The guests in the courtyard looked at Song Shi with strange eyes, already convinced that it was Song Shi who had instigated this.
After all, which servant would dare to dispose of their master's belongings without their permission? Wouldn't that be courting death?
Madam Song forced herself to remain calm and said, "I really know nothing about this matter. You know that I was seriously ill when you got married. I was indeed too weak to care about much during those days, so I asked Granny Pang to take care of you. I never expected that she would give you these inferior things."
As soon as she finished speaking, her face darkened, and she shouted loudly, "Granny Pang! Come here right now!"
Granny Pang trembled and hurriedly stepped forward, kneeling on the ground: "Madam, this old servant knows her sins. This old servant should not have acted on her own and given these things to the young lady."
As Song's confidante, she understood her master's thoughts better than anyone else, and she also knew exactly what role she should play in different situations. Taking the initiative to take responsibility for one's master's mistakes is the most basic quality of a loyal subordinate.
Therefore, as soon as she opened her mouth, she took all the blame upon herself.
“Young Miss, this old servant has made a grave mistake. I should not have taken it upon myself to pass off inferior goods as superior ones. I beg you to punish this old servant severely.”
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Gu Qinlan had already anticipated how things would unfold. She smiled slightly, like a flower blooming in spring, and bent down to gently help Granny Pang up: "Granny, please get up quickly. I didn't take this to heart. I once said that true feelings cannot be measured by the value of material possessions. These items may be insignificant in the eyes of outsiders, but in my heart, they are priceless treasures."
Her words were like a gentle breeze, and then she turned to face Madam Song and said softly, "Madam, I lost my mother when I was young, and you raised me with your own hands. I will never forget your kindness in raising me, and I will never misunderstand your deep affection because of some trivial matter."
Although Madam Song knew full well the falsehood in Gu Qinlan's words, she still eagerly followed the lead: "It's good that you understand. As everyone knows, being a stepmother is difficult. I'm really worried that I might be negligent and cause people to misunderstand my coldness towards you."
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "Madam is too worried. Good or bad will be determined by fate. It is enough for my daughter and me to understand this."
Madam Song gritted her teeth inwardly. This seemingly weak woman had sharp words that, while appearing to praise her, were actually full of sarcasm.
However, at this moment, she could not argue with Gu Qinlan, otherwise she would really be accused of abusing her stepdaughter.
She forced a smile and gently patted Gu Qinlan's hand: "You've always been a sensible child. Alright, let's leave it at that. Go see Qinlian; she's been looking forward to your arrival."
Gu Qinlan didn't say much, and walked towards Gu Qinlian's residence with a smile.
Although Gu Qinlian did not leave the room, she kept a close eye on the commotion outside. Seeing that Gu Qinlian was not only unaffected, but people's opinions of Song Shi had also changed, she was furious.
When Gu Qinlan entered the room, she chuckled and said, "Today is your joyous day. Don't let your ferocious face frighten the guests."
Gu Qinlian's face darkened further: "Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?"
Gu Qinlan's smile remained unchanged as she replied, "How could that be? I've come sincerely to congratulate you and wish you all the best in marrying the person you love."
Gu Qinlian narrowed her eyes warily: "What exactly do you mean by that?"
She always felt that Gu Qinlan seemed to know some secrets that were unknown to others.
Gu Qinlan said sincerely, "I truly wish you well. You insisted on marrying Ji Yinli, and now that your wish has come true, shouldn't we celebrate?"
As she spoke, she casually picked up a red velvet flower from the table, carefully placed it in Gu Qinlian's hair, gently supported Gu Qinlian's shoulder, and looked at their reflections in the mirror together. She smiled and said, "This marriage is something you fought hard for, so you must cherish it and make your life harmonious and beautiful."
Gu Qinlian's heart tightened suddenly, as if a cold wind had swept across her skin, instantly raising goosebumps. She hurriedly twisted her shoulders, trying to break free from Gu Qinlian's entanglement, then suddenly ripped off the soft velvet flower, turned around and looked directly into Gu Qinlian's eyes, saying firmly, "I will naturally live a wonderful life."
"Sister, in this life, I will make you bow down and look up to me."
Everything you possessed in your past life was bestowed upon you by me! No, I will live a far more glorious life than you ever did in your past life!
Gu Qinlian's eyes gleamed with undisguised arrogance.
Gu Qinlan smiled calmly and took two steps back: "Then, I wish you all the best. As for whether Ji Yinli can satisfy your lofty ambitions, let's wait and see."
Gu Qinlian's mood plummeted instantly, and she roared angrily, "Get out of here! I don't want to see you again! Guards, throw her out!"
Her maidservant immediately stepped forward and said gently, "Miss, please step aside."
Gu Qinlan didn't want to stay in this tense room any longer, so with a slightly contemptuous smile, she turned and gracefully left.
She had just stepped out of the room when she heard a sound of something hitting the ground behind her.
Gu Qinlian watched Gu Qinlan's figure gradually disappear into the distance, clenching her teeth and saying angrily, "That bitch! She's truly despicable!"
The maidservant quickly knelt down to pick up the scattered jewels: "Miss, please calm down. Today is your joyous day. We can't let such a small matter spoil your happy mood."
Gu Qinlian naturally understood this principle, but she was inherently impatient, and coupled with her deep hatred for Gu Qinlan, she was like a lit firecracker. Once Gu Qinlan, this "tinderbox," lit her, she would immediately explode.
When Madam Song entered the room, she saw Gu Qinlian's face flushed with anger.
She quickly closed the door and turned to comfort her, saying, "That girl Gu Qinlan is clearly trying to provoke you. If you really get angry with her, you'll be playing right into her hands. If all the guests in the courtyard find out, who knows what they'll say."
Gu Qinlian dismissed the servants from the room, turned around and held Song Shi's hand tightly, saying, "Mother, don't you think that girl is a bit strange? I always feel like she knows all my plans."
Madam Song raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean by that?"
Gu Qinlian said, "I have a feeling that she knows all about my plans. Could it be that she, like me, is a reincarnation?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Song pondered for a moment, then smiled gently: "Impossible, she doesn't have that kind of luck."
"That girl has been shrewd since she was a child. She already knew how to use her cunning when she was seven or eight years old. Now that she's an adult, she's even more cunning. If she really was reincarnated like you, why would she willingly marry into the Prince Duan's mansion instead of sticking to the marriage with the Ji family?"
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