Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. Xie Shuhuai, the down-on-his-luck scholar of yesteryear, has transformed into the top scholar in the imperial examination.
He saw Gu Xiaoyue wearing a jade pendant on the street and asked around before he learned that she was the second young lady of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
He mistakenly believed that she was the one who bought the jade pendant back then, and now that he has met her in person, he is immediately filled with admiration.
The two later had several more encounters in bookstores and other places, and gradually got to know each other.
Xie Shuhuai wanted to propose marriage, but Gu Xiaoyue refused, making the excuse that she had to wait until her sister got engaged.
Xie Shuhuai had no doubts and simply waited patiently.
A month later, news spread that Gu Xiaoyue had fallen into the water and was rescued by Sun Shangxiu, the second son of the mighty general. The two then got engaged.
Gu Xiaoyue tearfully recounted that she had been schemed against by her elder sister. Xie Shuhuai dared not vent his anger on the Mighty General's Mansion, but instead harbored resentment towards Gu Xiaoli.
He deliberately went to propose marriage, and the Duke of Dingguo, appreciating his talent, readily agreed.
Little did she know that Gu Xiaoyue's marriage was something she had planned herself, and that the second legitimate son of the mighty general was not someone a concubine's daughter like her could be worthy of.
The two married one after the other. Gu Xiaoyue got her wish. Although Sun Shangxiu was not very satisfied with marrying a concubine's daughter, he gradually fell in love with her because he saw his wife's full respect and love for him.
The two were enjoying themselves, but Xie Shuhuai only wanted to torment Gu Xiaoli. He didn't dare to openly bully her, but he was extremely cold to her.
But he would occasionally give her a nice look, keeping her hanging on.
The servants in the mansion were good at reading people's expressions and made things difficult for the original owner of the house. Gu Xiaoli spent her days alone in her empty room, secretly shedding tears.
Not long after, the Second Prince's attempt to seize power failed, and his entire faction was implicated and exiled to the border. The General Weiwu's Mansion and Xie Shuhuai were among those exiled.
This caused trouble for both of the Duke of Dingguo's daughters.
Gu Xiaoyue quickly divorced Sun Shangxiu and returned home, but Gu Xiaoli was unwilling and accompanied Xie Shuhuai to the border.
The border region is truly a harsh place. Not only is the environment terrible, but most importantly, there is an extreme shortage of water, endless yellow sand, and constant warfare.
Xie Shuhuai abandoned his literary pursuits for military service. He secretly pledged allegiance to the Third Prince and served on the border for five years, making great contributions to the Third Prince.
After the old emperor's death, the eldest prince fell from power, the third prince became the ultimate winner, and Xie Shuhuai also returned to the capital for his meritorious service in supporting the new emperor.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty and rewarded those who had rendered meritorious service. Xie Shuhuai was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the East and was granted a general's mansion, which was located next to the mansion of the Duke of Dingguo.
The general's wife was also a first-rank noblewoman, but the official title had not yet been bestowed, so Gu Xiaoli could only stay in the inner quarters and could not go out to socialize.
Three months later, Gu Xiaoli died of illness. Xie Shuhuai remarried his sister-in-law as his second wife, and all of the original owner's dowry fell into the hands of Gu Xiaoyue. Outsiders all sighed that the original owner was unlucky.
Later, Xie Shuhuai only had Gu Xiaoyue for the rest of his life, with no concubines or maids in his harem. After everyone learned about the story of how one of them sold a jade pendant to treat his mother's illness when they were young, and how the other bought a jade pendant and gave him money, they all praised Xie Shuhuai for his loyalty and affection.
Only Gu Xiaoli, whose life was wasted, became cannon fodder.
★
Xiao Li opened her eyes. Gu Xiaoli treated her half-sister very well, but this woman was an ungrateful wretch. Since she couldn't be tamed, she shouldn't be.
At this time, Xie Shuhuai had just become the top scholar in the imperial examination, and he and Gu Xiaoyue were deeply in love.
