Chapter 1: The Woman Who Blocked the Marriage

  Meng Huan understood the principle that a common man is innocent, but one who holds jade is guilty, so she endured and yielded, never showing her edge again after the age of eight, nor competing with her sisters and brothers for anything.

  But who can tell her why she has endured to the point of being beaten without fighting back, yet still had her eight-year-long-awaited marriage snatched away from her, and had her beloved mother for many years plotted against, and couldn't even find someone to stand up for her?

  Qin Yiniang lay quietly and couldn't answer her questions.

  The rain outside grew heavier, and Shen Guiyan stood guard beside Qin Niang's body for the entire night. When Shen Lao sent someone to escort her back to Yanzi Tower to rest, Shen Guiyan shook her head: "Let me see off Qin Niang on her final journey."

  Bao Shan was sobbing behind her, but Shen Guiyan didn't cry again. She just stared at Qin Niang's calm face and fell into a daze.

  The other side of the Grand Preceptor's mansion was naturally decorated with lanterns and streamers, bustling with excitement. Gu Gong, the Grand Preceptor, was a meritorious minister of the State of Fan, who had been in office for thirty years, always clean and loyal to the emperor, earning unanimous praise from top to bottom in the court. Therefore, today his eldest son's wedding also attracted many guests.

  Grand Preceptor Gu had three sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Gu Zhaodong, was naturally the most outstanding, being well-versed in learning, talented, humble, and dignified, having inherited his father's true legacy. His second son, Gu Zhaonan, although not as accomplished as his elder brother, had already entered the Imperial Academy at the age of twenty. His daughter, Gu Zhaoxi, although married to a merchant, was known for her talent. If it weren't for his fourth son, Gu Zhaobei, Grand Preceptor Gu's family could have been proudly said to be "a tiger father with no inferior sons".

  Unfortunately, there was also Gu Zhaobei.

  Gu Zhaobei was the fourth son of the Grand Chancellor's mansion. His birth mother had passed away early on, and he was a troublemaker who often hung out with some rascals in the brothels of the capital city. Already seventeen years old, this young man didn't understand any rules, daring to defy the Grand Chancellor above him and beating up the family slaves below him - a son who gave the Grand Chancellor a lot of headaches.

  When it comes to the young masters of the Gu family, both Gu Zhaodong and Gu Zhao'nan would make people nod in approval, but once it's about Gu Zhaobei, even the vegetable vendors on the street wouldn't be willing to marry their daughters off to him.

  At this time, the troublesome Fourth Master Gu was sitting in the wedding hall, with his legs crossed, watching as the bride was escorted in from outside.

  "What great fortune for the young master! I heard that the Shen lady he's marrying is someone the prime minister has been considering for many years, and she's knowledgeable, reasonable, gentle, and virtuous - truly a wonderful match!"

  "Isn't it? This is a perfect match between talent and beauty. I'm honored to have seen the elegant demeanor of Miss Shen, and with Master Gu, they are naturally a match made in heaven."

  Saying such pleasantries is really so uninteresting. Gu Zhaobei yawned, looking at the new bride who was carefully taking steps, and didn't think she looked dignified anywhere.

  After a series of ceremonies, the bride was being supported to enter the bridal chamber to pay her respects. Gu Zhaobei suddenly let out an "tsk" and, on a whim, picked up a walnut and tossed it under the bride's feet.

  Shen Guiya stepped on the walnut, and was about to fall down. But she was very agile, stretched out her hand to support herself on the ground, and squatted steadily on the ground.

  The bridesmaid next to her was startled and hurriedly came to support her, but Shen Guiya stood up and directly tore off the veil: "Who is secretly plotting against this lady?"

  The hall was in an uproar, and the firecrackers outside seemed to have faded into the background. Mr. and Mrs. Gu sat in the main seats, surrounded by relatives from the Gu family, as well as a few young masters and Third Miss Gu. Shen Guiya hadn't even entered the bridal chamber yet, but she had already lifted her veil?

  Gu Zhaobei was also startled, and immediately looked at her face, stifling a laugh: "Isn't it said that Miss Gu San has a stunning beauty that can topple cities, how come she looks like this?"

  Gu Zhaodong turned his head and glanced at her, his face suddenly paling: "Fifth Miss?"

  The whispers in the hall grew louder, not many people recognized Shen Guiya, but many knew what Shen Guiyan looked like, and this person was clearly not her. What kind of nerve did the Shen family have to dare play such a trick on the Prime Minister's residence?

