Husband Is Truly Proud
The decree did not arrive until the sun was high in the sky.
Everyone knew that Yu Fu intended to go against this overwhelming enemy, but they watched Eunuch Chi enter with the imperial decree.
Eunuch Chi was the highest-ranked aide to the throne, and he usually only went out to deliver rewarding imperial decrees. As for handing out punishments, Eunuch Chi would never go and would leave those to the lower-ranked palace servants.
Could it be that he did not come to deliver a punishment?
“Princess ZhenJiang to receive the decree!”
Everyone stepped forward to receive the decree and heard Eunuch Chi say: “In accordance with His Majesty’s decree, when attacked by assassins from jianghu during our excursion out of the palace last night, Princess ZhenJiang acted quickly and put herself in danger to protect Us, and We are grateful. As a result, the reward shall be a basket of brilliant pearls, ten precious ornaments, and twenty pieces of jade. This is His Majesty’s way of showing his gratitude toward his loyal subjects.”
Everyone felt extremely conflicted. They did not know if they should be happy or disappointed. They both hoped that Yu Fu would be able to avoid being appointed empress and were worried that Yu Fu would be punished.
It was hard to say if this was a good outcome or a bad one.
Yu Fu looked disappointed. Without accepting the decree, she stood up and said: “The ones who put themselves in danger to protect His Majesty were eldest brother and third brother, not me. Why did His Majesty’s decree not mention them?”
Eunuch Chi frowned and thought to himself that His Majesty not handing down a punishment was already good enough. He did not think that the princess would try to ask for more.
He thought for a moment and then said with a smile: “Princess, how can a servant guess at the meaning behind His Majesty’s imperial decree? The ones who fought against the assassins last night were the eldest young sir and third young sir, but the one who remained by His Majesty’s side was princess!”
“Eunuch means to say that our contributions are shared by everyone. Our contributions are Yu Fu’s contributions, so there’s no need to differentiate.”
Gu ShuBai’s voice came from the gate, and everyone turned to look. The young sirs of Marquis Gu’s Manor had come.
Eunuch Chi’s smile turned ugly. He could agree with what Gu ShuBai had said, but he could not refute it in front of everyone.
Yu Fu sneered, “His Majesty acted frivolously with this younger sister, and I gave him a beating. How would that matter be handled?”
Eunuch Chi wore an awkward expression, thinking back to Ning ChengZhi’s bruised face and how he lay in bed and gave these orders.
“Though We were given a beating by Yu Fu, We were the one in the wrong. No, it’s all that damn Imperial Consort Li’s fault, actually daring to deceive Us! Go and forbid Imperial Consort Li from coming for three months… No, half a year!”
Eunuch Chi could not bear to see him in pain. While ordering the imperial physicians to give him medicine, he said: “Then how should Princess ZhenJiang’s side be dealt with?”
Ning ChengZhi gritted his teeth and allowed the imperial physicians to apply the medicine. After a moment of silence, he said: “No punishment, she should be given a grand reward! Reward her for saving Our life. As for hitting Us, don’t bring it back up. If anyone dares to bring it up in court, they shall lose our favor!”
He gritted his teeth, grimaced, and screamed, while the imperial physicians were too afraid to apply the medicine. Eunuch Chi had no choice but to accept and hand down the decree as instructed…
He pulled himself out of his thoughts and cupped his hands toward Yu Fu, saying: “Princess, His Majesty will not worry about this matter. Will you continue to worry about it? You must know that giving His Majesty a beating is… is a severe crime!”
He looked toward the room. The people from Marquis Gu’s Manor and the generals from the Gu family’s army were all present. There were some things that should not be said in front of so many people, but he did not have time to worry about that right now.
“Princess, just remember how His Majesty feels about you. Since ancient times, how many people have struck a ruler and been rewarded rather than punished? His Majesty has treated princess so earnestly, yet princess isn’t the slightest bit moved?”
Yu Fu looked at him with a frown.
She had always thought that he was someone who fawned over people and was worse than the late emperor’s Eunuch Gao. Today, she saw him speak earnestly.
He said that Ning ChengZhi was treating her with sincerity.
Yu Fu stood there and was neither aggressive nor meek.
Eunuch Chi calmed down a little. He figured that in the end, Yu Fu was still a girl. How could she be so cruel as to completely ignore Ning ChengZhi’s sincerity?
