After the feast, everyone dispersed.
On the way to their accommodation, Zhou Gu noticed that they were alone. He reached out to take Su Rong’s hand, "You were whispering with the marchioness all night. Since when do you two have so much to talk about? What were you discussing?"
Turning her head to glance at him, Su Rong wondered, "Are you drunk?"
Zhou Gu shook his head, "No."
Although reeking of alcohol, Su Rong noted that Zhou Gu was neither slurring his words nor staggering, and did not seem drunk at all. "It looks like your third brother is drunk," she said.
"Right, he’s drunk. He can’t hold his liquor like I can," Zhou Gu replied, winding back to his question, "You’ve still not answered my question."
Surveying her surroundings and sure they were alone, Su Rong lowered her voice, "The marchioness saw you two brothers and thought about your young sister, who is still unmarried in your residence. She’s considering proposing a match to Ning Chi and asked for my opinion."
Zhou Gu: "..."
He stopped in his tracks, giving Su Rong an up-and-down gaze.
Bemused by his scrutiny, Su Rong asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Zhou Gu answered bluntly, "I’m wondering which of the marchioness’ eyes claimed that a young girl like you could play matchmaker?"
Su Rong: "..."
She cleared her throat, "She merely asked for my opinion, not that I play matchmaker."
"If she consults you, it equates to her asking for your assistance in arranging the match." Zhou Gu held her hand and continued forward. He grumbled, "My fifth sister is specifically reserved for the Crown Prince by my grandmother. If the Eastern Palace is uninterested, she’ll choose another house for her."
Blinking, Su Rong had indeed figured correctly. Fifth Lady Zhou was one of the prospective choices for the future Crown Prince’s Consort. She said softly, "I conveyed this to the marchioness too. She admitted to not being familiar with the eligible ladies in the capital, so I suggested that she let the Lady of the Minister of Personnel select a suitable match. After Ning Chi arrives at the capital and meets the choices, a decision can be made."
She added, "Just as we did with my sisters."
Zhou Guo remarked, "She’s certainly been quite dedicated to fostering Ning Chi."
With a smile, Su Rong replied, "On the day the Jibei Army attacked the city, Ning Chi saved Ning Ze. For the marchioness, Ning Chi’s actions are the equivalent of saving her life." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
In Zhou Gu’s estimation, "With the internal disputes in Marquis Nanping’s Residence resolved, it will benefit Ning Chi. It’s also good news for the Crown Prince."
Su Rong nodded in agreement.
Walking a few steps ahead, Zhou Gu suddenly asked, "And what about me?"
"What about you?"
Stopping again, Zhou Gu turned to look at her, his eyes wholly earnest and solemn. "Although the matchmaker’s words and parents’ blessings don’t hold much weight to you, you cannot allow me to walk around secretly carrying our marriage certificate, can you?"
Su Rong: "..."
What did he mean by ’walking around secretly’? How could she be clandestine with him?
She looked back at him, "There’s no secrecy involved. Tomorrow, when we plan to depart, aren’t you coming with me? Won’t we be traveling to the capital together? I’ll take you to meet my mother."
Zhou Gu shook his head after some contemplation, "Once Zhang Ping is settled, I’ll have to leave for Nanchu first and clear the path for you. I won’t be returning to the capital with you."
As Su Rong looked at him, she conceded, "Well, in that case, there’s no helping it. Shall I notify my mother on your behalf?"
She was still planning a trip to the capital.
Zhou Gu remained unsatisfied, "It’s not just your mother. You need to visit my grandfather, grandmother and mother at the Duke’s Residence, and inform them yourself."
Su Rong: "..."
She stared at Zhou Gu. "Do you think that’s appropriate?"
He was making it sound as if she was proposing a marriage alliance.
"Why is it inappropriate? When you broke off our engagement, didn’t you come to my door yourself?" Zhou Gu raised an eyebrow.
Su Rong was stumped.
