Chapter 386 - 336: Was It Wrong?
Chapter 386: Chapter 336: Was It Wrong?
This wasn’t some paranoid conspiracy theory on Manman’s part. During the Spring Festival last year, Jun Ran had announced she wanted to "compete fairly." After that, when Xiao Man came to Beijing for university, Jun Ran seemed to have it in for her. Whenever there was a gathering of friends and family in their circle, if Xiao Man was there, Jun Ran was sure to show up. She would constantly vie for the attention of Granny Gu and Mrs. Gu to distract them from Xiao Man. When the younger crowd was together, she would subtly target Xiao Man with her words and actions, using her own advantages to win everyone over and deliberately snub and isolate her.
And all the while, Jun Ran tried to hide her true intentions, inevitably resorting to covert and deceitful tactics that left Xiao Man speechless. Yet, Jun Ran managed to maintain a poised and magnanimous front, often visiting the Tang Mansion on weekends with Gu Shaoling and Tian Sisi. She would put on the act of a doting older sister, asking about Xiao Man’s studies and life—even Grandpa Tang and Grandma Tang were almost taken in by her!
Xiao Man didn’t just dislike a rival like her; she had long since put Jun Ran on her blacklist. Now, with her falling-out with Gu Shaoling, she could finally ignore Jun Ran completely and treat her like a stranger from now on.
After lunch, they chatted for a while longer before Grandma Tang left with her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Xiao Man and Hao Hao had to get back to school soon to pack a few things.
Grandpa Tang remained at the Gu Mansion. The people sent to West Head Alley to investigate hadn’t returned yet, and he wanted to hear their report.
Though Tian Xueqin was completely unwilling and resentful, at Gu Qiyuan’s insistence, she still apologized to Grandpa Tang, Grandma Tang, and Xiao Man in turn.
Meanwhile, Gu Shaoling and Tian Sisi were locked in their room without food or water. By evening, they still hadn’t been let out because they hadn’t finished their written apologies.
Hearing the crying from behind the door, Tian Xueqin’s heart twisted in agony. She was filled with rage and resentment. ’My precious daughter! I’ve doted on her and treated her like a princess her entire life. When has she ever been wronged like this? It’s all because of that rude, barbaric Tang Manman!’
’She’s the guest, and Shaoling is the host’s daughter. It was just an offhand comment, so why make such a big deal out of it? She knows there’s a relationship between the Gu and Tang Families, yet she deliberately tore away all civility and even talked about cutting off ties, forcing Mr. Gu to be so harsh with his own granddaughter! What is that supposed to be? It’s a classic case of protesting too much! Doesn’t that just prove she has a guilty conscience? If you don’t want to be the damned jinx who steals everyone’s good fortune, then just keep your mouth shut. Let people say what they want and move on. As they say, an innocent person has nothing to fear. Then everything would have been fine, right? By making such a scene, you’ve hurt others and only cemented that unlucky reputation for yourself. How stupid can you be?’
’And does she really think Old Mrs. Gu’s heart won’t ache, seeing Shaoling punished so severely? She still dreams of marrying into the Gu family and becoming the Eldest Young Madam? Just you wait and see what’s coming for you!’
Tian Xueqin fumed. ’I really hope something terrible happens to that vicious brat. Then what would the Tang Family have to be so smug about? It would also show Zhou Hui Lan just how wrong she was to fawn over Tang Manman, even scorning her own niece in the process!’
A special lock had been placed on Gu Shaoling’s door. Tian Xueqin didn’t have a key, so all she could do was try to comfort her daughter through the door. She wanted to pass some food inside, but the guard posted at the door refused, leaving Tian Xueqin to glare in helpless fury.
Meanwhile, in Grandpa Gu’s large study, the investigators had returned, delivered their report, and been dismissed. Grandpa Gu and Grandpa Tang moved to the tea table and sat facing each other. Gu Qiming sat to one side while Gu Qiyuan stoked the small, red-clay stove to boil water for tea.
Grandpa Gu looked displeased. "So you’re saying those gossips under the old locust tree were instigated by that Jun girl! They were told to bring up the topic every day for a month, and in return, they’d get two factory job placements? How outrageous! What a fine granddaughter Old Man Jun has raised. I’m going to go have it out with him!"
Grandpa Tang held up a hand. "Let me handle this. When we play chess, Old Jun’s style is always steady, magnanimous, and forthright. He has the air of a gentleman. He wouldn’t approve of such underhanded tactics. This must have been Jun Ran’s own doing, but I don’t understand why she would target Manman like this. There has to be a reason. I’ll go talk to Old Man Jun tomorrow. However, let’s keep this among the adults. There’s no need to tell Manman."
"Why not?" Gu Qiming asked. "This concerns Manman. She’s waiting for an explanation."
Grandpa Tang explained, "Manman... you all know she studies traditional medicine and practices Inner Strength. She still can’t fully control her own power. I could see how furious she was today; Shaoling and that other girl certainly paid the price. If she finds out the truth about Jun Ran, she’ll definitely seek revenge. And Manman’s revenge, even if it were just a beating, would be more than Jun Ran could handle. What if she ends up crippled, or even dead? Imagine the consequences."
Gu Qiming chuckled. "If you’re going to provoke someone, you’d better be prepared for retaliation. If you can’t take the consequences, what were you thinking in the first place? Uncle, if you’re worried about your old friendship with Elder Jun and find it too awkward, you can just pretend you don’t know. Manman is promised to Shaojun, which makes her my child. Let her vent her anger however she sees fit. I’ll watch her back! Whatever the consequences, I’ll shoulder them for her!"
"If we let her do as she pleases, it won’t be long before Manman turns into a lawless tyrant that everyone runs from!"
Grandpa Tang glared at Gu Qiming. "Manman has to make her way in the world someday. Society is bigger than just our few families, and you can’t always get along with everyone. Take Jun Ran’s attitude toward Manman, for example. Do you really want Manman to go around beating up everyone she dislikes?"
Gu Qiming was speechless. "..."
’But I can’t let my future daughter-in-law just bottle up all this anger, can I?’
Grandpa Gu raised a hand and tapped his temple, speaking to Gu Qiming. "Other people’s children know how to use schemes and plots, and there’s no reason ours can’t. Manman is a girl, and it’s good she knows how to fight to defend herself, but beating people up isn’t the only solution. We have to teach her to use her head more! On this matter, your uncle’s thinking isn’t wrong. Even though we have solid evidence, knowing Old Man Jun, he’ll definitely take action. As long as he punishes his granddaughter and mitigates the damage, it would be difficult for us to escalate the issue. After all, with generations of friendship between our families, we have to show some consideration and save face. Let Manman put up with it for now; she can use this as an opportunity to temper her disposition. As the saying goes, a gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years... Of course, if she’s really eager, it doesn’t have to take ten years. In short, if this happens again, no more words will be necessary. We don’t bother others unless they bother us first, but anyone who starts trouble must bear the consequences. We just need to teach the kids to be a little more... discreet."
Grandpa Tang was at a loss for words. "..."
He stroked his chin, feeling he had nothing to add.
Grandpa Gu picked up the cup of tea Gu Qiyuan had poured. After taking a sip, he shot his son a sharp glare. "Shaoling and that Tian girl were foolish enough to be used without even realizing it. This time, she must be punished until she understands her mistake. No leniency!"
"Understood, Father," Gu Qiyuan replied, lowering his gaze.