Shen Guiya’s face flushed red no matter how thick-skinned she was. She clung tightly to Gu Chaodong, refusing to let him leave, yet couldn’t muster a single word of rebuttal.
“Elder Brother, these words don’t insult Sister-in-law—they insult me.” Gu Chaobei frowned, genuinely angry now. “A lustful person lusts after beauty, not just any random woman who comes along. Elder Brother clearly misunderstands me.”
Shen Guiyan stood at the moon gate, having already witnessed the entire spectacle, her face showing little expression. When she saw Shen Guiya rubbing against Gu Chaobei, she found it disgusting and wanted to speak up, but Elder Brother had called out first. So she could only stand there.
Gu Chaobei had no interest in Shen Guiya—she could see that clearly. But his frivolous attitude still left her somewhat displeased.
His hands weren’t broken, and he was perfectly capable of pushing her away. Why did he let that rouge smear all over his clothes?
Shen Guiyan disliked such men—too fickle, until they could no longer see what was genuine affection.
But Gu Chaobei was still focused on watching the drama between Gu Chaodong and Shen Guiya, completely oblivious to Shen Guiyan standing nearby. He crossed his arms and said, “Sister-in-law’s dance today truly amazed everyone. If Elder Brother doesn’t watch Sister-in-law more carefully, you might find yourself wearing a green hat.”
Gu Chaodong trembled slightly with rage. He grabbed Shen Guiya’s arm and pulled her in front of him. Seeing her dressed in these undergarments, he felt even more humiliated.
How did he end up marrying such a woman?
“Fengxiao, escort the First Young Madam back. You, come with me to the main courtyard.” Taking a deep breath, Gu Chaodong gritted his teeth. Pregnancy or not, Minister Shen was already half-fallen from grace, and she had disgraced herself like this—it would be better to divorce her directly. Out of sight, out of mind!
Shen Guiya had already begun crying. The makeup on her face wasn’t modern quality—tears streaked through it, leaving black and red trails. “Husband, I still carry your child in my belly. Won’t you listen to even one more word of explanation from me?”
Gu Chaodong snorted angrily and pushed her into Fengxiao’s arms. As he turned to leave, he came face to face with Shen Guiyan standing at the moon gate entrance.
“Yan’er?” His expression immediately softened. Gu Chaodong walked a few steps toward her, looking at her, then glancing at Gu Chaobei. “Why are you standing here without saying anything?”
Shen Guiyan smiled slightly and curtsied to him. “Elder Brother, Guiyan was just passing by. Madam asked Guiyan to escort Elder Sister-in-law back to the Eastern Courtyard. I happened upon this scene, so I waited until you finished speaking before escorting her back.”
Only then did Gu Chaobei notice her. His expression shifted slightly, a trace of inexplicable guilt crossing his face. He coughed twice and also stepped out. “Right, Mother just instructed Yan’er to find a physician for Sister-in-law. I came this way wanting to wait for Sister-in-law on her behalf, but unexpectedly…”
He used to lie smoothly and effortlessly, but today, for some reason, Gu Chaobei actually stammered, his eyes sweeping toward Shen Guiyan, feeling somewhat awkward.
He knew what kind of thoughts someone like Shen Guiya harbored. He had deliberately sent Zhuiyun to summon Elder Brother to teach this shameless woman a lesson. How could he have known Yan’er was also nearby?
Stealing a glance, he saw Yan’er’s face showed not a ripple of emotion. Gu Chaobei thought—she hadn’t even minded when he went to the Drunken Flower Pavilion on their wedding night, and this time he hadn’t actually done anything, so she should…
“It’s fine. I can escort Elder Sister-in-law back myself.” Shen Guiyan didn’t even glance at him. She only had Baoshan come help support Shen Guiya. “Taking my leave first.”
Shen Guiya continued crying. She had wanted to struggle, but something flashed through her mind, and she suddenly became docile, allowing Baoshan to support her, though her crying didn’t stop.
“Yan’er.” Gu Chaodong’s face was full of concern. “The weather is getting colder. You should be careful with your cough and asthma—don’t catch cold.”
When their engagement was still intact, Shen Guiyan had once caught cold and developed a persistent cough and asthma that never fully recovered. Back then, Gu Chaodong had only shown concern with a poem. Now he was more attentive—instead of worrying about his wife’s infidelity, he was telling her to be careful not to catch cold.
Still, he meant no harm, so Shen Guiyan nodded. “I’ll be careful. Thank you, Elder Brother.”
Gu Chaobei stood to the side, unable to exchange a single word with Shen Guiyan from start to finish. Seeing the expression in Gu Chaodong’s eyes, he felt inexplicably irritable. “Why doesn’t Elder Brother say something to Sister-in-law? Wearing so little when it’s getting cold—does she not want the child anymore?”
“She’ll soon no longer be your sister-in-law.” Gu Chaodong turned back with a cold expression. “Though this is Ya’er’s fault today, Fourth Brother also shares blame. Since you’ve already married Yan’er, why didn’t you push Ya’er away?”
Gu Chaobei snorted coldly. “If I had pushed her away, how would Elder Brother have seen the truth?”
Gu Chaodong was speechless. He pressed his lips together. “In any case, you should treat Yan’er better.”
“No need for Elder Brother’s concern.” Gu Chaobei flicked his sleeves, glancing at Shen Guiyan’s retreating figure, his brow slightly furrowed.
He didn’t think he’d committed any great offense, yet why did he feel she was angry? That person was clearly smiling, still graceful and composed as always, but he just felt she was upset—for the first time since their marriage, she was truly upset.
