Eldest Brother's Amends

Today, Gao Lan had said she was just as cold to Gu Anqi.

She did not even fit in with that family.

So she had been through so much.

Then—then he could no longer feel quite so justified in finding fault with her and trying to sweep her out the door in the name of suppressing the Gu family.

If she really left, where could she go?

She had said she wanted an estate and to register as a female head of household. That was far too naive.

Without anyone to rely on, she would be bullied to death.

Xu Weibei had thought Gu Wanning would cry, but she merely looked at him, her gaze distant, yet insisted on smiling as she offered him a cucumber.

The scene was utterly absurd.

"Just as well you're not eating it. It hasn't been washed." Gu Wanning smiled and took a bite herself.

The little cucumber was so fresh and tender. She had only offered it to be polite; she could hardly bear to let him eat it!

Xu Weibei turned and left without a word.

Whatever stirrings Gu Wanning had caused in him, whatever pity she had awakened, none of it changed the fact that she was Old Thief Gu's daughter.

So their separation was inevitable.

Only, once they had separated, he might take pity on her and have someone look after her a little.

He could also have Gao Lan arrange a marriage for her.

No, Gao Lan was unreliable. He could send someone else to do it...

Gu Wanning rarely held grudges, because she generally settled them on the spot.

If she did not settle one then and there, it meant she could not, and she would obediently take her beating.

There was no helping it. Making one's way in the world, one was bound to run into hard cases one could not afford to touch.

For instance, if she really went up against Xu Weibei, she would have to take whatever losses came her way.

Still, as things stood, he was all right.

He looked down on everyone a little, but he had the strength to back it up.

His words were fierce, but in practice, he did not resort to those methods of tormenting women.

In truth, all the women were meat on his chopping board.

If Xu Weibei really wanted to chop them up, none of them could escape.

Perhaps he preferred men, or perhaps he was absorbed in his career. He might even be keeping himself as pure as jade for his white moonlight.

But whatever the reason, he did not use despicable methods against women. For that, Gu Wanning respected him as a real man.

Gu Wanning had thought that, after unleashing a furious barrage on Gu Anqi, the matter had come to an end for the time being.

To her surprise, Gu Anqi came again the next day.

He asked to see Xu Weibei, but Xu Weibei showed him no courtesy and refused to see him at all.

"Madam, would you like to see him?" Er Ya asked Gu Wanning nervously.

What was she supposed to do when her male god and goddess disagreed?

It really was a dilemma.

Chapter 25: Eldest Brother's Amends

See him? Why not?

She was not the one with a guilty conscience.

"After I went back last night, I didn't sleep a wink. I thought it over again and again, Wanning, and everything you said was right. I was terribly wrong. Father doesn't concern himself much with family matters, but he feels deeply guilty toward you... As for Mother, she's softhearted and not good with words, and she... really does favor Wanqing..."

Gu Wanning was somewhat surprised. She had not expected Gu Anqi to admit it to her face.

Indeed, in the Gu family, the one who favored Gu Wanqing most was their own mother, Wei Shi.

"Much as I want to say there were reasons for it, that's no excuse for the way we neglected you. We were wrong, and that's all there is to it..." Gu Anqi said. "I've thought about it. Your life really is difficult now. On your wedding day, the Marquis showed you no regard at all and took four concubines. He also has a mistress outside and a child. It isn't fair to you..."

Gu Wanning: Wait, wait. What mistress?

What child?

If he was talking about a mistress, Jiang Qiubai was the first person who came to mind.

But a child... Jiang Qiubai did not have that capability.

"So you're right to want a separation too." Gu Anqi looked as though he had made an important decision. "It won't be easy, but this is probably the only thing I, your elder brother, can help you with now."

"How do you intend to help me?"

Gu Anqi's face reddened slightly. "I... I haven't thought of a way yet, but I'll find one."

Gu Wanning: "..."

Her speechless expression must have been too obvious, because Gu Anqi explained, "I'll speak to Father in the next few days. Father has some standing with the emperor. The emperor bestowed your marriage, so the one who tied the bell must untie it. We'll have Father mention it to the emperor first, then bring up the separation when Xu Weibei makes a mistake. Do you think that would be better?"

"He beat you up. Doesn't that count as a mistake?"

"It does. But things have changed since then, and Father said he wouldn't pursue it. That matter is in the past now."

After a pause, Gu Anqi added, "You might not believe me, and you might think I'm making excuses. But the truth is, Father deliberately submitted that memorial accusing Xu Weibei. He truly wants to dote on you and treat you well..."

Xu Weibei's achievements were so great that they threatened his sovereign, and no one understood the emperor better than Chief Grand Secretary Gu.

If Xu Weibei made no mistakes and waited for the emperor to find fault with him, his end would not be pleasant.

"Hasn't the Grand Princess been very good to you?" Gu Anqi asked again.

Gu Wanning could not deny that.

She nodded.

Though she said nothing, she had a vague understanding that the Grand Princess's affection for her was because of the Gu family.

Gu Wanning understood perfectly well that her predecessor had not been wrong to resent the Gu family, but she had also genuinely reaped the benefits the family brought her.

It was just that people did not fear having too little; they feared an uneven share.

"Because she cherishes her only grandson, and she's also worried that his achievements threaten the emperor and that he'll come to a miserable end. So... so she has to treat you well, hoping you'll be utterly devoted to Xu Weibei. Then, even if something happens to him in the future, you'll go home and beg Father for help."

"Beg Father for help?"

Because Gu Yuanshi was the Chief Grand Secretary and a favored minister of the emperor?

But why did it have to be him? Would no one else do?

He was not the emperor's only favorite.

And whether Gu Yuanshi would be willing to step forward when the time came was another matter.

After all, seeking profit and avoiding harm was human nature.

"Yes. Because Father has a Death-Exemption Gold Plaque bestowed by the emperor."

Gu Wanning was stunned.

There was even a divine artifact like that!