People were not plants. No matter what, there would be at least some emotions.
Everyone’s gaze landed on Yu Fu. Lao Jin quietly prodded Yan HuaShi, “In truth, His Majesty really treats our young miss well. Don’t you think?”
He thought that he had kept his voice down, but everyone in the hall could hear him.
Yan HuaShi shot a desperate glare at him and desperately wanted to toss him out, “Nobody would think you’re a mute if you didn’t talk!”
“Huh, old Yan…”
Lao Jin initially wanted to discuss this matter with him but suddenly saw Gu ShuBai stand there with his lips slightly pursed. His expression looked a little ugly.
He felt nothing but regret and immediately shut his mouth.
Yu Fu looked behind Eunuch Chi, “Those, are those the rewards that His Majesty gave me?”
Eunuch Chi thought that she was moved and quickly had the palace servant bring the treasures forward for Yu Fu to look at, “That’s right, princess. These are all gifts that His Majesty is rewarding you with. Does princess like them?”
Yu Fu’s eyes shone from the glow of the brilliant pearls and the gems of various colors. They were colorful and exquisite.
She faintly smiled and stepped toward a yellow chessboard with jade pieces. She could not help but reach out and feel it, “These are all treasures… but I don’t like any of them!”
She waved her hand decisively, dropping the chessboard to the ground and shattering the jade into small pieces.
The palace servants retreated in shock, while Eunuch Chi stared at Yu Fu wide-eyed. He never thought that Yu Fu would be so resolute!
Yu Fu jutted out her chin, “I don’t like any of these things. If Eunuch Chi insists on sending them, I will smash them all. Based on Eastern Ling’s laws, what is the punishment for breaking something given by the imperial family?”
Everyone in Marquis Gu’s Manor knew the answer to this question. When the late emperor was still alive, he would send the most gifts to Marquis Gu’s Manor.
Yu Fu looked at Qi An, who was standing next to the gate, and the latter stepped forward, bowed, and then said: “A commoner would be sentenced to death, and though princess’ status is noble, you would need to be imprisoned as punishment.”
Qi Zhou worriedly glanced at his father and quietly sighed.
Yu Fu randomly picked up another jade trinket and smashed it on the ground and then provocatively looked at Eunuch Chi, “Eunuch Chi, as an aide to the throne, will you just watch me destroy the rewards that His Majesty has granted me?”
Eunuch Chi’s hands trembled. As someone who served the throne, he had seen many things, but this was the first time that he had seen something like this.
He remembered how Ning ChengZhi lay in bed and cried out in pain, but he also remembered the way that he had looked when ordering him to reward Yu Fu. He had found a foundation to work from and gave Yu Fu a smile that was uglier than a crying face.
“Princess, please smash them as you see fit. His Majesty gave those rewards to princess. Princess can do with them as princess sees fit. This was originally given as a present because it looked nice, but if princess likes hearing the sound of them being smashed, please feel free to smash them. As long as princess is happy, that shall be the item’s purpose.”
Lao Jin looked at Eunuch Chi with a grimace. This was the first time that he had seen someone so shameless.
This manner of currying favor was truly unique. If the aides to the throne were like this, it was clear just how tolerant Ning ChengZhi was of Yu Fu.
Yu Fu had infuriated Eunuch Chi and decided to take decisive action, “Servants, come and smash all of these items and then scatter them outside. Let the people of Eastern Ling see how benevolent His Majesty is!”
Eunuch Chi’s heart nearly stopped when seeing her smash just two items. If he continued to watch, he might just pass out on the spot.
“As long as princess is happy, that’s all that matters. This servant will be going!”
Eunuch Chi quickly saluted and left without looking back. Before leaving, he covered his ears.
He was afraid to hear the sound of Yu Fu smashing those treasures.
Each and every one of those treasures was worth a fortune. Just smashing them like that was criminal, absolutely criminal!
Once Eunuch Chi left, everyone fell silent.
Qi An gritted his teeth and stepped forward to ask for instructions, “Master, young miss, should we really smash these items?”
Gu HuaiJiang looked at Yu Fu, and Yu Fu was clearly at a loss over what to do. That was why she had resorted to such drastic measures to reject Ning ChengZhi, but Ning ChengZhi was far more determined than any of them had expected.
She had wanted to smash these items and place them outside the manor. It was not to show the people how benevolent His Majesty was but to show everyone her resolution…
She said that she would not marry him and would continue to say that. There was no room for negotiation!
