Chapter 63: Husband’s Decree
Meng Wan ran out of the villa with an elegant-looking and beautiful noblewoman behind her.
Meng Wan ran over and wanted to hug Gu Zheng’s arm. Suddenly, she saw Qiao Xi and took two steps back as if she was shocked. She lowered her head and said in a terrified voice, “M-Miss Qiao, you’re here as well.”
Qiao Xi narrowed her eyes. This pretentious appearance… Was she going to start acting again? Last time, she and Gu Zheng kept talking about getting rid of the Meng family. She thought that they would be smart about it, but she did not expect that they would make a comeback after just a short period of time. Was it because they had brought new helpers?
Qiao Xi’s gaze fell on the elegant noblewoman behind Meng Wan. She reckoned that this was the new backer Meng Wan had found. It was just that she did not know what identity this backer had… She looked at the woman surreptitiously. The housekeeper who had warned the Meng family last time was standing behind the noblewoman in fear at this moment. Coupled with the arrogance and delight that was vaguely visible in Meng Wan’s eyes, Qiao Xi had a rough guess about the noblewoman’s identity.
It was probably Gu Zheng’s mother, the madam of the Gu family.
Mrs. Gu was wearing a shawl, looking elegant and noble. The jewelry on her body was low-profile and luxurious, perfectly highlighting her temperament and status. She knew how to attract attention to herself and made others think that she had good taste in clothes. One look and one could tell that she was an exquisite and beautiful noblewoman.
At the same time, Meng Wan was wearing a diamond-studded dress. Her makeup was appropriate, and even her hair was exquisite. Compared to the two of them, Qiao Xi was much more shabby-looking. She was wearing an ordinary sports attire, while her hair was casually let down. She did not put on any makeup and only had on lip balm.
Madam Gu coldly sized up Qiao Xi. “You’re Qiao Xi?” Her voice was filled with undisguised disdain, and she completely disregarded Qiao Xi’s dignity.
Gu Zheng’s eyes darkened.
Qiao Xi swept a glance at Meng Wan. She could confirm that Madam Gu was her new backer. No wonder she dared to take the initiative to visit Gu Zheng after he warned the Meng family.
Meng Wan spoke before Qiao Xi could. “Aunt Lan, this is Miss Qiao…”
“Tsk, you seduced someone else’s fiance at such a young age. You’re really shameless. Wan Wan, don’t be afraid. Nobody should even think of entering the Gu family after such shameful behavior.”
Qiao Xi’s face sank.
Madam Gu sneered. “Gu Zheng, since you’ve decided to marry Wan Wan, you have to treat her well. What’s the meaning of bringing a promiscuous woman home? I’ll make the decision. From today onward, Wan Wan will stay in Longwan Residential to foster your relationship.”
The atmosphere instantly froze.
A storm gathered in Gu Zheng’s peach blossom eyes as he swept his invasive gaze over the crowd. He slowly said, “What status does Madam Gu have to make such a decision? Have you received the husband’s decree?”
Madam Gu shuddered.
The husband’s decree… was a token that symbolized her status as the madam of the Gu family. She did not have it! Only the old madam of the Gu family, who was recognized by everyone in the family, was allowed to obtain the husband’s decree. Together with the patriarch, they ruled the Gu family.
Mrs. Gu was unwilling to give up. “Gu Zheng, I’m your mother. Would I harm you? You can play with this woman, but you can’t marry her. No one can replace Wan Wan. Listen to me, divorce this woman now.”
Gu Zheng casually stretched out his hand to Qiao Xi. “Come, let’s not listen to her nonsense.”
Mrs. Gu was provoked by his attitude. Just because she did not have the husband’s decree, even her own son would not listen to her? Was the husband’s decree so easy to get in the Gu family? She was not the only one who did not have it. For the past three generations, the women of the Gu family had never gotten it!
The husband’s decree had not appeared in the world for more than a hundred years.
Meng Wan gritted her teeth and leaned against Mrs. Gu’s shoulder. She said softly, “Aunt Lan, it’s okay. Don’t ruin your relationship with Brother Gu Zheng because of me.”
Only then did Madam Gu remember her purpose for coming here today. Her expression darkened. “Let’s go in too. I don’t believe that Gu Zheng will really chase the two of us out for that vixen!”
Qiao Xi had also heard of the Gu familt’s husband’s decree. It seemed to be a result of a family head’s mistake in making a decision. In that dangerous situation, it was the wife of the head of the Gu family who stepped in and led the Gu family out of the swamp. After the incident ended, the entire Gu family expressed their gratitude and also decided to set up a husband’s decree for the sake of the Gu family’s future.
If the current head of the Gu family did not display a good character and did things that were not beneficial to the Gu family, the wife who received the husband’s decree had the right to handle anything—including expelling the current head of the family and electing the next head.
