On the other side, the Song household, having received the visiting card, was enveloped in a somewhat heavy atmosphere.
After turning the visiting card over in her hands several times, Madam Song sneered coldly, “The Gu family is most likely here to break off the engagement. Let them break it! Our Shaoxi doesn’t want to marry a cripple anyway!”
“What nonsense are you talking!” Song Shang snapped, his face darkening.
Not to mention that the Gu family was currently at the height of popularity, that old fox Gu Mingshan was incredibly lucky to have survived and returned alive. If he weren’t still in a weakened state, the Emperor would have already held a welcoming banquet in his honor.
Moreover, there was that person’s order to form a marriage alliance with the Gu family at all costs…
Just thinking about it made Song Shang irritable.
Since Song Shaoxi absolutely refused to marry, he had no choice but to agree to send his mute little daughter to the capital as a substitute bride. By the time the Gu family discovered the truth, it would be too late—they would have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.
“It’s all because of your daughter! Flaunting herself all day long, what kind of behavior is that! She even got me reprimanded by the Emperor! I don’t care, tomorrow you must find a way to prevent the Gu family from breaking off the engagement!”
Song Shang vented his anger before storming off, heading straight to his concubine’s quarters.
Madam Song gritted her teeth in fury. An elderly Nanny serving nearby suggested, “Madam, why not bring that mute girl here?”
“That’s a good idea. The family has raised her with good food and drink for so long; it’s time she gave something back.” Madam Song revealed a malicious smile.
The next day.
“Ah-woo, ah-woo, mmm…” Little An’an nestled in Gu Chen’s arms, yawning repeatedly.
Gu Yi pinched An’an’s cheek. “You insisted on coming along, but I don’t know what you’re up to.”
“Ao ao ao!” To watch the drama!
Little An’an was brimming with excitement. Breaking off an engagement!
She had only heard about such things in the stories Little Koi told her before. How could she miss the chance to see it for herself?
If you become an adult and don’t watch the drama, wouldn’t it be a waste of being human?
Xu Tinglan patted An’an’s head and smiled. “An’an really adores her brother, doesn’t she?”
An’an buried her head in Gu Chen’s chest and yawned again.
“Sleep a little longer; we still have some time.” Gu Chen looked down at An’an and coaxed her gently.
An’an snuggled into Gu Chen’s embrace and closed her eyes.
By the time she woke up again, they had arrived at the Song residence.
In the main hall, although Gu Chen looked down on Song Shang’s conduct, as a junior, he maintained all the proper etiquette flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism.
Song Shang sighed and said to Gu Tingzhou, who had accompanied them, “Your son carries himself with exceptional grace. It is Shaoxi who lacks the fortune.”
Gu Tingzhou replied with polite courtesy, “You flatter me, Lord Song.”
In the rear courtyard, Madam Song was entertaining Xu Tinglan, Gu Yi, and little An’an.
“This engagement truly is a matter of Shaoxi’s misfortune. Let us break it off, then.”
As she spoke, she tore the engagement contract in two.
Xu Tinglan and Gu Yi exchanged a glance, both revealing a hint of disbelief. On the surface, Madam Song appeared courteous, so how could the daughter she raised be so…
“Ah-woo!” Liar!
Her words don’t match her heart—what a wicked person!
Seeing the dark aura emanating from both Madam Song’s heart and mouth, An’an couldn’t help but speak up.
“And who is this little one?” Madam Song looked at An’an and asked.
She didn’t recall Gu Yi having a child?
Mentioning An’an brought a smile to Gu Yi’s face. “My daughter.”
Seeing that Gu Yi had no intention of explaining further, Madam Song didn’t press the matter.
After a while, a young maid hurried over with an anxious expression, leaned close to Madam Song’s ear, and whispered something. Madam Song frowned slightly, then immediately apologized, “I’m sorry, but our Shaoxi isn’t feeling well. Please rest here for a moment, ladies. I’ll be back soon.”
Xu Tinglan and Gu Yi couldn’t say much, only remarking that the child’s health was important, and they prepared to take their leave. Seeing this, Madam Song didn’t try to stop them.
Unexpectedly, just as they reached the front hall, they heard a commotion from the backyard. The previously gentle Madam Song stormed over with a group of maids and servants in tow, dragging a young woman behind her.
The maids and servants threw the woman to the ground.
The slap mark on her face was clearly visible. Her clothes were disheveled, and she knelt trembling on the ground, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.
It was Song Qingxi.
“Madam Song, what is this…?” Xu Tinglan spoke up.
Madam Song, furious, began hurling insults at the kneeling Song Qingxi: “This little wretch! No wonder she was so obedient yesterday—she was secretly scheming to latch onto the eldest young master of the Gu family!”
Song Qingxi’s face was streaked with tears as she shook her head desperately: No, no, it wasn’t like that. Last night, they captured Zhe Zhi and knocked me unconscious…
“Mm…” An’an pointed at the kneeling Song Qingxi.
【This older sister… her fate thread is connected to Brother’s…】
Could this be what Little Koi called “fate ordained by heaven”?
But every time, she heard Little Koi complain about how the Old Man in the Moon was always tangled up in a bunch of red threads, like some strange deity.
However, An’an couldn’t speak yet, and no one knew what she was thinking.
Xu Tinglan was no fool. Seeing Madam Song’s well-prepared act, she understood everything immediately and retorted sarcastically, “Hah, it seems someone had ulterior motives!”
Just then, Song Shang arrived as well, followed by a furious Gu Tingzhou and a calm Gu Chen.
Song Shang first scolded Song Qingxi: “Foolish girl!”
Then he put on an ingratiating smile and said, “Lord Gu, Madam Gu, since Song Qingxi has lost her purity, why not take her for your eldest young master? She can be a concubine or a plaything—it’s better than letting this spread and tarnishing her reputation, isn’t it?”
Song Qingxi’s heart turned to ashes.
The words were utterly disgraceful. Xu Tinglan was about to speak up when she felt a slight tug at her sleeve. Looking down, she saw An’an smiling at her.
“Yah…”
【Auntie, don’t be angry…】
Xu Tinglan’s anger instantly subsided. Just as she was about to gather her thoughts again, she heard her son’s voice.
“Lord Song, this matter ultimately stems from my impropriety toward Miss Song Qingxi. I am willing to take responsibility.”
The young man sat in his wheelchair, but his words were firm and resolute.
Xu Tinglan was about to object when she saw her husband give her a slight shake of his head.
“Fine, fine. Let’s prepare for the wedding then!” Xu Tinglan said irritably.
“Ah, the Gu family truly lives up to its reputation—upright and honorable. I admire you!” Song Shang praised insincerely.
What a mess this was!
The Gu family knew they had been tricked but could only swallow their anger. Just as they were about to take their leave, An’an suddenly became restless.
“Ah-woo ah-woo!” An’an pointed at the kneeling Song Qingxi.
【This older sister is a good person! Take her with us! Take her!】
Gu Yi watched An’an pointing at Song Qingxi, who had been kneeling all this time, and sighed inwardly. This poor girl…
“Madam Song, it seems our An’an is quite fond of your daughter. May we invite Miss Song to visit the Gu residence?”
Gu Yi spoke, catching everyone off guard.
Though the girl had been forced into this situation, she still held a lingering resentment upon seeing the Song family.
Madam Song was stunned for a moment before quickly replying, “Of course!”
She then instructed her maid to help Song Qingxi up, speaking gently, “Come back early, Qingxi. I’ll have the maids prepare your favorite pastries.”
Despite the gentle tone, Song Qingxi closed her eyes in despair.
Zhe Zhi was still in their hands—she could not give up!