“Head general, young miss, how about we forget about it? If this annoys His Majesty, what if he really…”
Lao Jin was the first to speak up to try and dissuade them, while Yan HuaShi and the others remained silent. They were thinking the same thing; however, Gu Yi said: “Smash them! Why not smash them? Little Yu Fu has already done it, yet His Majesty continues to shamelessly want to marry her. If these things aren’t smashed, everything that she has done will have been for nothing.”
Gu Xiang also agreed with him, “They should be smashed. If they aren’t smashed, could it be that she needs to kill the ruler to avoid becoming the empress?”
The idea of killing the ruler was far too serious. Like a sharp needle, it pierced through everyone’s minds.
Qi An was troubled one way or the other, as he looked between Gu HuaiJiang and Yu Fu. Gu HuaiJiang finally spoke after a long pause, “Do as the young miss said. There’s no need to worry.”
This sort of decision was incisive and resolute. It was hard to say what sort of discussion it would stir up in court and among the people, thus the end result would be hard to foresee.
Marquis Gu’s Manor had never done something this publically before, as Gu HuaiJiang always kept a low profile. This time, for the sake of Yu Fu, he was willing to change his way of doing things. Yu Fu was very moved.
Lao Jin and the others left without seeing a decree of Yu Fu’s punishment. After they left, Yu FU suddenly dropped to her knees in front of Gu HuaiJiang.
Everyone was given a shock, and Gu ShuBai immediately stepped forward to support her, but Yu Fu politely refused, “Head general, I have some things to say.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “If you have something to say, stand up to say it. Our family doesn’t have any rules about speaking while kneeling.”
Yu Fu thought for a bit then slowly stood up with Gu ShuBai’s help, “Head general, I want to move out of Marquis Gu’s Manor. When I was little, didn’t you give me a residence? It’s the one next to West Lake. I want to move there.”
“How can that be allowed?!”
Gu Xiang and Gu Yi were the first to cry out. Gu HuaiJiang had been expecting that she would say this and was not shocked, “That’s impossible. A day as a daughter of Marquis Gu’s Manor means that you will always be a daughter of Marquis Gu’s Manor. How could we allow you to move out? More importantly, did you think that doing this would mean that Marquis Gu’s Manor would avoid being implicated?”
Yu Fu had indeed wanted to avoid implicating everyone else, especially after she had given Ning ChengZhi a beating last night. She had also smashed the treasures gifted to her by the throne. The conflict was escalating, and it could no longer be controlled.
There could only be one outcome to this situation. She would rather die than obey, as she continued to anger Ning ChengZhi until he finally decided that he wanted to kill her.
Following this route, Marquis Gu’s Manor would inevitably be placed in danger, and this was a situation that Yu Fu wanted to avoid.
Gu ShuBai said: “Yu Fu, you have been a part of Marquis Gu’s Manor since long ago. How can family talk about being implicated or not being implicated? Could it be that you have never thought of us as family?”
“That’s right. Yu Fu, no matter what, we won’t let you move out on your own. You need to have faith in father and eldest brother. They will definitely be able to think of something to dissuade His Majesty.”
Everyone did their best to try and persuade Yu Fu when they suddenly heard a ruckus outside of Marquis Gu’s Manor. Gu Yi strode toward the gate, “What’s going on? Why is there such a commotion outside?”
The servant entered and reported: “Replying to sixth young sir, Steward Qi took those treasures outside and smashed them. The citizens are currently gathered around to discuss it!”
This quickly?
Yu Fu and Gu ShuBai exchanged a look, “I’ll go out to take a look.”
Gu ShuBai followed close behind her, and everyone followed them out. Before they could step out of the gate, they heard the citizens’ discussions.
“How criminal, how absolutely criminal…”
“Truly, truly such a pity…”
Yu Fu felt a little lonely, raising her head to look at Gu ShuBai, “It is a bit of a pity. Those treasures were innocent. How great would it have been if they had been given as alms to the poor, but I…”
Gu ShuBai hugged her. His hug was filled with a comforting feeling.
He consoled her, saying: “I know that you did not want to smash those things. You just wanted to make your stance clear. His Majesty is relentlessly pursuing you, so you had no choice but to make this decision. This can’t be blamed on you. You can’t blame yourself. Do you understand?”
