Chapter 42

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Gu Yan Fei’s two sentences were nothing short of explosive, and the crowd erupted into murmurs of shock and disbelief.

The Duke of Ying’s family had a storied history, with their ancestor earning the title of duke after following the founding emperor in his uprising and achieving countless military successes. Since the founding of the dynasty, the Duke of Ying’s household had remained in the Emperor’s favor, their prestige unwavering.

In contrast, the Marquis of Dingyuan Residence was now in decline, its glory long faded. The proposed marriage between the two families was already a case of the Gu family reaching beyond their station.

Moreover, the Duke’s heir, Fang Ming Feng, was renowned throughout the capital as a paragon among young men. From his noble lineage and outstanding talents to his handsome appearance and gentle demeanor, there was nothing about him that wasn’t admired. He was the dream match for countless noble young women in the capital.

And yet, here was Gu Yan Fei, an orphaned daughter of a declining marquisate, outright rejecting him!

The crowd’s expressions turned subtle, their thoughts complicated.

Gu Yan Fei, unfazed by the commotion, turned her gaze toward Empress Dowager Yuan seated on the grand armchair. Her demeanor was composed as she continued, “Your Majesty, Gu Yun Rong and the Duke of Ying’s heir, Fang Ming Feng, grew up together. They are childhood friends, bonded by shared affection and mutual understanding…”

Her voice was steady and calm, every word measured yet pointed, adding another layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere.

“That is not true,” Gu Yun Rong couldn’t stand by as Gu Yan Fei twisted the narrative. She spoke with righteous indignation, correcting her: “This engagement was arranged by our grandfather for you, Second Sister. It should naturally be returned to its rightful owner.”

“Yun Rong, to me, you are one of a kind…” Gu Yan Fei said, her tone sweet and her expression unchanging, the corners of her eyes and lips carrying the same calm, pleasant smile.

Gu Yun Rong’s eyes widened. In her ears, it was as if she could once again hear Fang Ming Feng’s infatuated, hoarse voice from the Moonlight Pavilion.

The atmosphere around them grew tense, and the other onlookers’ expressions turned even stranger. Who could have imagined that the heir of the Duke of Ying, once a coveted match, would now seem like an unwanted hot potato being passed around?

Gu Yan Fei had no intention of engaging in a pointless argument with Gu Yun Rong. She turned her gaze back to Empress Dowager Yuan and said with composed respect, “Your Majesty, there was quite a spectacle earlier today at the Moonlight Pavilion. I wonder if Your Majesty has heard about it?”

Gu Yan Fei’s eyes sparkled with mischief, her smile as casual and relaxed as if she were engaging in light-hearted small talk. Her simple remark caused a ripple through the crowd, their expressions shifting multiple times as whispers about the incident at the Moonlight Pavilion began to spread.

This dynasty’s founding emperor, the Taizu Emperor, was a legendary figure.

During the previous dynasty, heavy taxes and widespread exploitation had left the populace in dire straits. Taizu had been a humble constable for the imperial Six Gates Bureau. One fateful day, it was said that a black dragon descended upon his residence, its roar shaking the heavens.

Inspired by this omen, Taizu led a rebellion, gathering countless followers in less than three years to overthrow the once-glorious preceding dynasty. Fifty years ago, he established the Great Jing Empire on the northern banks of the Great River.

After ascending the throne, Taizu enacted progressive reforms. He encouraged large families, abolished oppressive traditions like widow chastity and chastity arches, and outlawed the custom of foot-binding for women. He even advocated for freedom of marriage.

However, despite these reforms, it had only been fifty years since the dynasty’s founding. The lingering influence of the former regime’s customs persisted. While society outwardly praised the ideal of a gentleman pursuing a worthy match, incidents like what had occurred at the Moonlight Pavilion still pushed the boundaries of propriety.

Especially since many had personally witnessed Gu Yun Rong’s disheveled state during the scene.

The whispers grew louder, and the weight of the gathered gazes shifted onto Gu Yun Rong.

A middle-aged eunuch with a smooth, beardless face stepped forward silently, leaning down to whisper into Empress Dowager Yuan’s ear. He succinctly recounted the events that had taken place at the Moonlight Pavilion.

Empress Dowager Yuan’s expression remained stoic, but her pupils involuntarily contracted slightly. She had already disapproved of Gu Yun Rong’s family background, and now she found herself disliking Gu Yun Rong as a person even more. What concerned her most, however, was the potential fallout if she were to forcibly oppose the match. Splitting them apart might damage the relationship between her and her son—a risk she couldn’t take lightly.

Yet, Gu Yan Fei’s words had offered her a glimmer of opportunity.

While she herself could not intervene directly, someone else could… and Fang Ming Feng was the most suitable candidate for the task at hand. If Gu Yun Rong were to marry Fang Ming Feng, her son could hardly pursue the wife of a court official.

