Chapter 519: Take a Second Look at Her
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Old Master Gu didn’t say much, he just sent someone to give a reply, informing Gu Qingluan that the Gu family would always be her paternal home, and if she ever felt wronged, she could come to the Gu family or find him. The Gu family would never stand idly by, letting her be bullied by others.
These words were quite moving, or so it seemed.
But Gu Qingluan found them extremely ironic.
If it weren’t for her current status and strength, would the Gu family even spare her a second glance?
She had fifteen years of memories living in the Gu family, and back then, they not only didn’t protect her, but instead, the ones who bullied her the most were the people of the Gu family.
All because she had no value at the time.
They treated her like how they treated Wang Shi.
In the eyes of the Gu family, it was all about interests.
Anything that couldn’t bring them benefits was either coldly ignored or ruthlessly bullied and exploited.
Gu Qingluan thought that what Gu Hongkang said was nonsense.
Nevertheless, she did send an invitation.
Not to build a good relationship, but to prevent the Gu family from acting recklessly.
After all, the power of the Gu family was still not to be underestimated.
The other side also wanted to gain some benefits from her.
If she were to cut ties too abruptly, the other side might cause trouble once they saw no profit to gain.
Sure enough, after Gu Hongkang received the wedding invitation, the displeasure on his face diminished.
He had someone call Gu Zhicheng over.
“Qingluan is about to get married. My original intention was for her to return to the Gu family and get married from here, but she refused. Now that she has grown wings, we can’t control her. But you are still her biological father. On the day of the wedding, you should attend.”
Gu Hongkang handed an invitation to Gu Zhicheng.
Gu Zhicheng declined with a dark expression, “I won’t go!”
He was now a disabled person, looking much older than he was. He appeared to be around fifty, more aged than Gu Hongkang.
He used to lead the most prestigious family and even achieved the status of a Saint, rising far above ordinary practitioners. His life was supposed to be full of prospects, but it all fell apart because of Gu Qingluan.
Now, he spent every day and night reliving the pain of having his cultivation disabled, harboring deep hatred for Gu Qingluan’s cold-bloodedness.
He wished Gu Qingluan dead, so why would he be willing to attend her wedding?
If he didn’t go, people would ridicule Gu Qingluan.
If he did go, he would be the one mocked.
How could a daughter’s wedding not be held at her own home?
His cultivation being disabled was also impossible to hide.
Everyone knew that he had a feud with Gu Qingluan. If he were to attend the grand wedding ceremony, he would only be humiliating himself.
Gu Hongkang also understood his son’s resentment and hatred. He sighed lightly and said, “If you don’t go, I’ll take Qin’er with me. That girl behaves and handles things well. There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s a sensible child.”
Gu Zhicheng’s eyebrows twitched. “Why are you going? That stinking girl has no intention of reconciling with the Gu family. Father, do you think others won’t laugh at us at your presence?”
“Not going will truly make us a laughingstock!” Gu Hongkang said in a deep voice. “Everyone is waiting to see the Gu family fall from grace. With Qingluan’s current reputation and strength, everyone is eager to be associated with her. We have the ready conditions. Why not make good use of them? Even if she doesn’t want to have a deep relationship with us, in the eyes of outsiders, as long as there is still some connection, we are still one family. If we really sever ties, just in Tianjing alone, I don’t know how many people will try to harm the Gu family!”
What Gu Zhicheng hated most now was hearing these words.
He had always kept his father’s teachings in his heart, prioritizing the family’s interests.
But in the end, he had become a sacrificial lamb for the family’s interests, which was truly laughable.
“Do whatever you want. I don’t care.”
With that, he left without a word.
Gu Hongkang frowned helplessly and had someone deliver the invitation to Gu Qin’er.
In the Spring Welcoming Garden.
When Gu Si’er saw the invitation sent by her grandfather to Gu Qin’er, and learned that it was only given to Gu Qin’er, she felt intensely jealous.
“Fifth Sister, can you give me the invitation? On the day of Gu Qingluan’s wedding, there will surely be many dignitaries and nobles attending, and I want to go and see.”
Gu Qin’er hid the invitation in her sleeve. “This is grandfather’s arrangement, and 1 dare not defy him. If you want it, go find him yourself.”
Gu Si’er stomped her foot in frustration. “Hmph! You’re only not giving it to me because you want to go yourself. Don’t use grandfather as an excuse!”
Gu Qin’er glanced at her indifferently. “With your temper, it’s better not to get too close to Gu Qingluan and avoid drawing her attention. Don’t forget how you cursed her before. Do you want to follow in Fourth Sister’s footsteps?”
Gu Si’er subconsciously touched her face, which had been burned before, and thought of Gu Jinyue, who could no longer speak. A trace of fear appeared in her eyes.
She purposely said, “Hmph, I don’t want to go anyway. Who cares! A woman who got pregnant before marriage, yet received so much praise is truly ridiculous. They actually believed those words Gu Qingluan used to clear her name? I don’t know where the man who’s going to marry Gu Qingluan came from, claiming to have a significant background. In my opinion, it’s just Gu Qingluan playing tricks. Maybe she found someone to impersonate that unknown man who impregnated her from back then, all in an effort to restore her own reputation. It might not be true love. Just wait and see, they will reveal their true colors sooner or later.”
Gu Qin’er didn’t comment.
Now she had a clear understanding that no one in the Gu family had the ability to contend with Gu Qingluan.
Seeing how her Uncle and Aunt suffered, if she were to oppose Gu Qingluan, it would definitely be digging her own grave. Even her second sister, who was studying at the Qiankun Academy, was not a match for Gu Qingluan.
In that case, why not change her approach and try to befriend Gu Qingluan?