Chapter 46

Chapter 46

No sooner had Ninghe Courtyard finished inquiring about the matter than Gu Yu, before even finishing his dinner, was summoned once more by someone from Yifang Hall.

"Write the letter of divorce now! Don’t let her go south to care for you. Divorce her today, and I’ll find you another wife tomorrow; it won’t delay your journey!"

Luo Shi was still seething, her brows furrowed, eyes cold, and face contorted with rage. After speaking, she ordered a maid to bring paper and brush, demanding that Gu Yu write the divorce letter immediately.

Xiao Luo Shi and Qin Shi sat nearby, still wearing expressions of utter despair, occasionally dabbing the corners of their eyes with handkerchiefs as if their tears flowed endlessly.

Gu Yu sat upright, offering no resistance to Luo Shi, and said calmly, "If Mother wishes me to divorce her, I have no objection."

"But Mother must tell me, why should I divorce her?"

Luo Shi felt Gu Yu was merely being difficult. "Look how she has angered your mother! And you still ask why you should divorce her? Do you want to anger your mother to death?"

Gu Yu remained unperturbed and followed up on Luo Shi’s words, asking, "How did she anger Mother?"

"She dared to disobey me in public and even struck my servants! Should I not be angry?"

Luo Shi felt there were countless grievances to list about Jiang Heng’s wrongdoings. Pointing at her two daughters-in-law sitting nearby, she said, "She also insulted your two sisters-in-law, driving them to the brink of suicide! And you still want to protect her?"

"Your elder sister-in-law has managed the household for years—if not for merit, at least for hard work. But after she took over, she accused your elder sister-in-law of embezzlement! Never mind anything else, just consider how she both manages the household and raises your elder brother’s children. What’s wrong with giving her a little extra money? Why use such harsh words like 'theft'?"

Xiao Luo Shi, taking advantage of her mother-in-law’s defense, twisted her handkerchief and covered her nose, sobbing.

"And your second sister-in-law—she’s always been such a gentle and respectful person, never arguing or fighting for anything. Yet she was accused of having a heart full of malice, scheming to harm your elder sister-in-law! She drove your two sisters-in-law to weep in each other’s arms, even to the point of contemplating suicide! Isn’t this her fault?"

Qin Shi, hearing this, also imitated Xiao Luo Shi by covering her face with a handkerchief and sobbing.

Gu Yu remained silent, listening to his mother’s vehement accusations. Only when she finally fell silent did he ask, "Has Mother finished speaking?"

Luo Shi did not answer, only breathing heavily in anger. She snorted and turned her head away, refusing to look at Gu Yu. Xiao Luo Shi and Qin Shi continued to sob softly beside her.

Gu Yu pretended not to hear his sisters-in-law’s sobs and looked at Luo Shi, saying, "Mother, I have already gotten to the bottom of the matter. In this dispute, from beginning to end, my wife has done nothing wrong."

"Her verbal confrontation with her sisters-in-law was merely a common quarrel. If an elder brother is unfriendly, the younger brother need not be respectful. If Mother insists on determining right and wrong, then I believe the elder brother was at fault first."

"You!" Luo Shi nearly choked on her anger.

"Mother, please calm down. I merely think that being angry alone is useless. It would be better to first clarify right and wrong."

Gu Yu continued, "Mother said that Elder Sister-in-law has contributed greatly to the Gu family and deserves more financial reward. I have no objection to that. However, a gentleman loves wealth but acquires it through proper means. If Sister-in-law had such intentions, she should have stated them clearly and recorded them in the accounts—how much extra money she deserved. If that were the case, I would not have questioned it, nor would I have allowed my wife to criticize Sister-in-law with words like 'theft.'"

"Speaking of managing accounts, my wife once managed the accounts of Peony Garden. I recall that Sister-in-law once suspected her of embezzlement because the peonies were expensive. From this, it seems Sister-in-law does not believe that those who manage accounts work harder and deserve more reward?"

