Get Lost
If possible, Gu Wanning wouldn't even want Gu Anqi to accompany her.
This was when she was saying goodbye to the Marquis's Residence; she didn't actually want any outsiders present.
When Gu Wanning returned to the Marquis's Residence's residence, no one stopped her.
But as soon as she reached the hanging flower gate, all four concubines ran out, their eyes red.
Clearly, they had already received the news.
Fourth Concubine, being outspoken, asked, "Madam, are you really going to divorce the Marquis?"
"Mm." Gu Wanning nodded.
"Madam, why are you abandoning us? You should have at least told us beforehand! I don't care about others, but my elder sister and I are definitely going to follow you."
Gu Wanning was both amused and exasperated.
Others get divorced and divide property and children, but in her case, she gets to divide the concubine's assets?
Is she fighting with her husband for "custody" of the concubine, or is it more accurately described as "possession"?
If this gets out, people in the Capital will probably have something to talk about over tea.
The First Concubine cried the most; her eyes were swollen. She looked at Gu Wanning with a pitiful expression, unable to speak.
"Alright, I'll go back and pack my things. We can talk slowly later. By the way, has the Marquis returned?"
"You're back, you're in the main courtyard!"
"Then..." Gu Wanning looked at Gu Anqi, "Big brother, you should wait for me here. If anything happens, I'll have Er Ya come out and call you."
It's not easy for outsiders to enter the inner courtyard of the Marquis's Residence.
She didn't think Xu Weibei would do anything to hurt her.
"Alright." Gu Anqi watched his sister being escorted inside by four concubines, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
My younger sister is actually doing alright in this marriage.
If I remarry in the future, I'm afraid I won't be able to find such a harmonious relationship between wife and concubine again.
If that doesn't work, she can only marry down, find a man who is easy to control, and "bully" him by not allowing him to take concubines.
In other areas, such as career advancement, he would promote the other party as a form of courting and compensation...
Gu Wanning walked into the courtyard, went around the screen wall, and saw a courtyard full of ice flowers. She froze on the spot.
Chapter 135 Get Out
"What is this?" Gu Wanning asked, biting her lip.
"This is the birthday gift the Marquis prepared for you," the Second Concubine said. "Madam, the Marquis has truly gone to great lengths for you. Don't you really need to reconsider? The Marquis can't bear to part with you, and neither can I..."
The Third Concubine said softly, "Even if it's hard to part with her, it shouldn't stop the madam from living a better life."
The Second Concubine fell silent.
My First Concubine kept crying.
She was reluctant to part with Gu Wanning, and even more worried about her future mistress.
No one is more tolerant of them than Gu Wanning.
Gu Wanning treated them as people.
"What's so interesting?" Fourth Concubine said. "It looks extremely cold, making me shiver. Does the Marquis think the weather isn't cold enough already?"
To come up with such an idea, one's mind might be a little messed up.
Xu Weibei and his Fourth Concubine were thorns in each other's side, and could never stand each other.
Gu Wanning's gaze swept across every corner of the courtyard, not wanting to miss anything. Even though her eyes were already misty and her vision was blurred, she kept trying to see.
This is the best gift she has ever received.
The Snow Princess is probably every modern girl's dream.
Today, she was briefly a princess, standing amidst the surprise the prince had prepared for her.
Freeze the frame, take a picture, leave...
Leave behind wonderful memories.
"The Marquis is inside," the First Concubine finally found her voice, "In the west wing."
"Come back to your room with me first. I'll say a few words to you, then I'll pack my things before I go see the Marquis," Gu Wanning said.
"Yes."
"Jinxiu, you're too weak-willed, you overthink things, and you always make things difficult for yourself. After I left, you were my biggest worry. If you have any problems or can't make up your mind, just write to me. The Marquis isn't petty; he won't prevent you from contacting me..."
The First Concubine wept uncontrollably and nodded repeatedly.
Yes, the lady was her pillar of support.
No one was more heartbroken than her upon hearing the devastating news of their divorce today.
The Marquis only lost his wife, but she lost her pillar of support!
"Rongrong, you're the smartest, I don't need to worry about you. But you still have to think about yourself. Your younger brother has grown up and can stand on his own. In this life, you can live for love and responsibility, but you also have to live for yourself."
The Second Concubine said tearfully, "Madam, I understand. If you ever need anything in the future, just go to the pawnshop and ask my brother..."
"Hua Ying, I'll need your help again in the future. I admire you the most; you have a skill that allows you to support yourself at any time without depending on others. If you like someone in the future, you can be together; if you don't, you can gracefully walk away. You'll live a very, very good life..."
"Thank you, Madam." The Third Concubine was the only one smiling. "Congratulations on your newfound life, Madam. Things will surely get better and better from now on."
What good is it if the Marquis is good?
The Marquis was first the grandson of the Grand Princess, then the Marquis of Yingchuan of the Emperor, the commander of the generals... and only lastly, the wife's man.
After weighing the pros and cons, the Marquis found himself in a situation far beyond his control.
For the lady, this marriage brought more constraints than freedom, more sacrifices than rewards; she preferred to remain beautiful on her own.
"Madam, you don't need to tell me anything," Fourth Concubine said eagerly. "I just want to go with you. Go and tell the Marquis to take me and Eldest Sister with you. Anyway, the Marquis's Residence won't miss the two of us..."
"Are you all going to Northwest with me?" Gu Wanning laughed and scolded. "I can barely support myself, how can I support you?"
Although she got along well with the four people, she couldn't bring herself to create unnecessary complications at this crucial moment in order to take them away, thus adding further uncertainty to the divorce.
"Selling these will be enough to support us."
The Fourth Concubine was referring to the dozen or so brocade boxes that had been opened on the kang (heated brick bed).
The jewelry, made of various gold, silver, and jade stones, was dazzling and was clearly a birthday gift prepared by Xu Weibei for Gu Wanning.