Chun He stepped forward to comfort Xie shi.
“Taitai, don’t be upset. Liu shaoye has always had his own opinions. Since he doesn’t want to marry a girl from the Xie family, let him follow his heart. Don’t force him.”
Xie shi looked furious. “Have I ever forced him? Do I even dare? I never intended for him to marry a girl from the Xie family in the first place. But no matter how bad the Xie family is, they are still his maternal relatives! Look at his attitude—he practically wishes to sever all ties with them!”
“Taitai, please calm down. Have some tea first.”
Chun He placed a teacup beside her.
But Xie shi was too angry to drink.
“I’ve worked so hard to plan everything for them, and not only are they ungrateful, but they even criticise me! As if I were some foolish old woman! It’s infuriating!”
Xie shi gritted her teeth, feeling bitter.
Being misunderstood by her own son was more painful than any argument with outsiders.
She knew very well that ever since the incident with Pei Yun in the northwest, Gu Cheng had become distant from her. Things could never go back to how they were.
Xie shi sighed repeatedly, feeling helpless.
Chun He then said, “Liu shaoye is not young anymore. It’s time to start considering his marriage.”
“I know that, but where can we find a suitable match?” Xie shi frowned.
She worried that she had only just returned to the capital and wasn’t familiar with the social landscape yet, let alone the intricate relationships between noble families.
Her children’s marriages couldn’t be delayed, so she had to rely on the hou fu for connections.
After thinking for a moment, she instructed Chun He, “Go to the hou fu and see the eldest furen. Ask if there’s any news from the Haixi bo fu. When can we arrange a meeting?”
Chun He bowed and replied, “Taitai, don’t worry. Nubi will go at once.”
She quickly left, knowing she wouldn’t be back soon.
Xie shi leaned against the soft couch, closing her eyes to rest.
She didn’t even notice Gu daren entering the room.
Sensing someone nearby, she abruptly opened her eyes, patting her chest in surprise.
“Laoye, you startled me! These maids are getting more and more careless. They didn’t even announce you.”
Gu daren replied, “It’s not their fault. I told them not to inform you.”
Xie shi smiled. “Laoye must find this amusing. I don’t know what happened—I just dozed off while sitting.”
“If you’re tired, then rest properly,” he said.
She studied him. “Why is laoye back so early? Weren’t you supposed to be drinking with your old classmates tonight?”
“They’re all busy with work, so we postponed it. We’ll meet later at the tavern.”
So that was the reason.
Xie shi sighed in relief. “Has laoye finished his duties?”
He nodded. “I will have an audience with His Majesty in two days. After that, I will formally take office.”
Xie shi was thrilled. “Laoye will be meeting the Emperor! Do you need to prepare anything?”
“No need to worry. Gu Quan has already taken care of it.”
She beamed. “Laoye has been promoted—this calls for a celebration! Why not host a banquet and invite the hou fu? It’ll be a joyous occasion for everyone.”
Gu daren pondered for a moment before nodding. “You can arrange it. But send the invitations only after I officially assume my new position.”
Xie shi was delighted. “Rest assured, qieshen will handle everything perfectly. Laoye, why don’t you draft a guest list? Qieshen will prepare the invitations accordingly.”
He chuckled. “No rush. I’ll have Gu Quan bring you the list later.”
After a pause, he asked, “Your dasao visited today—was there something she needed?”
“She just came to see qieshen,” Xie shi said with a tight-lipped smile.
Gu daren raised an eyebrow. “She didn’t mention anything else?”
Xie shi lowered her head slightly, her eyes shifting before she answered, “She wanted to arrange a marriage between our families, but I refused.”
Gu daren remained silent.
Xie shi became anxious. “Please believe qieshen, laoye! Qieshen turned her down immediately and made my stance clear. Back then, my brother wronged you, and qieshen will never compromise. I stand firmly by your side. Besides, qieshen still dreams of basking in your success—how could I let my brother manipulate me?”
Gu daren remained unreadable. “Did your dasao say anything else?”
Xie shi hesitated. Did her husband have spies around her?
If he did, then he probably already knew about her conversation with Ma shi.
Even if he didn’t, he could easily find out.
After a quick decision, she confessed, “My dasao had an outrageous idea—she wanted her eldest son to marry the hou fu’s fourth daughter.”
Gu daren frowned. “If I recall correctly, she’s shu-born.”
Xie shi nodded. “Yes, her name is Gu Qin. She was raised by the eldest furen and is quite outstanding.”
Gu daren chuckled. “Your brother sure aims high.”
“My brother’s situation isn’t great,” she muttered.
He scoffed. “That’s none of your concern. Just remember, you are Xie shi of the Gu family, and you must prioritise our children.”
Xie shi quickly nodded. “Qieshen always listens to laoye. Speaking of the children’s marriages, do you remember what qieshen mentioned about Haixi bo fu?”
“What about it?”
