Gu Qing Zhou slept beautifully.
Early morning the next day, the dawn light was faint and Gu Qing Zhou woke up. She sat in front of the old-fashioned rosewood dresser and opened the glass window to see the tall sycamore trees in the courtyard.
In the twelfth lunar month, the green leaves of the sycamore trees have fallen and the twigs were bare. Lingering in the mist of dawn, it was like they were wearing a light gauze dress, like a graceful fairy.
Gu Qing Zhou tended to her hair in front of the mirror. In the western mirror, her cheeks were rosy and tender, her eyes were pure and clear, and the innocence of a 16 year old was the best disguise.
The corners of her lips were slightly raised and she went downstairs after combing her braids.
The servants had prepared rice porridge, fried steamed buns, flower rolls and chicken noodle soup.
No one else was up yet, she was the first.
Gu Qing Zhou sat at the dining table and slowly ate the noodles. When she was about to finish eating, her stepmother Qin Zheng Zheng came downstairs.
Qin Zheng Zheng had a tired face and had not slept all night.
“Were you frightened last night?” Qin Zheng Zheng comforted Gu Qing Zhou, which was Gu Gui Zhang’s intention.
Gu Gui Zhang lost his temper last night, scolding the third and fourth kids for being ignorant. He had said that Qin Zheng Zheng had not taught them well and they had frightened Gu Qing Zhou.
Qin Zheng Zheng was very angry. Her daughter had been injured, what was this about frightening Gu Qing Zhou? However, she did not dare disobey her husband and patiently listened to her husband’s teaching.
Then, Gu Gui Zhang also asked Qin Zheng Zheng to comfort Gu Qing Zhou, so she would not be worried. Qin Zheng Zheng agreed to do so.
“Yes.” Gu Qing Zhou put down her chopsticks and said in a soft voice, “There was a lot of blood, the Third Miss must be in pain…”
At least she was thoughtful!
Qin Zheng Zheng liked Gu Qing Zhou’s attitude and said, “That’s your third sister, no need to call her so politely.”
Having said that, Qin Zheng Zheng was still enjoying it. She liked that the daughter of the original wife was so meek and subservient.
After a simple chat over breakfast, Qin Zheng Zheng brought two dresses upstairs after eating.
Today, Qin Zheng Zheng was going to take Gu Qing Zhou to the military governor’s mansion to withdraw from the marriage.
“Being so impatient, is it because the young marshal of the military governor’s mansion fell in love with Gu Xiang?” Gu Qing Zhou thought while trying on clothes.
Otherwise, why would her stepmother be so eager to help her withdraw?
If she did not withdraw, the Gu family would have a relative in the military governor’s house so they would benefit even more.
With a father and stepmother who would not act quickly without benefits, they had rushed to bring Gu Qing Zhou over so naturally, it would not be for Gu Qing Zhou’s benefit.
In this family, the third and fourth kids were too conceited and were still underage. Only the oldest, Gu Xiang, was beautiful and elegant, and may be able to match the Young Master Si.
Gu Qing Zhou thought this in her heart, without showing any sign on her face. “The pink one looks good!” Qin Zheng Zheng said.
Qin Zheng Zheng had brought two dresses. One was light pink and had a straight silhouette, and the other was sky blue with a waistline.
The quality of the fabric for both dresses were below average.
The light pink dress was like a nightgown when worn, shapeless and rigid, while the sky blue dress made Gu Qing Zhou look graceful and pretty.
Qin Zheng Zheng did not want Gu Qing Zhou to look good, so she chose the light pink one.
Gu Qing Zhou smiled and obeyed Qin Zheng Zheng, and wore the ugly light pink dress.
After she put it on, her two braids framed her face and her black hair made her skin look snowy and radiant. She looked old-fashioned but bright and not particularly ugly.
“Country girls are all tanned. How can this girl grow up to have white and supple skin, like tofu?” Qin Zheng Zheng criticised silently, feeling a bit jealous.
Gu Qing Zhou was young with such supple skin. She also had a pair of big and innocent eyes which were particularly attractive. Qin Zheng Zheng was angry!
Qin Zheng Zheng had hoped that Gu Qing Zhou was an ugly girl or had a naughty personality, so that she would be much easier to deal with.
