Gu Qing was unaware that when Gu Sang had returned to visit their grandmother, she had been in a car accident and spent a year in the hospital.
At that time, their relationship wasn't good. Moreover, Gu Qing was incredibly proud and believed that Gu Sang disliked her, so she didn't dare try to get close to her.
Naturally, she also didn't know about their grandmother's disappearance for Gu Sang's sake.
Gu Sang casually handed the grilled skewers to Gu Qing and changed the subject, "Did you know about Mom and Dad inviting me to dinner today?"
As expected, Gu Qing's attention was immediately drawn. She exclaimed in surprise:
"What?! They had dinner with you without inviting me? That's too much!"
"What did they say to you behind my back? No, wait, they're actually building a relationship with you behind my back? Has love truly disappeared?"
Hearing Gu Qing's flustered words, Gu Sang blinked her eyes affectionately.
She laid out all the food on the table, then took a bite of a skewer before continuing, "You can keep that kind of love for yourself."
"They know about Senior Lu confessing to me. They invited me to dinner to interfere with my decision."
"They want me not to miss out on such a good man, saying I'll regret it when I'm older."
Gu Qing rolled her eyes and said angrily, "They're always meddling like this. Don't listen to them; they often say the same things to me."
"I wasn't that averse to it at first, but during New Year's, all those relatives took turns brainwashing me. Even if I wasn't against it before, I am now."
"The older generation just thinks that having children is the most important thing in the world."
"Their own marriages are a mess, with their husbands fooling around outside, but they delude themselves into thinking their husbands are so devoted. Actually, everyone in their circle knows, except for the wives themselves. They still brag about how good their men are to them, showing off their love until it makes me sick."
"No wonder they kept me away. They're afraid we'll unite against them, so they want to deal with us one by one."
After saying all this, Gu Qing feared Gu Sang might misunderstand, so she quickly explained with a serious face:
"I promise you, I didn't tell anyone about you and Senior Lu!"
"Besides, I don't really approve of you and Senior Lu. He's great, but I just feel like he doesn't fit you."
She was, after all, a forward-thinking member of the younger generation.
She believed that there was great love, great men, and great marriages in this world, but she didn't believe she would encounter them herself.
To be precise, her family had billions in assets.
As long as she didn't mess things up, she could enjoy a lifetime of luxury and wealth, more than she could ever spend.
But if she ended up with a bad partner, Gu Qing might not only lose her lifelong luxury but could even end up dismembered in a freezer one day.
She was timid, afraid, and wanted to eliminate all possibilities and accidents.
Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance!
Gu Qing didn't want to gamble with her luck, nor did she want to entrust half her life's happiness to someone else. She just wanted to guard her family's assets well and spend money freely.
Gu Sang's eyes curved in a smile as she said, "I know it wasn't you."
Gu Qing blinked at the woman before her, her ears turning red.
No way, right?
Did Gu Sang really trust her that much?
"Besides, I'll always support every choice you make, as long as you believe it's what you like, what makes you happy and free, and you've thought it through."
"Sister once had a long dream where she was locked in a cage, with all her future and happiness controlled by a high and mighty husband. If he wanted me to live, I lived; if he wanted me to die, I died. Even in my dreams, I wanted to fly out, even if it meant breaking my head and shedding blood, I had to fly out."
"My dear, life is short, just a few decades. There's really nothing that's absolutely necessary. I'm truly terrified of that suffocating feeling of being constrained. I've experienced it personally, felt it deeply, and it made me feel worse than death."
Gu Qing seemed to understand everything, yet still felt a bit confused: "What do you think is most important in life?"
"Self."
"I will always love myself above all else."
-
In ancient times, in the imperial palace.
Pei Changying was reviewing official documents in Xuyang Palace. Today was another day of longing for Sang Sang to return to the palace.
After finishing all the documents, Pei Changying put down his vermilion brush and walked out to the courtyard. He looked up at the moon, a picture of devoted waiting.
He murmured in a deep, emotional voice: "Sang Sang, I will definitely find a way to bring you back!"
"When you return, I'll make you the Empress and cherish you for a lifetime."
"As long as you don't leave me, whatever you want, I'll give it to you."
Gu Qingrou, who was about to enter Xuyang Palace, heard Pei Changying's words. Her heart felt as if it had been violently ripped out, the pain nearly killing her.
She couldn't understand. She had already sacrificed her dignity for Pei Changying, even willing to be a substitute.
Why was Pei Changying still obsessed with Gu Sang?
Back then, it was Pei Changying who told her that he loved her the most, that he only needed Gu Sang to help him seize the throne.
After Pei Changying became Emperor, he had used his power to oppose the ministers and make her Empress.
At that time, Pei Changying still loved her!
When exactly did Pei Changying's love shift away?
Gu Qingrou suddenly realized in despair that it was when Gu Sang died, when she left this world, that Pei Changying suddenly discovered he loved Gu Sang.
How ironic!
When Gu Sang was around, Pei Changying said he loved her.
When Gu Sang died, Pei Changying started to love Gu Sang.
Gu Qingrou turned away silently, but suddenly had a resentful and terrifying thought: if she were to die suddenly one day, would Pei Changying realize that it was actually her he loved?
The head eunuch guarding the entrance of Xuyang Palace saw Gu Qingrou's dejected figure leaving and shook his head with a sigh. He then walked in and reported with his head lowered.
"Your Majesty, the secret guards have reported."
"They have found an old woman who closely resembles the portrait and are currently having her specially trained."
"With some makeup on her face, and the Consort viewing from a distance through that screen, she surely won't be able to see clearly and won't notice any flaws."
Pei Changying nodded: "Carry out this matter in secret. Not a word should leak out. I will have use for it when the time comes."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the head eunuch replied, keeping his eyes lowered.
Pei Changying gazed at the star-filled sky, his mind conjuring the image of Gu Sang's eyes, brimming with laughter.
Suddenly, his heart filled with warmth, and he grew increasingly impatient.
Sang Sang.
Don't worry, you'll be back by my side soon.
Pei Changying curled his lips and suddenly said, "General Guan's army of 200,000 troops must be nearing Plague City by now."
The chief eunuch replied, "They should arrive in the next few days. General Guan has always been swift in battle, and he's a seasoned veteran of the battlefield. This time, he's sure to achieve a great victory."
Pei Changying smiled confidently, "Naturally! With my border general at the helm, Pei Weiqi is nothing but a traitorous rebel. He foolishly believes that occupying Plague City allows him to stand against me. How laughable!"
"Once I've slaughtered these treasonous rebels, I'll send a grand gift to the Imperial Consort!"
"Hahaha! She'll have to return then, whether she wants to or not!"
