Shen Guiyan understood the principle that the innocent suffer for possessing treasures, so she had always endured and yielded. After the age of eight, she had never shown any brilliance, nor competed with her siblings for anything.
But who could tell her why, when she had endured to the point of not fighting back even when struck, her long-awaited marriage of eight years was still stolen away, her beloved birth mother of many years was murdered, and she couldn’t even find anyone to make decisions for her?
Concubine Qin lay there quietly, unable to answer her questions.
The rain outside grew heavier. Shen Guiyan sat in a daze beside Concubine Qin’s corpse through the entire night. Master Shen sent someone to escort her back to Swallow Tower to rest, but Shen Guiyan shook her head: “Just let me see Concubine Qin off on her final journey.”
Baoshan sobbed behind her, but Shen Guiyan didn’t cry anymore. She only gazed at Concubine Qin’s peaceful face, staring blankly.
On the other side, the Prime Minister’s residence was naturally decorated with lanterns and bustling with excitement. Prime Minister Gu was the kingdom of Fan’s pillar minister. Having served as an official for thirty years, he had always been upright and loyal to the emperor, earning unanimous praise from the court. Thus today, with his eldest son’s wedding, quite a few people had come.
Prime Minister Gu had three sons and one daughter. His legitimate eldest son, Gu Chaodong, was naturally the most outstanding—learned and talented, humble and proper, having inherited much from his father. Though the second son, Gu Chaonan, was not equal to the eldest, he had entered the Imperial Academy at twenty. The third daughter, Gu Chaoxi, was still in her chambers but had a reputation as a talented woman. If not for the fourth son, Gu Chaobei, Prime Minister Gu’s family could be praised without reservation as “no unworthy sons from an outstanding father.”
Unfortunately, there was precisely this Gu Chaobei.
Gu Chaobei was the Prime Minister residence’s fourth son. It was said his birth mother had long since passed. He was incorrigibly mischievous, often consorting with disreputable friends, wandering through the capital’s entertainment districts. Already a seventeen-year-old youth, he understood not a bit of propriety—daring to contradict the Prime Minister above and beat and scold household servants below. He was a son who gave the Prime Minister great headaches.
Speaking of the Gu family’s young masters, both Gu Chaodong and Gu Chaonan would earn nods of approval, but once Gu Chaobei was mentioned, even the vegetable-selling aunties on the street wouldn’t be willing to betroth their daughters to him.
At this moment, this headache-inducing Fourth Young Master Gu sat in the wedding hall with his legs crossed, watching the new bride being helped inside.
“Eldest Young Master has such good fortune! I hear the Miss Shen he’s marrying was chosen by the Prime Minister years ago—well-read, reasonable, gentle and virtuous. Truly a wonderful match!”
“Indeed! Such talent must be matched with beauty. I was fortunate enough to see Third Miss Shen’s elegant bearing and beautiful countenance. Together with Young Master Gu, they are naturally a match made in heaven.”
Such empty pleasantries were truly boring. Gu Chaobei yawned, watching the bride carefully taking small steps ahead, not finding her dignified at all.
After a series of ceremonies, the bride was being helped into the wedding hall to perform the rites. Gu Chaobei clicked his tongue, and on a whim, picked up a walnut and tossed it at the bride’s feet.
When Shen Guiya stepped on the walnut, she was about to fall. But she was quite agile—extending her hands to support herself on the ground, she crouched down steadily.
The wedding attendant beside her was startled and hurried to help her up again, but Shen Guiya rose on her own and directly yanked off her veil: “Who’s playing tricks on this young lady?”
The hall erupted in commotion, and even the firecracker sounds outside seemed to quiet. Prime Minister Gu and Madam Gu sat in the seats of honor. The wedding hall was filled with the Gu family’s uncles, aunts, and several young masters and Third Miss Gu. Shen Guiya hadn’t even entered the bridal chamber yet she’d directly removed her own veil?
Gu Chaobei was also startled, then examined her face and laughed quietly: “Didn’t they all say Third Miss Shen has breathtaking beauty? How did she end up looking like this?”
Gu Chaodong turned his head to look at her, his face instantly turning pale: “Fifth Miss?”
Discussion gradually arose in the wedding hall. Not many recognized Shen Guiya, but many people knew what Shen Guiyan looked like, and this person clearly wasn’t her. How bold must the Shen family be to dare toy with the Prime Minister’s residence like this?
“What is the meaning of this?” Prime Minister Gu stood up.
