jade belt cinched her waist; the jade was warm, translucent, and shimmering, far more luxurious than the ebony belt her husband usually wore.
She secretly praised him, thinking that he was indeed a wealthy young man with plenty of money.
She had seen many young men on the way from the dock to the Shen residence. She had thought that in this small place of Yong'an County, no one could compare to her husband's looks and character. But to her surprise, she met two handsome and distinguished young men at the Shen family home.
After exchanging pleasantries.
Shen Qingshu invited Xiao Yeming and Gu Xian to stay for lunch and hosted a banquet in their honor.
Xiao Yeming sat upright like a pine tree, not even lifting his eyelids, only gently turning the teacup in his hand.
Gu Xian slammed his folding fan shut and smiled warmly, saying, "How could I refuse such a kind invitation from Elder Chen?"
Shen Qingshu instructed Zhang to personally go to the kitchen to make the arrangements.
Zhang then withdrew from the main hall.
Gu Xian suddenly felt a burning gaze, and when he turned around, he met Lin Yingyu's undisguised scrutiny.
Lin Yingyu didn't shy away from the situation and gave him a sweet smile.
This is the thing that Shen Rongzhi keeps outside?
Gu Xian sneered, "What a shameless mistress! Her unrestrained behavior is something even the girls in brothels would envy."
Shen Rongzhi certainly has good taste; he doesn't love his virtuous and elegant wife at home, but instead favors this frivolous woman...
His gaze swept over Lin's protruding belly, and he felt even more sorry for Lu Zhaoruo.
For years, Madam Lu had been paying her respects to him morning and evening, fulfilling her filial duties before his parents. Meanwhile, the two lovers were living together overseas, and even their bloodline had been continued.
He glanced again at the silk and satin clothing Lin Yingyu was wearing.
This fine silk was probably made with the hard-earned money of Madam Lu.
At this moment, Shen Rongzhi sat down next to Lin Yingyu. The two smiled at each other, their eyes so sticky they could be drawn out with silk.
One was rubbing her belly, while the other was busy adding tea; they truly looked like a perfect couple.
no.
He was furious.
His anger surged straight to the top of his head.
He picked up his folding fan and frantically fanned himself, but he couldn't suppress the anger in his heart.
He stole a glance at Xiao Yeming...
But the general remained as still as a meditating monk, his jade-like face showing no emotion, only his thin lips slightly pursed, and the natural upward curve of his eyes turning into a frost blade, exuding a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.
Gu Xian clearly saw that Xiao Yeming's gaze would occasionally fall on Shen Rongzhi.
hiss.
Such strong hostility.
That look in his eyes was so intense he wanted to tear Shen Rongzhi to pieces!
but.
Thinking about the good show that was about to begin, his unhappiness dissipated. In any case, it was his turn to beat the opening drum.
He feigned ignorance, gave Shen Qingshu a slight bow, and asked with a smile, "Master Shen, forgive my poor eyesight, but I don't know who this lady is..."
Shen Qingshu hurriedly smiled and said, "Master Gu, you may not know this, but this is Madam Lin. She is a respectable woman whom my son Rong met when he went to sea last time. Rong unfortunately contracted a serious illness overseas, and it was thanks to Madam Lin's meticulous care and personal taste of the medicine that he was able to recover. She can be said to be Rong's savior."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yingyu simply bent her knees slightly and then immediately straightened up.
She had no respect for the hypocritical and formal women in the inner quarters...
Gu Xian tapped his folding fan lightly, his gaze falling on her swollen belly. As if he had suddenly noticed something new and interesting, he asked, "I'm being presumptuous, but judging from Madam Lin's figure... could it be that you are pregnant?"
Before Shen Qingshu could answer, Lin Yingyu spoke first: "According to what my master said, I have indeed bowed and kowtowed three times to the Sea God at Yuliao'ao on Guiyu Island, and we have become husband and wife. The child in my womb is of the Shen family bloodline, and I am already six months pregnant."
After saying that, she gently stroked her belly with one hand, and the undisguised smugness in her eyes was almost overflowing.
Gu Xian closed his folding fan, his expression one of surprise, and his gaze suddenly turned to Shen Rongzhi beside him: "This is strange. Brother Shen, didn't you already have a virtuous wife at home? How come... you've found another lover overseas? Isn't this a case of abandoning your wife and remarrying?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingshu and Shen Rongzhi's expressions changed drastically.
Shen Rongzhi hurriedly stood up, his sleeve knocking over a teacup: "Brother Gu, please be careful with your words! It was only out of gratitude for the Lin family's life-saving grace that we met. We were adrift at sea, and life was full of hardships. It was only then that we had a chance encounter. We did not have the consent of our parents or the words of a matchmaker, so how dare I call it marriage!"
Lin Yingyu's expression changed.
Gu Xian gave a half-smile and a "Oh," the drawn-out tone like a knife, slowly scraping across the faces of everyone in the hall: "So that's how it is... I misspoke, she was just a mistress born out of wedlock without a matchmaker or betrothal."
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