Upon learning the stances of Empress Dowager Gu and the Emperor, Mr. Gu acted decisively, sending men to escort Lin Jixue back to Shu.
Delays would only invite trouble.
Since they felt this marriage was unsuitable, there was no sense in dragging things out.
They needed to send the girl back quickly, lest her reputation be ruined by staying in their manor for too long.
Mrs. Gu asked, "What pretext should we use? If we send her back for no reason, not only will my relationship with her mother suffer, but her own reputation will be ruined. How could she ever find another match then?"
'As for my relationship with an old friend... if it breaks, it breaks.'
'They were married women with children now, not young girls in their maiden chambers. They each had their own paths to forge.'
'At this age, what is there to be so sentimental about?'
'If her friend was reasonable, she would understand, not hold a grudge.'
