Gu Ying was still in a daze for a long time. “Then... does cousin not mind that Fourth Younger Sister used to have a relationship with Fu Xunzhi?"
Ye Qingchi hesitated for a moment.
How could he not mind that the little girl's budding emotions were with another man.
He just had the time and patience to wait for her to fall in love with him.
Seeing his ugly expression, Gu Ying laughed and said, "If cousin really likes Fourth Younger Sister, you must hurry up and propose, otherwise I will arrange another match for her."
Ye Qingchi tapped her forehead with his fingertips, and his handsome face showed a hint of a smile. "You dare."
Gu Ying rubbed her forehead. "I just don't want Fourth Younger Sister to get hurt again. Even if you are my cousin, I still have to examine you thoroughly."
Ye Qingchi sighed and said, "Don't worry, I will do everything properly - the ten mile red makeup, the three letters six rituals, none will be missing."
Gu Ying smiled charmingly. "That's more like it."
After sending off the guest at the door, Ye's carriage was parked at the corner gate. Ah Gu was waiting outside. Seeing his young master walking out leisurely, he knew things had gone well. He grinned and said, "Young Master, Miss Shangjiao has been sent to the Fu family. Do you still need our people to follow her?"
Ye Qingchi said, "No need, withdraw all the men."
Gu Ying tutted twice. "So someone had a plot early on, and was also behind those rumors."
Ye Qingchi's eyes curved slightly. "This is called strategizing from a tent."
After talking with the Eldest Prince, he had no intention of letting Gu Shuang off easy. Whether it was Fu Xunzhi or anyone else, no one could snatch his chosen woman from him.
The woman he had his eyes on would stay by his side and grow old with him.
"Let's go, go back and take care of your sister-in-law for your brother."
Gu Ying rolled her eyes. Shameless.
...
That night, Gu Ying went to Yongshou Hall to visit her sick grandmother. On her way back from Yongshou Hall, she stayed overnight at Reed Catkin Courtyard with Gu Shuang.
Gu Shuang had been in a daze the whole day. By the time she finished washing up, her eyes were still filled with bewilderment and confusion.
The marriage between the Gu family and the Ye family was naturally a huge advantage for the Gu family. The current Gu family was far inferior to its past glory. Being able to marry into such a good family like the Ye's was like burning high incense in their previous life.
Moreover it was Gu Shuang who had just called off her engagement with the Fu family.
When the old lady at Yongshou Hall heard that the Qin family wanted to come to propose to the Gu family, she was so happy that her illness was halfway cured. She first asked which young lady it was. When she learned it was Gu Shuang, the old lady didn't say much.
After discussing the date with the Qin family, she gave her tacit approval for this joyous event.
The Qin family had finally persuaded Zhao family to agree to this marriage. They hurriedly went back to inform the matchmaker at Ye's house to prepare the dowry gifts.
Gu Shuang was called off her previous engagement. Her current wedding did not need to be held ostentatiously.
Zhao family thought to pick an auspicious sunny day for the two families to have a few tablefuls of food and wine together joyously. Then they could decoratively carry Shuang'er over to the Ye family in a red bridal sedan chair for her to pay respect to Heaven and Earth after formally marrying into the groom's family. That would settle this marriage satisfactorily.
But the Qin family disagreed. She said, "This grand wedding must let the whole Bianjing city know about it. Shuang'er must not be wronged."
Zhao family could not overrule her decision. Gu grandmother was even looking forward to it.
There were countless Dong Li girls who dreamed night and day of marrying into the Ye family. If Gu Shuang really married in, Gu Ming could rely on Ye family in the future.
Most of the wedding plans had been finalized. After Qin family left, Zhao family still remained at Yongshou Hall.
The old lady had some matters to discuss with Zhao family. Gu Ying felt there was nothing for her so she went back to Reed Catkin Courtyard first.
After washing up, Gu Ying supported her waist as she got into bed. She leaned shoulder to shoulder with Gu Shuang against the gold silk carved pillows. Her little hand absentmindedly caressed her lower abdomen.
