After the Cold and Aloof Husband's Mask Falls - Chapter 44

The sun was high in the sky.

A loud shout erupted from the Gu residence, which shared a wall with the Protector Duke’s Manor, startling a flock of sparrows from the branches.

“What did you say?! A Roulan man actually stood at the front gates next door all night just to see Gu Wanlan?!”

Gu Baozhu’s round eyes widened. Upon hearing the news, she instantly dropped her chopsticks, stood up from the table, and her entire face turned scarlet with indignation.

“How could she do this?! It was bad enough that she ignored her status and chose some small-time painter to be her live-in husband! Now that she’s married, she still can’t stay settled? She’s actually involved with a Roulan man to the point where they come looking for her at her doorstep! It’s… it’s simply absurd! Shameless!”

Thinking of something, Gu Baozhu suddenly whipped her head around to look at her maid, Cuiyun, who had delivered the news.

“No! Isn’t she supposed to be so capable? She had a way to frame my cousin and instigated Grandmother to split the family, driving us into this cramped corner!”

Reflecting on her house arrest which had lasted over a month, and how Gu Wanlan had bullied their family to this extent—yet her mother seemed possessed, even praising Gu Wanlan for being “broad-minded” and telling her to learn from her—Gu Baozhu felt more aggrieved by the second. Her tone became sharp and biting. “Gu Wanlan is such a powerful figure! How could she let such a scandal reach your ears? Could it be that you’ve got it wrong?”

Meeting her mistress’s resentful gaze, Cuiyun stammered, “It… it seems that lady can’t cover it up even if she wants to. When I went out this morning, this scandal had already spread across the entire capital.”

“Spread… across… the entire capital?”

Cuiyun nodded, her scalp tingling. “Every street and alley is discussing it.”

Gu Baozhu struggled to catch her breath, nearly fainting. At this moment, she truly wished she could devour Gu Wanlan alive.

She wanted to see Gu Wanlan made a laughingstock, yes, but only on the premise that it didn’t affect her. Now, although the families had split, Gu Wanlan was still a daughter of the Gu clan. Since this scandal had spread everywhere, how was she supposed to get married in the future?

“Where are Father, Mother, and Grandmother?! Has no one gone to deal with her?!”

“The Old Madam has been feeling unwell since this morning; Madam is currently attending to her. The Master is behind closed doors, refusing guests.”

Gu Baozhu almost let out a cynical laugh. “Grandmother happened to fall ill just at this moment? How convenient! I wonder if she doesn’t want to deal with it, or simply doesn’t dare to!”

Cuiyun grew anxious. Fearing her mistress would be punished again, she hurriedly said, “Miss, your house arrest was just lifted. Please, watch your words.”

Unexpectedly, this touched Gu Baozhu’s sore spot. “Why? Gu Wanlan can ignore seniority and status, so why must I be humble and submissive every single day?!”

That is because that lady clearly has the means to survive without relying on status or etiquette, whereas you still need to rely on the family’s favor for a good future, Cuiyun thought. But she didn’t dare say it aloud. She could only comfort her: “Miss, perhaps things aren’t as bad as you think. In a few days, when something bigger happens, people will forget this.”

“Forget?! I have to attend Princess Xihe’s banquet tomorrow! How are people supposed to forget?!”

Previously, Cui Liquan had caused a massive blunder all for her sake. During her house arrest, she had written several apology letters to him, but they weren’t even allowed through the gates of the Cui manor, let alone into his hands. It was obvious that marrying Cui Liquan would be difficult now. She had to find another way out, and after much effort, she had secured an invitation to Princess Xihe’s banquet. Who knew Gu Wanlan would cause such a scandal—and let it spread through the whole city! She could already imagine the looks the noble families would give her tomorrow!

“Since no one cares, I’ll care! For such a scandal, I will demand an explanation from her!”

With that, Gu Baozhu couldn’t stay still. She stormed toward the neighboring manor.

Between the two residences, there was a newly built small side door. Cuiyun followed closely, assuming she would take that path, but Gu Baozhu headed straight for the main gates of the Protector Duke’s Manor. Her stance was clearly that of someone looking for a fight. Cuiyun broke into a cold sweat; she stopped following and turned to find the Second Madam, hoping she could catch her daughter quickly.

The gatekeepers of the Protector Duke’s Manor naturally recognized Gu Baozhu. They had received many tips from her in the past. Seeing her aggressive arrival, they didn’t dare be careless. One went secretly to fetch the Madam, while another greeted her with a smile.

“Miss Baozhu, you’ve come to the main gate today. Do you have a formal visiting card?”

This was a hint, given out of courtesy for her past tips. If she had official business, she should have sent a card; if it was just family bickering, she should have used the side door to avoid making a scene she couldn’t come back from.

