The noble ladies all turned pale. In the past, many people called Gu Liyue a wild girl from the countryside. Now that she is a daughter of the Gu family, due to the influence of the Gu family, even those ill - behaved families only dared to mutter a few words in private. Who would ever dare to say such things in public?
Qin Caiyin gritted her teeth and said, "It's the Princess of Liang."
It must be the Princess of Liang. Gu Liyue lowered her eyes. The other person should be Qi Manyan's mother. Presumably, the Princess of Liang just wanted to have a private conversation with Lady Qi and didn't think of the saying "walls have ears".
However, all the people here were noble ladies, junior in terms of seniority. Naturally, it was not appropriate for them to refute the two ladies' words.
Lady Qi was quite good at speaking: "Your Highness, what are you saying? I've heard that it was the Crown Prince of Lu who personally asked the Emperor for this marriage. Moreover, I've met Miss Gu. She has the gentlest and most docile personality. Even I like her very much when I see her."
Gu Liyue's expression relaxed slightly. She hesitated for a moment. There were nearly ten noble ladies in their group. It was impossible for all of them to keep silent. Instead of letting her family hear about this from others, it would be better for her to tell her two aunts earlier. As for how they would handle it, she didn't need to think about it.
However, before she could act, she heard the voice of her aunt: "Oh, it seems that the Princess is so dissatisfied with our Gu family's girl."
The Princess of Liang was stunned. When she turned around, she saw Lady Qi of the Second Branch and other ladies standing not far away. The one who spoke was Lady Jiang, the wife of the eldest son of the Gu family.
Lady Jiang sneered: "Speaking of which, our Gu family didn't want this marriage either. It's just that the imperial order is hard to disobey. As subjects, we have to obey. Moreover, the Crown Prince of Lu and our Zhier grew up together. They know each other well. That's why my father - in - law agreed. I didn't expect that the Princess dislikes this marriage that the Crown Prince begged for so much. We all know that if you don't like it, you can just go to the Emperor and state your case. Why do you have to be so unpopular and speak ill of our Gu family's girl?"
Everyone knew that Gu Liyue was from the countryside, and the Princess of Liang was also aware of this. She knew that what she said was the truth, but faced with Lady Jiang's aggressiveness, she couldn't say a word. She was a concubine who had been promoted to the main wife. She had worked hard for so many years to gain a reputation for being virtuous, and she couldn't let it be ruined.
The Princess of Liang quickly apologized: "Sister Jiang, it's my fault. Look at my mouth. I originally wanted to talk to the Duchess, but I didn't control my mouth and said nonsense. It's my fault. Sister, don't be angry."
She pretended to slap herself twice. Of course, she wouldn't really hit herself, but this was already giving a sufficient way out.
However, Lady Jiang remained cold: "Our Gu Liyue is the apple of the whole family's eye. Since the Princess looks down on her so much, there's nothing more to say. When I return home tonight, I'll talk to my father - in - law. It seems that this marriage needs to be carefully considered. Although we are subjects and cannot disobey the Emperor's order, we will never let Liyue marry into their family aggrievedly. I think the Emperor will understand my father - in - law and my husband's love for their daughter."
The Princess of Liang never expected that Lady Jiang would be so stubborn and hard to talk to. While apologizing, she looked at Lady Qi, her eyes full of pleading.
But Lady Qi was such a shrewd person. If this was a private matter, she could persuade them a little and try to reconcile them. But now there were so many people, and it was obvious that Lady Jiang wanted to support her niece. Otherwise, in the future, there would be even more gossips about Miss Gu.
After weighing the pros and cons, since the Emperor had already approved the marriage, if she intervened following the Princess of Liang's words, wouldn't she be making a fool of herself?
Lady Jiang didn't stay any longer. She looked up and asked, "Have you seen my sister - in - law and niece?"
A maid quickly replied, pointing to the flower gate in front and saying, "Miss Gu is in the grove next to the flower hall, playing chess with Miss Qin... It's over there."
Lady Qi was stunned and her face turned a little pale: "Is it... the pine grove?"
The maid nodded reluctantly.
Lady Qi had no choice but to point in that direction: "Presumably, it's over there."
Gu Liyue had already stood up and walked towards the flower gate in front. Just as she entered the gate, she saw Lady Jiang hurrying over: "Aunt."
Lady Jiang quickly supported Gu Liyue and said, "Liyue, don't be afraid. Your aunt is here. If anyone dares to look down on you even a little bit, they have to ask your aunt first."
It was almost time to leave the mansion. Lady Jiang turned back to say goodbye to Lady Qi and led Gu Liyue out, holding her hand.
Gu Liyue was very touched and whispered: "Aunt, Liyue... is fine..."
Lady Jiang patted Gu Liyue's hand and said, "Liyue, you should know that rumors are scary. You may not care about one person's words, but since she said so, tomorrow the words that you are a wild girl from the countryside will spread everywhere. You are different from before. Before you were an orphaned embroideress, but now you are the legitimate daughter of our Gu family. How can you continue to suffer such grievances?"
Gu Liyue's eyes turned red: "Aunt..."
Lady Jiang tightened her grip on her hand: "Liyue, if you want to cry, go home and cry. Outside, you have to hold your head up high. Always remember that you are Gu Liyue. You have fathers, brothers and relatives. You are the pride of our Gu family."
Gu Liyue nodded vigorously, holding back her tears, and went to the front yard with Lady Jiang.
Then they saw Lord Gu, her uncle, striding over with a long spear in his hand. He stopped in front of the Princess of Liang behind and, without saying a word, broke the spear in half.
The Princess of Liang let out a startled scream: "My Lord, you..."
Lord Gu gritted his teeth, his jaw protruding. He said coldly: "Our Gu family's girl is extremely precious. Tomorrow I will go to the palace and state my case to cancel this marriage! From now on, if I ever hear anyone say that our Liyue has a bad background, it will be like this spear! I grew up on the battlefield since I was a child. I can't tolerate any sand in my eyes!"
Gu Liyue couldn't hold back her tears any longer and they streamed down her face.
Lord Gu bowed to Lady Qi: "Sorry to make you laugh, Madam!"
Then he turned around and pulled Gu Liyue into his arms: "Liyue, don't cry. Your uncle is here. I will never let you suffer any grievances."
Gu Liyue raised her head, wiped away her tears and smiled: "Uncle, I'm not sad. I'm just very happy. I don't care what others say about me, but you, Aunt and the whole Gu family make me feel so lucky to be your relative."
Lord Gu laughed heartily: "Yes, it's also our fortune to have you in the Gu family."
When they got home, the whole family was in an uproar, all discussing the matter of canceling the marriage. Gu Liyue lay on the couch, smiling with pursed lips.
Tangyuan said anxiously: "Miss, what time is it and you're still smiling? Just because of one sentence, to cancel the imperial - bestowed marriage. This... This... In the future, won't no one dare to marry you?"
Yunniang gestured with her hands. She agreed with Tangyuan's opinion but thought Tangyuan's words were inauspicious and spat three times in succession.
Gu Liyue's eyes curved into crescent moons: "I'm happy because I've found my family."
Tangyuan didn't understand. The Miss had been back for several months. Why was she so happy about this now?