Little An’an thought that if Brother spent more time with her, maybe his leg would get better!
Gu Chen was naturally happy to do so. After explaining things to Ruhua and Xihua, he carried An’an back to his own courtyard.
Meanwhile, in the study, the atmosphere was tense.
Ignoring the objections of her father and two older brothers, Gu Yi earnestly kowtowed to the three of them. When she raised her head again, tears streamed down her face. “I am unfilial, causing trouble for Father and my brothers!”
Gu Tingjun quickly helped her up. “Oh, what’s trouble between family members?”
Holding the cloth strip and looking at the bloody words, Gu Tingjun sneered. “This is truly a clever scheme. Father, what do you think?”
They had calculated that even if their younger sister received it, she would casually discard it. Then, when the time was ripe, they would find an excuse to search the Gu residence. Once this item was discovered, the Gu family would face utter disaster.
Gu Mingshan did not hesitate. “Burn it. Let’s see what tricks they plan to play.”
Soon, as spring arrived the following year, the wedding of Gu Chen and Song Qingxi was put on the agenda.
The Gu family was busy making preparations.
Three months before the wedding, the bride and groom were not allowed to meet. For this reason, Gu Chen specially asked Xu Tinglan to send an invitation. Under his mother’s teasing gaze, his face secretly flushed red.
The next day, led by a servant, Song Qingxi met Gu Chen, who was sitting alone in the pavilion. She was so nervous she didn’t know where to put her hands.
Seeing the small bundle in Gu Chen’s arms, Song Qingxi suddenly relaxed.
“Sis-sister-in-law, hug!” An’an reached out her arms, asking to be held.
Naturally unaware that her address had made both of them blush at the same time.
“Hoo—hoo—”
Song Qingxi found it both amusing and exasperating. Little An’an probably thought her throat hurt, which was why she couldn’t speak, so she seized the opportunity to start huffing and puffing.
Gu Chen calmed his emotions before speaking. “Ahem, the reason I invited Miss Song here this time is that in a few days, we won’t be able to meet. I…”
Song Qingxi lowered her head to play with An’an, the tips of her ears turning bright red.
Gu Chen didn’t know how to say it either, so he pretended to speak calmly. “On the day of the wedding, my leg… will likely invite gossip. Marrying into this family… I’m afraid it will wrong you.”
The young man in the wheelchair genuinely felt that a perfectly fine young lady had been schemed into marrying a cripple like him, sacrificing the rest of her life.
Song Qingxi looked up, seeing the solemn expression on the young man’s face. She wanted to say something but could only shake her head repeatedly.
“Sis-sister-in-law, not aggrieved!” An’an mumbled while sucking her finger.
This made both of them laugh. Song Qingxi looked at Gu Chen and nodded.
She truly didn’t feel wronged. If anyone was aggrieved, it was Gu Chen—a mute like her marrying the eldest son of the Gu family.
If Xu Tinglan and Gu Yi were here, they would probably find it both amusing and exasperating: such young lovers, worrying about each other’s grievances—truly a match made in heaven.
“By the way, we suspect the Song family might take action on the day of the wedding. This is someone skilled in martial arts by my side, absolutely trustworthy, named Jiang He. He can protect your safety.”
This was the purpose of inviting Song Qingxi. The entire Gu family felt the Song family wouldn’t remain peaceful for long, so having their own person to protect her would put their minds at ease.
Just as Song Qingxi was about to shake her head and refuse, she heard Gu Chen say to Jiang He, “Protect Miss Song well.”
Jiang He acknowledged and immediately stepped behind Song Qingxi.
Song Qingxi had no choice but to accept.
Soon, the day of the grand wedding arrived.
The people in the capital watched Gu Chen dressed in his wedding robes and whispered among themselves.
“Isn’t that the crippled eldest son of the Gu family? He’s actually getting married?”
“You don’t know, do you? He’s marrying the daughter of the Crown Prince’s tutor!”
“Oh! There’s really a girl willing to marry a cripple?”
“Tsk, the tutor’s daughter is a mute!”
“Ha, a crippled leg paired with a mute—truly a match made in heaven!”
The gossip wasn’t exactly quiet, and Jiang Hai couldn’t help but want to draw his sword. Their eldest young master was perfectly fine—how dare they spread such nonsense!
