Xie Shi avoided the crowd and left Xiangguo Temple through a secluded place.
A coachman hid in the woods to go to the toilet.
The driver glanced at Xie Shi but didn't take it seriously.
Later, the driver mentioned this incident when chatting with others.
After being spread several times, this matter reached Hu's ears.
The driver who saw Xie Shi was none other than the companion that Hu brought from her parents' home.
Mrs. Hu asked the nanny beside her, "Is the driver right? Is it really the young master of the Xie family?"
"The driver swore to heaven that he was not mistaken. He had seen the Xie family's cousin young master several times and would definitely not recognize the wrong person. The driver also said that the Xie family's cousin young master only went to secluded places, as if he was very afraid of being discovered."
For no apparent reason, Mrs. Hu suddenly remembered Gu Yue who had disappeared along the way.
She asked calmly, "Has Third Aunt returned to her room?"
"Yes! Just a moment ago. I heard her and the mistress complaining of being tired."
An absurd and bold idea emerged uncontrollably in Hu's mind.
She didn't tell anyone.
After all, there is no evidence.
She also instructed the servants, "Everyone keep this a secret. As for the coachman, tell him to shut up and not go out and make a fuss."
"As you command."
After eating vegetarian food, they set off back to Gu Mansion.
When going down the mountain, Hu deliberately walked behind and carefully observed Gu Yue's back.
Gu Yue was as usual, and just looking at her back, nothing could be seen wrong.
Mrs. Hu had something hidden in her heart. She reminded herself not to think about it, but she couldn't help but guess.
At night, when she and Gu Yan were lying in the same bed, she tossed and turned, and was hesitant to speak several times.
No matter how slow Gu Yan was, he noticed that she was abnormal.
"Just say whatever you want to say. I see you've been holding it in all night. Be careful not to get sick."
Mrs. Hu hesitated for a moment, gritted her teeth, and said, "My dear, is there really no suitable match for my third sister?"
"Why did you suddenly mention my third sister? Her marriage is already taken care of by mother."
Mrs. Hu simply sat up and said, "My husband, have you ever thought that Third Sister might have someone she likes, but we just don't know it."
"Where did she find a partner? Don't say such things. Even if she really did have a partner, why didn't she say it? Back then, she could marry into the Haixi Marquis's Mansion, so what else can't she marry?"
Gu Cheng mentioned the Haixi Marquis' Mansion and paused. He refrained from telling Gu Yue about what she had done in the past.
If Gu Yue really had someone she liked, based on his understanding of her, she would definitely do whatever it takes to make this marriage happen.
However, since Gu Yue returned to the Gu Mansion from the Haixi Marquis' Mansion, he has been law-abiding and has not even gone out of the second gate many times.
Therefore, Gu Cheng did not think that Gu Yue had anyone she liked.
Hu frowned slightly and sighed, "Forget it, just treat it as my nonsense."
After saying that, she lay down again.
Gu Yan didn't think much of it, but after a while, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that there was something wrong.
"Do you know what I'm not saying?"
He asked her.
She leaned sideways, her head facing inward, sighed again, and sat up again. "Today we went to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense. We agreed to go to the back mountain to see the maple leaves, but my third sister disappeared halfway. No one knows where she went. She said she was in the back mountain, but no one saw her there. And, my coachman saw someone in the woods."
"who?"
"Master Xie, Xie Shi."
Gu Cheng frowned.
Mrs. Hu said cautiously, "I don't want to think too much about it. But the time when Third Sister returned to the wing room was almost the same time when the coachman saw Xie Shi. I can't help but wonder, Third Sister disappeared on the way, did she secretly go to see Xie Shi? You said it wasn't a festival, so why would Xie Shi, a grown man, go to Xiangguo Temple alone?"
"Could it be that the prince sent him to Xiangguo Temple on a mission?" Gu Yan said uncertainly.