Gu Yu looked at Xiao Luo Shi. "Sister-in-law, do you remember this?"

Xiao Luo Shi only sobbed and did not speak.

Gu Yu did not press further and continued calmly, "Regardless, taking without permission is theft. Sister-in-law indeed acted improperly. My not pursuing the matter does not mean what she did was right. My wife merely spoke the truth. The truth may be unpleasant to hear, but the truth is not wrong."

Luo Shi listened as Gu Yu analyzed the matter point by point, concluding that his wife had done nothing wrong—the fault lay entirely with the elder sister-in-law.

"Then what about your second sister-in-law? What did she do wrong?"

Gu Yu turned to Qin Shi. "Second Sister-in-law, how do you think my wife wronged you?"

Seeing that Gu Yu and his wife were united against outsiders, Qin Shi wisely chose to yield instead of arguing without reason. "San Lang, don’t blame me. How could Sister-in-law have wronged me? It was just a quarrel that escalated from words. I spoke without thinking, and Sister-in-law didn’t say anything wrong. Later, when I cried with Elder Sister-in-law, it was merely because the scene moved me, reminding me of your late second brother."

Luo Shi, hearing Qin Shi’s words, was annoyed at her for being a fence-sitter. However, she refrained from scolding her in front of Gu Yu and instead ignored her, turning back to Gu Yu. "And what about Jiang Heng’s defiance against me? Disobeying me and striking my servants—was that not wrong?"

"As I said earlier, in this dispute, she did nothing wrong until you ordered her to kneel in the ancestral temple. For what reason did you punish her to kneel there?"

Luo Shi was left speechless but burst out in instinctive anger. "She spoke disrespectfully and angered me! Can I not punish her to kneel in the ancestral temple?"

"From what I know, she did not speak disrespectfully to you. How can it be called disrespect? Were you angry because she spoke disrespectfully, or because those you care about were humiliated in the dispute, and you shared their anger and hatred, wanting to punish my wife?"

"You! You!" Luo Shi was at a loss for words.

Gu Yu continued, "Mother, you are the elder of the family. All three are your daughters-in-law. When the dispute arose, you should have handled it impartially. Instead, you acted on your own preferences, ignoring right and wrong, and making decisions based solely on your likes and dislikes."

"Jiang Heng was punished to kneel in the ancestral temple without having done anything wrong—that was an unreasonable demand. Her refusal of this unreasonable demand was not wrong. As for disciplining the servants, that was within her rights as the mistress of the household."

"So, Mother, what exactly did she do wrong that warrants me divorcing her?"

Luo Shi could not utter a single word in rebuttal. She naturally did not believe she was wrong, but she could find no fault in Gu Yu’s analysis of right and wrong.

She was simply angry—first at Jiang Heng, and now at her own son for not taking her side.

"You’re arguing right and wrong with your own mother? I’ll tell you, the biggest mistake I ever made was giving birth to a son like you!"

"Go kneel in the ancestral temple!" Luo Shi pointed toward the door and shouted angrily at Gu Yu.

This time, Gu Yu did not argue. He stood up and, as he was about to leave, turned to Xiao Luo Shi. "Sister-in-law, A Yao and A Zi are already in their teens. In two years, they will be of marriageable age. I hope you will lead by example and teach them well, helping them understand how to truly face and solve problems. Do not let them learn to cry, make scenes, or threaten suicide, lest people mock the Gu family for raising ill-mannered young ladies."

Xiao Luo Shi stared wide-eyed in shock for a moment, then could not help but collapse onto the table, weeping loudly. "Eldest Brother, take me with you! Look at the suffering I endure in this world!"

Gu Yu frowned slightly, glanced at her, but said nothing more. He left alone for the ancestral temple.

...

"Kneeling in the ancestral temple?"

When the news reached Ninghe Courtyard, Jiang Heng was stunned for a long time.

