Meanwhile, at the Song family villa, the atmosphere was heavy and tense.
In the elegant study, Father Song's face was livid. On the screen of the tablet in his hand was the official statement from the Gu Financial Group canceling the marriage alliance.
"How dare they!" Father Song's voice was filled with rage.
"The Gu family is going too far! What face does this leave our Song family?"
On the sofa, Madam Song, dressed in a lilac-colored qipao embroidered with magnolias, was as elegant as ever.
But her eyes were now rimmed red. Dabbing the corners with a handkerchief, her voice choked with emotion: "In the end, this is all due to the Gu family's lack of honor and righteousness, and that Gu Chengyu's outrageous behavior. Yet online, people are all making malicious speculations about our Wan'er."
"What does this have to do with our Wan'er? She is the one who has suffered a grievous wrong..."
As she spoke, she reached out and drew her daughter, Song Qingwan, who was sitting quietly beside her, closer.
Song Qingwan wore a beige knitted maxi dress, her long hair falling softly over her shoulders. With downcast lashes, she appeared both gentle and dejected.
She leaned lightly against her mother's shoulder, her voice understanding: "Mom, please don't say anymore..."
"Perhaps... I'm just not good enough to catch Young Master Gu's eye."
Hearing this, Madam Song's heart ached even more unbearably, her tears falling faster. "Nonsense! It's Gu Chengyu who is blind!"
"Enough!" Father Song interrupted his wife. Though angry, he still retained some reason. "Mind your words! Is this chaos not enough?"
He looked at his daughter, his tone softening somewhat, filled with heartache and helplessness: "Wan'er, the Gu family is in the wrong here."
"Don't worry, your father will never let you suffer this humiliation for nothing."
Song Qingwan looked up, revealing a pale yet still beautiful face. She managed a comforting smile, but her eyes held a heartbreaking sense of loss: "Dad, Mom, I'm really fine."
"Please don't ruin your health over me."
"The marriage alliance was a matter between two families. Since the Gu family is unwilling now, it's not right for us to force it."
The more sensible and proper her demeanor, the more it highlighted the reprehensible nature of the Gu family's actions.
Madam Song tightly grasped her daughter's hand. Seeing her putting on a brave face deepened her resentment towards the Gu family.
Her elegant composure was almost at its breaking point, a chill in her voice: "The Gu family must give our Song family an explanation. We absolutely cannot let this go!"
Song Qingwan nestled in her mother's embrace, lowering her lashes to hide the icy coldness deep in her eyes.
Gu Chengyu...
She, Song Qingwan, would remember this humiliation.
If given the chance, she would definitely make him suffer too.
But no matter what she thought in her heart, the words she spoke now remained gentle and understanding: "Mom, let it go."
"Going to argue now will only give outsiders more to laugh at. Let's endure it for now."
The more she advised against it, the more wronged the Song couple felt on her behalf.
After all, she was the only daughter of the main Song family line; they naturally couldn't bear to see her wronged.
Even if it was the Gu family, they would demand an explanation.
In the afternoon, within the old Gu residence, the aroma of tea wafted, but the atmosphere was far from the usual leisure.
Madam Gu sat upright on the sofa, rubbing her temples, her mind a tangled mess.
Her son's attitude was resolute; he had even gone so far as to use the financial group's official channels to issue a direct denial, completely severing any possibility of the alliance.
She was ultimately left to clean up this mess.
The Song couple were famously refined, virtuous, and kind within their social circle, with an excellent reputation. She truly did not wish to antagonize the Song family over this.
Just as she was worrying, the steward announced quietly: "Madam, Madam Song is here."
Madam Gu's heart tightened. Speak of the devil.
She immediately stood up, straightened her appearance, and went out to greet her with an apologetic expression.
"Shuhua, you came in person? Please, come in." Madam Gu amiably took Madam Song's arm and guided her to sit on the sofa.
Once seated, Madam Song skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point, her voice relatively calm:
"Madam Gu, what is the meaning of today's statement? Our Song family requires an explanation."
Madam Gu sighed, a look of helplessness on her face as she personally poured tea for Madam Song:
"This matter... to be honest, it's all my fault. I was the one who rashly brought up the marriage alliance with you without fully understanding the situation, causing such a big misunderstanding and making Qingwan suffer."
She chose her words carefully, trying to shoulder the responsibility herself:
"That child Chengyu, he had secretly been dating a girlfriend without telling the family. I was completely kept in the dark and only just found out."
"The young couple had a little argument, and Chengyu, being impulsive and emotional, issued that statement in the heat of the moment."
"It was my negligence as a mother that caused this misunderstanding. I owe you an apology."
Listening to this obvious excuse, Madam Song sneered inwardly.
A misunderstanding? A man like Gu Chengyu—if he hadn't agreed, how could Madam Gu have dared to spread news of the alliance?
And now she wants to brush it off lightly with a single word, 'misunderstanding'?
She didn't press the point, continuing in a flat tone: "Madam Gu, we've known each other for years. There's no need for such formalities."
"Chengyu is young and accomplished; it's normal for him to have someone by his side and be unwilling to marry."
"However, this time, things have been handled rather... disgracefully."
She looked directly at Madam Gu: "If the alliance is off, so be it. Our Song family daughter does not necessarily have to climb up to your Gu family."
Madam Gu quickly agreed: "Yes, yes, yes. A girl as wonderful as Qingwan... it's my Chengyu who lacks the fortune."
"In the end, the Gu family is in the wrong regarding Qingwan in this matter."
"How about this: Qingwan's future dowry will be provided by our Gu family. We'll ensure she has a splendid, glorious wedding, so no one will look down on her."
Hearing this, Madam Song felt even more speechless to the extreme.
This mother and son pair—one acts willfully and recklessly, the other just wants to buy them off with money?
Their Song family was a family of scholars and refinement, not some destitute household!
She forcefully suppressed her anger, maintaining the last vestiges of propriety, her voice turning colder: "Madam Gu, I did not come here for a dowry."
"Besides, no matter what, our Song family is not lacking a dowry for our daughter."
She took a deep breath and finally stated her true purpose for coming today: "Right now, I am only concerned about one thing."
"Online, it's a frenzy. Everyone is speculating that there must be something wrong with our Qingwan for your Gu family to call off the engagement practically the next day."
"These vile rumors are like daggers to my daughter's heart; they are destroying her reputation!"
"I hope the Gu family can step forward and issue a public statement to clarify the facts."
"At the very least, we must protect my daughter's good name. She cannot suffer this insult for no reason!"
Seeing the determination in Madam Song's eyes, Madam Gu knew this matter couldn't be glossed over easily.
She quickly weighed her options and finally nodded: "Shuhua, you are right."
"This matter was not handled thoughtfully by the Gu family, and it has affected Qingwan's reputation."
"Rest assured, I will have someone take care of it immediately. We will definitely give Qingwan and the Song family an explanation."
With this promise, the tension on Madam Song's face eased slightly.
She sat for a few more moments, sipped her tea out of courtesy, and then stood to take her leave.
After seeing Madam Song out, Madam Gu wearily sank back onto the sofa, feeling only a splitting headache.
So utterly troublesome.
