Chapter 63: Rather Than Being Humiliated, It's Better to Take Control (1)
Meanwhile, at the brightly lit riverside of the capital.
Although it was already late at night, people still indulged in the pleasures of the evening.
However, that joy had nothing to do with the unwanted son-in-law.
He sat alone by the river, holding a wine flask, allowing the cold wind to brush against him.
Behind him was a scene of prosperity filled with music and dance, while in front of him, the same splendor unfolded.
The river was bustling with ornate pleasure boats drifting along its currents.
The scattered lights reflected upon the water narrated the grand prosperity of the capital.
With the river's flow came faint, indistinct laughter from the pleasure boats.
Clearly, the night was just beginning for the city's young nobles.
Such a delightful and joyous scene, yet it failed to touch the heart of someone who was grieving.
Gu Qingzhou lifted his wine flask and took a deep swig.
Trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol only made them worse.
The bitterness of the wine burned his throat, leaving a taste so acrid that it almost brought tears to his eyes.
He tried not to think about it, but the thoughts wouldn't leave his mind.
What does it mean when a woman invites a man to her room at this hour?
No one would be naive enough to believe they were going to discuss arithmetic.
Gu Qingzhou sighed deeply, attempting to shift his mindset toward something positive.
He could only imagine how happy and fulfilled his celestial wife must be right now.
She must be smiling, seeing that he had made his decision and left her be.
Yet, he couldn't picture that icy beauty smiling.
She had never smiled at him before, and he had no frame of reference.
When would he ever get to witness such a smile?
Gu Qingzhou took another long swig from his flask.
Suddenly, a hint of realization flashed across his face.
Why should he even care so much?
As long as she was happy, everything was worth it!
Ultimately, the problem was that he lacked the ability to make her happy.
If he were as talented as that man, she wouldn't have to endure such hardships.
As he thought about this, drinking as he went, he soon found himself finishing more than half the bottle.
His dazed eyes suddenly caught a flicker of light within the darkness.
Along with this glimmer, a captivating melody began to drift toward his ears.
Gu Qingzhou's drunken haze momentarily lifted as he instinctively raised his head to look ahead.
From an unknown distance, a pleasure boat approached, its decks carrying an ethereal melody.
Along with the sound of the strings, a husky yet melodious voice accompanied the music.
Carried by the night breeze, the song wove a sorrowful spell that filled the hearts of those who heard it.
Gu Qingzhou's mind cleared, yet his heart grew even heavier.
For that tune resonated perfectly with his current emotions…
Wait, who was playing this music?!
A realization struck him, and he abruptly looked toward the pleasure boat.
In a fleeting glance, he caught sight of a breathtaking figure within the boat.
Draped in a luxurious qipao, a woman sat with a pipa in her arms, her face veiled in a delicate silk mask.
Her facial features remained unseen, and her full figure was indiscernible.
Yet, the glimpse of her long, slender legs beneath the qipao was enough to captivate onlookers.
Even more mesmerizing was the air of sorrow that lingered around her.
Her delicate fingers plucked the pipa strings with precision, weaving a tune that added an air of melancholy to the night.
Her emotions seeped into each note, leaving a lingering resonance.
At some unknown moment, the laughter and chatter from the riverside restaurant had faded.
All the men were now staring at the pleasure boat, frozen as if time itself had stopped.
When the song ended, the beauty retreated silently.
This prompted murmurs of dissatisfaction from the men who had been entranced.
Many of them were dressed in luxurious robes, clearly wealthy playboys enjoying their night out.
These men would not be so easily satisfied.
"In two days, we will host the debut performance of Lady Qinyin. Gentlemen, we hope you will honor us with your presence!"
An old madam stepped forward, seizing the moment to make an announcement.
With this grand entrance, she could already predict how extravagant the upcoming event would be.
Even those who weren't here tonight would surely flock to witness it.
The previously grumbling men now showed fervent excitement, their breaths turning heavy.
"Is that true?"
"Rest assured, we will be there!"
"Two days from now, we will be in attendance. Let Lady Qinyin await us!"
The riverside, which had been relatively empty, suddenly swelled with men.
More and more people emerged from the restaurant, eager to confirm the details.
They were loud and rowdy, their gazes burning with excitement, utterly captivated by the sorrowful tune.
Though their intentions were clear—they wished to possess her.
Gu Qingzhou observed the eager expressions of those around him, his brows furrowing slightly.
He suddenly felt as if he were surrounded by beasts, their hungry gazes preying upon a helpless lamb.
A sigh escaped his lips, this time not for himself.
This world was filled with many unfortunate souls.
Though his glimpse of the woman had been fleeting, he had no doubt she was a beauty.
By all logic, she had nothing to do with him—they belonged to different worlds.
Yet, a woman of such unparalleled beauty playing such a sorrowful tune?
What did that mean?
It meant she had no choice—it was an act of desperation that led her to this place.
To the madam and the surrounding men, her performance was just entertainment.
But to those who could truly understand—it was a cry for help.
If no one intervened, what would happen two days from now?
The eager young nobles wouldn't allow her to remain untouched.
His fists clenched quietly.
A thought surged in Gu Qingzhou's heart.
I have to save her. I cannot let such a remarkable woman fall into the hands of these beasts!
But… how?
The harsh reality hit him like a cold bucket of water.
He was nothing more than an unwanted son-in-law, utterly insignificant in the Ye family.
He had no power, no influence—he couldn't mobilize the Ye family's resources!
Should he ask his celestial wife to help?
Begging one woman to save another… why would she agree to that?
Besides, these arrogant playboys wouldn't necessarily care about the Ye family's influence.
The unwanted son-in-law's face was filled with disappointment.
Was he really powerless to stop it…?
No. He still had a way!
His only hope lay with Brother Su!
Su Qing was an upright man—if he told him about this situation, he would definitely help!
But… he had already asked for his help once before. Could he really ask again?