Chapter 20

The next morning, Shen Lihuan, who had gotten up early for her morning exercise, ran into her parents coming downstairs for breakfast. Remembering what had happened last night, she coughed awkwardly. “Good morning, Mom and Dad.”

Gu Qinglan heard her cough and asked with concern, “Why are you coughing? Did you catch a cold?”

Shen Jiashu also looked over with a worried gaze.

Shen Lihuan suddenly felt immense pressure. She rubbed her nose and quickly said, “It’s nothing. I’m perfectly fine. I just ran for a long time, so my mouth is a bit dry.”

Gu Qinglan immediately poured her a cup of tea and chided her gently, “Then drink some tea to soothe your throat.”

Shen Lihuan took the teacup, took a sip, and smiled as she hugged her mother’s shoulders. “Thank you, Mom. You’re the best.”

Gu Qinglan affectionately stroked her face, her eyes filled with tenderness. “You’re my only child. If I don’t dote on you, who else would I dote on?”

The three of them sat together warmly, enjoying breakfast. Meanwhile, Xiao Lu, who had gone out last night for some big task, had yet to return.

As Shen Lihuan contentedly swallowed a bite of caramel pudding, she glanced at her mother. Their family had no strict rules about staying silent while eating, so she turned her gaze toward Gu Qinglan and asked, “Mom, you’ve never told me about your and Dad’s story before. Can you tell me now? Since I have a grandfather and an uncle, do I also have maternal grandparents?”

Perhaps she hadn’t expected her daughter to ask such a question, or maybe she was reminded of the past, but for a moment, Gu Qinglan didn’t respond.

Shen Jiashu also paused briefly before reaching out to place his hand over Gu Qinglan’s. Gu Qinglan gave him a bitter smile and shook her head. “It’s fine. Since we’ve returned to the Imperial Capital, we’ll run into them sooner or later. It’s better for Lihuan to know now than to be kept in the dark.”

“Lihuan, your maternal grandfather is still alive. But I severed ties with him long ago, which is why I’ve never spoken to you about my family.”

Severed ties?

Shen Lihuan wondered—what could her unseen grandfather have done to make her mother hate him enough to cut off their relationship?

“Your maternal grandfather’s name is Gu Xiujin, and your maternal grandmother’s name was Pei Yuanning.” Gu Qinglan’s eyes grew distant as if she were recalling memories from long ago.

“Your grandmother was a dancer. She married your grandfather when she was twenty and only conceived me at twenty-eight. She had a student named Luo Jiangyue, a girl from a poor family with exceptional talent in dance. Your grandmother liked her a lot and often invited her to our home for meals.”

“No one expected that your grandfather would fall in love with this student. Their passion was so intense that they threw morality and ethics aside. While your grandmother was pregnant, Luo Jiangyue also became pregnant.”

“Your grandmother came from a prestigious family, and your grandfather was a scholar. He couldn’t afford a scandal involving an extramarital affair, so he secretly kept Luo Jiangyue as his mistress for ten years. He hid her away until your grandmother became seriously ill. Luo Jiangyue couldn’t hold back anymore and went to flaunt her position in front of your grandmother, telling her that she had given birth to two children for your grandfather and that he truly loved her. He only stayed in the marriage for the sake of his reputation.”

As Gu Qinglan spoke, her expression remained calm, as if she had already come to terms with everything. But Shen Jiashu knew that deep down, she still harbored resentment—toward Gu Xiujin and toward Luo Jiangyue.

“Your grandmother was an incredibly proud woman. Her husband’s betrayal filled her with such fury that she was quite literally angered to death. Your grandfather put on a show of mourning for a year before bringing Luo Jiangyue and her two children into the Gu family, publicly declaring them as his stepchildren. But everyone knew—they were illegitimate children.”

“Because of what your grandfather did, your grandmother’s family cut ties with him, though they still took care of me. But later, they fell into decline and relocated to Hong City. I was fifteen at the time. That same year, I met your father, and we fell in love.”

At this point, Gu Qinglan and Shen Jiashu exchanged a sweet look.

“Perhaps it’s true that like mother, like daughter. Three years later, your grandfather’s illegitimate daughter also took a liking to your father. She demanded that I break up with him, or she would have your grandfather drive me out of the Gu family. Your grandfather indulged her and actually told me to give way to my sister—to fulfill my ‘sister’s wish.’”

A mocking smile appeared on Gu Qinglan’s face. “Of course, I refused. That illegitimate daughter was an expert at playing the victim. After shedding a few tears, your grandfather lost his patience. He said that if I didn’t break up with Shen Jiashu, I would have to leave the Gu family. I gladly accepted his wishes—I severed all ties with him and moved out.”

“You already know what happened after that. Your grandfather tried to break us apart, and a mistress lurked nearby, waiting for an opportunity. I nearly lost my life, and your father was imprisoned at home. It was your uncle who helped us escape the Imperial Capital.”

Gu Qinglan reached out to stroke Shen Lihuan’s hair and said gratefully, “Lihuan, your uncle saved us. You must always remember his kindness.”

Though her mother spoke lightly, Shen Lihuan could imagine the stormy and turbulent past they had endured.

She hadn’t expected her parents’ history to be so dramatic. No wonder they had left the Imperial Capital for Lan City—who would choose to wander far from home if they could live peacefully?

“Mom, I understand. I will always remember Uncle’s kindness.”

Before this, Shen Lihuan hadn’t had much of an impression of her uncle, since they had never spent time together. But now, knowing what he had done for their family, she felt immense gratitude toward him.

“That illegitimate daughter’s name is Gu Qingrong. Lihuan, if you ever come across her, be very cautious. She appears delicate and pitiful on the surface, but inside, she is cruel and ruthless.”

Gu Qinglan’s words made Shen Lihuan’s heart tighten.

Gu Qingrong?!

Her intuition told her that this Gu Qingrong was exactly the person she had been searching for!