Within The Sound of Swallows - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Then It’s Settled 

Gu Chaodong froze for a moment and instinctively turned to glance at Shen Guiya, who was now frowning, unable to conceal her growing displeasure.

It was supposed to be her joyous wedding day. She had finally married into the family thanks to her pregnancy, and yet her husband sneaked off on their wedding night to see Shen Guiyan? If he had come alone, it might have been somewhat acceptable, but even the Fourth Young Master tagged along? She was the one who had transmigrated here, so why was all their attention on another woman?

Shen Guiya was unhappy, very unhappy. But she was clever enough to know that when it came to competing for a man, one must never be aggressive. The gentler she appeared, the better.

Therefore, she forced a smile and said, “I don’t mind. After all, this marriage was supposed to be Third Sister’s in the first place. As long as Father-in-law doesn’t punish Chaodong, I’ll feel at ease. If his heart still lies with Elder Sister, there’s nothing I can do about it…”

As she spoke, her voice trembled with a hint of grievance, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked toward Gu Chaobei.

Gu Chaobei sneered and unceremoniously sat on the ground without any regard for appearances, saying, “One is willing to beat, and the other is willing to take the beating. Say anything more, and it’s just outsiders meddling in others’ business. Besides, Yan’er is willing to marry me. What does it have to do with Eldest Brother?”

“I was asking Yan’er, not you,” Gu Chaodong snapped, his anger rising. “I suppose it’s because Fourth Brother’s mother died early, and no one taught you what lines shouldn’t be crossed? Yan’er is still an unmarried lady, how could you just…”

“Eldest Brother,” Gu Chaobei’s smile disappeared, his expression turning grim.

Shen Guiyan was startled. Someone who was usually carefree and playful suddenly turning serious was quite frightening.

Even Gu Chaodong was momentarily stunned, but he refused to back down. “Did I say anything wrong? Your recklessness and thoughtless actions are the reason why people curse your mother even in her grave…

Bang. 

Gu Chaobei stood up, and before anyone could stop him, he kicked the kneeling Gu Chaodong, sending him sprawling onto the polished floor with a heavy thud.

“Chaodong!” Shen Guiya cried out in alarm.

Shen Guiyan was also frightened and stood up: “Fourth Young Master!”

Although Gu Chaodong had spoken excessively, it was still not right to resort to violence.

One kick wasn’t enough for Gu Chaobei, so he marched forward to land a few more. But the steward rushed over and quickly restrained him. Gu Chaodong swiftly got up to his feet and, disregarding the presence of others, threw a punch at Gu Chaobei’s shoulder.

It landed right on his left shoulder. Shen Guiyan’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly shouted, “Don’t!”

Gu Chaodong hesitated for a moment, then struck down even harder. With the steward restraining him, Gu Chaobei couldn’t fight back and had no choice but to take the blow.

Shen Guiyan could feel the pain from just watching and quickly stepped in front of Gu Chaobei and said, “You’re already a married man, how can you still resort to violence when you lose your temper?”

Gu Chaodong, still seething, retorted, “He threw the first punch!”

Behind her, Gu Chaobei snorted coldly, face stern and silent. His whole body remained tense, as if he were waiting for a chance for the steward to loosen his grip even for a second, and would rush over to beat Gu Chaodong again.

Shen Guiyan pressed her lips into a line. She had always admired Gu Chaodong for his refined gentleness, but today that impression of hers had been thoroughly shattered. It turned out, all men were the same once they lost their composure.

“Let’s wait for the Prime Minister and Father to make a decision. Both of you should rest; you just endured the family punishment.” She then turned to Gu Chaobei and eyed the bloody mess on his shoulder. “Fourth Young Master, does it hurt?”

Gu Chaobei’s body relaxed, and he let out a light grunt. The steward behind him finally released him.

“People are made of flesh, so how could it not hurt?” Kneeling again, Fourth Young Master Gu looked up at her with a hint of mischief in his eyes and said, “But seeing you protect me like that, I feel a lot better.”

What made it even more satisfying was watching someone’s face turn purple with rage.

Shen Guiyan’s lips twitched slightly, but she still chose to stand further away. Gu Chaodong narrowed his eyes and stared at Gu Chaobei for a while before kneeling down beside him.

The Prime Minister and Lord Shen quickly reached an agreement. Seeing that the Prime Minister had even brought the family punishment rod and left the discipline of his sons entirely up to him, Lord Shen felt reassured. His back no longer ached, and his legs moved with ease as he strode into the main hall.

“Let’s pretend last night never happened. Third Miss and my son shall marry as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister delivered the final verdict.

Gu Chaodong protested anxiously, “Father!”

“There is no room for negotiation on this matter,” the Prime Minister looked at them and said coldly. “Since this unfilial son and the Third Miss have already consummated their relationship, there’s nothing more to discuss. Let us return and prepare for the wedding at once.”

