But for some reason, Su Qingwan found the man’s presence inexplicably familiar, yet she couldn’t recognize who he was at that moment, and his voice was also unfamiliar.
Fortunately, it didn’t affect the grand scheme of things. Neither the man in black nor that Murong Jin held any ill will toward her, so she didn’t want to mention it and worry her mother and the others.
Su Qingwan nodded. “Everything is going according to plan.”
She had arranged an opportunity today, and just as expected, Gu Yunrui had taken the bait and made his move.
The moment the carriage overturned, Qinxin had shielded her with all her might, using her own body as a cushion. The immense impact had caused Qinxin to spit out a mouthful of blood.
Afterward, sensing that Gu Yunrui had another move planned, Su Qingwan had her trusted aides immediately take her back to the Hou Manor the instant the incident occurred.
After this “accident,” even if Gu Yunrui managed to erase all the evidence, Zhongyong Hou would surely become thoroughly suspicious of him and forbid him from pulling any more petty tricks.
Although things had gone very smoothly, the thought that Gu Yunrui would try to harm her so viciously for the sake of the peerage and Su Xiyue sent a flash of intense hatred through Su Qingwan’s eyes.
The two had been engaged for many years, childhood sweethearts. But who would have thought that beneath that gentle and refined facade was a wolf in sheep’s clothing—heartless and treacherous! To think he would try to kill her!
Seeing her daughter’s masterful planning, Baishi finally felt at ease, and a wave of joy washed over her. “Wanwan, Li Taiyi just said you’re very likely carrying twins! Which means the possibility of having a son is even greater!”
Su Qingwan also smiled and nodded, gently stroking her slightly protruding belly.
The children had not been lost. This, too, was fate.
Since Gu Yunrui wanted to support that person’s bid for the throne, he had to become the Heir of the Marquis House. Only then would he have greater power in the future and be able to act with more legitimacy.
In that case, she would make him stumble on this very first step: inheriting the peerage!
**
The dwarf who had crashed into the Hou Manor’s carriage was later found dead in a dilapidated temple in the city’s outskirts. The trail went cold, and the incident was ruled an accident.
The Su Family was naturally dissatisfied with this conclusion.
Zhongyong Hou offered all sorts of apologies and finally even declared in front of the Su Family, “In-laws, rest assured, I will absolutely not let anything happen to Qingwan again. If anything else happens, I will drive the second branch out of the Hou Manor. And I’ll make my stance clear right here: if Qingwan gives birth to a son, her son will inherit this Hou Manor in the future!”
Standing beside him with his head lowered, Gu Yunrui looked up in horror at Zhongyong Hou.
Feng Shi’s heart ached for her son. Just as she was about to speak, Zhongyong Hou shot her a cold glare, and she instantly dared not say another word.
The Su Family members finally left, temporarily satisfied.
After they were gone, Feng Shi could no longer hold back. “Lord Marquis, we can just pay more attention to Qingwan and be more mindful from now on. Why must we drive A-Ci and his family out of the Hou Manor? A-Ci is our only son!”
Zhongyong Hou sneered, “Why don’t you ask your good son yourself if this matter truly had nothing to do with him? I sent him to investigate, and he came back with no results. That’s as good as a confession! If I hadn’t said that, the Su Family would not have let this go today. What, do you two still want to escalate this matter to the Emperor and Guifei?”
Feng Shi fell silent, knowing they were in the wrong.
If the truth were truly uncovered, it would only make A Rui’s situation more difficult.
Gu Yunrui, however, suddenly spoke up. “Father, you said that if anything happens to Qingwan again, you will drive our second branch out of the Hou Manor. But don’t forget, the collateral branches have also been eyeing this peerage covetously. Aren’t you worried they might pull some strings behind the scenes and frame me?”
Zhongyong Hou replied, “If that’s really the case, then I will go to the Emperor and resign. The Gu family’s peerage will end with my generation. So, either Qingwan gives birth to a son to inherit this peerage, or she gives birth to a daughter, and I will request for you to inherit the peerage… Of course, you are not to pull any tricks. The moment I find out, then neither of you will inherit this peerage!”
After he finished speaking, he had a servant wheel him away.
Gu Yunrui collapsed into a Grand Preceptor’s Chair, his face ashen. Feng Shi twisted her handkerchief in distress. “A Rui, what should we do? The Imperial Physician said Qingwan is carrying twins, which makes the chance of her having a son even greater. If she really gives birth to a son, then you… Why don’t you just confess to your father?”
Gu Yunrui shook his head, pressing a hand to his forehead. “Mother, you know how stubborn Father is. If I really confess to him, he could, in a fit of anger, send me directly to the Emperor for punishment.”
Feng Shi was fraught with worry. “Then what do we do? Can we only pray that Qingwan gives birth to two daughters?”
