Liu Mei took An’an in her arms and smiled as well.
Ruhua walked over to Gu Yi at that moment and whispered, “Miss, Lord Yang is waiting outside the mansion. Should we send him away?”
Gu Yi’s smile faded. “What is he doing here on such a fine day?”
“He says he came to see the little miss.”
Gu Yi waved her hand impatiently. “Tell him to go back.”
Ruhua accepted the order and left.
Standing rigidly outside the mansion, Yang Yan watched as Ruhua emerged alone, without Gu Yi behind her, and felt a pang of disappointment.
“You should leave. Our miss said she doesn’t want to see you,” Ruhua said, still maintaining a shred of courtesy.
To her surprise, Yang Yan put on an act, feigning deep affection as he said, “Yi’er and I were husband and wife for seven years. Even if we part ways, the affection remains. Besides, today is our daughter’s first birthday banquet. As her father, I should at least show some goodwill.”
As he spoke, he took out a jewelry box from his sleeve, making it clear he wouldn’t leave unless it was accepted.
Just as Ruhua was about to retort, she saw Xihua hurrying over.
“You left in such a rush that you forgot such an important thing,” Xihua chided with a reproachful look.
Hearing this, Yang Yan couldn’t hide the joy on his face: He knew it—this woman had loved him for so long; how could she just let go? Ha, didn’t she rush out in a hurry to chase after him?
But his smug expression didn’t last long before a piece of paper descended from the sky and plastered itself onto his face.
“Lord Yang, our miss said she left in such a hurry last time that she didn’t have time to give you this letter of divorce!” Xihua covered her mouth, gloating with delight.
Serves you right for bullying our miss!
Ruhua struggled to hold back her laughter and secretly gave Xihua a thumbs-up.
Yang Yan took the paper, while the people around him pointed and whispered. His face flushed red with anger: That wretched woman! How could she be so heartless!
Taking a deep breath, true to his reputation as a seasoned official, Yang Yan quickly composed himself and even pretended to be sorrowful. “If this is what makes Yi’er happy, then I’m willing.”
“Hey, you—” Xihua was about to curse him out when Ruhua pulled her back.
Looking at the onlookers around them, it was clear this man was determined to put on a show. If they provoked him first, they’d be playing right into his hands. Indeed, when someone has no shame, they’re invincible.
“Who would have thought Lord Yang was so deeply in love? Then where did that big son of yours come from?” Ruhua mocked sarcastically.
“You!” Yang Yan felt as if he’d been stabbed in the heart. Remembering the purpose of his visit today, he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
Still holding the jewelry box, he continued with feigned affection. “But it’s An’an’s first birthday banquet. As her father, I should at least give her something.”
Just as the two were about to refuse, Gu Chen suddenly interrupted.
“Since Lord Yang is so kind, we can’t bear to reject his goodwill.”
With the eldest young master speaking up, though the two didn’t understand the reason, they followed Gu Chen’s instructions and accepted the gift.
Yang Yan stopped pestering them and left.
After seeing off the guests, Xihua and Ruhua were busy registering the gifts sent by various families.
“Miss, Lord Yang came today and insisted on giving the little miss a birthday gift!” Xihua said, still feeling puzzled.
Little An’an, nestled in Gu Yi’s arms, stared at the jewelry box in Ruhua’s hand. The entire box was enveloped in a thick, blood-red aura.
Little Koi had already said it, this must be because it harmed many lives! Bad thing!
“Bad, bad thing!” An’an stared at the jewelry box, spitting in disgust.
“Hah, what good intentions could he possibly have? Why didn’t he just refuse it outright?” Gu Yi was somewhat puzzled.
Ruhua recounted everything that had happened that day. Upon hearing that it was her own eldest nephew who had agreed to accept it, Gu Yi grew even more confused.
“Young Master.” The sound of servants paying respects came from outside the door.
Looking at Gu Chen, who was sitting in a wheelchair, Gu Yi spoke up: “Chen’er, you’ve come at just the right time. Why did you accept this jewelry box?”
Gu Chen took An’an, who was reaching out to be held: “Aunt, this is what I thought. Since he was so eager for us to accept this thing, he must have had ill intentions. Rather than that, it’s better to just take it and examine it closely.”
After hearing this, Gu Yi opened the jewelry box. Inside was an ordinary hairpin. Gu Yi sneered coldly: Hah, this man is truly stingy. I really was blind before.
She turned it over and over but found nothing strange, even examining the jewelry box itself several times.
“Could it really be that we were mistaken?” Gu Yi said uncertainly.
Just as Gu Chen was about to take it and have a look, An’an stared at a certain spot on the jewelry box: That’s right, this spot has the deepest blood-red color!
The child’s hand was quick. Before Gu Chen could react, she reached out.
“Click.”
The jewelry box opened.
Everyone looked at An’an.
“Young Miss is truly a little lucky star!” Xihua immediately laughed happily.
An’an: “Hehehe” Not really!
Gu Yi: This child, she gets all silly as soon as she’s praised. But, a little lucky star—she really is.
“What is this?”
Everyone looked at what was in Gu Chen’s hand—a strip of cloth?
Gu Chen handed it to Gu Yi: “Aunt, take a look.”
Gu Yi unfolded it, and her expression instantly turned cold: This was actually a secret letter!
Written in the tone of the former Crown Prince, it instructed the Gu family to gain the Emperor’s trust and, when necessary, deliver a fatal blow!
Who would have thought, who would have thought—Yang Yan, you actually colluded with the former Crown Prince as well!
And you tried to frame the Gu family! If this had been discovered, it would have meant the risk of exterminating the entire clan!
Gu Yi trembled with rage.
“Ow! Bad!” Although An’an couldn’t read the words, the cloth strip was covered in bloodstains—bad thing!
“An’an is amazing!” Gu Chen lifted An’an up to play “fly high,” making her giggle with laughter.
After reading it, Gu Yi remained shocked, unable to regain her composure for a long time.
Taking a deep breath, Gu Yi said: “Chen’er, stay here and play with An’an for now. I’m going to find Father.”
To discuss what to do and, incidentally, to confess her fault.
After all, it was her own poor judgment of character that nearly caused a disaster.
Gu Yi didn’t even dare to imagine—if the former Crown Prince had succeeded, the first to be targeted would have been the Gu family, right?
By then, Yang Yan would probably have been the first to sell her out, living happily ever after with Jiangxue and his precious son.
Gu Yi gritted her teeth. Right now, she wished she could tear his flesh apart with her own teeth!
Gu Chen stayed with An’an, holding the warm little body in his arms: So good, thank goodness for An’an!
“Brother, leg, leg.” An’an stared curiously at Gu Chen’s legs.
Over the past year, whenever An’an had free time, she would stick close to Gu Chen. The aura of death between his legs had faded considerably, though there was still no sign of improvement.
“Brother doesn’t hurt, An’an, don’t worry.” Gu Chen thought An’an was worried about his legs.
“Hmm…” Could it be because she hadn’t spent enough time with her brother?
Little An’an furrowed her little face, looking deep in thought, which only made her appear even more chubby.
Gu Chen couldn’t resist and pinched her cheek. An’an looked up, her dark grape-like eyes fixed on Gu Chen.
“Ahem.” Gu Chen felt genuinely guilty under his sister’s gaze and could only cover it up with a cough.
“Gege,” An’an hugged Gu Chen, “An’an, sleep sleep, with gege!”