Mrs. Hu said, "I've thought about that, too. But what kind of errand could there be at Xiangguo Temple? I haven't heard of any important people living there. Besides, even if there's an errand to be done, shouldn't two people go together? In case of an emergency, at least one person can go back and report it."
Gu Cheng waved his hand, "I know about this. I'll find a chance to test Third Sister's opinion. Don't tell anyone else."
"Don't worry, my husband. I haven't told anyone except you."
Gu Cheng was weighed down with worries and didn't sleep well the whole night.
When I woke up in the morning, I didn't feel like reading.
I simply found an opportunity to test Gu Yue's attitude.
Perhaps his tactics weren't good enough, and Gu Yue saw through him, so he didn't get any information out of her. Gu Yue played dumb the entire time, even calmly changing the subject.
Gu Yan was led off topic by Gu Yue, and when he thought about it later, he couldn't help but feel annoyed.
I comforted myself again, thinking that I must be overthinking it.
Gu Yue and Xie Shi?
How could these two people have any private contact?
The Xie family has fallen on hard times, so with Gu Yue's perspective, how could she possibly be interested in Xie Shi?
Besides, Gu Yue is a widow, so Xie Shi probably wouldn't want to marry a widow.
Gu Yan convinced himself in this way until one day, when the prince's palace came to propose marriage, he was slapped in the face.
It turned out that there was indeed a relationship between Gu Yue and Xie Shi, but it was not the kind of relationship he thought.
Unfortunately, Gu Cheng was still a little naive and thought too highly of Gu Yue.
He knew that Gu Yue was a woman who would do anything to achieve her goals, so how could she and Xie Shi be just cousins?
Gu Yue was taken in as a concubine by the King of Chu. There was no wedding or banquet. She was simply carried into the palace in a sedan chair.
Everyone in the Gu Mansion watched the eunuch who delivered the message leave, and they were all a little confused, not knowing what was going on.
Mrs. Xie and Mr. Gu were in such a tacit understanding for the first time. The first thing they thought of was that Gu Yue must have done something shameful behind their backs.
Otherwise, why would the palace suddenly send someone to propose marriage? He would bring the person to the palace in three days.
Lord Gu had a gloomy face and said, "Go, call Gu Yue."
The servant took the order and left.
Master Gu was furious at Mrs. Xie again. "Look at your good daughter. She is so unruly. She has brought shame to the Gu family."
Xie opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly found that the words were too pale.
She couldn't defend Gu Yue because she also suspected that Gu Yue had used shameful means.
Otherwise, why would the prince's palace suddenly come to her house and say that they want to take her in as his concubine?
But Xie was unwilling to take the blame. "She is a widow. I have no say in who she marries. I am just as confused as you, my master."
snort!
Lord Gu's face was full of frost.
Now he is the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, holding a high position of power.
If Gu Yue really did something shameful, his old face would also be humiliated.
Gu Yue was supported by her maid Grape and came to the side hall.
"Evil beast!" Lord Gu cursed her as soon as he saw her.
Gu Yue shuddered all over, looking terrified, and tears instantly fell.
"Father scolds his daughter, and he has nothing to say. Father, please tell me clearly, so that I can die with a clear conscience."
"You know exactly what you've done. The palace will take you in in three days. At this point, what excuses do you have? You're such a disgrace. You've brought disgrace upon me and the Gu family. Today, even if it means offending the palace, I'll beat you to death!"
Lord Gu was furious and picked up a stick to hit Gu Yue.
Xie opened her mouth to stop him, but swallowed the words back.
Gu Yue yelled, "Father, don't even think about hitting me. I'm the prince's woman, so think carefully."
Lord Gu was furious. "I'm going to hit you. As long as you don't enter the palace, you're still my daughter, Gu Zhili. At worst, I'll just announce your sudden death in three days. I don't believe the King of Chu will turn against me because of you."