Yu Fu nodded, “I want to go and hand out porridge to the poor tomorrow. For destroying those treasures, I should do something to make up for it.”
Gu ShuBai patted her head with a smile, “Then when you usually do something wrong, do you always go and give alms to the old people selling food or the aunties with weak legs selling flowers?”
Yu Fu knew that he was comforting her and awkwardly smiled.
Gu Yi ran out of the manor and then returned, “Little Yu Fu, don’t feel bad. Go outside and listen to what everyone is saying!”
Yu Fu had already heard it. Everyone was talking about the shattered treasures, and they felt that Yu Fu smashing them was very criminal.
Gu Yi pulled her outside, “Listen carefully. Listen!”
People gathered around Marquis Gu’s Manor to look at the shattered treasure pieces outside. There were small vendors that had stalls nearby, there were citizens that lived nearby, and there were people that happened to be passing by.
“How criminal, our princess is such a good girl that anyone would want to marry her, but it has to be said that first come first served!”
“That’s right. It’s a pity that everyone in Marquis Gu’s Manor is so loyal, yet His Majesty still wants to steal their fiancee. It’s truly absurd!”
“Isn’t that criminal? I heard that His Majesty doesn’t just disrespect the late emperor, but he even favors villains while casting someone as loyal as Lord Marquis Gu to the side…”
The citizens whispered and discussed various matters. After Qi An finished smashing the items, he ordered everyone to return to the manor. One young man dressed in plain clothes shouted at him: “Princess is great. This is the Princess ZhenJiang of Eastern Ling whom we respect!”
“That’s right. Princess has made great contributions to Eastern Ling. During the battle with Western Kun last year, without princess traveling a great distance to the border, it’s hard to say if we would have won or lost!”
Qi An was stunned, turning around and cupping his hands toward the person who had just spoken. This was a sign of accepting their kind intentions.
Yu Fu stood inside the gate and blankly listened to the citizens’ discussions. She could not help but dive into Gu ShuBai’s arms and tightly hug him, “Eldest brother, did you hear what they’re saying?”
“I did.”
Gu ShuBai faintly smiled, “Our Yu Fu is so beloved by the people. Husband is truly proud.”
Husband Is Truly Proud
The decree did not arrive until the sun was high in the sky.
Everyone knew that Yu Fu intended to go against this overwhelming enemy, but they watched Eunuch Chi enter with the imperial decree.
Eunuch Chi was the highest-ranked aide to the throne, and he usually only went out to deliver rewarding imperial decrees. As for handing out punishments, Eunuch Chi would never go and would leave those to the lower-ranked palace servants.
Could it be that he did not come to deliver a punishment?
“Princess ZhenJiang to receive the decree!”
Everyone stepped forward to receive the decree and heard Eunuch Chi say: “In accordance with His Majesty’s decree, when attacked by assassins from jianghu during our excursion out of the palace last night, Princess ZhenJiang acted quickly and put herself in danger to protect Us, and We are grateful. As a result, the reward shall be a basket of brilliant pearls, ten precious ornaments, and twenty pieces of jade. This is His Majesty’s way of showing his gratitude toward his loyal subjects.”
Everyone felt extremely conflicted. They did not know if they should be happy or disappointed. They both hoped that Yu Fu would be able to avoid being appointed empress and were worried that Yu Fu would be punished.
It was hard to say if this was a good outcome or a bad one.
Yu Fu looked disappointed. Without accepting the decree, she stood up and said: “The ones who put themselves in danger to protect His Majesty were eldest brother and third brother, not me. Why did His Majesty’s decree not mention them?”
Eunuch Chi frowned and thought to himself that His Majesty not handing down a punishment was already good enough. He did not think that the princess would try to ask for more.
He thought for a moment and then said with a smile: “Princess, how can a servant guess at the meaning behind His Majesty’s imperial decree? The ones who fought against the assassins last night were the eldest young sir and third young sir, but the one who remained by His Majesty’s side was princess!”
“Eunuch means to say that our contributions are shared by everyone. Our contributions are Yu Fu’s contributions, so there’s no need to differentiate.”
Gu ShuBai’s voice came from the gate, and everyone turned to look. The young sirs of Marquis Gu’s Manor had come.
Eunuch Chi’s smile turned ugly. He could agree with what Gu ShuBai had said, but he could not refute it in front of everyone.
