Gu Shuang panicked suddenly, her earlobes flushed red, “Oh, second sister, please don’t tell anyone, also don’t tell mother...”
She lowered her eyes shyly, “I don’t know why either, His Highness the Crown Prince has a peerless appearance, Young Master Fu's looks are ordinary, but I don't know why, I just feel he is more handsome than His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Gu Ying knew the score, Gu Shuang liked Fu Xunzhi, and Fu Xunzhi was also interested in Gu Shuang. The two were a perfect match.
In her previous life, the little girl died pitifully. This life, she would definitely not let her fourth younger sister marry into that den of thieves again.
She smiled gently, “Then leave this matter to your sister. You just wait obediently. When you come of age, your sister will think of a way.”
Gu Shuang bit her lip and said nothing, her face flushed red, as if acquiescing.
Mother couldn’t be relied on, but second sister could definitely be relied on.
Gu Ying looked at Gu Shuang's shy appearance, and could imagine the intimate and loving appearance of the two after getting married. She felt even more delighted and sweet than when she herself got married.
After chatting for a while, Yin Lan came back from outside.
As soon as she came back, she brushed the snow off her shoulders, the corners of her eyes curled up in a smile, “Miss, it’s done, the day after tomorrow, during the hour of the ox.”
Gu Ying's eyes shone gently as she smiled, “Good.”
Yin Lan added, “On Clear Wind's side, Minister Hu has also made the arrangements for us.”
Gu Ying had a faint smile at the corner of her mouth. She let Gu Shuang stay for dinner.
Gu Shuang didn't decline and stayed to eat dinner before leaving.
Nowadays, the busiest person in the manor was Madam Liu of the main room. Madam Wang and Madam Zhao had both returned to their own yards to enjoy the peace and quiet. If they could avoid trouble, they avoided it.
Gu Ying sent Yanzhi to scout for news outside Gu Jia's study.
She heard that Jiang Yin was still kneeling at the door of the study. Jiang Ling'er had frozen into a snowman, and Gu Jia still didn't allow her to get up. Right in front of Jiang Yin, he scolded Jiang Yin and Jiang Ling'er until their faces were covered in spit.
Jiang's mother's health was already poor. She was so frightened by the cold weather that she couldn't get out of bed all day and finally fainted from coughing.
The main room had become a complete mess.
"Doesn't Miss find it strange?" Yanzhi still held a handful of melon seeds she had picked up while eavesdropping. "The way Miss Jiang knelt next to Young Master Jiang looked exactly like a pair of star-crossed lovers ready to live and die together. No matter how you look at it, it's so strange. Are these really blood siblings?"
The corners of Gu Ying's lips curled up slightly. "My elder sister has become a little silly recently. Yanzhi, think of a way to give her a reminder."
Yanzhi clenched the melon seeds in her hand, full of vigor and vitality. "Miss, I'll go right away!"
As night fell, Gu Jia had finished scolding them and returned to Cangwu Pavilion early.
Except for the study, the Marquis Manor gradually became quiet, and the lanterns were also gradually extinguished, leaving only the patrolling guards with no one else.
But Gu Ying was not sleepy at all. She had been waiting for this moment for many years. In her previous life, alone and destitute in the dilapidated temple, she never thought she would have a chance for revenge. She only hated herself for misjudging others and loving the wrong person, always feeling sorry for herself and thinking that after she died, she and Jiang Yin would never meet again.
But now, Heaven had given her a rebirth.
How could she not mercilessly beat the fallen dog?
She had to go, she must go. The churning hatred and thrill in her heart made her eager to tear apart Jiang Yin's pretense of being a gentleman immediately.
She hated him to the extreme!
After Yanzhi came back, she was already fast asleep.
Yin Lan didn't say much else. She understood people best. She had long seen that her lady harbored undisguised hatred towards Jiang Yin. Naturally, whatever her lady wanted to do, she would only support her.
She took off the fox fur coat and draped it over Gu Ying, then took a bamboo umbrella and said gently, "Let's go, Miss."
"Mm," Gu Ying's eyes grew slightly hot. It was the little bits of warmth from the people around her in this life that kept her heart from growing cold.
Late at night, Gu Ying came to the front of the study.
From afar, she saw Jiang Yin kneeling upright at the door of the study. The washed-out moon-white cotton robe couldn't conceal his handsome appearance.
Ten years of poverty, then suddenly becoming a successful candidate in the imperial exam, a proud and accomplished young master.
Jiang Ling'er shivered in his arms, looking weak and listless as she clutched Jiang Yin's thumb.
In her previous life, aside from Gu Jia, Jiang Ling'er also often came to the dilapidated temple to mock her.
Most of the time, she would squat next to her and tell her what Jiang Yin did that day, how many times he doted on her, and how Jiang Yin performed in bed, making her intoxicated with passion... She also said she would give Jiang Yin a son to inherit Jiang Yin's family business in the future.
Jiang Ling'er's viciousness was different from Gu Jia's. She was good at killing people mentally. Knowing fully well she didn't want to hear any of it, she insisted on telling her, watching her in pain and in despair, which made Jiang Ling'er laugh happily.
Gu Ying stood at a distance and watched them for a while. Her face didn't show too much emotion either. She walked slowly towards them.
Snow had accumulated on the stone steps, swallowing a few steps.
Her footsteps stepped on it, very slowly, making rustling sounds.
Jiang Yin seemed to sense something. He slowly turned around and saw the beautifully dressed Gu Ying. His eyes quivered, "Why...did you come?"
As soon as his hoarse voice sounded, Jiang Ling'er shuddered and woke up, cowering into Jiang Yin's arms in panic.
Gu Ying looked condescendingly at the hypocritical siblings, with a hint of disgust in her eyes.
"Second sister?" When she saw who it was, Jiang Ling'er's face was filled with pleasant surprise. She crawled to the side of the stone steps, clutching at her sleeve, "Second sister, please, please save my brother, okay? As long as second sister is willing to save my brother, Ling'er is willing to repay second sister's kindness even if I have to be an ox or a horse!"
She clutched tightly at her sleeve, kneeling on the ground, abasing herself as she kept kowtowing. Soon, blood appeared on her forehead.
Jiang Yin's eyes flashed with distress. He grasped Jiang Ling'er's icy cold little hand and said in a deep voice, "Ling'er, get up!"
"No...don't. Brother, I don't want you to suffer from hunger and cold... For your sake, Ling'er is willing to do anything!"
What a moving portrait of deep affection between lovers. It made Gu Ying want to applaud.
Jiang Ling'er stared at Gu Ying in terror and resentment, "Brother, save me..."
Jiang Yin shouted angrily and swept Jiang Ling'er into his arms, sneering coldly, "Second sister, are you trying to kill someone?"
The corners of Gu Ying's lips curled up slightly. "It's not as serious as you make it sound. She is but a commoner, yet dared to touch me. I was merely having Yin Lan discipline her a little. Brother-in-law, is this anger? Does big sister know that brother-in-law is so protective of his sister?"
Jiang Yin was furious. "What nonsense are you spewing... She is my sister!"
