Chapter 159

After this matter was uncovered, Gu Ying didn't have another outburst.

She turned and passed the teacup to Zhao Changxing and Huo Qiyun.

"Big brother, big sister-in-law, please have some tea."

Zhao Changxing looked at Gu Ying with a somewhat inscrutable interest in his eyes. He slowly drank the tea and laughed, "My younger sister is beautiful. Looking at her, she seems a bit familiar."

Gu Ying's brows furrowed slightly as she also laughed politely, "Ah Ying feels she is of the willowy figure that men appreciate. It is common that big brother finds her familiar."

Zhao Changxing smiled without speaking further, only glancing lightly at Huo Qiyun by his side.

On the contrary, Huo Qiyun had an absent-minded expression on her face. She almost failed to catch the teacup that was passed to her.

This was not Gu Ying's first time seeing Miss Huo, but this was the first time formally meeting her face-to-face.

She noticed Huo Qiyun's distraction. Her small hand held Huo Qiyun's fingers to steady the teacup and smiled, "Big sister-in-law, please have some."

Only then did Huo Qiyun recover from her sorrowful emotions to look at the tall figure standing behind Gu Ying. Her gaze then fell on Gu Ying's face, as charming as a spring flower. Her heart was filled with complex and heart-wrenching feelings.

"Tha...thank you, little sister."

She had no appetite. She took a small sip and put it down.

She hadn't slept since last night.

When the maid Green Branch came back after delivering pastries, she wanted to personally go see the new bride.

But she turned back halfway. She admitted she was jealous of Gu Ying, jealous of the grand wedding the Crown Prince held for her, and also jealous of the Crown Prince's affection and protection towards her. Later, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep the entire night. Scenes of their wedding night floated through her mind... This morning, she had been sitting here waiting for the newlywed couple to come pay respects for a few hours.

Since childhood, the Crown Prince had been cold-hearted due to his family relations. He was emotionally detached except for being close to her. As a youth, he didn't let any other woman get near him.

She keenly noticed the ambiguous marks on Gu Ying's neck.

She couldn't imagine what the usually cold and heartless Crown Prince looked like when he lost control.

She sat there with her gaze fixed on Gu Ying. The more she thought about it, the more upset she felt, with stabs of pain in her heart.

Fortunately, she understood the Crown Prince's personality. It was possible Gu Ying deliberately made those marks herself.

Although Gu Ying was now his wife, he probably wouldn't touch her either.

With this thought, her heart calmed down a bit.

After greeting several other aunts, Gu Ying had completed the ritual of paying respects with tea.

In fact, there weren't many people in the Duke's Residence. The old Duke only had three sons with his official wife. Aside from the current Duke, his oldest son, the other two sons had died guarding the borders.

The two remaining aunts both had daughters.

The married ones married, and the remaining little cousin Zhao Changling was only ten this year. At this moment, she also sat obediently in the chair, her big black eyes looking at Gu Ying and laughing.

The atmosphere in the entire Duke's Residence was not good. It seemed even more aloof than the Marquis Manor. On the surface it was tranquil, but underneath were undercurrents.

Gu Ying was already used to such families. Without feelings or expectations, there was no disappointment either.

Zhao Changdu couldn't bear to see her tired. As soon as she finished paying respects, he threw aside the teapot in her hand and grasped her little hand. "Since you've finished paying respects, you must be tired too. Go back and have breakfast."

Gu Ying's cheeks flushed as she glared at him, hinting for him to restrain himself in public.

She didn't expect the Crown Prince's cold and indifferent exterior hid such a sharp tongue. No wonder she always heard her aunt say that her family's Crown Prince was no ordinary man.

"Ah Ying, let's go."

Zhao Changdu didn't care about any of that. Last night he had tasted the sweetness and teased the young girl for so long. Her body looked soft and delicate. She must still be unwell and needed to rest properly. He had wanted her to anger Cheng, but now he couldn't bear to part with her.

Gu Ying was forcibly pulled out by the overbearing man.

If this really spread, wouldn't others scold her for bewitching her husband?

But listening to the Crown Prince so brazenly provoking his elders felt oddly satisfying!

...

After the newlyweds left, the atmosphere in the Spring Mountain Courtyard turned frigid.

Zhao Hui was so angry he couldn't even eat. He directly stormed off to the study. The two aunts had seen the new daughter-in-law and casually consoled Cheng before leaving as well.

Remaining were Cheng and the couple Zhao Changxing and his wife.

"How strange." Cheng coldly knitted her brows, her tone unpleasant. "You, come apply medicine for me!"

Huo Qiyun had no choice but to walk over and take the burn ointment from Granny Sun at Cheng's side to carefully apply it on her. Cheng always refused to use servants, preferring to order Huo Qiyun around as if stepping on the Huo family's daughter made her status as the Duke's wife seem more impressive.

Huo Qiyun had endured this for ten years. Now with Gu Ying marrying in, she felt much more comfortable in her heart. At least in the future there would be Gu Ying to suffer with her.

Granny Sun said, "Madam, could it be the Crown Prince truly came to like this Gu girl? If the Crown Prince really fell in love, that would be troublesome."

Everyone knew of the Crown Prince's fiercely protective temper. If he was provoked, the future consequences would be hard to predict.

Cheng coldly snorted. Her eyes were full of vicious cruelty. "He married this woman just to deliberately make me unhappy. Watch me start tormenting and tormenting his beloved pet from tomorrow! Rest assured, I know restraint. I won't torture Gu Ying to death, just letting her know the rules of the Duke's Residence!"

Zhao Changxing's gaze sunk as he stared at the meekly lowered head of Huo Qiyun. He suddenly spoke up, "Mother, did they consummate last night?"

Cheng impatiently said, "They consummated. The handkerchief was delivered over this morning with blood on it. I personally examined it. That Wang still dared to lie to me that Gu Ying wasn't pure!"

Hearing this, Huo Qiyun's body stiffened. Her heart ached and she lost control of the force applying the medicine.

Cheng frowned and slapped her face. "Vile woman, are you trying to hurt me to death?"

Huo Qiyun's body trembled as her eyes instantly reddened.

Seeing her pitiful teary appearance, Cheng grew angrier. "You were supposed to have saved his life. He didn't want you anymore! Trashy wench, completely useless! Still not pregnant after so long. What use do I have for you!"