Even if there was a reason for her staying without apparent cause, Su Ziqing could almost immediately discern the identity of the noblewoman before her.
Is this Gong Chengjue's nominal mother?
She had only made a fleeting impression before, but now Su Ziqing was carefully examining the person in front of her.
She is tall and well-maintained, and neither her face nor her figure gives away her real age. Her facial features clearly show that she was a great beauty when she was young. She has a gentle smile on her face, which makes her seem very approachable.
However, perhaps because Gong Chengjue had warned her about the Gong family beforehand, Su Ziqing did not believe that Gu Mingyin was really that kind of person when she saw her gentle and easy-going demeanor.
Gu Mingyin was also sizing up Su Ziqing at the same time.
Strictly speaking, Su Ziqing, who is only a little over 1.6 meters tall, does not meet the Gong family's height requirements. As for her family background, it is even further behind. The only thing that is somewhat acceptable is her face, but she is not a stunning beauty.
Therefore, Gu Mingyin came to the conclusion that Gong Chengjue simply didn't want to listen to his family's arrangements, which is why he chose this woman.
If it were her son, she definitely wouldn't approve of Su Ziqing, but since it's Gong Chengjue...
Gu Mengyin smiled slightly, "I haven't introduced myself yet. Miss Su, hello, I am Chengjue's mother."
Sure enough, she was Gong Chengjue's nominal mother.
Su Ziqing smiled politely, "Madam Gong."
"I've heard about what just happened. Miss Su has been wronged." Gu Mingyin smiled at her. "I hope Miss Su won't take it too hard."
"Madam Gong is joking. It's just a misunderstanding, nothing serious." Su Ziqing felt that Madam Gong's voice was so gentle and sweet, she guessed that all men would fall for it.
If Gong Chengjue hadn't briefly discussed the Gong family with her beforehand, she would have naively thought that Madam Gong was both gentle and easy to get along with.
"What a sensible child." Gu Mingyin showed her affection for Su Ziqing. "No wonder Chengjue likes you so much."
"Madam Gong..." Su Ziqing had no idea what she was up to.
“You are the girl Chengjue likes, and I am Chengjue’s mother. It’s too formal for you to call me Madam Gong anymore. Just call me Auntie,” Gu Mingyin said.
"..." Su Ziqing was almost flattered. "Auntie."
"Good child." Gu Mingyin smiled beautifully. "Let's go downstairs."
Su Ziqing hummed in agreement, glancing at Gu Mingyin walking ahead. She wondered what the purpose of keeping her for such a short conversation was, but she was prepared to deal with whatever came her way.
However, as soon as they stepped out of the lounge, they heard arguing coming from another lounge. "Do you know what you're doing? In front of everyone, you actually gave the Su family so much face for someone else!"
Su Ziqing stopped in her tracks as she looked at Gu Mingyin, who was walking ahead of her.
She herself could only stop in her tracks.
"She is none other than Gong Chengjue's voice."
Su Ziqing frowned.
"Do you even have the slightest bit of responsibility as the eldest grandson?"
"Shouldn't you be asking yourself that question, Father?"
Even from a distance, Su Ziqing could feel the tense atmosphere inside.
Su Ziqing stood there without moving, but from this short conversation alone, it was clear that the relationship between Gong Chengjue and his father was not harmonious.
Gu Mingyin turned her head, her face full of worry, "Miss Su, Chengjue is stubborn. You can try to persuade him when you have time."
Su Ziqing looked at Gu Mingyin. Was all of this Gong Chengjue's fault?
"Even if she's wrong, her status doesn't justify you humiliating her like this." The arguing continued from inside.
"Ha, does Father want to be blind himself, and then force others to do the same?"
Su Ziqing felt that she should leave now; it wasn't appropriate for her to hear such secrets of the Gong family here.
Just as I was about to walk away, the door suddenly opened.
A middle-aged man walked out, his face not looking good. When he saw Gu Mingyin and Su Ziqing in front of him, he looked at them with an imposing air.
Gu Mingyin stepped forward, "Changzhou, what happened?"
This... is Gong Chengjue's father?
Gong Changzhou suppressed his anger, "Who is she?"
Gu Mingyin then spoke up, "Miss Su's dress is dirty, please come up and change into another one."
Gong Changzhou's face darkened slightly. "The guest lounge is across the street... Wait, you said her surname is Su?"
"The guest lounge is full..." Gu Mingyin explained.
Gong Chengjue walked out, his face no longer showing any trace of the anger he had felt during his argument with his father. When he saw Su Ziqing, his brows furrowed slightly.
Su Ziqing's heart sank. So, she had been tricked by the Gong family on their very first meeting?
They really are a powerful and influential family.
Gong Changzhou looked at Su Ziqing with utter contempt, then turned to Gong Chengjue, "With me here, you'll never marry her in this lifetime! Humph!"
Then he turned to leave, still hearing Gu Mingyin gently advising him, "Today is a banquet, so control your temper and don't make a fool of yourself."
The corridor outside the lounge was finally quiet...
Su Ziqing looked at Gong Chengjue with a meaningful look in her eyes, "Your family's waters are indeed very deep."
Gong Chengjue walked up to her, reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Don't you feel any guilt?"
"What are you feeling guilty about?" she asked, looking up at him.
"You were the spark that ignited the fire." He flicked her nose. "And you think you can just pretend nothing happened?"
"Are you sure I was the spark that ignited the fire?" She blinked innocently. "Your sister brought me here to change clothes, and then, quite by chance, I ran into your... Mom..."
“Mother,” he interrupted her calmly.
"Yes, your mother, and then, very coincidentally, she overheard your argument with your father." Su Ziqing spread her hands innocently, "It was all a coincidence."
Don't believe him for a second. It's obvious that someone put this on for her.
Should we make her give up?
He tightened his grip on her waist. "Are you scared?"
"If you're scared, will you let me go?" she replied.
"No." He tightened his grip, as if he wanted to merge her into his body. "We are one."
"You're hurting me," Su Ziqing protested. "Don't worry, I'll keep my promise."
"Is that all?" He frowned slightly.
Su Ziqing looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean by 'just like this'?"
Gong Chengjue looked at her intently, but did not press her further. Did he mean to disregard the agreement and act according to their feelings instead?
Their relationship was far from reaching that level...
"You go downstairs first, I'll come down later." Gong Chengjue let go of her.
Su Ziqing said "Oh," and after thinking for a moment, she felt she should say something more, "Oh right, I actually just ran into you in the garden not long ago... Grandpa."
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