Zhou Gu now understood the entire household of the Governor’s Residence well, let alone Su Xingze who was not an unknown person. In the Jiangnan area, he was a very famous scholar. His reputation had even reached Capital City. As the autumn gambling season began, many people at the gambling house in Capital City bet that Su Xingze would be the top scholar in the coming examinations.
He asked, "Su Xingze?"
"Yes." Su Rong casually plucked a blade of wild grass from the roadside and toyed with it in her hand, "I’m afraid of him."
Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow, "Is he very strict?"
"Not really." Su Rong shook her head, "If I were to compare him, my mother is stricter. But, he has his own ways, he targets people’s weaknesses."
"What weakness of yours does he target?" Zhou Gu asked, seemingly unconcerned.
"I..." Su Rong was about to confess but quickly stopped herself, whispering, "I can’t tell you."
Zhou Gu chuckled, "Why? Are you afraid that I might also exploit your weakness and control you?"
Su Rong shook her head, "I’m not that arrogant. We only knew each other for two days, and our marriage arrangement still needs to be discussed. You wouldn’t want to control me, would you?"
"Who knows, if I did it would be perfectly justified, wouldn’t it?" Zhou Gu smirked.
Su Rong blinked, "You..."
She wanted to ask, are you really thinking of marrying me now that you effortlessly utter the words ’perfectly justified’? But we’ve only known each other for two days, and he already knows what kind of person she is, he shouldn’t be so rash.
Zhou Gu waited for a moment, but when she didn’t continue, he turned and shot her a glance, smirking as if he understood her thoughts, he asked her, "Why, lacking confidence?"
Su Rong stared at him, feeling a choke in her heart, "Zhou Gu, don’t tease me, didn’t you hear what Chen Zhou said? I can’t take the teasing."
Zhou Gu’s expression faltered for a moment, then he turned away, twirling a lock of hair by his ear and letting it fall. He grinned lazily, "Why would I tease you? My grandfather warned me sternly before I came to not bully you because of my status. Our marriage arrangement was set by him. The Zhou family never has had any history of breaking engagements, and he told me to behave and not cause any trouble. At first, I thought you were just a sheltered young girl, weak and soft. I certainly didn’t expect that within just two days, my perception would be completely overturned. I began to think that I must have been blind not to recognize who you really are."
Su Rong was embarrassed and coughed, "My parents think very highly of you, that’s why they wanted me to cooperate and leave a good impression on you. After I met you, my conscience wouldn’t let me deceive you completely."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Gu finally understood. He suddenly said, "My grandmother is the Grand Princess Sheng An, I learned the rules from her, naturally, there is no room for objection. My mother is from the Qinghe Cui family, her upbringing is impeccable. You managed to deceive me, even if you have kept up appearances, you may still deceive others. But, you can deceive for a while, but as for a lifetime..."
He raised an eyebrow, looking right at her, "Would you be able to marry me?"
Su Rong: "..."
She couldn’t!
Right...?
Su Rong was well aware of who she was at the core. She wasn’t someone who had the temperament for restraint and forbearance. The residence of the Duke was known for its strict rules and high expectations. Even if Zhou Gu was willing to marry her, both of the important women in his family might not be as lenient as the Lady. Wouldn’t they despise her then?
Su Rong shook her head internally, she found even the Governor’s Residence stifling, not to mention the Duke Residence where she couldn’t act recklessly.
Zhou Gu waited for a while, but when she didn’t respond, he snorted softly and walked ahead.
Su Rong: "..."
She silently followed him, thinking that she probably couldn’t achieve this marriage match even if she wanted to. Despite her fiancé being agreeable, she couldn’t force this, could she? A sense of disheartenment grew in her heart, and the ripples and curiosity that had risen since meeting him also subsided.
The two of them arrived at Yuelao Temple.
At the front of the Yuelao Temple, a few Albizia trees as wide as a man’s embrace looked very prosperous, and there were countless red silk blessing stripes tied to the tree.
Su Rong originally wanted to invite Zhou Gu to pray for blessings together, but seeing how things played out with Chen Zhou, she decided against it.
Zhou Gu stood under the Albizia tree, looking around with his hands behind his back. He glanced at the Yuelao Temple and asked Su Rong, "Why are there so many blessing stripes? Can the Matchmaker God handle all these?"
Su Rong didn’t know if the Matchmaker God could handle it but replied, "People from a hundred miles around come here to pray for a marriage match. Even out-of-towners who come here say that this place is very effective."
"Who told you it was effective? Do you know someone specific?" Zhou Gu asked.
Su Rong shook her head, "I haven’t asked. However, my sisters have prayed here, asking the Matchmaker God to bless them with a good marriage. But at the present, they haven’t settled their marriages yet, and it is unknown which family they will marry into, or if it will be a good marriage match."
"Why haven’t your sisters married yet?" Zhou Gu was curious, "Your eldest sister, if she doesn’t get married soon, isn’t she getting too old?"
Su Rong nodded, it was a bit difficult to say, but she told him objectively, "My mother said, let them wait. I have a very good marriage arrangement, and through me, they might also get a good marriage." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Zhou Gu: "..."
He was full of question marks, "You mean the Lady wants to use you to connect with me, and then, through me, arrange better marriages for your sisters?"
"Yes."
Zhou Gu never knew he was this important, linked to the marriages of several women. He was stunned for a moment, "Has she ever considered that what if our marriage arrangement doesn’t work out..."
"There’s also my elder brother. After he passes the autumn examinations, he’s more reliable than me." Su Rong sighed, "My mother doesn’t really want to rise through marriage. She just treats us all like family, so of course, she hopes for everyone to marry well. Although there’s a bit of selfishness in wanting to aid my brother, it’s not really that big. After all, Jiangning County’s place is too small. And I’ve always been a troublemaker since I was young, combined with her protective and fierce temperament, we’ve offended quite a lot of people, especially the local official, even the Inspector of Jiangzhou and his wife. So, the respectable households that are not in good terms with my mother and the Inspector’s wife hinder our marriages with them, while the families of lower status are willing, but she does not want her cherished daughters to suffer poverty in other families. So, she thought, if our marriage works out, it will solve the problem of my sisters’ marriages. If it doesn’t, we can always rely on my elder brother, so it’s harmless for my sisters to wait."
Zhou Gu: "..."
He was speechless for a while, feelings mixed. After a moment, he rubbed his temples, "Your family sure is interesting...."
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