flstandardbreds Chapter 175 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 30
Chapter 175 The Villainous Female Supporting Character's Mind Was Read 30
After what just happened, everyone felt that their relationship with Gu Yanli had become closer.
One person, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Ahem, Brother Gu, just now Brother Lin mentioned that Miss Lin is truly your mentor?"
Once one person started it, everyone's gossipy nature could no longer be hidden.
"And she taught you to write these characters too?"
"Although the rumors are a mix of truth and falsehood, and it is difficult to distinguish between them, it is an indisputable fact that Miss Lin is illiterate in the social circle of noble ladies."
"It is said that whenever she attends a banquet and there is a poetry writing session, she always submits a blank sheet of paper."
"Later on, he stopped attending any banquets that included poetry recitals."
"In that case, it seems we haven't heard of Miss Lin ever writing anything at any meeting?"
The second son of the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Liu, also said: "My elder sister once hosted a banquet, where she invited all the young ladies to write poems on the theme of orchids, without any formality."
"If you don't have an idea right away, you can use poems written by predecessors."
"I just thought that since everyone here is literate and has read books, they should be able to remember a sentence or two, so it's just for fun."
"Everyone else had already finished writing, but Miss Lin's pen was completely dry, and she handed in a blank sheet of paper."
"That's why we thought she hadn't studied poetry and literature and couldn't write."
"That's just..." Lin Shuwan began to explain, but due to her current status, she tactfully said, "Is it possible, perhaps, that Miss Lin doesn't want to write poems about flowers?"
Another person said, "But she hasn't written any poems about scenery either."
(I'd like to write too.)
(But when I was memorizing poems, I didn't like memorizing poems about flowers and snow.)
(And yet, their themes always seem to revolve around romance and nature.)
(I can't exactly say I don't remember any of them!)
(As for poems describing scenery, I only remember the lone smoke rising from the desert, the vast grasslands, and the serene mountains and forests; I can't recall any poems about gardens at all.)
(If I had actually written "A lone plume of smoke rises straight from the desert, the setting sun hangs round over the long river" when praising the garden, (Note 1), I might have been accused of pretending to know what I didn't and making a blatant misinterpretation.)
(Then I might as well not write it at all!)
(To be honest, they're just bored and have nothing better to do. They get a few new pots of flowers, so they throw a party and recite a few poems.)
(This is really boring; I'd rather go horseback riding in the countryside.)
Gu Yanli, who was standing to the side, almost burst out laughing when he saw Lin Shuwan's depressed look. Before she could glare at him, he helped explain, "I can testify that Miss Lin really doesn't like writing poems about orchids."
"But she was by no means illiterate, and in my opinion, her handwriting was flowing and unrestrained, already showing some promise."
"As for the enlightenment teacher..." Gu Yanli paused for a moment and looked at Lin Shuwan.
Sure enough, she held her head high with a smug look on her face, waiting to be recognized.
Seeing that Gu Yanli remained silent and was looking at him, he hurriedly urged, "Brother Gu, why are you looking at me? I don't know the truth. Just tell me the truth."
"Yes, Brother Gu, this is your business. Brother Lin is just hearing about it from others."
"Could it be that Brother Lin is mistaken, and Brother Gu is hesitating because he wants to save face for Brother Lin?"
……
Behind the scenes, taking advantage of the fact that everyone's attention was not on her, Lin Shuwan frequently gave Gu Yanli meaningful glances.
(Say it now, I'm your husband, I didn't say anything wrong!)
"Well, it was indeed Miss Lin who first guided me last year."
"Calligraphy is also an example."
He wasn't lying; in this world, Lin Shuwan was indeed the first person to guide him.
As for the time before last year, his mentor was someone else, which I won't go into detail about.
"Since Brother Gu says so, it seems we really misunderstood Miss Lin."
"Presumably, Miss Lin was simply unwilling to show herself off too much before."
"For Brother Gu's calligraphy to improve to this extent in just one year, Miss Lin's skill must be quite high."
"I wonder if I will have the honor of seeing Miss Lin's original work."
……
Lin Shuwan listened to everyone's praise with great satisfaction, her smugness almost overflowing.
Helpless, Gu Yanli bowed to everyone and said, "Everyone, I have other matters to discuss with Brother Lin, so I will take my leave now."
"Eh, eh?"
Lin Shuwan was forced to leave with Gu Yanli, still somewhat reluctant to part: "What else do we have to do? How come I didn't know?"
Gu Yanli tapped her forehead helplessly: "If you don't leave now, they'll praise you so much that you'll jump out and publicly admit that you are Miss Lin."
"I'm not that stupid!" Lin Shuwan muttered guiltily, then suddenly raised her voice, "And who gave you permission to hit the teacher on the head!"
"Don't think that just because you spoke up for me today, you can stand above me."
"I am your mentor, don't you understand the importance of respecting your teachers!"
"Yes, yes, Mr. Lin is right, I have learned my lesson," Gu Yanli replied cooperatively.
Looking into Gu Yanli's smiling eyes, with dappled sunlight falling on his features, Lin Shuwan suddenly lost in thought. Without thinking, she blurted out, "Do you want to be the live-in son-in-law of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"
"Huh?" Gu Yanli glanced at Lin Shuwan and was momentarily stunned, not hearing clearly.
Lin Shuwan snapped out of her daze, her face instantly flushing. She quickly looked away and said, "I never expected you, who are usually so quiet, to be so quick-witted."
"You've done me a great favor this time. If you ever want anything in the future, as long as it's within my power, I'll definitely grant it."
(Aaaaaaah, what am I saying?!)
(Why did my lips suddenly become uncontrollable?!)
(He probably didn't hear what I just said.)
(Yes, definitely not. If he had heard me say that I wanted him to be my son-in-law, he definitely wouldn't have reacted like this.)
Gu Yanli froze. He hadn't heard clearly before, but now he heard it perfectly.
But, a live-in son-in-law?
(However, he is indeed quite good-looking.)
Gu Yanli was helpless.
He knew that if Lin Shuwan could fall for him, his face would account for 70% of the reason.
(He's quite intelligent; he easily passed the provincial examination with flying colors.)
(Taking it out with me makes me look good.)
(He usually listens to me quite well.)
(He's a little weak, but that's okay, we can practice more later.)
The praise above had initially made Gu Yanli somewhat proud, but upon hearing this, his face instantly darkened.
He is not weak at all!
(Thinking about it this way, he doesn't seem like a bad choice for a future son-in-law.)
(Oh dear, I should have spoken louder.)
(Should I ask again?)
(But wouldn't it be a bit frivolous to ask directly?)
(Forget it, asking won't hurt me, I'll just ask directly!)
Gu Yanli was somewhat flustered.
He hasn't thought this through yet. Is it inappropriate for him to agree to become a live-in son-in-law so readily?
But what if Lin Shuwan replaces someone else if she doesn't agree?
Lin Shuwan began, "I..."
……
……
……
(Note 1: Selected from Wang Wei of the Tang Dynasty:)
Envoy to the Frontier
A lone rider seeks the border, passing through the vassal state of Juyan.
Like a tumbleweed drifting beyond the Han border, or a wild goose returning to the land of the barbarians.
The desert is solitary and straight, and the long river falls into the sun.
(At Xiaoguan Pass, I encountered a scout; the Protector-General was at Yanran.)