The Bedchamber Maid

This is my younger brother's daughter, whom he specially sent to the Capital to find a good marriage.

If he can't even do this, how can he explain it to his younger brother?

His younger brother helped him fulfill his filial duties...

Gu Yuanshi wanted to get some support from Gu Wanqing.

He finally understood the saying that even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes.

"Father, this matter is really Xiaoxiao too much," Gu Wanqing sighed. "We really can't let her stay at home any longer. A daughter is like a tree that grows up and can't stay at home forever; if we keep her here, she'll only become an enemy. The marriage we agreed on was originally a very good thing, but now Xiaoxiao is so vehemently opposed. I'm afraid that the marriage will turn into an enmity, which is not good."

"We can't just leave her like this."

Gu Xiaoxiao is now a hot potato.

"That won't do. After all, they are family members of the Gu family, connected by blood," Gu Wanqing said. "I do have an idea, but I don't know if Father and Brother would agree."

"Quick, tell me!" Gu Yuanshi said as if he had grasped at a straw.

Gu Wanning also looked at her curiously.

She truly lives up to her reputation as a role model; she came up with a solution to such a tricky situation almost without even thinking about it.

Even comparing people makes you lose; compared to Gu Wanqing, she's just a piece of trash.

Chapter 197 The Concubine

"A forced marriage is never sweet," Gu Wanqing said with a faint smile. "Since Xiaoxiao is unwilling, then this marriage is off. As for the groom's side, let my elder brother explain and find a respectable reason to annul the engagement. Is that too difficult?"

Gu Anqi replied, "It's not difficult. I'll handle it."

The most difficult thing is how to settle Gu Xiaoxiao.

"That's good." Gu Wanqing nodded, her smile gentle.

"But eldest sister," Gu Xiaoxiao said, her eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly pitiful, "What am I going to do? I'm already engaged, and now I can't get married. How can I face anyone to live on?"

"Then go die!" Er Ya couldn't help but say.

Just as Gu Yuanshi was about to reprimand her, he saw Gu Wanning give Er Ya a thumbs up. "As expected, you know how to talk."

Then Gu Yuanshi shut up.

Although my niece is important, it's not worth getting into another conflict with my daughter over her sake.

The most important thing is to resolve this matter, and we still have to pin our hopes on our eldest daughter.

"I know," Gu Wanqing said, "It's really not easy being a woman. I haven't been feeling well lately, and I was thinking of finding another close female companion for the Prince... This is a bit of a hardship for you, but since you just broke off your engagement, it wouldn't look good if word got out. If I gave you a formal title right away, people would probably gossip behind your back. If you don't mind, come back with me. After you give birth to a son or daughter, I'll arrange for you to be promoted to a concubine. What do you say?"

Gu Wanning was dumbfounded.

Has the older sister awakened?

Are people with love-struck minds starting to actively arrange concubines for their men?

Then she seemed to understand why Gu Wanqing looked so thin and haggard.

My heart is dead.

"How can that be?" Everyone in the Gu family vehemently opposed it.

Gu Yuanshi said, "Xiaoxiao wants to marry properly and become a proper wife. No matter what the other party's family background is, she doesn't need to be subservient to anyone."

He didn't want the Gu family's daughters to become someone's concubine, especially not a maidservant.

Even for Prince's personal maid, it was still an insult.

Gu Anqi then said, "You should go back and discuss this matter with the Prince first."

Gu Anfang said irritably, "Wanqing, tell me, did the Prince bully you? I was wondering why you've gotten so thin... When he came to propose before, didn't he use sweet words to say that besides the women already in the manor, you would be the only one for him? It's only been a few years, and he's already adding a new one? Bah, shameless! Don't be afraid, I'll back you up."

Wei Shi added, "Gu Wanqing, if you've been wronged, you must tell us. If you don't tell your family, who else can you tell?"

Gu Wanqing's eyes were slightly red, but she still forced a smile. "No, the Prince and I are doing very well. It's just that he is, after all, Prince, and he has too few people serving him. People will laugh at him, and I will become a jealous woman in their eyes. That's not good."

"What's wrong with that?" Gu Anfang said. "The Marquis said he would drive away all other women for Gu Wanning's sake. Is the Prince not as good as the Marquis?"

Gu Wanqing retorted, "Third Brother, how old are you? You still speak so recklessly. The Marquis and the Prince are both excellent. Aren't we just talking about Xiaoxiao matter? Don't think about anything else, just think about whether Xiaoxiao can come with me, whether she herself is willing..."

"Big sister, I'm willing, I'm willing!" Gu Xiaoxiao knelt and crawled a few steps to hug Gu Wanqing's leg. "I knew it, big sister is the best to me. Big sister, don't worry, I won't compete with you for your favor. If I have a son in the future, I'll raise him in your name. If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west..."

"Isn't what you're saying about the duties of a maidservant?" Gu Wanning sneered. "Why don't you swear an oath that if you ever harm my elder sister or develop any ill intentions towards her, may you be struck by lightning?"

Gu Xiaoxiao glared at her resentfully, but quickly looked up at Gu Wanqing with a pitiful expression.

Gu Wanqing didn't look at her, but said to her parents, "Xiaoxiao is willing too. We sisters can look after each other if we're together. Father, please agree."

Gu Yuanshi refused.

But Gu Xiaoxiao for her.

Gu Xiaoxiao cried out, "Uncle, you promised my parents you would let me choose a suitable marriage. Was it all just empty talk? My older sister agreed, so why won't you? Are you only satisfied if I marry an old widower to help you win people over?"

These words are devastating.

Gu Yuanshi was extremely tired.

He has almost offended his entire family for this unreliable niece, and this is the evaluation he gets in return.

Never mind, let her be.

Stay, stay, and stay to become enemies.

"Xiaoxiao," Gu Yuanshi looked at her seriously, "I'm confirming with you one last time, are you sure you won't take back your move?"

"I'm sure, I'm sure!" Gu Xiaoxiao said impatiently, fearing that Gu Yuanshi would change his mind. "Uncle, please grant my request."