Reborn Ill Spoil My Little Drama Queen - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Let Me See You Off
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Translation by: Weebsread👹
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Fengyun Courtyard.
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Su Miaoyao sat by the window, slender silver scissors in her hand, trimming a magnolia bush just beginning to bud. When she finished listening to the servant’s report, she didn’t even glance up. Instead, she instructed Leng Feng, who stood nearby, “Tell her to leave.”
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Leng Feng accepted the order and strode briskly toward the main gate.
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Outside the Marquis’s Residence, Lin Wan’er paced anxiously, wringing her hands. When she looked up, she saw a tall, imposing guard with a cold, steely gaze step out from within.
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Leng Feng rested his hand on the hilt of his blade and met Lin Wan’er’s eyes.
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“Our Marquis’s heir’s wife has spoken. The Marquis’s Residence does not welcome you. Leave at once.”
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Lin Wan’er blurted out, “But Miaoyao and I are as close as sisters—why would she refuse to see me?”
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Leng Feng’s thumb slid the blade an inch from its sheath, steel flashing with a sharp metallic hiss.
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He spat a single word: “Out.”
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The other guards understood at once, stepping forward with grim intent to drive the visitors away.
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Lin Wan’er’s maid, having never witnessed such a scene, shrieked in terror and dragged her mistress away, stumbling back toward the carriage in a flurry of panic.
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In the chaos, Lin Wan’er was jostled and tumbled onto the carriage step. The ornate brocade box she carried slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. The lid sprang open, and a fine, century-old ginseng root rolled out.
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The imposing vermilion doors of the Marquis’s Residence slammed shut before her eyes.
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…
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Inside the carriage, Lin Wan’er glared through the gap in the curtains, her face twisted with fury as she stared at the tightly closed gates.
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She muttered venomously, “Su Miaoyao! So you managed to cling to the Marquis’s heir—do you think that makes you untouchable? If you refuse to honor our past, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
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She dropped the curtain and snapped at the coachman, “To Spring Breeze Pavilion on East Street!”
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—
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The second floor of Spring Breeze Pavilion was the hottest gathering place in the Capital. Lin Wan’er sat among several daughters of officials, her usual companions, sobbing out her tale.
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She dabbed at imaginary tears with her handkerchief, putting on a pitiful act. “Yesterday in the secluded garden, Su Miaoyao quarreled with Miss Fang for some reason and even tried to push her into the water. I tried to stop her, but she dragged me in with her! I suffered this disaster for nothing.”
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Miss Li, dressed in green, covered her mouth with her handkerchief, eyes wide. “She’s really that vicious?”
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Miss Zhang immediately chimed in, “I always heard she was trouble at home, always using some kind of seductive tricks.”
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Seeing the fire she’d started, Lin Wan’er pressed on, “I heard her marriage was only possible because she and the Marquis’s heir were secretly entangled before the wedding—she snatched him right out of her elder sister’s hands. If a woman like that has no sense of shame, what else is she capable of?”
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These malicious rumors, carried on the tongues of noble daughters, spread through the Capital like wildfire. By midday, the entire city was abuzz.
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—
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Fengyun Courtyard, study.
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Leng Feng reported every detail of the spreading rumors to Gu Yunci, word for word.
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Gu Yunci sat in a grand armchair, listening quietly. When Leng Feng finished, he set his purple-tipped brush gently back on the rack.
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“I haven’t even made my move, and she’s already jumped out on her own.”
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“Well, if she’s so eager to court death, I’ll see her off.”
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Leng Feng cupped his hands, awaiting orders. “My lord, shall I…?” He made a slicing gesture across his throat.
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“No need,” Gu Yunci replied, shaking his head.
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These were extraordinary times. If the daughter of an Assistant Minister of Works suddenly turned up dead, it would only draw suspicion—and bring even more trouble.
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He stood, walked to the bookshelf, and retrieved a finely crafted white porcelain bottle from a hidden compartment. It was the Maotai, a reward from the System.