Gu Yue retreated repeatedly, "The prince won't stand up for me, but he will definitely stand up for the child in my belly."
"What did you say?" Xie was horrified. "You, you are pregnant with the prince's child? Master, please don't do anything yet. Let her explain herself first."
Lord Gu was furious. "You shameless thing! I regret not drowning you when I gave birth to you."
Gu Yue looked frightened, but she said confidently, "Father is wrong. I am a widow, and a widow can remarry on her own terms. I don't need to follow the arrangements of my father and mother."
Lord Gu was so angry that he fell backwards.
Xie whispered, "Master, she is right. She is a widow remarrying, and she can make her own decision."
Bang!
Lord Gu slammed his hand on the table. "Does she, a widow, get pregnant just because she remarried? She has completely disgraced the Gu family. Our Gu family has been a distinguished family for generations, but I never thought that in my turn, I would give birth to such a shameless daughter. God is treating me so unfairly!"
Lord Gu was heartbroken and cried out loudly.
Mrs. Xie scolded Gu Yue, "You evil creature, why don't you quickly explain the situation clearly? Do you really want to piss off your father to death? How did you and the prince know each other, and what's going on with the child?"
Gu Yue looked timid. "Last month, my daughter went out and met my cousin and the prince. The prince treated her like that... Then this month, my daughter found out that the wedding was postponed, so she asked my cousin to tell the prince. I didn't expect the prince to send someone directly to his house."
"Father, mother, I know I have brought shame upon you. But now that things have come to this, I am already pregnant with the prince's child. Please grant my blessing."
Gu Yue knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, looking like someone who had been wronged and had to endure it.
Xie sighed, "What a sin! Master, now that things have come to this, what do you think we should do?"
Lord Gu's face was grim as he asked, "Did the prince force you, or did you take the initiative to seduce the prince?"
Gu Yue was very embarrassed and just cried without saying a word.
This look could be interpreted as the prince forcing her, and she was too embarrassed to speak up. It could also be interpreted as her actively seducing him, and she was equally embarrassed to speak up.
Lord Gu sneered, "Evil creature! Don't ever call yourself my daughter again. I don't have a daughter like you who is so unfaithful and self-disciplined."
Gu Yue was horrified. "Father, I have brought shame upon you. I would rather die."
After saying that, she stood up and rushed towards the wall pillar.
"Miss, don't!" The maid Grape hugged Gu Yue tightly.
Gu Yue struggled, "Just let me die. If I live, I will only bring shame to the Gu family."
Xie stamped her feet.
Lord Gu had a gloomy expression on his face and watched Gu Yue's performance coldly.
Grape cried and persuaded, "Girl, why are you so stupid? Back in Haixibo Mansion, you were humiliated by the Zhao family every day and beaten by your brother-in-law. There was never a piece of intact skin on your body, always bruised and purple.
Once, you were beaten and had a high fever, but you refused to let me call a doctor because calling a doctor would only lead to a beating from your son-in-law.
You endured your discomfort for three whole days, and finally the fever subsided. But since then, your health has deteriorated. Every time the season changes, you get sick again. You've suffered so much, and finally got to where you are today, why can't you just bear it a little longer?
Gu Yue burst into tears. "I have brought shame to my family. How can I continue to live in this world? Let me go and let me die."
"I will not let go. Young lady, you finally have a good life. I will never watch you commit suicide."
Both the master and the servant were crying very sadly.
Mrs. Xie couldn't help but wipe away her tears, "Master, Yue'er has suffered a lot over the years. This time, let's fulfill her wish. After all, she is pregnant with the prince's child."
Lord Gu's face turned pale. "The marriage in the Haixi Marquis's Mansion was your own choice. The marriage in the Prince's Mansion was also your own choice. Whether it was the Haixi Marquis's Mansion or the Prince's Mansion, your mother and I were opposed from the beginning to the end."
