Jiang Shiyi and Xu Shaoqing had gone to great lengths, only to be told by Xu Shaoqing that they had been tricked! How could they not be disheartened?
Gui Xiang is now seen as a traitor in Xu Shaoqing's eyes, but this little girl was chosen to serve Xu Shaoqing when she was seven years old, how could she betray her?
Lin Mama and Guixiang were driven to the brink of collapse countless times before they listened to the words of the Madam and tried to persuade her, but all of their efforts were still for Xu Shaoqing's sake.
Every single time? Every single time I went back to report to my aunt, wasn't it for Xu Shaoqing's sake?
Leaving aside the various trivial matters of daily life, she was instigated by Gu Ting to write a letter to her eldest sister, instigated to plot to seize the family property, and Gu Ting cheated her out of money.
Gui Xiang alone couldn't possibly protect her from all of this.
That's why she shamelessly went back to beg the aunt, repeatedly telling her about her situation. Didn't Guixiang feel bad?
But how many times did she cry from anger, get slapped, and beating?
However, Xu Shaoqing just couldn't understand. Perhaps she would occasionally have a moment of clarity, but Gu Ting could immediately coax her back to her original intentions.
So, back to the present, even though Jiang Shiyi was so angry that she didn't want to care about Xu Shaoqing anymore, Gui Xiang still couldn't let go of her feelings.
Moreover, she was genuinely panicked and felt that going to the countryside was a mistake.
"Miss, if we go to the countryside with the Third Young Master now, we won't be able to help at all, and we might even cause trouble, right?"
Xu Shaoqing looked at her coldly, "What do you mean by that? Do you want me to be like my father, someone who harms and hurts others behind their backs?"
They were trying to persuade me to side with my father. Oh, no, I meant my uncle—to become an executioner alongside him?
Gui Xiang nearly broke down again. She realized that if she couldn't persuade her mistress to come back this time, no one would take care of her for the foreseeable future.
Don't be fooled by the Marquis's promise to keep Miss in the capital. If she says she wants to go down there and suffer, the Marquis's family will be more than happy to let her suffer enough so they can vent their anger.
“Miss, you know perfectly well that’s not what I meant. The young master’s actions are entirely his own fault.”
"Hmph! What a self-inflicted wound! If it weren't for Father, no, Uncle reporting him, he would already be serving as the Director of the Imperial Academy."
I think my father hates not only him, but also me. He knows perfectly well that I've already invested ten thousand taels, and now it's all gone.
What contribution did you make to this?
Gui Xiang's voice trembled with tears, "Miss, I didn't know about the matter of the Imperial Academy Director. I didn't, but you really can't go to the countryside."
With Aunt Yang there, the Third Young Master will not contribute any capital if he wants to return to the capital or go into business with the Second Old Master.
They will definitely try to take your money, but your dowry is the foundation for your future.
This time, the aunt was also badly hurt. We must hold onto our money carefully so we can live with our heads held high.
"I'm willing! You harmed him, so I'll make it up to you. I'm willing!"
Gui Xiang felt a pang of despair and couldn't help but shed two tears, still trying to persuade him further.
But the door was suddenly kicked open. It turned out that Gu Ting had overheard everything outside and understood what was happening.
After he came in, he glared at Xu Shaoqing with a sinister look, his heart filled with hatred that felt like it was going to explode.
I never imagined that he would end up in such a predicament, all because of the Earl's manipulation.
I initially thought it was just a case of everyone kicking someone when they're down, and that the Earl had also gotten involved.
Marrying Xu Shaoqing was truly a disaster! He now deeply regrets it, feeling that he hasn't benefited from it at all, and instead, one misfortune after another has beenfallen because of Xu Shaoqing.
At that time, the ideal choice was a woman who was not valued by her family but came from a high-ranking family.
This makes it easier to control and also makes it much more convenient to exchange benefits.
Instead of destroying him outright for fear that he would harm Xu Shaoqing, as is the case now.
Gu Ting took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and tried his best to suppress his hatred for Xu Shaoqing.
"I only thought that you, my maid, would go back and say some provocative and ambiguous things."
But to my utter surprise, it was she who played a role in ruining my promising future.
Shaoqing, you can swallow this insult, but I can't!
Gu Ting called over two old women, then pointed at Gui Xiang, and ordered, "Take her away and beat her!"
Before Guixiang could even react, she was pinned down by two old women, and two others came up and held her down on the bench.
After three strokes of the cane, Gu Ting watched with great interest from the sidelines without telling him to stop.
Xu Shaoqing was stunned, and Granny Lin also quickly came out. But as soon as Granny Lin and Guilan arrived, they were subdued by several maids in the courtyard, summoned by Gu Ting.
These maids were newly purchased by the Gu family, so naturally they listened to Gu Ting more often.
Liu Xiang'er, in particular, came out to watch the commotion and urged several maids to stop Li Mama and Guilan.
"Husband, stop! You can't fight anymore!"
The maids dared to stop Granny Lin, but they didn't dare to obstruct Xu Shaoqing.
Xu Shaoqing rushed over and lay down next to Gui Xiang to protect him, while telling Gu Ting to stop!