He then turned respectfully to Lord Shen. “What do you think, sir?”

“The Prime Minister speaks wisely,” Lord Shen nodded, casting a glance at Shen Guiyan. “You have no objections, do you, Yan’er?”

Shen Guiyan simply shook her head.

Madam Shen, standing beside her husband, gave a stiff smile and said, “The next auspicious day is half a month from now. It’s rather short notice, and the preparations might be a bit rushed. But I’m sure Yan’er won’t mind.”

A proper wedding usually took three to four months to prepare. What could possibly be done in just half a month? Even the bridal gown would have to be rushed. Shen Guiyan frowned slightly, and even the Prime Minister expressed displeasure. “Half a month is far too close.”

“The next auspicious date isn’t for another four months,” Lady Shen replied, feigning ignorance. “That would be fine for an ordinary wedding, but since Yan’er and the Fourth Young Master have already… well, if she were to ride in the bridal sedan with a belly showing, that would be…”

The room fell into awkward silence. In the back, a few concubines exchanged whispers, their faces laced with thinly veiled mockery.

Shen Guiyan’s face flushed with embarrassment, but Gu Chaobei cut in, “A bride boarding the sedan with a belly showing isn’t unheard of in our family. But I’d rather not wait. I worry that delays might lead to unexpected problems. Half a month is just right; there will still be enough time to get everything ready. Besides, Yan’er is so virtuous, I want to bring her home as soon as possible.”

The Prime Minister snapped at him. “Since when is it your place to speak? Kneel properly!”

Gu Chaobei gave a dismissive smirk and said nothing.

The concubines fell silent, and even Madam Shen could no longer smile. After all, it was Shen Guiya who had been the first to ride in the bridal sedan with a belly showing. What right did she have to mock others?

Shen Guiya bit her lip and cast a dark glance at Gu Chaobei. This man lacked romantic sense and was truly insufferable, seemingly always targeting her. If he had feelings for her, must he express them like this?

Lord Shen gave a dry cough and said seriously, “Then it’s settled, Yan’er and the Fourth Young Master’s wedding will proceed, making it a double celebration. Let’s put all the unpleasant matters behind us. Perhaps things will turn out for the best.”

The Prime Minister nodded in agreement, and both families smiled amicably, at least on the surface.

As the gathering ended and people left, Shen Guiyan slowed her steps, watching Shen Guiya support Gu Chaodong as they walked off.  Only then did she quicken her pace and catch up to Gu Chaobei.

“Hey.”

Gu Chaobei stopped walking and turned his head to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “Aren’t you supposed to be a proper noble young lady? Since when do you address people like this?”

Shen Guiyan rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. “If it were someone else, I’d call them ‘Young Master’ properly, but you’re an exception. Here, this is medicine for that stab earlier. I apologize.

She handed him a small porcelain vial. Gu Chaobei accepted it with a smile, took a step closer, and said with a grin, “This wound is quite serious. A few words of apology won’t make up for it. Wife, I’ll be in your care from now on.”

The corner of Shen Guiyan’s mouth twitched. She took two steps back, gave him a formal bow, then turned and walked off toward the Swallow Pavilion without looking back.

This scoundrel! No matter how finely dressed he was in silk and brocade, he was still a scoundrel through and through!

Gu Chaobei watched her retreating figure with a smile for quite a while. Only when she disappeared from his sight did the smile on his face gradually fade. He turned to look at the Gu family’s carriage at the gate and followed silently.

***

She had once been set to marry the legitimate heir, and now she was marrying a concubine-born son. It was still the Prime Minister’s household, yes, but the scale of her dowry would be naturally smaller than before.

On top of that, Madam Shen hadn’t exactly put some effort into the preparations. When Shen Guiyan went to check, there were only fifteen chests of dowry.

When Shen Guiya married, the dowry items that were supposedly prepared for Shen Guiyan were all taken by the former. There were thirty full chests in total. The difference in treatment was too obvious, even the household servants could see it.

“Sigh, the Third Miss is truly unlucky. Why did this have to happen now? She was supposed to marry the eldest son as the main wife, but now she will become his sister-in-law instead.”

“Exactly. The Fifth Miss is so arrogant, yet she ended up with the better match. It’s really unfair.”

“If the Prime Minister’s household sees this pitiful dowry, how can the Third Miss ever hope to earn respect in her new home?”

Hearing all these whispers made Baoshan feel upset, too. Supporting Shen Guiyan, she said, “Miss, why don’t you talk to Lord Shen? This dowry is far too little. It’s obvious that Madam Shen is treating you unfairly.”

Shen Guiyan pressed her lips together, then smiled faintly. “It’s fine. No need to report anything. I have my own way of handling this.”

***

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