Gu Jun felt greatly reassured upon hearing his daughter’s words. His daughter had always been a person of great resolve. Since she spoke these words, she must have a way to make He Runsheng lose all face. He would simply wait and watch the spectacle!
Father and son both had a gleam in their eyes, their backs growing even straighter. Gu Jun spoke up, “Since we are to break off the engagement, naturally we must speak clearly and plainly. Does Dingbei Wang agree?”
He Runsheng felt something was off, but he already had a beloved young lady in his heart. If it weren’t for the Late Emperor forcibly bestowing this marriage, if it weren’t for the fact that his status back then was insufficient to give him the confidence to propose, how could he have ever been engaged to this straw bag, Gu Qingyi.
Her calm and composed behavior today must be because she knew the matter was beyond saving, and she was merely putting on a brave face to save appearances.
He Runsheng sneered inwardly, then said aloud, “Of course we must speak clearly, lest we become entangled and give others grounds for gossip.”
Who was he saying would become entangled?
Gu Yishu nearly rolled up his sleeves to give this man a beating. How detestable.
Gu Qingyi glanced at her elder brother, and Gu Yishu immediately sat back down, posture as straight as if he were in a classroom.
“What Dingbei Wang says is absolutely right. However, breaking off an engagement is a major matter. We should still invite a witness to act as an intermediary,” Gu Qingyi said, her eyes slightly lowered, not looking at Dingbei Wang.
Seeing Gu Qingyi like this, He Runsheng suddenly understood. So she was unwilling to break off the engagement, which was why she had found such an excuse to delay. Hmph, how could he let her have her way? He then said, “Lady Gu speaks rightly. Indeed, we should invite a witness. I wonder whom your esteemed household wishes to invite. This prince will certainly comply with the young lady’s wishes.”
Let’s see how you try to evade now!
The phrase “Lady Gu” severed all ties cleanly, causing the Gu father and son to turn pale with anger. You treacherous He Runsheng! Back when you were climbing up by attaching yourself to the Gu family, you called me “father-in-law” so intimately. Now that you’re breaking off the engagement, you use “Lady Gu” to draw a clear line.
What a shameless scoundrel!
Yet Gu Qingyi seemed utterly indifferent to all this. Hearing his words, she merely sighed softly and was about to speak when she heard He Runsheng speak again, “Lady Gu need not think of any more excuses to delay. This prince, blessed by heaven with divine mandate, has illustrious military achievements. The young lady has always been fond of amusement and entertainment, empty-headed within. How could she manage the household affairs upon entering my prince’s mansion in the future? The heavy responsibility of my prince’s mansion’s inner quarters must be shouldered by someone as talented and outstanding as the Fu Family’s Sixth Young Lady. How could I marry a straw bag!”
Gu Yishu could no longer restrain himself. He kicked over the low table, rose to his full height, grabbed the sword at his side, and was about to fight He Runsheng to the death!
How dare this scoundrel bully others to such an extent! Who was he calling a straw bag?
Gu Qingyi glanced at Mianchun, who immediately stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Gu Yishu’s calf, crying out, “Young Master, please calm your anger!”
Impossible to calm!
“Step aside!” Gu Yishu knew his younger sister was very fond of her maidservants, so he couldn’t very well kick them away and could only rebuke them verbally.
Who would have thought that as soon as he said this, Zhan Xia immediately came over and hugged his other leg, pleading tearfully, “Young Master, please calm your anger!”
Gu Yishu: …
Gu Jun understood his daughter’s temperament, but his own anger was also somewhat hard to suppress. However, fearing he might ruin his daughter’s plans, he gritted his teeth and said, “Since that is the case, let Dingbei Wang go and invite the Imperial Uncle to act as witness.”
The Imperial Uncle had been entrusted by the Late Emperor with the care of the orphaned young emperor. The new emperor was too young to govern personally, so the Imperial Uncle acted as regent, wielding sole authority. If the Imperial Uncle were invited to bear witness, this marriage would undoubtedly be broken off cleanly, with no one able to question it!
How could his daughter’s reputation be tarnished, burdened with the name of a straw bag!
The Gu family would remember today’s humiliation inflicted by He Runsheng. They would not let him off easily in the future!
He Runsheng frowned slightly and said, “Lord Gu clearly knows that Imperial Uncle has already approved this matter in court, so why go to the trouble? Just choose someone else.”
Gu Qingyi glanced at him, her words deliberately tinged with a hint of hope as she spoke slowly, “If Your Highness finds it difficult…”
“Rest assured, I will surely invite Imperial Uncle to come!” Seeing Gu Qingyi’s feigned sincerity, He Runsheng immediately turned and left in a huff. To think of not breaking off the engagement—what a dream!
After this incident, He Runsheng became even more determined to break off the engagement. He would personally go and plead his case. Given his military achievements, Imperial Uncle would surely grant him some face.
Moreover, His Majesty had already approved the matter, and Imperial Uncle had not objected. Yet the Gu family still thought they could pressure him by invoking Imperial Uncle—how laughable.
Watching He Runsheng’s retreating figure, Gu Qingyi curled her lips into a smile. See, with just a touch of her “white lotus” tactics, this fool had taken the bait. Such a fool—marrying him would truly be a disservice to herself.
Fortunately, the engagement was about to be broken off.