Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 124

Gu Si Yang had never encountered such a situation before and immediately panicked for a moment. However, with Gu Yu Qi by his side, he regained a little confidence, gripping her hand tightly. His arm trembled slightly with nervousness.

The Xia family had followed the founding emperor in establishing the Qi dynasty, so they were originally of military background. Unfortunately, they focused on nepotism later on. The Empress had produced two generals, but they were not outstanding. By the time it reached Xia Shuang Cheng’s generation, it had become even worse. Xia Shuang Cheng’s mind was set in crooked ways, but he was smart enough to know his martial abilities were lacking, so he always brought a group of servants and thugs with him whenever he went out.

At his shout, Gu Yu Qi and her brother were instantly surrounded by over a dozen people.

The onlookers nearby sensed that trouble was brewing. The Xia family’s little tyrant seemed serious this time. On one side was the infamous little tyrant of the capital, and on the other, the heirs of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ household. These ordinary people could not afford to offend either of them. As soon as the crowd saw the situation, they quickly fled.

The street, previously packed with people, suddenly became wide open. Even the nearby shopkeepers hurriedly instructed their staff to watch over the goods, knowing they would need to claim compensation for any damages from either side.

Xia Shuang Cheng felt a surge of pride at this scene.

The servants he had brought were all tall and sturdy, and they had all practised martial arts. This was why he dared to act so arrogantly in the capital. The noble families who cherished their reputation would naturally not associate with him. Most of them would avoid him when they met him. Those similar to him had either been beaten into submission or joined forces with him. Xia Shuang Cheng had relied on his aunt being favoured in court and had grown increasingly bold. Aside from a few princes, there was no one in the capital he dared not offend.

“Think you can just leave after breaking my things?” Xia Shuang Cheng strutted over, a sneer on his face.

Gu Si Yang’s delicate appearance was exactly to his taste. Though still growing, the youth was already tall and slender, with a blend of tender beauty and a hint of androgyny. As for the girl standing protectively in front of him, her figure was graceful with a slender waist, and dressed in a fiery red outfit that flickered like flames under the sun. Though her face was obscured by a hat, Gu Si Yang had just called her Eldest Sister, so she should be the infamous Gu Yu Qi in the capital.

Xia Shuang Cheng had been out fooling around everyday and had not been home for days. He was unaware that Gu Yu Qi had already been betrothed to Prince An.

To him, she was just a girl with a tarnished reputation, daring to act so boldly in his presence. If he did not teach her a lesson today, she would not know why people feared him.

“It was just a piece of jade,” Gu Yu Qi said, giving Gu Si Yang’s hand a reassuring squeeze, signalling him not to worry. “I’m his older sister, so I’ll apologise on his behalf. The Ding Yuan Marquis’ household will send compensation to the Xia family’s residence in due time.”

She specifically mentioned the Ding Yuan Marquis’s residence. After all, it was Gu Si Yang who caused the trouble, so it would be Gu Huai Zhong’s responsibility to pay. What does the amount of compensation have to do with her? Whether it was a hundred thousand taels or a million, it was Gu Huai Zhong who would worry about it.

She intervened only to protect Gu Si Yang.

In her previous life, the fate of that illegitimate child had been tragic. After he brought Xia Shuang Cheng to justice, he hung himself at home. As a good man who had that kind of thing happen to him, he still shamelessly reported it to the throne. Even though the perpetrator had been punished, he could not overcome the shame.

In this era, whether male or female, the destruction of one’s reputation was a deeply painful ordeal.

“Oh, look at that, the tone of the Marquis’ eldest daughter is something else,” Xia Shuang Cheng was pleased that Gu Yu Qi had mentioned money. As he thought, how could a lowly marquis’ family compare to a noble like him? “But it’s not just about money anymore.”

“And what else is it about?” Gu Yu Qi asked coldly.

“This young master is in a foul mood now, your brother is too ungrateful. Until this young master feels better, neither of you are going anywhere,” Xia Shuang Cheng said, swaggering.

“Then what would it take for us to leave?” Gu Yu Qi asked patiently.

“Simple.” Xia Shuang Cheng let out a sinister laugh, “If your brother is willing to accompany this young master to drink, then this young master will naturally feel better.”

“Drinking, is it?” Gu Yu Qi said slowly. “Alright.”

“Eldest Sister!” Gu Si Yang was horrified when he heard this. That man was disgusting, he did not want to go. “I don’t want to,” he shook his head vehemently, clutching Gu Yu Qi’s sleeve. Even if he did not fully understand, he could tell Xia Shuang Cheng was looking at him unpleasantly. The look made his skin crawl.

“Now that’s the spirit!” Xia Shuang Cheng burst into laughter. “I like your straightforwardness. But Miss, do you dare remove your hat and let this prince see your beauty?”

“I’m quite ugly, unworthy of Young Master’s attention,” Gu Yu Qi replied. “Young Master mentioned drinking, right? Fine, my brother and I will accompany you. But where does the Young Master wish to drink?”

“Perfect, let us go to this young master’s private courtyard!” Xia Shuang Cheng had taken a particular fancy to Gu Si Yang today, so he was intent on getting closer to him. As for what Gu Yu Qi looked like, he had little interest.

