Chapter 804: There’s Still Hope for Her
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The Gu family had come here multiple times, pleading for forgiveness for Lin Miao and hoping to preserve their marriage. This infuriated the Gong family. They couldn’t fathom why Lin Miao, with her questionable character, should continue to occupy the position of the young mistress of the Gong family, making them the laughingstock of society.
Gong Shouzhang was not one to mince words. “It’s commendable that she’s trying to reform herself. Once she’s out, she should strive to be a better person. However, this matter has little to do with our family anymore. The position of the young mistress of the Gong family was something Lin Miao lost herself. Once she’s out, she and Gong Zhan can part ways amicably and end their marriage.”
Mrs. Chen nodded in agreement, expressing her stance. “We may seem heartless, but they must divorce. This is also Gong Zhan’s wish. I regret impulsively choosing such an unsuitable match for my son. This time, we must respect my son’s wishes, no matter what.”
The faces of the Gu couple darkened. They hadn’t expected the Gong family to be so uncompromising.
The Gu couple had initially thought that if Lin Miao could be released from prison early and manage to pass the college entrance examination, she could redeem herself by getting into a good university. As time passed, people would forget about her theft and only remember her as a college student and Gong Zhan’s wife. They believed there was still a good chance for Lin Miao and Gong Zhan to continue their marriage.
All they needed to do was to keep an eye on Gong Zhan before Lin Miao’s release, befriend his female secretary, Mo Li, and have her help ward off any women who tried to get close to Gong Zhan. Once Lin Miao was released, they could work on repairing the marriage.
However, there was a major military exercise happening at the time. Gong Zhan, being an outstanding talent in the military region, naturally had to go to the capital to participate and bring honor to his region. This meant that Gong Zhan was no longer under the watchful eyes of the Gu family. Given Gong Zhan’s good family background and handsome appearance, if he caught the eye of some noble in the capital, how could Lin Miao compete?
If Lin Miao were to divorce Gong Zhan, the Gu family would lose their biggest support. They wouldn’t be able to find another suitable match for Lin Miao in a short time. They wished they could, but Lin Miao had been in prison and would be a divorcee. Which respectable family would want her? Therefore, the Gu family had no choice but to cling to the Gong family.
Even though they knew what the Gong family was thinking, they had to put on a brave face and visit every few days. Zhang Mei quickly hid her embarrassment and put on a smile. “We know that Miaomiao was in the wrong and has caused everyone embarrassment. But she’s young and can sometimes be impulsive. As long as she changes, it’s all good.”
“Dear relatives, Miaomiao is currently in prison, serving her sentence diligently, actively admitting her mistakes, and even studying hard for her exams. She knows she was wrong. Marriage is a major life event, and it’s always better to stick with the original partner. Divorce and remarriage… it sounds so unpleasant when spoken out loud.”
Mrs. Chen could no longer hold her tongue, voicing out, “Divorce is an ugly word, but why did she steal money in the first place? Realizing her mistake now does not make her noble, nor does it qualify her to be our daughter-in-law. She has already deceived my son once, he cannot fall victim to her again.”
Her words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the betrayal they had suffered.
Speaking of the original match, she continued, “Our two families, the Gong and Gu clans, initially arranged the marriage between Gong Zhan and Gu Zi. You are well aware of this. If your daughter wasn’t Gu Zi, and if the Gong family hadn’t been so taken by her intelligence and charm, we would never have disregarded social status to arrange this marriage.”
The reminder of their initial agreement was a bitter pill to swallow.
“Later, you wanted to switch the bride, claiming that Gu Zi was actually from a rural background, her parents illiterate farmers. You suggested she should return to the countryside, and instead, your biological daughter should marry into our family. This would not disgrace Gong Zhan. I was foolish to listen to you, and so we ended up with Lin Miao, which has resulted in this farce.”
The words stung, causing the Gu couple to hang their heads in shame. However, Zhang Mei quickly found an excuse, attempting to absolve Lin Miao of her wrongdoings. “These are facts, but we must also consider Miaomiao’s living conditions. She grew up in the countryside, living a frugal life. When she returned to the city, she felt out of place. Her actions can be understood.”
Gong Xin, who had been listening quietly, couldn’t help but laugh at this. He retorted, “So, by that logic, all farmers who have seen the prosperity of the city would feel out of place and resort to wrongdoing? Does being born and raised in the countryside make one untrustworthy? I’ve met more than one person from the countryside, so why is it that only she has stolen?”