Yun Shu also got up and grabbed Gu Zhiruo’s arm.
Only then did Gu Zhiruo manage not to fall.
After a moment, she opened her eyes and sneered through clenched teeth, "They are truly shameless."
Yun Shu’s gaze shifted slightly. It seemed inappropriate for her to stay any longer.
This matter, Gu Zhiruo, now aware of the truth and clear-headed, would surely handle well.
"I'll leave through the back door first," Yun Shu said softly.
Gu Zhiruo immediately grabbed Yun Shu and shook her head, "You wait for me in the room, Yun Shu. I have so much to tell you, and you can watch a good show."
Then, Gu Zhiruo pushed the door open and walked out.
Wan Qing, seeing Gu Zhiruo emerge, almost burst into tears. "Miss..."
She had truly feared her mistress would grieve too much and harm her health.
Moreover, she wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt there was a light in her mistress's eyes, a light of rekindled hope and confidence.
She could still recall her mistress that morning when she learned the truth; the light in her eyes had turned to a dull gray, completely devoid of sparkle.
She could even hear her mistress's cries from outside the door.
This was wonderful!
Gu Zhiruo came to the courtyard and sat down, saying to Wan Qing, who was still teary-eyed, "Wan Qing, I'm hungry. Go ask the kitchen to make some hot noodle soup."
"Ah? Okay, okay! I'll go now, Miss. Please wait!" Wan Qing quickly ran to the kitchen.
The kitchen already had congee and noodles ready, prepared for when the mistress wanted to eat.
She would quickly bring some for her mistress!
Yun Shu listened to the commotion outside and smiled. Gu Zhiruo was loved by her parents and had loyal people who genuinely cared for her. Although she had encountered a scumbag, it likely wouldn't leave any lasting scars.
"Zhiruo? You're awake? When did you wake up? Why didn't you send someone to the Qu residence to tell us? Do you know how worried I've been about you these past two days? I couldn't sleep at all last night." Qu Shujie’s eyes widened in shock upon seeing Gu Zhiruo sitting in the courtyard.
Madam Qu, feigning tears, dabbed the corners of her eyes. "It's good that you're awake. I'm a bit better than Shujie; at least I slept last night. But I've felt uneasy all day today."
Gu Zhiruo looked at the mother and son’s performance and felt utterly disgusted.
This was the face that had been in front of her these past few days, their words trying to confuse her.
Before, she had found every word they spoke touching and sincere.
But now, Gu Zhiruo only felt nauseous. Their pretense was too poor.
Gu Zhiruo’s expression was blank, her emotions perfectly controlled, showing no anger.
Seeing Gu Zhiruo’s silence, Madam Qu and Qu Shujie finally sensed something was wrong.
They took a few more steps closer and saw Gu Zhiruo’s red eyes and pale complexion.
Instantly, mother and son exchanged glances.
Qu Shujie rushed forward, asking anxiously, "Zhiruo, did you cry? Who bullied you? Or is there something else? You can tell me anything, and I will seek justice for you! How dare they! Haven't they considered that you and I are about to be engaged, and you will be part of the Qu family? Who has the guts of a bear and the heart of a leopard?"
"Yes, who is it? Zhiruo, don't be afraid of anything, just tell us, and I will make decisions for you!" Madam Qu also said indignantly.
The two cooperated perfectly.
They truly looked concerned about Gu Zhiruo.
Yun Shu, listening to the voices outside, couldn't help but chuckle. Thankfully, she stifled her laughter. She felt that this mother and son duo could completely become actors in her era; their performance of true and false was so flawless.
Their conviction was truly admirable.
"Someone has indeed bullied me. I feel like killing them," Gu Zhiruo stared at them, her eyes ice-cold.
But mother and son were thinking that the current Gu Zhiruo was just a crying nuisance, and they had to pretend to care. They completely missed the look in Gu Zhiruo's eyes.
"Who is it?" Qu Shujie looked as if he was ready to rush out and settle the score at any moment.
Madam Qu grabbed Qu Shujie's arm. "Shujie, don't be rash. Let Zhiruo speak first."
Not far away, Lord Gu and Madam Gu were hiding behind a large tree, secretly watching. They were worried Zhiruo might be confused.
However, they were mistaken.
Zhiruo was very calm.
Conversely, Madam Qu and the others hadn't noticed anything amiss.
"It's nothing. You can leave now," Gu Zhiruo said coldly. She would deal with them after she had eaten and regained her strength.
She absolutely would not let these two get away unscathed.
"What? Zhiruo, our hearts are connected. I tell you everything, what I can and cannot tell you. Now that you've been bullied, you won't tell me?" Qu Shujie put on a hurt expression again.
Madam Qu sensed a hint of wrongness. "Zhiruo, could someone have said something misleading to you? If you hadn't suddenly fainted yesterday, you and Shujie would already be engaged. No matter what others say, it's not true! You must open your eyes wide."
Qu Shujie grew nervous upon hearing this.
Gu Zhiruo sneered at them.
Their faces were truly thick-skinned.
Madam Qu felt that something was terribly wrong. Someone must have ruined their plans!
She quickly signaled Qu Shujie.
Qu Shujie grabbed Gu Zhiruo's hand. "Zhiruo, my feelings for you are as clear as the heavens. I can do wrong to anyone else, but I will never do wrong to you. I want to grow old with you! Let's get engaged now, shall we? Don't pay attention to what others say. You just need to remember, I will never betray you in this life!"
A vow of deep affection!
It sounded truly moving.
But Gu Zhiruo felt a wave of disgust.
She forcefully pulled her hand away.
Taking a nearby handkerchief, she wiped her hand as if Qu Shujie's touch had dirtied it.
Qu Shujie was stunned.
What was happening?
Madam Qu was also dumbfounded, secretly thinking, "This is bad!"
"Zhiruo, you..."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Zhiruo no longer wanted to listen. She stood up, looked at them with a blank expression, her heart still aching faintly, but she didn't show it. All that was visible was a trace of undeniable hatred.
"Don't think your actions were seamless. I know what you are trying to do."
"Qu Shujie, you frequent the pleasure houses almost every day, with women on both your arms, and you’ve even set up an outer chamber outside the city. You claim to be devoted to me and say that in the future, I will be the only one by your side. Don't you find yourself disgusted when you utter such words?"
"And Madam Qu, you clearly dislike me, yet you insist on pretending to like me. Isn't it tiring?"
Madam Qu and Qu Shujie's faces turned ashen, especially Qu Shujie's, whose expression changed rapidly. He retorted stubbornly, "Zhiruo, why are you saying this?"