Gu Yunrui lifted his head and looked toward Linglong Yuan. He narrowed his eyes and said softly, “Although I can’t tell Father the truth, I can tell Qingwan the truth. She treasures the child in her womb so much, thinking it’s my flesh and blood. She still has feelings for me. I can appeal to her emotions and reason with her. She is most intelligent and sensible. Perhaps she will understand my difficulties and agree to get rid of this child.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Shi’s eyes lit up. She said earnestly, “Qingwan is the most sensible and well-behaved girl. Go and talk to her nicely. She will surely understand your plight and abort the child in her womb. But you must also remember, after this matter is over and Qingwan has recovered, you still need her to give birth to the legitimate eldest son. A Rui, Mother knows you prefer that Su Xiyue, but you must prioritize the bigger picture! It doesn’t matter which woman you dote on in your private chambers, but you cannot gamble with your own future!”
Gu Yunrui neither agreed nor refused. With a slight nod, he walked out.
However, he didn’t even make it into Linglong Yuan before being stopped at the courtyard gate by Qiyi.
Qiyi curtsied. “Second Young Master, the Heir’s Wife was frightened today. She has taken her medicine and is already asleep. She cannot see you for the time being.”
Gu Yunrui nodded. “What happened today was not my doing. Please convey this to Sister-in-law for me first. I will come visit her tomorrow when she is feeling better.”
Qiyi nodded. “Yes, Second Young Master.”
After he left, Qiyi turned and returned to the Qinfang, relaying his words to Su Qingwan, who was leaning against a soft pillow.
She knitted her brows. “Mistress, your servant feels that the Second Young Master came to see you with something important to say.”
Su Qingwan said, “The Lord Marquis must have put pressure on him, so he can’t do anything to the child in my womb for now. But he’s not willing to give up, so he plans to use me as a breakthrough point.”
Qiyi’s eyes widened. “Could he be planning to make you give up the child in your womb voluntarily? He really dares to think that.”
Su Qingwan sneered, “He probably does think that way. Let him hang for a few days. He’ll lose his composure and reveal more flaws.”
Unable to see Su Qingwan for several days in a row, Gu Yunrui grew increasingly irritable, to the point where he couldn’t even be bothered to deal with Su Xiyue at night.
But as it happened, Su Xiyue was anxious to get pregnant.
The two had their first major argument. Gu Yunrui went directly to the study to rest, while Su Xiyue was left so angry she cried for half the night.
The next day was bright and sunny. Su Qingwan was taking a walk in the garden when she saw Gu Yunrui.
Due to her pregnancy, Su Qingwan’s aura was even more gentle and serene. A single white jade hairpin held her hair in a bun. Her steps were slow as she walked, supported by a maidservant.
For a moment, Gu Yunrui was lost in the sight of her, not even reacting when she walked right up to him.
Su Qingwan, however, lowered her gaze slightly and was about to walk past him when Gu Yunrui quickly stepped forward. “Sister-in-law, I have a few words I’d like to say to you alone!”
Su Qingwan’s eyes were filled with ridicule. “Does Second Brother still wish to harm the child in my womb?”
Gu Yunrui’s brows furrowed. “Sister-in-law, I truly did not do what happened that day. And I swear, I will never harm the child in your womb. If I lay a hand on him, may I be struck down by lightning!”
Su Qingwan stopped, a brow slightly raised.
Seeing her hesitate, Gu Yunrui took another step forward and said in a low voice only the two of them could hear, “Qingwan, I am actually Gu Yunrui! The first time we met was at the lantern festival before our engagement. I bought you a rabbit lantern. And that time at the princess’s Zanhua Yan, I picked up your pearl flower and returned it to you. I know many secrets that only the two of us know, so believe me, I am Gu Yunrui!”
Seeing the earnestness in his eyes, Su Qingwan abruptly took half a step back. “Gu Yunci, you’ll spout any nonsense to get the Heir Apparent Position! If you really are the Shizi, then why are you using Gu Yunci’s name now?”
Gu Yunrui said, “It’s a long story. The one who died in battle was A-Ci. But before he died, he entrusted me to take care of Xiyue. Xiyue is not as strong as you; she is gentle and fragile by nature. If she knew it was A-Ci who died in battle, how could she go on living? You are different, Qingwan. You are the Eldest Daughter of the Su Family—sensible, intelligent, and strong. You see, you did indeed pull through.”
“Qingwan, I just need to give Xiyue a child. Once she has something to live for, she will no longer try to kill herself, and I will come back to your side!”
Although she had overheard these words long ago, hearing Gu Yunrui say them himself now still made Su Qingwan tremble with rage.
So her intelligence, sensibility, and strength were his reasons for humiliating her like this?
Seeing Su Qingwan’s grave expression, Gu Yunrui thought she was moved and pressed on. “Qingwan, get rid of this child first. I have a reason why I must inherit the peerage right now. But don’t worry, I will give you another child in the future. And in the future, my peerage can only be inherited by our child…”
“Smack!” Su Qingwan used all her strength and slapped Gu Yunrui across the face!
Gu Yunrui clutched his face, astonished. “Qingwan, why did you hit me?”
Su Qingwan was trembling with anger. “Gu Yunci, you truly are full of lies for the sake of this peerage! First, you lie and claim to be the Shizi, then you try to persuade me to abort this child. Well, if this child is yours, why must you insist that I get rid of it? Your words don’t add up, and you contradict yourself. And you still say you’re not spouting nonsense?”
Gu Yunrui said, “Qingwan, listen to me. Actually, on the wedding night…”
Just then, Zhongyong Hou appeared, seated in his wheelchair.