When Xie Jiuan said that she was well - known, it was obvious that he meant her affairs had spread throughout the capital. She hadn't even married into the family yet, and it was easy to guess what the common people thought of her, whether good or bad.
Gu Zhengwan looked at the two people in front of her, especially the smug smile on Xie Jiuan's face. It made her see black spots in front of her eyes, but she was helpless. Xie Jiuan's status meant she couldn't touch him at all. Gu Zhengwan tightened the handkerchief in her hand and secretly vowed that she must marry Xie Chengrui. One day, she would surely crush Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue and make them taste the bitterness of living under someone else's roof.
Gu Jiangyue watched the burning determination in Gu Zhengwan's eyes and only felt it was sad and ridiculous. Gu Zhengwan's venomous and twisted soul meant she would never reach the position she desired in this lifetime. It was all self - inflicted.
Gu Liuru had always been self - righteously noble. Now that she was on the same side as Gu Zhengwan, seeing Gu Zhengwan so mercilessly mocked by Xie Jiuan, Gu Liuru was also indignant. She frowned and glared at Xie Jiuan, with the contempt in her eyes almost overflowing. In Gu Liuru's eyes, the world was drunk while she alone was sober, and Xie Jiuan was just a vulgar person.
Gu Zhengwan's brainwashing had made her believe that with Gu Zhengwan's match - making, she and Xie Yuwen would surely be together. Thinking of this, the initial fear in her eyes when looking at Xie Jiuan was replaced by only indignation.
"After all, she is your sister - in - law. Is this all the upbringing of the noble Ninth Prince? I wonder how you were taught."
With just a few words, Gu Liuru had elevated herself and started lecturing Xie Jiuan. Although Gu Liuru was cautious and lowered her voice, her words were clearly meant for Xie Jiuan, and he heard every single one of them.
Hearing Gu Liuru's words, the smile on Xie Jiuan's face disappeared instantly. The gentle and beautiful peach - blossom eyes that used to be were now filled with a hint of killing intent. The look in his eyes as he stared at Gu Liuru was as if he were looking at a dead person.
Xie Jiuan had a special background. He had lost his mother concubine at a young age. Before the truth about his mother concubine's death was revealed, he had lived a life worse than that of the palace servants. There was no question of learning court etiquette. It was even a stroke of luck if he could snatch a bite of food from the maids.
Gu Liuru's words had undoubtedly stepped on Xie Jiuan's sore spot, but apparently she didn't realize this. Except for the princes and concubines in the palace, outsiders didn't know about Xie Jiuan's background and experiences. The emperor also forbade them from spreading it. How could Gu Liuru, who had been away from the capital for a long time, know about it?
Gu Jiangyue could sense that the aura around Xie Jiuan had changed. She looked at him suspiciously and just happened to meet his scarlet eyes. Gu Jiangyue was a bit surprised. It was the first time she had seen Xie Jiuan like this.
Gu Jiangyue reached out her hand and gently placed it on Xie Jiuan's, patting it.
A coolness spread over Xie Jiuan's hand. He turned to look at Gu Jiangyue, and the killing intent in his eyes faded a bit.
Although Gu Jiangyue didn't know why Xie Jiuan was angry, her intuition told her that if she didn't stop him now, as long as Gu Liuru said one more word, Xie Jiuan might very well kill her.
The matter had started because of her, and Gu Jiangyue couldn't bear to see Xie Jiuan like this. She directly pulled Xie Jiuan two steps behind her and protected him behind her.
Gu Jiangyue looked at Gu Liuru and Gu Zhengwan in front of her. Having experienced the power struggles in the imperial palace in her previous life, Gu Jiangyue was no ordinary person. Facing them alone, her aura was in no way inferior. The aura emanating from Gu Jiangyue shocked Gu Zhengwan. Gu Jiangyue seemed to be looking down from a high place, and Gu Zhengwan and Gu Liuru were like ants that she could crush at any time.
Just when Gu Liuru was scared, she saw Gu Jiangyue smile. Her smile was contemptuous and sarcastic. Her red lips moved slightly, and her voice was extremely cold. Her eyes were fixed on Gu Liuru, as if she could see through her.
"See your place clearly. You're not qualified to lecture him."
As soon as Gu Jiangyue finished speaking, she pulled Xie Jiuan and was about to leave. When passing by Gu Zhengwan, Gu Jiangyue didn't stay silent either. She casually said,
"As long as I'm around, Xie Chengrui will never fall in love with you in this lifetime."
After saying that, Gu Jiangyue pulled Xie Jiuan away with a flourish, leaving only a determined back for Gu Liuru and Gu Zhengwan, whose faces had turned alternately pale and green. Gu Jiangyue didn't even bother to look at their expressions. She directly took Xie Jiuan to her courtyard. Xie Jiuan just followed behind Gu Jiangyue quietly without saying a word.
When they reached the courtyard, Gu Jiangyue looked at the familiar scene in front of her and let out a long sigh of relief. Xie Jiuan still showed no reaction. Gu Jiangyue looked back at him curiously and saw that he had his head down, looking uninterested. Looking at Xie Jiuan, Gu Jiangyue actually felt that he looked a bit pitiful.
Gu Jiangyue couldn't bear it. She sighed as if helplessly. After all, it was because of her that Gu Zhengwan and Gu Liuru had gotten involved with Xie Jiuan. Xie Jiuan had also done it for her. Now that Xie Jiuan was unhappy, she couldn't just stand by and watch.
Gu Jiangyue looked at Xie Jiuan and thought for a while but didn't know how to comfort him. After all, she didn't know much about Xie Jiuan's past. After much thought, Gu Jiangyue simply walked up to Xie Jiuan and hugged him.
In her previous life, when Gu Jiangyue was sad, no one had ever comforted her, so she didn't know how to comfort others. She only knew that when Xie Jiuan hugged her, she felt at ease, and she thought Xie Jiuan might feel the same way.
Gu Jiangyue only felt a tightness around her waist. Xie Jiuan's big hand had already grabbed her waist. She looked up at Xie Jiuan and saw that he was looking at her with a smile. Gu Jiangyue frowned at him and shouted in her heart.
Xie Jiuan had been sad just now. Why was he smiling so happily now? Gu Jiangyue always felt as if she had been tricked by Xie Jiuan. She wanted to break free from his hands, but his big hands didn't move at all. Thinking of the red - eyed Xie Jiuan just now, she couldn't bear to do so and just let him hug her.
"My mother concubine died when I was a child."
Xie Jiuan spoke first. He lowered his head on Gu Jiangyue's shoulder, and his voice was muffled. Seeing that Gu Jiangyue didn't say anything, he continued,
"My mother concubine was framed. They all hated me."
Although Xie Jiuan's tone was cold and emotionless when he said these words, Gu Jiangyue could still hear a hint of sadness and grievance. The hand on Xie Jiuan's back moved and patted him comfortingly.