Chapter 2 Chapter 2 I am a beautiful, kind-hearted, and magnanimous person...
"Gu Yanzhou!"
Just as the two were about to pass each other, Song Siyun hurriedly called out to him.
She walked quickly to him, raised her hand and slammed the imperial edict into his arms, "I won't marry you, go and cancel the engagement!"
Gu Yanzhou lowered his eyes and looked at the imperial edict that was smashed to pieces in his arms, the curve of his lips remained unchanged.
He picked it up and slowly sorted out the imperial edict. As he approached, he handed it back to her.
No matter how you look at it, he has the demeanor of a magnanimous and elegant gentleman.
But when he put his ear to the corner where no one could see, he seemed like a different person, "Whoever receives the imperial edict should withdraw."
"You think I haven't retreated!" Song Siyun was furious. "In the hall, my father and mother tried to evade the issue in every possible way, but you said nothing."
"Gu Yanzhou," Song Siyun narrowed his eyes slightly, took light steps, and slowly approached: "You clearly don't like me, why did you agree to this marriage?"
She stared at him closely, not missing a single movement on his face, trying to dig out the truth.
Sadly, he remained completely motionless. From beginning to end, not even the curve of his lips changed.
"The emperor grants marriage, and we cannot disobey."
After a while, he finally spoke.
It was an expected answer. Song Siyun sneered, looking him up and down, his eyes full of undisguised mockery: "Yeah, I actually forgot that you are always timid and it is you who dares not to resist."
The corners of his lips lifted slightly, and he said at the end: "Gu Yanzhou, remember, I am not her sister, nor do I have such a good temper as her. The imperial decree has been issued, and there is no room for maneuver in the marriage. So you should put away your schemes and calculations. Since you are a coward, you should keep your tail between your legs after marriage and live your own lives. Don't bother me, and I will not interfere with you! In this way, you and I can still get along on the surface."
The four words "conspiracy and calculation" were like a sharp blade, piercing through the calmness in his eyes.
Gu Yanzhou looked up at her, and couldn't help but think of the emperor's reply when His Highness sent a letter to inform His Majesty of the assassination: Hold your troops, I have my own plans.
At that time, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince closed the letter, his brows and eyes gloomy, and he said only six words:
The imperial concubine is in great favor.
The words are not fully said, but the deep meaning is clear.
He doesn't believe it!
Being a traitor is not a good name.
But when I returned to the capital today and saw the Imperial Concubine's worried look, and thought about the fact that she gave birth to the only two sons of Your Majesty, I had to believe it.
Conspiracy? That's right.
This marriage itself is just for evidence.
His eyelids drooped slightly, not looking at her, and he said calmly, "I couldn't ask for more."
He left as soon as he finished speaking, without staying for a moment.
"You bastard." Song Siyun gritted his teeth and cursed at his back, then finally got on the carriage holding the imperial edict.
As soon as they entered the carriage, Madam Song and Grand Tutor Song couldn't help but ask, "How is it?"
Song Siyun shook his head slightly.
"What should we do then?" Mrs. Song was in a state of panic. "Is he unwilling to break off the engagement, or is it that even his military exploits in the Northern Frontier cannot earn him this imperial decree?"
After saying that, he thought for a moment, "No, I'll go talk to him again. You humiliated him in front of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and he's such a competitive kid, how could he tolerate that?"
"If you marry him, how can you have a good life?" Mrs. Song became more and more frightened the more she thought about it, and hurriedly got out of the car to chase him.
"Mother," Song Siyun stopped her and advised, "The emperor has spoken, the imperial decree has been issued, how can it be changed?"
"But you..." Mrs. Song looked at her worriedly.
"It's okay. Besides, I didn't expect him to cancel the engagement. I was just testing him." Song Siyun lowered his eyes, feeling worried and having some guesses in his mind.
Master Song saw that something was on her mind, his brows furrowed slightly as he asked with concern, "What's wrong? What happened?"
Song Siyun came back to his senses, pretending to be relaxed and turning his head to give him a reassuring smile. He then patted Madam Song's hand and joked, "Mother, don't worry. I, your daughter, am not someone to be trifled with. We are not afraid of him. Besides, you forgot that the eldest son of the Gu family is the most sensible and reasonable, and his wife, Yu, is well-known in the capital for her virtue. If Gu Yanzhou dares to embarrass me, I will complain to his eldest brother and sister-in-law!"
"He doesn't dare to mess with his elder brother." Song Siyun raised his head and smiled proudly.
"Girl, you're always looking for someone to back you up."
It must be said that these words put Mrs. Song's heart at ease.
Song Siyun was not ashamed of it, but proud of it: "It's my own ability that I was able to find it."
"You." Mrs. Song tapped her forehead and finally smiled.
Seeing this, Grand Tutor Song also came over to comfort him: "Yan Sheng is a kind and gentle boy. With him keeping him in check, Yan Zhou wouldn't dare to do anything even if he was a bit naughty. Madam, please be at ease."
Mrs. Song nodded and said a low "hmm." She tilted her head slightly and rested it on his shoulder, her brows full of fatigue.
All the way, there is no more silence.
