A Bitter Complaint (1)

First, you're ugly.

Second, you're jealous of me, so you're making a spectacle of yourself.

Since the other woman wanted to humiliate her in public, she couldn't blame her for showing no mercy.

Whatever grievances her predecessor and Gu Wanqing had with each other, and whichever of them was right or wrong, that was between the two of them.

Who did this ugly thing think she was, jumping out to gossip and draw attention to herself?

Lu Baozhu flushed with anger and pointed at Gu Wanning. "Do you think everyone is as shameless as you, with nothing in your head but thoughts of your own brother-in-law? You..."

"I have thoughts about my brother-in-law?" Gu Wanning chuckled. "Looking at how worked up you are, anyone would think I had my eye on your man. So you were talking about my brother-in-law. I should thank you for being so concerned about him! Should I send someone to tell my sister later, so she can properly appreciate your concern?"

"You..." Lu Baozhu was too angry to speak.

"Young lady," Gu Wanning said, the corners of her lips curling upward, "you were lucky to be born into such a good family, so treasure it. Have your father and brothers find you a good match, so you can be a proper wife. Don't spend every day thinking about someone else's brother-in-law. That's not good. Let's go!"

"Yes."

"Who's thinking about the Prince of Qin?"

"Oh my, I have more than one brother-in-law, but you went and assumed I meant him."

Though Chief Grand Secretary Gu had only two daughters, he also had brothers, and the children of their households were ranked together by age. So Gu Wanning wasn't lying.

Lu Baozhu was so angry she couldn't speak. She reached out to shove Gu Wanning.

"Why are you so annoying!" Fourth Concubine shoved her directly, sending her stumbling. "As we said, a good dog doesn't block the road. We're busy! If you like brothers-in-law, go find yourself one."

Lu Baozhu's face turned purple. If the maids and older servants beside her hadn't held her back, she would have rushed over to fight Gu Wanning to the death.

"Those who humiliate others will surely be humiliated themselves. Stay away from me next time, especially since I repay the slightest offense," Gu Wanning said coldly. "If you're willing to be used as someone else's spear, you should be prepared to be broken."

"What happened here? Why is everyone gathered around?"

Gu Wanning looked toward the voice and saw a face that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

It was familiar because this was the elder brother she had lived under the same roof with for several years.

It was unfamiliar because Xu Weibei's punch had been no light blow. The bruising on half of Gu Anqi's face had yet to fade, making him look rather comical.

Back then, Gu Anqi had been the most sought-after young master in the capital.

Tall and exceptionally talented, with an austere, ascetic face and a rigidly proper manner, he had drawn countless women to fall at his feet.

If Gu Yuanshi hadn't arranged his marriage early on, the great and noble families would have fought tooth and nail to claim such a fine son-in-law.

Unfortunately, Gu Anqi was the person her predecessor hated most, second only to Gu Wanqing.

"Brother Gu." Lu Baozhu went over to him as though she had seen a family member and reached for his sleeve.

Gu Anqi avoided her without making a fuss and said gently, "You're here too. You should go back. I saw your second brother on my way here just now. He's looking for you."

"I'm not going, Brother. She bullied me." Lu Baozhu pointed at Gu Wanning and complained aggrievedly.

Gu Wanning scoffed. "Let's go."

She couldn't even be bothered to give Gu Anqi a glance.

"Wait." Gu Anqi stopped her, then said to Lu Baozhu, "There may have been a misunderstanding. Once I've gotten to the bottom of it later, I'll go explain it to your second brother. Go back first. I have something to say to... the Marchioness."

Lu Baozhu wanted to say more, but when she saw Gu Anqi's stern expression, she could only curtsy to him and step aside, aggrieved.

Gu Anqi pointed to a teahouse nearby and said to Gu Wanning, "It's been a long time since we've seen each other, little sister. Let's have a cup of tea together."

In the three years since Gu Wanning's marriage, she hadn't returned to her maiden home once.

After a moment's thought, Gu Wanning said, "You all look around here for a while. I'll be right back. Especially you, Yaya, you're not allowed to wander off. If we can't find you later, we'll leave you behind."

"Rest assured, Madam." Fourth Concubine solemnly promised that she wouldn't run off.

Gu Wanning took Er Ya with her and followed Gu Anqi to a private room in the teahouse, where they sat down.

"Why did you get into another conflict with her? Acting like that in the street isn't good for you."

There was that tone again.

On the surface, he was looking out for her, but in truth, he hadn't bothered to distinguish right from wrong.

"If a dog bites me, do I have to reflect on why I attracted the dog?" Gu Wanning set her teacup heavily on the table. "Then have you reflected on why the Marquis hit you, elder brother, and disrupted the imperial court?"

Gu Anqi looked at Gu Wanning with some surprise.

Their relationship as siblings had always been strained, but in the past, Gu Wanning had always argued unreasonably.

Today, she seemed to have developed a sharp tongue. It made him uncomfortable, yet he didn't know how to retort.

"I don't know what dispute you had with Baozhu, but our families have always been close, and she's close to Wanqing as well..."

"If Gu Wanqing's dog bites me, am I not even allowed to beat the dog?"

"Second Sister, how can you call your elder sister by her full name?" Disapproval filled Gu Anqi's face. "Baozhu may have been a little impulsive today, but Wanqing has always been very good to you."

Chapter 22: A Bitter Complaint (1)

Gu Wanning closed her eyes because she could feel her predecessor's surging rage.

"I know you resent being sent to the country estate, but Wanqing wasn't the one who made that decision."

"The family has been doing everything it can to make it up to you. Why must you take all your anger out on Wanqing?"

"Wanqing has given way to you in every possible way and let you have every good thing. What more do you want from her?"

"..."

Those words flooded into her memories like a tide, making Gu Wanning's head feel as though it would split open.

This was a scar her predecessor wouldn't let anyone touch.

Although Gu Anqi hadn't said those things yet, Gu Wanning was already starting to lose control of herself.

"She, Gu Wanqing, is innocent." Gu Wanning looked coldly at her own elder brother, at this upright gentleman whom countless people had praised. "I, Gu Wanning, am the one at fault. It's all my fault."

"I was the one who decided to leave my parents and family and be raised like a dog at the country estate."