The Heiress's Game

When Wang Manyun parked her car in front of her parents' old house, it was already completely dark.

The butler opened the door, but before he could even say "Miss is back," she had already walked through the entrance hall and headed straight for the study on the second floor.

Old Madam Wang was waiting for her in the study.

The old lady had a full head of silver hair, wore a dark blue jacket, and sat on a mahogany armchair.

Seeing her daughter burst in angrily, she simply raised her eyes, calmly closed the book and placed it on the coffee table, then gestured with her chin toward the sofa next to her.

"Sit down. The tea is freshly brewed. Have a sip before you speak."

Wang Manyun stood in the middle of the study, her Hermès Birkin bag clutched tightly in her hand.

"Mom, Gu Zhenxing gave Gu Yunjin eight or nine hundred million, not tens of millions, but eight or nine hundred million, and he also agreed to let her break off her engagement with the Pei family."

Old Madam Wang looked at her daughter and said, "Tell me slowly."

"You know how much effort I put into negotiating this marriage."

Although the Pei family cannot compare to the Gu family, Pei Yan is an honest and upright young man. After Gu Yunjin marries into the Pei family, she will become a member of the Pei family, which is respectable, stable, and also fulfills her obligations to the Gu family.

Wang Manyun finally sat down. "I coaxed Madam Pei so many times, and I conveyed so many messages to Pei Xinzhi. Finally, both families reached an agreement, and it seemed like a done deal—but then she went to the gallery to find Gu Zhenxing and ruined everything."

Gu Zhenxing not only didn't scold her, but instead gave her eight or nine hundred million yuan.

"You're scared."

Wang Manyun suddenly raised her head, wanting to refute, but ultimately remained silent.

"Are you worried that if she continues like this, a portion of the Gu family's assets will fall into her hands?"

You're afraid Yunxuan will suffer losses; you're afraid that everything you've painstakingly built up in the Gu family over the past twenty years will ultimately be snatched away by a little girl you've never taken seriously.

"So you're in a hurry to marry her off. Arranged marriages are a good solution—once a daughter is married, she's like water spilled from a bowl."

The title of "Second Young Mistress of the Pei Family" sounds prestigious, but in reality, she has no connection to the core interests of the Gu family from now on.

"But Manyun," Madam Wang said earnestly, looking at her daughter.

"You made a mistake, not in scheming—for a family like ours, it's impossible not to scheme—but in the direction of your scheming."

Aristocratic families have their own rules, and raising a girl well is also a great help, even more reliable than a son.

You yourself are the best example: how much benefit has the Wang family gained since you married into the Gu family? Your brother's career in politics, your sister's position in the cultural heritage system—weren't they all thanks to the Gu family?

What's wrong with your stepdaughter? Once she's recovered, she'll still remember your kindness.

Look at those aristocratic families in history—Yuan Shao was born out of wedlock, yet Yuan Feng still groomed him as his successor.

Broaden your horizons and expand your perspective. The Gu family's resources are vast; it's not just Yunxuan who needs to eat.

"Mom, I understand the道理 (reason/principle)," Wang Manyun said, her voice both urgent and hoarse.

"Ke Yunxuan is a piece of my flesh!"

All three of them are significantly older than Yunxuan. The Gu family's resources are limited; if they each take a share, what will Yunxuan be left? If I don't fight for him, who will?

Old Madam Wang looked at her quietly for a long time, then sighed softly.

"You're not wrong to fight for Yunxuan."

But have you ever considered that Gu Yunjin was able to take eight or nine hundred million yuan from Gu Zhenxing today not by acting cute, not by crying, and not by bringing up her dead mother to gain sympathy—she relied on her own abilities.

Instead of thinking all day about how to marry Gu Yunjin off, you should think about how to make your own son have the same ability.

Yunxuan, it's not too late.

Wang Manyun's eyes reddened. It was unclear whether it was from anger or from having a sore spot touched.

"And another thing," Madam Wang's voice softened a little.

"Over the years, you've been impeccable in your dealings with the Gu family on the surface, but do you think Gu Zhenxing can't see through your true intentions?"

Do you think Gu Yunjin herself couldn't see it?

Wang Manyun's fingers tightened suddenly, her fingertips digging into her palm.

"Mom, I can't do what you say."

Old Madam Wang looked at her with a complicated expression.

"I know you're right, but I can't do it. Over the years, I've been torn between two thoughts—one is 'be nicer to her and keep her in check,' and the other is 'get her married off quickly so she won't get in my way.'"

I always want to choose the first option, but I can't.

Madam Wang stood up silently, walked to Wang Manyun, and gently placed her thin but steady hand, covered with age spots, on her daughter's shoulder.

"Gu Zhenxing has been grooming Mingcheng as his successor all these years."

After Gu Mingcheng returned, he personally guided him in working on projects, meeting clients, and cultivating government relations.

Mingcheng now manages the two core business lines of the Gu Group—healthcare and real estate.

Although Gu Zhenxing verbally criticized him the most, you know, the true successor is always the one who gets criticized the most.

Madam Wang nodded slowly, without interrupting her.

"I admit that. Mingcheng is indeed capable; he's one of the most outstanding second-generation leaders in Dahai City. I have nothing to say about him taking over the Gu family business."

"But now there's Gu Yunjin. She quietly started a media company and produced the variety show with the highest national viewership."

And what about Yunxuan? Yunxuan followed behind these older brothers and sisters, not even getting a chance to drink the soup.

Madam Wang picked up her teacup and took a sip. "There has never been just one option for the Gu family's heir."

What about later? When Yunxuan grows up, will he be capable of standing in that position as well?

Wang Manyun bit her lip.

"mom,"

"I don't actually have much affection for Gu Zhenxing. As you know, I married him back then because the Wang family needed the Gu family's resources, and the Gu family needed the Wang family's political connections."

She married him in her early thirties, and over the years Gu Zhenxing has had many female confidantes outside of marriage—Ning Limei was with him for over twenty years, then there was Julie, and there were so many others in between that I can't even count them all.

I know all of this. I've never argued with him because I don't care.

She looked up at her mother, her eyes finally welling up with tears.

"My only solace is Yunxuan."

I told myself, it's okay, just endure a few more years, wait for Yunxuan to grow up, wait for Gu Zhenxing to hand over the Gu family to my son, and I'll have won half the battle in my life.

But now—now Gu Yunjin has risen.

Mingcheng is the rightful heir, and I can't compete with him, so I accept it.

But Gu Yunjin—what makes her so special? Her mother was just an actress, and she was sent away when she was fourteen. She has always been the least favored one in this family.

Why is she now Gu Zhenxing's favorite? Why does she want to take my son's things?

Her voice was hoarse when she said the last sentence.

It wasn't a hoarse voice of anger, but one of grievance. It was the grievance of a woman who had played the perfect stepmother in a wealthy family for over twenty years, finally unable to hold back her grievances in the only room in the world where she could take off her mask, in front of the only person she could confide in.