Chapter 563 Testing the Waters

"Nonsense!"

As Gu Renjie was speaking, he tried to stand up, but Gu Shuyan quickly pressed him down.

"Brother, don't worry. Since you have no interest in Miss Meng, I will speak to Mother on your behalf."

Gu Shuyan, with an air of "I'll take care of this," winked at Gu Renjie and then sighed, "If the Meng family really agrees to the marriage with the Fu family, it will be difficult to see Sister Meng Wei in the future."

After Gu Shuyan finished speaking, she walked out without looking back. However, her last sentence, which seemed to be a soliloquy, was like a stone falling on a calm lake, causing ripples in Gu Renjie's heart.

The thought of that woman becoming someone else's wife and never seeing her again made Gu Renjie engrossed in reading the official documents in front of him.

After some time, his personal guard came in to refill his tea. Noticing something was wrong, he couldn't help but remind him, "Young master, you've picked up the official document upside down."

"Hmm!" Gu Renjie responded, but he didn't realize what was happening. Seeing this, the guard raised his voice: "Young master, the official document is upside down!"

"Huh?" Gu Renjie glanced at the document subconsciously, then glared back at the guard. "I deliberately read it backwards, is that not allowed?"

The guard thought he must be half asleep when his meticulous young master suddenly did something so foolish.

The sudden arrival of Madam Ji caught the Meng family off guard. Not only did Madam Meng personally go out to receive Madam Ji, but even Old Madam Meng rushed over in a hurry.

Upon seeing Ji Shi, Old Madam Meng felt as if she had seen her own mother, wishing she could immediately acknowledge her as a relative.

Fortunately, Madam Ji did not show any impatience. Apart from a slightly cold tone, she still gave Old Madam Meng face.

Madam Meng had suspected this before, and seeing Ji Shi's attitude towards Old Madam Meng, Madam Meng was absolutely certain that the Marquis's mansion had truly taken a liking to Meng Wei.

After chatting for a while, Madam Ji finally couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which, I've been here for quite a while now, where is Miss Meng?"

"Madam, you may not know this, but I just arranged a marriage for that girl these past two days, and she's currently busy making her wedding dress in her room!"

Seeing that the time was right, Madam Meng simply unilaterally finalized the engagement, thus putting an end to Ji Shi's hopes.

"Oh? Miss Meng said just a few days ago that she wasn't engaged yet. How come she's already engaged so quickly? I was thinking that my eldest son is getting on in years, and I really like Meng Wei. Maybe I should try to match them up. But it seems my son isn't so lucky."

When Madam Ji first spoke, Madam Meng was initially a little guilty, but as she listened, she became more apologetic.

"Madam is too kind. It's all because our girl is unlucky to have missed out on such a kind mother-in-law as you."

Madam Meng quickly flattered Lady Ji.

Judging from Ji's frank words just now, it's clear that she's not the kind of person who would make trouble unreasonably. Compared to Ji's openness, my own deception seems petty.

However, Lady Meng had no idea that while Lady Ji was open and honest, she was not the kind of person who would give up easily.

Since she has taken a liking to Meng Wei, she won't give up until the very last moment.

"Miss Meng is a good girl, and I'm sure the family Madam has found for her is also a good one. I just wonder which family in the capital the young master is?"

Ji knew yesterday that Madam Meng had taken a liking to her nephew from her maternal family, and her deliberate inquiry at this moment was actually an attempt to attract Madam Meng's attention.

Sure enough, Madam Meng's face darkened immediately upon hearing this. With such a fine family as the Marquis's mansion available, why choose someone who only holds a local post? She truly didn't understand what her daughter-in-law was thinking.

However, Madam Meng did not feel that marrying into the countryside was inferior to marrying into the capital. She immediately replied with a smile, "To be honest, Madam, the other party is actually my nephew from my maternal family."

It was no secret that Madam Meng's family was from the local area. Hearing her answer, Madam Ji felt a greater fondness for Madam Meng.

It seems that Meng Wei's indifference to fame and fortune must have come from Madam Meng! In this capital city, which family with any standing doesn't rack their brains to climb the social ladder? Only someone like Madam Meng would think of sending her daughter out into the world!

"Madam Meng is truly a good mother. Nowadays, there are probably few people in the capital as insightful as her."

Madam Ji sincerely praised, and continued, "Actually, I originally thought the same as you, Madam, that my daughter should marry my nephew. But unfortunately, she doesn't like my nephew and insists on liking my son-in-law. You must have heard about my son-in-law's personality, Madam. I was worried that she would suffer if she married him. But what could I do? Although it is the parents' choice and the matchmaker's words, if her father and I strongly disagreed, the girl would regret it for the rest of her life. Fortunately, although my son-in-law's personality is a bit strange, he is very good to my daughter. I can finally put my mind at ease."

Lady Meng was stunned by Lady Ji's heartfelt words, and she did not understand what Lady Ji was trying to express.

Meanwhile, Madam Meng was preoccupied with how to bring Gu Renjie and Meng Wei together, having heard Ji Shi mention her intention to matchmake them. She had no time to ponder the seemingly casual conversation Ji Shi was having.

"Miss Gu and the Grand Secretary are destined for each other, and Madam's good fortune is yet to come!"

Mrs. Meng didn't know what to say, so she simply started with polite words.

Having said all that she needed to say, Lady Ji bid farewell to Madam Meng.

Before leaving, Madam Ji did not forget to give the invitation to Madam Meng. Although Madam Meng seemed unwilling to form a marriage alliance with the Gu family, she believed that the Gu family would not refuse to make friends.

No sooner had Madam Ji left than Old Madam Meng launched her attack.

Looking at Madam Meng, Old Madam Meng frowned and asked, "Have you and your sister-in-law really settled on your marriage?"

The old lady had said long ago that Meng Wei was destined to marry into a high-ranking family, but her son and daughter-in-law insisted on marrying someone of lower status. Now look what happened, they've missed out on such a good family as the Marquis's mansion.

"Mother, you know perfectly well that my sister-in-law came to the capital for this very reason, so why ask such a meaningless question? If Mother has nothing else to say, I will go back now."

Madam Meng and Old Madam Meng couldn't see eye to eye, and she was determined to avoid being together whenever possible.

Watching Madam Meng's departing figure, Old Madam Meng's mind raced, and she simply instructed the old woman beside her, "Help me to the eldest young lady's courtyard."

Since she couldn't get an answer from Madam Meng, Old Madam Meng had no choice but to go and ask Meng Wei herself.

Although the grandmother and granddaughter had some unpleasantness before, Meng Wei was gentle and usually respected her grandmother, so she wouldn't hide this from her.