Thump, thump, thump…

The sound of her fingertips tapping lightly against the armrest echoed softly as she mulled over the possibilities. A plan began to take shape in her mind.

As this thought settled in her mind, Empress Dowager Yuan’s heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t deny that she was tempted by the idea. When she looked at Gu Yan Fei again, however, her gaze turned colder, and her delicate, arched brows furrowed slightly.

She wasn’t foolish—she could see clearly that Gu Yan Fei had intentionally brought up this matter in her presence. It was both a challenge and a calculated manipulation. Gu Yan Fei evidently had no interest in Fang Ming Feng and was using her to escape the engagement.

Though the girl certainly had some nerve, Empress Dowager Yuan despised being maneuvered by others. It was one of her greatest pet peeves, and Gu Yan Fei had stepped directly on that nerve.

Their gazes locked, and for a moment, it was as if the world had fallen silent. Gu Yan Fei’s eyes were clear and unclouded, her smile calm and self-assured. The golden sunlight filtered gently through the green and yellow branches above, casting a patchwork of shadows and light over her figure. The glow illuminated her pale, delicate skin, almost as if it could be pressed to release water. Her composure radiated a quiet dignity, exuding an aura of elegance and strength, as though everything was under her control.

Gu Yan Fei knew perfectly well that regardless of whether Gu Yun Rong was considered the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan, her background alone disqualified her from ever becoming Kang Wang’s principal consort. Gu Yun Rong’s position was untenable—and the same held true for her.

In her previous life, after the events at the Moonlight Pavilion, Kang Wang had manipulated the narrative to claim that Gu Yun Rong had saved his life, a lie made possible because no outsiders had witnessed the truth. Empress Dowager Yuan, forced to quell rumors and protect the family’s reputation, had no choice but to issue an imperial decree granting their marriage.

But had the Empress Dowager truly been satisfied with Gu Yun Rong?

Unlikely.

And so, in this life, Gu Yan Fei deliberately delivered the “choice” directly into the Empress Dowager’s hands.

A heavy silence fell over the scene, the air thick with tension. For a moment, it seemed as though the entire world had stilled.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, Empress Dowager Yuan gracefully smoothed her sleeves, her composed voice breaking the quiet. “The third young lady of the Gu family is nearing her coming-of-age ceremony, correct? Since her engagement has already been set, it is only proper for the marriage to take place soon so that she may bring prosperity and heirs to her husband’s family.”

“Mother!”

It was as though a bolt of lightning had struck, splitting the sky. Kang Wang’s expression changed instantly, his mind reeling in chaos.

Gu Yun Rong stared at the Empress Dowager in utter disbelief, her eyes wide with shock. It took every ounce of her strength to stop herself from trembling.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.” Gu Yan Fei bowed elegantly to Empress Dowager Yuan, her demeanor poised and impeccable.

With the Empress Dowager’s decree now spoken, there was no room for debate. The engagement to Fang Ming Feng was officially Gu Yun Rong’s.

The matter was sealed.

As for whether Gu Yun Rong would ultimately marry Fang Ming Feng or Kang Wang, it no longer concerned Gu Yan Fei.

Gu Yun Rong was the daughter of heaven, protected by the heavenly laws of this small world. It was as if she were shielded by an impenetrable sword and armor. Gu Yan Fei had never intended to confront her head-on.

Empress Dowager Yuan, too, was no ordinary woman. To rise to the position of Empress Dowager, she was undoubtedly someone blessed with a phoenix destiny in this small world.

Instead of engaging in a futile battle of brute force, Gu Yan Fei had chosen to borrow strength to fight strength.

Empress Dowager Yuan, ignoring the dark and thunderous expression on her son’s face, turned her attention to Gu Yun Rong with an unruffled composure.

“Third Young Lady of the Gu family,” the Empress Dowager said in her calm and authoritative tone, “when you marry the Duke’s heir, I will personally prepare a wedding dowry for you.”

For a woman to receive a dowry gift from the Empress Dowager upon marriage was typically considered a great honor. Yet, in the current context, it felt more like a mockery.

Many present turned sympathetic gazes toward Gu Yun Rong, while a few noble young ladies couldn’t hide the glimmer of hope in their eyes. They had assumed the position of Kang Wang’s consort would inevitably go to Gu Yun Rong, but in the span of just a single tea’s time, the situation had taken an unexpected turn.

“The heavens are indifferent, treating all beings as straw dogs,” Gu Yun Rong said slowly, her words clear and deliberate as she straightened her back.

Her face was pale, drained of all color. A passing breeze tousled the strands of hair near her temples, making her appear even more frail and delicate, though there was an undeniable resilience in her demeanor.

Boom.

A sudden clap of thunder rolled through the previously clear skies, reverberating ominously across the scene.