At 9am, Qin Zheng Zheng took Gu Qing Zhou out to the governor’s mansion.
When they got out of the car, Gu Qing Zhou suddenly took out a light pink ribbon from her pocket and tied a delicate bow around her waist.
Ordinary dresses could not show her figure, but tightening the waistline half an inch like this added a bit of grace to her young and slender figure.
Qin Zheng Zheng was stunned for a moment and was about to pull it down immediately. She said with a cold face, “What nonsense is this, it’s messy and shameful for the Gu family!”
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Naturally, she was not afraid of losing face. It was that Gu Qing Zhou cinching her waist made the dress show her exquisite figure. She was delicate like a snow doll and very cute. Qin Zheng Zheng was afraid that the Si family would take a fancy to her.
Qin Zheng Zheng was surprised and had not expected that this country girl knew how to dress fashionably.
Gu Qing Zhou squinted at her. She was already unable to keep pretending to be a loving mother?
“I like this.” Gu Qing Zhou’s voice was soft and waxy, as if she was about to cry if Qin Zheng Zheng said one more word.
Qin Zheng Zheng did not want Gu Qing Zhou to cry. If she cried, the governor’s wife might pity her and there would be problems with her withdrawal from the marriage.
“…Do as you like!” Qin Zheng Zheng was upset and went to knock on the door. They had already arrived at the governor’s mansion, so Qin Zheng zheng had to endure it because she could not lecture children at the gate of the governor’s mansion.
She felt like she had been pushed around by Gu Qing Zhou.
The governor’s mansion was located in the west part of the city. There was a sentry tower at the gate, a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. It was heavily guarded.
The big patterned iron gate was very tall. After knocking for a while, an aide came over to open the door.
Gu Qing Zhou successfully entered the governor’s mansion.
She met the governor’s wife in the main hall.
The governor’s wife was wearing a short brown fur coat. Inside, she wore a moon-white embroidered qipao and stockings that wrapped around her slender calves. Her small face had skin like snow and the years had left no traces on her face.
“…You really look like your mother.” The governor’s wife was stunned, and the corners of her eyes became hot.
This was the daughter of an old departed friend. The governor’s wife looked compassionate.
“Madam.” Gu Qing Zhou called out in a pure and crisp voice.
The governor’s wife nodded.
Qin Zheng Zheng stood by to help and said, “Qing Zhou only arrived yesterday and she came to see madam today. This child is filial and courteous!”
“Yes.” The governor’s wife was satisfied.
After saying a few words, Qin Zheng Zheng turned to the topic of withdrawing from the marriage.
Gu Qing Zhou glanced at the elegant and poised governor’s wife, and said softly, “Madam, may I have a word with you in private?”
Both the governor’s wife and Qin Zheng Zheng were stunned.
“Alright, come upstairs with me.” The governor’s wife smiled and agreed.
Qin Zheng Zheng was surprised and wanted to stop it.
However, the governor’s wife’s eyes were gentle but dignified and Qin Zheng Zheng did not dare to lose her sense of propriety.
Gu Qing Zhou followed the governor’s wife to the second floor.
The small living room on the second floor had a set of leather sofas, two carved chairs, and a richly fringed Indian tapestry. The whole room was decorated in a luxurious Baroque style.
The governor’s wife asked Gu Qing Zhou to sit.
Gu Qingzhou sat on the sofa beside the governor’s wife.
Her small, thin, and white hands were tender like bamboo shoots which she folded and placed on her knees with a dignified and charming manner.
The governor’s wife was a little surprised. This child did not look like she came from the country. With such an elegant posture, she looked like a noble lady.
“I do not agree to withdraw from the marriage.” Gu Qing Zhou’s voice was soft, like the mist in the forest, coming out beautifully.
The governor’s wife was not prepared for what she had said, and was stunned for a moment.
“You… don’t agree?” The governor’s wife was stunned. “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
This little girl was not as shy as when she first met her. Her clear eyes were slightly intense and a cunning light flashed in them.
The governor’s wife froze.
This was the rejection of a face-saving offer!
How can a local girl who had been raised in the country since she was a child be worthy of her precious son?