Both Yin Lan and Yan Zhi had withdrawn. In the not small but not large chamber, there were only the two sisters left.
Gu Ying's beautiful eyes looked straight at Gu Shuang's flushed little face. "I think this marriage is appropriate."
Gu Shuang didn't speak for a while. She bit her lips and pondered seriously for a moment before saying earnestly, "Second Sister, I am not worthy of Eldest Young Master Ye."
Gu Ying laughed and asked, "There is no worthiness or unworthiness in feelings, only whether he is worthy in Fourth Younger Sister's heart. Is Cousin worthy of your trust?"
Ever since Gu Shuang returned from the Fu family, she had been in a daze. Her mind kept echoing Ye Qingchi’s words “I’ll call off the engagement and marry you instead.”
She didn't see his appearance and expression clearly, only feeling that his voice was unusually magnetic and sexy, as if a ray of light suddenly illuminated her gloomy life at dawn.
Ye Qingchi was undoubtedly a man worthy of trust and Ye family was the prestigious household that countless young ladies tried desperately to marry into.
It was a pity...she was as insignificant as dust, discarded by others.
Not only was there a gap in status between them, there was also a gap between nobility and lowliness.
"He..." Gu Shuang stammered.
Seeing Gu Shuang's hesitant expression, Gu Ying understood the thoughts in the little girl's mind.
"In fact, Fourth Younger Sister doesn't necessarily love Fu Xunzhi that much. Why keep blaming yourself and refusing to let go?"
Gu Shuang raised her head with slightly red rims around her eyes. "I..."
Gu Ying ridiculed, "If you really loved him, you wouldn't have been so calm when confronting him today."
Gu Shuang said awkwardly, "My heart just died..."
"No, Fourth Younger Sister didn't ask him if he had ever loved you. What you cared about at the time was that he abandoned and betrayed you because of reputation and infidelity." Gu Ying sighed and said, "When you truly love someone, you only care about their thoughts and forget about yourself."
Just like her past self for Jiang Yin’s sake ... suffered silently like a fool for a lifetime.
"Fourth Younger Sister, you simply liked Fu Xunzhi. It hasn't reached the point of non-negotiable.”
It was just that Fu Xunzhi’s betrayal and abandonment were enough to ruin any young lady.
Gu Shuang sat blankly on the bed as tears silently streamed down her cheeks.
Gu Ying sighed heavily as she used her sleeves to wipe away Gu Shuang’s tears. "Alright, stop crying. It's over. If Fourth Younger Sister is unwilling to marry my cousin, I’ll tell Auntie. Okay?"
Gu Shuang's eyes were distracted as if her thoughts had flown to some corner.
Her heart felt empty. After staying in a daze for a long time, she threw herself into Gu Ying's arms and started crying loudly.
Gu Ying sympathetically patted the little girl's back.
After a while, she had cried herself to sleep. Tear streaks were still on her face and her dark hair was messy over her shoulders. Yet the shallow breathing of the young maiden could already be heard.
Gu Ying smiled helplessly as she supported Gu Shuang onto the inner side of the bed and covered her with a quilt.
Outside the window, a crescent moon hung in the willow branches. The moonlight flowed like water, quietly spilling into the room.
She turned over and fell into the brocade quilt. Her temples throbbed in pain.
But for the health of the baby, she still had to try to get some sleep.
She did not sleep well that night, dreaming of battles and killings all night. In her dream the Eldest Prince and her father fought fiercely with a troop of soldiers. From somewhere Cheng Yaojin drilled out and threw a black object into the crowd, thick toxic fumes enveloping the entire battlefield. The soldiers' wails seemed to come from hell, one after another, extremely miserable.
The Eldest Prince and her father were utterly defeated. Before long, the Eldest Prince was fatally poisoned, his life or death unknown.
Gu Ying suddenly bolted up from the bed, drenched in cold sweat and her heart racing violently.
