Uncle Fu Gui looked back and saw that it was the Crown Prince. He was immediately overjoyed and said, "Your Highness, you're finally here. Please hurry and persuade Young Lord for me. Young Lord is currently in a bad mood and upset."
Zhao Changdu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Leave it to me."
Uncle Fu Gui knew the Crown Prince was on good terms with his family's Young Lord, so he didn't say anything more. He waved his hand to dismissed all the servants watching in the yard.
The yard became quiet.
Su Huanfeng suddenly pulled open the big door. Looking at the man in a black robe standing in the yard, he gave a cold laugh and walked out.
"Zhao Changdu, you dare to come see me!"
"Why wouldn't I dare to come?"
Su Huanfeng rushed forward and angrily grabbed his collar, "You stole Gu Ying from me! Don't you know what it means to not covet a friend's wife! Crown Prince Zhao, do you still have no shame? Give Gu Ying back to me!"
Zhao Changdu: "She was never yours to begin with."
Su Huanfeng: "But we were engaged since childhood!"
Zhao Changdu: "But you had also thought about calling off the engagement before."
Su Huanfeng was rendered speechless. That's right, he had thought about not wanting Gu Ying before... At that time, he really disliked his ignorant and inconspicuous fiancée.
When he was with his friends, he was always annoyed that his mother had arranged such an absurd girl for him.
He had said countless times that he wanted to call off the engagement with Gu Ying...
But that was because he didn't understand her back then!
He let go of Zhao Changdu with a complicated expression. Just thinking that his father had gone to the Dongping Earl Manor to loudly call off Gu Ying's engagement, he felt heartbroken and remorseful.
The grown man stood in the yard, his fists clenched as his eyes turned red, nearly crying.
The cold wind was like a sword, and heavy snow drifted down.
Zhao Changdu stood quietly in the snow and softly coughed before patting Su Huanfeng's shoulder with a solemn expression, "Huanfeng, I can give you a chance to win her back, as long as you rush out of the Yong'an Marquis Manor and go before His Majesty to ask him to revoke the imperial decree."
Su Huanfeng raised his crimson eyes in disbelief as he looked at Zhao Changdu, "You...really mean it?"
Zhao Changdu's handsome face was tranquil. "I keep my word."
He admitted that taking Gu Ying was wrong, so he was willing to give Su Huanfeng a chance. If Gu Ying was willing to accept him, if he had the courage to fight for her...
He was willing to let go at this point, but there would only be one chance.
If Su Huanfeng didn't dare to seize the opportunity, then Gu Ying could only belong to him in this life.
Having said his piece, Zhao Changdu didn't linger and turned to leave the manor.
Su Huanfeng was stunned.
He didn't expect Zhao Changdu to give him a chance. He was extremely excited and rushed towards his father's courtyard.
He wanted to go to the palace and see His Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty!
But his father stopped him sternly as he stood in front of grandfather's spirit tablet, forbidding his impulsive actions. Then under his furious struggle, his father silently knelt before grandfather's spirit tablet.
Grandfather had dedicated his life to the country and shed his hot blood on the frontiers. In the end, his corpse was wrapped in horsehide and returned to Bianzhou.
It was precisely because of grandfather's achievements that the Yong'an Marquis Manor had its current glory today.
Su Huanfeng's fervor instantly cooled, feeling a chill piercing his backbone.
"Father, I..."
"Huanfeng, you've grown into an adult. You should learn to consider the manor's interests, not abandon the family honor for trivial loves!"
Father sighed and looked at him mournfully with old eyes.
The Yong'an Marquis Manor had gradually declined. Now only his line continued the Su family legacy alone. He was the hope for the Su family's future, so there couldn't be any problems with his marriage.
Gu Ying was simply unsuitable for him to begin with. It would be better for both children if the engagement was called off early.
Only by marrying Princess Yueyan could he stabilize the Su family's solid marital ties with the imperial family.
Su Huanfeng gave a hollow laugh and knelt dejectedly on the ground. "So? You want to sacrifice my marriage?"
Su Ning didn't understand and earnestly advised, "How is this sacrifice? She's just a woman. As the young lord of the Yong'an Marquis Manor, what woman don't you have access to?"
Su Huanfeng argued reasonably, "But I like her!"
Su Ning became even angrier. "Liking is the cheapest thing! The family honor is above all! You're a man, you have to take responsibility for this family! Aren't you afraid that your selfishness will turn our entire Yong'an Marquis Manor and the whole Su clan into ashes!"