Three days later, you will enter the palace. From now on, whether you live or die, it will have nothing to do with the Gu family. I will just pretend that I never gave birth to a daughter like you.
Gu Yue stopped crying and was at a loss.
"Father, Mother, you..."
Lord Gu snorted, no longer willing to see Gu Yue's face, and left with a flick of his sleeves.
Xie sighed and said to Gu Yue, "Pack up your dowry and bring it to the palace in three days. I'll also add some valuables for you to make your life in the palace easier. Don't worry about your father. This happened to you too suddenly. Furthermore, you're pregnant with the prince's child."
Alas, I don't know if this is your fate, or if you are possessed by a demon. Why don't you marry into a good family and insist on clinging to the rich and powerful? The palace is not a good place. Don't forget that the prince has a concubine above him.
Gu Yue cried, "This is my daughter's fate."
Mrs. Xie stared at her and said, "You'd better take care of yourself. Once you enter the palace, your father and I will be unable to help you. From now on, you have to rely on yourself."
Gu Yue nodded heavily, "Thank you, mother. You always treat me the best."
Xie smiled, but it was a forced smile.
"Who told you to be my child?"
There is so much helplessness and sadness in these words.
Xie didn't want to continue facing Gu Yue, so she used the excuse of being tired and went back to her room to rest.
Gu Yue stood under the eaves with an indifferent expression.
Grape served beside her, with her head lowered and her eyes pleasing to the eye.
Gu Yue said softly: "You performed very well today."
"It's what a servant should do."
Gu Yue smiled and said, "I'll reward you when I get back. In three days, come with me to the palace."
"As you command."
Gu Cheng and Gu Shan came towards them together.
Gu Yan looked at Gu Yue, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
Gu Shan didn't have so many scruples and sarcastically said, "We're cousins too. Cousin Xie Shi is incredibly kind to Third Sister. But for me, he probably doesn't even look at me straight in the eye. Third Sister is incredibly resourceful, and I admire her!"
Gu Yue looked indifferent. "In three days, I will enter the palace. From now on, Fourth Sister will no longer have to look at my face. Aren't you happy?"
Gu Shan laughed, "Of course I'm happy. That's why I came here specially to congratulate Third Sister and wish you all your wishes come true."
"I will naturally get what I want. Fourth sister should also get married soon, or she will become an old maid."
"you……"
Gu Shan was furious.
Gu Cheng quickly stopped the two of them, "Stop arguing. Third sister, I have nothing to say about your decision to go to the palace. I hope you won't regret it."
Gu Yue lowered her head and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Sixth Brother. I never regret it."
"Hypocrisy!" Gu Shan muttered softly.
Gu Yue approached Gu Shan and whispered in her ear, "I am indeed hypocritical, so Fourth Sister, you'd better not provoke me. Be careful or I'll burn you to death."
"You dare!"
Gu Shan was horrified and quickly stepped back to distance herself from Gu Yue.
Seeing Gu Shan's panic-stricken look, Gu Yue covered her mouth and laughed happily.
"I didn't expect Fourth Sister to be afraid sometimes. It's good to be afraid! People should have a sense of awe. Fourth Sister, take care of yourself. In the last three days, I hope we can keep to ourselves."
After saying that, she walked past the two of them and left.
Gu Shan was extremely angry. She was actually threatened by Gu Yue. The threat was fine, but the most infuriating thing was that her reaction was so embarrassing.
She is actually afraid of Gu Yue?
Why would she be afraid of Gu Yue?
Gu Shan could not forgive herself, let alone forgive Gu Yue.
But she was afraid that unexpected complications would ruin her reputation and affect her marriage.
The best thing to do now is to do nothing and wait for Gu Yue to leave in three days.
After people leave, the world becomes wider and wider.
Without Gu Yue, the air in the Gu Mansion will become purer.
Gu Shan used various reasons to convince herself, and finally suppressed the devil in her heart and did not let the devil do evil.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
