Chapter 607 The Marriage is Set
Two weeks later.
Zhao visited the Marquis of Changxing's residence again to inform Meng Jinyao of the progress made with the Guo family.
Meng Chengzhang met Miss Guo and was impressed by her refined manners and conversation. However, Miss Guo did not reciprocate his feelings, despising him as a weak scholar who was powerless to even kill a chicken.
Upon learning of this, Meng Jinyao was only slightly taken aback, not particularly surprised. To outsiders, Miss Guo should have agreed to the marriage, since Meng Chengzhang, the newly appointed third-ranked scholar, had a promising future. However, she also knew Miss Guo quite well; she was a woman of both literary and martial talents. If she were a man, she would surely have inherited General Guo's mantle, but unfortunately, she was a woman.
Zhao sighed softly, "Ayao, I thought this marriage was a sure thing, but I never expected that Miss Guo would not choose Chengzhang."
Meng Jinyao replied, "Actually, before the imperial examination, I did think about matchmaking them up, but after thinking about it, I felt that I would have more confidence to propose marriage after my second brother passed the exam. Mother, don't think that just because the Guo family has no male heirs and no one to rely on, Miss Guo is a very outstanding girl. Don't be fooled by her gentle and charming appearance and think she is a weak woman. In fact, she is both literate and martial. I simply value this girl's talent and character, which is why I want her to be my brother's wife."
After she finished speaking, she sighed regretfully.
Zhao said, "Ayao, perhaps there is still a chance for things to turn around."
Meng Jinyao asked in surprise, "What do you mean by that, Mother?"
Zhao replied with a smile, "I think Chengzhang is really in love with Miss Guo. Although he was a little discouraged after being rejected, he quickly cheered up and took the initiative to pursue her."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao was even more surprised. Her younger brother was a shy man who would blush when marriage was mentioned, yet now he was pursuing a girl?
Zhao glanced at her and continued, "Miss Guo disliked him because he was a weak scholar who couldn't even kill a chicken, so he personally came to her door to ask her to be his teacher and teach him martial arts. Of course, Miss Guo didn't agree to take him as her disciple, but the boy was so sincere that he waited at the gate of the Guo family for a day and a night, which softened Miss Guo's heart and made her agree to take him as her disciple. They are both at the age of just beginning to fall in love. Now that they have become master and disciple, they will inevitably see each other often. Perhaps Chengzhang can really move Miss Guo."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao also felt that there was a chance, so she said, "Then there is no need to rush the second brother's marriage. Let them get to know each other and see how it goes. If the second brother's marriage is not settled after a few months, then Mother should start preparing for the third sister's marriage. There is no need to wait until the second brother gets married before the third sister gets married. The third sister is a young lady and cannot be delayed."
Zhao smiled and agreed, feeling very happy. Her daughter was engaged to the youngest son of Su Shaoqing of the Court of State Ceremonial, and her stepson had become a top scholar. Her good days had finally arrived. As for her husband, she could just ignore him. This good-for-nothing could not win an argument with her, nor could he beat her in a fight. If he disobeyed, she would just beat him up, just like last time, until he was completely subdued.
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Meng Chengzhang's marriage was still undecided, and Gu Xiuwen's marriage was still being considered, but Gu Xuanyi's marriage was already settled, and without her knowledge, it was decided by Zhang Shi with a single decision.
Gu Xuanyi learned of this because she was returning from outside when she was spotted by Zhang Shi in the back garden. Zhang Shi scolded her, "Look at you, you're not young anymore, yet you still love to play around and are never home. From today onwards, you'd better stay home and embroider your wedding dress in preparation for your marriage, otherwise you'll be disliked by your in-laws in a few months."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanyi was immediately stunned, staring at Zhang Shi in shock and astonishment: "Mother, what did you say?"
Zhang glanced at her and said earnestly, "You're not young anymore. Look at your close friends, they're all mothers now. If you keep delaying, you'll become an old maid. What young man will want to marry you then?"
"so what?"
Gu Xuanyi's voice choked with sobs, and two lines of tears slid down her cheeks. She thought that as long as she firmly refused to get married, her mother couldn't do anything about it anyway. But now, judging from her mother's words, it seemed that a marriage had already been arranged for her, and without her knowledge.
Seeing her daughter in tears, Madam Zhang felt bad and said, "Xuanyi, don't blame your mother. I did this for your own good. Today, someone came to propose marriage. The young man is handsome and promising. If you miss this opportunity, you may never meet such a good husband again. That's why I didn't ask for your opinion before agreeing to this marriage."
Gu Xuanyi angrily questioned, "You just disregard my wishes and casually betroth me to someone else, all for my own good? The young master you think is good, I might not like. Have you thought about that?"
Madam Zhang disagreed, saying, "How could you not like him? Didn't you say you liked younger men? The young man I've arranged for you this time is younger than you and quite handsome."
Gu Xuanyi: "?"
Those were just excuses she used to avoid marriage, but now they've become her criteria for choosing a partner.
Madam Zhang took out a handkerchief to wipe away her daughter's tears and said gently, "Don't worry, your mother won't harm you. Young Master Wang is three years younger than you and is a newly appointed Jinshi this year. You've known each other since childhood, and you can be considered childhood sweethearts who grew up together. You know each other very well."
A childhood sweetheart surnamed Wang?
Gu Xuanyi looked bewildered, tears welling in her eyes, and stammered, "Which Wang family's young master is it?"
Zhang replied, "Wang Xuzhi, the son of Imperial Censor Wang, has a sister who is your close friend. This boy is very promising; he ranked ninth in the second class of the imperial examination this year. His future is limitless. I have met him many times before. If he hadn't come to propose marriage with his parents today, I wouldn't have believed that he was interested in you."
Wang Xuzhi?!
Gu Xuanyi was dumbfounded, her head buzzing. She had seen Wang Xuzhi outside the examination hall last autumn. After not seeing him for several years, the grown-up Wang Xuzhi was completely different from the chubby little boy in her memory. She had even whispered to Wang Xuzhi's sister, her best friend Wang Yingqiu, "Your little brother is so handsome, even prettier than a young girl. I wonder which girl will be lucky enough to marry him in the future."
Later, she ran into Wang Xuzhi several times, but he never showed any interest in her.
A boy who always sweetly called her "Sister Xuanyi" every time they met suddenly asked to marry her. This was too unbelievable, making her wonder if Wang Xuzhi was under a spell and had lost his mind.
Madam Zhang glared at her and said, "What? Are you so happy you've gone mad? This young master Wang perfectly meets your requirements for a husband. He's younger than you, handsome, talented, comes from an official family, and has a simple household with no scheming or infighting."
Gu Xuanyi gave her mother a deep look, then turned and ran outside.
Confused, Madam Zhang hurriedly asked, "Xuanyi, you've just returned, where are you going?" As she spoke, she instructed the maid beside her, "Quickly follow the eldest young lady."
Gu Xuanyi ignored her mother behind her and the maid who followed her, summoned the coachman, got into the carriage, and hurriedly left the mansion for the Wang family.
In the evening, Gu Xuanyi returned. It is unknown what she said to Wang Xuzhi after their meeting, but she no longer resisted the marriage.
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