Zhao Qingyu's tears fell like beads from a broken string, "My heart is filled with countless..."
She knew the deep affection her family had for her, but fear prevented her from taking any risks. Holding onto illusions allowed her to still have hope, but if the risk failed, there would be no way to recover.
Gu Qinlan gently wiped away her tears: "I won't let you leave. Since I saved you, I will naturally arrange the best accommodation for you. You can stay here with me as long as you like. As for your family, I will send someone to inquire about their wishes. If they are willing to accept you, you can return to the Zhao family and regain your status as a lady of high society. Don't be afraid, I will make sure that your experience is unknown to outsiders."
"If they can't accept your suffering, then you can stay by my side. I'm planning to enter the business world and urgently need a capable assistant. From now on, no one will know that you were once the eldest daughter of the Zhao family. What do you say?"
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Zhao Qingyu couldn't help but kneel down, intending to pay homage to Gu Qinlan.
Gu Qinlan quickly helped her up, saying, "Why are you doing this?"
With tears in her eyes, Zhao Qingyu said, "Sister, thank you for your great kindness. I will remember it forever."
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "I am a few years older than you. If you don't mind my background, you can call me 'elder sister'. From now on, we will address each other as sisters."
Zhao Qingyu immediately filled with tears and called out, "Sister."
Gu Qinlan smiled and agreed, then took off an exquisite bracelet from her wrist and gently slipped it onto Zhao Qingyu's hand: "This is a gift from your older sister. From now on, we are sisters."
She admitted that she had used some underhanded tactics.
She knew that the Zhao family would definitely accept Zhao Qingyu, but she worried that in order to protect Zhao Qingyu, the Zhao family might erase everyone who knew about Zhao Qingyu's past.
This worry was not unfounded, after all, in her previous life, she had a deep understanding of Grand Tutor Zhao's cruelty and ruthlessness.
Therefore, she wanted to establish a close connection between herself and the Zhao family by becoming sworn sisters.
However, she had to admit that she did indeed like the kind and resilient Zhao Qingyu.
Even if she misjudged the situation and the Zhao family refused to accept Zhao Qingyu, she would still treat her sincerely and plan a bright future for her.
Having already accepted Zhao Qingyu as her younger sister, she naturally wouldn't let her suffer any injustice.
Zhao Qingyu was deeply moved and immediately pulled Gu Qinlan to the courtyard. Facing the heavens and the earth, she solemnly swore an oath to become sworn sisters with Gu Qinlan, vowing never to be separated from her in this life, to share joys and sorrows, and to weather storms together. She vowed that if she broke this oath, she would be struck by lightning and never be buried.
Gu Qinlan was overjoyed. It was originally just a verbal agreement, but Zhao Qingyu took it so seriously. Their sisterly bond was now firmly established.
Now that she had accepted this younger sister, Gu Qinlan naturally wouldn't let her suffer any grievances. She immediately ordered her servants to prepare a guest room for Zhao Qingyu, and invited two skilled embroiderers from the needlework shop to tailor clothes for Zhao Qingyu. At the same time, she also had the jewelry shop send over the most fashionable jewelry of the moment for Zhao Qingyu to choose from.
A faint blush rose on Zhao Qingyu's face, and she said shyly, "Dear sister, I have already caused you so much trouble, how can I possibly let you spend more money?"
Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "This is a token of my affection as an older sister. Isn't it only natural to dote on your younger sister? I've been alone since I was little. Although I have a half-sister, we're like strangers. Now, let me enjoy the pleasures of being an older sister."
Zhao Qingyu understood that her sister was subtly alleviating her psychological burden, and she was filled with gratitude. She secretly resolved that if she could return home, she would persuade her parents to adopt her sister as their goddaughter.
Although she had only known her sister for a short time, Zhao Qingyu had already learned some things about her sister's past from Zheng Huiyi. Everyone in the Duan Prince's mansion, including Zheng Huiyi, looked down on her sister's background.
Her sister is so outstanding, why should she be looked down upon because of her status? It's just a status, the Zhao family's prestige far surpasses the Zheng family's, becoming the Zhao family's adopted daughter, who would dare to underestimate her!
Zhao Qingyu thought to herself that if her family no longer accepted her, she would stay by her sister's side, diligently learn business skills, become her sister's capable assistant, and spend her whole life repaying her sister's kindness.
With this in mind, Zhao Qingyu said generously, "Thank you, sister."
So, Zhao Qingyu settled down in the courtyard next to Gu Qinlan's. Gu Qinlan assigned her beloved maid, Xiaoman, to her as Zhao Qingyu's temporary personal maid, and also arranged for several other maids and servants. Everyone in the mansion knew that the mistress had taken in a new adopted sister, and from now on they would all address her as Miss Qingyu.
As night fell, Zheng Huaiyu returned.
She returned with tears in her eyes.
Upon entering the mansion, Zheng Huaiyu locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone or even eat. This made her personal maid, Ziyan, extremely anxious, and she hurriedly came to Gu Qinlan for help.
"Madam, please do try to comfort the young lady. I have never seen her so sad."
Gu Qinlan, however, appeared unusually calm. She slowly asked, "What's the problem between your eldest daughter and her mother?"
Zi Yan stammered, "The eldest young lady and the madam had a quarrel..."
It turned out that that afternoon, Zheng Huaiyu excitedly led a group of entourage to the wonton shop she and Zou often frequented, and patiently waited for half an hour before Zou slowly arrived.
Upon seeing Zheng Huaiyu, Madam Zou complained incessantly: "You're becoming more and more arrogant. It's so difficult to even see you. In another two years, you might even forget who your biological mother is!"
A few days ago, I longed to see you, but you repeatedly made excuses and refused to keep our appointment. Today, you sent someone to summon me again at the last minute. Do you know that I put aside all my busy work to prepare for this meeting? Your behavior is simply adding chaos and trouble to my life.
Do you still remember the last time you and Feng Hui embarrassed Uncle Lou and Zhe Jie in front of everyone, and the cold look Uncle Lou gave me and the displeasure he showed for days? Why didn't you stand up and stop Feng Hui's nonsense that day, but instead indulged his willfulness with him?
Zheng Huaiyu had been filled with too much worry and fear lately. She was finally able to meet her birth mother and was looking forward to receiving some warmth and care. However, her mother opened her mouth with a lot of complaints and blame, which made her feel wronged.
Finally, she couldn't help but retort: "Was the last dispute really the fault of me and Feng Hui? Mother, Zhe Jie offended you so rudely, and instead of reprimanding him, you shifted the blame onto me and Feng Hui. Don't you feel ashamed saying that?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Zou's face immediately turned awkward and embarrassed. She coughed lightly twice, trying to ease the embarrassment: "Alright, those things are in the past, no need to mention them again. What important matter do you have to discuss with me today?"
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