After the fall of the local official, Yihong Courtyard was also raided. The madam escaped but was killed in a confrontation with the officials on the road. The girls were detained in Yihong Courtyard, awaiting investigation, all filled with fear, especially Hong Niang.
One day, Gu Mingsheng visited Yihong Courtyard and confronted Hong Niang, “I treated you as a friend, pitied you for your plight, and often patronized your business without ever mistreating you. Yet, you helped Wang Shuo harm me time and again. Where is your conscience?”
“You… you know everything?” Hong Niang asked in shock.
Gu Mingsheng replied, “Not knowing once can be overlooked, not knowing twice is just foolish. Do you really think I, Gu Mingsheng, am that foolish?”
“I was forced,” Hong Niang knelt down, crying. “If I didn’t help Wang Shuo, I would have no good days. I had no choice.”
“Even under coercion, you had many choices, yet you chose the worst path. Hong Niang, I thought you were a wise woman, but you turned out to be even more foolish than me.”
“Master Gu, please save me. Speak a good word for me to Master Zhong and Miss Zhong, spare my life!” Hong Niang begged.
Gu Mingsheng shook his head, “Heaven’s wrath can be forgiven, but self-inflicted sins are unforgivable. You must bear the consequences of your actions.” After Gu Mingsheng left, Hong Niang sat in her room all day, then wrote down her crimes and hanged herself.
Fearing the journey would worsen their injuries, the Zhong siblings stayed at the Gu family to recuperate until they were better. Half a month later, when Zhong Li’s injuries had healed, Xue Chang prepared to take them back to the capital. Knowing they might not have another chance to come out, Gu Mingsheng took the siblings out for one last day of fun. They laughed all day, dispelling all previous gloom.
“Tomorrow you’ll be leaving; I wish you a safe journey,” Gu Mingsheng said to them.
Zhong Li clasped his hands in gratitude, “Mingsheng, your great kindness, Zhong Li will remember it forever.” If not for Gu Mingsheng risking everything to save him and his sister, he would have lived in regret. Gu Mingsheng was his savior.
Gu Mingsheng waved dismissively, “It was just a small effort, no need to mention it. Although I might not have many talents, I would never stand by while a friend is in trouble.”
“Good, Zhong Li considers you a friend now, my best friend,” Zhong Li smiled.
Gu Mingsheng laughed too, “It’s my honor.”
“I’ll go inside to discuss our departure with Xue Chang. You can talk with Ling for a bit.” Zhong Li thought for a moment, then left a comment and entered the Gu residence. Gu Mingsheng turned to Zhong Ling, “Miss Ling, don’t take that matter to heart, stay happy. The Gu family will keep your secret and nothing that would damage your reputation will leak out.” “Gu Mingsheng,” Zhong Ling called out softly. She was very touched. After Gu Mingsheng had rescued her, he immediately sealed off the news. No one knew she had been insulted by Wang Shuo. These days, he had done his best to cheer her up, and under his comfort, she had moved on. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t be standing here in one piece as she was now. Such a favor was too great to repay. Gu Mingsheng looked at her, puzzled, “Hmm?” “This hairpin broke again. Could you fix it for me?” Zhong Ling handed over the hairpin that her mother had custom-made for her coming-of-age ceremony. Gu Mingsheng responded with an “Oh,” and said, “Okay.” After taking the hairpin, Gu Mingsheng went back to his room to repair it. The hairpin was very delicately made, making the repair quite challenging. He stayed up all night and finally managed to fix it. Seeing that it was still early, he dozed off on the desk for a while, but when he woke up, it was already broad daylight. He rushed out with the hairpin, but Zhong Ling and her brother had already returned to the capital. He sighed silently, thinking he would have Xie Donglin bring it back to her next time.
“Miss Ling’s hairpin?” Gu Jinghan, who had just come out, saw what his son was holding and asked. Gu Mingsheng nodded, “It was made by her mother for her coming-of-age ceremony. She likes it a lot, but it broke last time at the government office. She asked me to fix it, but I overslept and missed them.” “Silly,” Gu Jinghan rolled his eyes at him. Gu Mingsheng was confused, “Dad, why are you scolding me again?” “You deserve it,” Gu Jinghan walked towards the main hall. Gu Mingsheng followed, “Why do I deserve it?” Did his father think he shouldn’t have fixed the hairpin for Zhong Ling? “Do you think she just wanted you to fix the hairpin?” Gu Jinghan sat down, sipping tea as he spoke. Gu Mingsheng was still puzzled, “If not to fix the hairpin, then what?” Was she just making things up to tease him? “Do you know that a woman’s coming-of-age items are not to be casually given to men? If given, it’s considered a token of betrothal,” Gu Jinghan reminded him. Gu Mingsheng was shocked, “Dad, do you mean Miss Ling, she…” “What else could it mean?” Gu Jinghan rolled his eyes again, saying, “She gave you the hairpin as a sign of her intentions.” Gu Mingsheng looked at the delicate hairpin in his hand. Did Zhong Ling intend to offer herself to him? He wasn’t without feelings for Zhong Ling; she was beautiful, obedient, and idolized him. Being with her would satisfy his vanity. He thought Zhong Ling wouldn’t be interested in him, but it turned out she had feelings for him first. He suddenly felt the hairpin in his hand weighed a thousand pounds. Gu Jinghan glanced at him, knowing what he was thinking, and sighed, “It’s just that the Zhong family holds high positions, while the Gu family is just a small merchant household; it’s not a match.” Gu Mingsheng paused, only then realizing this fact. Zhong Ling was of noble birth; he was far from worthy, and her father would never agree to such a marriage.
“If the Gu family could become a royal merchant, it might be barely acceptable, but becoming a royal merchant, hehe, that’s difficult,” Gu Jinghan continued. Gu Mingsheng gripped the hairpin tightly, determined to strive to make the Gu family a royal merchant, worthy of Zhong Ling. Love is powerful. In just two years, the Gu family’s business expanded to the capital, thanks to their excellent quality and reputation, and with Zhong Li’s covert support, they were chosen to supply the palace, becoming royal merchants. Over these two years, Zhong Li and Zhong Ling had not spoken ill of Gu Mingsheng to their parents, so when Gu Jinghan brought a matchmaker to propose, the Prime Minister and his wife agreed.
