By the time they returned to the Gu family mansion, the sun had already set.
Gu Xingzhi clearly had something to say to Gu Yaoniang alone. Qiaoniang, who always understood him, excused herself and left the two of them alone to talk. Yaoniang instructed Bitao to go back to Tinglan Residence to pack her things, and then followed Gu Xingzhi into the study.
The Gu family's study was extremely spacious, with many scrolls and volumes piled up on one side, and the bookshelves overflowing with books. Gu Yaoniang sat down behind him. They had been in the city for most of the day, and this was the first time the two of them were alone together.
Gu Xingzhi didn't beat around the bush.
"What are your plans regarding Qin Yuxiu?" He didn't wait for Yao Niang to speak before continuing, "And what are your plans for the future? Tell me all of that as well."
Yao Niang looked up at him. Her second uncle had never been one to put on airs as an elder, and he always treated her like a friend. But seeing his serious expression and the absence of his usual banter, she seemed to suddenly remember that the person before her was over thirty and was her elder.
Seeing that she seemed uneasy, Gu Xingzhi spoke again: "Tell me what you think. Whatever you want to do, I can always make the decision for you."
Yao Niang felt a sharp, aching pain in her heart. Why was her second uncle treating her so well!
"I...I told my parents that I came to Shuojing to see Qin Yuxiu." Seeing Gu Xingzhi frown, she quickly said, "I know that the Emperor's decree of marriage cannot be changed, and I never intended to pester him. But Second Uncle, I really want to know why!"
As Gu Yaoniang spoke, her eyes welled up with tears: "I want to know why he betrayed me! Was he truly forced to accept this marriage, or did he abandon me after weighing the pros and cons? I must know!"
She stared intently at Gu Xingzhi: "Second Uncle, this is very important to me."
Looking at the girl before him, Gu Xingzhi suddenly recalled that several years ago, someone had also said to him, "Tell me, Xingzhi. I must know! This is very important to me."
How many years had it been since he last saw that face? The person in his memory seemed to overlap with the face before him. Gu Xingzhi snapped out of his reverie.
"People say that the top scholar told the emperor that he had not yet achieved fame or marriage, and that's how he got this marriage. Don't you believe it?"
Gu Yaoniang nodded, then shook her head.
“It’s not that I don’t believe it, it’s just that people often spread rumors. I’m afraid of wronging him. Besides, he should give me an explanation. I want to hear the truth from his own words.”
Gu Xingzhi sighed. This child, with such a delicate face, is so stubborn!
"Very well, it's good to clarify things." Although he didn't want Yao Niang to see Qin Yuxiu, he didn't want to stop her either. Everyone has things they have to do, and since Yao Niang wanted to get to the bottom of things, he would help her.
He said, "I'll find an opportunity to send an invitation to Qin Yuxiu. Then you two can meet. Now that you, Yunying, are still unmarried, and he is about to get married, you must not go to see him in your own name!"
"No need for you to trouble yourself..."
Before Yao Niang could finish speaking, Gu Xingzhi raised an eyebrow and glared at her: "What's the trouble? Who's in trouble? If I don't take care of you, who will?"
He said earnestly, "Qin Yuxiu is currently enjoying great success. Since you say you only want to clarify things with him, I believe you. However, he and the Xie family's wife will be getting married soon. When you meet, do not let others know."
Gu Yaoniang's eyes welled up with tears again upon hearing this. Her father had always been strict, and her mother hadn't been close to her; both her parents were not good with words. Although she knew they genuinely loved her, she still felt a lingering sense of regret. Now, with her second uncle's trust in her, she felt a surge of warmth flowing through her heart.
She stepped forward and knelt on the footstool, gently resting her head on Gu Xingzhi's knees, and called out, "Second Uncle."
Gu Xingzhi was taken aback by her actions and was somewhat stunned. He had been single for so many years, had no children, and had never been so close to a younger generation. He was at a loss for words.
He had held Yao Niang when she was born; she was tiny and soft, like a doll made of dough. He didn't even dare to tighten his arms, afraid of hurting her, yet he didn't want to let go, wanting only to shelter her under his wing.
From birth, she was the blood relative he wanted to protect. He hoped she would live a peaceful and tranquil life. As he had wished, she grew up peacefully, loved by her parents, and engaged to her childhood sweetheart, awaiting their marriage.
But now, disaster has struck, disrupting her peaceful life.
He raised his hand and stroked her temples; the girl's hair was soft and carried a cool, delicate fragrance.
"Yao Niang, from now on..." He trailed off, but still said, "Your elder brother and sister-in-law hope you can find a suitable husband in Shuojing. What do you think?"
Yao Niang looked up at him, her eyes clear, yet with a hint of confusion.
"Second Uncle, I don't know."
Thinking about the past, she felt lost and uncertain about the future, her heart filled with confusion and uncertainty.
"Will I really be able to find a good husband? Like my father, who only has my mother by his side, he would be considered a good husband. But my father always makes the decisions in the family, big or small, and my mother never makes any decisions of her own. I always feel that my mother has her own ideas, but she never says them. I feel that my mother is not happy."
Gu Xingzhi nodded and listened to her continue.
“I don’t want to be like my mother, always putting my husband first. But which woman doesn’t put her husband first? If I can find a good husband who loves me, respects me, and treats me well, that would be a great opportunity, a blessing earned through many lifetimes.”
Women are taught from a young age that they must revere their husbands, be filial to their parents-in-law, and be virtuous and obedient. Why is it that when I marry someone, loving and respecting him is my duty, and his kindness to me is considered a sign of his outstanding virtue? This is unfair!
Seeing that Gu Xingzhi seemed to have something to say, Gu Yaoniang pretended not to notice and continued talking.
"Second Uncle, although Qin Yuxiu and I were betrothed long ago and grew up together as childhood sweethearts, he has always been devoted to the classics and is very particular about etiquette. There is not much affection between us. It is only because of our parents' arrangement that I respect him as my future husband."
He was already married, and I hadn't cared much. But do you know what others are saying about me? They say Qin Yuxiu is a literary genius descended from heaven, and I, a country girl, am unworthy of him. They say I'm like a toad trying to eat swan meat, and I deserve to be dumped. They say I must have lacked virtue, which is why Qin Yuxiu abandoned me after passing the imperial examination. They say, if I weren't morally deficient and had a hidden ailment, why wouldn't the Qin family even let me be a concubine?
Why should I, a perfectly good girl, be forced to become his concubine! I am clearly the one who has been humiliated. I have been dutiful to my elders at home every day. I have done nothing wrong, yet... yet..."
Why must she be jilted and humiliated like this! The resentment in her heart, which she couldn't suppress, welled up and burst forth, tears streaming down her face. She buried her head, not wanting Gu Xingzhi to see her like this.
Gu Xingzhi was both shocked and furious. He knew that Yao Niang's situation must be difficult, but who would have thought that the rumors would be so blatant, each word like a knife?
"The Qin family has gone too far!"
“It has nothing to do with the Qin family,” came Gu Yaoniang’s voice, thick with a nasal tone. “No matter which family broke off the engagement with me, as long as something like this happens, rumors will spread about me like this. What’s hateful is that these rumors are all from the mouths of the aunties I know well!”
My mother was afraid I would be sad, so she didn't tell me, but how could I not know? I go out too, and I can never forget the way people look at me.
Second Uncle, why are they all women? They clearly know I'm the most innocent one, so why are they treating me like this?
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