  "What's going on?" Minister Gu stood up.

  Shen Guiya was about to glare at the person who was mocking her, but when she looked over, she saw a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth, wearing a jade crown and sitting elegantly. His face was extremely delicate, with a hint of a sly smile that almost took her breath away.

  Even Grand Councilor Gu was standing in front of her, and she still hadn't come back to herself.

  "Miss Wu!" Gu Zhaodong's face turned extremely ugly as he forcefully pulled the intertwined knot, only then did Shen Guiya's gaze return.

  “…Huh? Oh, I'm Shen Jia's fifth daughter, Shen Guiya. Because my third sister's mother suddenly passed away, and I'm pregnant with Mr. Gu's child, so I'll be getting married today.” Shen Guiya said, still a bit dazed.

  What she didn't understand was that the ancients didn't appreciate such directness at all, thinking that this little girl was completely shameless and ignorant of etiquette, not using humble words or respectful language, and bluntly saying that she was pregnant with a man's child?

  Still unmarried.

  The Grand Preceptor's face also darkened. The wedding that had been prepared for so long, today became a laughing stock in the imperial court because of this matter. His future daughter-in-law, whom he had chosen with great care, was not someone who could be changed at the whim of the Shen family.

  "Wait, you're saying you're pregnant with Master's child?" Madam Gu overheard the key point: "How could that be...you and Master..."

  "Mother, the child in Miss Wu's belly is indeed a son." Gu Zhaodong clenched his fists and lowered his eyes, saying: "It was not the son's wish, but since it has happened, the son will certainly acknowledge it."

  Children are always the most important thing.

  The Grand Duke's eyebrows furrowed tightly, and he let out a cold laugh: "You mean to say that today you'll marry this Shen family's fifth young lady?"

  "It has come to this." Gu Zhaodong took a deep breath and said, "Then so be it."

  "What about Miss San's side?" Lord Gu angrily said: "I taught you that a man should have responsibility, but it's not about taking on one thing and neglecting another!"

  Gu Zhaodong felt a little difficult to breathe, he thought today's things were more absurd than anyone else, Shen Guiya was actually pregnant with his child. He really liked Yaner, but the child...

  Gu Zhaonan, who was standing next to him watching the commotion, chuckled softly and stroked the jade ring on his hand. Behind him stood one of his concubines, whose belly was already slightly bulging.

  "The son will definitely go to Shen's house in person to apologize to Third Miss."

  Surrounded by a flurry of whispers, Shen Guiya still had the leisure to stare at Gu Zhaobei. Just now, it must have been this person who made a subtle move towards her, trying to get her attention? Shen Guiya thought to herself, this person looks so good, could he be her second male lead?

  Gu Zhāo Běi was watching his usually respected older brother being scolded by their father, and feeling Shen Gui Ya's gaze, he looked back.

  This woman's eyes were quite unclean, looking even more disgusting than the dancing girls in a brothel. Gu Zhaobei snorted and blew a soft whistle, meeting her gaze head-on.

  He loathed this kind of woman the most, yet he also enjoyed watching them with their self-important airs. This was Gu Si Shao's wicked taste.

  Shen Guiya's face turned red with shyness, thinking that his reaction must mean he had a crush on her. The face she brought from the modern world was almost the same as hers now, and she was very satisfied with it. With some makeup, she would definitely be able to captivate the whole city, anyway, the aesthetic standards of ancient people were not high.

  "In that case, let's continue." Prime Minister Gu took a few deep breaths to suppress his anger, wanting to sit down, but in the end, he couldn't bear the shame and left after waving his sleeves without accepting the newcomer's courtesy.

  Mrs. Gu's mood was somewhat complicated, she sat and accepted their greetings, then took the tea from Shen Guiya, but put it aside without drinking, only giving red envelopes.

  Everyone around was discussing Shen's family sneaky move, but only Shen Guiya felt good about herself waiting in the bridal chamber.

  "Is her mother deceased?"

  Gu Zhaobei had drunk too much wine and was walking in the garden when he heard his elder brother's urgent voice.

  The servant replied respectfully: "I heard it was lost when the third young lady was preparing to get married."

  How interesting, the bride is already waiting in the bridal chamber, and he's still asking about the third Miss Shen? Gu Zhaobei raised an eyebrow and hid behind a pillar in the corridor to listen.

  "The swallow must be very sad and must need me." Gu Zhaodong thought for a moment, but instead calmed down: "It's also good this way, after I go to the Shen manor in two days to help her with the aftermath, she will also forgive me more easily."