The young mistress clung to him, and the old woman dared not lay a hand on her.
Gu Tinglian frowned slightly. "Why did you stop fighting? Shaoqing, come here quickly, lest these old women accidentally hurt you!"
He glared at them fiercely again, "Keep hitting them. If you hesitate even a moment longer, I'll give you two old women a beating too."
The two old women were at a loss; the paddle was about to fall again.
"Nonsense! Stop it, all of you!"
The newcomer shouted out, and everyone looked up to see that it was the Second Madam.
They stopped immediately, and even Guilan's two maids let go.
Guilan suddenly leaped up and ran out.
Everyone glanced at him, and no one else had the mind to chase after him. The second wife glanced at Gu Ting and stopped him from sending someone to chase after Guilan.
As soon as Gu Ting made a scene, she received the news.
She walked here quickly, almost running.
Moreover, as she walked this way, she thought to herself that Gu Ting really looked exactly like Gu Xiang!
These two must have some serious illness! How dare Gu Ting act so blatantly?
It's obvious that their bad luck this time is the result of their reckless behavior and the accumulation of bad karma.
How dare they lay a hand on Xu Shaoqing's servants like this? If they're so capable, they should go find Xu Wei and Jiang Shiyi at the Anbo Mansion!
What's wrong with taking action against a maid?
He didn't want to live, but the second wife couldn't let him do that. As she said before, she didn't want to offend the Anbo family.
When Zheng Jin (the second wife) arrived at the courtyard, she took a look at the scene inside.
"Speak, what is the matter this time?"
Gu Ting sneered angrily, "What are you pretending for?"
“A mere maidservant has been talking back and arguing. Who does she think she is? She tries to meddle in everything. Naturally, she should be given a couple of lashes as a warning to others.”
As Gu Ting spoke, he stared provocatively at the Second Madam. He was clearly making a veiled attack on her.
Zheng Jin laughed sarcastically, "That's right, come and slap the Third Young Master thirty times as a warning to others."
As she spoke, the guards she brought stepped forward and restrained Gu Ting.
"Why did you hit me? Mother, you've gone too far!"
Gu Ting was caught off guard and pinned down, feeling extremely ashamed and indignant.
"What juncture is this? You've been reprimanded by the Emperor and instructed by the old Marquis to avoid causing trouble."
To seek refuge, they even sent you and your son to the countryside, but instead of being discreet and cautious, you acted accordingly.
They even brazenly beat and scolded the maid here; the screams could probably be heard throughout the houses on Xilou Street.
That's an exaggeration, a complete exaggeration. Gui Xiang knocked the person unconscious with just one stroke of the board.
She was already exhausted lately, and then she was unexpectedly beaten. So she was caught off guard and fainted immediately.
But what does it matter whether he screamed or not? That bastard Gu Ting dares to yell at Zheng Jin? Doesn't he even know his own predicament?
Gu Ting was slapped repeatedly, one on the left and one on the right, and soon, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
But the second wife, just like he had done before, took a cup of tea and watched him slowly as he took 30 slaps before calling him to stop.
After hitting him, he added sarcastically, "Although you're now considered an ordinary citizen, you'll probably remain one for the rest of your life."
You do resemble your father, but you still live in a family like ours where officials hold official positions.
One should always demonstrate magnanimity in speech and action. It's best not to cause trouble at home, isn't it?
Gu Ting remained silent.
The second wife wasn't buying it. "Go forward and slap him three more times!"
Gu Ting didn't want to get slapped again. "I understand, I understand."
But Zheng Jin still had his guards come up and slap him three more times.
After the beating, Gu Ting became completely obedient, and Zheng Jin finally had a moment to look at Xu Shaoqing.
What a muddle-headed girl! Xu Shaoqing was so frightened that her eyes welled up with tears, and she hugged Guixiang without saying a word.
Of all the members of the second wife's family, probably only the second wife, Zheng Jin, could understand how much hatred Xu Shaoqing's parents truly harbored!
Back then, Zheng Jin's father was someone who didn't care much about his children and was obsessed with saving face.
She also hated her stepmother, who had wronged her, to the extreme.
Moreover, Xu Shaoqing's daughter was truly cherished and raised with love.
Being schemed against like this, Gu Xiao must be furious with the Anbo family.
People's hearts are biased. The Earl's family will not think that Xu Shaoqing is stupid. They will only think that Gu Xiao and his son have bad intentions.
She was completely wrong about that. Jiang Shiyi knew her daughter was foolish, and she knew it.
"Sigh," Zheng Jin sighed. This girl was truly far inferior to her (Zheng Jin herself) back then.
Maybe I should lend a hand. "You should also tidy up your things and put them back properly in this yard."
"Since the Marquis's mansion has given the order, you don't need to go to the countryside. Why are you going there and causing trouble?"
After she finished speaking, Granny Lin rushed over to thank the madam.
"Yes, yes, this old servant will have them put everything back right away."
Gu Ting stared coldly at the Second Madam's departing figure. After she left, he turned around and glanced at Liu Xiang'er, who was watching the commotion in the courtyard.
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