Chapter 22

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Old Madam Gu gently stroked the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand and raised a hand to signal Li Mama.

Li Mama, smiling warmly, walked toward Gu Yan Fei, intending to lead her away to settle her down. But before she could move, Gu Yan Fei calmly uttered a few words:

“I don’t want this marriage.”

Her voice was neither loud nor soft, and her tone was very flat. Yet, to everyone else, it was like a bolt from the blue. Shocked gazes turned toward her.

“Nonsense!” Old Madam Gu erupted in anger, her voice stern and forceful. “Marriage is a serious matter, determined by your parents and arranged through a matchmaker. It’s not something a young girl like you has any say in.”

Old Madam Gu had never thought highly of Gu Yan Fei, feeling that this girl was inferior to Gu Yun Zhen in every way. Especially after the recent trip to Dan Yang City, her dislike for her had only deepened.

During those few days in Dan Yang City, she had only seen Gu Yan Fei twice—on the day of her arrival and the day of her departure. She had intentionally skipped the daily greetings during the days in between, deliberately giving her the cold shoulder.

Seeing that Gu Yan Fei had been relatively well-behaved these past days, without causing any trouble, Old Madam Gu had assumed she had finally learned her lesson. Who would have thought this girl was still so defiant, truly ungrateful!

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

“Grandmother, please calm down and take care of your health,” Gu Yun Zhen’s delicate voice drifted through the room like a soft breeze brushing against the tips of willow branches.

Gu Yun Zhen gently stroked Old Madam Gu’s back, helping to soothe her with each motion, one after another.

Once Old Madam Gu’s breathing had calmed, Gu Yun Zhen turned her gaze back to Gu Yan Fei, her eyes clear and gentle as she tactfully advised, “Second Sister has just returned home, so it’s natural to feel uneasy. But remember, filial piety is the first of all virtues. Grandmother is getting on in years and suffers from headaches. The doctor has warned that she must not get upset. We should all do our best to accommodate her in everything.”

Gu Yun Zhen’s words were filled with well-meaning advice for Gu Yan Fei.

In this marquis’ household, Old Madam Gu was like the heavens. Gu Yan Fei, as a junior, had her fate firmly in Old Madam Gu’s hands. Being too headstrong would not end well for her.

Besides, this marriage between the Gu and Fang families had originally been meant for Gu Yan Fei. Now it was simply a case of “returning things to their rightful owner,” with everyone back in their proper place.

As Gu Yan Fei mulled over Gu Yun Zhen’s words, distant memories flooded her mind.

In her past life, she had never learned to say “no.” Whatever the old madam said, she accepted without question.

She obeyed the family’s arrangements and agreed to this marriage. But what had that brought her in the end?

The Duke of Ying’s household accused her of being improper, claiming she had gone missing for a night in Dan Yang City. Using that as an excuse, they broke off the engagement and spread the news far and wide, leaving her life in the capital unbearably difficult.

At that time, Old Madam Gu, her own grandmother, didn’t defend her with a single word and even sent her to live in a nunnery for a year. Later, her elder brother died on the battlefield, only to be slandered by King Kang with the charges of “arrogance” and “reckless bravery.” In order to distance herself from her elder brother, Old Madam Gu not only refused to claim his body but also had him removed from the family registry.

Her father and brother had fought bravely on the battlefield, earning countless merits for the Great Jing Dynasty, yet in the end, they met a fate where not even their bones were left, and they were branded with disgrace. And after that… Each incident, each injustice, had been engraved deeply into her soul, becoming a haunting demon that had tormented her for two hundred years.

For a moment, Gu Yan Fei was lost in thought and didn’t speak. However, her silence appeared to Old Madam Gu as a sign of submission. It was only natural—after all, the arm can’t win against the leg.

A cold glint flashed in Old Madam Gu’s eyes as she ordered, “Li Mama, go and properly teach the Second Young Lady the rules and etiquette.”

“Yes, Old Madam,” Li Mama quickly curtsied and accepted the command.

