flstandardbreds Chapter 716 Third Uncle, I've come about Lan'er's matter.
Chapter 716 Third Uncle, I've come about Lan'er's matter.
Gu Lu's gaze swept between Lin Jiayou and Qian Zhenyun, finally settling on Lin Jiayou's gentle and harmless smile, his eyes deepening.
He stepped forward, subtly placing himself between Gu Qingchen and Lin Jiayou. "Jiayou is very kind. However, Qingchen is currently confined to the mansion and is feeling quite bored. These common trinkets that Gun Gun brought might be more helpful in relieving her boredom."
Qian Zhenyun, ever the shrewd one, said, "Look at this one, I guarantee it's much more fun than that old, lousy drum!"
Looking at his proud, treasure-like expression, and then at the messy little things in her arms, Gu Qingchen felt the complex emotions that Lin Jiayou had stirred up in her heart dissipate like they had been blown away by a strong wind.
She gently placed the rattle drum in her hand on the stone table beside her, and then took out a colorful feather shuttlecock that made a sound when kicked from the net bag that Qian Zhenyun had given her, and tossed it in her hand.
"This one looks pretty good." She looked up at Qian Zhenyun. "Are you sure you can handle it? Don't beg for mercy after just a few moves."
Hey! Who do you think you are, looking down on someone?!
Qian Zhenyun immediately perked up, rolled up his sleeves to reveal a section of his muscular forearm.
A crack finally appeared on Lin Jiayou's gentle smile.
He glanced at the rattle drum casually placed on the stone table, a fleeting shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes, so quick it was almost imperceptible.
"Since Qingchen has found new amusement, I won't disturb him any longer."
Lin Jiayou resumed his gentlemanly demeanor, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Gu Lu, and said, "I shall take my leave now."
Gu Lu nodded: "I'll take you."
The two left side by side. Qian Zhenyun and Gu Qingchen were already playing shuttlecock in the yard with great interest. The crisp sounds and laughter made Lin Jiayou's figure look somewhat lonely.
Out of the corner of her eye, Gu Qingchen caught a glimpse of Lin Jiayou's gaze as he turned around, the gaze directed at the rattle drum.
That wasn't disappointment, nor was it reluctance...
A sudden chill ran through her, and she stopped in her tracks, causing the shuttlecock to fall straight to the ground.
"What's wrong?" Qian Zhenyun picked up the shuttlecock and looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"It's nothing." Gu Qingchen shook his head, forcibly suppressing the strange feeling in his heart. "I'm not playing anymore, it's boring."
The visit has come to an end.
After Qian Zhenyun left, the courtyard returned to silence.
Gu Qingchen walked to the stone table, looked at the lonely rattle drum, and remained silent for a long time.
She finally understood why her brother said Lin Jiayou was a knife that was too sharp.
Because this knife not only wounds the body, but also destroys the spirit.
……
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was far less relaxed than in the courtyard.
Yang sat to the left of Chu Ruohan, clutching a handkerchief tightly in her hand, her expression anxious and troubled.
"Madam, I have no other choice but to bother you again." Her voice was choked with sobs. "My father-in-law..."
Chu Ruohan put down her teacup. "What is he planning to do now?"
Madam Yang looked distressed: "He said that Wang, the Imperial Academy's tutor, has asked a matchmaker to say that he is extremely satisfied with our Lanxin and is urging both families to meet as soon as possible to finalize the matter."
“He also said,” Yang’s voice trailed off, “that this marriage would also be good for Lu Ge’er’s future.”
“Wang Shidu is His Highness the Crown Prince’s man. If the two families are related by marriage, he will have an extra ally in the court in the future…”
"Help him out?" Chu Ruohan laughed in exasperation. She picked up her teacup but didn't drink, only watching the tea leaves floating in the cup. "Is he trying to use Lanxin's life to pave the way for his most successful grandson?"
These words were spoken without any politeness, and Yang's face turned red and white in turns, but she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.
“You know my father-in-law’s temper. Once he’s made up his mind, nothing can change it. Now he’s even bringing up Lu Ge’er’s future. I… I really don’t know what to do.”
Yang was truly caught in a dilemma.
On one side is her stubborn father-in-law, and on the other side are her clearly unwilling niece and nephew. As the aunt, she is caught in the middle and doesn't want to be in a good position.
Seeing her like this, Chu Ruohan's anger subsided a bit.
She knew that this was not Yang's fault.
The real root of the problem lies with that selfish and muddle-headed Master Gu.
