Sisters (2)

These words carried a strong sense of self-deprecation, along with a subtle, almost imperceptible sadness.

Gu Wanning pretended not to notice and invited her to sit on the tatami mat, pointing to the thick cartoon cushions on the mat and saying, "Have you never seen these before?"

She decorated the room according to her own preferences.

Warm

A room for one, where you don't have to worry about anyone's opinion, you can be pink if you want, or act childish if you want.

"Never seen it before." Gu Wanqing reached out and touched it, then leaned back slightly, a look of inquiry in her eyes.

"Sit like that." Gu Wanning reclined rather than behaving gracefully, crossed her legs, grabbed a handful of popcorn, and stuffed it into her mouth. "Sister, try this popcorn. You've never had it before, have you?"

"I've eaten it. I had someone buy Baoji," Gu Wanqing said with a smile. "It was delicious. You're very capable."

Gu Wanning felt a little embarrassed by what she said.

It's like people are always paying attention to her, but she doesn't reciprocate with the same level of concern.

She was so careless and forgetful that she forgot to send a portion to Gu Wanqing to try.

Unlike Gu Wanning, Gu Wanqing didn't disregard her image and picked up a piece of popcorn to chew slowly.

Gu Wanning laughed, "Just you wait, next year when I grow pumpkins, I'll roast pumpkin seeds and eat them, and peanuts too, um, maybe even sunflower seeds..."

The local produce is so scarce that it doesn't even give her the joy of eating sunflower seeds.

But we women, we have to get what we want!

She'll have it sooner or later.

"I've never heard of any of these. Gu Wanning, you're so capable," Gu Wanqing said sincerely.

"I'm alright," Gu Wanning smiled. "Sister, how have you been lately? You don't look well. I've heard Mother mention a few things about what happened before..."

After a moment of silence, Gu Wanqing said, "After I lost my baby, I couldn't cheer up. I know I still have An-ge, and I already have a son, but I still feel terrible, and I keep having all sorts of wild thoughts..."

Perhaps it was because Gu Wanning was too sincere and friendly today that Gu Wanqing couldn't help but start talking.

She was questioning life and herself.

"I've been unclean for a month... probably because of the miscarriage... I know the Prince is a man and needs women, but seeing him go to the other concubines' rooms at this time, it feels like my heart is being torn apart. I'm not afraid to admit it, but I've actually felt resentment. Gu Wanning, I might be ill, very ill..."

She felt guilty and internally conflicted, yet she couldn't convince herself or save herself.

"You're not sick, you're finally normal," Gu Wanning said. "Sister, jealousy is human nature. No woman truly wants to share a man with someone else, you're not wrong."

Gu Wanqing stared at Gu Wanning in shock.

She was tormented by the "evil thoughts" in her heart, unable to sleep day and night, but when it came to Gu Wanning, it turned into a casual "You did nothing wrong"?

"Your parents raised you too well, making you constantly reflect on yourself, always considering what you did wrong. But just because you're noble doesn't mean others are. When you encounter a despicable person who treats you with despicable methods, and you still hold yourself to high standards, aren't you just asking to get beaten up?"

"Beat him up?"

"It's just bullying them mercilessly."

"But I can't be like them, I'm a princess, I..."

"I'm just asking you, are you even human? If you're human, you wouldn't wait for someone to slap you in the face without retaliating yourself," Gu Wanning said. "Since you've been so honest with me, I'll tell you the truth too. The Prince of Qin, like other men, has three wives and four concubines. He might have given you some respect, but nothing more. So, you, like other princesses, should pretend when you need to, and be two-faced when you need to be..."

Others are dealing with reality, while you're here dreaming of love and clinging to lofty ideals?

That's incredibly stupid.

"If the Prince treated you well and gave you the utmost respect, then the concubines wouldn't have taken advantage of you." Gu Wanning pointed out the cruel truth directly, "If concubines are difficult to manage and even dare to plot against you, it only proves that that man doesn't love you enough!"

Talk about love with the right person; with the wrong person, just talk about interests.

"His Prince..." Gu Wanqing instinctively wanted to refute, wanting to say that the Prince of Qin had treated her very well, but she couldn't say it.

They had wonderful times together, but now those beautiful memories are blurred.

Gu Wanqing could recall was her mother-in-law's dissatisfaction, the concubines' scheming, and the child she had lost...

It turns out, the warmth had already dissipated.

"This is the two hundred taels of silver you gave me before." Gu Wanning took out the prepared silver notes, placed them on the small table, and pushed them back to Gu Wanqing.

"Gu Wanning, you..."

"You need it more than I do," Gu Wanning said. "I don't lack money right now. Sister, thank you for your timely help. Although I didn't use it, you gave me confidence during my most difficult time."

Therefore, she responded frankly.

Gu Wanqing shed tears and shook her head, saying, "Keep the money, I don't need it..."

"I told my elder brother to tell you not to sell our father's and brothers' handwriting again..."

An embarrassed look appeared on Gu Wanqing's face. "I know, I didn't, I..."

"Sister, I don't mean to rub salt in your wounds, but I want to say that your situation is difficult. Your father and brothers have offended many people, and some of them might try to harm your family, including you; the Prince is just so-so, and there are so many concubines vying for his attention; you want to be a loving mother to your illegitimate children, but they might not appreciate it... But all that is fine. What I want to remind you of most is—"

"You say."

Chapter 143 Sisters (Part Two)

"What's the easiest way to ruin a woman?" Gu Wanning asked Gu Wanqing.

Gu Wanqing thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't understand what you mean."

"Ruin her reputation!" Gu Wanning said, "Sister, don't give others that opportunity."

"Gu Wanning, how could you have thought of this?" Gu Wanqing was shocked.

"Because there are quite a few people who want to harm you," Gu Wanning said. "For example, there was that 'past' between you and the Marquis that you yourself didn't even know about..."