Gu Ying was still in a daze for a long time. “Then... does cousin not mind that Fourth Younger Sister used to have a relationship with Fu Xunzhi?"
Ye Qingchi hesitated for a moment.
How could he not mind that the little girl's budding emotions were with another man.
He just had the time and patience to wait for her to fall in love with him.
Seeing his ugly expression, Gu Ying laughed and said, "If cousin really likes Fourth Younger Sister, you must hurry up and propose, otherwise I will arrange another match for her."
Ye Qingchi tapped her forehead with his fingertips, and his handsome face showed a hint of a smile. "You dare."
Gu Ying rubbed her forehead. "I just don't want Fourth Younger Sister to get hurt again. Even if you are my cousin, I still have to examine you thoroughly."
Ye Qingchi sighed and said, "Don't worry, I will do everything properly - the ten mile red makeup, the three letters six rituals, none will be missing."
Gu Ying smiled charmingly. "That's more like it."
After sending off the guest at the door, Ye's carriage was parked at the corner gate. Ah Gu was waiting outside. Seeing his young master walking out leisurely, he knew things had gone well. He grinned and said, "Young Master, Miss Shangjiao has been sent to the Fu family. Do you still need our people to follow her?"
Ye Qingchi said, "No need, withdraw all the men."
Gu Ying tutted twice. "So someone had a plot early on, and was also behind those rumors."
Ye Qingchi's eyes curved slightly. "This is called strategizing from a tent."
After talking with the Eldest Prince, he had no intention of letting Gu Shuang off easy. Whether it was Fu Xunzhi or anyone else, no one could snatch his chosen woman from him.
The woman he had his eyes on would stay by his side and grow old with him.
"Let's go, go back and take care of your sister-in-law for your brother."
Gu Ying rolled her eyes. Shameless.
...
That night, Gu Ying went to Yongshou Hall to visit her sick grandmother. On her way back from Yongshou Hall, she stayed overnight at Reed Catkin Courtyard with Gu Shuang.
Gu Shuang had been in a daze the whole day. By the time she finished washing up, her eyes were still filled with bewilderment and confusion.
The marriage between the Gu family and the Ye family was naturally a huge advantage for the Gu family. The current Gu family was far inferior to its past glory. Being able to marry into such a good family like the Ye's was like burning high incense in their previous life.
Moreover it was Gu Shuang who had just called off her engagement with the Fu family.
When the old lady at Yongshou Hall heard that the Qin family wanted to come to propose to the Gu family, she was so happy that her illness was halfway cured. She first asked which young lady it was. When she learned it was Gu Shuang, the old lady didn't say much.
After discussing the date with the Qin family, she gave her tacit approval for this joyous event.
The Qin family had finally persuaded Zhao family to agree to this marriage. They hurriedly went back to inform the matchmaker at Ye's house to prepare the dowry gifts.
Gu Shuang was called off her previous engagement. Her current wedding did not need to be held ostentatiously.
Zhao family thought to pick an auspicious sunny day for the two families to have a few tablefuls of food and wine together joyously. Then they could decoratively carry Shuang'er over to the Ye family in a red bridal sedan chair for her to pay respect to Heaven and Earth after formally marrying into the groom's family. That would settle this marriage satisfactorily.
But the Qin family disagreed. She said, "This grand wedding must let the whole Bianjing city know about it. Shuang'er must not be wronged."
Zhao family could not overrule her decision. Gu grandmother was even looking forward to it.
There were countless Dong Li girls who dreamed night and day of marrying into the Ye family. If Gu Shuang really married in, Gu Ming could rely on Ye family in the future.
Most of the wedding plans had been finalized. After Qin family left, Zhao family still remained at Yongshou Hall.
The old lady had some matters to discuss with Zhao family. Gu Ying felt there was nothing for her so she went back to Reed Catkin Courtyard first.
After washing up, Gu Ying supported her waist as she got into bed. She leaned shoulder to shoulder with Gu Shuang against the gold silk carved pillows. Her little hand absentmindedly caressed her lower abdomen.