That night, the Song Mansion was exceptionally silent.
So, when Yun Wanqiao came to see her the next day, the two elders of the Song Mansion hurriedly welcomed her in and told her, "Ah Yun has been in a bad mood these past few days. Please take her out for a walk to relax her mind."
Although Yun Wanqiao was confused, she still agreed with a smile.
She went back to her hometown with her mother to visit relatives a few days ago and only came back last night. This morning she heard about an arranged marriage, and it was related to A Yun.
She hadn't had time to find out who the other party in the arranged marriage was, and had originally wanted to find the real person to clarify the mystery.
Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the door, I was even more confused.
The last time I saw her like this was the day Sister Song entered the palace.
Could it be another imperial decree to the palace?
Yun Wanqiao made a bold guess.
Just like that, she stepped into Qiu Shui Garden with a lot of doubts in her mind.
As soon as I entered the yard, my eyes looked towards the swing.
Sure enough, he was sitting there.
Yun Wanqiao walked over and was about to speak when she saw the pieces of sweet-scented osmanthus cake lying on the side.
He frowned, feeling worried.
Every spring, Ah Yun loved to sit here and eat sweet-scented osmanthus cakes, but today she didn't touch a single piece.
Could it be that I guessed right?
Yun Wanqiao thought about it, walked silently to the swing, and sat down next to her.
Feeling someone approaching, Song Siyun raised his eyes and asked, "Are you back?"
Yun Wanqiao nodded and took a deep breath.
Go for it!
She turned around and faced her friend, indignantly saying, "The emperor is not a good person! Not only did he recruit your sister, but now he wants to recruit you into the palace. What kind of person is he?
In ordinary families, there's no such thing as sisters sharing one husband, yet he's so shameless. "Bah, how can he be an emperor? He's clearly a lecherous bastard, his heart is as evil as the sky! To keep your father under his control, he won't let anyone go!"
Song Siyun slowly turned his head, as if he had seen a ghost, his eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.
"What, what's wrong?" After Yun Wanqiao finished scolding her, she looked at her appearance and couldn't help stuttering.
Song Siyun looked at her quietly, his words filled with amazement: "Qiaoqiao, although what you said sounds refreshing, it is also too rebellious."
"If this gets out, you and I will be executed."
Yun Wanqiao was a little scared at first, but after being scolded, she could only bite the bullet and argue: "He dared to issue an imperial decree to recruit you into the palace, committing the shameful act of sisters sharing the same husband, and he doesn't allow anyone to tell anyone about it?"
"Who told you that His Majesty wants to recruit me into the palace?" Song Siyun turned to look at her.
"Isn't it?" Yun Wanqiao tilted her head in confusion and asked hurriedly, "Then who is the one who was given the marriage?"
Speaking of this, Song Siyun's face turned unhappy.
She seemed to have lost all her strength, and collapsed on the side rope of the swing, saying softly, "Gu Yanzhou."
"Gu Yanzhou?" Yun Wanqiao covered her lips and leaned forward to test the waters. "Is that the Gu Yanzhou I'm thinking of? The Gu Yanzhou you scolded in front of hundreds of thousands of soldiers four years ago?"
Song Siyun nodded, his eyelids drooping, and even the last trace of life was gone.
Yun Wanqiao was silent.
After a while, he said, "Then you're done."
Song Siyun felt a chill in his heart, and his body slid down uncontrollably along the swing rope.
"What happened back then was so shameful. Everyone will hate you for the rest of their lives." Yun Wanqiao said again.
"I know." Song Siyun responded and slid down again.
"Don't be afraid, though," Yun Wanqiao hurriedly supported her and lifted her up. "Your marriage was granted by imperial decree, so he wouldn't dare go too far. Besides, I see that Gu Yanzhou is full of bookish airs, so he must be reasonable. Although you went too far back then, you were ultimately right. He's read so many books by sages, so he must be tolerant."
"I hope so." Song Siyun still looked half dead.
After a while, he suddenly straightened up, not knowing where he got the energy from. "Never mind. If the enemy comes, we will fight him. If the water comes, we will block it with earth! Anyway, the imperial decree has been issued. The wedding in three months is an irreversible decision."
"Really?" Yun Wanqiao agreed, handing her the sweet osmanthus cake that had been sitting aside for a long time. "There's no point in dwelling on things that haven't happened. Might as well just enjoy the present moment."
"You're right." Song Siyun was about to reach out his hand, but when he saw which plate of cake it was, he silently withdrew his hand, "I don't want to eat it."
"What's wrong?" Yun Wanqiao was puzzled.
"There's not enough syrup, so it's tasteless." Song Siyun rolled his eyes, looking extremely disgusted.
After he finished speaking, his friend was stunned for a moment before he said faintly, "So, that's why you didn't move?"
"Yes." Song Siyun nodded as a matter of course, but seeing her face choked for a moment, he couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, it's my fault for thinking too much." Yun Wanqiao's mouth twitched and she spoke hesitantly.
Seeing that she was about to ask, he quickly changed the subject: "By the way, the Li Mansion is holding a Flower God Banquet tomorrow, are you going?"
"Minister Li's residence?" Song Siyun asked.
