With the approval of Emperor Wende, under the auspices of Gu Jiu, the Gu family quickly arranged an engagement with the Marquis of Lu and offered the betrothal gift.
Even though Lady Lu was dissatisfied with this marriage, especially with becoming relatives with the Xie family, she had no choice but to bear with it.
Fortunately, Xie was not Gu Ting’s biological mother, but only his stepmother.
Otherwise, the wife of the Marquis of Lu would have vomited to death.
She whispered to her maidservant, "I wonder what Master Gu was thinking back then, actually making a concubine his wife."
The maid pursed her lips and smiled, "I heard from the old man in the Gu Mansion that when Xie was young, she was very beautiful and good at serving people. Master Gu was very satisfied with her.
When the original wife passed away, Xie's eldest brother was valued by the Eastern Palace, and Lord Gu was eager to make Xie his legal wife.
Everyone in the Gu family opposed Master Gu's decision to support Xie, but they still couldn't stop Master Gu, who was determined.
Lady Lu Hou jokingly said, "You have found out a lot."
The maid smiled and said, "It is my duty to share Madam's worries. Taking advantage of the last meeting between our two families, I deliberately made friends with several maids in the Gu Mansion, and we have agreed to go shopping together in a few days. I hope Madam will allow it!"
Madam Lu hummed and nodded, "Go ahead. Find out more about the Gu Mansion. I'm really worried about Man'er marrying into a family like this. It's a pity that Gu Ting can't separate from the family and live on his own."
The maid suggested, "After General Gu marries the young lady, he will definitely return to the northwest. Can the young lady also go with him?"
Madam Lu shook her head slightly. "Generals stationed at the border have always been forbidden to bring their families with them. This is the law of the court."
The maidservant lowered her voice and said, "Could Madam Zhao please help? Previously, because our mansion married the Gu family, His Majesty was so angry that he personally went to the Weiyang Palace to scold the Empress.
Later, the matter was settled by Madam Zhao, which shows that Madam Zhao has extraordinary influence in front of His Majesty. If Madam Zhao had intervened, perhaps the young lady could have followed General Gu to join the army in the northwest.
Madam Lu still shook her head. "This would break the rules. It would be used as a weapon to attack the Marquis. We can't do that."
The maid sighed, "I can only ask you to live in the Gu Mansion after marriage and be filial to your parents-in-law."
Thinking about her daughter having to fulfill her filial duties in front of Lord Gu and Mrs. Xie, Lady Lu felt so sick that she couldn't stop vomiting.
Her precious daughter usually didn't have to pay any attention to people like Xie. But after marriage, she had to be filial to Xie and be submissive, which was really infuriating.
Thinking of the scenes of her mother-in-law treating her daughter-in-law harshly, Lady Lu wanted to rush to Gu's house and point at Xie's nose and curse her for being shameless.
She rubbed her brows and said, "We'll discuss this matter after Man'er returns to the capital. But I should go visit Madam Zhao. Take my name card and deliver it to the palace."
"As you command!"
…
When Gu Jiu received the visiting card from the wife of Marquis Lu, he understood.
She was also present when the two families met last time.
Although Lady Lu concealed her feelings well, Gu Jiu could still tell that she was unhappy with the marriage. Xie was the most unhappy, followed by Lord Gu.
It was only because of the decision of the Marquis of Lu that his wife did not object and agreed to the marriage.
Gu Jiu said to the servants of Marquis Lu's mansion, "Please report to the Marquis' wife. I will prepare the bed for you in three days!"
…
Three days later, the wife of the Marquis of Lu came to the palace with her maids and servants.
Gu Jiu personally greeted him at the second gate.
"Meet the Madam!"
"Madam Zhao is too polite. No need to be so polite."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Today we will only discuss kinship, not status, is that okay?"
Madam Lu nodded repeatedly, "We're a family, that's how it should be. I used to come to the palace quite often, but since the Empress entered the palace, I've been coming less often."
"Aunt, please come this way! The palace is a little quieter than before. I hope you don't mind."
"How could this lady dislike it?"
The two of them chatted and laughed as they entered the East Courtyard.
Serve tea and exchange pleasantries.
The atmosphere between the two was very harmonious.
Madam Lu took Gu Jiu's hand and said happily, "We didn't interact much before, so I always thought you were arrogant and pretentious. Little did I know, I misunderstood you. I have never met a young man as polite and sensible as you."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "As long as my aunt doesn't think I'm vulgar, I'm satisfied."
"Who would think you're vulgar? It must be that person's eyes are wrong."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "My mother's family background is not prominent. In recent years, many people have said that the younger generation came from a small family, so it is understandable that the rules are not good."
"That's all nonsense. Just because your family background isn't prominent doesn't mean it's bad manners. The person who said that is clearly jealous of you."
"Thank you for your understanding, aunt."
