Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 130

However, Gu Si Yang quickly shook his head, “With Father and Eldest Sister at home, I still want to study a bit more. Eldest Sister is worrying too much.”

“Alright. Whatever you want to do, Eldest Sister won’t stop you. The kind of life you wish to lead in the future is also your choice, and Eldest sister will respect that,” Gu Yu Qi said, nodding with a hint of regret. Gu Si Yang was still too sheltered by the Marquis’ household and did not yet understand the saying that those who did not plan for the future will be caught off guard by immediate concerns. “The path has already been laid for you. If you enjoy studying, you might as well visit Lushan Academy as well. Scholars of great wisdom aren’t only found in the Imperial College. Many talented individuals come from humble backgrounds. If they’re worth getting along with, don’t worry about the differences between noble families and commoners. Accept them with an open heart and perhaps you’ll find unexpected rewards.”

“Yes,” Gu Si Yang responded, taking her advice to heart. Although he had no immediate plans to enter the imperial court, his eldest sister’s words made sense. He was not an unreasonable person and could distinguish right from wrong. Since his eldest sister had suggested visiting Lushan Academy, he would go and take a look.

Gu Si Yang, in his current state, could not be called bad. At the very least, he still had an innocent heart and had not been tainted by the chaotic world around him.

She had already pointed Gu Si Yang in the right direction and helped him take the first step. From here on, Gu Si Yang’s future development would depend entirely on himself.

After Gu Yu Qi chatted with Gu Si Yang for a while longer, Gu Si Yang finally rose and took his leave.

Gu Yu Qi escorted Gu Si Yang out of Danxia Courtyard, standing by the gate as she watched his slender figure gradually disappear into the fading light of the setting sun. She could not help but sigh. If it were possible, she truly hoped that Gu Si Yang would not come to hate her in the future.

A trace of helplessness flickered in Gu Yu Qi’s eyes. Ever since her rebirth, all she had wanted was a peaceful life, but she knew it was necessary to stay guarded against others. Though she had no intention of causing trouble, one issue after another had been forced upon her, leaving her no choice but to fight back.

Once such matters began, they were hard to stop. Gu Yu Qi knew all too well that once she started resisting, the consequences would be either the fall of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ household or her own demise.

The news of Gu Yu Qi publicly beating the An Le Marquis’ heir had already reached the ears of the Virtuous Consort.

The An Le Marquis’ wife was now in the palace, crying tears and snot as she complained to her sister about her son’s horrible state.

The Virtuous Consort held her elder sister’s hand, constantly comforting her.

“Your Ladyship, it’s one thing for that wretched girl to beat my son, but the whole capital knows that Cheng’er is your nephew, and His Majesty is his uncle. For her to beat Cheng’er in public is to slap the imperial family in the face!” the An Le Marquis’ wife cried.

The Virtuous Consort offered words of comfort, but deep inside, she was feeling very upset.

Had Xia Qingcheng not caused enough trouble outside already? If it were not for her elder sister’s indulgence and pampering, how could that child have ended up like this? If that child had shown even a bit of potential and been able to assist Yun Yi, she would not have had to raise Yun Ke. Now it was as though she had hoisted a rock only to drop it on her own foot.

Yun Ke was like a wolf cub. He had been utterly docile before, but now, after gaining just a bit of recognition, he no longer showed any regard for her and her son.

And then there was Yun Yi. She had been patient for so many years. Just as things were finally beginning to improve, he lost his temper over Gu Yu Qi and went to Prince An’s residence to lash Yun Ke with a whip. Yun Ke, to his credit, did not complain, but there were still people whispering in the Emperor’s ear.

When His Majesty came to visit a few days ago, he clearly expressed his displeasure which had frightened the Virtuous Consort so much that she broke out in cold sweat. It had taken all her charm and sweet words to finally bring a bit of warmth back to her husband’s face.

She was really old. Even though her appearance was still as youthful as in when she was a young girl, the palace was never short of new young beauties. There was no guarantee that His Majesty would not take a fancy to some foxy little newcomer and have his heart whisked away. She might be able to win his Majesty over once, but she certainly could not coax His Majesty for a lifetime.

She had already spoken to Yun Yi and he had promised to stop causing trouble. In the past few days, he had been diligently serving His Majesty, and the Emperor had finally stopped mentioning the matter.

As for that wolf cub Yun Ke, there was no way she would let him off.

Now there was also Gu Yu Qi to deal with! That vixen seemed destined to clash with her! If her own life was difficult, she would not let that little vixen live comfortably either.

Though the Virtuous Consort had long lost patience with her nephew, her elder sister had a point. For Gu Yu Qi to so brazenly discipline her nephew in public was a blatant sign of disrespect. And Yun Ke, that troublemaker, had also interfered.

Did she think she could smoothly enter Prince An’s palace and become his secondary concubine? She must be dreaming!

“Eldest Sister, I do have a plan that could let you vent your anger.”

“What is it?” The An Le Marquis’ wife perked up, hurriedly wiping her tears with a silk handkerchief. She fixed her eyes on her imperial consort younger sister.

“Why not propose a marriage alliance between the An Le Marquis’ household and the Ding Yuan Marquis’ household?” the Virtuous Consort suggested with a smile.

“What?” When the An Le Marquis’ wife heard this, she immediately stood up in disbelief. Her face twisted with anger as she spat, “I want nothing more than to tear that old fool from Ding Yuan Marquis’ household apart! And you’re suggesting a marriage alliance? What are you saying, Your Ladyship?”

