Chapter 612.1: Slap in the Face

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The atmosphere was awkward at once.
In her sixteen years of living, Gu Jinyu had never felt so embarrassed.
She never expected Marquis Gu and Zhuang Yuheng to show up here in the middle of the night.
It was understandable for Marquis Gu to pass by, after all, he was the head of Marquis Ding’an Estate, but what about Zhuang Yuheng?
What was he doing here?
Thinking about what she said in her panic and confusion just now, Gu Jinyu’s whole person felt terrible!
She could only pray they hadn't heard anything; unfortunately, their expressions told a different story.
They heard everything, every word, crystal clear.
Gu Jinyu felt as if lightning had struck her, freezing her in place.
The Gu brothers were also surprised by Marquis Gu and Zhuang Yuheng's arrival, with the exception of Gu Yan.
Zhuang Yuheng came here in Gu Yan's carriage, so Gu Yan knew he was at the estate and that he was here to discuss Gu Jinyu's marriage with Marquis Gu.
In fact, Zhuang Yuheng was a very responsible person. Even before Gu Jinyu came looking for him, Marquis Gu had already privately approached him and asked him to hand over their marriage contract. In that way, the engagement between the two would be called off.
Marquis Gu, afraid of hurting Gu Jinyu, had kept it from her, planning to tell her after Zhuang Yuheng had left, when it would be too late for her to do anything.
But Gu Jinyu, unaware of this, went to find him the day before Zhuang Yuheng's departure, willing to elope with him rather than lose him.
She was so devoted that even if Zhuang Yuheng had no feelings for her, he couldn't abandon her.
But he wouldn't really let her bear the stigma of elopement. He decided to come to the Marquis Estate and discuss their marriage with Marquis Gu one last time.
He would beg Marquis Gu to let Gu Jinyu marry him and promise to treat her well for the rest of their lives.
Just as they finished exchanging pleasantries and were about to get to the point, a servant came to report that there was a commotion in the garden involving several young masters, seemingly about Gu Jinyu.
If it were just a matter of Marquis Estate's affairs, Zhuang Yuheng wouldn't have followed, but since it involved his fiancee, he decided to come and see for himself.
It wasn’t a big deal if he didn’t come to look, but now that he did, it was truly a big surprise.
To say there was no disappointment would be false, but it wasn’t disappointment in a relationship, rather disappointment in human nature.
How could someone deceive people around them to such an extent just to gain a good reputation?
Well, it was fine too.
There was no need to force oneself to respect and honor someone they didn’t love for the rest of their life.
Gu Jinyu could see through Zhuang Yuheng's expression and her already panicked heart became even more uneasy, "Junwang... Let me explain..."
But Zhuang Yuheng ignored her, turning to Marquis Gu and saluting, "Lord Marquis."
Marquis Gu was completely stunned by Gu Jinyu's words, unable to come to his senses for quite some time.
Zhuang Yuheng called him several times before he finally regained awareness, looking at Zhuang Yuheng as if waking from a dream, "... You... You said in the study earlier that you came to the estate for something?"
Zhuang Yuheng paused, then took out a marriage contract from his pocket, "I'm here to return this marriage contract. Since Second Young Miss Gu is unwilling to marry me, it's better to call off this engagement."
"Ah... Call it off... Right..." Marquis Gu's mind was in turmoil.
Although he had longed to get the marriage contract back, now that it was actually happening, why... wasn't he as happy as he thought?
"Lord Marquis, please keep the marriage contract." Zhuang Yuheng, seeing Marquis Gu not reaching out, proactively handed over the marriage contract.
Gu Yan walked over, took the marriage contract, and said, "Alright, I’m taking it for my father."
Zhuang Yuheng calmly said, "Since there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
"You can take my carriage back." Gu Yan offered.
"Okay." Zhuang Yuheng didn't refuse.
Zhuang Yuheng had nothing now. If he didn't take the carriage back, he would have to walk on his own two legs.
Gu Yan had plenty of carriages, but he didn't owe Zhuang Yuheng anything. Offering him the carriage was just a matter of goodwill.
And after all, he had been helping Gu Yan shovel chicken droppings for so long, allowing this middleman Gu Yan to make a profit on the price difference. Of course, Gu Yan would treat him a little better.
Zhuang Yuheng turned to leave.
Gu Jinyu choked up, calling after him, "Junwang! Junwang!"
Zhuang Yuheng slightly turned his body, not fully facing Gu Jinyu, and said from a distance, "I just want to ask Second Young Miss Gu one thing. Was it really just an accident at the teahouse?"
Gu Jinyu stiffened all over.
"Take care." Zhuang Yuheng said no more, nor did he expect any answer. Just like that, he disappeared into the night without looking back.
Gu Jinyu watched his profile gradually turn into his back, and for a moment, a strong impulse surged in her heart.
She wanted to marry him, to marry a man with courage and integrity like him!
Even Xiao Liulang, that little cripple, could rise to prominence; why couldn't Zhuang Yuheng make a comeback?
Her brain had been clouded by the marriage withdrawal earlier, forgetting to sit down and think it through.
Zhuang Yuheng could stay in Bishui Alley; how bad could his relationship with Gu Jiao's family be?
Both Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang were favorites of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Perhaps the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had tacitly allowed them to take him in. From this perspective, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor hadn't completely given up on Zhuang Yuheng!
He still had a chance to turn the tide!
All that talk about being a commoner, about self-exile, it was all for show!
The Zhuang Family had suffered a great disaster, and not punishing Zhuang Yuheng wouldn't appease the people's indignation, but once the anger subsided, they could bring Zhuang Yuheng back to the capital!
Realizing what she had missed, Gu Jinyu almost recklessly ran after Zhuang Yuheng.
Gu Yan subtly extended his foot and tripped her.
"Ah——"
Gu Jinyu fell flat on her face!
Actually, Gu Jinyu had overthought things. Empress Dowager Zhuang and the Emperor hadn't planned any charades, especially Empress Dowager Zhuang. She wasn't afraid of public opinion or being cursed at.
If Zhuang Yuheng stayed in the capital, she wouldn't trouble him, but if he wanted to venture out on his own, she wouldn't stop him either.
Children grow up; she should learn to let go.
Gu Jinyu, who didn't know, regretted it deeply!
But now wasn't the time for remorse. Zhuang Yuheng had left, but there were still Marquis Gu, Gu Changqing and her other brothers.
All three Gu brothers were very disappointed with her.
Tonight's show was actually planned by Gu Yan. Gu Yan didn't communicate with them in advance. Gu Changqing and Gu Chengfeng had genuine intentions to help Gu Jinyu escape, but now they felt disappointed.
Although they felt nothing for Gu Jinyu, her actions of unwavering loyalty to An Junwang were admirable.
"I didn't expect it to be fake. Indeed, I shouldn't have had any expectations for you!" Gu Chengfeng said disdainfully.
Gu Changqing regained his usual icy demeanor, "Ah Yan, let's go."
Gu Yan stayed. He wanted to see the drama unfold.
Gu Changqing directly lifted him onto the horse, "It's late, you should sleep. Staying up late isn't good for your health."
"But I want to see the drama."
"No mischief."
"Just a little?"
"You've been mischievous all night."
"Have I?"
Gu Yan's disgruntled hum gradually faded away.Raz P.'s Thoughts

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Description:
In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.
When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.
The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.
From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.
***
Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.
After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"
Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"
Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”
Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
He hasn't finished his lines yet though…