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Gu Yunci took the bottle and headed for his father Gu Wenhan’s study.
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Inside, Gu Wenhan, having heard his son wished to see him, let him in.
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Gu Yunci entered, bowed respectfully, and placed the bottle of Maotai on the desk with a smile. “Father, you’ve been working hard lately. I came across a fine bottle of wine a while ago and brought it as a token of respect.”
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Gu Wenhan raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. “Giving gifts for no reason—what trouble have you stirred up this time? Out with it.”
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Gu Yunci grinned. “Nothing escapes Father’s sharp eyes.”
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He then recounted, in full detail, the rumors slandering Su Miaoyao and the Marquis Zhaoyi’s household that were spreading through the city.
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Gu Wenhan’s face darkened with anger. He slammed the table. “Outrageous! A mere sixth-rank Assistant Minister’s daughter dares to slander the Marquis Zhaoyi’s heir’s wife? Does she think there are no laws in this land?”
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Gu Yunci stood silently to the side.
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Gu Wenhan paced the study, snorting coldly. “You needn’t trouble yourself with this. Leave it to me. I’d like to see just how spotless Lin Zhenghe’s record really is.”
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In the world of officials, who didn’t have skeletons in their closet? Toppling an Assistant Minister of Works was a trifle.
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Having vented his anger, Gu Wenhan’s gaze fell on the bottle of wine. He uncorked it, and a rich, mellow fragrance instantly filled the room.
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He poured himself a cup, downed it in one gulp, and smacked the table in delight.
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“Excellent! This is as fine as any wine in the Imperial cellars! Yunci, where did you get this?”
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Gu Yunci had prepared his answer. “I bought it from a Western Regions merchant some time ago.”
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“Is that merchant still in the Capital? Is there any more of this wine?” Gu Wenhan pressed.
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“He’s long gone. I have five bottles left, all in my keeping,” Gu Yunci replied.
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“Bring them all to me!” Gu Wenhan ordered without hesitation.
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Gu Yunci nodded and went to fetch the rest.
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—
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The next morning at court.
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Gu Wenhan, ivory tablet in hand, stepped from the ranks of officials and formally accused Assistant Minister Lin Zhenghe of embezzling government silver, using shoddy materials, and deceiving superiors—each charge backed by irrefutable evidence and witnesses.
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The Emperor, upon reading the memorial, flew into a rage and ordered an immediate investigation and confiscation of Lin’s assets.
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The Ministry of Justice and Capital Prefecture moved swiftly, descending upon the Lin household.
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Three days later, the Lin family’s property was seized. Every member, young and old, male and female, was sentenced to exile three thousand li south, to Lingnan.
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The prison wagon rattled slowly through the Capital’s busiest street.
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Lin Wan’er, her hands locked in heavy wooden stocks, looked haggard and broken. She was shoved onto the prison cart by the rough hands of the bailiffs.
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She stared at the pointing, whispering crowd, listening to their scornful gossip. Her mind splintered.
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—
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At the same time, in Fengyun Courtyard, a System notification echoed in Gu Yunci’s mind.
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【Status message! Lin Wan’er has suffered a severe mental breakdown. Rewarding Host: Poetry and Prose Mastery!】
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Gu Yunci nodded in satisfaction.
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With this skill, wouldn’t the imperial examinations be as easy as breathing?
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—
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Inside, Su Miaoyao was peeling an orange, just about to pop a segment into her mouth. Qingluo hurried in and whispered the news of the Lin family’s downfall and exile.
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The orange slipped from Su Miaoyao’s fingers and fell to the floor.
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She rushed out, looking at Gu Yunci, hardly daring to believe it. “Husband, the Lin family… are they really ruined?”
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Gu Yunci drew her into his arms.
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“To slander my wife is to slander the entire Marquis’s household. Three thousand li of exile is letting her off lightly.”
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Su Miaoyao’s heart trembled at his fiercely protective words.
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She slipped behind him, soft arms circling his neck, pressing her cheek against his back.
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“To have married you, husband… my life is complete.”