“Sister, I think that Young Master Xie is truly a gentleman as beautiful as jade, unparalleled in the world. Only a lovely girl like you is worthy of him.”
Xiao Li looked at the girl opposite her, whose eyes were full of jealousy. How blind was the original owner of this body? She couldn't see that everything she did was scheming.
“Since Young Master Xie is so kind, why not give him to my sister? I don’t like such a weak man. I will go and tell my father to make a decision for you.”
After Xiaoli finished speaking, she went to the study.
Gu Xiaoyue realized that Xiaoli had already disappeared. She stomped her foot in panic and quickly chased after her.
In the study, Duke Dingguo Gu Qihang was also talking to his advisors about Xie Shuhuai.
"This Xie Shuhuai is a useful person. I've heard that he's quite close to the Second Miss. I wonder if the Duke is interested?"
Gu Qihang thought for a moment and decided that using a concubine's daughter to get a top scholar was a worthwhile deal.
He nodded. "That's feasible. Let's go and find out."
The staff nodded in agreement.
"Master, the young lady requests an audience."
Gu Qihang waved his hand, and his staff bowed and withdrew.
Xiao Li walked into the study. Although it was called a study, the books looked brand new and had not been touched.
For three generations before Gu Qihang, the Duke of Dingguo's family had grown up on horseback. But by the time of Gu Qihang, the world was at peace and there was no war to fight, so the Duke of Dingguo's family fell into an awkward situation.
None of the young masters in the manor are suited for studying, and the current heir is neither good at literature nor martial arts, which is why Gu Qihang wanted to win over the top scholar.
"Father, I have something important to report."
Gu Qihang asked his daughter to sit down and talk slowly.
"What is it? You're all sweaty from running. Speak slowly."
Gu Qihang still loved his legitimate daughter, but he loved himself even more.
“Father, my sister says that Young Master Xie is a good match for her, but she is too shy to say it herself, so I have come to tell you on her behalf.”
Gu Qihang's face hardened. "How dare you girls say such things? Your parents will make the decisions for you."
Xiao Li stuck out her tongue. "Okay, Father, don't be angry. I'll go talk to Mother."
Gu Qihang nodded, seemingly lost in thought. Only then did Xiao Li leave the study.
Gu Xiaoyue arrived late, panting as she ran, pulling Xiaoli along as she asked questions.
"Sister...sister, what...did you say to Father? I didn't...mean that."
Xiao Li pried her hands open and straightened her wrinkled sleeves.
"Didn't you say that Young Master Xie is unparalleled in the world? Such a good person should naturally be paired with a younger sister, don't you think?"
Gu Xiaoyue was extremely anxious. She dared not go to her father, and only Xiaoli dared to rely on her status as the legitimate daughter to act coquettishly towards her father.
Xiao Li returned to the courtyard like the wind.
As soon as she got back, she began to inspect the trunks and baskets, took out several letters, and released a faint, eerie fire from the heartwood, burning them to ashes.
Gu Xiaoyue herself didn't want it, but she deliberately introduced it to the original owner of the body, a naive girl who fell for the love letter written by the top scholar.
The poor original owner didn't know that these love letters were written to Gu Xiaoyue, not to her at all; her sincere feelings were completely misplaced.
Xiao Li went to the courtyard of the Duchess Wu, intending to have a good talk with her mother.
"Ah Li, what brings you here? Is something wrong?"
"Mom, can't I come if I have nothing to do? I just want to spend more time with you."
Wu's face was contorted with laughter. Usually, her daughter only played with Gu Xiaoyue, the illegitimate daughter, and rarely came to see her.
She was so sweet-talking today that she'll agree to ask me for a favor later.
"Alright, alright, my dear daughter, you can come whenever you want."
As she pulled her daughter to sit down, she instructed the servants to serve tea and snacks.
Xiao Li's mouth was full of crumbs, and Wu Shi carefully wiped them clean for her.
“Mother, Xiaoyue is getting old. She has taken a liking to Scholar Xie. Please speak to Father on her behalf and help make this a good match.”
Mrs. Wu was startled. "How did you know? Did Xiaoyue say something?"
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