Gu Jiu thanked him solemnly.
Lady Lu quickly grabbed Gu Jiu. Then she came to her senses and realized that she had jumped into the pit that Gu Jiu had dug.
Isn’t the reason she came here today because she dislikes the Gu family?
Now that the words are out, what should I say next?
The wife of the Marquis of Lu was worried!
Everyone says that Madam Zhao is a shrewd and capable person, and it is true.
People had already anticipated the purpose of her trip and had already laid a trap in their words.
Suddenly, Lady Lu became unhappy.
This is too calculating.
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly and added water to Lady Lu Hou's teacup.
"Madam, you may not know this, but I am extremely happy to learn that my brother is about to marry. I have met Miss Man'er a few times, and she is a very good girl. It is a blessing for my brother to marry her, but he is also marrying above his station."
When Lady Lu heard Gu Jiu admit that Gu Ting was marrying above her station, she felt a little relieved.
She coughed lightly twice and said, "I will never object to the marriage arranged by the Marquis. At most, I will only make a few criticisms."
"Thank you, madam, for your tolerance. It's normal for parents to be picky about our precious daughter's marriage." Gu Jiu said with understanding.
Lady Lu nodded secretly. Gu Jiu was quite sensible. The previous trap he had set could be forgiven.
Gu Jiu continued, "My brother, Gu Ting, only has three months of wedding leave. After the holiday, he will return to the northwest."
Madam Lu Hou frowned immediately. "This is really hard for my daughter Man'er to stay alone in the empty room. If she can successfully conceive, it will be fine. But if not, how can she endure this life?"
After saying this, Lady Lu began to wipe away her tears.
She was really sad.
As a mother, daughter-in-law, and mother-in-law, her multiple identities made her very aware of how difficult life is for a woman who leaves her husband and has no children.
She naturally felt sad when she thought about her own daughter suffering like this.
Gu Jiu took out a handkerchief and wiped the cheek of Madam Lu. "Madam, don't cry. My eldest sister has suffered such pain before. Although I can't empathize with you, I can understand the difficulties involved."
"It's not enough to just understand! Poor Man'er. The Marquis is so cruel. He knew how much suffering the wife of a general stationed at the border would have to endure, but he still betrothed Man'er to your brother Gu Ting. If Gu Ting could return to the capital, this lady would not complain a single word. However, he is destined to return to the northwest border, and who knows how many years it will take for him to come back."
"Ma'am, don't be so quick to cry. There is always a solution to every problem."
The Marquis of Lu's wife shook her head repeatedly. "Border commanders are not allowed to bring their families with them. This is the law of the court. For the sake of the Marquis, we cannot break the rules."
Gu Jiu nodded, "I know, I didn't intend to break the rules."
Mrs. Lu was stunned and looked puzzled.
Gu Jiu smiled softly and said, "I have some businesses in the northwest, and over the years, I have been lacking someone who can take charge. If Miss Man'er doesn't mind, I would like to ask her to help manage the businesses in the northwest."
Lady Lu was overjoyed and asked, "Do you really have property in the northwest?"
Gu Jiu nodded. "We have a small business in the northwest, and the Marquis is aware of that. However, the northwest is bitterly cold, and many people can't stand the climate and food there."
"It's okay, it's okay! Man'er is now... Hahahaha, I mean, Man'er has always longed for the northwest and has always said that she wants to visit the places where her father and brother serve. But is it possible to do this? Will the palace have any objections?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "That's fine! Just think of it as inspecting my property for me. I'll go back to the capital once every one or two years to give an explanation to the palace."
"If that's really possible, Man'er and General Gu can stay together forever after they get married, without having to endure the pain of long-term separation."
Gu Jiu whispered a reminder, "Man'er went to the northwest and can only live in Jinzhou City."
Lady Lu Hou laughed, "I understand. The military camp is a strategic location, so women are not allowed to accompany us."
However, as Pei Man's father, Lu Hou only needed to say a word, and Gu Ting could often leave the military camp to meet with Pei Man. He could even build a house outside the military camp.
In short, the northwest is a place where the emperor is far away, and how to operate depends entirely on the words of the Marquis of Lu.
The prerequisite is that Pei Man can leave the capital openly.
As long as we leave the capital, all problems will no longer be problems.
Mrs. Lu Hou never expected that she would have such an unexpected surprise when she came to the palace today.
The problem of Pei Man being left alone in the capital was solved by Gu Jiu in one go.
She said, "As long as the palace doesn't interfere in this matter, I will handle the subsequent problems. In short, I want to thank you. You have been a great help."
Gu Jiu quickly said, "Aunt, you're too polite. Thinking about Man'er is thinking about my brother. We all hope that they can be well."
Lady Lu Hou left satisfied.
We just need to wait for Pei Man and Gu Ting to return to Beijing and seek their opinions before we can start implementing this matter.
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