It could be said that the husband’s decree was a sword hanging over the heads of the Gu family. No one liked having their status threatened at all times, so the husband’s decree had not appeared in a long time.
Chapter 64: Move Out Of The Master Bedroom
“So your father didn’t give the husband’s decree to your mother?” Qiao Xi was slightly curious.
“Yeah.” Gu Zheng chuckled, his gaze meaningful. “Why are you suddenly asking about the decree? Do you want it?”
Qiao Xi choked for a moment, then looked away. She just wanted to ask about it. What was wrong with this man’s brain? If Madam Gu found out that she wanted something from her husband, she would probably curse her again.
Gu Zheng curled his lips. This woman looked smart but was also stupid at times. She did not even know that she already had the husband’s decree.
After the two of them went upstairs, Gu Zheng went straight to the study. He had not read the documents sent by the company and still had a video conference that he needed to preside over. Qiao Xi returned to the third floor and fiddled with her things. She only went downstairs to look for food when her stomach growled from hunger.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she went downstairs, she saw Mrs. Gu ordering a group of servants to move Meng Wan’s luggage into the villa.
“Aunt Lan, isn’t it inappropriate to have me stay in the same room as Brother Gu Zheng…” Meng Wan’s face was slightly red.
Mrs. Gu patted her hand. “What’s there to be shy about? You and Gu Zheng are engaged. If it weren’t for the incident in the middle, the two of you would’ve registered your marriage and gotten married by now. You’ll have to share a room sooner or later. We’re just doing it a little earlier now, so no one will gossip.” Then, she lowered her voice. “And if you don’t stay, that woman will continue to stay with Gu Zheng. Are you willing to let the two of them continue being together?”
Meng Wan bit her lip. “I understand what you mean, Aunt Lan. I also know that you’re doing this for my own good, but Brother Gu Zheng has been seduced by Miss Qiao. He already has Miss Qiao in his heart. I’m afraid that my actions will only make Brother Gu Zheng even more dissatisfied with me.”
“You’re thinking too much.” Madam Gu tapped her forehead. “All men are the same. You’re so beautiful, so which man won’t be moved by you?”
“Aunt Lan…” Meng Wan pulled her arm and said coquettishly.
Madam Gu could only relent. “But it seems that you’re right, Wan Wan. Gu Zheng has been bewitched by that vixen. He won’t be able to see your good side for a while. Rashly stepping in between them will only make Gu Zheng unhappy, so you shouldn’t rush to stay with him.” With that, she asked the servants to move Meng Wan’s things to the room next to Gu Zheng’s.
The butler stood still.
Whether it was having Meng Wan share a room with Gu Zheng or letting her take up the room next door, he could not do either of those things. There was only one master bedroom on the third floor and it belonged to Madam now. Recently, Young Master had also been staying with Madam, so he could not fulfill Meng Wan’s request of living next door to Young Master.
Meng Wan also thought of this. She remembered that the last time she came to the villa, Gu Zheng and Qiao Xi had come from the third floor together. Her hands were suddenly clenched tightly. She said to Madam Gu with tears in her eyes, “Aunt Lan… Brother Gu Zheng is staying on the third floor… That woman also stays on the third floor.”
“What?!”
Madam Gu abruptly stood up. “That little b*tch is actually staying in the same room as Gu Zheng? How is that possible? Gu Zheng hates strangers entering his room the most! Butler, throw that little b*tch’s things out of Gu Zheng’s room right now! Wan’er, don’t be sad. I’ll definitely give you an explanation.”
The butler resisted for a moment. “Young Madam has been staying in the master bedroom since she entered.”
Even someone as territorial as their young master had to give in to Young Madam. What right did Madam Gu, a mother who was not close to Young Master, have to force Young Madam to leave the master bedroom?
Mrs. Gu was about to speak when Meng Wan’s face suddenly turned pale. She looked upstairs with trembling eyes. “Miss Qiao, you’re here… I… I don’t mean to take your room. Don’t misunderstand…”
Everyone turned around upon hearing that.
Qiao Xi lazily leaned against the stairs with her arms crossed in front of her chest, looking as if she was watching a show. When Madam Gu saw her like this, she was even more infuriated. She opened her mouth and ordered, “Qiao Xi, you came at the right time. With your identity, you’re unqualified to stay in the master bedroom. I’ll give you a chance now. Pack your things and move out of the master bedroom. I won’t make a fuss about this with you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not showing you any respect.”
Qiao Xi raised her eyebrows.
Not show her any respect? When had this person ever shown her any respect?
Madam Gu was certain that Qiao Xi would not dare to disobey her orders, so after she finished speaking, she pulled Meng Wan to sit on the sofa and slowly sipped on tea. She looked as if she did not take Qiao Xi seriously.
Qiao Xi pinched the space between her brows… What should she do? She was really unhappy looking at this scene…