Although she had already anticipated that the matter would not succeed, Hongmian still cried bitterly in disappointment.
Her mother sighed, "I'm afraid the matchmaker didn't tie the knot between you two. Don't fixate on him. It's not a bad thing if the marriage doesn't work out. I think his mother is quite formidable, and she dotes on her younger brother. You're too young; it will be several years before you can get married and have children. It's a bit of a shame for the eldest sister-in-law."
Hongmian sobbed, "What do you know?"
Her mother said, "Alright, alright, I don't know, but you know best. I said that day that we should just have a big fight and break up. It was clearly their family that acted unfairly, but you insisted on losing face and letting them trample on you. Now look what happened. Fortunately, not many people know about this, so don't make a scene on your face. If you reconsider the marriage in a few years, no one will say anything about you."
"I understand. I still have a lot to do. I'll go back to work now."
Hongmian couldn't bear to listen anymore and just wanted to find a place to stay and heal her wounds.
"Alright, don't be so stubborn. Why did you go to the sewing room to help out? Did you offend someone? This job is not easy, it's very hard on your eyes. You're still young and don't know how tough it is. You need to take better care of yourself, or you'll go blind when you get older."
Her mother couldn't help but give her a few more words of advice.
Hongmian gave a perfunctory reply, turned and left, leaving her mother sighing behind her.
Back in the sewing room, Li's mother and Lu's mother were arguing again, fiercely debating what stitches to use to finish the curtains, their arguments so intense they seemed about to knock their heads out.
The people of Hongmian sat quietly doing their work, but their hearts were aching as if being stabbed with a knife.
Pian Cuiming came over and said, "I was going to come earlier, but Gu Shiliu's parents suddenly came to pay their respects, and Madam asked me to stay and serve them, so I'm late."
Before she knew it, a bead of blood appeared on Hongmian's hand.
These days, her fingers are covered with needle marks.
His eyes were bloodshot from staying up so long.
Two huge dark circles under her eyes had sunk all the way down to her cheekbones.
"It's not too late, it's not too late, it's nothing," both Mrs. Li and Mrs. Lu said with smiles.
Then, Madam Li asked, "Why have Gu Shiliu's parents come to pay their respects at this time? Is there something you need?"
Although Gu Shiliu was useful, his parents had little status in the household.
The fact that someone suddenly comes to pay their respects to their master must mean something important has happened.
Cui Ming smiled and said, "It's just for Gu Shiliu's marriage."
"Oh dear, someone like Gu Shiliu has to worry about this. I wonder how many girls want to marry him." Madam Lu scoffed, "Could it be that he's taken a fancy to some maid in one of the courtyards and is coming to beg Madam for his hand?"
Cui Ming smiled and said, "That's pretty much it. Once Gu Shiliu finishes his business, the marriage will probably be settled."
The crowd murmured among themselves, "I wonder who it is that has such good fortune."
Hongmian couldn't sit any longer, so she got up and went to urinate.
As they left, they heard Cui Ming ask, "How's her work here? Is she behaving herself?"
Hongmian felt a wave of dizziness. She had racked her brains to impress the madam and was about to be on equal footing with Cuiming, but for the sake of a man, she had fallen to this state. Moreover, it was obvious that the days ahead would be very difficult.
We have to find a way to make it work.
...
Hongye was naturally relieved and thanked Qin Yuan profusely: "It's all thanks to you, Miss, otherwise I wouldn't know what to do."
Qin Yuan smiled and shook her head: "Concern leads to confusion. Didn't the Marquis already say that this marriage will be smooth sailing? Once you're married, all the troubles will come later."
Hongye sighed, "Miss, you don't know. I thought it was a sure thing, but who would have thought that a Cheng Yaojin would suddenly appear out of nowhere, and this cooked duck almost flew away. I never dreamed that Hongmian would trick me. These past two nights, I've been dreaming that Hongmian suddenly changed her face. Gu Shiliu also said that he and I can't get married."
Qin Yuan asked curiously, "Could it be that you are deeply in love with Gu Shiliu and are determined to marry no one but him?"
Hongye blushed and shook her head: "At first I thought this marriage was not bad. He and I were in love and we were both the master's confidants. Marrying him would allow me to quickly establish myself in the mansion, which would be a win-win situation. But because of Hongmian's fuss, I felt that if Gu Shiliu was taken away, I would never be able to get over this in my life."
It turns out that food tastes better when people fight over it.
Qin Yuan understood.
In his past life, when Lin Ziqi was serving in Zhejiang, he went against the seventh son of the governor for the sake of a tofu seller. He was so desperate to get her that he made countless vows and oaths. But once she entered his backyard, the novelty wore off for a short time, and he stopped caring about her.
When the tofu beauty was in favor, even Aunt Yu had to give her a wide berth.
At the time, Hongye said that although the tofu seller was beautiful, she wasn't particularly outstanding in Lord Lin's household, and certainly couldn't compare to her, the principal wife. Yet Lord Lin was so infatuated with this goddess that he almost neglected his future. He didn't cherish what he had, even finding her vulgar; it's clear that he only enjoyed what he had when it was being fought over, and once it was gone, he let it go.
Qin Yuan couldn't help but smile.
Hongye retorted, "I'm just confiding in you, Miss, why are you laughing at me?"
Qin Yuan said, "I'm just glad you don't have to worry about not being able to get over this hurdle in your life. I'm happy for you and smiling for you. You're not busy right now, go find Shi Ba."
Hongye laughed and ran out.
A short while later, Gu Shiba arrived, standing outside the beaded curtain with his hands at his sides, and asked, "What are your orders, Madam?"
Qin Yuan said, "The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion sent us an invitation, saying that it's Old Madam You's birthday and they'll be holding a banquet in a few days. You should ask around and find out what they're planning for this birthday banquet. Why is it being held a few days before the Empress Dowager's birthday? And who else have they invited? The sooner the better."
Gu Shiba agreed, and then said, "I will immediately send someone to ask. Does Madam have any other instructions?"
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and then said, "Ask Sister Cheng about the background of the martial arts master that her family hired for Brother Cheng. Investigate who he often associates with, and whether there are any members of the Yelü clan among them. Be careful when you investigate, and don't alert anyone."
Gu Shiba was shocked upon hearing this: "...This...this...I will take care of it immediately. Madam is just suspicious..."
Qin Yuan said, "I have my reasons for my suspicions. You just need to do it. If the Marquis asks, you don't need to hide it." Gu Shiba finally said, "Yes, I will do it right away."
As he stepped out of the courtyard, Gu Shibafang let out a heavy sigh. He knew Qin Yuan's prowess all too well, and for that reason, he understood the weight of those words.
If the martial arts instructor beside Cheng Ge'er had dealings with the Yelü clan, then it's no wonder they haven't made any progress with the fake Granny Yang lately.
Could it be that the Zhao family is really colluding with the Yelü clan?
What exactly is Zhao thinking? Is it for the future of these two children? But everyone knows that Lord Gu is a man of great loyalty and righteousness. As long as these two children grow up well, they will be taken care of.
This only shows that the Zhao family had grand ambitions.
Considering Pang Hai's unclear background, Gu Shiba was already feeling terrible.
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