Zhaixing Academy.

Song was furious and yelled at Gu Qinlian, "Have you lost your mind? You and Ji Yinli have caused such a scandal. How will you hold your head up when you become a daughter-in-law of the Ji family?"

Her gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing straight at Gu Qinlian, who stood in the courtyard. Gu Qinlian's face was slightly pale, but a hint of determination flickered in her eyes.

Gu Qinlian bit her lip tightly, trying to calm herself down, and then slowly said, "Mother, I know I was wrong, but I don't think it was because I lost my mind. My feelings for Ji Yinli are genuine. We just wanted to pursue true love, and we didn't do anything wrong."

Upon hearing her daughter's words, Madam Song trembled with rage. Her eyes widened as she glared at Gu Qinlian: "True love? Do you know how luxurious true love is in this world? Your reckless behavior has made our Gu family unable to hold our heads high in front of the world!"

Gu Qinlian lowered her head, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes. She said softly, "Mother, I know I have disappointed you, but I really don't want to give up on this relationship. Ji Yinli is a good man, and he deserves what I have to do."

At this moment, the Gu family's steward came over and cautiously reminded her, "Madam, there are already many people outside talking about this matter. Let's go back first to avoid making things worse."

Madam Song snorted coldly, glared at the butler, and then turned to Gu Qinlian and said, "Listen to me carefully, from today onwards, you are not allowed to see Ji Yinli again, or I will break your legs!"

Gu Qinlian's body trembled slightly. She looked up at her mother, her eyes shining with determination: "Mother, I can't do it. I'm willing to give everything for this relationship, even my life."

Song was so angry she couldn't speak. She waved her arms and pointed to the door, yelling, "You...you get out of here! I don't want to see you again!"

Tears welled up in Gu Qinlian's eyes. She bit her lip tightly, took one last look at her mother, and then turned and left. Her figure disappeared at the gate of Zhaixing Courtyard, leaving Song Shi alone in the courtyard, furious.

Back in her room, Gu Qinlian remained deeply troubled. Lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. Just then, her maid, Xiao Cui, entered, looking at her with concern: "Miss, are you alright? Madam…"

Gu Qinlian shook her head and said softly, "Xiao Cui, I know you care about me, but I have to face this matter myself. I can't give up Ji Yinli, and even if my mother objects, I won't change my mind."

Xiao Cui sighed and said worriedly, "Miss, if you insist on this, things will only get worse. Think about it, if Madam gets really angry, she might do something extreme."

Gu Qinlian was silent for a while, then said, "I know, but I'm not afraid. Because I believe that true love will always conquer all. As long as Ji Yinli and I are of one mind, we will one day receive my mother's blessing."

Looking at Gu Qinlian's determined eyes, Xiao Cui couldn't help but worry for her.

As night fell, Gu Qinlian lay in bed, her thoughts racing. She imagined herself with Ji Yinli, a sweet feeling welling up inside her. However, she also knew clearly that the road ahead was full of thorns, and that she and Ji Yinli still had a long way to go.

...

"Miss, people from the Ji family have arrived."

Gu Qinlan was practicing calligraphy at her desk when she heard the news. She smiled gently and asked, "Has Madam Ji arrived?"

“Exactly!” Hongye nodded. “We’re discussing the marriage between the Third Miss and Ji Yinli with Madam right now!”

Gu Qinlan paused, leaving a mark of ink on the paper. She gently put down the brush, looked at the red leaves, and a thoughtful look flashed in her eyes.

"Hongye, what do you think of this marriage?" she asked softly.

Hongye lowered her head slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Young Master Ji is exceptionally talented and gentle in nature. He would be a good in-law for our Gu family."

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes: "Hongye, you don't understand. How could you and I easily see through the intricacies of this?"

Hongye looked at Gu Qinlan with a puzzled expression, but Gu Qinlan just smiled gently and picked up her pen again to practice calligraphy.

“Young lady, then you…?” Hongye asked cautiously.

Gu Qinlan put down her pen, turned to look at Hongye, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Me? I naturally have my own plans."

Hongye stopped talking and just stood quietly to the side, watching Gu Qinlan.

At this moment, in the main hall of the Gu residence, Madam Ji and Madam Gu were discussing the marriage. Madam Ji had a smile on her face and spoke in a friendly tone, while Madam Gu looked worried, nodding occasionally but not saying much.

"Madam, do you think this marriage is appropriate?" Madam Ji asked.

Madam Gu smiled slightly and said, "Madam Ji, rest assured, as long as both families are willing, there will naturally be no problem with this marriage."

Upon hearing this, Madam Ji's smile widened even more: "Then I'm relieved. How about we set the date for the marriage in a month?"

Madam Gu glanced at Madam Ji and nodded slightly: "One month later, then one month later."

Madam Ji smiled, stood up, thanked Madam Gu, and then took her leave.

Watching Madam Ji's departing figure, Madam Gu sighed softly, turned her head to look at the room where Gu Qinlian was, and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

"Madam, are you alright?" a maid asked from the side.

Madam Gu smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing, I'm just a little worried about Qinlian."

The maid nodded slightly and said nothing more.

...

"Qin Lan, your younger sister Qin Lian has already arranged her marriage with Ji Yinli, so I've come to ask if you'd be willing to marry into the Duan Prince's household?"

Madam Song slowly walked into Gu Qinlan's courtyard, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. Gu Qinlan was sitting by the window, holding a book in her hands. Hearing her mother's voice, she slightly raised her head, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

"Mother, what did you say?" Gu Qinlan asked softly, putting down the book in her hand and slowly standing up.

Madam Song sighed softly, walked up to her daughter, and said gently, "Qinlan, your younger sister Qinlian is engaged to Ji Yinli. I didn't want to tell you this so soon, but this matter concerns your lifelong happiness, so I have to ask for your opinion."

Gu Qinlan's expression changed slightly.

“Mother, you know I’m not interested in these things. I’ve always wanted to live an ordinary life, spending my life with the person I love,” Gu Qinlan said firmly.

Madam Song frowned slightly. She gently took Gu Qinlan's hand and earnestly advised, "Qinlan, I know what you're thinking, but in this chaotic world, marriage is often beyond one's control. The Duan Prince's Mansion has a prominent position, which is beneficial to you and the entire Gu family."

Gu Qinlan was silent for a moment, then looked up at her mother, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Mother, if I really marry into the Duan Prince's mansion, then there will be no possibility for me and the person I love. I would rather choose freedom than become a pawn of the family."