Volume One, Chapter Two: Wanting Both

In her previous life, Gu Changning also gave this bracelet to Gu Xingze, filled with love, yet it was immediately discarded as an ill omen once given—just like the scene unfolding now.

Li Nanzhi’s loathing reached its peak. With a sharp slap, she knocked the red bracelet from Gu Changning’s hand and whispered, “Get your filthy things away. Don’t have any ill intentions toward your brother.”

“Mother, this thread is from the red jacket Changning took apart herself, washed strand by strand. It really isn’t dirty,” Gu Changning replied firmly, her black eyes shining with determination.

“If you don’t come to trouble your mother, that would be the best gift. Now step back,” Gu Jinghe, the Marquis of Pingchang, scolded sharply as he saw his wife’s anger.

Watching little Changning being chastised by her older brother and sister-in-law, Gu Jingzhi’s eyes darkened. Calmly, he picked up the red bracelet from the ground, clutching it thoughtfully in his hand.

The banquet was in full swing when the steward’s clear voice announced, “Eunuch Cao has arrived.”

Gu Jinghe immediately put on a friendly, joyous expression and went to greet him with Li Nanzhi and the younger brothers.

“Eunuch Cao’s arrival truly honors the Marquis’s residence. Please, come in.”

“Congratulations to the Marquis on the birth of a legitimate son. The Emperor has instructed that, on this auspicious day, the matter of the Fourth Lord’s adopted heir be settled. Has a candidate been decided?”

Gu Jinghe beamed, “I have already discussed it with the Fourth Lord. The second brother’s legitimate second son will be adopted.”

Truthfully, this was quite a favor to the second brother’s family.

With the Fourth Lord’s estates and the Emperor’s previous rewards, his wealth was no less than that of Gu Jinghe, who held the title.

The second brother, Gu Jingyu, quickly responded, “Eunuch Cao, currently only our second branch has two sons. For the Fourth Lord, we are willing to make this painful sacrifice. Our youngest son, Xingchen, will be devoted to him.”

Gu Jinghuai snorted quietly; the second brother was clearly taking advantage and playing the peacemaker. If only he and the eldest brother had another son, would this good fortune fall to the troublemaker Gu Xingchen?

Cao Wen nodded gently, his gaze warm as he looked at Gu Jingzhi.

Gu Jingzhi bowed slightly and cupped his hands politely. “Eunuch Cao, I would also like to select a daughter.”

Gu Jinghuai smiled inwardly. The sickly fellow was greedy, still dreaming of having both sons and daughters.

That was good news; if he wanted a daughter, there was only the clever Gu Changle to choose.

To share half of the Fourth Lord’s estate was a delight to imagine.

Seeing Gu Jingzhi had made up his mind, Cao Wen smiled. “Very well. Has the Fourth Lord decided whom to choose?”

Gu Jinghuai tugged Gu Changle’s hand, signaling her to go and flatter Gu Jingzhi with sweet words.

Before Gu Changle could act, Gu Jingzhi spoke gently, “Yes, I have decided. I choose Changning.” He smiled and patted Gu Changning’s hand.

Gu Jinghuai’s smile froze.

What? Changning? He thought he had misheard. That dirty, incapable Changning—how could she surpass the clever and bright Changle?

Hearing her uncle’s words, Gu Changning was stunned. She looked steadily at Gu Jingzhi, who knelt before her, rubbed her head, took her hand, and softly said,

“Changning, this red bracelet is very beautiful. Let your uncle tie it on your wrist.”

“Okay.” Gu Changning nodded obediently and stretched out her slender wrist.

Seeing Changning’s bony wrist, Gu Jingzhi’s heart tightened. Changning was a year older than Changle but hadn’t yet reached her shoulder height; she was so frail that a gust of wind could blow her away.

As the half of the estate he was about to obtain slipped away again, Gu Jinghuai was unwilling to accept it. “Jingzhi, choosing that girl Changning over Changle is unwise. Your health is already poor. Changning isn’t clever, but our Changle is intelligent and well-behaved; she could even take care of you.”

“No need, third brother. I think Changning is very good.”

“Changning, do you wish to be my daughter?” Gu Jingzhi stood, smiling gently though his voice was weak.

“Yes, Changning is willing.” Gu Changning looked at the red bracelet on her wrist and nodded firmly.

The only uncle in this world who treated her kindly would become her father. How could she refuse?

With Gu Xingchen absent and the family elders indifferent to Gu Changning, no one objected.

Only Gu Jinghe watched Gu Changning, nearly crying with happiness, with a flicker of displeasure.

He had never cared for Gu Changning and even despised her somewhat.

Yet now, the child who used to cling to him begging for affection had resolutely chosen Gu Jingzhi. The feeling unsettled him deeply.

It was the same as when their father and the Emperor both overlooked him, the eldest legitimate son of the Marquis’s family, to favor the sickly Gu Jingzhi.

Forget it; after all, she was just an unlucky girl.

If Gu Jingzhi chose her, then so be it.

Li Nanzhi felt nothing. She had long disliked Gu Changning; if she weren’t worried about others accusing her of mistreating her, she would have dealt with her already.

Now Gu Jingzhi, this frail man doomed to die young, had chosen her. Perfect.

Once Gu Jingzhi died, the half of the estate Gu Changning inherited would obediently come into her hands.

At this thought, Li Nanzhi’s gaze softened slightly. “Since the Fourth Lord and Changning get along so well, how could we disagree? Changning, you must obey your uncle from now on.”

With the matter settled, Gu Jinghe immediately took out the family register and instructed the arrangements for the adoption.

The second brother, Gu Jingyu, was in high spirits. Gu Changning had no protector and would naturally be under the control of their son Xingchen.

Fortunately, it wasn’t Changle chosen. He happily patted Gu Jinghuai’s shoulder. “Third brother is lucky. His daughter can always stay by his side. The Fourth Lord would rather choose Changning than Changle, out of brotherly consideration, so as not to take away your only child.”

Gu Jinghuai suffered a silent defeat, unable to retort.

His face flushed dark purple, and he blamed Gu Jingzhi, the sickly one, for this.

After Eunuch Cao left, Gu Jinghuai sneered coldly at the two walking side by side. “Choosing a jinx who will kill her own mother—he must be courting death.”