"You don't need to worry about this matter." Chu Ruohan's voice returned to calm. "Lanxin's marriage will be decided by Brother Lü."
“No one can force them if they don’t want to.”
She paused, then added, "When you get back, don't say anything, just tell them I already know about this."
Hearing Chu Ruohan's words, Yang felt as if she had found her pillar of support, and a great weight was lifted from her heart.
She thanked him repeatedly before leaving with gratitude.
No sooner had Yang left than Chu Ruohan's face darkened completely.
She summoned the housekeeper and coldly ordered, "Go, prepare the car. I need to go to the third branch of the Gu family."
The residence of the third branch of the Gu family was far less grand than that of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but it was still well managed by Madam Yang.
Led by a servant, Chu Ruohan entered Master Gu's study without any hindrance.
Master Gu was sitting by the window, holding a book in his hands. When he saw her come in, he forced an unnatural smile and got up to greet her.
"Ruohan, why did you come in person? If there's anything you need, you could have just sent someone to let us know."
Chu Ruohan did not sit down, but looked at him with a cold gaze and got straight to the point: "Third Uncle, I came about Lan'er's matter."
The smile on Master Gu's face froze. He sighed, placed the scroll on the table, and gestured for him to leave.
"Sit down and talk first."
"No need." Chu Ruohan's voice was unreadable. "I just want to ask Third Uncle, do you remember how Brother Lu and Sister Lan came to the Duke's Mansion?"
Master Gu's expression changed slightly, and his lips moved, but he did not speak.
“I remember.” Chu Ruohan’s gaze seemed to pierce through time, seeing that snowy winter day many years ago, “When Lu Ge’er was so young, he was already holding his sister’s hand and kneeling in front of the door.”
"Lan was only three years old at the time. Her little hands were red from the cold, and her palms were covered with blisters from the heat. She cried from the pain, but she didn't dare to make a loud sound."
Her voice was soft, yet it struck Master Gu's heart like a heavy hammer.
"These past years have been tough on the two children. Lan'er lost her mother's protection at such a young age. Even if we elders don't love them as much as we love them, we can't use their marriage as a bargaining chip!"
Master Gu's face flushed red, as if his most secret secret had been exposed, and he hurriedly protested, "I didn't!"
"No?" Chu Ruohan sneered. "That Attendant Wang is the Crown Prince's man. Do you dare say you've never had that thought in your mind?"
“Third Uncle, you weren’t like this when you were the magistrate of this town. Back then, you were a wise judge who cared deeply for the people. Did you ever think that one day you would sacrifice your own child’s life for a better career?”
"Don't lose your humanity for the sake of some vague and uncertain future!"
These words were like daggers to the heart.
Master Gu was speechless. He slumped back into his chair and, after a long while, let out a long sigh, his voice full of exhaustion and hoarseness.
"Do you take me, as your grandfather, for being so heartless?" He looked up, his eyes slightly red. "I was only thinking of that child!"
“Besides the fact that Wang Shidu is the Crown Prince’s man, what’s more important is that I’ve already sent people to investigate his son carefully.”
“That child is of good character, has not been tainted by any spoiled habits, and is a promising student who is dedicated to his studies. I observed him for a long time before I made up my mind.”
He looked at Chu Ruohan, his tone becoming more earnest: "Think about Lan'er again, she's already nineteen! In the capital, girls her age already have children running around. If she's delayed any longer, what good family will she find?"
"I can't stay single forever and become an old maid, can I?"
"You're talking about mutual affection and understanding, but with millions of people in the world, how easy is it to meet someone like that?"
"When it comes to living together, it all comes down to character. How can you be sure it's not a good match if she doesn't even bother to meet her?"
This series of rhetorical questions left Chu Ruohan, who had come in a fit of rage, speechless for a moment.
She had to admit that although Master Gu's words were pragmatic, they also revealed a cruel reality.
Gu Lanxin's age is indeed the biggest challenge.
If one truly waits for someone with whom one shares a so-called "soulmate," who can guarantee that she won't waste her life waiting for them?
At this moment, Chu Ruohan's anger was largely extinguished by this realistic consideration.
She looked at Master Gu and saw that his eyes were full of genuine sorrow, not feigned.
Perhaps he really just used the wrong method.
A long silence fell over the study.
After a long while, Chu Ruohan's tense expression finally relaxed a little. She slowly sat down, picked up the tea offered by the servant, but did not drink it.
“Alright.” She finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. “Since Third Uncle speaks so highly of that Young Master Wang, then I’d like to go and see for myself.”
"I want to see what kind of person he really is, and whether he is worthy of Lan-jie'er."