Jiang Yingyue burst into tears again. "Cousin of the Gu family, what do you mean? What does all this have to do with this case? I'm not feeling well. My head and stomach hurt. I want to go home... Third brother, I want to go home."
Outside the court, Jiang Che was also extremely anxious. "Cousin, since my sister has already finished her testimony, she should go home to recuperate. The law should not be divorced from human feelings. Moreover, my sister is innocent."
However, Gu Junyan seemed to be in deep thought. After hesitating for a long time, he looked at Gu Liyue. "How can I just listen to one side of the story? Gu Liyue, since you claim to be wronged, tell me everything that happened today in detail."
Gu Liyue lowered her head and explained. "Today I accompanied the madam to Anfo Temple. On the way, the young lady felt unwell. Both the madam and the young lady insisted that I accompany them. Originally, I was reluctant, but I couldn't refuse the madam's request, so I had to get into the young lady's carriage."
Gu Junyan asked, "You mean the carriage belongs to Jiang Yingyue, and you got into it against your will?"
Jiang Yingyue was startled and quickly said, "No, she's lying. She deliberately got into the carriage..."
Gu Junyan looked at Jiang Yingyue impatiently. "I'm asking her. Gu Liyue, since you claim to have got into the carriage against your will, what about this dagger? Is this dagger yours?"
"Yes, it's mine." Gu Liyue nodded. "I carry it for self - defense. I've been carrying it with me for the past two months. Besides, I also carry calming pills with me."
She took out the small pouch from her bosom and presented it to the clerk.
Gu Junyan asked, "Why do you carry these things?"
"For self - defense." Gu Liyue added. "I'm originally from the countryside. But after coming to the inner courtyard in the capital, I realized how difficult everything is. Before leaving the capital, I have to carry these things just in case."
What happened in the theater two months ago was unknown to outsiders. Gu Liyue didn't elaborate on it. But Jiang Yingyue knew it clearly and she didn't dare to say a word.
However, Jiang Che didn't know the reason. He immediately shouted angrily, "Self - defense? You must have planned it in advance. You wanted to frame me."
The dagger and the calming pills were really eye - catching.
Gu Junyan sneered. "Jiang Che is obstructing official business and has repeatedly interfered with my handling of the case. Someone, take him away. We'll deal with him later."
Jiang Che was extremely angry. "Gu Junyan, you're my own cousin!"
"Precisely because you're my cousin, I should enforce the law impartially! Take him away. He's guilty of disrupting the court. We'll try him later!"
Jiang Yingyue was extremely anxious. She didn't have much contact with the Gu family. Due to the different political views of the two families, when she came to the Jiang family, the Jiang and Gu families had rarely interacted. But she had heard that the Gu family was iron - faced and would never show favoritism, especially this elder cousin, Gu Junyan. If her third brother left, who would protect her?
She could only silently pray that those thieves had been dealt with. It would be difficult to trace the root cause. At present, the situation was more unfavorable to Gu Liyue. She just had to stick to her story.
But Gu Liyue said calmly, "Young Master Jiang has been dissatisfied for a long time. Please allow this civilian girl to present her case first, Lord Gu."
Gu Junyan waved his hand, telling his subordinates not to take Jiang Che away for the time being.
Gu Liyue still looked calm. "Young Master Jiang, the matter two months ago has already been settled. The Jiang family didn't intend to bring it to court. But the self - defense measures I took because of that incident have become evidence of harm in the eyes of you gentlemen and you, Young Master. So I have to tell the whole story to prove my innocence."
Jiang Yingyue was greatly shocked and angrily said, "Gu Liyue, what are you doing? So many people witnessed that you disfigured me at that time..."
Gu Liyue nodded. "Yes, everyone witnessed that incident at that time. I, Gu Liyue, couldn't defend myself. But I want to ask, I'm just an orphan girl from the countryside. All I've ever relied on is a bit of kindness from the madam. Why would I hurt the young lady and disappoint the madam?"
"You... are so glib - tongued!"
Gu Liyue continued, "I'm sure everyone here knows how things are in the inner courtyard. Once bitten by a snake, I'm afraid of the well - rope for ten years. Since I can't leave the Jiang family, I have to take some self - defense measures. Since then, I've been carrying the calming pills and the dagger with me. You can even check the date and place of purchase."
"Nonsense!" Jiang Yingyue said. "Who knows if you planned this long ago?"
Gu Liyue added, "That day when the incident happened, it was you who invited me out. I didn't guard against it. Later when you invited me again, I didn't go. It wasn't until today when the madam ordered me to accompany you back to the capital. Lord, it was the madam who ordered me. I refused at first, but the madam insisted and even offered to make an exchange with me."
Gu Junyan asked, "What exchange?"
Gu Liyue said, "The madam said that when the heir and the second young master return to the mansion, she will adopt me as her adopted daughter!"
Jiang Yingyue suddenly raised her head, her tone becoming more menacing. "What right do you have to covet the position of a Jiang family girl? It's clearly mine. You, this bitch, you're not worthy!"
She was in tears, extremely anxious and angry. She had been raised by her aunt for ten years. Her aunt's love for her didn't seem to be fake. Why did this Gu Liyue have to appear? Why did she have to take away everything that belonged to her?
Jiang Yingyue uncontrollably rushed forward, trying to tear at Gu Liyue. But Gu Chengzhi pulled her away and protected Gu Liyue behind him, scolding.
"Jiang Yingyue, what are you doing? How can you act recklessly in court?"
Jiang Che was about to speak out, but was warned by the guard beside him. Afraid that Gu Junyan would really take him away, he had to hold back and anxiously look at Jiang Yingyue.
Gu Junyan asked, "So, you made an exchange with Madam Jiang for the identity of a Jiang family girl?"
Gu Liyue shook her head. "I agreed to Madam Jiang's request, but not for the sake of becoming a Jiang family girl."
"Then why?"
Gu Liyue's hand subconsciously reached for the pendant on her chest. But there was nothing under her clothes. The pendant was already lost. Her eyes dimmed a bit, and she slowly said, "I asked Madam Jiang to agree to a condition. I had asked for it several times, both openly and secretly in the past two months, but Madam Jiang always refused. I wanted to take my aunt and leave the Jiang family and the capital."
Jiang Yingyue was stunned. Gu Liyue had said the same thing in the carriage, but she didn't believe it. How could anyone refuse the easily - obtainable wealth and honor? Was Gu Liyue really willing to go back to live a poor life?
Gu Liyue's voice was as clear as a sparrow's. There was a faint smile on her face, as if she was looking forward to something.
"My parents died early, but they've always been in my heart. How could I recognize someone else as my parents? Life in the Jiang family is prosperous, but it's not what I like. All I've ever wanted is peace. I left my hometown before for peace, and now I want to leave for the same reason."