Chapter 125 Wicked Stepmother and Poor Child 18
Her words hit the nail on the head regarding what everyone cared about most. Gu Hongjian was afraid that not having an official position would affect his career and make it difficult to get promoted. Madam Zhou was afraid that any problems with her family's reputation would affect her husband. As for Zhou Jingxuan?
She had no choice at all; this was no longer something she could control, and she could no longer decide whether to stay or leave.
Looking at her niece kneeling on the ground and crying incessantly, Madam Zhou wondered what else she could do besides cry.
Looking at Gu Hongjian, whose face was ashen but who was helpless and could only remain silent, I once thought that this couple was conspiring to scheme against me.
Unfortunately, my own niece is also a disappointment.
I'd always heard that the matriarch of the Gu family was bedridden and on the verge of death, but I never expected her to be such a sharp-tongued and unyielding person.
Madam Zhou felt deceived and implicated by Zhou Jingxuan. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. The more she looked at Zhou Jingxuan, the more annoyed she felt. If it weren't for her, how could she have ended up in such a passive position?
What a useless idiot who's good for nothing but making things worse. What can he do besides cry?
After weighing the options, Madam Zhou suddenly stood up, let out a long sigh of relief, and suppressed her anger.
Enough!
Now that you are pregnant, there is no point in saying more. Jingxuan, do you really want to marry into the Gu family?
If you don't wish to, you can abort the fetus and become a respectable wife in a humble household.
In the past, my niece could have easily married an official through her family connections, instead of becoming a concubine to the young but unambitious Gu Hongjian! The key point is that she became a concubine!
Even if you want to be someone's concubine, why don't you just go to the palace and become the emperor's concubine?
But since she was her own niece, and she was afraid that these things might affect her family's reputation, Madam Zhou still asked for her opinion.
Zhou Jingxuan shook her head with tears in her eyes. She had finally managed to get close to Gu Hongjian, and she would rather be the tail of a phoenix than the head of a chicken!
"Gu Lang and I are truly in love. I beg you, Aunt, to grant my wish!"
One is willing to give and the other is willing to receive; no matter how much outsiders want to help, it's useless. Kind words can't persuade a damned ghost; it's all fate.
Madam Zhou closed her eyes tightly and looked at Shen Ci with a resigned expression; she was too exhausted.
"Jingxuan can marry into the Gu family or become a concubine."
But I have one condition: she must be a concubine of high rank, and her treatment must be impeccable. This is the final concession my Zhou family has made.
A concubine? A concubine isn't a concubine? No matter what, she's still a concubine. In her eyes, a concubine is a concubine. How can you differentiate between different ranks?
It's all just self-deception. The so-called "noble concubines" are nothing more than a contest between concubines.
She sneered inwardly, but didn't show it on her face, revealing a hint of compromise and some weariness.
"Since Madam Zhou has spoken, I will naturally give her face. So be it, I will be your concubine. In three days, the Gu family will send someone to the mansion to welcome Concubine Zhou."
Zhou Jingxuan's fate was decided during a few rounds of conversations between the two wives. She didn't have much of a chance to speak from beginning to end. She willingly handed over her destiny, which she could have controlled, to someone else.
Zhou Jingxuan was certainly not willing to be just a concubine; she wanted to be a secondary wife, but now even that was out of the question. Every time she tried to speak, she would be glared at by Madam Zhou's sharp eyes, and when Gu Hongjian tried to speak, Madam Zhou would give him the same sharp look.
"What else does Lord Gu want?"
"My Zhou family daughter's innocence has been ruined by you. Being forced into concubine is already a concession; do you also intend to force your first wife to her death and make my Zhou family a laughingstock?"
If Shen Ci dies at the Zhou family's doorstep, nothing will make a difference.
As soon as Madam Zhou uttered those words, Gu Hongjian blushed and could no longer utter a word. He did not want to offend Madam Zhou's bedmate.
The matter has been settled, and Madam Zhou has no desire to stay here any longer.
"Farewell. Someone, take Miss Biao back to the manor."
Zhou Jingxuan was reluctant to leave. If she left now, wouldn't she be ridiculed by those onlookers?
Madam Zhou gave her a cold look. "Aren't you leaving yet?"
Zhou Jingxuan immediately became obedient. This aunt seemed dignified and kind, but in reality, she had endless ways of tormenting people. This marriage was something she had worked hard to get, and she couldn't afford to lose it.
The front hall fell silent instantly, leaving only Shen Ci and Gu Hongjian with an unpleasant expression. Shen Ci didn't even bother to look at him, and, holding Dan Gui's hand, turned around leisurely.
"Go back to the main courtyard and see if my Mingzhang and Mingzhu have finished their snacks."
Shen Ci, supporting Dan Gui's hand, had only taken a few steps out of the front hall when Gu Hongjian hurriedly caught up from behind. Now that Zhou Jingxuan was gone, there was no hope for him to stay.
"lady!"
Gu Hongjian called out to Shen Ci, then followed up gently, speaking reassuringly.
"Jingxuan will be entering the manor in three days. Even so, you will always be my lawfully wedded wife, Gu Hongjian's lawfully wedded wife."
Your position as mistress will not be shaken in the slightest because of this.
She is gentle and not good at arguing. Once she enters the household, I hope Madam will be tolerant and not make things too difficult for her, especially since she is now carrying my child.
These words were disgusting enough to make anyone nauseous. Shen Ci paused slightly, turned around slowly, and almost vomited in his face.
"I have already given my approval to let her in, and I have also agreed to the Zhou family's wishes regarding her status as a concubine."
Gu Hongjian, aren't you asking for too much? What more do you want?
Do I have to make a big show of it and treat her like an ancestor before I'm not being difficult?
"Since that's the case, why don't you just let your deadbeat father marry her, and then you can call her 'Mom' from now on."
Gu Hongjian was speechless at her words. After waking up from her serious illness, Shen Ci's temper was even worse than before. Before, she was just lively and willful, with a bit of a childish temper.
She's completely unreasonable now, making a fuss over nothing, and her words are frighteningly sharp.
He felt a sense of powerlessness. In the past, even if Shen Ci had a bad temper and loved to make trouble, she would still obediently listen to him.
Although Shen Ci still looks pale and weak after her serious illness, her speech, actions, eyes, and energy are remarkable. She can eat, sleep, run, and jump all day long. She doesn't look like a dying person at all.
I just heard the servants say that the lady ate two bowls of rice this morning. Who on their deathbed can eat that much in one meal?
Is she still alive or dead?! Gu Hongjian dared not make a decision, and this uncertainty made him feel agitated.
Even so, Gu Hongjian immediately switched to a concerned expression.
"Madam, what are you saying?"
I certainly trust you, Madam, but just now, seeing you talking to Madam Zhou, although you seemed to be in good spirits, I was still a little worried about your health.
I have already sent someone to fetch a doctor to examine your pulse carefully again, to see if there is anything wrong with your health, so that I can prescribe the right medicine to help you recover. I only hope that you will recover soon.”
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