Once his darling girl was married into the auspicious capital, she would live a luxurious life, and the Su Family had got used to seeing their women enjoy the glory to be Empresses and consorts.
With the fire as a lesson, Master Su first asked his nephew who lived in the capital for help, then he decided to send her daughter Su Shuangning to his place after the fire.
The excuse he used was that his family had no place to live since everything had been burned down. How could Su Shuangning, a delicate girl, make it through with the harsh environment?
Perhaps Master Su had overpromised something to Su Shuangning, like telling Su Shuangning that Shen Qianshan had agreed to marry her and her visit to the capital was only to complete the procedures.
After all, Su Shuangning was Master Su's proudest daughter, who outshined everyone else in terms of disposition and looks in his eyes.
That explained why Su Shuangning ha
There hadn’t been such a hustle and bustle in the Prime Minister Mansion for long. Guests were being here with their congratulations even earlier than Gu Qiang herself.She slowly walked towards the Prime Minister Mansion, deep in thought. How many visitors would show up? How many new acquaintances? Who would propose a toast to her, and how much she should drink tonight?Generally, the number of presents guests presented on important occasions reflected the status of the family. Today, people were flooding into the Gu Family, which told Gu Qiang that the seemingly teetering Gu Family was still a force that couldn’t be reckoned with in the capital.This suddenly reminded her of the Su Family.Actually, the Gu Family was now no different from the Su Family; Although it seemed thriving and powerful on the surface, it was collapsing at a shocking speed inside. Some people knew this, some didn’t, and some only pretended that they
Suddenly, Gu Qiang’s back straightened, she bit her lips.She knew she was enjoying Gu Huaian’s love, but she just couldn’t feel at ease as this marriage was obtained at the cost of his freedom.Walking back to Changing, she now understood why the Princess had put up a screen here. What words was Gu Huaian trying to tell her? It must be extremely important. She felt her heart was torn apart by both the curiosity and fear to know the answer.It must not be any gossip about the imperial family, or Gu Huaian wouldn’t have trusted Changning with it. He was clever enough not to speak ill of the Emperor or the Empress in front of a princess. In that case, there was only one possibility left, he wanted to tell her his last words.Quietly surveying Gu Qiang’s expressions, Changning hesitated. Although she wanted to address it in a light tone, she found it an impossible task to do at this moment.Finally, after a long ti
Despite his anger, Ye Mu managed to remain calm on the surface. The red eyes were the only thing that gave him away.Such detail didn’t escape Gu Qiang’s eyes, but she only took several deep breaths and said nothing.This was neither Ye Mu’s fault nor hers, thus there was no need for them to play the blame game. Instead of wasting time with this man, she would rather return to the banquet and greet all the guests.Seeing Ye Mu had no wish to quarrel with her either, Gu Qiang turned back and looked at Gusu Liang, who stepped forward after getting the hint.But everything suddenly went into chaos before she could ask Ye Mu out.Ye Mu, once standing still where he was, suddenly leaned forward and seized Gu Qiang at her waist, dragging her into his arms and kissing her at her lips.With a boom in her head, Gu Qiang instantly understood his intention; she tried to shake him off but failed as this man was
Jiang Min forced a smile, then she pushed down the maid who was cleaning oil stain on her clothes, venting her grievance out on her.Being used to her brutal treatment, the maid stepped back without saying anything.Gu Qiang was also simmering with rage, then she saw Prime Minister Gu and Ye leading some courtiers here to congratulate her. Also seeing their coming, Jiang Min stood up and complained, “Zhizhang, come here and take a look. Gu Qiang just shouted at me, was she angry?”Ye glanced over them all and found everyone was looking at her.She hadn’t got any attention since everyone learned that Gu Zhihua had been given cold shoulder by the Third Prince ever since they got married. Now, why were they looking at her?“What’s the problem with that? As an Infanta, she has the right to scold anyone she dislikes,” said Prime Minister Gu authoritatively, his beard quivered.Prime Minister knew Jiang M
Tears were pouring down Gu Zhiyan’s face. Though Ting Feng had been quick in helping her wipe out some, more were spilled out from her eyes.When she finally got steadier, she forced out a smile, “Sister, will things be different if I am not a mistress’s daughter?”Knowing who she was, Gu Qiang showed no surprise at her words. “Zhiyan, what you should blame is not your identity but yourself. Why do you allow yourself to be at mercy of others?” said Gu Qiang in a plain tone, looking into Gu Zhiyan’s eyes.Gu Zhiyan looked up to Gu Qiang with great astonishment.Why did she allow herself to be at the mercy of others? What a good question. Never having a chance to fight back, she could only lick her wound in the dark like a poor animal.“Sister, how could you be at peace with everything? You know there is nothing I can do,” said Gu Zhiyan, crying, which made Gu Qiang annoyed.She never had a good time
“No, my lady, the imperial palace is not a place where you can visit anytime you want. Besides... The Emperor got seriously ill because of Mr. Gu,” said Gusu Liang in a firm voice, her hand seizing Gu Qiang’s arms. Nonsense! The Emperor’s health had been deteriorating long before he met her brother! How could they make Gu Huaian the scapegoat? She should have never expected any decent doings from the imperial family.Or did the Emperor know he was beyond help, so he put her brother in prison out of rage?It was only because he didn’t get what he wanted?“How could you also blame him? Haven’t you noticed that the Emperor was already in poor health? How could they think it’s my brother’s fault?” snapped Gu Qiang as she walked out of the yard, trying hard to steady her trembling.With all guests gone, maids were cleaning the garden in the backyard. This was a grand place, and all the people here were radiant with
The rain outside the window was getting heavier. In autumn, the coming of rains was always accompanied by dropping temperatures. Gu Qiang knew it would get colder once the rain stopped.She walked over to the wardrobe and found herself a thick coat, ignoring Gu Zhihua and Ye who were still sitting in her room with grim faces.They were watching Gu Qiang’s movement, as though wishing to kill her with their stare. Behind the changing of their expressions lay the raging storms that neither of them dared to vent out.Just like what Gu Qiang had said, they knew what kind of person she was.More heartless and cruel, she would speak whatever she liked and didn’t give a damn about the Gu Family.Putting on the coat, she turned her head and smiled, “Where are you still not leaving? Waiting for me to ask you out?”Gu Zhihua dragged Ye’s clothes, motioning to leave.If Shen Zhongbai became the Emp
Gu Qiang raised her eyes, looking at Shen Zhongbai curiously, not knowing what this man was thinking. Was he upset because she didn’t love him, or because things were not going on as he wished?Had everything rolled out as what he hoped for, he wouldn’t have been acting so weirdly now.Perhaps it was because he started to act like an emperor, there was an oppressive evil spirit exuding from him. How could he simply use it upon a vulnerable woman?But in the imperial palace, Gu Qiang was alone with no one to turn to. What she could do was to stare at him, letting him know that she would not give in.“What exactly do you want?” said Gu Qiang coldly.Shen Zhongbai drew closer; a smile curled on his face as he gritted his teeth, “I want you to marry me. The imperial edict on your marriage with Shen Qianshan is no longer valid.”Gu Qiang glared at him as though wishing to kill him with her eyes. Indeed,