The Spirited Daughter-in-law and the Mountain Man
Chapter 1542 will marry Gongsun Qianru in twenty days1

Chapter 1542: 1542 will marry Gongsun Qianru in twenty days1

In order to appear as if she was recovering from a serious illness, Shen Yun even feigned a cough twice, and Xiao Chonghuan pretended to be concerned, "Lady must take care of her health."

"Master flatters me," Shen Yun replied with dignified grace.

The Gongsun Family’s intelligence network was extraordinary. For some unknown reason, Xiao Yuchuan had fought fiercely with the Xiao Clan guards in Longwan Town, almost dying from severe injuries. Gongsun Xi was naturally aware of this event. He also learned that Xiao Yuchuan loved Su Qingyue deeply—could it be that her surprise attack on Yuchuan led to his abnormal behavior?

Gongsun Xi also understood that Shen Yun’s illness was a pretense; it was her way of avoiding humiliation for his Gongsun Family.

As first-class families themselves, Gongsun Xi, even with the upper hand, didn’t want to ruin relations after Shen Yun had said all the nice words. Thus, he followed suit, "Since this is the case, I won’t dwell on the matter of today’s apology. Lady Xiao should take good care of her health."

"Then, thank you for the care from our future family-in-law," Shen Yun said, her face full of courtesy.

"I dare not accept the title of family-in-law," Gongsun Xi angrily retorted. "It seems to me that the Xiao Family does not value the arranged marriage with my Gongsun Clan. Perhaps it’s best to cancel the marriage altogether!"

"Brother Gongsun speaks too harshly," Xiao Chonghuan hurriedly said. "Nowadays, everyone knows that Su Qingyue has murdered her husband. It is only because of Chuan’er’s magnanimity that she was not punished, but rather given a set of divorce papers, marking the end of their relation. Unexpectedly, Su Qingyue tore up the divorce papers—it’s a settled fact, and her denial is futile." He took out a piece of letter paper from his sleeve pocket and spread it out.

Gongsun Xi glanced at the piece of letter paper, made up of countless fragments pieced together—a divorce paper signed by Su Qingyue and Xiao Yuchuan.

Xiao Chonghuan had originally ordered someone to collect the pieces of the divorce paper that Yuchuan had torn up and had them pieced back together. He then forged Yuchuan’s handwriting on the divorce paper and, while Yuchuan was asleep, pressed his finger for a handprint.

"Our future family-in-law, we have shown our sincerity. Su Qingyue no longer has any affiliation with the Xiao Family now, and moreover... we assure you, Su Qingyue... will not appear again," Shen Yun chimed in to help.

Of course, Gongsun Xi understood what Shen Yun meant—they would secretly kill Su Qingyue. "How does that matter? Everyone thinks that Xiao Yuchuan does not want my Qianru, preferring a village girl. The damage to my Qianru’s reputation is known by all."

"Precisely because your beloved’s reputation has been damaged, our two families need to unite more than ever," Xiao Chonghuan declared earnestly. "Once Chuan’er and Qianru are married, the rumor that Chuan’er fancies a village girl will fall apart on its own."

Gongsun Xi was still hesitating.

Xiao Chonghuan said, "Brother Gongsun, I only have one son, Chuan’er. In the future, everything will belong to him. Your beloved will not be at a disadvantage by marrying into the Xiao Family. Besides, the Xiao Family is sincere in welcoming your daughter. Doesn’t Brother Gongsun wish to proceed with the marriage?"

"It’s you who wanted to call off the marriage first!" Gongsun Xi’s old face stiffened with anger.

"That was a rumor. If the Xiao Family truly wanted to break off the marriage, why would I personally come to apologize today?" Xiao Chonghuan said. "After waking up today, Chuan’er was originally going to come with me, but he’s still frail and needs to rest in bed for a few more days. Once he’s better, he’ll surely visit. To show our intent to marry Miss Gongsun, Chuan’er has even picked an auspicious day—how about twenty days from now, Brother Gongsun?"

"So soon?" Gongsun Xi also didn’t want to back out from the marriage with the Xiao Family. A union of two powerhouses would not only benefit the Xiao Clan but also solidify the Gongsun Family’s status. It was the rumors that Xiao Yuchuan desired Su Qingyue and was unwilling to welcome his daughter that irritated him.