Grand Tutor Qin knew that Zhou Gu had been betrothed since they were young. He came to know of this the day when the old Duke and the Crown Prince cunningly used the emperor’s favor to kick Zhou Gu to the Eastern Palace as their confidant. He had to know everything about this child who was going to become his disciple and who was also the Crown Prince’s companion since he was tasked with aiding the Crown Prince. It would aid him in deciding how to properly mentor him.
However, he had never imagined that Zhou Gu’s engagement would lead to complications.
Nor did he expect that the Duke hiding Su Rong’s identity would waste years of his hard work.
After Su Rong arrived in the capital, her identity was revealed, Zhou Gu was visited by her to nullify their engagement, and when Zhou Gu hit rock bottom, Grand Tutor Qin was not annoyed but rather relieved. Romantic attachments seemed trivial to Grand Tutor Qin. From the Crown Prince to Zhou Gu, he never gave them the illusion during their tutoring that love could be more important than great achievements.
The Crown Prince was the heir apparent, and Zhou Gu was the future Auxiliary Minister chosen by the Crown Prince himself. While tutoring these two, Grand Tutor Qin was extremely cautious. Their family’s national affair, understanding people through history, discussing the rise and fall of dynasties, talking about the universe and the national health, and combining the ancient to discuss the current were all carefully taught. He didn’t remember ever telling them that love was more important than a great career. That’s why it was best if they didn’t indulge in romantic matters and focused on national affairs; such a student would be his ideal student.
All along, he had been very satisfied with the Crown Prince and although he often verbally criticized Zhou Gu, he was genuinely pleased with him. After all, Duanhua was obsessively pursuing Zhou Gu to the point of absurdity, and Zhou Gu was avoiding her to the extent of discomfort. He had also shown no affection for any other women, which made Grand Tutor Qin satisfied.
To Grand Tutor Qin, a man should prioritize his career. The future Daliang kingdom, with these two as the monarch and the minister, would surely be remembered for ages.
But who knew!
Who knew that after the Crown Prince went to Jiangning County and was chased back after an attempted assassination, he occasionally became lost in thought. When discussing the choice for the Crown Princess, he was hesitant. And Zhou Gu, he fell for it headlong.
He thought that if he had known earlier, if the old Duke had mentioned it to him in advance, he would have definitely stopped the Crown Prince from going to Jiangning County.
Because he couldn’t afford to take that gamble.
The attribute of never taking chances, which the Crown Prince and Zhou Gu embodied, was learned from him. As the Grand Tutor, he should eliminate any unfavorable factors before they take place.
But unexpectedly, he didn’t know of Su Rong’s identity. He only thought that she was a minor commoner girl from the residence of the governor of Jiangning County. Even though marrying her would be beneath Zhou Gu and he was supposed to marry a girl of equal status because they had been engaged since childhood, he couldn’t object. Considering the Duke Residence already held a lofty status, marrying into a high-ranking household would not please the emperor. So it was not a problem if he married beneath him. Hence, he didn’t stop it. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Who would have thought that within just a month, Zhou Gu would fall head over heels?
This fall was harsh, especially because he was directly kidnapped to Nanchu. He couldn’t believe that the old Duke didn’t regret his decision so much that it made him sick.
Looking at Su Rong, he took a deep breath, then another, trying to suppress the surging anger that wanted to burst out. He, a man who had lived for more than half his life, couldn’t point his finger and curse at a young girl. Moreover, if he traced the problem at its root, he could only blame his unfilial disciple.
He couldn’t really blame this young girl for being good, likable, capable, and attractive, right?
"I heard that you broke off your engagement with Ye Guixue and wrote him a letter of confirmation yourself?" the Grand Tutor didn’t even want to mention Zhou Gu’s name, demonstrating the suppressed anger.
Su Rong nodded.
"The Ye Xiang Residence of Nanchu is large and powerful. The second son is famous all over the world. When the Second Young Master Ye came to the capital, I met him. He is indeed a very impressive figure. I heard from the Crown Prince that he was chosen by the Nanchu King five years ago to be your husband. It shows how much the Nanchu King values him. The Second Young Master Ye must have exerted a lot of effort in these five years. Since you have chosen him, why did you change your mind? You should know that a country’s ruler should not change orders frequently. It undermines their credibility." Grand Tutor Qin gazed at Su Rong as he asked.
Su Rong smiled, "But right now, I’m not a country’s ruler yet, I am only a princess whose status has not yet been announced to the world."
Grand Tutor Qin choked on his words, "So you mean princesses can change their minds at will?"
"That’s right." Su Rong didn’t mean to anger Grand Tutor Qin, but she had to admit that what she did was not generous. It was unfair to Ye Guixue. But since she had already done it, she could bear the consequences. "The treaty signed by Dawei and Daliang can be torn up. A few days ago, Crown Prince Yuan Zhao of Dawei even led his troops to the border of Daliang with the intent to breach the agreement and invade Daliang. Not to mention my agreement with Ye Guixue was verbal and not written down, there was no rule saying I couldn’t break it."
Grand Tutor Qin was taken aback, "So you’re saying, the new agreement you signed in the Council Hall with Daliang just now, you’re planning to go back on your word someday?"
Su Rong smiled, avoided his question and counter-questioned, "If you don’t trust me so much and doubt my sincerity, why did you agree earlier in the Council Hall?"
Grand Tutor Qin didn’t say a word.
Su Rong smiled and said, "I’ll answer for you." She continued, "That’s because you saw everything I have done for Daliang so far. Also, I am the daughter of Princess Zhenmin who has contributed a lot to Daliang. Add to that, my family members are in Daliang, and they won’t move. These are enough reasons to make you believe that as long as Daliang doesn’t break the agreement, I won’t break the agreement."
Grand Tutor Qin’s beard quivered, "We’re talking about that bastard Zhou Gu."
Su Rong corrected him, "He is now betrothed and is my future husband."
The implication was that it was inappropriate for him to keep calling him a bastard. He could scold him, but he couldn’t do it in front of Su Rong. If he scolded him once, she could pretend not to hear, but if he continued to do so, it would not be okay.
Grand Tutor Qin naturally understood, felt his blood boil, but seeing Su Rong’s clear and smiling eyes, his rage also subsided a bit. He said sternly, "Zhou Gu wasted ten years of my hard work."
Unsaid was, don’t think that you have done a lot for Daliang. However, the benefits that he alone could create for Daliang could be long-term, while you have only resolved a temporary crisis, and that too, with Zhou Gu’s help.
Accepting this point, Su Rong replied, "My elder brother, Su Xingze, was mentored by Uncle Xie since he was young. He wanted to go with me to Nanchu, but I sternly refused. Left with no choice, he had to stay in Daliang. You should have heard that I took in Ning Ze, the second son of Marquis Nanping Residence, Zhang Mao, the eldest son and rightful heir of Zhang Ping, as well as Zhang Yun, the third son of a concubine, and Jiang Zhu, one of the leaders of the eighteen strongholds. In addition to them, there are some unsung heroes as well. Among them all, my elder brother, Su Xingze, is second to none."
The implication was, if Su Xingze, together with her, went to Nanchu to serve her, considering their familiarity and silent understanding, and their abilities, Su Xingze could also become a high-ranking official.
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