In the lofty pavilion with flying eaves and crimson curtains, a beauty sat with joy between her brows. Outside the curtain knelt a maid in green attire, speaking of something unknown, her face filled with anger and eyes brimming with tears.
The contrast between the delighted mistress and the furious servant was truly intriguing.
“Young Lady, Dingbei Wang insists on breaking off the engagement in the front hall. What should we do now?” Zhan Xia said with bowed head, her body trembling slightly, her anger barely contained.
The maid Mianchun, standing nearby, was shocked upon hearing this. “Young Lady, is the engagement really to be broken? That He Runsheng is merely from a low-ranking scholar-gentry clan. If not for His Majesty’s decree of marriage, how could he ever set foot in the Gu family and become engaged to you? Now that His Majesty has just passed away, this scoundrel takes advantage of the new emperor’s youth to bully his way into breaking the engagement—what difference is there between him and a beast!”
Gu Qingyi had long been waiting for this moment—finally, it was her time to shine!
“Bring the chests packed yesterday and follow me to the front hall.”
Though it is said that to get through life, one must accept a bit of green on their head, when that green is on oneself, the feeling is rather peculiar. When she had inadvertently discovered He Runsheng and Fu Lanyun exchanging flirtatious glances and secret communications, she had already anticipated this day.
She held no regard whatsoever for that petty man He Runsheng. It was a wonder Fu Lanyun treated him like a treasure. If not for the Imperial Decree of marriage, which could not be refused… Now, she need not trouble herself—he had come to break off the engagement himself. Scumbag, I give you a thumbs up.
Upon hearing this, Mianchun and Zhan Xia exchanged glances. Seeing that the Young Lady had already stepped out, they could only instruct Zhi Qiu and Xin Dong to have people carry three camphorwood chests and follow.
The courtyard was deep and vast, with layered corridors and countless pavilions, terraces, and towers. They passed through several gates before reaching the front courtyard.
At this moment, the situation in the front courtyard was tense. The Gu father and son sat upright behind a table, glaring angrily at He Runsheng, who stood in the hall clad in armor with a long sword at his waist.
He Runsheng stood over seven feet tall, with a majestic bearing, a long sword at his waist, and an aura of murderous intent that inspired fear and timidity in anyone who saw him.
His hawk-like eyes swept over the Gu father and son with undisguised contempt, further fueling their rage.
Just as the Gu father and son were about to lose their composure and erupt, a pleasant tinkling of jade pendants echoed through the hall, breaking the silence.
He Runsheng frowned and turned his head. The first thing that appeared in his sight was a flash of crimson brocade with gold-woven pleated skirts. The glint of gold shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight with each step. Then, Gu Qingyi entered gracefully, her hair styled in a tilted bun adorned with a gold hairpin, her earlobes dangling with moon-shaped earrings, and wearing a wide-sleeved short jacket over her dress, tied at the waist with a colorful silk sash.
The foremost beauty of Huikang.
Even though He Runsheng had been engaged to Gu Qingyi for three years and was accustomed to her stunning beauty, he had always seen her with a gentle, smiling expression. Today, however, her frosty demeanor was something he had never witnessed before, adding an ethereal grace to her presence, as if a fairy from the Jade Pool had suddenly descended to the mortal realm. He couldn’t help but feel his eyes light up.
Gu Qingyi walked past He Runsheng without so much as a glance in his direction. Passing him, she bowed to her father seated at the head of the hall. “Daughter pays respects to Father. I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
Gu Jun’s eyes reddened as he looked at his daughter. Remembering why He Runsheng had come today, his anger flared even more. “You have arrived just in time; there is no need for apologies. I called you here today because Dingbei Wang has come to break off the engagement. If you are unwilling, Father will immediately enter the palace and ask His Majesty to uphold justice.”
Although Gu Yishu knew his younger sister was willing to break off the engagement, he still had to put on a show of strength in front of He Runsheng. He said, “Little sister, don’t be afraid. With Father and your elder brother here, we will never let anyone wrong you.”
The Gu family had long been under the suspicion of the Late Emperor and had no choice but to conceal their talents and bide their time. However, this did not mean the Gu family was a soft persimmon that even a scoundrel like He Runsheng could bully.
A mere upstart from the commoner clans, who had risen through military achievements, truly thought he could hold up the sky single-handedly? Where did he place the Imperial Uncle in his eyes!
Gu Qingyi watched as the frosty expressions on her father and elder brother’s faces instantly melted away. A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips as she spoke softly and gently, “Father, elder brother, since Dingbei Wang has made up his mind to break off the engagement, your daughter has always adhered to the etiquette of the inner chambers and never forces others against their will. Naturally, I shall comply with Dingbei Wang’s wishes. However, before the engagement is broken off, there is one matter that must be clarified. I ask for Dingbei Wang’s understanding.”