The moment in broad daylight when Jiang Jinglun actually dared to lay hands on her, after the slap, Gu Yuan still felt unsatisfied and kicked him hard again.
By her estimate, that kick to the stomach should have sent him sprawling. In reality, Jiang Jinglun only staggered back a few steps.
Gu Yuan frowned. It seemed she needed to start training properly.
In her modern life, Gu Yuan had gradually become more and more delicate-looking because she ate well. That naturally attracted people with bad intentions. Later, she enrolled in a class and specifically learned self-defense for several years—enough to handle three or four grown men, let alone a weakling like Jiang Jinglun.
Jiang Jinglun’s face darkened. “Gu Yuan, you shrew!”
Gu Yuan raised her hand again. “Say that again if you dare. Believe me, if I shout ‘help, molestation,’ you won’t be able to stay in Gu Family Village. Oh right—” she suddenly smacked her forehead, “Jiang Jinglun, you’re about to take the exam, aren’t you? I’m warning you, pay back the money immediately, or I’ll report you to the authorities.”
“You should know, right? Becoming a scholar is different from just being a student. Anyone with bad conduct isn’t even qualified to sit for the exam.”
The original owner had more than once seen Jiang Jinglun acting ambiguously with other women. Every time, he brushed it off with a few words, making it seem like he was innocent and those women were the ones clinging to him.
Gu Yuan understood clearly: the original host, those women—everyone was just part of Jiang Jinglun’s “pond,” all used as money sources for his studies.
She believed one thing firmly: there is no wall that doesn’t leak. If Jiang Jinglun had done it, there would definitely be evidence.
In the past, no one went to the authorities. But if someone really did, even the local magistrate wouldn’t be able to protect him.
Seeing Jiang Jinglun’s pale, shifting expression, Gu Yuan felt refreshed. Serves you right for bullying people.
Even she herself couldn’t clearly count how much the original owner had given Jiang Jinglun. She raised her fingers and said, “Let’s not count the food. I’ll just assume I fed a beggar or a dog. But over the past three years, the scattered silver you borrowed comes to about six or seven taels. I won’t bother calculating interest—let’s make it seven taels.”
“Ten days. I’ll give you ten days. If you don’t return it, don’t blame me. My mother would be very willing to ‘visit’ your family and have a nice talk with your parents.”
Jiang Jinglun considered himself extraordinary, believing everyone should flatter him and that he only needed to hook a finger for people to willingly send their daughters to him.
He clearly didn’t know that Gu Yuan’s grandmother had never once looked at him favorably. Not before, and not now.
In her grandmother’s words, the Jiang family was full of scheming people. The Gu family was already foolish enough; marrying into that family would mean being eaten down to the bones.
Not to mention Jiang Jinglun’s father dreaming of windfall riches without working, his mother constantly needing medicine, and himself a so-called scholar who did no work but acted superior.
Anyone who married into that family would be burdened with raising parasites. Even an iron body would collapse.
Old Madam Gu would never agree to this marriage. That was why the original owner secretly supported Jiang Jinglun and dared not let the family know.
If the old madam found out, she would definitely turn the whole family upside down, and the Jiang family would never know peace again.
After thoroughly humiliating Jiang Jinglun, Gu Yuan happily skipped back home—only to meet Gu Liu leaning against the wall at the entrance with arms crossed.
Seeing her smiling, Gu Liu sneered. “So happy after meeting a wild man?”
Gu Yuan stopped and raised a brow. “Are you talking about yourself?”
Gu Liu leaned closer to her ear. “Not daring to admit it? That pretty boy surnamed Jiang hasn’t left yet, has he? Want me to call him over and ask?”
Gu Yuan deliberately acted angry and shouted, “Gu Er Ya! I warn you, Brother Jiang is mine! The one engaged to him is me! The one who will become a scholar’s wife and official lady is also me! Look at yourself in the mirror—do you think you’re worthy of him?”
“Stay away from Brother Jiang, or don’t blame me for being rude.”
Whether Gu Er Ya liked Jiang Jinglun or not, Gu Yuan didn’t know. Gu Liu probably hadn’t truly entangled with him yet—but one thing was clear: she hated Gu Yuan.
In the original story, Gu Liu discovered the secret between Gu Yuan and Jiang Jinglun and began paying attention to him. Seeing his talent, she grew wary that he would become Gu Yuan’s support and began subtly seducing him.
Of course, the novel wouldn’t call it seduction—it would call it attraction.
Gu Liu was “drawn” to Jiang Jinglun’s talent, and Jiang Jinglun was “deeply attracted” to her unyielding temperament.
Gu Yuan admitted she was doing it on purpose. She acted like she liked Jiang Jinglun so that if Gu Liu truly hated her, she would try to break them apart.
As for Jiang Jinglun—once benefits were involved, he would climb up like a snake.
Now, Gu Liu was furious. “So you shamelessly stole someone else’s fiancé and still act so proud. I’ve never seen such a thick-skinned person!”
Coincidentally, Gu Liu had just eaten roasted rabbit on the mountain and was heading home when she saw Gu Yuan talking and laughing with a man from afar. She didn’t hear clearly but saw the man grabbing Gu Yuan’s arm.
In this era, propriety between men and women was strict. To outsiders, this looked indecent.
And just then, Gu San Ya had been sneaking around and accidentally revealed a lot of information.
So this Jiang guy had a marriage contract with the Gu family—and was originally engaged to Gu Yuan’s eldest sister. But because Gu Yuan liked him, she snatched him away.
Gu Liu, already disliking Gu Yuan, took it as truth and came to mock her.
Gu Yuan frowned. “Who told you I stole someone’s fiancé? Gu San Ya?”
Only Gu San Ya knew she had met Jiang Jinglun today.
“If it’s her, then she’s really easy to fool.”
“Didn’t you know? The marriage contract is with the Gu family, but it never specified which daughter. Technically, any girl from the Gu family has a chance. Oh right—you, Gu Er Ya, don’t count. Everyone knows you’re a jinx. Even if you like him, the Jiang family wouldn’t accept you.”
Gu Yuan smirked. “Oh, how pitiful.”
She then added, “Jiang Jinglun is only fifteen this year and will soon become a scholar. Next year, he might even become a juren or jinshi.”
“With the Gu–Jiang engagement, my chances of becoming a high-ranking official’s wife are very big. Don’t worry, since you’re my niece, I won’t forget you when I rise. I’ll toss you a little from my fingers. Don’t be picky—after all, with your reputation, you won’t marry well anyway.”
Her tone was exactly like the original owner’s arrogant expression.
Gu Liu’s eyes flashed with hatred.
She thought: just a mere student, and you think you’re so impressive? Only Gu Yuan would treat him like treasure.
But she didn’t care whether she liked Jiang Jinglun or not—she just couldn’t stand Gu Yuan being so smug.
Jiang Jinglun—she remembered that name.
She would make Gu Yuan understand who was truly unworthy.
Gu Liu didn’t tell anyone, but she felt something was off. Otherwise, why would Gu Yuan suddenly hide her bracelet instead of showing it off?
Her intuition had saved her before, and she trusted it completely.
So now, not only had Gu Yuan humiliated her verbally, she had also “taken something from her.” She would not let this go.