Qin said solemnly, "It's probably because after you left Chunyang Alley, someone spread the word that the fourth young lady of Dongping Earl Manor's manor went to Chunyang Alley to catch an affair in the act. She saw Fu Xunzhi and a young lady surnamed Shang rolling on the bed, and then the two had a big fight and went back to the earl manor. She even threatened to go to the Fu family to call off the engagement tomorrow."
Hearing this, an eerie silence fell in the warm pavilion for a moment.
Except for Ye Qingchi, who was calm and composed with no expression, Zhao and Gu Shuang were both stunned. No one had expected such rumors to spread.
After quite a while, Gu Ying chuckled and said, "Who spread such words?"
This was just what she had hoped for when she was worried about how to defend her younger sister's reputation. This rumor happened to give the Gu family a way out.
Qin smiled and said, "Who cares who it was? As soon as I heard about this, I rushed over immediately. In my opinion, this rumor came at just the right time. Tomorrow, Shuang'er can loudly announce that she's going to the Fu family to call off the engagement! Everyone's attention will be on Fu Xunzhi and Miss Shang, and our Shuang'er will become the victim. This is a wonderful thing!"
Zhao immediately understood and grinned, "Why wait until tomorrow? We should strike while the iron is hot. Let's go this afternoon, what do you think?"
Gu Shuang's long lashes quivered. Here, she had the least right to speak. She now sat quietly beside Zhao, her face pale as paper without a trace of color.
When she heard the news, her eyes went blank and she was confused and dazed. She had not slept well these past seven or eight days and now looked even more haggard. She had an expression as if she had not yet reacted.
Ye Qingchi's cold eyes glanced at the top of Gu Shuang's lowered head from time to time.
Seeing her bow her neck to reveal a hint of white and tender curve, fragile and pitiful.
She was blankly in a daze. Zhao had already said that they would go to call off the engagement today, yet she still did not raise her head for a long time.
The man frowned, his eyes a little more worried.
"Fourth Sister?" Gu Ying called her.
Gu Shuang looked up in panic and happened to meet Ye Qingchi's dark, gloomy eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat. She blankly responded with an "Ah?"
Gu Ying smiled and tapped her on the eyebrow, "Why are you still sitting there in a daze? Let's go to the Fu family right now."
Qin was impatient. She had made up her mind today to come to Dongping Earl Manor to stand up for Gu Shuang, so when Zhao mentioned calling off the engagement, she readily agreed to go along.
As for Ye Qingchi, he expressionlessly stood up, his eyes glancing lightly over the swaying tassels by Gu Shuang's temples, and his heart swayed along.
Outside, the sun was at its peak. When he walked to the door, he saw the lush, beautiful scenery in the Reed Catkin Courtyard. Everything was bursting with vitality.
Gu Ying thought he was busy, so she said, "Cousin, if you are busy, you can leave first. I will keep an eye on Auntie here. After we finish, I will have someone send her back, so don't worry."
"Who said I was very busy?"
"Huh?"
Gu Ying blinked and looked at him, tentatively asking, "Then, are you going with us too?"
Ye Qingchi nodded slightly and lightly said, "Yes, I'm going too."
After saying that, he walked out, leaving only a cold back.
Gu Shuang was very conflicted and nervously swallowed. Calling off the engagement was a good thing, but she suddenly felt extra nervous that Ye Young Master was also going. Her dark eyes became flustered.
"Second sister, is it not good for Ye Young Master to go?"
After all, he did not like her to begin with, so it would be troubling him to make a trip.
Gu Ying thoughtfully stroked her chin, a meaningful look in her eyes, "Forget it, it's nothing bad."
He was uncle's eldest son and the eldest grandson of the Ye clan. It might be easier to resolve this matter with him involved.
...
Zhao quickly had the servants prepare all the betrothal gifts sent by the Fu family.
These seven or eight boxes had been kept in Zhao's private treasury. After that incident, she had a strong premonition that this marriage could not happen, so she had ordered them to be put away early.
She called a servant boy to inform Gu Boyan, then took Gu Shuang and headed out.
The group made an impressive sight with two carriages carrying all those boxes heading to the Fu family manor. After turning at three long streets and traveling for a cup of tea's time, they finally arrived at the Fu family manor.
Seeing such a large group of people solemnly coming with so many wooden boxes tied with red ribbons behind them, the little attendant keeping watch by the stone lions was badly startled. He immediately ran in to report.
Soon, Fu Old Lady herself came out leaning on a cane to welcome them in.
