Gu Zhuying had been standing beside the Grand Matriarch, waiting contentedly to watch a good show. But when she heard Lin Yeran mention her, her body immediately stiffened in fright. Lin Yeran's methods were well - known throughout the capital. There had never been a shortage of concubines he brought into his mansion, yet there were still only a few in the mansion. This could only mean that although many entered the Lin Mansion, they had all been toyed with until they died.
Moreover, she was only a concubine - born daughter. If she really entered the Lin Mansion, at most she would be a concubine, and her fate would be no different from those prostitutes in the brothels. Her life would definitely not be as good as what she had now in the Gu Mansion.
She had originally hoped that with her good looks, she could climb up the social ladder and marry into a good family. But now that Lin Yeran had taken a fancy to her, the angrier Gu Zhuying thought about it, the more frustrated she became. However, due to the disparity in their statuses, she couldn't say a word. She could only clench her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug deep into her flesh, and her eyes were red with anger.
Lin Yeran hadn't noticed Gu Zhuying standing silently to one side at first. But now that Gu Jiangyue was disfigured and they had already brought the betrothal gifts, it would be inappropriate to take them back. Just then, he happened to see a beautiful portrait of Gu Zhuying.
Actually, Gu Zhuying looked a bit different from the portrait, but at first glance, she was still quite good - looking.
Anyway, Gu Zhuying was a concubine - born daughter. There would be no loss in taking her as a concubine, and it could just resolve their current crisis.
In fact, Lin Yeran's words shocked all the Gu family members present, except for Gu Jiangyue. A smile played on her lips hidden beneath the veil.
Gu Zhuying was extremely angry. She didn't want to marry Lin Yeran as a concubine at all. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she forced them not to fall. If Madam Ye saw them, she would surely seize on it.
"If Young Master Lin truly has feelings for Zhuying, then Jiangyue would like to congratulate the two of you on your impending union."
A look of reluctance appeared on Gu Jiangyue's face. Her eyes trembled slightly as she looked at Lin Yeran.
But Lin Yeran didn't notice that Gu Jiangyue was acting at all. He was so afraid that this ugly Gu Jiangyue would continue to pester him that he simply turned his face away and refused to look at her.
Gu Zhuying bit her lower lip tightly. She couldn't bear it any longer. Her voice trembled, but she spoke resolutely.
"No!"
It seemed that Gu Zhuying suddenly remembered that she really had no capital to refuse, so she swallowed the second half of her words back.
"Oh? Grand Matriarch, it seems that Miss Zhuying doesn't think much of our Yeran. We've even brought the betrothal gifts. With such sincerity, if she becomes Yeran's concubine, why would she be afraid that we would treat her badly?"
When Madam Ye heard that a concubine - born girl dared to directly refuse their Lin family, her face darkened immediately, and she refused to give in at all.
"Could it be that it's not that Miss Zhuying doesn't fancy our Yeran, but that the Gu family thinks our Lin family is unworthy of an alliance?"
Madam Ye's words were full of barbs, which made the Grand Matriarch's temples throb.
Gu Jiangyue was quite satisfied with the situation. This betrothal gift was originally meant to force her to submit and marry Lin Yeran obediently. Now, it had become the last straw that broke Gu Zhuying.
The more detached Gu Zhuying had been just now, the more unwilling she was now.
Gu Zhuying naturally also detected the hostility and targeting in Madam Ye's words. Her legs went weak, and she knelt on the ground.
She tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand and wanted to defend herself.
"Madam Ye, please listen. It's not like this..."
"Enough."
The Grand Matriarch sitting on the grand master's chair spoke up at this moment. As soon as her voice rang out, it blocked the words that Gu Zhuying hadn't finished saying in her throat.
The Grand Matriarch had thought for a long time just now. She found that letting Gu Zhuying marry into the Lin family was indeed the best solution at present. Just by sacrificing a concubine - born daughter, they could form an alliance with the Lin family, and the Lin family wouldn't be angry with them because of Gu Jiangyue's disfigurement. This was indeed the best outcome for them.
"Since Young Master Lin has taken a fancy to Zhuying, it's Zhuying's good fortune. As long as Young Master Lin likes her, then this marriage is settled."
Looking at the betrothal gifts outside the door, the Grand Matriarch really didn't want to let them go. There was an obvious smile on her face. She seemed not to see the pleading in Gu Zhuying's eyes at all and didn't pay any attention. Her tone was also non - negotiable.
As children of the Gu family, their role was to bring benefits to the Gu family. The Grand Matriarch would never let go of such a good opportunity.
"Since the Grand Matriarch has said so, I can rest assured."
Madam Ye was very satisfied with the Grand Matriarch's words, and most of her previous unhappiness had faded away.
Gu Zhuying secretly glanced at Lin Yeran, who was smiling wickedly, and then at the Grand Matriarch. Seeing that the Grand Matriarch was not willing to side with her, her face turned pale with fright.
"No, no! I don't want to..."
"Quick, someone come and take Miss Zhuying down to rest and prepare for marriage."
The Grand Matriarch's words completely cut off her retreat. Gu Zhuying was directly pulled up by the maids who came in from outside the door and taken back. Her eyes were blank as she stared ahead. Gu Zhuying had thought that after all these years of being well - behaved in the mansion and not causing any major troubles, the Grand Matriarch should still have some affection for her and wouldn't just push her into the fire pit. But in the end, she had overestimated herself. In the face of real power, as a concubine - born daughter, she was nothing.
When Gu Zhuying passed by Gu Jiangyue, she glanced at her and felt that something was strange. Why did Gu Jiangyue suddenly become disfigured, and why was it just when Lin Yeran came to propose marriage?
But before she could think carefully, a huge sense of unwillingness enveloped her completely. She even wished that it was herself who was disfigured, so that she wouldn't have to enter the Lin Mansion.
After Gu Zhuying was taken down, the front hall returned to the previous laughter. Except for Gu Zhuying, who had been traded like an item, everyone had something to be happy about.
The Lin family had gotten rid of Gu Jiangyue, the Gu family had formed an alliance with the Lin family, and the other young ladies of the Gu Mansion were all relieved that they hadn't been taken a fancy to by Lin Yeran.
They all had their own little secrets in their hearts. With indifferent expressions, they turned the swords of desire and constantly stabbed into others' bodies.
The subsequent conversation went quite smoothly. Without Gu Zhuying crying and complaining on one side, everyone's mood improved a lot. After the greetings, it was time to discuss the wedding.
Gu Jiangyue's coming - of - age ceremony was about to be held. At present, all the manpower in the Gu Mansion was busy preparing for it and couldn't be spared. So Gu Zhuying's wedding was arranged after Gu Jiangyue's coming - of - age ceremony.
As soon as the coming - of - age ceremony was mentioned, a strange light flashed in Gu Zhengwan's eyes. Gu Jiangyue had been observing everyone, and all of Gu Zhengwan's secret joys fell into her eyes.
Gu Zhengwan firmly suppressed the excitement in her eyes. Now that Gu Jiangyue was disfigured, no matter how grand the coming - of - age ceremony was, it would be useless. Gu Jiangyue would only be a foil for her.