Su Huanfeng forcefully suppressed his emotions as his thin body completely froze.
...
That night, the sky was filled with falling snow again.
Outside the carved window lattice, all was a sheet of white.
Gu Ying leaned against the pillow reading for a while. Liu Shi was dead, Gu Jia was imprisoned, her younger brother's illness could now be treated, so she should feel carefree.
But for some reason, she felt uneasy tonight and simply couldn't fall asleep.
The room was dimly lit by a bean-sized candle, crackling as it slowly burned.
Yinlan came in with water at a comfortable temperature. "Miss, soak your feet. It'll help you sleep."
Gu Ying sat up in bed and dangled her fair feet over the edge into the hot water. She instantly felt much calmer. "Has Yinzhui come back yet?"
Yinlan smiled. "Not yet, but she should be back soon. Her lightness skill is pretty good. It's not far from here to the Duke's Residence and the Marquis Manor. Besides, Lord Huai's people are waiting outside to pass on any messages, so she doesn't need to go to the manor herself to gather information."
Gu Ying nodded absently. She knew Su Huanfeng probably wouldn't make too much trouble.
If the Su family still wanted to continue its glory, the best way was to keep marrying into the imperial family.
Old Marquis Su was a clear-headed man, or he wouldn't have been able to steadily hold the position of imperial uncle-in-law for so long. He would absolutely not allow Young Lord to make a scene before His Majesty.
Besides, there was also the Crown Prince. Since the Crown Prince had already promised to marry her, he wouldn't let her get involved with Su Huanfeng again.
She pondered for a while, also recalling some things from her previous life.
In her previous life, Young Lord was forced to maintain the engagement with her family. And because of his grandmother's meddling, Gu Jia was sent into the marquis manor as a concubine.
Young Lord was a sentimental and righteous man who treated Gu Jia extremely well. But later, Princess Yueyan also entered the Yong'an Marquis Manor's doors as a legal wife arranged by the Empress.
Naturally, Gu Jia's status and position were below Princess Yueyan's.
But Princess Yueyan grew up as Young Lord's cousin so there were no romantic feelings between them. Therefore, Young Lord was fonder of Gu Jia.
Without Gu Jia wedged between them this time, perhaps Young Lord and Princess Yueyan could become a peaceful couple?
Uncle Fu Gui looked back and saw that it was the Crown Prince. He was immediately overjoyed and said, "Your Highness, you're finally here. Please hurry and persuade Young Lord for me. Young Lord is currently in a bad mood and upset."
Zhao Changdu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Leave it to me."
Uncle Fu Gui knew the Crown Prince was on good terms with his family's Young Lord, so he didn't say anything more. He waved his hand to dismissed all the servants watching in the yard.
The yard became quiet.
Su Huanfeng suddenly pulled open the big door. Looking at the man in a black robe standing in the yard, he gave a cold laugh and walked out.
"Zhao Changdu, you dare to come see me!"
"Why wouldn't I dare to come?"
Su Huanfeng rushed forward and angrily grabbed his collar, "You stole Gu Ying from me! Don't you know what it means to not covet a friend's wife! Crown Prince Zhao, do you still have no shame? Give Gu Ying back to me!"
Zhao Changdu: "She was never yours to begin with."
Su Huanfeng: "But we were engaged since childhood!"
Zhao Changdu: "But you had also thought about calling off the engagement before."
Su Huanfeng was rendered speechless. That's right, he had thought about not wanting Gu Ying before... At that time, he really disliked his ignorant and inconspicuous fiancée.
When he was with his friends, he was always annoyed that his mother had arranged such an absurd girl for him.
He had said countless times that he wanted to call off the engagement with Gu Ying...
But that was because he didn't understand her back then!
He let go of Zhao Changdu with a complicated expression. Just thinking that his father had gone to the Dongping Earl Manor to loudly call off Gu Ying's engagement, he felt heartbroken and remorseful.
The grown man stood in the yard, his fists clenched as his eyes turned red, nearly crying.
The cold wind was like a sword, and heavy snow drifted down.
Zhao Changdu stood quietly in the snow and softly coughed before patting Su Huanfeng's shoulder with a solemn expression, "Huanfeng, I can give you a chance to win her back, as long as you rush out of the Yong'an Marquis Manor and go before His Majesty to ask him to revoke the imperial decree."
Su Huanfeng raised his crimson eyes in disbelief as he looked at Zhao Changdu, "You...really mean it?"
Zhao Changdu's handsome face was tranquil. "I keep my word."
