Gu Zhongli knew at a glance what his second brother was thinking. He didn't want to talk to someone whose head was full of muscle. He turned to Gu Jingyi and said, "Is that all? What are you planning to do?"
"I plan to arrange for my dad to be sent away. He'll definitely interfere if he stays here."
"Hmm, that's true! And then?"
"Then it will depend on Second Aunt and Third Aunt. Make sure my mom knows that my dad will be leaving this time because something has happened with the Gu family, and he might not be back for a while."
Gu Zhongli looked at his nephew and said, "Are you sure Xiao Xing'er will like you when you're this cunning?"
Gu Jingyi didn't even look at his uncle and replied, "That's not your concern!"
"Even so, if your mom decides to divorce, what about your dad? Will he agree?"
"Do you think my dad won't? You're mistaken about him."
Gu Zhongli was momentarily silenced by his words. He thought about his elder brother's personality and his actions over the years. It was indeed hard to say! Gu Zhongye looked up at Gu Jingyi, who was sitting in the shadows. A hint of nonchalance flickered across his face, reminiscent of his elder brother in his youth, masterminding everything.
Gu Zhongli changed the subject and asked about Xiao Xing'er's whereabouts. Gu Jingyi didn't hide anything, which made Gu Zhongli even more restless. He looked at Gu Jingyi with disdain, "Hmph~ She's truly remarkable! How did she fall for you? It's not that your uncle is being harsh, but you really don't quite measure up to her!"
After Gu Xiao Shu finished speaking, Gu Er Shu nodded in agreement. Gu Jingyi's lips twitched at their reaction, but he finally smiled and said, "Heh~ She's already accepted the bracelet!"
Gu Xiao Shu was surprised this time, "Oh my! You were quick! Doesn't she know what this bracelet is for?"
"She knows it's the bracelet of the matriarch. As for anything else, she said she doesn't want to know for now!"
Gu Xiao Shu said nothing more. He was quite happy in his heart. His future niece-in-law was also like his own daughter, making things even more convenient later on. He couldn't be stingy when it came to honoring his father.
He also gave Gu Jingyi an appreciative glance. This matter, it could be considered his doing. Thinking about what needed to be done next, he felt a headache coming on. It sounded easy, but doing it well would take considerable effort.
In the days that followed, things unfolded just as Gu Jingyi had predicted. Luo Zifeng, who had been drinking tea outside, rushed back home like a madwoman upon hearing the news that her son was getting engaged. She paid no mind to the others who were drinking tea with her at the time.
Qi Wenjing was also with Luo Zifeng. Luo Zifeng had said she wanted to introduce Qi Wenjing to more people, so that after she became the matriarch of the Gu family, she would be familiar with them, treating it as a preliminary understanding and preparation.
Qi Wenjing's health had recovered during this time. It wasn't a serious illness. The medicine Ji Xingmi had given her gradually subsided after three days. The subsequent symptoms were caused by her own doing. She had assumed it was a leak from the people at Wo Ya Ju and couldn't question them, so she had to stew in her anger at home. Furthermore, when she returned, the Gu family no longer allowed her entry, even with her aunt's intercession. In the end, Luo Zifeng had no choice but to rent a small apartment for her to live in outside.
When she heard the news, she was also shocked. The things in her hands fell to the ground. She felt like many people were whispering in her ears, gossiping, and laughing at her. If Luo Zifeng hadn't pulled her away, she would have torn their mouths apart.
Luo Zifeng didn't think that far. All she could think about was that she disagreed! If she hadn't agreed, who dared to proceed!
However, when she arrived home, the house was quiet, with no one around. She heard movement from the kitchen and walked purposefully towards it, only to stop at the kitchen doorway, even stepping aside to hide. Qi Wenjing, who was following behind, didn't know what had happened. Just as she was about to ask, she was startled by Luo Zifeng's glare and quickly stood beside her.
"...Whether the Ji family will agree is still unknown! Old Master Ji is also gone now!"
"Second Sister-in-law, is this true? Zhongli didn't tell me. I really thought I was here to attend Jingyi's engagement banquet!"
"It happened suddenly. I only found out after Jing Nian had his accident!"
"But Father-in-law has already stepped down, why are they still not letting go! Do they want to force all of us to death?"
"Sister-in-law, be more optimistic. Think about the Ji family's patriarch who had the accident before!"
"Then Second Sister-in-law, what do you suggest we do?"
"There's no other way, unless you can bring yourself to be ruthless!"
"What do you mean by 'ruthless'?"
"You directly divorce Zhongli and sever ties with the Gu family! That way, you won't be implicated, and you can take all your belongings with you. Then you'll be fine!"
"Se~ Second Sister-in-law, you're not thinking of doing that, are you?"
"I'm not. With Jing Nian in this state, my maternal family probably won't agree!"
"I don't have a good relationship with my elder sister-in-law from my maternal family, so she probably won't be willing to take me in either."
"We, only Eldest Sister-in-law is favored by her maternal family. We are both unfortunate souls!"
"But I heard that Eldest Sister-in-law... towards Eldest Brother..." The two of them were engrossed in their conversation, completely unaware that two people were standing by the kitchen door. They didn't know their entire conversation had been overheard.
Luo Zifeng lost interest in listening to the rest of their conversation. Her mind was in a mess, and she needed a place to think clearly. She didn't bother with Qi Wenjing and went upstairs by herself. Qi Wenjing saw her aunt stumble upstairs and had no intention of helping her.
She had also heard the entire conversation. She stood there, thinking for a long time. When she looked up, her eyes had changed. They themselves wanted to stay through the engagement, so why should she bother? What would Gu Jingyi have left if he didn't have the Gu family? His face? What use was a face when one needed to eat? Moreover, she wanted a life of prestige. She had no desire to go to a village and farm! She turned and left the Gu residence, and no one knew where she went.
The people who were talking in the kitchen heard the commotion outside the door, exchanged glances, stopped talking, and continued with their tasks.
Luo Zifeng returned to her room and lay on the bed, the words she had just heard echoing in her ears. Her thoughts were now somewhat similar to Qi Wenjing's. The life she had always lived, while not one of luxurious excess, was certainly comfortable. The thought of moving to the countryside and just farming was unacceptable to her. Furthermore, she had read the letters from Jing Zhao, which described cow dung on the roads and people arguing about it. She had found it utterly repulsive then, but now that it was her turn, she felt she couldn't last a day.
"Divorce?" Luo Zifeng also considered this. But she would have to sever ties with the entire Gu family, otherwise, people would accuse her of putting on a show. But what would she do after divorcing at her age? Jing Yi would definitely not go with her. Jing Zhao couldn't come back now, and even if he did, it would be useless, and she'd still have to support him.
By dinnertime, all the Gu family members had gathered, even Gu Jing Nian returned heavily bandaged. Seeing this scene, Luo Zifeng became even more certain that something had happened.
"Where is Wenjing?" Luo Zifeng didn't see Qi Wenjing and asked the maid who was serving food nearby.
"I haven't seen Miss Qi today."