“Qieshen visited dasao today and inquired about them. The Haixi bo fu is highly favoured by His Majesty—one of the few who can speak directly to the Emperor. He has two unmarried sons. Aside from the shu one, the second di son is still unwed.”
Gu daren studied her. He knew his wife well. If she brought this up, she had an agenda.
Xie shi continued to persuade him, “Laoye has just returned to the capital and needs to expand his network. If we could form ties with a family like Haixi bo fu, it would be incredibly beneficial for your career.
“However, Zhen yatou is shu-born, and the match she was offered was also with a shu son—this lacks weight. If we instead propose for the second di son, the match would be far more valuable, and the Haixi bo would take us more seriously.”
Gu daren frowned. “You want Zhen yatou to marry Haixi bo’s second di son?”
“Zhen yatou’s status isn’t high enough—it wouldn’t work, and we might even offend Haixi bo. Qieshen proposes that Yue’er replace Zhen yatou in the marriage discussion. What does laoye think?”
Xie shi’s heart pounded. She was nervous, anxious, and afraid her husband would oppose her.
At the same time, she had hope.
Haixi bo fu was one of the finest noble houses, and its boye had the Emperor’s ear. Surely, her husband would be tempted.
Would he support her plan?
Without his approval, all her efforts would be in vain.
After all, she couldn’t arrange her children’s marriages alone.
Gu daren was silent for a long time before he finally spoke. “If Haixi bo fu’s second di son is truly as remarkable as you say, why hasn’t the hou fu made a move? They have plenty of unmarried daughters.”
Xie shi was taken aback. “Perhaps his mother is being extremely selective.”
“If she’s being selective and hasn’t chosen hou fu’s daughter, why would she choose ours? Do you think that’s likely?”
Xie shi frowned. “Has laoye heard something?”
“I’ve been busy with work and haven’t investigated Haixi bo fu’s affairs. But I suggest you find out why their second di son is still unmarried—there may be a hidden reason.”
Xie shi’s expression darkened. Had da taitai been deceiving her? Was she being led into a trap?
She recalled their conversation and found nothing suspicious.
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Laoye is wise. Qieshen was too naive. I will send someone to investigate tomorrow. If there are no issues, would you approve of Yue’er marrying into Haixi bo fu?”
Gu daren chuckled. “It’s not about my approval—it’s about whether Haixi bo fu would even consider Yue’er.”
Xie shi felt a bit embarrassed and displeased. She muttered, “Yue’er is quite excellent.”
Gu daren, however, said, “It’s not up to us to decide whether Yue’er is suitable or not; it’s up to the other party. In any case, let’s not rush into a decision on this matter. Marriage is a significant affair, and we must be prudent.”
Xie shi nodded. “I will follow laoye’s lead. Then, what about er yatou’s marriage? Does laoye have any plans?”
At the mention of Gu Jiu’s marriage, Gu daren instinctively furrowed his brows.
“There’s no rush for er yatou’s marriage. Let’s talk about it after the new year.”
Xie shi calmly reminded him, “Er yatou is over half a year older than Yue’er, and she’ll reach the age of maturity next year. A young lady’s prime years cannot be wasted.”
“I will keep this matter in mind. For now, let’s settle Zhen yatou’s marriage first.”
Gu daren glanced at the time and saw that it was getting late. He then got up and left. He had an appointment with his old classmates to drink and reconnect that evening, and he couldn’t afford to be late.
As soon as Gu daren left, Xie shi summoned Gao Sanfu and instructed him to gather information about the Haixi bo fu, particularly about the second di son of Haixi bo.
Gao Sanfu accepted the order and left.
By the time dusk was approaching, Chun He returned from the hou fu.
“Taitai, the eldest furen said not to rush. She will send someone to inform you when an opportunity arises.”
Xie shi said, “No need to wait for another opportunity. In a few days, we will host a banquet to celebrate laoye’s promotion. At that time, ask the eldest furen to send an invitation to Haixi bo fu and invite them as guests.”
“What if Haixi bo fu family refuses to attend?”
“If they refuse the invitation, we will find another opportunity to meet them.”
Chun He nodded. “It’s already late today. Nubi will visit the eldest furen again tomorrow.”
The next day, Gao Sanfu returned with news about the Haixi bo fu.
It wasn’t that Gao Sanfu was particularly capable; rather, the affairs of Haixi bo fu had long been widely known.
Only Xie shi and Gu daren, who had just returned to the capital and were overwhelmed with matters, had yet to hear about it.
Gao Sanfu bowed before Xie shi. “Taitai, xiaode has gathered information about the second di son of the Haixi bo fu.”
Xie shi immediately became excited. “Speak quickly! What is the situation?”
Gao Sanfu hastily reported, “Haixi bo’s second di son is twenty-one years old. The reason he has yet to marry is that he is rumoured to have a violent temper. Moreover, he has gained a reputation for bringing misfortune to his wives.”
“What? Bringing misfortune to wives?”
