Overnight, rumors spread throughout Jing City that the playboy Gu Da Shao had married a Hedong Lioness.
Song Shiyue simply felt her ears were finally clear. She instructed Gu Yu Chen to reward the servants and guards, then went back to her room to sleep without another thought.
Uncle Da had the accountant bring out silver coins and distributed them on the spot.
Everyone holding the silver bowed toward Ruifeng Courtyard, saying, “Thank you, Young Madam!”
Gu Yu Chen, sitting to the side, felt utterly frustrated! He was the one providing the money, yet the gratitude was directed at Song Shiyue.
“Young Master, no need to feel bad. This is all from the dowry you agreed to give Young Madam, so it’s essentially her money.”
Liu Si came over and said this, earning two sharp glares from Gu Yu Chen.
This guy might not be the brightest, but his hearing was astonishing. Gu Yu Chen had discussed with Uncle Da how the Crazy Old Taoist had swindled his fortune as a dowry, clearly speaking behind his back, yet Liu Si had still overheard it.
Moreover, during these past few days, Song Shiyue had jokingly suggested to him that instead of calling it a dowry, they could tell outsiders it was the reward for saving him.
This guy had spread the word to everyone, and now they all believed it, treating Song Shiyue as the true master of the house, almost obeying her every command.
“It seems you all have itchy skin and need some discipline.”
Liu Wu immediately chimed in, “Young Master, let me discipline him for you. He can’t even tell who’s in charge.”
Just as Gu Yu Chen was about to praise Liu Wu for being sensible, he heard him scold Liu Si, “What do you mean ‘essentially’? It is Young Madam’s money! Can’t you see even the Young Master has to listen to her?”
Gu Yu Chen grew agitated and tried to stand up, but Uncle Da quickly pressed his shoulder, reminding him, “Young Master, it’s beneficial for us that Young Madam can command everyone’s respect.”
“Uncle Da, these guys are about to betray their master.”
“They won’t. They still have you in their hearts.”
Uncle Da smiled as he watched them roughhouse. How wonderful! The mansion was truly lively now. The Old Master would be delighted when he returned.
As for the marriage between Young Madam and the Young Master, with that Marriage Certificate in place, it was bound to become real.
Young Madam’s master was truly a man of foresight.
Seeing Uncle Da’s expression, Gu Yu Chen knew he too was siding with Song Shiyue.
He now deeply regretted his earlier decision. He had truly boarded a pirate ship and invited a wolf into his home.
To ensure Gu Yu Chen’s leg healed quickly, Song Shiyue was in no hurry to go out. They began living a reclusive life within Gu Mansion.
People outside couldn’t understand: if he needed to recuperate, why not wait until he was fully healed before returning?
Those who knew some inside information understood: Gu Da Shao was making a statement to those who wanted to use his marriage for their own schemes.
He was not someone to be manipulated.
At the Star Plucking Tower, the Junior Prince, having drunk some wine, began to babble.
“Third Cousin, you have no idea, Gu Da Shao’s wife is so fierce. She declared that those who came wouldn’t leave unscathed. She beat them until they grimaced in pain. If the Gu Mansion guards hadn’t intervened, those people would have met their end right there.”
As he spoke, he let out a drunken burp. Prince Rui frowned in disgust, waving a hand and shifting away.
“Didn’t I tell you not to go? Why didn’t you listen?”
“If I hadn’t gone, how could I have witnessed such a spectacular scene?”
The Junior Prince stood up and started gesturing wildly, nearly hitting a guard nearby.
“See, just these few moves, but they’re incredibly powerful, right?”
Prince Rui raised an eyebrow. “Those moves are indeed impressive. That woman must be quite skilled in martial arts, yet she let the servants interfere and allowed the thieves to escape.”
“Oh, right! Why?”
Prince Rui shook his head, not bothering to explain. “You’re drunk.”
After speaking, the Junior Prince collapsed onto the wine table.
Prince Rui said to the Junior Prince’s guard, “Take your master back. Keep a close eye on him on the way and make sure he doesn’t talk nonsense while drunk.”
“Acknowledged.”
Once the Junior Prince had left, Prince Rui ordered the wine and dishes to be cleared and replaced with tea and snacks.
Shortly after, a young man climbed in through the window.
“Greetings, Prince Rui.”
