Chapter 20 Ms. Qiao

Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Ms. Qiao

The twins also looked at her, but Ms. Wu seemed not to hear, her face filled with happiness.

Gu Qingli cleared her throat, glanced at everyone, and said, “Father, Mother, Dashuang, Xiaoshuang, we’ve severed ties with Grandfather and Grandmother. Second Grandfather already helped us with the paperwork.”

“What?” Ms. Wu finally seemed to snap out of her daze, her face etched with disbelief. She stared at Gu Qingli, then at Second Brother Gu.

Ms. Wu was terrified, her own eyes wide with panic at the news.

To sever ties with one’s parents while they are still alive is a gravely unfilial act. Were we unfilial? How did we end up being disowned?

Second Brother Gu, however, didn’t seem surprised at all. He simply pursed his lips and looked at Gu Qingli, waiting for her explanation.

The twins silently lowered their heads.

Gu Qingli dropped another bombshell, “Mother, it’s true. Don’t count on them in the future. Father isn’t a child of the Gu Family; he was adopted.”

“What?!” Ms. Wu was stunned once more.

This time, even Second Brother Gu stared intently at Gu Qingli. His lips moved, but he didn’t voice the question.

Gu Qingli nodded at him and succinctly recounted the day’s events, including buying the house and how Gu Chang’an had brought people to help repair it that day.

“So that’s how it is.” Second Brother Gu seemed to understand. There was no pain or sadness on his face, only a calm acceptance.

Only Ms. Wu burst into tears again.

After a moment, Second Brother Gu—no, Gu Dalin—patted the sobbing Ms. Wu and said, “Don’t cry. This is actually for the best. From now on, I’ll focus on providing for just our family.”

He then sighed and said apologetically to Gu Qingli, “Li’er, you’re getting married tomorrow, and I feel like I haven’t truly provided for you for even a single day. And where did you all get the money to buy a house?”

Gu Qingli smiled. “How can you say that? The grain I ate was always grown by you, wasn’t it? The money for the house came from selling medicinal herbs.”

The twins also nodded at Gu Dalin.

Gu Dashan sighed and lowered his head sadly.

The perceptive twins took his hand, silently comforting him.

Gu Dashan stroked the twins’ heads with his other hand.

He finally understood what Gu Qingli had meant when she said, “Don’t you have your own sons?” Yes, when he was on the brink of death, the ones who saved him were his disfavored adopted daughter and his own sons, whom he had always considered inferior to others’. And then there was this woman, who only seemed to know how to cry.

Ms. Wu wiped her tears and held Gu Qingli’s hand. “Li’er, where will you be married from tomorrow?”

Their family had been kicked out, and now they were here, without even a proper place for her to be married from.

Thinking of her poor Li’er, Ms. Wu cried even harder.

Even Doctor Shen, who was outside, couldn’t help but sigh.

Gu Qingli patted her adoptive mother.

This indecisive and weak woman… what did my original mother see in her back then? Such a crybaby.

She said aloud, “Mother, getting married just means I’m moving to a different place to live. There’s no need to worry. It’s a simple matter.”

“Sister,” the twins sobbed, holding her hand, tears streaming down their faces.

“Don’t cry. We should be happy that your sister is getting married!” Gu Qingli sighed inwardly.

I also wanted a grand wedding, but with the Original Host’s reputation, a grand wedding would only make us a laughingstock. Besides, Second Brother Gu is still bedridden, and our family has been kicked out. Truthfully, I don’t have to get married now. We’ve severed ties with Master Gu’s family, so Ms. Hua can’t force me anymore. However, the marriage contract has been signed. Calling it off is possible, but then my and Xiao Yunjing’s reputations would likely be ruined. If the children from either of our families want to pursue careers as officials in the future, it’s best to avoid actions that would tarnish our names. Moreover, the Xiao Family’s home is close to the house I bought, so it won’t be difficult for me to look after my own family.

Afterward, Gu Qingli discussed the wedding details for the next day with Gu Dalin and Ms. Wu, and then she took the twins back to the inn.

「In the inn.」

Gu Qingli entered the Space, took a bath, and then came out to lie on her bed.

Getting married tomorrow… Back in the modern era, I used to fantasize about the kind of man I’d find and the wedding I’d have. Heh, and here I am, achieving that “dream” just half a month after arriving in this world. But this wedding… it’s truly lamentable. Oh well! Since I can’t just remain independent and unconcerned, I might as well go through with it. As for what happens next, I’ll deal with it when it comes.

Thinking of Xiao Yunjing, Gu Qingli let out a dry chuckle.

「The next day.」

Gu Qingli, as usual, took the twins towards the village. On the way, they ran into Xiao Yunjing.

“You’re not here to pick me up this early, are you?”

Xiao Yunjing almost knelt before Gu Qingli. What bride goes up the mountain early in the morning, and then bluntly asks such a question?

“No, not that. I came to ask you where to send the wedding attire. And where should I go to pick you up?” Xiao Yunjing felt as if his tongue were tied in knots.

“Wedding attire?”

Gu Qingli was a little surprised. This guy actually had wedding clothes made for her? She chuckled inwardly. No way she’d be moved. The moment she met his eyes, she remembered the guilty look he’d had when they first met. Even though she hadn’t seen that look since, she was certain this scoundrel wasn’t up to any good where she was concerned. You little rascal, just wait and see how I’ll deal with you later!

Xiao Yunjing nodded. “Yes, I’ve already had it made.”

“Oh. In that case, just come to the foot of the mountain at noon to pick me up.” With that, she turned and left, not even glancing at Xiao Yunjing’s stunned expression.

“Just like that?” It was the first time Xiao Yunjing had ever encountered such a situation, and it was happening to him, of all people.

Xiao Yunjing headed back, completely bewildered.

When Gu Qingli and her brothers arrived at the door of the house at the foot of the mountain, four women were already waiting there. Each carried a large basket on her back and a hoe, smiling at the siblings.

“Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt,” the three siblings greeted them politely.

The four women nodded and walked over.

Eldest Aunt Qiao asked, “Xiaoli, are you still going up the mountain today?”

Gu Qingli looked into Ms. Qiao’s eyes, seeing genuine concern rather than ridicule. She smiled and nodded. “It’s still early. It’s good if we can dig a little more.”

Ms. Qiao said, “You silly child, surely this half-day isn’t so crucial. Come on, Xiaoli, let’s talk for a bit before you go up the mountain.”

Gu Qingli knew what they wanted to say and waved her hand. “Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, I know what you’re going to say. I have my own arrangements. Let’s hurry up the mountain; we only have a few days left to dig.”

“This…?” Ms. Qiao hesitated, looking at her three sisters-in-law.

Second Aunt Fang said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, since Xiaoli has said so, let’s do as she says. We’ll have plenty of time in the future.”

Third Aunt Liu chimed in, “Eldest Sister-in-law, listen to Second Sister-in-law. Xiaoli’s current situation is indeed a bit unfortunate, but thankfully her in-laws are in the village, so we can look out for her.”

Fourth Aunt Gao, a gentle-spoken woman, said softly, “Eldest Sister-in-law, when Xiaoli holds her baby’s full-month celebration in the future, things won’t be so difficult then.”

She patted Ms. Qiao’s hand, then Gu Qingli’s.

Gu Qingli didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Here she was, the main person involved, not even worried, yet her Eldest Aunt looked as though she had swallowed bitter medicine.

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