"Yes," Rui Zhu said softly. "After all, Duke Wei is the head of the household, the most respected person in the family, and a man of status in the court. Yet Luo Shi still treats him like a child, punishing him without a second thought."

Jiang Heng had not expected Luo Shi to go this far. Punishing her was one thing—Luo Shi had never liked her much—but Gu Yu was her own son, and already a married man. Yet Luo Shi punished him without regard for his dignity.

"Did Duke Wei go?" Jiang Heng asked.

"Yes, he went. How could Duke Wei defy Luo Shi?" Rui Zhu added, "Miss, the master hasn’t eaten dinner. Should we bring him something to eat?"

"Otherwise, if he kneels all night and falls ill, we won’t be able to leave. Luo Shi might even find more reasons to cause trouble."

Jiang Heng had initially intended to refuse, but after hearing Rui Zhu’s reasoning, she found it sensible. She ordered some pastries and food to be prepared and went to the ancestral temple.

...

The Gu family ancestral temple had been built after Gu Yu achieved prominence. Unlike the ancestral temples of great families that traced back hundreds of generations, the Gu family temple only housed the tablets of Gu Yu’s father, grandfather, and his two deceased elder brothers.

After paying respects to his father and grandfather, Gu Yu knelt before the spirit tablets of his two elder brothers and bowed deeply three times.

He knew that, in terms of right and wrong, his words tonight were not mistaken.

But in terms of brotherly affection, he felt he had failed them.

He had promised his two elder brothers that he would not let their widowed wives suffer in loneliness and hardship, so after achieving honor and wealth, he did not divide the family.

Even later, when he became overwhelmed and transitioned from communal living and shared meals to living in separate courtyards and dining separately, he never treated the two widowed wives unfairly financially.

However, he could not endlessly indulge all their words and actions.

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, if you think I have done wrong, then this time, withhold your blessings. Send me to the Yellow Springs instead."

Gu Yu offered a libation before the spirit tablets of his two elder brothers and spoke these words.

"Third Brother, what are you saying!"

Gu Cen, hearing that Gu Yu had come to kneel at the family shrine, also brought wine and offered a libation before the spirit tablets of their elder brothers, saying, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, if you were still alive, you would never have allowed our sisters-in-law to cause such trouble. I know you are reasonable and will continue to bless Third Brother."

"Third Brother, don’t kneel. Eldest Brother and Second Brother surely wouldn’t want you kneeling like this. You’re departing the day after tomorrow—if you strain your knees and end up limping, wouldn’t that just make people laugh? Mother doesn’t consider these things; you don’t have to obey her in everything."

Gu Yu offered another libation before the spirit tablets of his brothers, then settled cross-legged on a cushion as if drinking with them. As he drank, he asked Gu Cen, "Why have you come?"

"I came to keep you company." Gu Cen had a low tolerance for alcohol and feared he would drink too much and fall asleep, so he didn’t drink, merely sitting beside Gu Yu and pouring wine for him.

"Third Brother, have you noticed that sister-in-law has changed?"

Worried that Gu Yu might not understand, he emphasized, "I mean third sister-in-law."

Gu Yu remained silent but did not give Gu Cen a cold look or stop him from continuing.

"I’m not saying sister-in-law has changed for the worse. I’m just curious—how did she suddenly become so... so...?"

Gu Cen struggled to find the right words, paused for a moment, and finally settled on a term that carried a hint of admiration, "So... formidable."

Gu Yu remained silent.

Gu Cen then asked, "Third Brother, do you prefer sister-in-law as she was before or as she is now?"

Gu Yu did not answer, but his mind involuntarily wandered with the question.

What was Jiang Heng like before?

Before she married him, he only remembered their first meeting—a figure in a pomegranate-red dress, glistening with water, radiant like May pomegranate blossoms, dazzling and brilliant.

After marrying him, she became quiet, gentle, and submissive. Everyone said she resembled Jiang Wan.

At first, he too thought they were very alike, but he had never carefully considered—in what ways were they alike?