Yu Fu sneered, “His Majesty acted frivolously with this younger sister, and I gave him a beating. How would that matter be handled?”
Eunuch Chi wore an awkward expression, thinking back to Ning ChengZhi’s bruised face and how he lay in bed and gave these orders.
“Though We were given a beating by Yu Fu, We were the one in the wrong. No, it’s all that damn Imperial Consort Li’s fault, actually daring to deceive Us! Go and forbid Imperial Consort Li from coming for three months… No, half a year!”
Eunuch Chi could not bear to see him in pain. While ordering the imperial physicians to give him medicine, he said: “Then how should Princess ZhenJiang’s side be dealt with?”
Ning ChengZhi gritted his teeth and allowed the imperial physicians to apply the medicine. After a moment of silence, he said: “No punishment, she should be given a grand reward! Reward her for saving Our life. As for hitting Us, don’t bring it back up. If anyone dares to bring it up in court, they shall lose our favor!”
He gritted his teeth, grimaced, and screamed, while the imperial physicians were too afraid to apply the medicine. Eunuch Chi had no choice but to accept and hand down the decree as instructed…
He pulled himself out of his thoughts and cupped his hands toward Yu Fu, saying: “Princess, His Majesty will not worry about this matter. Will you continue to worry about it? You must know that giving His Majesty a beating is… is a severe crime!”
He looked toward the room. The people from Marquis Gu’s Manor and the generals from the Gu family’s army were all present. There were some things that should not be said in front of so many people, but he did not have time to worry about that right now.
“Princess, just remember how His Majesty feels about you. Since ancient times, how many people have struck a ruler and been rewarded rather than punished? His Majesty has treated princess so earnestly, yet princess isn’t the slightest bit moved?”
Yu Fu looked at him with a frown.
She had always thought that he was someone who fawned over people and was worse than the late emperor’s Eunuch Gao. Today, she saw him speak earnestly.
He said that Ning ChengZhi was treating her with sincerity.
Yu Fu stood there and was neither aggressive nor meek.
Eunuch Chi calmed down a little. He figured that in the end, Yu Fu was still a girl. How could she be so cruel as to completely ignore Ning ChengZhi’s sincerity?
People were not plants. No matter what, there would be at least some emotions.
Everyone’s gaze landed on Yu Fu. Lao Jin quietly prodded Yan HuaShi, “In truth, His Majesty really treats our young miss well. Don’t you think?”
He thought that he had kept his voice down, but everyone in the hall could hear him.
Yan HuaShi shot a desperate glare at him and desperately wanted to toss him out, “Nobody would think you’re a mute if you didn’t talk!”
“Huh, old Yan…”
Lao Jin initially wanted to discuss this matter with him but suddenly saw Gu ShuBai stand there with his lips slightly pursed. His expression looked a little ugly.
He felt nothing but regret and immediately shut his mouth.
Yu Fu looked behind Eunuch Chi, “Those, are those the rewards that His Majesty gave me?”
Eunuch Chi thought that she was moved and quickly had the palace servant bring the treasures forward for Yu Fu to look at, “That’s right, princess. These are all gifts that His Majesty is rewarding you with. Does princess like them?”
Yu Fu’s eyes shone from the glow of the brilliant pearls and the gems of various colors. They were colorful and exquisite.
She faintly smiled and stepped toward a yellow chessboard with jade pieces. She could not help but reach out and feel it, “These are all treasures… but I don’t like any of them!”
She waved her hand decisively, dropping the chessboard to the ground and shattering the jade into small pieces.
The palace servants retreated in shock, while Eunuch Chi stared at Yu Fu wide-eyed. He never thought that Yu Fu would be so resolute!
Yu Fu jutted out her chin, “I don’t like any of these things. If Eunuch Chi insists on sending them, I will smash them all. Based on Eastern Ling’s laws, what is the punishment for breaking something given by the imperial family?”
Everyone in Marquis Gu’s Manor knew the answer to this question. When the late emperor was still alive, he would send the most gifts to Marquis Gu’s Manor.
Yu Fu looked at Qi An, who was standing next to the gate, and the latter stepped forward, bowed, and then said: “A commoner would be sentenced to death, and though princess’ status is noble, you would need to be imprisoned as punishment.”
Qi Zhou worriedly glanced at his father and quietly sighed.
