Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 123

Qiu Yue was skilled in many arts, one of which was exceptional painting.

Anyone or anything she had seen could be perfectly reproduced by her without a single mistake.

It just so happened that Liu Yue’s cousin was indeed at the shop that day, and he was even the one seeing patients.

Upon returning, Qiu Yue sketched his appearance, and Gu Yu Qi instructed Chun Xing and Xia He to guard the courtyard closely. She informed them that she would be stepping out briefly and to call her back immediately if anyone tried to force their way into the courtyard.

Still uneasy, she also summoned Zhao Wu and his men, making sure that no one except Yan Zhi was allowed near Liang Huai Yu while she was gone.

Once everything was arranged, Gu Yu Qi tucked the portrait away and slipped out of the Marquis’ residence by climbing over the back wall.

No wonder all her efforts to investigate the so-called cousin’s background had come up empty. He likely was not even from the Qi dynasty.

If everything the old physician said was true, then this “cousin” was likely from Rouran, and he might even be a witch doctor.

It was not that the people Run Ying found were unreliable, they had simply been looking in the wrong direction.

If Liu Yue indeed had connections with a Rouran witch doctor, then what was her true background?

Gu Huai Zhong, you’ve lived a life of indulgence, but who exactly have you been associating with?!

Gu Yu Qi quickened her pace towards Prince An’s residence.

As much as she disliked it, Yun Ke was now her best ally. Yun Ke’s secret guards could undoubtedly uncover the truth about the man in the portrait.

Of course, Gu Yu Qi could investigate on her own, but that would take too long. She was impatient to learn about Liu Yue’s origins and the true identity of this “cousin,” so seeking Yun Ke’s help was the most practical option.

She would just have to endure some back-and-forth with Yun Ke.

After all, they would be marrying soon, so what was there to fear? Gu Yu Qi had already resigned herself to her fate.

She would not have a good life in the future, but Yun Ke would not be living well either.

The gates of the Prince’s residence were tightly shut, and as Gu Yu Qi approached, the guards at the entrance stopped her.

“I wish to see your prince,” Gu Yu Qi said.

“Ha, Young Miss is funny. Do you think our prince is someone you can just demand to see?” The guards at the gate burst into laughter, shooing Gu Yu Qi away as if she were a fly.

“Could you at least inform him that someone from Kuizhou is requesting an audience?” Gu Yu Qi pleaded, “I truly have urgent business with the prince.”

“Go on, get out of here,” the guards laughed again, “There are plenty of girls trying to see our prince every day. It doesn’t matter if you’re from Kuizhou or Rouran, our prince won’t see you.”

One of the guards gave Gu Yu Qi a push, causing her to stumble back several steps.

With a deep sigh, Gu Yu Qi could not help but laugh. With her hat obscuring her face, the guards could not see her face.

Forget it, in just a few days, she’d be stuck coming to this damn place anyway. After waiting all these years, what was a little more time?

Gu Yu Qi composed herself, pushing aside her chaotic thoughts, and turned away from the Prince’s residence. Slowly, she made her way back toward the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence.

As she turned the corner onto Zhuque Street, she noticed a crowd gathered ahead, seemingly involved in a heated argument.

Normally, Gu Yu Qi was not one to meddle in other people’s business, so she continued walking past the crowd. However, she could not help but overhear someone mention the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence, which made her stop and listen more closely.

“Are you trying to weasel out of this?” a man’s voice rang out, “You think just because you’re from the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence, you’re something special? You hit someone and don’t even apologise? Don’t think you can throw your Marquis’s title around to pressure me. It’s just a worthless Marquis’ residence!”

A worthless Marquis’s residence. it was not entirely untrue.

Gu Yu Qi stopped, listening with growing interest. There were not many people from the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence who could cause trouble outside, so it was likely her younger brother, Gu Si Yang.

“You’re being unreasonable.” Sure enough, Gu Si Yang’s voice followed, sounding a bit flustered, “I was standing here, and you turned around and bumped into me. Why should I apologise?”

“Hah, do you even know the value of this jade?” The stranger’s voice rang out again, each word more arrogant than the last. “This is an invaluable treasure brought back from beyond the frontier! It’s priceless! You don’t have to apologise, but you must compensate me with another piece of jade! Otherwise, we’ll see the magistrate, and I’ll make sure everyone knows how the Ding Yuan Marquis’ family handles breaking someone’s possessions!”

“You’re talking nonsense,” Gu Si Yang said angrily, “I saw you take that jade from this very shop. It’s not some exotic treasure. I saw it all. Just name your price, and I’ll pay it.”

“Hah, you think you can afford it?” the man sneered. “I bought this piece of jade for a full 100,000 taels of silver. If you can afford it, go ahead and pay.”

His words clearly frightened Gu Si Yang. From outside the crowd, Gu Yu Qi could not hear him say anything for a long while.

The stranger’s voice grew more triumphant and lecherous, “A mere son of a concubine dares to act tough in front of this young master? You look pretty decent. If you can’t pay up, maybe you could keep me company instead. Hahaha.”

His laughter was greasy and vile, making his voice even more repulsive.

Gu Yu Qi frowned deeply. Initially, she had no intention of intervening in Gu Si Yang’s troubles.

However, this man’s words were becoming increasingly outrageous.

