CH 8

Chapter 8. In the warm pavilion, Liang-shi still had a smile on her face. Seeing Liu-shi hurry away without even saying her original purpose for coming, she felt some resentment leave her heart.

She held her daughter’s hand affectionately. If her daughter had really fallen into the water because of Liu-shi, then she would definitely not let Liu-shi go. She just wanted to give her daughter a stable and wealthy environment, but now that her daughter’s safety was threatened, her self-restraint was meaningless.

“What you said just now was very good, but remember not to reveal your abilities too much.” Liang-shi could not help but remind her daughter. “Don’t worry, Ah Nan. If Ah Nan had fallen into the water because of someone else’s doing, mother will definitely not let them go.”

Gu Yu Qi nodded and felt a tenderness in her heart. The firmness in her mother’s eyes made her very happy because the original depression in them had disappeared, “By the way, mother, what was the name of the sword technique you just did?”

“That sword technique was taught to me by your grandfather. It is the swordsmanship passed down in our Liang family, called Wu Ying. If you like, mother will teach you tomorrow. Our Liang family also has a set of marksmanship techniques. Do you want to learn them?” Liang-shi asked softly.

“I want to learn, of course I want to learn!” Gu Yu Qi was pleasantly surprised. She jumped up and hugged Liang-shi around her neck and kissed her cheek. This was a pie falling from the sky. Gu Yu Qi was overjoyed. In the previous life, Liang Huai Yu had never mentioned anything about marksmanship. It was probably because of how bad she had behaved in her previous life… Gu Yu Qi was a little ashamed again.

Her daughter had expressed heartfelt joy in such an enthusiastic way that Liang-shi was startled. Looking at her daughter’s innocent face, Liang-shi felt that her heart was going to melt away. No matter how deceitful Gu Huai Zhong was, she still had a daughter and for her sake, she could not be depressed. The sets of swordsmanship and marksmanship techniques were both handed down in the Liang family from older generations. Back then when she and Gu Huai Zhong had married, she had secretly passed the swordsmanship and marksmanship techniques to him in person. Later, her father noticed it and sent her a letter scolding her, but still he had not punished her.

At that time, she had felt that Gu Huai Zhong would love and protect her for the rest of her life, yet… Thinking of this, Liang Huai Yu’s heart ached. He had a concubine and children at the border and had kept it a secret from her for so many years. If she had not moved to the capital, she likely would still be in the dark about it. Even her father who was with him had not noticed it, which showed just how wary he had been of the Liang family.

Gu Yu Qi was so good, if she could not support her daughter then she would be a mother in vain. Thinking of this, her mood brightened up again. Before, she took things to heart too much. How was she not as good as Liu Yue? She was the daughter of a general, born in an aristocratic family and skilled in both literary and military arts. Her temperament was cheerful and gentle, but she could not hold onto her husband’s heart. Now, it seemed like it may not be her fault that she could not hold onto her husband’s heart.

The mother and daughter chatted again in the warm pavilion. Liang-shi first told Gu Yu Qi the family’s sword techniques and told Gu Yu Qi to memorise them.

Gu Yu Qi learned things quickly. Although the swordsmanship and marksmanship techniques were difficult to pronounce, Gu Yu Qi remembered them well and repeated them fluently after Liang-shi had taught them to her just twice. This made Liang Huai Yu extremely happy. With a daughter like this, what more could she ask for?

Just as the mother and daughter were teaching and learning, Nanny Zhang came to pass the message that the Marquis had come.

Liang Huai Yu’s smile faltered slightly. He normally did not come to Wan Xin Zhai at this time of the day. Liu Yue had just left not long ago and he had come. Could it be because Gu Yu Qi had taught Liu Yue a lesson just now? She glanced at Gu Yu Qi and saw that Gu Yu Qi was not affected at all. She calmed down a little. She just needed to protect her daughter.

Gu Huai Zhong parted the door curtain and walked in. Gu Yu Qi looked carefully at her cheap scumbag father. He was now 30 years old, tall and strong, and his long-term military career had given his skin a healthy wheat colour. It had to be said that Gu Huai Zhong had a handsome and imposing face, otherwise, her mother would not have fallen in love with him at first sight. He wore a silver-edged black robe which wrapped around his sturdy figure, giving off a fierce ruthlessness. Years of bloody battle had brought up such a temperament. Either way, her scum father had an extraordinary outward appearance.

