Gu Qingtong was instantly furious, knowing Liang Luoxian was hinting that even if the young miss wanted to take out her anger on Gu Qingtong, no one should interfere. But she couldn’t do anything to Liang Luoxian. Although Liang Luoxian’s status wasn’t that high, the difference between them was like heaven and earth. Gu Qingtong, though unwilling, could only endure for now.
Watching her walk away, Liang Luoxian lowered her head and stroked her flat belly, laughing with particular pleasure: Today, she had finally gotten her revenge.
Yan Suyuan had heard that the niang from Huahaoyueyuan Pavilion had arrived an hour ago but was first “instructed” by that detestable woman. Seeing Gu Qingtong enter through the courtyard gate, she coldly snorted: “Are you the niang that woman invited?”
“Qingtong pays respects to Third Miss Yan. Qingtong is a niang from Huahaoyueyuan, merely invited by the Xiang residence, not by that woman.”
“Hmph, same difference. If not for that woman, would my father agree to a marriage trial with the Wu family?
Yan Suyuan’s protest fell on deaf ears as Elder Yan scolded her. He was firm in his decision, and no matter how much she pleaded, the engagement would not be broken.
“You will marry him,” he insisted, “for your own good. The Wu family is a well-respected family, and this position will lead to greater opportunities for you.”
“But Father…” Yan Suyuan’s voice broke as she continued to argue, desperation evident in her tone.
“Enough!” Elder Yan’s booming voice silenced her. “You are not in a position to make demands. You will do as you are told!”
With that, he turned away, leaving Yan Suyuan to stew in her anger. The room felt heavy with disappointment and frustration as Gu Qingtong watched the whole exchange unfold.
Yan Suyuan saw that she couldn’t persuade him, stomped her foot, kicked the embroidered stool in front of her, rolled a couple of times towards Master Yan, and was caught by a maidservant.
Master Yan looked down at the embarrassed girl and coldly snorted: “Suyuan, what are you doing!”
“You’ve been bewitched by that woman! She’s only been here for a few days and can’t wait to sweep me out the door! I am your daughter, she’s just a lowly woman! She has ill intentions, she wants to destroy me!”
“Nonsense!” Master Yan heard her vulgar insults and slapped her.
Yan Suyuan was caught off guard by the slap, fell to the ground, and covered her swollen left cheek: “Father, I am your daughter!”
“I know! It’s because you are my daughter that I’m disciplining you!”
The maidservant hurriedly helped her up, softly comforting her, but Yan Suyuan couldn’t hear anything, pointing at Master Yan: “Who is she? I see she looks so coquettish, even my elder brothers are mesmerized by her. Moreover, she’s only a few months older than me. How old are you and how old is she?”
“Unfilial daughter, unfilial daughter! What have you become!” Master Yan raised his hand, but seeing Gu Qingtong was present, he restrained himself for the sake of saving face, and glared at Gu Qingtong.
Gu Qingtong quickly retreated, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.
Master Yan clearly saw her intentions and couldn’t vent his anger on his daughter, so he conveniently used her to vent his frustration: “Gu Qingniang, I asked you to imitate her, but you’ve made the young lady so angry. What are your intentions!”
Gu Qingtong was suddenly accused, stunned for a moment but didn’t argue. Accusations can be made without evidence, so she remained silent.
Master Yan saw her silence and couldn’t find a reason to act, so he calmed down.
Yan Suyuan saw an opportunity to shift focus and grabbed Master Yan’s arm: “Father, this Gu Qingniang is clearly harboring evil intentions. She was brought by Liang Luoxian to harm me!”
“She is your stepmother, yet you call her by name. How uncultured!” When it came to Liang Luoxian’s matter, Gu Qingtong apparently meant nothing to Master Yan.
“What stepmother? She’s just a lowly woman, just like her, a despicable ‘qingniang’, worse than a prostitute!”
“Slap!” Master Yan couldn’t bear it and slapped her again, truly angry this time: “Take her away and lock her in the confinement room. No one is to release her without my order!”
“Father…” Yan Suyuan never expected to be not only slapped but also locked up, looking at her father in disbelief.
“Take her away!”
“Yes.”
Gu Qingtong never expected the situation to develop like this, but it was good – she didn’t have to face this hot-tempered woman.
She bowed to Master Yan: “Master, since the young lady needs to calm down, I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait!” Master Yan raised his hand to stop her.
“What are your orders, Master?”
“Gu Qingniang, I was comrades with Lord Gu in the past, unfortunately, he died young. Seeing you now reminds me of those days. Why don’t you stay in the mansion and enjoy some luxury?”
Gu Qingtong didn’t know his purpose, especially mentioning her father who had passed away decades ago, but she still respectfully replied: “I’m living well in the Flower and Moon Pavilion. Master, please don’t trouble yourself.”
“Hehe.” Master Yan was unconcerned with her refusal. “Someone, escort Gu Qingniang.”
“Yes.”
Before Gu Qingtong could react, two strong men had already seized her arms and were dragging her deeper into the courtyard. Master Yan wasn’t inviting her as a guest, nor was he helping Liang Luoxian – he was going to detain her!
“Mas…” Gu Qingtong only managed to say one word before her mouth was covered, and she saw a flash of red at the corridor’s corner before being struck on the neck and losing consciousness.
When Gu Qingtong awoke again, her neck was still painful. Blurrily opening her eyes, she saw Ruan Niang: “Ruan Niang?”
Ruan Niang tenderly rubbed her neck: “Thank goodness you’re fine.”
“What happened? Wasn’t I being detained by the Master?”
“Hong Jie saw what happened.”
She thought the Master had taken a fancy to you and was afraid you’d threaten Liang Luoxian’s position, so she secretly came back to tell me.”
“So… was it my adoptive father who rescued me?”
“No, I used some methods.” Ruan Niang had Lü Guo bring a calming soup, which Gu Qingtong drank and soon felt drowsy, falling asleep.
The next day, Gu Qingtong woke up early due to oversleeping. Just after washing up, someone came to summon her on Han Yue’an’s orders.
“These days, the capital might not be peaceful. Your adoptive father wants the young master to take you away to avoid trouble.”
“Avoid trouble?”
“Yes.”
“What agreement have you reached with the Rui Wang?” Gu Qingtong wanted to ask why they needed to avoid trouble, but seeing Han Yue’an’s resolute expression, she changed the subject.
“Tongtong, Young Master Jiang will come to pick you up tonight. Go and prepare yourself.”
“Tonight?” Gu Qingtong’s eyes widened, but Han Yue’an only responded solemnly, so she slowly nodded and then asked, “What about Luo Xue?”
“I will instruct others to take care of her. Do not worry.”
“Lü Guo will come with me, right?”
“Lü Guo, adoptive father has other uses for her.”
Gu Qingtong was stunned. Wasn’t this going to be just her and Jiang Shangheng alone? She immediately slapped her own head and continued asking, “Won’t the people at Huahao Yueyuan Pavilion find it strange that I’m gone?”
“This? Can’t my adoptive father handle it?” Han Yue’an seemed very displeased that she underestimated his capabilities, but still maintained a slight smile.
Gu Qingtong knew the matter was probably non-negotiable and fell silent.
Han Yue’an was unconcerned about what might happen between his adopted daughter and Jiang Shangheng. He waved his hand, “Go back. But I’ve sent Lü Guo away, so you’ll have to pack yourself.”