Aside from Zhao and Gu Shuang, there was Qin, Gu Ying and Ye Qingchi, all important figures in Bianjing.
Fu Old Lady's old face carried a smile. Her sharp eyes swept over the boxes, and she already understood most of the situation.
She gave Gu Shuang a sidelong glance. In a cold voice, she ordered the person beside her, "Go invite the young master to come."
That maid ran out the back door, and after a while brought Fu Xunzhi over.
Fu Xunzhi had returned from Shang Jiao's place to the Fu family manor precisely to ask his grandmother to help him keep Gu Shuang.
He did not expect that Gu Shuang would really come to call off the engagement, and so quickly at that. Now he could only clench his hands nervously and stand beside the old lady, his eyes ardently looking at Gu Shuang.
Fu Old Lady looked at the room full of betrothal gift boxes and asked in puzzlement, "Sister-in-law and even the Eldest Young Lady have come, truly honoring this humble abode. However, I don't know for what matter the Eldest Young Lady and Ye lady have come with my sister-in-law? And why has the Fourth Young Lady also come? Could it be that she is in a hurry to discuss the marriage between our two families?"
The old lady was deliberately feigning ignorance. With one look, it was clear she would not be easy to deal with.
Gu Shuang's face was pale. Fu Old Lady's words were clearly mocking her for being shameless as a woman.
"I--"
"Alas, my old self should first apologize to sister-in-law and Fourth Young Lady for this matter in which the Fu family is in the wrong."
Gu Shuang's words were stifled in her throat. Her slender brows knitted together anxiously as she looked to Gu Ying for help.
Gu Ying patted her hand to signal her not to panic. Today's would be a tough battle that required taking it slowly.
Gu Shuang's heart was strung tight. She nodded slightly to indicate she understood and obediently kept silent, letting the elders speak first.
Zhao was so angry she laughed coldly, but Qin stopped her before she could retort.
Qin smiled amiably and said, "Old Lady is too kind. We've come today regarding Shuang'er's marriage with your grandson. The two children were engaged long ago but have delayed the wedding. This has already caused quite some unsavory gossip in Bianjing. Shuang'er is a bit young for marriage now, but since both families have set a wedding date, there is no justification for the groom to privately consort with another woman. So we wanted to come clarify the matter clearly today and make a clean break."
Qin said solemnly, "It's probably because after you left Chunyang Alley, someone spread the word that the fourth young lady of Dongping Earl Manor's manor went to Chunyang Alley to catch an affair in the act. She saw Fu Xunzhi and a young lady surnamed Shang rolling on the bed, and then the two had a big fight and went back to the earl manor. She even threatened to go to the Fu family to call off the engagement tomorrow."
Hearing this, an eerie silence fell in the warm pavilion for a moment.
Except for Ye Qingchi, who was calm and composed with no expression, Zhao and Gu Shuang were both stunned. No one had expected such rumors to spread.
After quite a while, Gu Ying chuckled and said, "Who spread such words?"
This was just what she had hoped for when she was worried about how to defend her younger sister's reputation. This rumor happened to give the Gu family a way out.
Qin smiled and said, "Who cares who it was? As soon as I heard about this, I rushed over immediately. In my opinion, this rumor came at just the right time. Tomorrow, Shuang'er can loudly announce that she's going to the Fu family to call off the engagement! Everyone's attention will be on Fu Xunzhi and Miss Shang, and our Shuang'er will become the victim. This is a wonderful thing!"
Zhao immediately understood and grinned, "Why wait until tomorrow? We should strike while the iron is hot. Let's go this afternoon, what do you think?"
Gu Shuang's long lashes quivered. Here, she had the least right to speak. She now sat quietly beside Zhao, her face pale as paper without a trace of color.
When she heard the news, her eyes went blank and she was confused and dazed. She had not slept well these past seven or eight days and now looked even more haggard. She had an expression as if she had not yet reacted.
Ye Qingchi's cold eyes glanced at the top of Gu Shuang's lowered head from time to time.
Seeing her bow her neck to reveal a hint of white and tender curve, fragile and pitiful.
She was blankly in a daze. Zhao had already said that they would go to call off the engagement today, yet she still did not raise her head for a long time.
The man frowned, his eyes a little more worried.
"Fourth Sister?" Gu Ying called her.
Gu Shuang looked up in panic and happened to meet Ye Qingchi's dark, gloomy eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat. She blankly responded with an "Ah?"
Gu Ying smiled and tapped her on the eyebrow, "Why are you still sitting there in a daze? Let's go to the Fu family right now."
