“Having been rejected by Dingbei Wang—and this was a marriage decreed by Imperial Decree—I’m afraid no prominent or noble families will seek marriage alliances with the Gu family in the future. If it were me, I would have hidden my face at home long ago; how could I still go out and flaunt myself?”
“Dingbei Wang was willing to stake all his military achievements to break off the engagement. It must be that Lady Gu was at fault. If she were a good match, why would he reject her?”
“Regardless, she still has a face. With that face alone, even lower-ranking commoner clans would be willing to marry her for appearances.”
The malice in these words was simply impossible to conceal. Gu Qingyi’s lips curved slightly as she stepped forward slowly. Looking at the speaker, she said, “I still have a face, but what do you have? A person with no face, no talent, and no virtue is only fit to be a rat in the sewer, gossiping behind others’ backs.”
Being caught gossiping in person was an awkward situation for the young ladies present. Speaking behind someone’s back was one thing, but being caught by the person in question was entirely another.
Li Jinyi, humiliated by Gu Qingyi in front of everyone, turned ashen, her body trembling slightly as if she might faint at any moment.
Another young lady supporting her couldn’t help but speak up, “Lady Gu’s words are truly too harsh…”
“You think it’s harsh? So do I, but everything has a cause and an effect.” Gu Qingyi scoffed, her bright eyes fixed on the other girl until she could no longer maintain her composure. “Judging impartially is the principle of being human.”
First, she mocked the other for insulting others and then being insulted in return. Then, she implied that the other lacked fairness and should go back and read a few more books.
The young ladies present were all stunned. Over the years, Gu Qingyi had rarely attended banquets, and even when she did, she was mostly quiet and reserved. They had never seen such a sharp side of her.
Had being rejected in marriage truly changed her temperament so drastically?
This change was truly terrifying.
Gu Qingyi had no idea that everyone had misunderstood her intentions. She tilted her head slightly, revealing a simple and lovely smile. After looking at Li Jinyi for a while, she suddenly spoke as if she had just remembered something, “Ah, I recall now. Li Nulang’s father holds the position of Huangsha Administrator. Since that’s the case, Li Nulang should act even more impartially and not tarnish her father’s reputation.”
The Huangsha Administrator was an official responsible for overseeing prisons. Officials who entered this field generally had good reputations.
Li Jinyi, who had barely caught her breath, was struck another blow. Losing her own reputation was one thing, but if she tarnished her father’s reputation, she would undoubtedly face reprimands upon returning home.
Her expression shifting repeatedly, Li Jinyi had no choice but to grit her teeth and say, “My words were careless, and I offended Lady Gu. I beg for your forgiveness.”
Gu Qingyi glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. The Li family was not a prominent scholar-gentry clan, yet Li Jinyi dared to step on her face and speak such words. Clearly, someone had instigated her.
Earlier, she had used the other’s words to counterattack, which was reasonable and justified. But if she pressed the matter further now, she might come across as petty and narrow-minded.
She was someone who aspired to achieve great things in the future. How could she leave such an impression? That was absolutely unacceptable.
“To know one’s mistakes and correct them is to redeem oneself.” Gu Qingyi couldn’t be bothered with her any longer. She offered a faint smile to the crowd before slowly making her way toward the Hui Riverbank.
Following closely behind Gu Qingyi was the Gu family’s Mica Calf-Carriage. The carriage was draped with curtains and adorned with crimson silk tassels, its body carved and painted with mica patterns. At the sight of this carriage, the crowd seemed momentarily taken aback.
Only then did they suddenly remember—the Gu family… the Gu family held the title of Jun Gong!
The Gu family’s ancestors were originally a prominent clan, later following Emperor Gaozu in founding the empire, accumulating numerous military achievements, and were enfeoffed as Founding Commandery Dukes. In those years, those who could receive the title “Founding” were fewer than the fingers on one hand.
Although later the Gu family was suspected and repeatedly suppressed by the Late Emperor, who revoked the “Founding” designation, the title of Commandery Duke remained. However, the Gu family had maintained a low profile for so long that people gradually forgot the glory of their ancestors. Otherwise, with the Gu family’s lineage, how could Dingbei Wang, who came from commoner clans, be engaged to Gu Qingyi?
The Mica Calf-Carriage is not to be ridden by officials, but is bestowed upon princes and dukes.
Amidst the public’s anxiety, the Gu family had once been granted a Mica Calf-Carriage, and Gu Qingyi traveled in this carriage when she went out, demonstrating the Gu family’s high regard for her.