Chapter 436 The Second Brother Takes Charge at Home

However, Shen Wantang quickly rejected this idea in her mind.

There's no rush to practice calligraphy. She's been living a very comfortable and relaxed life lately, so her calligraphy practice has been quite casual. It's normal that she hasn't made any progress.

Xiao Qingxi is bedridden and no longer causing trouble. Xiao Qingyuan spends his days reciting poems and painting with the maids, and occasionally he has to worry about the baby in Huayi's belly. He has no time to run to Wutong Garden.

The Ning Prince's Mansion was unusually peaceful, so Shen Wantang naturally wouldn't want to cause trouble for herself.

Just then, Gu Qianning wrote her a letter, inviting her to go out for a spring outing. She gladly accepted, picked out a light pink spring dress that had just been made, and went out.

The two set off early in the morning and arrived at their destination, Yunqi Temple, an hour later.

Yunqi Temple is a small temple with few worshippers, but it is surrounded by large peach and apricot groves. Every spring, when the peach and apricot blossoms are in full bloom, it is an excellent place for a spring outing.

After arriving at Yunqi Temple, Shen Wantang and Xiao Qingxi, as was their custom, first offered incense and donated some money for incense oil before going to the peach grove to enjoy themselves.

With spring in full bloom, tourists flock to the area. Along a long path through the peach orchard, people set up stalls selling peach blossom cakes, apricot blossom pastries, kites, bamboo dragonflies, and other items, creating a vibrant and lively scene.

Shen Wantang was in a good mood as she looked at the beautiful peach blossoms and the lively scene, but Gu Qianning was worried.

"A-Ning, what's wrong? Don't you like it here? If you think there are too many people, we can go somewhere less crowded."

Gu Qianning shook her head: "It's fine here. I'm not bothered by the crowds, but by things at home."

"What's wrong? Did something happen at home?"

"Recently, my second brother has taken charge of things at home."

Shen Wantang was somewhat surprised: "Your second brother is in charge? So your father and your eldest brother listen to him?"

"You have no choice but to listen. My second brother has plenty of methods. Father and my eldest brother's men have all been taken down by my second brother's men."

Gu Qianning sighed, "My eldest brother is alright. He has always been good-tempered and very accommodating to his younger siblings. When my second brother wanted to take power, my eldest brother didn't fight him for it. But my father doesn't like my second brother's forceful attempt to seize power. He was very angry and has been sick for several days."

"In addition, my second brother redeemed the courtesan of Wan Hua Lou and kept her outside. Mother was very angry and fell ill."

"My second brother wouldn't let me see the Crown Prince or leave the house. Only when I told him I wanted to see you did he reluctantly nod in agreement."

"Ah Tang, why did Second Brother suddenly become like this? He wasn't like this before!"

Shen Wantang sensed a hint of pressure and tension from Gu Qianning's words. The power that Gu Qianhan wanted to seize was not only from the Gu family, but also from the royal family.

Taking care of the family is just the beginning.

At this moment, she finally realized that Gu Qianhan had other motives for redeeming Xue Luo. He did not like Xue Luo, nor was he trying to compete with Xiao Qingyuan. Everything he was doing was to prepare for seizing power.

Shen Wantang's earlier ease vanished. She thought that Gu Qianning must have also sensed the unusual atmosphere, which was why she felt somewhat uneasy.

She asked Gu Qianning softly, "Have you told anyone else about these things?"

Gu Qianning shook her head: "I can't even leave the house now, who can I talk to? Besides, family scandals shouldn't be aired in public. I never talk about family matters, but I feel so uncomfortable if I don't talk about it. I can only confide in you."

Shen Wantang patted her hand: "You were right not to say anything."

"There's one more thing."

"What's up?"

"My second brother plans to marry me off to Jiangnan. He gave me a booklet and told me to choose my own husband, but after looking at it, I couldn't find one that suited my taste. I still think that my cousin, the Crown Prince, is the best."

As Gu Qianning spoke, she took out a small booklet and handed it to Shen Wantang.

When Shen Wantang opened it, she saw that each page contained an introduction to a young master, along with a portrait.

Shen Wantang read through the entire list and discovered that all the young men mentioned were scholars with excellent character, promising careers, and profound family backgrounds from their previous lives.

Of course, compared to the Crown Prince, they are naturally inferior. Putting aside everything else, the Crown Prince's appearance and demeanor are incomparable to ordinary young masters. It is normal that Gu Qianning looks down on them.

However, as long as Gu Qianning doesn't marry the Crown Prince, no matter which one she marries on the list, and no matter whether the Duke's mansion will encounter trouble in the future, she can live a peaceful life.

Gu Qianning may not know how significant this booklet is, but Shen Wantang knows very well that it is Gu Qianhan's greatest protection for his sister.

Shen Wantang returned the booklet to Gu Qianning and said solemnly, "Listen to your second brother, he won't harm you."

Gu Qianning was in low spirits: "Actually, my marriage is not my own decision at all. In the past, it was my father who made the decision, and now it is my second brother. Anyway, no one listens to my opinion, so I can only follow the path they have arranged."

As she spoke, she began to cry: "I don't want to marry into Jiangnan. I want to stay in the capital. My home is here, and my friends are here. The thought of never seeing my father, mother, older brother, second brother, and you, Atang, again makes me so sad."

"But I cried and made a scene, but my second brother was heartless and didn't care about my feelings at all. He forced me to choose a man I didn't know and marry him in a place I didn't know, to live a life I had never imagined."

Shen Wantang took a handkerchief to wipe her tears and comforted her in a low voice: "I think the people your second brother chose for you are very thoughtful. Marrying into Jiangnan is not a bad thing. I heard that the climate in Jiangnan is humid, which is good for your appearance and health, and the food is also very rich. If you marry into Jiangnan, I will definitely come to visit you. You must treat me well then."

Gu Qianning looked at her with teary eyes: "A-Tang, will you really come to Jiangnan to visit me? It's a long way, will your mother-in-law let you go?"

Shen Wantang smiled at her: "Actually, it's not that far. My cousin goes to Jiangnan twice a year. All the fabrics in my shop are from Jiangnan. Every time I hear him talk about the local customs and prosperous commerce there, I am filled with longing and really want to go and see it."

“If you marry into that family, I will definitely go. I want to see you and the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan. Oh, you’d better write to me as soon as you give birth. I want to see your baby, celebrate his 100-day celebration, and have the child recognize me as his godmother.”

"As for my mother-in-law, she will let me go. I'm quite good at coaxing her."

Hearing how easily and confidently she spoke, Gu Qianning burst into laughter through her tears: "A-Tang, you're really good at coaxing me! Now I even think that going to Jiangnan might not be so bad! Jiangnan doesn't seem so scary anymore."