Looking at her, Zhou Gu continued, "What, you don’t dare? You only dare to sneak around with me."
Grabbing his hand, Su Rong retorted, "When have I snuck around with you? You’re drunk. Let’s go back."
Zhou Gu was very dissatisfied being dragged by her, muttering, "Su Rong, even though I have the marriage certificate, I still need the blessings of my parents and the matchmaker."
Amused, Su Rong found that Zhou Gu wasn’t completely sober after all. He was acting a bit more affectionate than usual. She laughed and agreed, "Alright, alright, you’ve made your point. I agree to both your conditions. That’s not all, I’ll even make a public announcement about the matter. Is that enough?"
Zhou Gu finally seemed satisfied with her answer, "Okay."
The sky was filled with falling snow, a thin layer blanketing the ground. The cold wind intertwined their clothing, their sleeves enmeshing with each other’s.
Upon returning to their accommodation, Zhou Gu did not go over to the neighboring bathroom to bathe as he usually did. Instead, he lay down on the bed with Su Rong. He didn’t misbehave, he simply cuddled her while muttering things like "you’re mine," and then drifted off to sleep.
Amused at witnessing this side of Zhou Gu for the first time, Su Rong decided to join him in sleep.
The following day, Su Rong and Zhou Gu led an army of one hundred and fifty thousand, and along with Zhou Che’s troops of one hundred thousand, they left Nanping.
With Ning Ze, Jiang Zhu, the brothers from the eighteen districts, and Zhang Mao in the wagons, they also departed.
Ning Chi bade them farewell. He journeyed ten miles out of the city to say goodbye. He bowed to Zhou Gu and Su Rong, "Brother Zhou, Lady Su Qi, take care on the road."
Zhou Gu nodded, "Don’t worry."
He glanced at Ning Chi. "You take care of your injuries. Once the matter with Zhang Ping is settled, the Crown Prince will definitely summon you to the capital."
Ning Chi nodded in understanding.
After a thought, Su Rong decided to tell him, "Yesterday, the marchioness sought my advice on the heir’s marriage. I believe it would be best to entrust Lady Shen from the residence of the Minister of Personnel to find you a match. The marchioness means well. If you already have someone in mind, you might as well be straightforward, to avoid any unnecessary journeys."
Taken aback, Ning Chi laughed, "At present, there isn’t a young lady I am interested in. Thanks for your concern, Lady Su Qi."
His words implicitly agreed to her advice.
Su Rong nodded. "Alright, we will adhere to this plan. We need to leave now."
Once again, Ning Chi bowed, "Take care on your journey."
The departure of the army of two hundred and fifty thousand from Nanping City, was like the receding of a tide, restoring tranquility to the city.
Ning Chi stood on the spot, watching for a long time. Only when he could no longer see the troops did he return to the city.
Marquis Nanping waited in his study. When Ning Chi returned, the marquis asked, "Have they all left?"
"They’ve left," confirmed Ning Chi.
Marquis Nanping sighed wistfully, "In this trip to Nanping, Lady Su Qi has probably gained far more than even the Crown Prince."
Ning Chi looked at the Marquis Nanping.
The Marquis said, "Jiang Zhu, Zhang Mao, and then Zhang Yun if he really joins her too - they are all not ordinary individuals. They were supposed to be talents of Daliang, but now they’ve gone to Nanchu. If she becomes the queen, there’s no limit to Nanchu’s future."
Smiling faintly, Ning Chi reminded, "You forgot one person- my second brother."
"Ah, Ze," Marquis Nanping smiled as well, "Since he pledged his loyalty to Lady Su Qi, he’s been like a whole different person. In the future, I don’t have to worry about him."
With a sigh, he added, "Though his mother is a woman, she is far more forward-thinking than me, his father."
Ning Chi didn’t comment on the marchioness. Having grown up without a mother, he envied Ning Ze at times. Regardless of how the marchioness had acted before or now, one thing was certain – she was a good mother, without a doubt.
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