She pushed her way through the crowd and finally saw the man, a young dandy with slicked-back oily hair and powdered face, holding her brother’s hand. Gu Si Yang was flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, his face as red as a sheet of scarlet cloth. Clearly, he had not expected to be publicly humiliated like this, especially as a man.

He wanted to fight back, but he had no power in his wrists and could not even bind a chicken. He barely managed to throw a punch before the man grabbed his hand and even had the audacity to caress his cheek.

“Let him go,” Gu Yu Qi said coldly.

“Oh my, what day is it today? A beauty coming to the rescue of a hero?” The man turned to look at Gu Yu Qi, his voice dripping with sleaze.

As soon as Gu Yu Qi saw his face, she shook her head inwardly. Gu Si Yang, this idiot, was really unlucky.

The young man, likely in his early twenties, had decent features, but his pale face, dark circles under his eyes, and greasy appearance made him look utterly sleazy and vulgar. Gu Yu Qi recognized him immediately.

He was Xia Shuang Cheng, the Virtuous Consort’s nephew.

The Xia family was a prominent lineage in the capital, having produced two empresses in the past. The Virtuous Consort’s younger sister married into the Xia family, and gave birth to Xia Shuang Cheng. This young man was notorious as one of the capital’s worst bullies, indulging in all sorts of immoral activities, and he was not picky about whether his victims were male or female.

The capital was rife with stories about his despicable behaviour, but there was little anyone could do. With his powerful family backing him and the Virtuous Consort currently enjoying the emperor’s favour, Xia Shuang Cheng practically had free rein in the city.

He did not just force himself on virtuous women, even good-looking men were not safe from his advances. Usually, he would silence his victims with money afterward.

Recently, his brazenness had grown even more alarming. He had begun targeting the illegitimate sons of minor officials. Those who suffered at his hands could only swallow their anger, unable to challenge someone of his status. Some even sought to curry favour with him by delivering beautiful young boys to his residence.

Gu Si Yang, with his delicate and youthful appearance, was a prime target. He was born with a good appearance and his anxiety had turned his face a flushed red, and his large, tear-filled eyes only made him more alluring.

Originally, Xia Shuang Cheng had only intended to tease Gu Si Yang, but upon seeing how charming he looked, he began to entertain more sinister thoughts.

What was the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence worth? He had no real power in court, he was just an old guy who had climbed up from humble origins. Gu Si Yang, as an illegitimate son, so playing with him would not lead to any serious repercussions!

He tugged at Gu Si Yang’s clothes harder and harder, and with a ripping sound, a part of his sleeve was torn off, revealing Gu Si Yang’s snow-white arm. This sight only fueled Xia Shuang Cheng’s desire.

Gu Si Yang had been pampered all his life and had refused to practise martial arts. Instead, he dedicated himself to scholarly pursuits, leaving his skin soft and delicate, even more so than that of a young girl.

Xia Shuang Cheng took the opportunity to caress Gu Si Yang’s arm. Gu Siyang, humiliated and desperate, wished he could just bash his head against the nearest wall to end his shame. His large eyes brimmed with tears, making him look even more pitiful and appealing.

“Si Yang, let’s go,” Gu Yu Qi said firmly, realising that if she had not shown up, Gu Si Yang would likely have met a terrible fate today.

In her previous life, Xia Shuang Cheng had met his end at Yun Ke’s hands. His debauchery had escalated to the point where he had abducted an illegitimate son of a noble family. The young man managed to escape and, risking everything, brought the matter before the Emperor. He did not care about his reputation and was just determined to see Xia Shuang Cheng punished.

The case was assigned to Yun Ke, who, showing remarkable integrity, withstood immense pressure from all sides. He thoroughly investigated Xia Shuang Cheng’s crimes and sentenced him to immediate execution, which was met with widespread public approval.

Gu Yu Qi could only sigh inwardly. Gu Si Yang had clearly not checked the forecast before going out today, otherwise how else could he have ended up offending this little tyrant?

Gu Si Yang, seething with rage and frustration, was only thinking about fighting that person. He was ready to bite the man when a voice, gentle yet firm, reached his ears. The voice was like a clear spring, instantly calming his fear and anxiety.

A warm, soft hand grasped his arm and forcefully pulled him away from Xia Shuang Cheng’s clutches, steadying him.

“Eldest Sister?” Gu Si Yang, his vision blurred by tears, looked at the woman who had suddenly appeared beside him. She was dressed in red, with a matching veil that obscured her face, but Gu Si Yang recognised her voice.

“Eldest Sister, is that you?” Gu Si Yang asked urgently.

“It’s me!” Gu Yu Qi replied, her tone exasperated, “Let’s go home.” She tugged at Gu Si Yang, leading him away.

“Wait!” Xia Shuang Cheng exclaimed, furious that his prize was being snatched away by this sudden Cheng Yao Jin*-like intruder. And it was a woman, no less! He was immediately unhappy.

“Stop them for this young master!” Who did this so-called eldest sister think she was? He had set his sights on Gu Si Yang, and not even the emperor himself could take him away!

At his command, the thuggish servants Xia Shuang Cheng had brought with him quickly surrounded Gu Yu Qi, blocking her path.

*Cheng Yao Jin was a notable military general in the Tang dynasty.