Liang-shi brought Gu Yu Qi to greet Gu Huai Zhong, then sent someone to bring refreshments.

“Why did the Marquis come at this time?” Liang-shi asked lightly. On the surface, she appeared to be making small talk, but there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

It had been almost three months since they arrived at the capital. Apart from the time when Gu Yu Qi fell into the water and he took the initiative to come over, he would only come on the first and fifteenth day of the month. Otherwise, he would not set foot in Wan Xin Zhai of his own accord. Even on the first and fifteenth, he would only come late at night and after saying a word or two, he would go to bed. They only did intimate things on the first day she had arrived at the capital and it had been very perfunctory. Later, it was dismissed because of the excuse that Liang-shi’s health was not good and she needed to rest. The rest of the time, he rested on Liu-shi’s side. It was unknown how Liu-shi made Gu Huai Zhong so committed to her.

Oh the human heart! Thinking of this, Liang-shi’s heart froze a little.

Gu Huai Zhong looked at his wife’s slightly indifferent face. The bottom of his heart was also surging with thoughts.

Although Gu Huai Zhong had already become a Marquis, he felt a lot of discomfort when facing Liang-shi. Originally, she was the eldest daughter of General Zhen Guo. When she married him, he was overwhelmed with flattery. He had loved and respected her, being deeply attached to each other for a period of time. Yet when all was said and done, he had simply climbed the social ladder.

When he returned to the border in high spirits, he accidentally overheard discussions behind his back between his former comrades and friends. It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over him. It turned out that in their eyes, all of his military exploits had only been because his father-in-law was General Zhen Guo.

He could tolerate rumours and criticism once or twice, but the constant haunting overwhelmed him and gradually, he began harbouring resentment towards Liang Huai Yu and General Zhen Guo. During that year, it took root at the bottom of his heart and it grew like an obsession.

After so many years, his father-in-law had already died, but he still felt like he could not escape his shadow. When he saw Liang Huai Yu, it was as if his father-in-law was standing behind her. He knew that he owed Liang Huai Yu, but he just could not return to the original natural admiration for Liang Huai Yu. On the contrary, Liu Yue had always been by his side, bearing hardship without complaint, treating him as the most important and showing affection towards him.

Besides, he had already made up his mind before Liang Huai Yu had brought Gu Yu Qi to the capital. If Liang Huai Yu could tolerate Liu Yue, then he would leave it be. If Liang Huai Yu could not tolerate Liu Yue, then even if he was impeached by the remonstrating officials for the infamy of spoiling his concubine and neglecting his wife, he would defend Liu Yue.

In fact, Liu Yue had gone to find him in his study and her face had been gloomy. He had asked her repeatedly, then found out that Liu-shi had gone to greet Liang-shi but had been taught a lesson by the eldest miss and even Gu Si Yang had suffered. What could a ten-year-old girl know? He was afraid that the one who actually wanted to teach Liu-shi a lesson was Liang-shi behind Gu Yu Qi. In a moment of anger, he came to Wan Xin Zhai but when he arrived at the door, he heard Liang-shi teaching gu Yu Qi swordsmanship and marksmanship, and his heart softened.

No matter what, he could be who he was today because in addition to his own efforts, he had been supported and guided by his father-in-law the entire way. There were many underprivileged children in the army and quite a few of them were good at martial arts, so why was it that he was given an advantage? Gu Huai Zhong was ashamed from the bottom of his heart and his resolve to save face for Liu-shi weakened a little.

Although his martial arts had been good at that time, he had learned them all in the army and it was difficult to rise above the common herd. His military accomplishments had reached an unprecedented level after Liang-shi taught him the Liang family’s swordsmanship and marksmanship techniques, which showed just how subtle the Liang family’s martial arts were. It could be said that everything he had now had been given to him by this woman in the room, but he had failed her.

