Inside the flower hall, the mahogany furniture exuded a faint sandalwood fragrance, and the charcoal fire in the warm pavilion flickered gently, illuminating Gu Qinlan's slightly indifferent face.
She sat there quietly, a faint detachment in her eyes, as if she had become accustomed to all the conflicts.
A moment later, Madam Song entered, hand in hand with her daughter Gu Qinlian, chatting and laughing. Gu Qinlian wore a smug smile, her gorgeous dress highlighting her youthful vitality.
As soon as Madam Song entered, she said with a smile, "Qinlan, today is your homecoming day. Why didn't the Prince Duan's Mansion prepare any decent homecoming gifts for you?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and replied unhurriedly, "I have already instructed the servants to prepare the return gift. As for whether it is appropriate or not, that depends on your taste, Madam."
Before Song could speak, Gu Qinlian sneered, "Sister, are you mocking me? Your homecoming gift is so shabby it's laughable. How dare you say you've prepared it?"
A sharp glint flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "Third sister, if you feel it's too meager, you can prepare a much more lavish homecoming gift for your son, the heir of the Duan Prince's mansion."
Madam Song frowned and interrupted them impatiently: "Alright, what do you two mean by this? Why do family members have to argue like this and make a fool of themselves?"
Gu Qinlian raised her voice: "Mother, I'm not arguing, I just can't stand my sister's hypocritical attitude. She's clearly worse off than me, but she deliberately puts on a smug act."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan's eyes turned cold. She gently put down the fan in her hand and said indifferently, "Third Sister, do you think the value of the gifts I gave for my homecoming represents my feelings?"
Gu Qinlian was taken aback. Her eyes widened, and she said angrily, "Isn't that right? Look at other people's homecoming gifts, and then look at yours. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Watching the two sisters argue, Madam Song grew impatient. She frowned and said, "Alright, you are both my daughters. Why are you arguing? Qinlan, your homecoming gift may be meager, but I know your intentions, and that's enough. Qinlian, you shouldn't mock your sister like that; after all, she is your sister."
Gu Qinlian gave a cold snort in resentment and turned away without saying another word.
Gu Qinlan was too lazy to argue with Madam Song and Gu Qinlian anymore. She stood up with a light laugh, her expression resolute: "Since that's the case, then I won't bother you any longer. I'll go back to my courtyard to pack my things. From now on, the Gu family and I will have nothing to do with each other."
As soon as Gu Qinlan finished speaking, Gu Qinlian's face turned ashen. She stomped her foot angrily, pointing at Gu Qinlan's retreating figure and shouting, "Gu Qinlan, do you think you can be so smug just because you're gone? Let me tell you, the Duan Prince's Mansion isn't as good as you think. You'll only regret it later!"
Madam Song's face darkened, her eyes filled with malice as she stared at Gu Qinlan, her tone icy: "Qinlan, what are you doing? You are the heir apparent of the Duan Prince's mansion, how can you leave the Gu family so rashly? You are bringing shame upon our Gu family!"
Gu Qinlan stopped and turned to look at Madam Song, a cold glint in her eyes: "Madam Song, do you think my leaving the Gu family will make you proud? Let me tell you, I left the Gu family simply to live a better life. As for the Prince Duan's mansion, I believe I will live better than you imagine."
After saying that, Gu Qinlan turned and left, leaving Song Shi and Gu Qinlian furious in the flower hall.
Gu Qinlian watched Gu Qinlan's departing figure and sneered disdainfully: "Does she think she can live a good life just by leaving the Gu family? Don't forget, the heir of the Duan Prince's Mansion is not in the mansion. If she marries there, it will be the same as being a widow. She will only suffer."
Madam Song glared at Gu Qinlian, her tone stern: "Qinlian, what nonsense are you spouting? Although the heir of the Duan Prince's Mansion is not at home, he has always doted on Qinlan. Don't talk nonsense anymore, lest you cause trouble."
Gu Qinlian pursed her lips and stopped talking.
Gu Qinlan returned to her courtyard and began packing her things.
Her eyes were resolute, and her movements were swift, as if she were already prepared to leave forever.
At this moment, Fuyu walked in and, seeing Gu Qinlan's busy figure, couldn't help but ask, "Miss, are you really going to leave the Gu family?"
Gu Qinlan stopped what she was doing, looked at Fuyu, and smiled, "Fuyu, I've made up my mind. In the Gu family, I've always been an outsider, and I've been ostracized and suppressed."
A hint of worry flashed in Fuyu's eyes, but she knew that Gu Qinlan's decision was irreversible. She nodded and said, "Madam, rest assured, I will always be by your side to protect you."
Gu Qinlan smiled and patted Fuyu's hand, saying, "Thank you, Fuyu. With you by my side, I have more confidence to face the challenges of the future."
As night fell, Gu Qinlan left the Gu family with her belongings and returned to the Duan Prince's Mansion without looking back.
Gu Qinlian watched Gu Qinlan leave from the flower hall, her eyes filled with jealousy and disdain. She sneered to herself, "Gu Qinlan, do you think you can live a good life just by leaving the Gu family? Just wait, one day you'll regret your choice today."
Song's eyes were gloomy as she thought to herself, "Qin Lan, do you think you can get rid of me by leaving the Gu family? Let me tell you, you will never escape my grasp."
Gu Qinlian turned to look at Madam Song, and said with her head held high, "Mother, please wait patiently. I know what I'm doing."
Madam Song looked at Gu Qinlian, her eyes filled with doubt and worry. She sighed softly and said, "Qinlian, you are always so confident, but do you know that this world is treacherous and people's hearts are unpredictable? You think so highly of Ji Yinli, aren't you afraid that he will betray your feelings?"
Gu Qinlian smiled slightly, her eyes firm: "Mother, rest assured, I know what I'm doing. Ji Yinli is the person I've chosen, and I trust him."
Gu Qinlian's eyes were firm and confident. Madam Song looked at her daughter, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. She gently adjusted the hairpin at her temple and slowly said, "Qinlian, you have been clever and quick-witted since you were a child, but I ask you, why do you think so highly of Ji Yinli? Do you know that things in this world cannot always go as you wish?"
Gu Qinlian smiled slightly, a hint of barely perceptible arrogance in her smile: "Mother, you don't understand Ji Yinli yet. He is as profound as the sea and as broad as the sky. His talent and his magnanimity are both exceptional. I, your daughter, am not blindly confident, but I am well aware of his abilities."
Upon hearing her daughter's words, Mrs. Song felt a slight unease in her heart.
"But Qinlian, why are you so sure he will become the top scholar in the imperial examination? Why won't you tell your mother the reason?"
Gu Qinlian smiled, a sly glint in her eyes: "Mother, this is my secret, and also my trust in Ji Yinli. I cannot tell you, but I can guarantee that he will definitely become the top scholar in the imperial examination."
Madam Song looked at Gu Qinlian, shook her head, and said, "Qinlian, you are becoming more and more incomprehensible to your mother. But since you are so confident, then your mother will no longer try to persuade you. Just remember, no matter what happens, your mother will always be by your side."
Gu Qinlian nodded, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes: "Thank you, Mother, I understand."
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