While Su Rong and Duanhua were discussing Zhou Gu, he was sound asleep inside Duke Residence.
Upon returning to Duke Residence, Zhou Gu reported his safety to Princess Sheng An, then announced his fatigue and desire for sleep. Princess Sheng An was sympathetic towards the exhaustion of examinations and waved her hand, telling him to go and rest. Anything else could be discussed after he woke up.
And so, when Zhou Gu returned to Shuang Lin Court, he threw himself on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Ziye was shocked, thinking how energetically the Young Master had bounced around when leaving the examination hall. But why did he fall straight to sleep upon returning home? He didn’t look tired or sleep-deprived at all. Ziye guessed, perhaps it was due to the mental and emotional exhaustion?
Ziye thought that upon hearing Lady Su Qi had arrived in the capital, the Young Master would head straight to the Princess Residence to see her. Unexpectedly, he went straight to sleep upon returning home, not even bothering to bathe or change his clothes.
Zhou Gu slept for a full day and night, not awake until the following morning.
After waking up, Zhou Gu bathed and changed his clothes, then went to join Princess Sheng An for breakfast.
Seeing that her grandson was finally awake and appeared refreshed and buoyant, Princess Sheng An was delighted. "Come, come, you must be worn out, aren’t you? You’ve been sleeping without eating, you must be famished?"
Zhou Gu nodded.
Princess Sheng An laughed and said, "Eat up quickly, everything is your favorite."
Zhou Gu quietly ate his breakfast.
Princess Sheng An noticed Zhou Gu was quieter than usual. A look was exchanged between her and Lady Duke, but no words were spoken and they quietly finished their meal.
After the meal, Zhou Gu didn’t leave immediately. He stayed in the room drinking tea, making no effort to engage in conversation.
Princess Sheng An, unsure about whether this was due to Su Rong, took the initiative to inquire, "Has Ziye told you that Su Rong has come to the capital?"
Zhou Gu grunted in acknowledgment.
Princess Sheng An looked at him, unable to read any emotions from his face. As her grandson has grown up, even she is unable to discern his thoughts, "Ziye told you that on the day we got the news, your mother made a special trip to the Princess Residence, right?"
Zhou Gu nodded again, "Yes, he did."
"She told your mother that in a few days she would visit, but you have already taken the exam and she hasn’t come." Princess Sheng An tested him, "Maybe she was waiting for you to finish your exams. You seem well-rested today, why don’t you go and fetch her from the Princess Residence?"
"No," Zhou Gu rejected directly.
Princess Sheng An looked at him, asking, "Why not?"
Zhou Gu said, "I’ll wait for her to come."
At his words, Princess Sheng An turned to look at Lady Duke.
Lady Duke exchanged glances with Princess Sheng An, declaring, "Yesterday, after leaving the exam hall, it was rumored that the elder son of Su Family went to pick her up at the Princess Residence. Unfortunately, he didn’t succeed. It was said that Duanhua refused to let Su Rong go, insisting she stay for a few more days. However, they didn’t fall out, in fact the Princess Residence even sent an early congratulatory gift to Su Xingze in celebration of his passing the imperial examination. The gift came in a large cart, showing their friendly intentions."
Zhou Gu stayed silent.
Lady Duke continued, "Do you not want to meet Duanhua? Or you don’t want to step into the Princess Residence?"
Zhou Gu indeed did not wish to meet Duanhua or set foot in Princess Residence, but it wasn’t the main reason. He asked expressionlessly, "Grandmother, Mother, don’t you wonder what made Su Rong switch from being chased to death by Duanhua to being invited as a significant guest in the Princess Residence in such a short time?"
He didn’t believe that with Su Rong’s capabilities, if she didn’t want to go to the Princess Residence, she would be forced by Duanhua to do so. Moreover, she was treated as an honored guest.
"Moreover, she arrived in the capital on the day of the examination, and it has been ten days now, without her paying a visit. What does this imply?" Zhou Gu continued.
Princess Sheng An paused.
Lady Duke stayed silent for a moment.
Zhou Gu snorted with derision, "Apart from her telling Duanhua that she wants to break off our engagement, and besides she also wants to call off the engagement, I don’t think it will happen."
He stood up abruptly and snapped, "I will wait for her to come when she’s ready."
Having said that, he turned and left.
As Princess Sheng An and Lady Duke watched him depart, they exchanged wordless glances. Although they had sensed this, they didn’t want to believe it. Perhaps Su Rong had some leverage over Duanhua, but now Zhou Gu seemed so certain, there was a high likelihood he was right.
The Crown Princess Sheng An was somewhat worried, "If that young girl really wishes to call off the wedding, naturally, our family cannot insist. However, what about Zhou Gu..."
They could all see that Zhou Gu had taken a keen interest in Su Rong since he returned from Jiangning County. Just from the way he treated Su Xingze, it was quite apparent.
