Gu Liyue, having nothing better to do, sent an invitation to Qin Caiyin to go to the bookstore.
Qin Caiyin brought a girl of thirteen or fourteen with her. Introducing her to Gu Liyue, she said, "This is my cousin Fang Min, a young lady from the Fang family. Her elder brother is the personal tutor of the Crown Prince and is now the Grand Master of the Directorate of Palace Attendants."
Gu Liyue knew the young lady, but they hadn't interacted much before.
The two exchanged greetings. Fang Min gave Gu Liyue a sweet smile and said, "Sister, you're so beautiful. I used to think the young lady from the Qi family was the most beautiful woman in the world, but now that I've seen Sister Gu, I know what it means by 'a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally free from carving'."
Gu Liyue took out a jade hairpin inlaid with gold from her hair and put it on Fang Min's head. "You have such a sweet mouth, little sister."
Fang Min's eyes curved as she thanked Gu Liyue. Then she said, "This hairpin is so beautiful. But the jade hairpin on your head, although it looks simple, is especially eye - catching."
Gu Liyue was taken aback and subconsciously touched the jade hairpin on her head. It was made by Lu Jinchen for her personally, so it was naturally special. She didn't expect Fang Min to have such good eyesight.
Qin Caiyin patted Fang Min on the head and said to Gu Liyue, "My cousin is always so outspoken. Please don't mind."
Gu Liyue shook her head with a smile and led them into the bookstore. By now, Gu Liyue had basically recognized all the characters and could read more books, but her favorite ones remained the same.
Fang Min couldn't hold back her curiosity and asked, "Sister Gu, why do you only read detective books? You're not going to judge cases in the yamen. There are some great opera scripts over there. I just asked someone, and there are a lot of new ones today. Do you want to take a look?"
Gu Liyue had read opera scripts before. They seemed to be specifically for the ladies in the inner courtyard to kill time, filled with stories of talented scholars and beautiful ladies overcoming all difficulties to be together.
She shook her head. "I don't really like those."
Fang Min wasn't willing to give up. She pulled Gu Liyue over, picked up one of the books, and said, "I've read this one. It's really good. It's about the children of two feuding families who couldn't be together in the end. I cried for three nights when I read it. It's so tragic that true lovers can't end up together. Their parents are so hateful. They broke up the lovers and turned them into doomed lovers."
Gu Liyue flipped through the book casually and shook her head again. "Life is so precious. Moreover, marriage is arranged by parents. Since the two families are feuding, they shouldn't have been together in the first place."
"But..."
Gu Liyue put the book down and smiled with pursed lips. "Little Sister Fang, I really don't like these love stories. There are already many unsatisfactory things in life, but everyone should strive forward, do their best to live, and live a better life. Why would anyone give up their life for no good reason? For love? If there is love, shouldn't they strive harder to live?"
"What's the point of living if they can't be together?"
"Living..." Gu Liyue looked up. "It's very meaningful. Life is not long. Love is a part of life, but not the whole of it. Since they dare to love, they should love whole - heartedly. Life is far more important than anything else. Others can't deprive us of our lives, and neither can we ourselves."
Fang Min was stunned. She didn't quite understand and felt more displeased. She thought Gu Liyue must have never read those books or experienced passionate love to say such things.
Gu Liyue walked around the bookshelf and was about to go back to the other side when she looked up and saw someone, Feng Lanqing.
Feng Lanqing nodded at Gu Liyue. "Miss Gu."
Gu Liyue remained expressionless, averted her eyes, and took a step back to let him pass first.
But Feng Lanqing didn't seem to want to leave. Instead, he took a step forward and blocked Gu Liyue's way. "Liyue, it's been a long time. You've grown up a lot."
Gu Liyue's face turned completely cold. "Get out of the way."
Feng Lanqing gave a soft laugh. "Liyue, we're old acquaintances after all. Why be so cold?"
Gu Liyue asked coldly, "What? Do you want me to have a nice chat with you and talk about how you conspired with Liu Qinting to kill me back then?"
Feng Lanqing didn't expect Gu Liyue to be so different from before. He was stunned for a moment, but more surprised. He was downstairs just now and was completely shocked and dazzled when he saw Gu Liyue come in with others.
This was his former fiancée. At that time, she was still young and not fully grown. He never thought that she would be so beautiful and charming when she grew up. This natural look without makeup was much more beautiful than the women in his house.
If they hadn't broken off the engagement, she would be his wife, and he would surely treat her well. But it was a pity...
No, it wasn't a pity. Liu Qinting was such a selfish woman. She was unfilial to his mother, jealous, and couldn't bear children. He would divorce her. His wife could only be Liyue.
Feng Lanqing's eyes became much softer, and his voice was gentle. "Liyue, I was wrong before. But thinking about the moments we spent together, I..."
Before he could finish, Qin Caiyin walked over and shouted, "Who are you? How dare you harass the daughter of the Marquis Mansion?"
Feng Lanqing was taken aback and quickly explained, "No, we're old friends..."
Gu Liyue said coldly, "Sorry, I can't afford to be your acquaintance. Caiyin, Little Sister Fang, let's go."
Feng Lanqing reached out to grab Gu Liyue's sleeve, but Qin Caiyin slapped his hand away. "What are you doing? Your Liu family is really persistent, aren't you? I remember the Marquis Mansion said that you should leave the capital quickly. Why? You're like a lingering ghost. Instead of leaving, you even dare to come in front of us and be an eyesore?"
"I'm not from the Liu family. I'm Feng Lanqing, this year's Jinshi. I had some acquaintance with Liyue before." Feng Lanqing knew she had mistaken him for a member of the Liu family and quickly defended himself.
Gu Liyue still looked calm and explained to Qin Caiyin, "He's really not from the Liu family. He's Liu Qinting's husband. Liu Qinting is the cousin who pushed me into the water and tried to kill me."
Qin Caiyin got even angrier and shouted, "How daring! Someone, throw this man out!"
Feng Lanqing was extremely anxious. He grabbed Gu Liyue's sleeve. "Liyue, we were engaged since childhood. I've always regarded you as my wife. Now that we've finally met again, why are you so heartless?"
Fang Min's eyes widened. Engaged? Gu Liyue was engaged before?
Qin Caiyin knew a bit about Gu Liyue's past. Hearing this, she sneered. "Heartless? You're such a so - called infatuated man. You conspired with Liyue's cousin to kill her but failed. Now you've married another woman and still say Liyue is heartless? You're really ridiculous."
Feng Lanqing blushed and blurted out, "I'll divorce Liu Qinting. Liyue, you've always been in my heart. I like you and only want you to be my wife."
"How dare you?" Qin Caiyin was impatient. "You want Liyue to be your wife? Do you know her status? She's the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Qiyang. Who do you think you are? Are you worthy of her? Moreover, her fiancé is the heir of the Liang Palace. Do you understand?"
Feng Lanqing wanted to say more, but Qin Caiyin slapped him. "Also, let me tell you. If you dare to talk nonsense and tarnish Liyue's reputation again, I'll make you pay for it! Why aren't you throwing him out yet? What a person!"