“Alright, please lead the way, Young Master.” Gu Yu Qi gestured for him to go ahead.

“Eldest Sister!” Gu Si Yang was truly anxious. Even in the street, that person dared to be handsy with him, so who knew what might happen if they went to that person’s private residence.

“Come, come, come, this way.” Xia Shuang Cheng said with a smile. “All of you, quickly escort the Young Miss and the Young Master from the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence!”

The vicious servants of the Xia family approached, each with an ill-intentioned smile on their faces.

Their own young master was growing more and more powerful and the siblings from the Ding Yuan Marquis residence were nothing to be concerned about. Speaking of which, they were used to dealing with commoners and minor officials, but they had never encountered a family like the Marquis’.

As the servants’ hands reached for the edge of Gu Yu Qi’s clothing, Gu Si Yang suddenly found his courage. He roared loudly and stepped in front of Gu Yu Qi, “Let’s see who dares to touch my Eldest Sister!”

In truth, he was scared to death and his legs trembling, but the looks of those people were too repulsive. Moreover, it was his eldest sister, whom he had both respected and resented since childhood, who was protecting him. Gu Si Yang’s feelings for Gu Yu Qi had always been conflicted. He did not like that Gu Yu Qi’s arrival had turned him into an illegitimate son, reducing his status significantly. However, Gu Yu Qi had always been there for him from childhood to adulthood, teaching and guiding him. Even when he was in danger before, it was Gu Yu Qi and Liang Huai Yu who found him first. And now, Gu Yu Qi had stepped forward to protect him.

As for his eldest sister being expelled from the family, he had many questions but every time he asked, his father would yell at him. Yet, he admired his eldest sister from the bottom of his heart. He believed that if it were him that night, he would not have been able to leave as freely and easily as his eldest sister. She was not a cold-hearted person, there must be a misunderstanding.

Now, he really could not bear to see those despicable men lay their hands on his eldest sister.

Gu Si Yang’s actions surprised Gu Yu Qi.

She was pulled behind Gu Si Yang and looking at her brother’s not very broad back, her feelings were mixed. If not for today’s events, she would not have known Gu Si Yang would go to such lengths for her. She could see how terrified Gu Si Yang was. His clothing was trembling slightly, indicating that his legs were shaking too.

In this situation, he managed to suppress his fear and protect her behind him. All the effort Gu Yu Qi had put into Gu Si Yang over the years was not in vain.

Having his heart like this was enough.

Gu Huai Zhong was Gu Huai Zhong, and Gu Si Yang was Gu Si Yang. They were different people. Gu Si Yang knew nothing, and she could not transfer her disdain for Gu Huai Zhong onto Gu Si Yang.

In truth, Gu Yu Qi was not a saint. She had hesitated before standing up for Gu Si Yang. After all, he was Liu Yue’s son. If something really happened, it would have been amusing to watch. However, she ultimately could not hold back. No matter what, she had still watched Gu Si Yang grow up and she had taught him a lot. Regardless of whether he was successful or not in the future, she could not allow him to be ruined by such a scoundrel.

Now it seemed that her intervention was the right choice.

“Oh, oh, oh, is this the deep sibling affection between an older sister and younger brother?” Xia Shuang Cheng laughed heartily upon seeing this. He was a very cautious person and had kept his distance from Gu Yu Qi all this time.

After all, he had heard about Gu Yu Qi’s story. It was said that she was incredibly strong and had even beaten up his own father until he was bruised. The period when Gu Yu Qi was expelled from the Marquis’s residence had been somewhat demonised under Gu Huai Zhong’s deliberate publicising. Gu Yu Qi was portrayed as an unfilial and burly woman. Regardless of whether the rumours were true or not, she was someone who even the Ding Yuan Marquis could not retain. He knew his own weight and knew that she was clearly not someone he could handle. To avoid getting himself into a disadvantageous situation, he had instructed his servants to surround the siblings while he kept his distance.

Now it seemed like Gu Yu Qi was just a weak little girl!

Even Gu Si Yang, who was too weak to truss up a chicken, wanted to protect her. If she were really so capable at fighting, she would have already made a move.

Thinking of this, Xia Shuang Cheng grew bolder. He parted the two servants blocking his way and walked toward Gu Si Yang.

“Weren’t you just hiding behind your sister because you were scared? Why are you suddenly so brave?” Xia Shuang Cheng said, crossing his arms and stroking his chin as he walked back and forth in front of Gu Si Yang. “Pretending to be a hero? I like it. I like seeing your little face get so angry and anxious!”

His words made even Gu Yu Qi laugh. She had seen shameless people before, but never someone so utterly shameless.

Gu Yu Qi let out a chuckle, which startled Xia Shuang Cheng. Everyone said Gu Yu Qi was amazing, but was that true? To be able to smile in such a situation, was there something wrong with her mind?!

Could it be that the esteemed young lady of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ household was actually a fool?

Now, he was genuinely interested in Gu Yu Qi and was eager to see what she really looked like.

He took a few more steps closer to Gu Si Yang.

Gu Yu Qi had just been waiting for him to approach. Although this scoundrel was troublesome, he had some discerning ability, and he has always kept his distance from her once he saw her.

The reason Gu Yu Qi engaged in so much pointless chatter was to distract him, so she could then take him down with one strike.