Thinking back to the day she visited the Princess Residence and met Su Rong, the Duchess of Duke Residence remembered how the young girl had smiled and talked to her, showing no distance or detachment. It didn’t seem like she was planning to call off the wedding at all. She wondered, "Mother, could we be overthinking this?"
"I’m afraid we’re not overthinking. Zhou Gu is correct. If she intended to marry, she wouldn’t have stayed at the Princess Residence for so long without visiting the Duke Residence. This seems to be a signal she wishes to break off the relationship," said Crown Princess Sheng An. "Zhou Gu has always been clever and he knows her quite well. He wouldn’t just speak rashly."
The Duchess of the Duke Residence also started to worry. "Mother, what should we do?"
"Let’s wait until she visits," sighed the Crown Princess Sheng An. "If she wants to call off the wedding, there should be a reason."
The Duchess of the Duke Residence nodded in agreement.
Su Rong thought about it. After Zhou Gu finished his exam, he would probably rest for a day. So, it would be perfect for her to visit him on the second day after his exam.
However, Duanhua insisted on delaying her, saying "Calling off the wedding is a big deal. What’s the rush? Think about it for a couple more days."
So, under her forceful delay, Su Rong thought it over for two more days.
On the fourth day, when she was ready to leave, Duanhua stopped her again, "Take a couple more days to think it over. I’ve never seen someone as eager as you to call off a wedding. That’s the Duke Residence, and that’s Zhou Gu. What if he actually tops the imperial exam? Not to mention his distinguished family background, but he also has real abilities. By giving him up, won’t you be the one at a loss?"
Duanhua forcefully dragged Su Rong back into the room, "Stay and play with me today." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
With no other choice, Su Rong had to think it over for another two days.
By the sixth day, when Su Rong was all set to leave, Duanhua stopped her at the door again. Before she could speak, Su Rong blocked her words, both angry and amused, "Princess, what’s the matter with you? You were so determined to stop me on the street that day. I thought you’d be the most delighted if I called off the wedding."
Duanhua was angered, "Not me."
"Then who?"
Duanhua glared at her, "A lot of people. Don’t you know many women like Zhou Gu?"
"And who exactly might they be?"
"Too many to count," Duanhua said, clearly annoyed. "There are so many people who like Zhou Gu. The only reason they didn’t openly admit is because I was standing in their way. But believe it or not, as soon as you call off the wedding and I stop blocking people from liking him, Zhou Gu will be snatched madly."
Su Rong pictured the scene where Zhou Gu was crazily snatched, and she couldn’t help "puffing" out a laugh. Reaching out, she pinched Duanhua’s round face, "Alright, I’ve thought it through. This marriage, I definitely want to call off. Will you come with me to bear witness?"
Duanhua stared at her, "I won’t go with you! Don’t come crying to me when Zhou Gu sends you packing."
Su Rong nodded, "Don’t worry, you won’t be implicated."
She turned around and walked away.
Duanhua quickly grabbed her, "Will you come back?" Not waiting for Su Rong’s response, she immediately said, "You have to come back, Fen Ling still hasn’t taught me how to command the guards in my residence in the Sword Array."
In truth, Su Rong didn’t want to come back. She had worn out her welcome.
Seeing that Su Rong was about to shake her head, Duanhua quickly spoke, "No, you have to come back. Stay a few more days. Don’t forget, you’ve been putting off visiting the Crown Prince’s and Second Prince’s consorts for so long. Didn’t you say you would go?"
"Even if I have to go to those dinners, I don’t have to stay in the Princess Residence," Su Rong looked at her, "Are you going to miss me, Princess?"
Duanhua wanted to say "Who’s going to miss you?" But seeing Su Rong’s expression, she changed her mind and said, "Yeah, I’ll miss you. You stay a few more days."
Su Rong had a weak spot for people who held onto her, so she agreed without any principle. "Okay, I’ll come back then."
Duanhua was satisfied and finally let go, "You can go now."
With her hands behind her back, Su Rong walked away. Fen Ling hurried to catch up. In a short while, they had left Cangjiao Pavilion.
Looking at Su Rong’s relaxed figure, Duanhua couldn’t understand why she was so mindless. She muttered to herself, "Blind to good, actually calling off the wedding with Zhou Gu."
She couldn’t believe that Su Rong had the heart to call off the wedding with Zhou Gu. Even when Duanhua had stated that she wouldn’t mind if Su Rong chose not to call it off–even if that meant she would stop liking Zhou Gu–Su Rong still insisted on breaking off the engagement. What didn’t she understand? What was wrong with Zhou Gu? Even if he had a bad temper and they were not a perfect match, but she was officially set to become the daughter-in-law of Duke Residence. The Duke, the Crown Princess Sheng An and the Duchess were all reasonable people. Thus, standing against the traditions of noble marriage for love, was her situation more difficult than her mother and father’s forced marriage?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
