lcionline Chapter 3 reveals, the confrontation
Chapter 3 reveals, the confrontation
Gu Cheng'an gradually regained consciousness; the effects of the drug had worn off. He slowly opened his eyes, and the pungent smoke instantly choked him. Before him was a raging sea of fire.
"Ahem, what's going on?"
He coughed violently, his survival instinct dictating his actions, and with all his might he cried out for help: "Help... Someone help me... Help me!"
Those outside could vaguely hear his cries for help. Although they were drowned out by the crackling sound of the fire, they were like a ray of dawn in the darkness, which startled the Marquis of Anyang.
A flicker of surprise and urgency crossed his eyes, and he immediately ordered, "Rush in and rescue them! Make sure Cheng'an gets out safely!"
Before the words were even finished, a figure rushed towards the fire like an arrow released from a bow, nimbly weaving through the flames and thick smoke.
Chu Ruohan's lips curled slightly. Is it too late to think about saving people now?
Gu Cheng'an was rescued and lay weakly on the ground, with burns all over his body and his hair was singed, emitting a pungent smell. The once elegant young man was now in a sorry state.
Upon seeing this, Gu's mother rushed forward, sobbing uncontrollably, "My son, you're finally alright! You scared your mother to death!"
Marquis Anyang also breathed a sigh of relief. He patted Yingqing on the shoulder and said, "Thanks to you this time."
"I was acting on the orders of the young master. If Your Excellency wishes to express your gratitude, then please thank the young master."
Marquis Anyang nodded slightly upon hearing this, showing no dissatisfaction with Ying Qing's attitude, as if he had long been accustomed to it.
He immediately shouted to the servants, "Quickly fetch a doctor! Be fast! Make sure the second young master's life is not in danger!"
After receiving the order, the servant quickly ran out of the mansion.
Madam Gu busied herself having Gu Cheng'an carried back to Suijinxuan, and Du Ruoling also left with him.
At this moment, everyone was filled with doubts. What exactly was going on with this fake death?
As Yingqing passed by Chu Ruohan, she nodded slightly to him.
Ying Qing frowned. He had never seen this Miss Chu before.
Why does she look at me so strangely?
She seemed like an old acquaintance, yet he had no recollection of her whatsoever. Though he harbored doubts, he had no time to dwell on them, for he still needed to report back to the young master.
But only Chu Ruohan knew that in her past life, when she was trapped in a fire, it was Ying Qing who saved her, but she never had the chance to say thank you.
Seeing that everyone from the Gu family had left, Yu Ling asked in a low voice, "How did you know that the second young master of the Gu family was not dead, Miss?"
Chu Ruohan smiled faintly and remained silent, gazing into the distance. In this second life, how could she allow herself to bear the reputation of being a jinx to her husbands again?
She deliberately hid from the coffin when she lit the fire, making it seem like the fire was big, but it was just a lively display in front of the mourning hall.
"Let's go, Yuling," Chu Ruohan said softly, "Let's go see a good show."
Suijinxuan
After carefully examining Gu Cheng'an, the doctor breathed a sigh of relief and reported to Marquis Anyang: "My lord, although the young master has multiple burns, fortunately his life is not in danger."
The Marquis of Anyang and his mother finally breathed a sigh of relief, their tense expressions gradually easing.
Looking at Gu Cheng'an again, he was wrapped up tightly in gauze, looking just like a rice dumpling.
He pursed his lips, secretly relieved, "Luckily my face didn't get burned, otherwise my handsome appearance would be ruined, and I would definitely become an ugly monster."
The servants nearby couldn't help but chuckle when they heard this, but they quickly suppressed it, afraid of angering the second young master.
Mother Gu gave him a reproachful look, "How dare you say that? You almost scared your mother to death."
Unlike Gu's mother, Marquis Anyang was not optimistic. His face was so gloomy it could drip water. He slammed his hand on the table and said, "What exactly is going on? One minute he's dead, the next he's alive, causing chaos in the manor."
The air inside the room seemed to freeze instantly, and everyone fell silent.
Gu Cheng'an curled his lips: "Isn't it all because of you? You insisted that I marry that eldest daughter of the Chu family. I don't like her, so of course I have to find a way to run away."
Gu Cheng'an's voice trailed off, after all, what he had done was dishonorable.
Marquis Anyang was trembling with rage. He pointed at Gu Cheng'an and cursed, "You unfilial son! How can you mess around with matters of marriage? You've caused such a disaster by trying to escape your marriage. Tomorrow, my Marquis Anyang's mansion will become the laughingstock of the entire capital."
If it weren't for the fact that he was burned so badly, Marquis Anyang would have really wanted to whip him twice.
Madam Gu quickly advised, "My lord, please calm down. Cheng'an is already injured. It's not too late to discipline him after he recovers."
"Hmph! You're lucky this time. But if there's a next time, I won't let you off so easily."
Gu Cheng'an muttered under his breath, "If I had married Ling'er, I wouldn't have faked my death and eloped."
Upon hearing this, Gu's mother was filled with rage. It was all because of this wretched maid. Her eyes shot towards Du Ruoling like knives.
"You shameless little whore, you seduced a man and eloped with him. I should have killed you back then."
“Mother,” Gu Cheng’an immediately spoke up to defend her, “I have long said that I will marry no one but her in this life.”
"Didn't I promise you that I would take her as a concubine?"
"Ling'er, how can you be wronged to be a concubine? I want to marry her and make her my only wife."
"In that case, my marriage to the Second Young Master is off." Chu Ruohan's cold voice rang out in the room. She and Yu Ling had been standing at the door at some point, their expressions indifferent, as if they had just watched a play that had nothing to do with them. Now, it was time to make this matter clear.
Mother Gu looked at Chu Ruohan, her expression somewhat embarrassed, "Cheng An really acted too recklessly. Once he recovers, have him apologize to you..."
“Mother,” Gu Cheng’an interrupted before Gu’s mother could finish speaking, “Isn’t it good that she wants to break off the engagement? Ling’er said that the one who is not loved is the mistress.”
"What nonsense are you spouting? Now that Ruohan has entered the Anyang Marquis's mansion, she is your legal wife."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan couldn't help but sneer. Gu's mother was really pragmatic. In her previous life, she had been branded as a jinx and was constantly being called a "little bitch."
Now we call her Ruohan.
“Madam Gu, my second son and I have not yet held a wedding ceremony, nor have we even stepped over the brazier. How can we be considered to have entered the gates of the Marquis of Anyang’s mansion?”
There's no way this marriage will actually happen.
Gu's mother's face turned pale and then red. She hadn't expected Chu Ruohan to be so disrespectful. Just as she was about to retort, Marquis Anyang spoke first.
“Miss Chu, my son is unruly, and it is my fault for not disciplining him properly. But this marriage was arranged by both families long ago, how can it be treated so lightly? If you break off the engagement now, it will not be good for your reputation.”
Chu Ruohan sneered, "Your Excellency's words are strange. The Second Young Master just said that he will marry no one but Miss Du and want her to be his only wife. If that's the case, why should I stay here and be disliked? As for reputation, my Chu family can afford it."
Marquis Anyang frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. Today's events had become so embarrassing. If word got out that the engagement had been called off, where would he, as Marquis Anyang, put his face?