“Uh…” Gu Huai Zhong hesitated. He was originally full of anger, but now he did not know if he should argue for Liu-shi.

“Father.” Seeing Gu Huai Zhong’s hesitance, Gu Yu Qi suppressed the discomfort in her heart and pretending to be affectionate, she threw herself into Gu Huai Zhong’s arms. She disliked this cheap scumbag from the bottom of her heart. In her previous life, he had made Liu-shi his legitimate wife not long after Liang-shi passed away. Towards Liang-shi, he had no friendly sentiments at all and all his thoughts were on Liu-shi. How could such a father deserve her respect? It was just that in her previous life, she had been too lazy to care about such things. To Gu Yu Qi in the previous life, these people were a group of passers-by, not her relatives.

Being pounced on by his daughter, Gu Huai Zhong caught his daughter’s small body subconsciously. Although he was very unfamiliar with his daughter, Gu Yu Qi, she was his own blood after all. Seeing her so willing to get close to him, he also liked it a little.

“Father, just now, Concubine Liu and eldest younger brother came. And now you’re here.” Gu Yu Qi said innocently, tilting her head on purpose. “Eldest younger brother refused to call me elder sister.” She widened her dark eyes and looked at Gu Huai Zhong with glimmering eyes. There were tears in her eyes, squeezed out as if her life depended on it, “What did I do wrong? Why won’t my eldest younger brother recognise me?”

Gu Yu Qi made the first strike strongly, speaking with a face of grievance. Her advantage now was that she was young… She had simply amplified this advantage a bit.

Sure enough, as soon as Gu Yu Qi spoke, the anger in Gu Huai Zhong’s eyes faded a little. Liu-shi had just said that Gu Yu Qi had taught Gu Si Yang a lesson and lectured her on her behaviour. She had not mentioned Gu Si Yang’s refusal to recognise Gu Yu Qi. Gu Si Yang being disagreeable and refusing to recognise Liang-shi and Gu Yu Qi was something he knew about. However, he was afraid of wronging Liu-shi and her son, so he had always turned a blind eye to it. He had watched Gu Si Yang being born with his eyes, and he was a male, so he usually favoured Gu Si Yang.

“Si Yang is also my son.” When Liang-shi heard her daughter’s words, she wanted to laugh but she suppressed it and helped speak for her daughter, “Ever since I came to the capital, Si Yang has never called me mother. Forget about that child being stubborn and not recognising me, but Ah Nan is also my child with the Marquis and is the elder sister of that child. If there is a rift between the siblings and it becomes known outside, it will be bad for both Ah Nan and Si Yang.” She spoke euphemistically, but Gu Huai Zhong had been in the army for a long time and he immediately understood the meaning behind Liang-shi’s words.

Although he was now honoured as the Ding Yuan Marquis, he was a newcomer in the imperial court and could not compare to those aristocratic families. He only had three children, Gu Yu Qi, Gu Si Yang, and Gu Si Yu, and Gu Si Yang was born from a concubine. No matter what happened to the Marquis’ residence in the future, the three siblings needed to help each other out. He rose through the ranks because of his in-laws and in the future, Gu Si Yang would also have to take this road to stabilise the status of the Marquis’ residence. The help from Gu Yu Qi and Gu Si Yu towards Gu Si Yang in the future should not be underestimated. In the capital, aristocratic families were deeply involved with each other. What would their interests be linked to if not their in-laws?

Now that he was in the imperial court, he had to think more about these things. Liu-shi’s family background was too low and Gu Si Yang may not be able to marry a daughter of an aristocratic family in the future. Yet, Gu Yu Qi was different. Not only was she the daughter of the Marquis’ residence, her mother was from an aristocratic family in Jiangnan. Her status was high enough. If she found a good marriage in the future and was willing to help Gu Si Yang, then Gu Si Yang would be much better off than he was now.

Gu Huai Zhong’s expression softened a lot and he swallowed all of the questions he originally had. He said comfortingly, “Madam spoke well. That child, Si Yang, was spoiled by his mother.” He spoke unintentionally, but it made Liang-shi’s heart burst into indescribable flames.

