The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

Chapter 1096: Chapter 1096: Internal Conflict

The young lady of the Duke Liu’s family is the legitimate daughter of the eldest branch. Unfortunately, her biological mother passed away two years ago, and her stepmother, Ms. Dong, is sweet-faced but bitter-hearted.

Contrarily, this Ms. Dong is young and beautiful, greatly favored by Miss Liu’s father, Old Master Liu.

She claimed she would arrange a marriage for Miss Liu, and Old Master Liu handed the matter over to her completely.

Madam Gong somehow connected with this stepmother, as she wanted her son to marry Miss Liu.

Although Miss Liu is having a hard time at the Duke Mansion now, her mother passed away two years ago. At least two years ago, Miss Liu was being raised to become the family matriarch. Her every gesture was that of a well-bred lady. Her insights and character were impeccable.

Madam Gong believed that such a young lady was a match for Gong Chang.

However, Miss Liu’s stepmother had a condition.

This Ms. Dong had a half-brother, unknown to outsiders, who had been sent away to be raised by others. But this brother came to the capital at the end of last year and sought out Ms. Dong.

Fearing his identity would be exposed, Ms. Dong secretly placated him, hoping to find an opportunity to send him back.

Unexpectedly, her brother recently made a demand: he wanted to marry, and he wanted to marry a daughter from a prominent family.

Ms. Dong was greatly troubled. What good family would let their daughter marry a penniless, powerless man who hits women? She didn’t even consider shoving Miss Liu towards him. First, Duke Liu would never agree, and she might invite disaster upon herself. Secondly, Miss Liu was smart. If she really married her brother, it wouldn’t be long before she extracted secrets about his and her own identities from him.

At that point, with the leverage in her hands, Miss Liu might very well destroy her.

So Ms. Dong turned her attention to the daughters of other officials. Initially, she thought perhaps she could find a girl from a sixth or seventh-grade official’s family, and with a bit of maneuvering, it might work out.

Who knew that Madam Gong approached her, wanting Miss Liu to marry her son.

Ms. Dong pondered, this was good fortune indeed.

That Second Young Master Gong was a sickly person, unable to participate in the imperial examination, and unlikely to accomplish anything significant. If the stepdaughter married him, her life would be just like that. Perhaps Second Young Master Gong might accidentally die, leaving the stepdaughter a widow.

That would be satisfying.

More importantly, there was an appropriate age daughter in the Gong Family.

Madam Gong needed Ms. Dong, and for the sake of Second Young Master Gong, she would probably agree to such a matter, right?

Shu Yu was stunned after hearing this, ”Isn’t this... a marriage exchange?”

”It’s more than a marriage exchange,” Meng Yunzheng said. ”Even if Gong Qiu is no longer in charge, and Gong Ya is not favored, she is still a daughter of the Gong Family. Moreover, Gong Qiu’s ambitions are beyond this; he would never let his daughter marry such a man.”

In the Gong Family, even a third daughter must be matched with a government family’s son.

Both Madam Gong and Ms. Dong were aware of this.

So they devised a despicable plan, letting Gong Ya lose her virtue to Ms. Dong’s brother, turning the cooked rice into a meal. With a bit of manipulation, she would have to marry him.

Unfortunately, Concubine Chen learned of this.

In a panic, Concubine Chen informed Gong Ya, who was furious after hearing it.

She was not someone who would passively endure, as she would be ruined if people plotted against her like this. How could she let it go?

She had no way to dispel Madam Gong’s idea for the moment. Just as her heart grew more anxious, Meng Yunzheng returned to the capital.

Upon seeing him, apart from being surprised and shocked, Gong Ya suddenly came up with a plan.