Chapter 779 Too Ugly
Yuluyuan.
Gu Qianling and Meng Yunlan had an argument after they returned.
"Meng Yunlan, you shouldn't have said those things!"
"What did I say? Gu Qianling, you've completely changed. Before, no matter what I said, you always sided with me. Now, no matter what I say, you always side with outsiders! Do you even see me as your wife anymore?"
"Didn't I defend you in front of Mother? What more do you want from me? You made a mistake, so am I not allowed to say a few words to you in private?"
"I did something wrong? They were clearly in the wrong!"
"Do you think Mother is wrong, or your sister-in-law is wrong? What are you talking about, this 'lowly family,' this 'using your looks to please others'? Saying these things in front of your sister-in-law is going too far! She didn't do anything to you, so why are you targeting her like this, making a scene at home? Are you satisfied now?"
Meng Yunlan was both angry and furious, her whole body trembling: "They're clearly ganging up on me! Gu Qianling, didn't you really realize that Mother was using Shen Wantang to put me in a bad light? Shen Wantang has only been married for a few days, and she's already trying to ride roughshod over me. If I tolerate this, will I still have a place in this Duke's Mansion?!"
A hint of barely suppressed irritation appeared on Gu Qianling's handsome face: "What does this have to do with your sister-in-law? Mother is scolding you because your cousin's clothes are really outrageous!"
"If people see her going out in clothes that haven't even dried, wouldn't that be blatantly telling everyone that our Duke's Mansion is cold and stingy, not even providing guests with a change of clothes!"
"If you have someone to blame, you should blame yourself. How can you blame your younger siblings? The things you said make you seem like you're showing off your background, petty, and deliberately seeking revenge!"
Meng Yunlan stared at him in disbelief: "Gu Qianling, what did you say?! You actually think of me like that? Is that how you see me?"
Gu Qianling's eyes were filled with disappointment: "I never expected you to be this kind of person. You mistreat your own cousin, belittle and ridicule the newly married sister-in-law, and talk back to your mother-in-law. Meng Yunlan, was all your previous gentleness and virtue just an act? How come you're like a completely different person now? I hardly recognize you anymore."
Meng Yunlan's heart sank, and tears welled up in her eyes: "Gu Qianling!! Five years! I've been married to you for five years! And you actually said I'm worthless!"
"I used to work hard to manage the entire Duke's mansion, being filial to my parents-in-law, disciplining the maids and servants, and also taking care of your younger siblings and dealing with all sorts of messy relatives who came to stay!"
"Even if I haven't done anything outstanding, I've still put in a lot of effort. Instead of being grateful, you're saying I'm faking it? Have you lost all your conscience?!"
However, in the past, even a single tear from her would break Gu Qianling's heart, but now that she's crying her eyes out, Gu Qianling doesn't react at all.
His expression was indifferent, and his tone lacked its usual gentleness, carrying a commanding air: "From now on, be careful what you say and do. I don't want to hear you brag about your background or belittle others from humble families anymore. If that gets out, I'll be ashamed of myself as you are. Also, if you can handle your cousin well, she can stay here to keep you company. If she's still wearing those clothes tomorrow, send her back to the Qiao family!"
Meng Yunlan tried her best to defend herself: "She insisted on wearing that dress herself. I gave her other new clothes, but she refused to wear them! She likes to dress conservatively and doesn't like those frivolous colors!"
The disappointment in Gu Qianling's eyes deepened, and his tone even carried a hint of sarcasm: "Whether you gave her decent clothes or not, you know in your heart. Don't lie to me here. If you hate her, you can just kick her out. There's no need to pretend to be nice to her here. She's too ugly and doesn't deserve your noble birth!"
Meng Yunlan almost lost her balance and nearly fell to the ground, but Bai Shao and Haitang caught her quickly.
"Gu Qianling, you...you're insane! I'm your wife, not your enemy! How could you humiliate me like this for the sake of one or two outsiders! Get out! Get out!"
Even after being told to get lost, Gu Qianling remained calm: "There's one more thing. Stay away from your second brother from now on, and don't get close to him anymore. You keep saying that other people dress brightly because they have ulterior motives, but I think you're the one with ulterior motives. After all, you never used to wear pink dresses, but you wore one when you brought bird's nest soup to your second brother. Meng Yunlan, don't think everyone else is stupid."
After he finished speaking, he straightened his sleeves and strode out.
Looking at his indifferent back, Meng Yunlan could no longer support herself and collapsed onto the chaise lounge.
"He's gone mad, he's gone mad!"
"No, he's possessed by an evil spirit, that's why he's saying so many heartless things! He's no longer human!"
"How could I possibly have ulterior motives towards his second brother?! I was just taking care of his younger siblings for him! Not only did he not appreciate it, but he also spoke ill of me and tried to break my spirit!"
Bai Shao and Haitang quickly comforted and advised, "Young Madam, don't be angry. Young Master must have been bewitched, which is why he said those crazy things!"
"Yes, young mistress, the young master used to treat you with the utmost kindness and care. Now his temperament has changed drastically. There must be some villains spreading rumors about him!"
Meng Yunlan gritted her teeth: "It's Shen Wantang! It must be her!!"
"So, what does the young mistress intend to do about her?"
Meng Yunlan smiled bitterly: "I have been taught the strict manners of a young lady by my mother and family since I was a child. I only know how to treat people with courtesy and repay evil with kindness. How could I possibly deal with someone as scheming and vicious as her?"
Bai Shao: "..."
Haitang: "..."
At a time like this, stop acting! The eldest son isn't even here!
"White peony!"
"Young Madam?"
"Have someone prepare a carriage for me; I need to go back to my parents' home! My mother has many old nannies around her; perhaps they can give me some advice!"
Bai Shao thought to herself, "Didn't I already go back to my parents' home yesterday to seek advice? It didn't seem to help at all!"
But she answered readily, "Yes, this servant will go and give the order right away!"
——
After leaving the main courtyard, Shen Wantang encountered Gu Qianling on her way back to Qionghua Courtyard.
She paused slightly, then greeted him briefly as usual: "Big Brother."
Gu Qianling's expression had returned to its gentle state the moment he stepped out of Yulu Courtyard. Now, when he spoke to Shen Wantang, his tone was as kind as ever: "Sister-in-law, did you just come from Mother's?"
"yes."
"Your mother likes you more and more these days, which shows how filial and thoughtful you are to her."
"Of course."
Shen Wantang spoke sparingly, and Gu Qianling remained silent for a while before saying, "Don't take what your sister-in-law said earlier to heart. She might not be feeling well lately, which might be affecting her mood, so..."
Shen Wantang looked at Gu Qianhan walking towards them from not far away and replied with an ambiguous statement: "What Big Brother said is true."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