Old Madam Gu smoothed her sleeve, her gaze as cold and sharp as the winter wind as it fell on Gu Yan Fei once more. She added, “In the coming days, prepare yourself well. When the Duke of Ying’s household comes to make the formal betrothal arrangements, don’t say anything inappropriate.”

Old Madam Gu paused, then added with a warning tone, “Don’t let it be like last time…” Every time she thought of how Gu Yan Fei had recklessly told Fang Ming Feng to call off the marriage, Old Madam Gu felt a throbbing pain in her temples.

Before she could finish her sentence, Gu Yan Fei suddenly stood up, her gaze cold, distant, and unreadable. “Old Madam, my parents are both deceased. The Gu family has neither raised me nor shown me any kindness. What right do you have to make decisions for me?” Gu Yan Fei asked calmly, her voice steady.

Old Madam Gu froze, like a goose with its neck caught, momentarily speechless. Her face visibly darkened, turning an angry shade of purple. The room fell into a suffocating silence; one could hear a pin drop.

Old Madam Gu, infuriated, slammed her palm heavily on the tea table, her face flushing with anger. “Someone, bring the family law!” Moments later, a strong, broad-shouldered servant woman respectfully brought in the family punishment tool—a thick, heavy bamboo ruler, an inch and a half wide.

“Beat her! Teach this unfilial child a proper lesson!”

Old Madam Gu coldly ordered, and the servant woman, her face expressionless, began advancing toward Gu Yan Fei, holding the heavy bamboo ruler. A small milk cat, sleeping sweetly, was startled awake by Old Madam Gu’s sharp voice. Its sleepy green eyes flickered between Old Madam Gu and the servant woman. Unhappy, it let out a loud:

“Meow!”

Even though the milk cat’s cry was meant to be a warning roar, it remained soft and adorable. Both Old Madam Gu and the servant woman felt a chill run down their spines, breaking into a cold sweat that soaked their clothes. The servant woman suddenly felt as if the bamboo ruler in her hands weighed as much as a mountain.

Old Madam Gu’s mouth opened and closed, her throat tight. The word “beat” was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. She raised a trembling hand, pointing at Gu Yan Fei, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.

At that moment, the curtain was suddenly swept aside, and a tall, upright figure strode in with swift, purposeful steps, his appearance dusted with the weariness of travel.

“Stop!”

The newcomer’s cold voice cut through the tension like a sharp blade. His gaze immediately landed on the bamboo ruler in the servant woman’s hand, and his commanding tone was as clear and piercing as a sword’s edge. He was a young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with sharp, handsome features. He wore a fitted blue brocade robe, and a black belt embroidered with flame patterns encircled his slender waist. His tall and refined figure, like a sturdy bamboo or a towering pine tree, exuded a striking presence.

Gu Yan Fei stood frozen, staring at the young man in the blue robe, her eyes slightly reddening as a wave of emotion swept over her. She couldn’t bring herself to look away. In this life, returning to the cage that was the Dingyuan Marquis Manor wasn’t just to confront her inner demons, but also to see—her elder brother.

The milk cat, still not fully rested, yawned while glancing at its owner. Seeing that the commotion no longer concerned it, the cat curled back up into a small ball of tricolored fur and drifted off to sleep again.

In the next moment, Old Madam Gu shuddered, finally snapping out of her daze, a chill running down her spine. That cat Gu Yan Fei had picked up—it was unnerving. Her fingers tightened around the string of prayer beads in her hand as she composed herself, though not quite naturally. She awkwardly asked, “Yuan, how come you’re back?”

The young man was none other than Gu Yuan, the eldest legitimate son of the main branch of the Gu family.

Old Madam Gu had never expected Gu Yuan to return to the manor so suddenly. Ever since he joined the Xishan military camp a year ago, he had spent most of his time there, only returning to the manor on his rare days off.

Half a year ago, when the truth about the real and fake daughters had been revealed, Old Madam Gu had instructed the family to keep it a secret from Gu Yuan, saying it was better to wait until his sister was safely back at the manor before telling him. They were afraid he’d be disappointed if he couldn’t find her. That secret had been kept until now.