Gu Chen, seated in his wheelchair, remained expressionless. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to such remarks.
Unable to ride a horse to fetch his bride, Gu Chen could only travel in a sedan chair. Everything seemed to proceed in an orderly manner.
At the Song residence, Song Shaoxi looked at Song Qingxi, who was about to step into a pit of fire, and couldn’t help but laugh.
Contrary to their usual behavior, the Song family surprisingly caused no trouble, so the bride-fetching process went relatively smoothly.
Upon arriving at the Gu residence, Gu Chen and Song Qingxi each held one end of a red silk ribbon.
“First bow to heaven and earth!”
“Second bow to the parents!”
“Husband and wife bow to each other!”
As soon as the words were spoken, Song Shang and Yang Yan stormed in, their expressions fierce and their voices sharp: “How dare the Gu family! Conspiring with remnants of the former dynasty! Men, search the premises!”
Everyone in the Gu family stared coldly at Song Shang and Yang Yan. Gu Mingshan stepped forward and asked, “What is the meaning of this, esteemed officials?”
The guests present were also bewildered: The Gu family, conspiring with the former dynasty? That couldn’t be possible, could it?
“His Majesty received a secret report claiming that the Gu family conspired with the former Crown Prince, with every word as if witnessed firsthand! How dare you still try to deny it!” Song Shang looked at Gu Mingshan, his eyes filled with the confidence of victory.
Ha! He couldn’t wait to see the entire Gu family kneeling and begging for mercy!
Yang Yan could barely contain his excitement as he glanced at Gu Yi. When the time came, he would definitely make this woman kneel and beg him!
“Esteemed officials, this… Old General Gu just returned victorious a few days ago, nearly losing his life in the process. The Gu family’s loyalty to the Dayan Dynasty and His Majesty is as clear as heaven and earth!”
Song Shang looked over and saw it was Xue An, the Minister of Rites. He sneered inwardly: Everyone knew the Xue and Gu families were in cahoots, so it was no surprise he spoke up for the Gu family.
“Minister Xue, I understand your feelings, but this search is His Majesty’s order! Are you, Minister Xue, planning to defy the imperial will?”
“You!” Xue An glared at Song Shang. That old scoundrel!
“Search. This is my father’s order, and it is also my order.”
A voice rang out, causing everyone’s expressions to change.
“Greetings to the Crown Prince!”
Everyone knelt in unison.
Song Shang and Yang Yan grew even more smug. With the Crown Prince present, let’s see how Gu Mingshan tries to talk his way out of this!
What should have been a joyous wedding now fell into a deathly silence.
The Crown Prince took the seat of honor, looking at the kneeling crowd with an unreadable expression.
“Reporting to the Crown Prince, we found this in the study!” A member of the Imperial Guard hurriedly presented the evidence.
Song Shang and Yang Yan’s faces lit up with joy: Finally, the moment had arrived!
“How dare you! Kneel at once!” The Crown Prince slammed the table, and the kneeling crowd lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.
“Crown Prince, the Gu family has enjoyed imperial favor yet committed such treasonous acts. They deserve death!” Song Shang immediately spoke up.
“That’s right, Crown Prince. The entire Gu family is full of scoundrels. They should be executed to the ninth degree!” Yang Yan added viciously.
“You!” Gu Yi pointed at Yang Yan, who kept sinking to new lows.
“Gu Yi, I never thought you were such a woman. It’s fortunate I divorced you, otherwise…” Yang Yan sneered maliciously.
“Lord Song, today I have just married your daughter. If we are to speak of exterminating nine generations, I’m afraid your family would not escape either?” Gu Chen spoke lightly.
The Gu family would absolutely never collude with the previous dynasty. Though Gu Chen did not know how the discovered items had come about, the Gu family would never do such a thing!
Song Qingxi tightened her grip on the red silk. Due to the sudden situation, she still did not understand what was happening.
The other end of the red silk was gently squeezed, as if signaling her to remain calm.
“Qingxi has always been of low character at home. I long ago considered myself as having no such daughter. The severance document has already been drafted, awaiting only a signature.”
Song Shang spoke coldly.
“Mother…” An’an was about to look up but was pressed back down by Gu Yi.