Jiang Yue remembers liking to watch historical romance dramas when she was a child. She doesn't know why, but she just liked the male and female leads.
The female supporting characters either fall in love with the male lead and use every means to break them up, or they are insidious, ruthless, and cold-blooded female demons.
The second male lead either harbors resentment because he loves the female lead but cannot have her, or he creates misunderstandings between the male and female leads in an attempt to win her favor.
Either he's blindly kind to the female lead and willing to sacrifice his life for her.
As she grew older, she suddenly realized that even the supporting actress was stunning.
The second male lead is also very handsome, even more so than the male lead!
Why doesn't the male lead choose the female supporting character? Why can't the female lead be with the second male lead?
When she grew up, she suddenly realized that everything she saw in the TV series was fake!
That was just actors dressed in ancient costumes, suspended by wires, posing with large swords...
From then on, Jiang Yue felt utterly disillusioned.
If love can be acted out, then what's the point of having love at all?
Therefore, whenever a man pursued her, she would avoid him at all costs.
The female lead isn't always good, and the female supporting character isn't always bad.
The male lead doesn't necessarily only love the female lead; it's a lifelong, one-on-one relationship.
Gathering her thoughts, Jiang Yue stared at the evidence of the Shangguan family's crimes in her hand. Considering their actions over the years, it was truly hard to imagine that the female lead, Shangguan Xian'er, could be such a gentle and kind person.
Because the Gu family disagreed with the merger, they became vassals of the Shangguan family.
Then, the Shangguan family began a business war, attacking the Gu family at every turn and bringing them down!
If it weren't for my grandfather's foresight in cutting off his own tail to save himself and giving up much of the family business, and his superb medical skills in treating the difficult and complicated diseases of several wealthy families in Yunshui County, and receiving some protection, how could he have survived?
Seeing his aunt's silent expression, Gu Liulang assumed it was a difficult situation and blamed himself:
"Sister, I am ashamed that I have failed to protect our ancestors' legacy."
"What does it have to do with you? You were just a child back then. It's good enough that you survived. Just stay in my house and be at ease. Some old foxes will show their tails sooner or later."
Now that their true colors have been revealed, Jiang Yue can finally expose the mastermind!
Give the Gu family justice!
Gu Liulang was generally educated by his maternal grandparents to be knowledgeable and reasonable, but unfortunately, because he belonged to the business family, he had no chance to take the imperial examinations.
On the merchant side, they were suppressed at every turn by the Shangguan family...
It was already quite an achievement to be able to keep the Gu family home and some private property.
"Your Highness, the heads of prominent families such as the Shangguan, Lin, Cao, and Zhou families have come to pay their respects."
The messenger was the man from the newly purchased couple, named Xiong Yong, who originally worked in the kitchen with his wife.
As it turned out, Manager Qian discovered that the other party could read and write, and his handwriting was also acceptable, so he was transferred out and is currently working under Manager Qian.
"Yes, bring them all to the reception room and wait for me to finish my business before I see them."
Jiang Yue chuckled lightly; these people really couldn't keep their tempers up.
After not seeing any guests for three days, they all gather together, claiming to pay their respects. Who knows if they're there to find out the truth or to flatter them?
"Your humble servant obeys!"
Xiong Yong accepted the order, bowed, and respectfully withdrew.
"Sister, these people have ill intentions."
Gu Liulang is smart, but too young and impulsive. He couldn't think of a better way to deal with the situation.
Jiang Yue waved her hand, signaling the other party to calm down.
Turning to his grandparents, he said:
"Grandpa and Grandma, I'll take Liulang to the front hall to meet these people. You can relax and stroll around the mansion. If you find anything you don't like or need to buy, just tell Steward Ge. She's the person I trust the most."
"Alright, go ahead. Grandpa and Grandma know what they're doing, don't worry about us. Liu Lang is in your care now, give him a good beating. Don't be too soft on him, scold him when he needs it!"
Grandpa Gu has embraced his new identity and is even closer to his grandparents than to his maternal grandparents or paternal grandparents.
He didn't have much to teach his own grandson, nor was he capable of teaching him anything, so he might as well leave him to his granddaughter and let her teach him!
Gu Liulang: Grandpa, am I really your grandson? Why do I feel like my status is lower than my older sister's?
"good."
Jiang Yue nodded and gave Aunt Ge a wink, urging her to make sure to take good care of the two elderly people and meet all their needs!
She beckoned to her younger brother, signaling him to come closer as a gesture of intimacy.
"Stand next to your older sister and observe those old foxes carefully. She will test you later."
"Yes, sir."
Gu Liulang hadn't seen his teacher for a long time, and his teacher used to speak in the same tone.
Reception Room
Jinling has four major families, and Yunshui County also has four powerful families formed by the branches of these four families, as well as other minor family heads who are dependent on them.
The Cao family and the Shangguan family were the most prominent among them.
The Cao family produced an empress and then a crown princess; the next empress will also be from the Cao family!
The Shangguan family, besides having a concubine of the Crown Prince, might very well produce a future imperial concubine.
Therefore, the relationship between the two families is quite mysterious, but on the surface it is still acceptable.
"Patriarch Shangguan, it's been a long time since I last saw you. You look even more radiant than before."
"Not at all, not at all. I can't compare to Patriarch Cao. I saw Patriarch Cao walking with such speed just now that I couldn't even catch up with him."
"Why didn't Patriarch Shangguan call out to me? If I had known you were chasing me, I would have stopped and waited for you!"
"How dare I? How dare I!"
"Have some tea, have some tea~"
......
The heads of the Lin and Duan families remained silent, focusing on sipping their tea. After waiting for a long time, they seemed to grow drowsy and drift off into their own thoughts.
Seeing this, the other family heads smiled apologetically and began to whisper among themselves.
"Who is this Lady of the County? The heads of the four great families have come to pay their respects. She must have quite a bit of influence."
"Shh, keep your voice down, it would be rude if someone heard you."
"Okay, okay, I was just saying~"
"It's been quite a while since I drank a cup of tea. What do you think the princess is doing? Is she getting ready?"
"Stop talking nonsense."
"What are you afraid of, Zhou family head? She's just a widow, a middle-aged woman, maybe she's just getting ready~"
"Be careful what you say!"
"You're such a hypocrite!"
......
"Sister~"
Gu Liulang heard this and became somewhat angry. He clenched his fists, as if he could beat up the person who spoke at a moment's notice.
"Shh~"
"Let me teach you what it means to use someone else to do your dirty work."
Jiang Yue put her index finger to her lips, speaking the gentlest words, yet teaching ruthless methods.
"?"
Gu Liulang's eyes lit up. Using someone else to do the dirty work?
Is that what he meant?
Stimulate!
The maidservant serving tea outside the door, receiving a signal from her mistress, suddenly pushed open the hall door and called out:
"The Lady has arrived!"
The hall fell silent. The heads of the four leading families stood up, bowed, and said:
"This humble servant respectfully welcomes Your Highness—"
"Da da da~"
The sound of fine leather boots clicking on the floor tiles filled the air.
Although everyone had their eyes downcast, they could still sense a tall, elegant figure walking past them...
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