“Sit. What have you found out?”
Prince Rui personally poured tea for the newcomer, who accepted it with both hands and expressed his thanks before speaking quietly, “I’ve discovered that Gu Da Shao was severely injured and was saved by his newlywed wife. Their marriage is genuine and registered at the Yamen. Moreover…”
So they really got married? It wasn’t just an act?
“And what else?”
“The bride specifically noted in the records that her dowry consists of all of Young Master Gu’s assets.”
“Cough, cough, cough.”
This time, it was Prince Rui’s turn to be shocked. After finally catching his breath, he asked, “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely!” He took a sip of tea. “Also, people from the Eastern Palace were spotted at the location where he was attacked.”
“Oh? Could his injury be related to the Eastern Palace?”
“That’s unclear. Should I go to the Gu Mansion to investigate further?”
“No need. These days, many people are watching him closely.”
Everyone is waiting to see who will break the silence first.
“Your Highness, it seems some people are unwilling to acknowledge Young Master Gu’s marriage.”
Prince Rui smiled. “Whether they acknowledge it or not is none of their damn business. Yu Chen is already married.”
That’s right—Gu Yu Chen is married. His Marriage Certificate is officially registered at the Yamen, making it legitimate and binding.
Even the Crown Prince cannot simply annul someone’s marriage or invalidate their Marriage Certificate.
What would those people think if they knew that the wealth they were scheming for no longer belonged to Gu Yu Chen?
A meaningful smile spread across Prince Rui’s face.
Some people have strange ideas. Seeing that the Gu Mansion has truly closed its doors to visitors, allowing Gu Da Shao to recuperate in peace, they assume the marriage is not approved by Old Master Gu and therefore invalid.
It must be understood that, in this era, elders have the authority to issue letters of divorce on behalf of their children. Thus, many are waiting for Old Master Gu to return to Jing City.
Some clever individuals even exaggerated the behavior of Young Mistress Gu in their letters, dispatching messengers on fast horses to urge Old Master Gu to return and rectify the family’s conduct.
Gu Mansion, Ruifeng Courtyard.
Gu Yu Chen had just finished a set of martial arts exercises. Unable to gather his Inner Force, he felt his entire body weighed down.
“Don’t be impatient. If you circulate your energy improperly, the scattered Inner Force will cause you unbearable pain.”
Song Shiyue rested her chin in her hands, admiring his efforts and smiling at his frustration.
Uncle Da and Liu Si entered carrying two stacks of booklets. “Young Mistress, these are the records we’ve gathered for you—all about the nobles and officials in Jing City, including their entire families.”
To help her quickly understand the current situation, Gu Yu Chen didn’t mind revealing some of his capabilities.
Song Shiyue looked at the tall pile of booklets and randomly picked one up. Coincidentally, it was about the Crown Prince—detailing his appearance, character, preferences, maternal family, and all the forces behind him.
The thick volume was meticulously recorded. Song Shiyue felt that after reading through all of these, she could write a book about the palace intrigues of Da Chu.
Ah, since ancient times, politics and business have been inseparable. The larger the business, the more closely it is tied to the imperial court.
Over the past few days, she had gained some understanding of the Gu family’s wealth and influence, realizing why the royal family valued them so highly and were so eager to win them over.
Recalling her playful remark about demanding Gu Yu Chen’s entire fortune as payment, she realized it was practically a death wish.
When the emperor is pleased, he elevates you to a royal merchant, relying on you to generate silver.
But once he turns against you, he’ll find some pretext to charge you with a grave crime, instantly bankrupting you or even destroying your family.
Song Shiyue cast a sympathetic glance at Gu Yu Chen. How pitiable! His head was practically hanging by a thread.
No wonder he had suffered such severe injuries—someone must have wanted him dead to seize the Gu family’s Wanguan jiacai.
With only the old master and Gu Yu Chen left in the Gu family, eliminating the younger would soon lead to the elder’s demise.
Gu Yu Chen steadied his breathing and looked up to meet Song Shiyue’s compassionate gaze.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Taking the towel handed by Uncle Da, Gu Yu Chen wiped his sweat while slowly walking closer.
“I pity you for living in such dire straits.”
Gu Yu Chen’s hand paused, and Uncle Da’s eyes filled with caution as he looked at Song Shiyue.