“His mother?” Liang-shi slammed the table and stood up, looking at Gu Huai Zhong coldly, “Could it be that in the Marquis’ mind, Liu-shi is the madam of the Marquis’ residence? Dare I ask the Marquis where I stand?”

Only then did Gu Huai Zhong realise he said what he should not have said in front of Liang-shi. Although in his heart, Liu-shi was Gu Si Yang’s real mother, according to law, Liang-shi was his legally married wife and the madam of the Marquis’ residence. Only she was qualified to be Gu Si Yang’s mother and Liu-shi as a concubine was just a servant.

He was embarrassed for a while and did not know what to say, and repeatedly comforted Liang-shi.

However, Liang-shi could not calm down anymore, it had been more than three months! She and Gu Yu Qi had arrived at the capital more than three months ago. She had suppressed the grievances in her heart, made herself sick, and her daughter had inexplicably fallen into the water. Her life here was a mess, but Liu-shi was safe and sound and she still lived with fine clothes and food. She had even given up her rights to be the head of the family. Today, Liu-shi had just suffered a little grievance in her place here, and the man in front of her had rushed over to help regain her face. If she still tolerated it now, the she and her daughter may as well return to Jiangnan as soon as possible!

“Marquis, when you married me back then, I respected and loved you. I waited for you in Jiangnan and ten years have passed. When my father died of illness and went back to Jiangnan for mourning, I let it go that you did not come back. Now I brought Ah Nan to the capital and found out that you have a beautiful concubine with you, and a son and daughter. You lied to me for ten years just to protect them. In your eyes, just what am I?” All of Liang-shi’s anger burst out and her face reddened in agitation. “If the Marquis really thinks that my daughter and I are in the Marquis’ way, then fine. Tomorrow, I will accompany the Marquis to the central judicial office and write a divorce agreement. From then on, no matter who the Marquis wants Gu Si Yang to call mother, I won’t say a word!”

According to the law of the great Qi Dynasty, even the first-ranked official of the imperial court could not cast off his wife and send her packing. They could only divorce, and both parties must go to the central judicial office to explain the reason for the divorce.

When Liang-shi’s face turned hostile suddenly, Gu Huai Zhong felt ashamed in an instant. Originally, he had let Liang-shi down. If Liang-shi went to the central judicial office because of Liu-shi, then he would really be labelled as someone who spoiled a concubine and destroyed his wife. The great Qi Dynasty paid attention to etiquette and filial piety. The old General Liang had treated and helped him well, a favour tantamount to giving him a new life. When his soul returned to his hometown, Gu Huai Zhong had no excuse for not attending the funeral. He was too much in the limelight now and he seemed to be the leader among the nouveau riche. The people in the imperial court were all smiles and laughter in front of him, but there were quite a few who were jealous behind his back. If Liang-shi really made these things known to the public, it was likely that they would use this as a weapon to attack him.

Gu Huai Zhong’s face reddened greatly, feeling ashamed in his heart and unable to attack. He could only be patient and appease Liang-shi. Liang-shi seemed to want to vent all of her grievances that she had kept in her heart for the past three months. Not only did she talk more and more fiercely, but she even rolled up her sleeves and started beating Gu Huai Zhong. Gu Huai Zhong could only curse and not retort back. He endured and did not fight back, and he had to keep comforting Liang-shi.

Gu Yu Qi felt that her mother, who looked delicate and sick, was really scary when she lost her temper! She secretly gave a thumbs up. As expected of someone born in Jiangnan!

Seeing her parents quarrelling with each other, Gu Yu Qi silently stood aside and tapped her fingers together. On the surface, she looked frightened, but in her heart she was already ecstatic. Liang-shi’s depression had been pent-up inside and it would not be good if she did not let it out. Gu Yu Qi had also been certain that even if Liang-shi rained curses down on Gu Huai Zhong, he still would not dare to do anything to them, so they would end up in a mess like this. Her purpose for doing this was to make Liang-shi face up to her status and stop being blindly tolerant.

As proud as she had been in her previous life, she had tolerated that ruthless and cold-hearted man in everything because she loved him too much. Yet what had happened in the end? A trace of loneliness flashed across Gu Yu Qi’s eyes.