Apart from their appearances, what other similarities did the two sisters share?

It seemed that when he first met Jiang Heng, the look in her eyes as she floated in the water was clear and bright, as if it were truly as Jiang Xing had said—she approached him thinking he was drowning and wanted to save him, not to intentionally seduce him.

He had seen that same look in her elder sister’s eyes—on that winter day when Jiang Wan pleaded for him at the military camp, begging Jiang Xing to spare him. At that time, her eyes were also clear and bright.

But later, he never saw that kind of clear, bright gaze in Jiang Wan’s eyes again.

Now, he felt that apart from their appearances, the two sisters were nothing alike.

What is Jiang Heng like now?

Perhaps just her true self?

"She didn’t suddenly change. She... has that formidable nature deep within her."

Gu Cen was taken aback, and it took him a moment to realize that Gu Yu was answering his first question.

"Deep within her?" Gu Cen asked curiously.

"You probably don’t know, but she has never been one to back down since she was young. She often got into fights. Take that Duchess of Liang—do you know her?"

After several bowls of wine, Gu Yu looked at Gu Cen and became unusually talkative.

Gu Cen quickly nodded and picked up the thread, "Yes, the former dynasty’s princess, right? What, did sister-in-law fight with her too?"

Gu Yu nodded slightly. "The Duchess of Liang was no match for her and has never forgotten the humiliation."

Gu Cen was astonished. "The Duchess of Liang is famously fierce-tempered—she couldn’t even defeat sister-in-law?"

Gu Yu took a gulp of wine and nodded lightly.

"This... I never would have guessed..."

Gu Cen grew even more interested. "If sister-in-law loved fighting so much when she was younger, why didn’t she become as fierce-tempered as the Duchess of Liang?"

Gu Yu fell silent for a long time, seemingly unwilling to answer.

Gu Cen ventured a guess, "Perhaps it’s because the Jiang family is a prominent clan with strict upbringing. Even though sister-in-law was unruly as a child, she mellowed as she grew up..."

"No." Gu Yu seemed reluctant to discuss this but still refuted Gu Cen’s guess. "It wasn’t the Jiang family."

"It was..." Gu Yu gulped down three large mouthfuls of wine. "It was a distant cousin of hers."

Gu Yu hadn’t originally known about Jiang Heng’s childhood fights. Yan Hui had deliberately told him to make him aware of their childhood connection. Later, Gu Yu had also looked into it.

He had to admit that without Yan Hui’s companionship in her youth, it was hard to say what Jiang Heng would have become. In that regard, Gu Yu was willing to appreciate Yan Hui’s influence.

"However, your sister-in-law only ever saw that distant cousin as a relative. There were no deeper feelings. Don’t jump to conclusions."

Gu Cen let out a puzzled "Oh." He hadn’t said a word—where had he shown any sign of jumping to conclusions? Why was Third Brother so eager to explain?

Gu Yu continued, "And later, when that distant cousin came to the capital to study, your sister-in-law helped him a great deal, which could be considered returning the favor."

Gu Cen followed up, "How did sister-in-law help him?"

Unlike his earlier reluctance to mention Yan Hui, Gu Yu seemed quite pleased to talk about this matter, his eyebrows lifting with unconcealed admiration and approval.

"Your sister-in-law is kind-hearted. Over the years, she has helped many impoverished scholars pursuing education. That distant cousin of hers was among them."

Gu Cen was stunned for a moment, then also showed respect. "Really? Daughters of the Jiang family are indeed different—so kind-hearted and generous..."

"It wasn’t the Jiang family." Gu Yu’s pleased expression remained. "It was her own incense shop. What she did had nothing to do with the Jiang family."

Gu Cen grew even more respectful. "Just sister-in-law alone? Then she is truly remarkable. Merchants prioritize profit, and sister-in-law’s business isn’t large, yet she goes out of her way to help others in their difficulties."

Gu Yu raised his cup to clink with Gu Cen, clearly greatly pleased.