“Eldest Sister, look at you, getting all worked up again. You’re just the same as when we were children,” the Virtuous Consort said softly, gesturing for the An Le Marquis’ wife to sit down. “How could I, as your younger sister, ever set you up?”

Hearing this, the An Le Marquis’ wife suddenly realised her loss of composure. Embarrassed, she picked up a silk handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes, “I was just anxious, that is all. I humbly await your guidance, Your Ladyship.”

“The only son of the Ding Yuan Marquis is an illegitimate child,” the Virtuous Consort began slowly, “Our An Le Marquis household has many illegitimate daughters. Just pick one who is capable, and I will act as a matchmaker to marry her into the Ding Yuan Marquis household. If they have no other male heirs in the future, the marquisate will likely fall into that child’s hands. You would only be giving away an illegitimate daughter, but perhaps she would become a Marquis’ wife, would that not be a good thing? Moreover, there’s already a rift between the An Le Marquis’ household and the Ding Yuan Marquis’ household. Though Gu Huai Zhong comes from a humble background, he’s skilled in warfare and His Majesty favours him. If we marry a daughter into their family first, it would also curry favour with His Majesty.”

The An Le Marquis’ wife still felt somewhat dissatisfied. What kind of advice was this from her sister, the imperial consort? It did not even vent her frustration at all.

Her son had been beaten to the ground, and now she was expected to offer up a daughter? An illegitimate daughter was still her daughter, after all! No matter how she looked at it, the An Le Marquis household seemed to be on the losing end.

Seeing that the An Le Marquis’ wife was caught up in her grievances, the Virtuous Consort did not rush her.

His Majesty disliked seeing irreconcilable conflicts between his ministers. If the An Le Marquis household made the first move to reconcile, it would make it easier for her to speak favourably on their behalf before His Majesty.

After all, her title was the “Virtuous” Consort. If His Majesty learned that she had mediated between the An Le Marquis’ household and the Ding Yuan Marquis’ household, solving their rift while also facilitating a marriage between their children, he would surely commend her for her virtue. If she was praised, Yun Yi would also benefit. She could subtly criticise Yun Ke before His Majesty, pointing out that instead of smoothing things over, he had shown favouritism toward Gu Yu Qi. His Majesty would surely feel displeased with Yun Ke.

Of course, this was only the first step.

Among the illegitimate daughters of the An Le Marquis household, there were several who were difficult to manage. It would be best to choose one of them to marry into the Ding Yuan Marquis household, so that she could tightly control Gu Si Yang. Whether or not Gu Si Yang eventually inherited the Ding Yuan Marquis title did not matter. If he did, then the future Ding Yuan Marquis would be at Yun Yi’s disposal.

Did Yun Ke think that marrying a legitimate daughter would be enough to sway the Ding Yuan Marquis household to stand behind him? He should have considered whether sons or daughters are more valuable. A married daughter was like water spilled on the ground, especially when Gu Huai Zhong has always been displeased with Gu Yu Qi. How could the Virtuous Consort not know that?

Yun Ke was destined to lose to her son!

That little wolf cub thinks his bones are tough now? Bah! He was still far from it!

And as for Gu Yu Qi, did she really think becoming a secondary concubine to Prince An was something to boast about?

Let her not forget, there was still the main wife’s position hanging above her!

The Virtuous Consort sneered, “Sister, we need to keep our eyes on the long-term goal.”

“This…” The An Le Marquis’ wife still felt she was getting the short end of the stick. Originally, she had come to the palace hoping her sister could think of a way to teach that arrogant girl from the Ding Yuan Marquis household a lesson. How did it come to this, where she would end up giving away an illegitimate daughter instead?

“Sister, do not forget the position of Prince An’s main consort is still vacant,” the Virtuous Consort reminded her.

“Your Ladyship means…” The An Le Marquis’ wife finally started to understand.

“Isn’t our Ying’er still unmarried?” the Virtuous Consort said, “Let Brother-in-law bring up the matter with His Majesty. I will put in a word as well after. If Ying’er were to marry Ke’er as his main consort, would she not have control over that little vixen Gu Yu Qi? By then, the Gu family’s daughter and son would be in the palm of your hand. If you say they should rise, they will rise. If you say they should fall, they will never stand tall again. Sister, is that not the way it should be?”

The An Le Marquis’ wife was overjoyed, “Sister, can this really work?”

Leaving everything else aside, it would certainly be advantageous if the An Le Marquis household could produce a proper princess.

The An Le Marquis household had already produced two Empresses. If… No, this could not be messed up. The An Le Marquis’ wife quickly reined in such thoughts. Her own sister’s son was important, but so was her potential son-in-law… How complicated.

Even though nothing had been settled yet, the An Le Marquis’ wife was already torn over which side the An Le Marquis household should support in the future.

“It’s quite likely,” the Virtuous Consort said with a smile.

Yun Ke, that little brat, did he think he could defy the heavens?

She certainly was not worried that the An Le Marquis’ household would side with Yun Ke instead of Yun Yi in the future. After all, she had evidence of many of Xia Shuang Cheng’s matters that she had secretly helped handle over the years. Her eldest sister was a little stupid and her most cherished treasure was that son of hers.

As she had said before, choose the son or the daughter? The Virtuous Consort did not even have to think about it, the An Le Marquis’ wife would undoubtedly choose her son and abandon her daughter.

A mysterious smile crept across the Virtuous Consort’s lips. These little brats, thinking they could challenge her before they even grew up? Haha! The Virtuous Consort felt like laughing loudly.

Yun Ke was so insistent on marrying Gu Yu Qi, was he? Well, then he would have to bear the consequences of marrying Gu Yu Qi.