bookrandom Chapter 220 Persuading Gu Chang'an to Take a Concubine
Chapter 220 Persuading Gu Chang'an to Take a Concubine
The group had a hearty lunch, and the rear guard and soldiers escorted Li Che back to the palace. Shen Li and the others only took the maid down the mountain to play at the market.
The area at the foot of the mountain was originally a remote place. Decades ago, the imperial palace was built here, along with the villas of various ministers. As a result, many people moved here to do business.
After decades of development, this place has become a fairly large city, and it becomes even more bustling during the hot summer months.
Shen Li strolled around the market for a while and bought a lot of trinkets. The maids were all happy. By the time they returned to the manor, it was already quite late.
As soon as Shen Li entered the main courtyard, she heard voices coming from inside the house. Upon closer listening, she recognized Liu Yueniang's voice, which was also mixed with a deep male voice, presumably Liu's uncle.
The others, who didn't have such good hearing, were still talking.
"This kite is for Xiaotao, and this little tiger is for... wait?" Peony belatedly realized, "What was that sound?"
“It sounds like a member of the Liu family,” Lian Qiao said.
Rain Butterfly and Rainbow Clouds still looked confused.
"They better not speak ill of Miss in front of the young master while she's not home, or I'll tear their mouths apart!" Peony said angrily.
"Don't go back inside, let's go eavesdrop." Shen Li's eyes darted around, and she slowed her pace as she walked towards the window.
The closer you get, the clearer the sound becomes.
“Chang’an, we started from scratch, unlike the Shen family with their vast wealth. You need to think about yourself. You need to keep one of your own people in the inner courtyard to feel at ease, otherwise you won’t even know if your business is emptied out.” Liu Yue’s mother said earnestly.
“Yes, and you’re the only son in the Gu family. Since Shen Li can’t have children, someone has to carry on the Gu family line.” Uncle Liu said, “Who is more suitable than your cousin?”
“Although the Shen family is powerful, you are also a favorite of the Emperor. It is common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. If she dares to prevent you from taking a concubine, it is because she is jealous. This reputation will not sound good if it gets out.” Liu Yueniang added, “She has no choice but to endure it even if she is unwilling.”
“Chang’an, you should know that we are family. Would your uncle ever harm you? If you take Yue’er in, it will fulfill your uncle’s wish.” Uncle Liu continued.
Shen Li was eating melon seeds by the window, listening with great interest.
The others were already trying to rush in and beat people up, especially Peony.
"despair!"
A clear sound came from inside the room as a teacup was covered. According to tea etiquette, this should not be a sound; such a sound could only indicate the tea drinker's dissatisfaction.
Gu Chang'an put down his teacup and asked calmly, "Are you done?"
"That's all." The Liu couple nodded, waiting for Gu Chang'an's response.
"Does Liu Yue know about this?" Gu Chang'an asked again.
"I know, she's more than willing, there's absolutely no chance of anything going wrong," Uncle Liu said with a smile.
Gu Chang'an understood, and his voice grew even colder: "You know I originally didn't want you to move in, but my wife was kind enough to take you in, and this is how you repay her?"
Liu Yueniang's expression changed slightly: "Chang'an, you're being too polite. We're family. We helped your mother a lot when she was alive."
"I don't want to argue with you. You have two choices." Gu Chang'an tapped the small table lightly with his fingers, his voice very calm: "Either you move out of the villa tomorrow and go back to your hometown, or I will take you to see my mother and catch up with her."
"You... what did you say?" Uncle Liu stood up from his chair upon hearing the second half of the sentence.
Liu Yueniang's face was also deathly pale.
“I said, if you don’t leave on your own, I don’t mind burying you,” Gu Chang’an said again, his tone still devoid of emotion.
These words stunned the two people inside the room and the others outside, especially Caiyun. She had always thought that Gu Chang'an was an extremely gentle person, and she had never seen him lose his temper with the servants or the madam during her stay.
Who would have thought that would be the first thing he said...
"Gu...Gu Chang'an...Do you know what you're saying?" Uncle Liu said in a trembling voice, "I'm your own uncle, aren't you afraid of divine retribution?"
"That sounds familiar." Gu Chang'an suddenly chuckled. It was a clear and pleasant sound, but at such an inappropriate time, it was easy to get goosebumps.
“Many prisoners say this before they die, but they soon lose their voice.” Gu Chang’an said sarcastically, “If I were you, I would leave overnight before I change my mind.”
"...You, Yama, you really are Yama." Uncle Liu didn't know what else to say besides venting his frustration.
Liu Yueniang was so frightened that she ran outside, but she was so scared that she stumbled and fell several times before finally helping her husband out.
Then they saw Shen Li and a group of maids squatting under the window eating melon seeds.
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
“Oh, what a coincidence.” Shen Li stood up and broke the silence first.
"You're ruthless," Liu Yueniang said angrily, then she and her husband helped each other walk out.
"Me?" Shen Li pointed to herself and asked the maid beside her, "What does this have to do with me?"
The maids shook their heads.
The window opened from the inside, and Shen Li turned her head to see Gu Chang'an looking over. She felt a little guilty and said, "I just wanted to hear what they were going to do. It doesn't count as eavesdropping in my own home, right?"
Caiyun was worried for Shen Li, wondering if she would be alright.
“That doesn’t count. Do you think this is a proper way to handle it, A-Li?” Gu Chang’an asked cautiously. “I’ll listen to A-Li.”
“I also think sending him back to his hometown is a good idea, but my husband should make sure to speak with the local officials beforehand, so they don’t use his name to swindle and cheat people, and cause us any trouble,” Shen Li added.
"Okay, I'll have someone take care of it," Gu Chang'an replied.
Shen Li looked at the subtle innocence in his eyes and was greatly moved. She smiled and said, "Let's go inside and talk."
Once she entered the room, the door and windows were closed. The maids dared not listen anymore, but judging from the silhouette on the window, it was not hard to tell that the lady had pushed the master down.
Caiyun couldn't fathom how Gu Chang'an could change so drastically. After thinking for half the night, she finally managed to utter, "A role model for us all."
Inside the main house, Gu Chang'an's face turned completely red after being teased, and he was still explaining, "I said those things later to scare them, I didn't scare A-Li, did I?"
He was not afraid of the fear and apprehension of the world, but he did not want Ah Li to be afraid of him as well.
"Of course not, your wife is also a veteran who has been to the battlefield and has seen..." Shen Li wanted to boast about her experiences, but suddenly realized that it sounded too fierce, and she should pay attention to her image.
“The battlefield must be terrifying.” She changed the subject and said, “But why would I be afraid of my husband? He’s so handsome.”