She had thought that she and Lin Qianqing were already unlike any of Beijing’s young ladies, yet she didn’t know that there was someone as peculiar as Gu Youyou in the world.
Gu Youyou said with a light smile, "Miss Xie, don’t mind me, I just feel that since I saved its life and raised it, and it once saved my life, Abao is like family to me. This dog has one characteristic, that is its absolute loyalty to its owner, which is incomparable to humans."
Gu Youyou’s words struck her, and Xie Qinyun murmured softly, "More loyal than humans, and less fickle. Yes, indeed, this dog is better than some people."
Thinking of her second brother standing at the door, she suddenly laughed. "Let me tell you about the Du Family’s concubine, it will amuse everyone."
She knew she was going to talk about these things.
Gu Youyou arranged the tea and fruit as the three women gathered around to discuss other people’s gossip.
"After Miss Du left, there was no peace at home. The issue of the concubine pushing Miss Du into the lotus pond wasn’t resolved yet, and shamelessly, she actually asked my second brother to make her the first wife. When my second brother ignored her and persisted in bringing up the incident with Miss Du, she got so angry that she took it out on the people around her.
Her maid Dongmei, who said something unpleasant while advising her, was beaten by her until she lost two front teeth and was left deaf in one ear.
This maid came with her from the Du Family and was wholeheartedly devoted to her. Such a beating was truly heartbreaking.
She even squawked about selling the maid, specifically sending her off to that despicable Flower Pavilion. Just look at what kind of person she is."
Dongmei was scared by her and ran to seek help from my second brother. She didn’t find him but ran into me instead, and I was the one who took her to my courtyard and saved her life.
I intimidated and enticed her, guaranteeing her a place by my side, and only then did she spill all the disgusting things the concubine had done over the years. She even told me a secret."
Xie Qinyun looked secretive, which made Lin Qianqing’s curiosity unbearable.
"What secret? Come on, tell us!"
Xie Qinyun lowered her voice and said, "That wretch has been recently taking medicine, so her temper isn’t great. She hurt her body a few years back while scheming against Miss Du and fell into the water; it’s likely she can’t have children in this lifetime. Our family usually doesn’t allow the practice of taking concubines; her becoming a concubine was an exception. We certainly can’t honor her as the first wife, because then my second brother would have to take another concubine just because she can’t have children, right? So I told my father about this."
They had known about the infertility for some time.
Lin Qianqing was stunned, "What did your father say? How could you not know about her not being able to have children? Plus, they’ve been married for five years now, and she’s been monopolizing your second brother without having children. Isn’t it because there’s something wrong with her?"
Gu Youyou coughed twice and said, "Hey, you two youngsters, be mindful of how you speak; we’re still young ladies from noble families."
"Come on, cousin, can’t you drop the act?" Lin Qianqing looked at Gu Youyou with disdain.
Then she turned her head to Xie Qinyun and asked, "Come on, tell us, what’s happening with her now?"
Xie Qinyun was beaming with joy, feeling great as she said, "What use is a woman who can’t have children? Besides, she brought this on herself. Naturally, my father had the clan allow my second brother to divorce her on grounds of the Seven Outs."
Gu Youyou sipped her tea leisurely and said, "Actually, her condition can be cured. With proper care, she could still bear children."
Xie Qinyun exclaimed, "How do you know that?"