eng Jin Yao would be useful. Even if they didn't like her, they would have to think twice about anything harmful towards her.Meng Jinyu was filled with anger and resentment: "She must have been fabric..."Oh no!"

"Madam, it's terrible!"

Zhang Shi was just about to go to Gu Xuanyi's courtyard when Meng Jin Yao was also about to leave. Suddenly, a maid's voice came from outside, sounding urgent as if something major had happened.

Upon hearing the sound, Meng Jin Yao's footsteps faltered.

Zhang's heart pounded like a drum in her chest, racing with every beat. Her intuition screamed at her that something was terribly wrong. In an instant, her mind raced, conjuring up countless possibilities, and she was seized by panic.

The maidservant rushed in, and Zhangshi steadied her mind and said in a low voice, "What's the matter with all this fuss This reckless behavior is lacking in propriety. Fortunately, there are no guests here today.

"

The maid was stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed to Meng Jin Yao and her, replying: “Madam, it’s the eldest daughter, something happened to the eldest daughter.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang shi's face turned pale and she almost collapsed. Fortunately, Meng Jin Yao was close by and quickly reached out to support her. The maidservant beside her also reacted quickly, taking a step forward and supporting her as well. This prevented her from falling to the ground.

Meng Jinyu and the maidservant helped Zhang Shi sit down.

At this moment, Zhang's face turned pale, and her expression was flustered. She had just learned that her daughter was boating with the Crown Prince of Wuan, and now she was told that her daughter had an accident and was involved with a man. What else could be good

She trembled and asked, "What happened to Xuanyi"

The maidservant replied, "Miss, you fell into the lake while boating today. It was Young Master Wuan who saved you. Now, Young Master Wuan has brought Miss back."

As soon as these words were uttered, Zhang's mind buzzed. It truly seemed like fear brought misfortune. She had just been thinking that perhaps her daughter had gotten into some trouble with the son of Marquis Wu'an, and it turned out to be true. A young lady going on a boat ride with a man, falling into the water and being saved by him - her reputation was ruined. In this situation, she could only marry that man.

Meng Jinyao's face stiffened. She had only found out about this this morning, how could it happen this afternoon

She saw that Zhang was completely dumbfounded, but with a maid present, she couldn't say anything. She could only tactfully remind her: "Big sister-in-law, why don't you go and have a look at Xuanyi Xuanyi should be fine."

When Zhang heard the sound, she slowly came back to her senses and nodded woodenly: "Alright, I'll go take a look. Third sister-in-law, you should go back first. Let's talk another day."

Meng Jin Yao responded and then returned to Wei Ruixuan.

Now that Marquis Wu'an's young master had been received by Gu Jing Sheng, it was only proper that they thank him for saving his daughter. After seeing off the young master, Zhang went to her daughter's courtyard in a huff.

Seeing her daughter unharmed, now dressed in clean clothes and holding a bowl of ginger soup, with a smile on her face, she seemed quite pleased with what the son of Marquis Wu’an had done.

Zhang's anger came from nowhere. She took two steps forward and raised her hand, slapping her daughter's face with a resounding "crack."

Gu Xuyan was stunned, the bowl of ginger soup in her hand slipped and fell to the ground. The ginger soup splashed onto her skirt, causing a burning sensation on her face. She raised her head blankly, looking at her mother in disbelief: "Mother, you...you hit me"

The maidservant beside her was also startled. The mistress had always doted on the eldest daughter, treating her like a precious jewel, afraid to drop her or let her break. How could she suddenly strike out

Zhang looked at her own hands, then at her daughter's face. She felt a bit of regret, but more anger welled up inside her. She ordered the maids to leave, glared angrily at her daughter, and scolded in a furious voice, "Xuan Yi, didn't I tell you before that the son of Marquis Wu'an is not suitable for you How could you go boating with him"

Gu Xuyan was stunned, then turned and curled her lips into a smile, saying matter-of-factly: "Mother, I think Prince Wuan is excellent. Grandmother said Prince Wuan isn't good, but wasn't it because I'm not her biological granddaughter She doesn't want me to marry well Once I marry him, I'll be the prince consort, and later the countess. What's wrong with that"

Zhang Shi, upon hearing this, nearly fainted from anger and questioned, "Xuan Yi, tell your mother, was someone instigating you You had promised so well that day, saying you wouldn't have any thoughts for the son of Duke Wu An. How come you suddenly changed your mind"

Gu Xuanyi's eyes flashed a fleeting panic, then she resolutely denied: "No, no one instigated me. I think Wuan Bo's son is quite good. She is handsome, well-born, and has a good impression of me."

Zhang was so angry that she felt dizzy. She pointed at Gu Xuanyi, her finger trembling slightly: "Xuanyi, you, you are foolish!" As she spoke, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, filled with self-reproach. "It's also my fault, mother. It was I who agreed to Wuanbo's wife and let you meet. Otherwise, you wouldn't have fallen for him. It's all my fault."

Gu Xuanyi, however, didn't seem to care. "Mother, I think you did the right thing in this matter. I think Marquis Wu'an's son is excellent. Now that such a thing has happened, I will definitely marry him. Could it be that Mother wants me to follow Gu Xuailing, that lowly illegitimate daughter, and marry into a poor household of low officials"

Don't think she doesn't know, her cousin's marriage is already settled. The groom-to-be is the son of an eighth-rank official. They say that for three generations back, they have all been scholars and come from a noble family. However, none of them have held high positions; they have all been low-ranking officials.

The best one was still Liu's deceased father, who had reached the rank of a fifth-rank official. It can be seen that the Liu family hasn't produced any capable individuals for generations. This young master Liu shouldn't be expected to achieve anything remarkable either.

But a lowly commoner girl, marrying into such a family is just right. Unlike her, who aspires to be the wife of a prince.

Zhang angrily rebuked: "Be quiet! Your father was also a bastard!"

Gu Xiayi was stunned for a moment before averting her gaze and stubbornly retorted, "Mother, since it's already done, with familiar faces seeing Marquis Wu'an's son save me, I can only marry him. You figure it out. If you don't let me marry him, then... I'll elope with him, just like Third Brother and Li Shi."

Zhang didn't expect her daughter to speak to her like this, and even say something as shocking as running away with a man. She was filled with disappointment and anger: "You... you're trying to drive me crazy, aren't you"

Gu Xuanyi saw her mother's tears and felt a little regret for being too harsh with her words, but she still insisted: "It was Mother who said so. She said that I am the legitimate daughter, the eldest granddaughter of the Hou Mansion, and different from Gu Xuailing, the illegitimate daughter. I should marry into a wealthy family and live a life of glory and splendor. Mother also mentioned before that the Wuan Marquis's mansion is a good match. As long as I perform well, marrying the heir apparent of the Wuan Marquis will make me the mistress of the house. I don't want to end up like Gu Xuailing, marrying into a poor family."

Upon hearing this, Zhang's face turned pale. She vaguely felt that it might be her own doing that caused her daughter to be so infatuated with the young master of Wu Anbo. She wanted to be a glamorous and celebrated duchess.

Gu Xuanyi glanced at her and continued, "Mother, when he saved me, someone saw him. Maybe he promised me that today he would go back and tell Lady Wu An, and in two days' time, he will come to propose." wouldn't have married her grandfather, who was the son of the then Duke Yongchang. However, after her grandmother's father passed away, his descendants were not successful and gradually declined.Her...