Yu Fu randomly picked up another jade trinket and smashed it on the ground and then provocatively looked at Eunuch Chi, “Eunuch Chi, as an aide to the throne, will you just watch me destroy the rewards that His Majesty has granted me?”
Eunuch Chi’s hands trembled. As someone who served the throne, he had seen many things, but this was the first time that he had seen something like this.
He remembered how Ning ChengZhi lay in bed and cried out in pain, but he also remembered the way that he had looked when ordering him to reward Yu Fu. He had found a foundation to work from and gave Yu Fu a smile that was uglier than a crying face.
“Princess, please smash them as you see fit. His Majesty gave those rewards to princess. Princess can do with them as princess sees fit. This was originally given as a present because it looked nice, but if princess likes hearing the sound of them being smashed, please feel free to smash them. As long as princess is happy, that shall be the item’s purpose.”
Lao Jin looked at Eunuch Chi with a grimace. This was the first time that he had seen someone so shameless.
This manner of currying favor was truly unique. If the aides to the throne were like this, it was clear just how tolerant Ning ChengZhi was of Yu Fu.
Yu Fu had infuriated Eunuch Chi and decided to take decisive action, “Servants, come and smash all of these items and then scatter them outside. Let the people of Eastern Ling see how benevolent His Majesty is!”
Eunuch Chi’s heart nearly stopped when seeing her smash just two items. If he continued to watch, he might just pass out on the spot.
“As long as princess is happy, that’s all that matters. This servant will be going!”
Eunuch Chi quickly saluted and left without looking back. Before leaving, he covered his ears.
He was afraid to hear the sound of Yu Fu smashing those treasures.
Each and every one of those treasures was worth a fortune. Just smashing them like that was criminal, absolutely criminal!
Once Eunuch Chi left, everyone fell silent.
Qi An gritted his teeth and stepped forward to ask for instructions, “Master, young miss, should we really smash these items?”
Gu HuaiJiang looked at Yu Fu, and Yu Fu was clearly at a loss over what to do. That was why she had resorted to such drastic measures to reject Ning ChengZhi, but Ning ChengZhi was far more determined than any of them had expected.
She had wanted to smash these items and place them outside the manor. It was not to show the people how benevolent His Majesty was but to show everyone her resolution…
She said that she would not marry him and would continue to say that. There was no room for negotiation!
“Head general, young miss, how about we forget about it? If this annoys His Majesty, what if he really…”
Lao Jin was the first to speak up to try and dissuade them, while Yan HuaShi and the others remained silent. They were thinking the same thing; however, Gu Yi said: “Smash them! Why not smash them? Little Yu Fu has already done it, yet His Majesty continues to shamelessly want to marry her. If these things aren’t smashed, everything that she has done will have been for nothing.”
Gu Xiang also agreed with him, “They should be smashed. If they aren’t smashed, could it be that she needs to kill the ruler to avoid becoming the empress?”
The idea of killing the ruler was far too serious. Like a sharp needle, it pierced through everyone’s minds.
Qi An was troubled one way or the other, as he looked between Gu HuaiJiang and Yu Fu. Gu HuaiJiang finally spoke after a long pause, “Do as the young miss said. There’s no need to worry.”
This sort of decision was incisive and resolute. It was hard to say what sort of discussion it would stir up in court and among the people, thus the end result would be hard to foresee.
Marquis Gu’s Manor had never done something this publically before, as Gu HuaiJiang always kept a low profile. This time, for the sake of Yu Fu, he was willing to change his way of doing things. Yu Fu was very moved.
Lao Jin and the others left without seeing a decree of Yu Fu’s punishment. After they left, Yu FU suddenly dropped to her knees in front of Gu HuaiJiang.
Everyone was given a shock, and Gu ShuBai immediately stepped forward to support her, but Yu Fu politely refused, “Head general, I have some things to say.”
Gu HuaiJiang said: “If you have something to say, stand up to say it. Our family doesn’t have any rules about speaking while kneeling.”
Yu Fu thought for a bit then slowly stood up with Gu ShuBai’s help, “Head general, I want to move out of Marquis Gu’s Manor. When I was little, didn’t you give me a residence? It’s the one next to West Lake. I want to move there.”
“How can that be allowed?!”
Gu Xiang and Gu Yi were the first to cry out. Gu HuaiJiang had been expecting that she would say this and was not shocked, “That’s impossible. A day as a daughter of Marquis Gu’s Manor means that you will always be a daughter of Marquis Gu’s Manor. How could we allow you to move out? More importantly, did you think that doing this would mean that Marquis Gu’s Manor would avoid being implicated?”