“Absurd! When has Gu Baozhu ever needed a card to enter the Protector Duke’s Manor?! You snobbish slave!”

Gu Baozhu only felt that she was being kicked while she was down. Somehow, she suddenly remembered that day at the Poetry Society.

That day, Gu Wanlan had engaged in a verbal battle with Cui Liquan, instigating the commoner scholars to spread her fame. That day, she had stepped on the shoulders of noble sons like Cui Liquan to gain the favor of the military nobility. That day, Gu Baozhu could only shrink beside Cui Liquan, watching her shine with envy and jealousy.

But today was different…

Gu Baozhu’s heart beat rapidly, her body felt hot, and a rush of blood surged to her head. Before coming, she only wanted to vent her anger, but suddenly, she felt she could achieve much more!

Gu Baozhu raised a hand, pointing high at the plaque bearing the four characters “Protector Duke’s Manor,” and shouted sharply:

“I am not even interested in stepping through these gates! I, Gu Baozhu, come today on behalf of all the women of the Gu clan to question Gu Wanlan!”

The words fell like a thunderclap. The gatekeepers gasped. She was actually here to trash the place!

The gatekeeper’s face darkened. “Miss Baozhu, if it is a clan matter, please have the Clan Head step forward. Otherwise, please leave immediately, or the consequences will be more than you can handle!”

The gatekeeper’s mouth moved, but Gu Baozhu could hardly hear him. She felt as though she had entered a transcendent state.

“Is it because she has always lived atop ten thousand books that she cannot learn to sympathize with the hardship of others’ studies? The bitterness of study? How selfish! How cold! I truly wasted my time coming here! I disdain to be associated with her!”

She was visualizing every subtle expression on Gu Wanlan’s face from that day, hearing every pause and tone of every sentence. Gu Baozhu raised her chin. At this moment, she felt a resonance from the depths of her soul.

“Gu Wanlan is the legitimate daughter of the Protector Duke. While the Duke is on the front lines killing enemies, she is entangled with a Roulan man—this is disloyalty! She is a married woman who should be living in harmony with her husband, yet she attracts men to seek her out at midnight—this is injustice to her husband!”

“Such a disloyal and unjust person deserves the scorn and judgment of every sheltered maiden! I, Gu Baozhu, will be ashamed to be associated with Gu Wanlan from this day forward!”

The crowd was in an uproar. These words were practically a public disowning!

Noticing more and more gazes falling on her, and more people gathering because of her speech, Gu Baozhu felt even more exhilarated, her cheeks burning hot.

Clap, clap, clap.

Crisp applause sounded from behind her.

Gu Baozhu instinctively puffed out her chest, her breathing becoming even more hurried. She was about to turn around to accept the crowd’s admiration—

But the smile on her face suddenly froze. The person clapping was Gu Wanlan!

“What? Are you dissatisfied that it’s me clapping?” Gu Wanlan jumped down from the carriage with a smile.

Gu Baozhu’s expression stiffened. She had seen this carriage at the gate when she arrived. In other words, Gu Wanlan had been on the scene the entire time?!

For a moment, Gu Baozhu felt like a thief caught in the act by the owner. But then she forced herself to stand firm.

“Gu Wanlan, you are the one who disregarded the reputation of all the women in the clan and committed such a scandal first. Now, even if you are the high and mighty daughter of the Protector Duke, you must give an explanation to those women you have innocently dragged down with you!”

“A scandal? An explanation?” Gu Wanlan sneered. She raised her head and surveyed the surrounding crowd. Those she made eye contact with hurriedly looked away, but the disgust on their faces hadn’t been fully hidden yet.

Clearly, they largely agreed with what Gu Baozhu had just said.

Gu Baozhu smiled with smug satisfaction. “Look, the others only remain silent because they know you brought a husband into your home and fear your future power—but someone has to speak up. I dare to.”

“Having not seen you for a month, you’ve actually made me look at you in a new light.”

“Gu Wanlan, don’t change the subject.”

“It’s not about changing the subject, it’s just, Gu Baozhu…” Gu Wanlan laughed, stepped forward, and sighed. “Do you know that in the countryside, when arguing with people, simply following their logic to strike back is usually the lowest tactic…”

“!” Gu Baozhu felt a sudden, inexplicable surge of panic. What does she mean? She’s not going to argue with me? What is she going to do!

Gu Wanlan simply smiled and took two steps back from Gu Baozhu. Then, her smile vanished. She pointed a finger at Gu Baozhu, her expression stern and imposing.

“Destroying a person’s reputation without verification is no different from driving them to suicide. Seize her and take her to the Ancestral Hall.”