Volume One, Chapter Seven: Gu Man’s Wedding

"You—you just wait and see!" Jiang Jingguo scrambled to his feet, not daring to re-enter the room. He shot her a vicious glare before turning on his heel and leaving.

Watching his sorry figure retreat, Jiang Yingli felt no satisfaction, her heart calm as deathly still water, unperturbed by even the faintest ripple.

She had long known what kind of man he was. To be emotionally swayed by someone like him was simply not worth it.

Turning back inside, she began to pack her belongings, preparing to leave for the countryside. She hadn’t expected, however, to receive an invitation from the Gu family the very next day.

"A wedding invitation?"

She flipped through the red, gold-embossed card. Not even a name was written inside; it must have been a store-bought template, no time for custom orders. The Gu family was in such a hurry to marry off Gu Man, afraid their golden son-in-law would slip away.

She let out a short laugh. One had to admit, Gu Man was nothing if not adaptable. To be willing to hold her nose and go through with this marriage—would she have nightmares sharing a bed with him at night?

As for Qian Jing’s proclivities, who knew if she could endure them? He was either too fat or too dissipated, leading to certain… deficiencies. So, he resorted to using props to force women into pleading for mercy in bed, indulging his perverse desires.

In her previous life, there was hardly a sound patch of flesh left on her, yet the Qian family looked on with indifference.

In this life, she could only wish Gu Man well—may she have the means to coax some tenderness out of Qian Jing.

Amused, she rubbed the invitation between her fingers, changed her clothes, and headed for the Green House Western Restaurant.

She was curious to see just how Gu Man would leap into the grave she’d dug for herself. Perhaps she might even offer her a word or two of blessing.

Amidst elegant music, the beauty and the beast took their places on stage, while the Gu family couple, full of pride, sat at the head of the table.

This was, after all, the most favored second son of the Qian family in the capital! Soon to be their son-in-law!

Jiang Yingli sipped from her wine glass, watching the woman on stage, neck held high like a triumphant rooster, adorned in a full set of emerald jewelry.

The wine was rich and sweet, befitting a banquet at the Green House—the drinks alone were a delight.

On stage, Gu Man’s gaze immediately locked onto Jiang Yingli.

Seeing her leisurely enjoying her wine, Gu Man’s resentment nearly burst through her skin.

Why? All of this should have been her burden to bear! She could have been living the life of a wealthy wife in Hong Kong, in perfect harmony with her husband!

But quickly she composed herself, repeating silent reassurances.

She was marrying into the illustrious Qian family of the capital, while the Jiang family would soon be purged for colluding with the enemy!

Jiang Yingli would forever be beneath her—never to rise again!

Yet the more she hypnotized herself, the more bitter she felt.

Ignoring the master of ceremonies still delivering his speech, she seized the microphone, fixing Jiang Yingli with a sharp, shrill voice:

"Today, I want to thank my dearest friend, Jiang Yingli."

"It was she who brought Qian Jing and me together, who let us meet and fall in love."

"But soon, she will be sent down and purged. I hope that, should you encounter her, you’ll help her for my sake."

At once, the guests erupted in whispers. Those seated at the same table as Jiang Yingli scooted their chairs away, as if she carried some terrible contagion.

Jiang Yingli raised her glass in salute, her tone poised and unyielding. "Manman, just the other day I was calling you ‘sister-in-law.’ Now I can only address you as Mrs. Qian."

"My brother told me he’d intended to introduce me to him, but who would have thought you and Qian Jing would get together first?"

"I wish you happiness in your marriage, and may you and the second young master of the Qian family enjoy a long and blissful life together."

"My brother also said he bears you no grudge for driving him from the Gu family yesterday, nor for giving him up after weighing your options. After all, you once loved—he wishes you happiness."

Qian Jing’s gaze lingered on Jiang Yingli, unable to look away.

She wore a simple cotton dress, accentuating her purity. Her eyes shone with a sharp light, transforming her from a hothouse blossom to wild grass tossed by a storm—unyielding and tenacious.

Jiang Yingli was perfectly aware of his lecherous gaze, yet she made no move, meeting Gu Man’s eyes with a wickedly mocking smile at her lips.

Gu Man’s hand shook as she gripped the microphone, hearing the guests’ murmurs.

But she had to see this through!

"You must be joking. Your brother and I broke up a long time ago. I met my husband only afterward—it was a true love match, your brother knows this."

Such words might fool those from the capital, but everyone in Shanghai had seen her dining with him at a Western restaurant just days before.

Jiang Yingli replied, "Is that so? Sister Gu Man, why don’t we ask the restaurant manager to settle whose story is true?"

Feeling the menacing gaze of the man beside her, she felt as if needles pricked her back.

Qian Jing didn’t know about her relationship with Jiang Jingguo, nor had she ever mentioned it.

She didn’t want to continue this topic, so she hurriedly said, "Yingli, if you have any difficulties after being sent down, write to me anytime. The Qian family will never lack money."

"Of course! I hope by then you won’t despise a poor country girl like me!"

She winked playfully, showing no sign of offense.

Gu Man forced a smile as she handed the microphone back to the master of ceremonies.

In a corner, Jiang Jingguo watched her descend the stage arm in arm with Qian Jing, hatred flickering in his eyes.

He hadn’t received an invitation—he’d sneaked in through the staff entrance in disguise, so all he’d heard was that they’d long since broken up.

Gu Man, that wretched woman! As soon as he’d fallen, she’d kicked him aside, immediately grabbing hold of the Qian family!

She had only ever coveted the Jiang family’s wealth!

He should never have listened to her, never should have reported the Jiang family or emptied their assets to flee to Hong Kong!

If not for her, he would still be the eldest young master, the head of the Jiang family!

The guests’ blessings and her laughter grated on his ears. Staring at the cord attached to the stage curtain, he yanked it down without hesitation.

The entire curtain crashed down, smothering guests who didn’t react in time. Cries of alarm filled the hall.

He slipped away in the chaos.

Jiang Yingli watched his frantic retreat, rose with a smile, and made her way outside.

Jiang Jingguo had certainly lived up to her expectations—his sentence would surely be lengthened yet again.

Early the next morning, Jiang Yingli hauled her brown suitcase onto the train bound for the countryside.

The train for the relocated youths had departed half a month ago, so she had no choice but to travel alone.

But her godfather had assured her that the commune would still send someone to meet her.

She had packed all her foreign clothes into her secret space; her suitcase held only a few cotton dresses and cloth shoes, not even cosmetics.

She had also placed Master Jiang’s books from the study into her space—a keepsake of sorts.

When the Red Guards raided homes, they showed no mercy. Anything left behind would be smashed to pieces.

Seated on the train, she finally had time to think over Gu Man’s words.

Colluding with the enemy? Her grandfather had indeed had foreign friends; her studies abroad had relied on their support.

But Master Jiang had died when she was fifteen—it had been five years.

He’d made friends with foreigners even before the founding of the country, and even then nothing had been found against him. Now, five years after his death, they claimed to have uncovered something?

Absurd! It was nothing but a pretext for seizing the family!

The Jiang family could be purged, but they must not bear an undeserved, murky stain on their name!

She would get to the bottom of this!

The train rumbled on for three days and two nights, from endless plains to verdant mountains.

"Junzhou! Junzhou station!" called the conductor from the platform.