As soon as Gu Qinlian entered the room, she saw Gu Qinlan sitting in front of the dressing table, dressed in a phoenix coronet and wedding robes, shining with golden light, like a phoenix.
Gu Qinlian's gaze lingered on Gu Qinlan's phoenix coronet and wedding robes for a moment, a barely perceptible cold smile playing on her lips. She took light, graceful steps, walked up to Gu Qinlan, and spoke slowly.
"Sister, I heard you brought up the Ji family's betrothal gifts today, did you come here specifically to provoke me?" Gu Qinlian's voice was gentle yet sharp, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Gu Qinlan raised her head, her gaze icy, staring coldly at Gu Qinlian: "That's right, I deliberately let you know that your so-called husband, Ji Yinli, is nothing but a poor, pedantic scholar. How could he be worthy of our Gu family's daughter?"
Gu Qinlian's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She smiled slightly, her eyes full of confidence: "Sister, you may have forgotten that love is not based on money. I believe that my future with Yinli will be bright. One day, I will show you that the happiness he can give me is something you can never understand."
Gu Qinlan curled her lip in disdain: "You're just blindly confident. She's just the wife of a poor scholar. What future can she possibly have?"
Gu Qinlian frowned slightly, gently flicked her sleeve, and said firmly, "Sister, you're wrong. Although Yinli is poor, he is talented and ambitious. I believe he will definitely succeed. As for you, even if you become the Crown Princess of Duan and attain a high position, you'll still be nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game. Besides, there are many hardships waiting for you to endure!"
Gu Qinlan's face immediately turned ashen. She glared at Gu Qinlian with wide eyes and said, "You dare to curse me? Let me tell you, Zheng Dinglian is the heir of the Prince of Duan, a man of great status. If I become his heir's wife, it will be enough for you and Ji Yinli to look up to me."
Gu Qinlian smiled gently, a sly glint in her eyes: "Sister, you may have forgotten that no matter how high your status is, it's only temporary. Today's glory may not last until tomorrow. But as long as I join hands with Yinli, we can create a future that belongs to us."
Gu Qinlan trembled with rage. She slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Gu Qinlan, don't be so arrogant. After the wedding, you will have to kneel and pay your respects to me, because I will become the Crown Princess of Duan, and my status will be above yours."
Blinded by jealousy, Gu Qinlian blurted out, "Sister, don't be too smug. You'll probably be a widow soon after you marry into the Prince Duan's mansion!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan flew into a rage, her eyes widening and her face turning ashen. She had never imagined that her own sister would say such vicious things to her.
Enraged and unable to bear it any longer, he slapped Gu Qinlian hard across the face.
"How...how could you say that!" Gu Qinlan's voice trembled as she pointed at Gu Qinlian, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger.
Gu Qinlian staggered from the blow, the burning pain on her face making her eyes widen, and she was speechless for a moment. She hadn't expected Gu Qinlan to attack her, and she was both shocked and angry. She glared at Gu Qinlan, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.
"Sister, you hit me?" Gu Qinlian finally came to her senses, her voice trembling slightly.
Gu Qinlan looked at her coldly, her tone firm: "Come with me to see Grandfather and let him judge the matter."
Gu Qinlian's expression changed, and she struggled frantically, unwilling to go.
If this matter reaches her grandfather's ears, she will surely be severely punished!
"I won't go! I don't want to see my grandfather!" Gu Qinlian screamed, struggling to escape.
At this moment, Madam Song rushed over upon hearing the commotion. She was stunned to see the slap mark on Gu Qinlian's face and immediately asked her daughter what had happened.
After understanding the whole story, she frowned, walked up to Gu Qinlian, and pretended to scold her:
"You worthless girl, how could you talk about your sister like that? She is the pride of our Gu family. Aren't you cursing her by saying such things?"
A flash of resentment crossed Gu Qinlian's eyes. She knew her mother was just putting on an act, but her anger only intensified. She glared at Gu Qinlan and said through gritted teeth, "Sister, you wait! I won't let you get away with this!"
Gu Qinlan sneered and looked at Gu Qinlian: "Go ahead and try."
Seeing this, Madam Song turned to Gu Qinlian and ordered in a stern tone, "Qinlian, aren't you going to apologize to your sister?"
Gu Qinlian glared at Madam Song, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but in the end she dared not disobey her mother, so she could only lower her head and apologize: "Sister, I'm sorry, I misspoke just now."
Gu Qinlan looked at her coldly, without a trace of forgiveness in her heart. She turned to Madam Song and said firmly, "This matter cannot be left like this. If you don't want me to take Qinlian to see Grandfather, that's fine, unless..."
“Unless what?” Madam Song asked hurriedly.
Gu Qinlan turned around, her gaze sharp as a knife, and fell on Gu Qinlian. She said firmly, "Unless Third Sister kneels in the courtyard, praying to the heavens for the Prince of Duan's son, asking for his safety, I will not consider forgiving her."
Madam Song's expression changed; she hadn't expected Gu Qinlan to make such a request. She glanced at Gu Qinlian and saw that her daughter's face was pale and her lips were trembling slightly, clearly feeling deeply humiliated by the request.
Madam Song knew that Gu Qinlian was a woman of strong character, and making her kneel down and beg for mercy was undoubtedly challenging her bottom line.
However, she also knew that at this moment, she could not confront Gu Qinlan head-on, otherwise it would only make things worse.
After a moment of contemplation, Madam Song turned to Gu Qinlian and gently advised, "Lian'er, your sister has a point. After all, the safety of the Prince of Duan's heir is related to the honor of our entire family. If you are truly repentant, then do as your sister asks."
Gu Qinlian was filled with anguish upon hearing Song's words. She knew that if she didn't yield, her father and grandfather would certainly not let her off the hook once the matter escalated. However, the idea of her kneeling and begging for mercy was simply unacceptable to her.
Gu Qinlian gritted her teeth, weighed the pros and cons, and had no choice but to do as she was told. Then, she ran away crying.
Before long, the auspicious time arrived.
Wearing a heavy phoenix coronet and wedding gown, Gu Qinlan slowly walked out of her boudoir. Although her steps were steady, her heart was filled with unease.
At this moment, she will bid farewell to her girlish innocence and step into the hall of marriage.
Following her grandfather's instructions, Gu Qinlan bowed to each of the family elders.
After the ceremony, the maid Hongye gently helped her walk towards the door.
"Qinlan, your uncle is waiting for you over there. Go and say goodbye to him," said her father, Gu Dingli, a barely perceptible hint of moisture in his eyes.
Gu Qinlan turned to her uncle's room, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes. She stepped into the room and saw her uncle's tearful eyes, her heart tightening.
"Uncle, I'm sorry for causing you worry, I've been unfilial," Gu Qinlan said softly, tears welling up in her eyes.
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