Qin was impatient. She had made up her mind today to come to Dongping Earl Manor to stand up for Gu Shuang, so when Zhao mentioned calling off the engagement, she readily agreed to go along.
As for Ye Qingchi, he expressionlessly stood up, his eyes glancing lightly over the swaying tassels by Gu Shuang's temples, and his heart swayed along.
Outside, the sun was at its peak. When he walked to the door, he saw the lush, beautiful scenery in the Reed Catkin Courtyard. Everything was bursting with vitality.
Gu Ying thought he was busy, so she said, "Cousin, if you are busy, you can leave first. I will keep an eye on Auntie here. After we finish, I will have someone send her back, so don't worry."
"Who said I was very busy?"
"Huh?"
Gu Ying blinked and looked at him, tentatively asking, "Then, are you going with us too?"
Ye Qingchi nodded slightly and lightly said, "Yes, I'm going too."
After saying that, he walked out, leaving only a cold back.
Gu Shuang was very conflicted and nervously swallowed. Calling off the engagement was a good thing, but she suddenly felt extra nervous that Ye Young Master was also going. Her dark eyes became flustered.
"Second sister, is it not good for Ye Young Master to go?"
After all, he did not like her to begin with, so it would be troubling him to make a trip.
Gu Ying thoughtfully stroked her chin, a meaningful look in her eyes, "Forget it, it's nothing bad."
He was uncle's eldest son and the eldest grandson of the Ye clan. It might be easier to resolve this matter with him involved.
...
Zhao quickly had the servants prepare all the betrothal gifts sent by the Fu family.
These seven or eight boxes had been kept in Zhao's private treasury. After that incident, she had a strong premonition that this marriage could not happen, so she had ordered them to be put away early.
She called a servant boy to inform Gu Boyan, then took Gu Shuang and headed out.
The group made an impressive sight with two carriages carrying all those boxes heading to the Fu family manor. After turning at three long streets and traveling for a cup of tea's time, they finally arrived at the Fu family manor.
Seeing such a large group of people solemnly coming with so many wooden boxes tied with red ribbons behind them, the little attendant keeping watch by the stone lions was badly startled. He immediately ran in to report.
Soon, Fu Old Lady herself came out leaning on a cane to welcome them in.
Aside from Zhao and Gu Shuang, there was Qin, Gu Ying and Ye Qingchi, all important figures in Bianjing.
Fu Old Lady's old face carried a smile. Her sharp eyes swept over the boxes, and she already understood most of the situation.
She gave Gu Shuang a sidelong glance. In a cold voice, she ordered the person beside her, "Go invite the young master to come."
That maid ran out the back door, and after a while brought Fu Xunzhi over.
Fu Xunzhi had returned from Shang Jiao's place to the Fu family manor precisely to ask his grandmother to help him keep Gu Shuang.
He did not expect that Gu Shuang would really come to call off the engagement, and so quickly at that. Now he could only clench his hands nervously and stand beside the old lady, his eyes ardently looking at Gu Shuang.
Fu Old Lady looked at the room full of betrothal gift boxes and asked in puzzlement, "Sister-in-law and even the Eldest Young Lady have come, truly honoring this humble abode. However, I don't know for what matter the Eldest Young Lady and Ye lady have come with my sister-in-law? And why has the Fourth Young Lady also come? Could it be that she is in a hurry to discuss the marriage between our two families?"
The old lady was deliberately feigning ignorance. With one look, it was clear she would not be easy to deal with.
Gu Shuang's face was pale. Fu Old Lady's words were clearly mocking her for being shameless as a woman.
"I--"
"Alas, my old self should first apologize to sister-in-law and Fourth Young Lady for this matter in which the Fu family is in the wrong."
Gu Shuang's words were stifled in her throat. Her slender brows knitted together anxiously as she looked to Gu Ying for help.
Gu Ying patted her hand to signal her not to panic. Today's would be a tough battle that required taking it slowly.
Gu Shuang's heart was strung tight. She nodded slightly to indicate she understood and obediently kept silent, letting the elders speak first.
Zhao was so angry she laughed coldly, but Qin stopped her before she could retort.
Qin smiled amiably and said, "Old Lady is too kind. We've come today regarding Shuang'er's marriage with your grandson. The two children were engaged long ago but have delayed the wedding. This has already caused quite some unsavory gossip in Bianjing. Shuang'er is a bit young for marriage now, but since both families have set a wedding date, there is no justification for the groom to privately consort with another woman. So we wanted to come clarify the matter clearly today and make a clean break."