He admitted that taking Gu Ying was wrong, so he was willing to give Su Huanfeng a chance. If Gu Ying was willing to accept him, if he had the courage to fight for her...
He was willing to let go at this point, but there would only be one chance.
If Su Huanfeng didn't dare to seize the opportunity, then Gu Ying could only belong to him in this life.
Having said his piece, Zhao Changdu didn't linger and turned to leave the manor.
Su Huanfeng was stunned.
He didn't expect Zhao Changdu to give him a chance. He was extremely excited and rushed towards his father's courtyard.
He wanted to go to the palace and see His Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty!
But his father stopped him sternly as he stood in front of grandfather's spirit tablet, forbidding his impulsive actions. Then under his furious struggle, his father silently knelt before grandfather's spirit tablet.
Grandfather had dedicated his life to the country and shed his hot blood on the frontiers. In the end, his corpse was wrapped in horsehide and returned to Bianzhou.
It was precisely because of grandfather's achievements that the Yong'an Marquis Manor had its current glory today.
Su Huanfeng's fervor instantly cooled, feeling a chill piercing his backbone.
"Father, I..."
"Huanfeng, you've grown into an adult. You should learn to consider the manor's interests, not abandon the family honor for trivial loves!"
Father sighed and looked at him mournfully with old eyes.
The Yong'an Marquis Manor had gradually declined. Now only his line continued the Su family legacy alone. He was the hope for the Su family's future, so there couldn't be any problems with his marriage.
Gu Ying was simply unsuitable for him to begin with. It would be better for both children if the engagement was called off early.
Only by marrying Princess Yueyan could he stabilize the Su family's solid marital ties with the imperial family.
Su Huanfeng gave a hollow laugh and knelt dejectedly on the ground. "So? You want to sacrifice my marriage?"
Su Ning didn't understand and earnestly advised, "How is this sacrifice? She's just a woman. As the young lord of the Yong'an Marquis Manor, what woman don't you have access to?"
Su Huanfeng argued reasonably, "But I like her!"
Su Ning became even angrier. "Liking is the cheapest thing! The family honor is above all! You're a man, you have to take responsibility for this family! Aren't you afraid that your selfishness will turn our entire Yong'an Marquis Manor and the whole Su clan into ashes!"
Su Huanfeng forcefully suppressed his emotions as his thin body completely froze.
...
That night, the sky was filled with falling snow again.
Outside the carved window lattice, all was a sheet of white.
Gu Ying leaned against the pillow reading for a while. Liu Shi was dead, Gu Jia was imprisoned, her younger brother's illness could now be treated, so she should feel carefree.
But for some reason, she felt uneasy tonight and simply couldn't fall asleep.
The room was dimly lit by a bean-sized candle, crackling as it slowly burned.
Yinlan came in with water at a comfortable temperature. "Miss, soak your feet. It'll help you sleep."
Gu Ying sat up in bed and dangled her fair feet over the edge into the hot water. She instantly felt much calmer. "Has Yinzhui come back yet?"
Yinlan smiled. "Not yet, but she should be back soon. Her lightness skill is pretty good. It's not far from here to the Duke's Residence and the Marquis Manor. Besides, Lord Huai's people are waiting outside to pass on any messages, so she doesn't need to go to the manor herself to gather information."
Gu Ying nodded absently. She knew Su Huanfeng probably wouldn't make too much trouble.
If the Su family still wanted to continue its glory, the best way was to keep marrying into the imperial family.
Old Marquis Su was a clear-headed man, or he wouldn't have been able to steadily hold the position of imperial uncle-in-law for so long. He would absolutely not allow Young Lord to make a scene before His Majesty.
Besides, there was also the Crown Prince. Since the Crown Prince had already promised to marry her, he wouldn't let her get involved with Su Huanfeng again.
She pondered for a while, also recalling some things from her previous life.
In her previous life, Young Lord was forced to maintain the engagement with her family. And because of his grandmother's meddling, Gu Jia was sent into the marquis manor as a concubine.
Young Lord was a sentimental and righteous man who treated Gu Jia extremely well. But later, Princess Yueyan also entered the Yong'an Marquis Manor's doors as a legal wife arranged by the Empress.
Naturally, Gu Jia's status and position were below Princess Yueyan's.
But Princess Yueyan grew up as Young Lord's cousin so there were no romantic feelings between them. Therefore, Young Lord was fonder of Gu Jia.
Without Gu Jia wedged between them this time, perhaps Young Lord and Princess Yueyan could become a peaceful couple?