He turned and headed toward the Northern Courtyard, head bowed. Zhuiyun followed behind him. Only after leaving the garden did he say, “Master, shouldn’t you report to the Ministry of Justice this afternoon?”
“Mm.” Gu Chaobei responded absently.
Zhuiyun hadn’t noticed his distraction and continued cheerfully, “Now that you’ve made your comeback, many are rushing to curry favor. This afternoon, this servant will prepare your carriage and horses. With the Minister of Justice absent, you’re the one in charge—you should present yourself with proper authority.”
“Mm.”
“Master, wear your official robes this afternoon? They’ve been delivered, along with your official seal…”
“Zhuiyun.” Gu Chaobei stopped walking, interrupting him.
“Master?” Zhuiyun looked up at him.
Gu Chaobei hesitated for a long while before speaking. “If you’ve angered someone, but that person doesn’t appear angry, what should you do?”
“Huh?” Zhuiyun looked bewildered.
“Never mind. Forget I asked.” Gu Chaobei clicked his tongue. He must have been foolish to ask this blockhead Zhuiyun. He had bedded countless women—couldn’t he solve this himself?
Deal with proper business first.
While Fourth Young Master Gu headed to the Ministry of Justice, First Young Master Gu went to the main courtyard, and Shen Guiyan escorted Shen Guiya back to the Eastern Courtyard—each going their separate way.
After walking a few steps, Shen Guiya stopped crying. She glared viciously at Shen Guiyan. “You’re very pleased, aren’t you?”
Shen Guiyan didn’t look back.
“I know you must be laughing at me. Now it’s perfect—Chaodong wants to divorce me too.” Shen Guiya snorted coldly. “Chaobei may refuse me with his words, claiming he has no reaction. Ha! When I leaned against him just now, I clearly felt the thing down below.”
Shen Guiyan stopped walking. Baoshan’s face turned red with embarrassment. Forgetting all propriety, she spoke out, “You shameless creature! How can you be so base as to say such things!”
“What’s wrong with saying it?” Shen Guiya thrust out her chest, glancing at Baoshan. “If we hadn’t been interrupted outside, if it had been in a room instead, Chaobei would definitely have already tumbled in bed with me. Do you believe it or not?”
“Everyone says what men like most deep down is a woman’s body. Self-respect, shame—those are all things said for others to hear.” Shen Guiya curved her lips. “Gu Chaodong is a man, and Chaobei is also a man. You needn’t harbor any illusions.”
“Are you finished?” Shen Guiyan still didn’t look at her, asking softly.
Shen Guiya pushed Baoshan aside and walked behind Shen Guiyan. “Not yet. I could steal Chaodong away, so naturally I can steal Chaobei too. You’re just a feudal woman—do you dare compete with a modern woman from the 21st century? Just wait and watch them all fall at my feet.”
Baoshan staggered from the push, already furious. Hearing such words, she could restrain herself no longer. She stepped forward and shoved her. “You filthy woman, stay away from my young miss!”
This was the opportunity she’d been waiting for!
Shen Guiya’s eyes lit up. She seized the moment to deliver an Oscar-worthy performance. She flung her water sleeves into the air, let out a loud cry, and threw herself violently to the side.
Shen Guiyan was startled. She reacted quickly, grabbing Shen Guiya’s arm, but Shen Guiya pinched her hard. Reflexively, she let go.
This was on the path from the garden to the Eastern Courtyard. Some household servants happened to be passing by and saw the Fourth Young Madam push the First Young Madam to the side.
Shen Guiya fell backward with all her might. Fearing it wasn’t dramatic enough, she rolled several times before crashing directly into a nearby flower bed.
“Ah—my belly!”
Baoshan’s face turned deathly pale. She hurried forward to help her, but Shen Guiya pushed her away and began screaming, “Someone help! Murder! Someone is trying to kill the Chancellor Manor’s heir! Help!”
This shout brought all the nearby servants running. Shen Guiyan quickly pulled Baoshan behind her, removed her own outer robe to cover Shen Guiya, and said with relative calm, “Fetch a physician.”
“Yes.” Baoshan ran off in a panic.
In the main courtyard, Gu Chaodong told Madam Gu everything about Shen Guiya’s behavior, asking her to write a letter of divorce.
“Given the current situation, divorcing her isn’t necessarily bad.” Madam Gu frowned. “But she is carrying your child after all—your legitimate heir. How can you simply discard it?”
“But she’s truly unfit to be a wife.” Gu Chaodong’s face was full of anguish. “Your son now deeply regrets being so hasty back then.”
“Ah, Dong’er, you must understand—the Southern Courtyard’s child is already lost. Your father and I are grieved enough. If you want to discard this child too, your father will never agree under any circumstances.”
Gu Chaodong fell silent. He had anticipated this outcome before coming. Now that Gu Chaobei had become an official, it would be even harder to win Yan’er back. If Shen Guiya was still here creating obstacles, it would be even more difficult for Yan’er to forgive him.
What should he do?
“Madam! Madam!” A maid came running in, gasping for breath. “Disaster! The Fourth Young Madam pushed the First Young Madam to the ground. The First Young Madam is crying about stomach pain—she might not be able to keep the child!”
“What?!” Both Gu Chaodong and Madam Gu stood up simultaneously.
Outside the Eastern Courtyard, quite a crowd had gathered, just like when Xu Mengdie had lost her child. Shen Guiyan stood outside, her face showing no particular expression.
At first, she thought it might have been Baoshan’s accident, but after Shen Guiya pinched her that once, Shen Guiyan knew she definitely wouldn’t escape this.
Since she couldn’t escape, what was there to worry about?