Gu Ying listened calmly and turned to comfort Huo Qiyun, "Just wait, in a few days, Cheng's mistreatment of the new bride will surely be even dirtier than mine."
Huo Qiyun didn't expect the confident woman to appear so dazzling.
She felt uncomfortable and furrowed her brows, falling into silence.
In her selfishness, after enduring years of torment, she also wanted Gu Ying to taste her pain.
If it weren't for... Du protecting her so much, could she really be so carefree?
The emotion of jealousy grew like creeping vines in the darkness. She knew it was wrong, disgraceful even, and she struggled with inner pain, but in the end, she looked coldly at Gu Ying's vibrant back.
Her heart was filled with wickedness; yes, she wanted her dead.
...
It had only been a few days since Gu Ying married into the Duke's Residence, and her reputation as a domineering and vicious woman had already spread throughout the court.
Everyone eagerly anticipated whether the Eldest Prince would divorce that ignorant woman.
After waiting for a few days, they didn't get the divorce they were hoping for, but they did witness the grand scene of the Eldest Prince personally accompanying his wife to the Dongping Earl's residence for a welcoming banquet.
During this return visit, Gu Ying directly moved Gu Ning out of Mufeng Studio and intended to take him back to the Duke's Residence to personally take care of him.
Naturally, Elder Lady Gu was unwilling. How could the men of the Gu family live in the Duke's Residence? It would be utterly absurd if word got out!
However, Elder Lady Gu had a soft spot for Gu Jia.
With just a few words from Zhao Changdu, which would save Gu Jia, Elder Lady Gu had no choice but to relent.
Gu Ying sneered in her heart. So, after experiencing so much, her grandmother still loved Gu Jia the most.
After taking her younger brother away, she had no lingering attachment to this family.
The return banquet was lively, and Jiang Yin was naturally present.
As he watched the newlyweds, sweetly in love, his eyes dulled, his gaze slightly distant. He kept drinking cup after cup, lost in thought.
This time, Jiang Yin seemed different.
His overall temperament had become colder and more serene. His pitch-black pupils were chilling, like venomous snakes. She didn't know if it was her imagination, but today's Jiang Yin, although still somewhat desolate in appearance, had a hint of the feeling of a prime minister in his previous life.
It was said that his official career hadn't been going smoothly. Shortly after becoming the ceremonial envoy, he had been bullied several times.
Climbing up was now out of the question, and he often faced sabotages. In these past few days, he had become emaciated, losing a considerable amount of weight.
Gu Ying occasionally glanced at someone beside her and secretly speculated whether the Eldest Prince had a hand in this.
But that person didn't give her much opportunity to observe Jiang Yin. After finishing the meal, he immediately asked her to go for a walk in the garden.
Gu Shuang had been waiting for a chance to talk to Gu Ying. Seeing her brother-in-law constantly clinging to her elder sister, she became anxious.
Later, when she saw that it was getting late, she could only gather up her courage and approach her brother-in-law to ask for her elder sister.
Zhao Changdu, for the first time, felt slighted, and an innocent expression filled his handsome face.
Rarely did Gu Ying soften upon seeing such a childish expression on Jiang Yin's face. Smiling brightly, she said, "Du, wait for me. I'll speak with my younger sister for a while and then come find you."
Zhao Changdu's face turned cold. "Give me a kiss, and I might consider letting you go."
Gu Ying blushed. "Du, Gu Shuang is still here."
Zhao Changdu remained unfazed, his face thick-skinned. "She's about to be engaged, there's no need to be coy."
No elder would behave this way, but he wouldn't let go, and she couldn't break free. She could only reluctantly tiptoe and peck his cheek. "Is that enough?"
The man narrowed his dangerous eyes and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Not yet."
With that, his thin lips pressed down on hers, biting firmly before finally letting her go, satisfied.
Gu Ying's face turned crimson, and unfortunately, Gu Shuang was still watching on the side.
When they arrived at Twilight Snow Studio, that girl was still smiling.
"I heard the rumors outside, and I thought it was true that Second Sister wasn't doing well in the Duke's Residence," Gu Shuang said with a growing smile at the corner of her lips, implying deeper meaning. "But seeing you today, Second Sister, with a radiant face and a spring-like glow, it's clear that you're living quite comfortably. Second Sister, did you see it? Gu Wan's face is as dark as the bottom of a pot. Her mother's sharp tongue is still sealed with a thread and she can't come out to see anyone."
Gu Ying wished she could dig a hole and bury herself.
Being affectionate with him in Changfeng Pavilion was one thing; after all, it was their own place, and anything goes.
But Gu Shuang was still an unmarried young lady, and he didn't avoid it at all. This person was too uncivilized.
Gu Shuang looked at the blush on her second sister's face. Although she hadn't married yet, she understood that in families like theirs, only when the master loves the mistress will the people below sincerely respect the mistress.
When Second Sister arrived today, those following behind her and attending to her, whether they were maids, old servants, or guards, all showed utmost respect and caution.
Her mother received favor in the Duke's Residence for so many years, but there was never such a grand reception. It was evident that the Eldest Prince genuinely cared for Second Sister.
In the past, she thought the Eldest Prince was devoid of human emotions and terribly cold, but seeing him demanding a kiss today, she found him adorable and handsome. This is how a man should be.
If Fu Gongzi could be as dominant as the Eldest Prince, that would be great.
"Alright, stop laughing. When you get married, you'll understand what men are like..." Gu Ying patted her burning cheeks, wondering what else she was saying.
Gu Shuang was puzzled. "What are men like?"
Gu Ying laughed and cried, "Don't ask. You'll find out when you get engaged."
Upon hearing this, Gu Shuang's face also turned red. "Second Sister, I was just about to tell you. On the day of your wedding with the Eldest Prince, I... I met Fu Gongzi privately."
Gu Ying raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? A secret meeting?"
Gu Shuang hurriedly waved her hands, afraid that her second sister would misunderstand. "No, no, no. He came to attend the banquet, and we just spoke a few words across the corridor railing. That silly blockhead was standing in the snow, nearly freezing to death. I asked him to come to the corridor to avoid the snow, but for the sake of my reputation, he wouldn't take a step closer to me. He's truly a fool."
Although her words sounded reproachful, happiness permeated her voice.
Gu Ying smiled, her lips curling up, as she teasingly asked, "So, what did he say to you?"
Gu Shuang's eyes brightened, followed by a shy expression. "He asked me what I've been eating lately and if I feel cold. He also mentioned that if I don't mind, he would like to come to my home and propose..."
Deep in thought, Gu Ying considered the matter. Despite Gu Shuang's young age, she excelled in various arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Moreover, her personality was stable, making her quite likable.
In her previous life, she had been forced by the Liu family to marry that bandit. If it weren't for the torment that led to her death, with her virtuous and capable nature, she might have assisted her husband and climbed the ranks of society, reaching great heights.
It seemed that her connection with Fu Xun in this lifetime was predestined.
