A malicious plan

The Ji Family wore varying expressions at Gu Shang's treatment of Ji Mingzhu. Even after seeing them off, their faces remained livid, and they still could not recover from the shock.

Ji Yonglin was the first to break the suffocating silence. He asked Ji Zhian, "Xiao An, what was going on with you just now? Why didn't you say a word? Didn't you see that your dad could barely hold on? That Gu Shang thinks he can bully us just because his family is a little better off than ours. He went too far!"

"Ji Mingzhu really is useless. He can't even keep a man under control. You can tell at a glance he has no say at home and has to do whatever Gu Shang says. I have no idea how our Ji Family produced someone like him!"

Ji Yonglin was furious. A glance at the shattered porcelain on the floor stoked his anger, and he yanked the entire tablecloth off. The ceramic dishes covering the table crashed to the floor and shattered.

Ji Zhian's expression was hardly pleasant either, but he remained fairly composed. He comforted his father. "Dad, don't be angry. Ji Mingzhu won't have anything to gloat about for long. Didn't you hear him overestimate himself and say he wanted to attend the same classes as me?"

Ji Zhian scoffed. "With that empty head of his, what could he possibly learn about anything refined? After a couple of classes, once he gets a taste of being ostracized, he'll know to run home and cry. Then... Gu Shang will see what an idiot he is. If the man he married can't even make him look good, naturally he'll abandon him."

Ji Yonglin nodded repeatedly as he listened, but he was still thinking about the huge pink diamond on Ji Mingzhu's hand. Unable to let it go, he fumed, "What an ungrateful brat! We never should have had him! We let him marry into the Gu Family, yet he doesn't remember a single thing we've done for him. Look at him-does he even remember he has a younger brother who needs his support?"

Ji Zhian's face was cold. "He won't be gloating for long. He's only acting so arrogant now because he thinks marrying up has made him somebody, isn't he? All his confidence comes from Gu Shang. But... they probably haven't registered their marriage yet."

Ji Yonglin froze and thought back carefully. "Now that you mention it... I don't think they have. For some reason, the Gu Family suddenly rushed to hold the wedding. Judging by the timing, they probably haven't had a chance to register it yet and only held the banquet first. Wait, Xiao An, why are you asking about this?"

A wild gleam flashed in Ji Zhian's eyes. "Dad, I've figured it out. We never should have given Ji Mingzhu this opportunity in the first place. My brother won't help our family at all! Only I can do it. Only if I marry Gu Shang can the Gu Family become a source of support for the Ji Family."

Madam Ji, who had been quietly listening to the father and son, was startled. "Xiao An, what are you saying? Have you forgotten what kind of person Gu Shang is? How could I bear to let you marry him and suffer? Besides, Gu Shang is already married. What chance do you have now?"

Ji Zhian shook his head. "Mom, after meeting Gu Shang today, I don't think his personality is as bad as the rumors say. Besides, given his status and position, a bit of a temper is tolerable. What capable person doesn't have a strong personality?

"Gu Shang is the one who truly holds power in the Gu Family. Even if I get my wish and marry Gu Yan, Ji Mingzhu will always be above me. If I'm going to marry, I'll marry the best. It doesn't matter that Gu Shang is married. How could someone with his status and position possibly stay faithful to Ji Mingzhu?

"If Ji Mingzhu finds out... that his husband is cheating on him, and with the younger brother he's always looked down on at that... hahahaha, he'll be absolutely devastated."

Ji Yonglin had been humiliated today and was eager for revenge himself. Hearing his younger son's words gave him a measure of satisfaction.

Still, he was somewhat puzzled. His younger son had always been innocent and kind. How could he have come up with such an idea? It was all because Ji Mingzhu kept pushing them, driving them all into a corner.

Cao Wanhua was still a little worried. "But if word gets out, it'll hurt your reputation, Xiao An."

The wealthy circles placed immense importance on reputation. Once someone's reputation was ruined, no one would want to associate with them anymore. Only a family that had reached the Gu Family's standing could disregard such unwritten rules. Someone from a more ordinary background could get a taste of being ostracized in an instant if their reputation slipped even slightly.

Ji Zhian smiled. "It's fine, Mom. My brother's marriage does have its uses. Gu Shang is my brother-in-law now, so it's perfectly normal for me to get close to him. We're relatives, after all.

"Gu Shang simply hasn't met anyone good. Once he gets to know me, he'll naturally understand who would be better for his family's image. Anyway... if I can win him over, I'll take Ji Mingzhu's place. If I can't, that's fine too. As long as I cling tightly to Gu Shang, even a few resources slipping through the Gu Family's fingers will be enough for us to rise straight to the top. If I can't win him over, I can use his connections to meet Gu Yan. That wouldn't be bad either."

At this point, he suddenly lowered his voice and said conspiratorially, "I heard through the grapevine that Gu Yan seems very unhappy with Ji Mingzhu as his sister-in-law. If any of his friends makes a joke about Ji Mingzhu, he turns on them immediately. It seems... Ji Mingzhu is only putting on a glamorous front for us. In reality, his situation in the Gu Family probably really isn't very good."

Only then did Ji Yonglin feel his anger ease. After some thought, he took a card from his wallet and handed it to Ji Zhian. "Xiao An, that ungrateful son of mine will probably turn up in your classes very soon. Take this card and buy yourself a few decent outfits. Don't let him outshine you! Let Gu Shang see which one of you is the imitation and which is the real pearl!"

A malicious smile curved across the young man's delicate face. "Thank you, Dad."