These words weren’t praising him, but they felt even better than if they were.

"Third Brother, why have I never heard you mention this before?" Gu Cen asked casually.

The pleasure in Gu Yu’s eyebrows faltered slightly, but he replied without blushing or his heart racing, "Your sister-in-law never mentioned it before. I only noticed some clues recently when reviewing the accounts of her incense shop, and then she told me."

Gu Cen, of course, praised him further, saying that Third Brother was fortunate to have married such a wonderful sister-in-law.

Gu Yu said nothing, only the corners of his lips curling up slightly in satisfaction. It was unclear whether he was pleased with Gu Cen’s words or, like Gu Cen, satisfied with Jiang Heng.

"Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"

Gu Yu was drinking when he heard Gu Cen’s delighted, surprised call.

Turning his gaze, he saw Jiang Heng had already entered the family temple with Rui Zhu, standing outside the chamber dedicated to his two elder brothers. Rui Zhu held a food box in her hand and had something draped over her arm, though it was folded and unrecognizable.

"Silang, my lady was concerned that the master hadn’t eaten much for dinner, so she specially brought him some snacks and a pair of knee protectors."

It was indeed Jiang Heng’s idea to bring these things for Gu Yu, but coming from Rui Zhu’s mouth, all traces of the earlier concern about Luo Shi causing trouble vanished, leaving only tender consideration and affection more precious than gold.

Jiang Heng had no need for such effusive affection, but with Gu Cen present, she couldn’t outright refute Rui Zhu’s words. Instead, she turned to Gu Yu and explained, "We’re setting off early the day after tomorrow. If you fall ill, not only will it delay our journey, but I’m also concerned His Majesty might have other thoughts."

It wasn’t out of concern for him—she simply wanted to stick to the original plan. Having already dropped all pretenses, she had no desire to spend even one extra unplanned day in the Gu residence.

"Third Brother, Sister-in-law is right. You should head back now. I’ll explain things to Mother."

Gu Yu was currently redeeming himself through merit. If he were to claim illness to the Emperor just before departure, His Majesty would likely not believe he was truly unwell but assume he bore resentment and was feigning illness to avoid his duties.

Gu Yu glanced at Jiang Heng, didn’t refuse, and rose to leave the chamber. To Gu Cen, he said, "In that case, I’ll leave everything to you."

...

Gu Yu returned to Ninghe Courtyard with Jiang Heng.

Since Rui Zhu had already laid out the food in the main room of Ninghe Courtyard, and with all the servants present, Jiang Heng couldn’t very well send him away. She had no choice but to let Gu Yu eat in her room.

After he finished his meal and rinsed his mouth, Jiang Heng dismissed the servants. Her expression immediately turned cold as she said bluntly, "Duke Wei, you’ve finished eating. It’s time to return to your study."

Gu Yu already understood the reason for her sudden harshness. Looking at her deliberately cold demeanor, he felt not annoyed or angry in the slightest.

He knew this wasn’t her true nature.

As her husband, he was naturally somewhat upset that she had kept her financial support for the scholars a secret from him, and displeased that she was secretly admired by those beyond his control.

But, like Gu Cen, he didn’t truly disapprove of her aiding those scholars from poor backgrounds.

A woman like her, no matter how cold or unrestrained she might appear, would never overstep propriety or boundaries.

Though he understood perfectly, he deliberately asked her, "If you keep up this temperament, could Yan Hui put up with you?"

Jiang Heng knew he detested Yan Hui. Regardless of the reason, she had no wish to discuss her elder brother in front of him. Yet Gu Yu remained fixated, always bringing him up—just two days prior, he had even mocked Yan Hui for relying on her support.

"My elder brother is nothing like the cunning and fickle Duke Wei. No matter my temperament, my brother would never disdain me."

Jiang Heng deliberately compared him to Yan Hui, making no effort to hide her clear bias.