Both Yin Lan and Yan Zhi had withdrawn. In the not small but not large chamber, there were only the two sisters left.
Gu Ying's beautiful eyes looked straight at Gu Shuang's flushed little face. "I think this marriage is appropriate."
Gu Shuang didn't speak for a while. She bit her lips and pondered seriously for a moment before saying earnestly, "Second Sister, I am not worthy of Eldest Young Master Ye."
Gu Ying laughed and asked, "There is no worthiness or unworthiness in feelings, only whether he is worthy in Fourth Younger Sister's heart. Is Cousin worthy of your trust?"
Ever since Gu Shuang returned from the Fu family, she had been in a daze. Her mind kept echoing Ye Qingchi’s words “I’ll call off the engagement and marry you instead.”
She didn't see his appearance and expression clearly, only feeling that his voice was unusually magnetic and sexy, as if a ray of light suddenly illuminated her gloomy life at dawn.
Ye Qingchi was undoubtedly a man worthy of trust and Ye family was the prestigious household that countless young ladies tried desperately to marry into.
It was a pity...she was as insignificant as dust, discarded by others.
Not only was there a gap in status between them, there was also a gap between nobility and lowliness.
"He..." Gu Shuang stammered.
Seeing Gu Shuang's hesitant expression, Gu Ying understood the thoughts in the little girl's mind.
"In fact, Fourth Younger Sister doesn't necessarily love Fu Xunzhi that much. Why keep blaming yourself and refusing to let go?"
Gu Shuang raised her head with slightly red rims around her eyes. "I..."
Gu Ying ridiculed, "If you really loved him, you wouldn't have been so calm when confronting him today."
Gu Shuang said awkwardly, "My heart just died..."
"No, Fourth Younger Sister didn't ask him if he had ever loved you. What you cared about at the time was that he abandoned and betrayed you because of reputation and infidelity." Gu Ying sighed and said, "When you truly love someone, you only care about their thoughts and forget about yourself."
Just like her past self for Jiang Yin’s sake ... suffered silently like a fool for a lifetime.
"Fourth Younger Sister, you simply liked Fu Xunzhi. It hasn't reached the point of non-negotiable.”
It was just that Fu Xunzhi’s betrayal and abandonment were enough to ruin any young lady.
Gu Shuang sat blankly on the bed as tears silently streamed down her cheeks.
Gu Ying sighed heavily as she used her sleeves to wipe away Gu Shuang’s tears. "Alright, stop crying. It's over. If Fourth Younger Sister is unwilling to marry my cousin, I’ll tell Auntie. Okay?"
Gu Shuang's eyes were distracted as if her thoughts had flown to some corner.
Her heart felt empty. After staying in a daze for a long time, she threw herself into Gu Ying's arms and started crying loudly.
Gu Ying sympathetically patted the little girl's back.
After a while, she had cried herself to sleep. Tear streaks were still on her face and her dark hair was messy over her shoulders. Yet the shallow breathing of the young maiden could already be heard.
Gu Ying smiled helplessly as she supported Gu Shuang onto the inner side of the bed and covered her with a quilt.
Outside the window, a crescent moon hung in the willow branches. The moonlight flowed like water, quietly spilling into the room.
She turned over and fell into the brocade quilt. Her temples throbbed in pain.
But for the health of the baby, she still had to try to get some sleep.
She did not sleep well that night, dreaming of battles and killings all night. In her dream the Eldest Prince and her father fought fiercely with a troop of soldiers. From somewhere Cheng Yaojin drilled out and threw a black object into the crowd, thick toxic fumes enveloping the entire battlefield. The soldiers' wails seemed to come from hell, one after another, extremely miserable.
The Eldest Prince and her father were utterly defeated. Before long, the Eldest Prince was fatally poisoned, his life or death unknown.
Gu Ying suddenly bolted up from the bed, drenched in cold sweat and her heart racing violently.