Xie shi’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Gao Sanfu nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. The second son of Haixi bo has been engaged three times. Each time, his fiancée died before the wedding. The first and second fiancées died of illness. The third drowned. Because of this reputation, no prominent family in the capital is willing to marry their daughters into the bo fu.”
Xie shi’s face turned ashen, as if she had suffered a great blow.
Seeing this, Gao Sanfu grew concerned and called out several times, “Taitai? Taitai, are you alright?”
Xie shi waved her hand. “What else have you found? Tell me everything.”
Gao Sanfu hesitated before continuing, “It is also rumoured that the second son of Haixi bo has a violent temper. Some have even witnessed his maidservants being carried out of his quarters, covered in blood.”
Xie shi turned pale upon hearing this.
Not only did he bring misfortune to wives, but he also beat his servants to death.
She shuddered.
If Yue’er were to marry such a man, wouldn’t that be pushing her into a pit of fire?
Xie shi exhaled deeply and instructed Gao Sanfu, “You may leave now.”
“Yes, taitai.”
By now, Xie shi had almost completely abandoned the idea of marrying Gu Yue into Haixi bo fu.
Yet, she was unwilling to let go so easily.
The bo fu was one of the most prestigious in the capital. Should it really benefit Gu Zhen instead?
When Gu daren returned home, Xie shi brought up the matter with him.
Gu daren said, “Since he has such a terrible reputation and a violent temper, we certainly cannot send Yue’er there. Let’s drop this matter. We’ll follow the hou fu’s advice and first let Zhen yatou meet that Zhao silang.”
Xie shi looked frustrated. “Poor Yue’er. Such a good marriage opportunity, yet so unsuitable.”
Gu daren fixed his gaze on her. “Do you wish to push Yue’er into the fire pit?”
Xie shi quickly shook her head. “Laoye misunderstands. How could qieshen bear to send Yue’er to such a family? Qieshen is not someone who disregards my children’s well-being.”
“That’s good to hear. Don’t think about this matter any further.”
Gu daren’s audience with the Emperor went smoothly, and he received the sovereign’s praise.
Shortly after, he officially took office as the Prefect of the Capital.
With Gu daren leaving early and returning late every day, all banquet preparations were left to Xie shi.
News arrived from the hou fu: the invitation had been accepted, and on the day of the banquet, the Haixi bo furen would personally attend with her children.
Hearing this, Xie shi felt both happy and anxious, sighing repeatedly.
Somehow, word spread, and the news that the Haixi bo furen would attend the banquet reached Gu Zhen’s ears.
Gu Zhen pursed her lips and smiled secretly, overjoyed.
Hu yiniang, while pleased, also felt troubled.
If Gu Zhen truly married into the bo fu, she could no longer refuse the task Xie shi had assigned her.
Hu yiniang glanced toward the neighboring courtyard, where Bai yiniang resided.
Bai yiniang’s belly was growing larger by the day.
Since returning to the capital, Bai yiniang had been uncharacteristically well-behaved, rarely leaving her courtyard unless necessary.
Hu yiniang sneered. She knew that Bai yiniang was terrified—afraid that stepping outside would lead to danger, and she would lose the child.
However, Xie shi was determined not to let Bai yiniang give birth. No matter what Bai yiniang did, it would be futile.
Unless the child was a girl; then it might have a chance to survive.
Hu yiniang sighed, feeling deeply conflicted.
Gu Zhen had no idea what Hu yiniang was troubled about.
She was eager to share her joy.
Gu Yue? Gu Shan?
No, no.
She decided to find Gu Jiu instead. She wanted to laugh three times in front of Gu Jiu so that Gu Jiu would know just how happy she was.
Gu Zhen informed Hu yiniang, “Yiniang, I’m going to er meimei’s place to play.”
With that, she ran out of the courtyard.
In Zhilan Yuan, Gu Jiu was sitting at her desk, flipping through the information collected by Erzhuang.
Since returning to the capital, Erzhuang had been tasked with gathering intelligence every day. He had thoroughly familiarised himself with the city’s streets and alleys.
He compiled his findings into booklets, which were delivered to Gu Jiu through Li Chuan.
Gu Jiu flipped through the records while making notes.
She was too unfamiliar with the capital.
And since she had little opportunity to go out, she could only rely on Erzhuang’s reports to understand the real situation in the city.
As for noble circles, Erzhuang could gather only limited information.
For those details, Gu Jiu planned to ask Gu Jun and the young ladies of the hou fu.
While she was engrossed in her work, Qing Zhu entered from outside.
“Guniang, da guniang and wu guniang are at the door.”
“Da jiejie and wu meimei? Quickly invite them in.”
Gu Jiu quickly put away the documents on her desk.
Qing Zhu stepped outside to welcome them.
Gu Zhen’s initial excitement faded when she saw Gu Lin standing beside her.
What bad luck! How did she run into wu meimei?
Gu Lin felt the same.
How unfortunate to have bumped into da jiejie at the door!
Leave a Reply