Unexpectedly, Gu Yu didn’t get angry this time. Unlike the previous occasion when he had glared at her before storming out, he simply looked at her, his calm eyes glinting with an unreadable light.

"Why are you still here?" Jiang Heng frowned, feigning impatience.

Gu Yu suddenly let out a chuckle.

Jiang Heng showed him neither courtesy nor a pleasant look, asking bluntly, "What are you laughing at?"

Gu Yu’s smile was faint, his voice light. "Did I do anything wrong today?"

Jiang Heng was taken aback, unsure why he would ask such a question out of the blue. After a moment’s thought, she assumed he was uncertain about whether he had been in the wrong after being punished by his mother to kneel in the family temple. Thinking he sought her opinion, she replied, "I don’t know what others think, but in my view, you did nothing wrong."

As soon as she finished speaking, the faint, almost imperceptible smile that had lingered at the corners of Gu Yu’s lips finally reached his phoenix eyes as he gazed at her.

"In that case, why are you treating me like this?"

Seeing the amusement in his eyes, Jiang Heng realized she had let her guard down and shown him kindness again.

"If you can’t take it, you don’t have to come," Jiang Heng said, tilting her chin up slightly, resuming her haughty, unreasonable, and sharp demeanor.

"What if I can take it?"

The man’s voice was gentle and calm, carrying no hint of jest.

Stunned, Jiang Heng instinctively looked at him. To her surprise, he had already stepped forward, grasped her wrist, and pulled her close by the waist, much like their past intimate moments.

"What if I can endure it? What if I were like Yan Hui, never disdaining you no matter your temperament—"

He paused briefly, his expression growing even more serious, "What if I embraced it all willingly? Would you be willing to remain as the mistress of the Gu household?"

A flicker of panic crossed Jiang Heng’s eyes.

She had never imagined Gu Yu could be so direct. Her recent unruly behavior was meant to push him far away. How could a man as proud as Gu Yu draw closer the more she pushed?

But she quickly composed herself.

It seemed her methods weren’t harsh enough, her words not sharp enough.

"Duke Wei, what are you talking about? I don’t understand."

She pretended complete ignorance, baiting him to speak more plainly.

But Gu Yu fell silent, simply holding her and gazing at her intently.

"Are you saying you want us to remain husband and wife? Are you... trying to keep me?"

When he didn’t respond, Jiang Heng continued to coax him. She no longer resisted his embrace, instead reaching out to lightly poke his chest, feigning disbelief mixed with barely concealed delight. "Have you... developed genuine feelings for me?"

Gu Yu didn’t push her hand away. His lowered gaze swept lightly over her fair fingers resting on his chest. "Can’t you tell by touching?"

Jiang Heng shook her head. "I can’t tell. I need to hear you say it."

Gu Yu remained silent.

Jiang Heng continued to coax, "A gentleman’s word is as binding as a tethered horse. If you don’t dare say it, how can I believe you?"

"Yes, just as you said. I want you to stay."

The man’s words came surprisingly easily.

Jiang Heng stared blankly for a moment, then chuckled dismissively and pushed him. "Duke Wei, you’re drunk."

But the man didn’t budge, still holding her close. With utterly sober eyes, he looked at her and stated with perfect clarity, "I’m not drunk."

Jiang Heng looked up at him, her expression serious, as if genuinely assessing whether he was drunk. Finally, she asked, "Are you really not drunk?"

"Not drunk," he replied.

"Then everything you said earlier was true?"

"Mm." Though the man's reply was just one word, it was clear and resolute.

Jiang Heng smiled again, then stated solemnly, "Duke Wei, since you're sober, listen carefully—"

The feigned warmth in her gentle eyes vanished in an instant, leaving only the mockery and derision of a successful scheme. "Your sincerity means nothing to me. The only man I’ve ever wanted to marry in this lifetime is my elder brother."

She saw the clarity and certainty in his phoenix-like eyes suddenly extinguish, as if a lamp had gone out.

The large hand on her waist tightened abruptly, almost enough to snap her in half.