Reborn Four Gorgeous Consorts

Kill Intent

When Zhao Li had returned with the Gu brothers earlier, she noticed that their dwelling was rather secluded, as no other homes were seen along the way. This time, walking down a different village path, it took her quite a while before she spotted other houses.

The sky was now a dusky yellow, nearing nightfall, and the laborers in the fields were returning home. Compared to her frail form, the women bearing hoes and farming tools appeared robust, towering at what seemed like seven or eight feet tall. The few men she encountered, however, were of a similar stature to herself, with one or two even carrying children on their backs.

Yet, upon seeing Zhao Li, their first reaction was invariably to frown and avoid her, as if they feared being associated with her in any way.

Zhao Li: "..."

Needless to say, judging by the villagers' reactions, her predecessor could not have been a virtuous person.

Realizing that any inquiries would likely yield unsatisfactory responses, Zhao Li suppressed her eagerness to understand the situation and turned in another direction, heading towards the spot where she had nearly drowned.

Upon her return, she had noted some familiar wild vegetables in the area, which she could now gather for sustenance. Smiling to herself, she touched her nose, hoping that her actions might improve her standing with her four husbands.

Driven by hunger, Zhao Li did not walk particularly fast, and her cloth shoes made little sound on the earthen path. She endured her hunger, searching for wild vegetables, and before long, she found herself in a more secluded, overgrown part of the woods.

"Why... such luck..."

A faint voice carried through the air, and Zhao Li, who had been bent over, digging for wild vegetables, lifted her head, perplexed.

The voice sounded oddly familiar.

She straightened up and moved closer, the voice becoming clearer and more distinct.

"Clearly, she had no breath left; how did she manage to come back? It is true, the wicked live long, while the good perish young."

It was unmistakably Gu Yaolin's voice, cold and clear, yet his words cut like a knife.

Zhao Li paused, realizing he must be referring to... no, to the original 'Zhao Li.' Pressing her lips together, she silently drew nearer, using the tree trunks for cover, and peered out.

Gu Yaolin stood with arms crossed, a slight frown marring his brow. Gu Yaoting leaned against a tree, lost in thought, while Gu Yaoyu faced away from Zhao Li, his expression obscured, but his voice was audible.

"Second Brother, do not speak so. That our wife has returned to us is, after all, a blessing," said Gu Yaoyu, his voice gentle and soothing, causing Zhao Li to sigh from her hiding place.

Truly, he was a man of tender heart and soul.

"A blessing?" Gu Yaolin turned to his brother, a mocking smile curling his lips as he tore away the veil of civility to reveal the harsh truth beneath.

"I would rather mourn a widow than have such a wife. Third Brother, have you forgotten the deeds she committed after marrying into our family?"

"On the very night of her entry, she demanded that the three of us serve her. When we refused, she beat us brutally. The next day, she forced me and Eldest Brother to work, injured, to earn money for her. Not only did she fail to support the household, but when Second Brother and I went out, she attempted to force you in the kitchen—"

At this point, Gu Yaolin, mindful of his brother's dignity, bit back his words and continued, "Not only that, she tried to spill the medicine you prepared for Mother, declaring that Mother should die. If not for our timely return, both you and Mother might have met with misfortune!"

"She squandered the earnings of me and Eldest Brother, gambling and drinking. At the slightest provocation, she would strike and curse us, and once, in a drunken fit, she even tried to smother Mother! How could I possibly endure such a woman?"

As Gu Yaolin spoke, his eyes welled with tears, and his tone grew increasingly bitter.

"Third Brother, your nature is too kind, and that vile woman took advantage of it, abusing you without restraint. Had it not been for me and Eldest Brother, you would have suffered far worse. When will you stand up for yourself?!"

"Enough, Yaolin!" Gu Yaoting, who had been leaning against the tree, finally raised his head, interrupting his brother, his brows knitted in concern.

"You have gone too far."

Gu Yaolin came to his senses and saw that Gu Yaoyu's face was ashen, his lips bitten until they bled. A wave of guilt washed over him, and his chest tightened.

"I... I am sorry."

Gu Yaoyu shook his head, forcing a smile, "What you said is not untrue."

An uneasy silence settled over them.

Meanwhile, Zhao Li, hidden in the shadows, felt a tumult of emotions.

From Gu Yaoyu, she had learned only basic information, and there had been no time to fully understand the deeds of her predecessor. Initially, she surmised that her husbands' disdain stemmed from her unattractive appearance, lack of earning ability, and perhaps a flirtatious nature.

But she had been too naive. The original Zhao Li's actions were beyond mere wickedness; she was truly an evil person.

"If blame is to be cast, it falls on me," Gu Yaoting's voice was heavy with regret.

"It was I who, knowing Zhao Li's ill repute, still agreed to the marriage, thus bringing upon you all this suffering..."

"Do not blame yourself, Eldest Brother," Gu Yaolin interjected, unable to bear the self-reproach in his brother's words.

"We three brothers consented together, using the dowry to treat Mother and Third Brother. We simply overestimated Zhao Li's character, never imagining she would behave so abominably."

Gu Yaoyu nodded, his voice soft, "Do not speak so, Eldest Brother."

Gu Yaoting looked at his two brothers, though comforted, his brow remained furrowed. "Zhao Li's survival from drowning, if she were to regain her old temperament, would surely lead to more abuse and threats. Her memory loss, in this case, may be a fortunate turn of events."

Mentioning Zhao Li, Gu Yaolin's mood darkened. "But who can tell how long her memory will remain lost? If she remembers, the torment will only worsen."

A chilling thought struck Gu Yaolin, and he paused before continuing, his voice now laced with a frigid edge, "We should take advantage of her amnesia and end her life."

Hidden in the shadows, Zhao Li: "???"

Wait, this was not a tale of triumph over adversity with four men, but a story of perilous survival from the start?