When Gu Liyue returned to the courtyard, her steps were a bit unsteady. Tangyuan supported her and looked at her with concern.
She gritted her teeth tightly. Shu Mingzhu and Qi Manyan were really strange. She clearly hadn't done anything, yet inexplicably made two tough enemies.
"I've always thought that what's meant to be mine doesn't need to be fought for, and what has to be fought for won't bring peace even if I get it," Gu Liyue said calmly. "But Tangyuan, why are they so strange? Do they feel happy just by making others uncomfortable?"
Tangyuan looked at Gu Liyue blankly, not quite understanding what she meant.
A few days later, the Shu family returned in a very high - profile manner. Although there had long been news that Shu Mingzhu was the daughter of Gu Shuxian, the Shu family showed no intention of claiming kinship. Instead, they let her live in the Liang Prince's Mansion.
Right after that, Gu Junzhe and Qin Yuyin had their grand wedding. The Gu family had always been low - key. Even for a wedding, they only invited familiar families to gather and didn't make a big fuss. The Gu family didn't invite the Shu family, but Shu Mingzhu came, brought by the Princess of Liang.
Gu Liyue was accompanying the Old Madam Gu. She saw the Princess of Liang come over respectfully to pay her respects. But beside her stood a graceful young girl. The Old Madam Gu's face instantly turned ugly.
However, the Princess of Liang just smiled gently. "Old Madam, this is my niece from my natal family, Shu Mingzhu. Mingzhu, pay your respects to Old Madam Gu."
She didn't mention at all that Shu Mingzhu was Gu Shuxian's daughter. Shu Mingzhu also looked obedient. "Paying my respects to Old Madam Gu."
The Princess of Liang then looked at Gu Liyue. "Mingzhu, this Miss Gu from the Gu family is already engaged to your cousin Jin Chen. In the future, you'll be sisters."
Gu Liyue paused. She always felt that the princess's words didn't sound right. What did she mean by "sisters"? She should be called her sister - in - law.
But Shu Mingzhu obediently bowed to Gu Liyue. "I hope Miss Gu is well."
Gu Liyue also returned the courtesy. "Hello, Miss Shu."
Because they disliked the Shu family and the previous rudeness of the Princess of Liang, the Old Madam Gu, Mrs. Jiang, and Mrs. Qin didn't give Shu Mingzhu a meeting gift. The Princess of Liang and Shu Mingzhu showed no sign of discomfort and just retreated according to the etiquette.
As a young lady of the Gu family, Gu Liyue naturally had to accompany the young ladies from other families to play in the garden. Fortunately, there weren't many people today, and there weren't many young ladies either. Lu Yunxi had accompanied the Empress Dowager to the Royal Garden, and the Qin family also had a banquet for their daughter's wedding today, so Qin Caiyin couldn't come. Gu Liyue wasn't particularly familiar with the other young ladies, but fortunately, there were two or three she could talk to.
Mrs. Qin came out with Gu Liyue. Just as they were about to part ways, they heard the ladies in front talking.
"Was that Shu Mingzhu just now?"
"I'm seeing her for the first time. Hey, do you think she looks like the former Third Master Gu?"
"Not really. She looks more like the Princess of Liang. After all, she's her niece."
"I think the detached air between her eyebrows seems a bit like Third Master Gu. Don't you think she also looks a bit like Gu Liyue?"
"Shh, stop talking. The Gu family clearly has no intention of recognizing this young lady."
The two ladies quickly shut up and walked away.
Mrs. Qin paused and looked back at Gu Liyue, wanting to comfort her.
But Gu Liyue just smiled and winked at Mrs. Qin. "Second Aunt, go and get busy. I should go over there too."
The words of comfort on Mrs. Qin's lips didn't come out in the end. She turned around and left.
Tangyuan followed behind Gu Liyue. Seeing this, she was a bit indignant. "Miss, what do they mean? Saying that Miss Shu looks like you? Isn't this clearly saying that she..."
Gu Liyue glanced at her, indicating her to stop talking. "No matter where we are, we need to be cautious in our words and deeds. Tangyuan, you did well in the Jiang family before. Maybe you've been a bit careless these days."
Tangyuan was still angry and pouted unhappily.
Gu Liyue added, "The mouths are on others. We can't control them. Tangyuan, you must remember that whether it's true or not isn't decided by others. From beginning to end, it's others who are in the wrong. Why should we be in a hurry?"
As they were almost walking to the garden, Tangyuan suddenly spoke up again. "Miss, I've always admired you, but never as much as today. You're still the same Miss, but I feel that you've changed a lot."
Gu Liyue let out a soft laugh. "I once heard a saying that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In fact, no one stays the same. Different living places and different people we meet will surely make us change. If we stand still, we'll only hurt ourselves in the end. I just never believe in being at the mercy of circumstances."
The noble ladies invited today were from families with good relationships. They were mostly harmonious, and Gu Liyue didn't encounter any trouble. Until the banquet started. After congratulating the newlyweds, everyone was invited to dine. The male and female guests were separated. Gu Liyue sat beside Mrs. Qin and entertained the female guests at these two tables.
Then she saw a lady standing up from behind to greet others. She just happened to walk up to Shu Mingzhu and ask, "Huh, I've never seen this young lady before. Which family are you from?"
Gu Liyue looked up at the lady. She was a bit unfamiliar, as if she'd never seen her before.
Mrs. Qin whispered, "That's from the Lesser Zhao family. They're distantly related to your eldest sister - in - law's natal family. They came to the capital not long ago. They sent New Year gifts last year. So we invited the Lesser Zhao family today. We haven't interacted much with this lady before."
Gu Liyue frowned. Originally, it was nothing for this Lady Zhao to ask casually. But for a small - family lady who had just come to the capital to suddenly inquire about a strange young lady, it seemed a bit deliberate.
Just then, the Princess of Liang was talking to the lady beside her, as if she didn't hear.
Shu Mingzhu stood up gracefully and smiled. "Madam, I'm Shu Mingzhu, the niece of the Princess of Liang."
"Shu Mingzhu? A young lady from the Shu family?" Lady Zhao paused, but seemed not to understand the situation and continued to ask. "I've met both the legitimate and illegitimate daughters of the Shu family. Why haven't I seen you? Is your father Lord Shu Hong?"
As soon as these words were out, the female guests' table fell silent. Their eyes were on Shu Mingzhu's face, and more of them looked at Gu Liyue.
The news that Shu Mingzhu's biological father was very likely Gu Shuxian had spread all over the capital. Did this Lady Zhao really not know, or was she doing it on purpose?
Shu Mingzhu smiled slightly and said loudly, "Madam, Shu Hong is my uncle and also my adoptive father. I have no biological father. My biological mother is Shu Ying from the Shu family. Since I've never met my aunt before, she has now brought me to the Liang Prince's Mansion to keep her company."
Her straightforward manner made the ladies beside her nod involuntarily. No matter what her real identity was, she didn't care and didn't feel self - pity. She could be so frank about her background. It was really rare. Even when she addressed the Princess of Liang, she called her aunt instead of auntie. It seemed that her name had already been recorded in the Shu family's genealogy.