Yu Fu had indeed wanted to avoid implicating everyone else, especially after she had given Ning ChengZhi a beating last night. She had also smashed the treasures gifted to her by the throne. The conflict was escalating, and it could no longer be controlled.
There could only be one outcome to this situation. She would rather die than obey, as she continued to anger Ning ChengZhi until he finally decided that he wanted to kill her.
Following this route, Marquis Gu’s Manor would inevitably be placed in danger, and this was a situation that Yu Fu wanted to avoid.
Gu ShuBai said: “Yu Fu, you have been a part of Marquis Gu’s Manor since long ago. How can family talk about being implicated or not being implicated? Could it be that you have never thought of us as family?”
“That’s right. Yu Fu, no matter what, we won’t let you move out on your own. You need to have faith in father and eldest brother. They will definitely be able to think of something to dissuade His Majesty.”
Everyone did their best to try and persuade Yu Fu when they suddenly heard a ruckus outside of Marquis Gu’s Manor. Gu Yi strode toward the gate, “What’s going on? Why is there such a commotion outside?”
The servant entered and reported: “Replying to sixth young sir, Steward Qi took those treasures outside and smashed them. The citizens are currently gathered around to discuss it!”
This quickly?
Yu Fu and Gu ShuBai exchanged a look, “I’ll go out to take a look.”
Gu ShuBai followed close behind her, and everyone followed them out. Before they could step out of the gate, they heard the citizens’ discussions.
“How criminal, how absolutely criminal…”
“Truly, truly such a pity…”
Yu Fu felt a little lonely, raising her head to look at Gu ShuBai, “It is a bit of a pity. Those treasures were innocent. How great would it have been if they had been given as alms to the poor, but I…”
Gu ShuBai hugged her. His hug was filled with a comforting feeling.
He consoled her, saying: “I know that you did not want to smash those things. You just wanted to make your stance clear. His Majesty is relentlessly pursuing you, so you had no choice but to make this decision. This can’t be blamed on you. You can’t blame yourself. Do you understand?”
Yu Fu nodded, “I want to go and hand out porridge to the poor tomorrow. For destroying those treasures, I should do something to make up for it.”
Gu ShuBai patted her head with a smile, “Then when you usually do something wrong, do you always go and give alms to the old people selling food or the aunties with weak legs selling flowers?”
Yu Fu knew that he was comforting her and awkwardly smiled.
Gu Yi ran out of the manor and then returned, “Little Yu Fu, don’t feel bad. Go outside and listen to what everyone is saying!”
Yu Fu had already heard it. Everyone was talking about the shattered treasures, and they felt that Yu Fu smashing them was very criminal.
Gu Yi pulled her outside, “Listen carefully. Listen!”
People gathered around Marquis Gu’s Manor to look at the shattered treasure pieces outside. There were small vendors that had stalls nearby, there were citizens that lived nearby, and there were people that happened to be passing by.
“How criminal, our princess is such a good girl that anyone would want to marry her, but it has to be said that first come first served!”
“That’s right. It’s a pity that everyone in Marquis Gu’s Manor is so loyal, yet His Majesty still wants to steal their fiancee. It’s truly absurd!”
“Isn’t that criminal? I heard that His Majesty doesn’t just disrespect the late emperor, but he even favors villains while casting someone as loyal as Lord Marquis Gu to the side…”
The citizens whispered and discussed various matters. After Qi An finished smashing the items, he ordered everyone to return to the manor. One young man dressed in plain clothes shouted at him: “Princess is great. This is the Princess ZhenJiang of Eastern Ling whom we respect!”
“That’s right. Princess has made great contributions to Eastern Ling. During the battle with Western Kun last year, without princess traveling a great distance to the border, it’s hard to say if we would have won or lost!”
Qi An was stunned, turning around and cupping his hands toward the person who had just spoken. This was a sign of accepting their kind intentions.
Yu Fu stood inside the gate and blankly listened to the citizens’ discussions. She could not help but dive into Gu ShuBai’s arms and tightly hug him, “Eldest brother, did you hear what they’re saying?”
“I did.”
Gu ShuBai faintly smiled, “Our Yu Fu is so beloved by the people. Husband is truly proud.”
