“How can we allow this villain to act so arrogantly?” Gu Yishu slammed the table angrily. How could they let someone bully his beloved sister like this?
Even though he knew his sister was also willing to break off the engagement, he still felt deeply aggrieved.
Gu Qingyi looked at her family. “He Runsheng has just returned victorious after repelling the Yuwen Tribe. His reputation is at its peak right now. For the Gu family to clash head-on with him would indeed be inappropriate. A gentleman can wait ten years to take revenge; it’s never too late. Now, recognizing this scoundrel’s true colors is a great fortune. If he had been ruthless enough to wait until I entered his household before baring his fangs, it would have been too late for regrets.”
“Qiqi makes sense,” Mother Gu said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. “But it’s still hard to accept. When has our Gu family ever wronged him?”
“Hmph, such a short-sighted person. I’ll see how long he can remain arrogant,” Gu Jun frowned. He also wanted to vent his anger for his daughter, but with the Imperial Uncle currently in power, and their family having no prior dealings with Song Fengyu, acting rashly without understanding the situation could risk wasting all their years of patient endurance.
“No rush, I have my own plans,” Gu Qingyi said. How could she easily let He Runsheng off? But everything had to wait until the Imperial Uncle arrived.
Thinking of the Imperial Uncle, Gu Qingyi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. This man truly had a mixed reputation, and most importantly, his temperament was unpredictable.
Precisely because of this, Gu Father had asked He Runsheng to invite the Imperial Uncle as a witness—both to make things difficult for He Runsheng and to vent some anger for his daughter.
However, Gu Qingyi was deeply wary of the Imperial Uncle. Fortunately, he was only here to serve as a witness, and they would have no further interactions in the future. Showing respect was the right approach.
As dusk approached, He Runsheng still hadn’t arrived. Just as the Gu family thought the matter might not be resolved today, he finally appeared.
With the Imperial Uncle’s arrival, the entire Gu family naturally came out to welcome him.
Gu Qingyi followed behind her parents and elder brother to the mansion gate, where she saw a man alighting from a long-canopied carriage. His appearance was extraordinarily handsome: eyebrows like ink paintings, complexion like a spring dawn, eyes as bright as stars. He wore a cage crown, a red wide-sleeved silk robe over a white curved-collar inner garment, and white wide-legged trousers as voluminous as a skirt, with black hùtóu shoes on his feet. His waist was belted twice: inside with a wide silk sash, outside with a leather belt adorned with gold belt ends and plaques, connected by finely woven brocade straps.
Truly, his grace and aura were beyond description. If he were to smile, he would surely incite cheers and screams from countless young ladies, rallying support for him.
The Imperial Uncle was still wearing his court attire. It seemed He Runsheng was truly impatient, likely waiting at the palace gate to bring him here.
“Your humble servant pays respects to the Grand Marshal,” Gu Jun led his family forward to bow.
The Late Emperor had entrusted his younger brother, the Prince of Donghai, Song Fengyu, with the regency, granting him the title of Grand Marshal. “Imperial Uncle” was a private address used by everyone, as His Majesty referred to the Grand Marshal as “Imperial Uncle,” and thus the title had spread throughout the land. When mentioning the Grand Marshal, many would refer to him as the Imperial Uncle.
“Lord Gu need not stand on ceremony. This prince has come at the request of Dingbei Wang to witness the matter of the two families breaking off the engagement. May I ask if both families have agreed upon this matter?” Song Fengyu stood at the entrance of the Gu residence, showing no intention of entering, and spoke directly.
Hearing this, Gu Qingyi slightly raised her head to look over. Unexpectedly, the Imperial Uncle’s eyes shifted slightly, and his dark, profound gaze met hers, catching her in the act of peeking.
Gu Qingyi’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly lowered her head. How sharp!
The Imperial Uncle truly lived up to his reputation.
Gu Jun had originally intended to invite the Imperial Uncle inside for a discussion, but judging by his demeanor, he seemed impatient and wanted to resolve the matter quickly.
Even though he was inwardly furious, Gu Jun recalled his daughter’s earlier words and suppressed his anger. Straightening up, he glanced at He Runsheng and sneered, saying, “So this is how Dingbei Wang explained the matter of breaking off the engagement to the Grand Marshal? I’m afraid such words are inappropriate. Dingbei Wang abruptly used his military achievements to offset the engagement, leaving our family utterly shocked. Since His Majesty bestowed this marriage, my daughter has done nothing improper. Yet when Dingbei Wang came to break off the engagement, he slandered my daughter’s reputation, hurling insults and calling her a straw bag. Given the circumstances, how can the daughter of the Gu family allow herself to be bullied by such a petty man? This marriage must indeed be dissolved.”
Gu Jun had long been seething with anger, and upon hearing He Runsheng twist the truth to such an extent, he could no longer contain his fury. He immediately exposed the lies, trampling He Runsheng’s dignity without the slightest mercy.
Gu Qingyi, listening from the side, silently praised her father. Well done!