Shen Guiya was about to glare fiercely at the person mocking her. With one glance, however, she saw a youth with red lips and white teeth, jade crown binding his hair, sitting improperly yet possessing a distinct roguish charm. His face was extremely refined, carrying a slightly scoundrel-like smile that nearly stole her soul away.
So much so that even when Prime Minister Gu stood before her, she still hadn’t reacted.
“Fifth Miss!” Gu Chaodong’s expression was extremely unpleasant. He yanked hard on the marriage knot, finally pulling Shen Guiya’s gaze back.
“…Ah? Oh, I am the Shen family’s fifth daughter, Shen Guiya. Because Third Elder Sister’s birth mother suddenly passed away, and I’m carrying Young Master Gu’s child, I took the sedan chair today instead.” Shen Guiya was still somewhat dazed and blurted this out directly.
What she didn’t understand was that the ancients didn’t appreciate such directness at all. They only felt this girl had no sense of shame or propriety, using no humble or respectful terms, brazenly coming forward to say she was carrying a man’s child.
And she wasn’t even married.
Prime Minister Gu’s expression also darkened. After preparing for this wedding for so long, today it had become the court’s laughingstock because of such a matter. The daughter-in-law he had decided upon—how could the Shen family casually change her at will?
“Wait, you said you’re carrying Eldest Young Master’s child?” Madam Gu caught the key point: “How could… you and Eldest Young Master…”
“Mother, the child in Fifth Miss’s belly is indeed your son’s.” Gu Chaodong clenched his fists, lowering his eyes and saying, “It was not your son’s wish, but since it exists, your son will naturally acknowledge it.”
Offspring was always most important.
Prime Minister Gu’s brows knitted tightly. He laughed coldly: “Your meaning is, today you’ll marry this Shen family’s Fifth Miss into the family?”
“Things have come to this.” Gu Chaodong took a deep breath and said, “Then so be it.”
“Then how should we explain this to Third Miss?” Prime Minister Gu said angrily, “I taught you that men should have responsibility, but not that you should take responsibility in one place while failing another!”
Gu Chaodong felt his breathing becoming difficult. He found today’s events more absurd than anyone—that Shen Guiya would actually be carrying his child. He truly liked Yan’er, but the child…
Gu Chaonan, standing nearby watching the excitement, laughed softly, touching the jade thumb ring on his hand. Behind him stood a concubine whose belly was already slightly swollen.
“Your son will personally go to the Shen residence to apologize to Third Miss.”
Discussion arose all around. Shen Guiya still had the leisure to stare at Gu Chaobei. It must have been this person who played that trick on her just now—trying to get her attention? Shen Guiya thought to herself that this person was so good-looking, could he be her second male lead?
Gu Chaobei was gleefully watching his elder brother, who had always been valued by their father, get scolded. Sensing Shen Guiya’s gaze, he looked back.
This woman’s eyes were quite impure, looking even more disgusting than courtesans. Gu Chaobei snorted with laughter and, meeting her gaze, whistled softly.
He most disliked this type of woman, but also most enjoyed seeing their self-satisfied appearances. This was Fourth Young Master Gu’s twisted amusement.
Shen Guiya, however, looked bashful, believing his reaction definitely meant he was interested in her. The face she’d transmigrated into looked similar to her modern one. She was quite satisfied with it anyway. With some grooming, she could surely become breathtakingly beautiful—after all, the aesthetic standards of ancient people weren’t that great either.
“Since that’s how it is, then continue.” Prime Minister Gu took several deep breaths before suppressing his anger. He wanted to sit down, but ultimately couldn’t maintain face. Without receiving the newlyweds’ bows, he waved his sleeve and left first.
Madam Gu’s feelings were somewhat complicated. She remained seated to receive their bows, then accepted Shen Guiya’s tea but set it aside without drinking, only giving a red envelope.
Everyone around discussed the Shen family’s substitution scheme, but only Shen Guiya felt good about herself as she waited in the bridal chamber.
“Her birth mother passed away?”
Gu Chaobei had drunk too much wine and was walking in the garden when he heard his eldest brother’s urgent voice.
Attendant Fengxiao said respectfully, “I heard it was just when Third Miss was preparing to marry.”
How interesting. The new bride was already waiting in the bridal chamber, yet he was still inquiring about Third Miss Shen? Gu Chaobei raised his eyebrows and hid behind a corridor pillar to listen.
“Yan’er must be very sad and must need me very much.” Gu Chaodong thought for a moment, then calmed down instead: “This works out well. When I go to the Shen residence in a few days to help her handle the funeral arrangements, she’ll be more inclined to forgive me.”