Seeing her nod, he decisively refused, "No. Her family's banquet is nothing but strolling around the courtyard, which is too boring."
"Come on, let's go. This time is different. I heard his family built a new pavilion this year. It's really nice to stand up there and enjoy the view."
"really?"
Looking down at his friend who was speaking softly and coquettishly beside him, Song Siyun became interested and curious.
"Really, really." Seeing that she had given in, Yun Wanqiao responded hurriedly, fearing that she would go back on her word.
Facing her expectant gaze, Song Siyun couldn't bear to refuse. Just as he was about to agree, he suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but sigh, "What a pity, when the invitation was handed to me half a month ago, I rejected it."
"It's okay! I agreed. I'll take you in tomorrow." Yun Wanqiao patted his chest proudly.
As if he was really afraid that she would change her mind, he specially sent his personal maid to remind her in the evening.
The next morning, just as Song Siyun walked out of the house, she heard someone calling her, "Ayun, here!"
When she looked up, she saw a head popping out from the Yun Mansion carriage, smiling and waving at her.
Look, like a thief.
He couldn't help but cover his lips and laugh, then he walked over quickly.
"You know, this is really weird. It's like a thief hiding in plain sight."
Inside the carriage, Song Siyun teased with a smile.
Yun Wanqiao raised her head and snorted softly, then sullenly acknowledged the reality of the situation. "Who made my father the Minister of Rites? You don't know, he always reminds me to be polite when I go out, for fear that one day I'll hear people say that the Minister of Rites's own family has no manners. I can do what I want behind closed doors, but when I go out, I must maintain the demeanor of a lady."
"Ayun, you don't know, I'm so tired." He tilted his head and fell on her shoulder, pretending to cry.
Song Siyun was helpless and could only pat her head and say sarcastically, "Who made you the most beautiful lady in Kyoto? No wonder Uncle Yun disciplines you."
As soon as she finished speaking, her friend who had been pretending to cry on her shoulder suddenly looked up and glared at her with red eyes: "You still say that!"
It looked like a cornered rabbit.
Song Siyun couldn't hold back any longer and laughed out loud.
They were arguing all the way.
Soon, they arrived at Minister Li’s residence.
With Yun Wanqiao's post, it was easy for the two of them to get in.
In the back garden of Minister Li's residence, the two were led by a maid to the new pavilion.
"Ladies, this is it."
"Is this the place?" Song Siyun looked around but didn't see anything.
The maid didn't answer, but pointed to the round table in the pavilion and smiled, "Second Miss Song, why don't you stand over there and take a look?"
Song Siyun looked at her doubtfully, then stepped back and walked to the round table to look into the distance before he realized the deeper meaning.
This place is slightly higher, and from here you can see rockery peaks stacked up, winding streams passing through, reflecting the red flowers and green willows. At first glance, it seems like a fairyland on earth, not unlike the holy places for outings in the suburbs.
A breeze slid past the tip of my nose, carrying with it the coolness of water, the fragrance of red flowers, and the freshness of green grass.
Song Siyun closed her eyes slightly and savored the experience. For a moment, she felt as if she had left Kyoto, playing beside green grass and a clear stream. The melancholy that had been lingering in her heart for several days seemed to dissipate.
I couldn't help but admire: "It's really unique."
"Isn't that so?" Yun Wanqiao retracted her gaze and teased, "Is it worth coming to the Flower God Banquet this time?"
Song Siyun smiled and said, "The Minister of Works is indeed worthy of his reputation."
The maid pursed her lips and quietly withdrew, leaving only a sentence: "There is tea and snacks on the table. I will not disturb the two ladies' leisure time."
As the maid left, the two of them sat down, brewed a cup of tea, and sipped a piece of cake, occasionally telling some interesting stories and chatting about some girlish private matters.
The two were so happy and comfortable that they didn't even notice someone coming around.
"Song Siyun?"
The two turned around and saw that it was Li Yuruan, the eldest daughter of Minister Li.
They were not familiar with her. They smiled and nodded as a courtesy.
She was the host today, so the two of them were not being rude.
I don't know what's wrong with Li Yuruan that she actually brought up that unfortunate marriage.
"Song Siyun, how come you are so lucky? Even though you lost the Crown Princess, you still have Minister Gu."
With mocking words, Li Yuruan climbed the stairs and sat down at the round table. "But I've heard Minister Gu is a ruthless man, a notorious evildoer in the Northern Frontier. Tell me, how would he treat you after you scolded him in front of so many people?"
As he said this, he took the tea poured by the maid and gave her a provocative smile.
Song Siyun turned his head to look at her, his expression unchanged.
She remembered her.
Many years ago, her mother, relying on her status as the Crown Prince's aunt, had proposed a marriage with the Crown Prince, but His Majesty publicly refuted her proposal. At the time, His Majesty joked that the Crown Prince's choice of concubine should be determined by his own, but the Crown Prince always respected his teacher.
Thinking of this, Song Siyun couldn't help but feel a little bored. He didn't argue with her and just asked in a gentle voice, "Miss Li, what you mean is that you think His Majesty's granting of marriage is inappropriate?"
Li Yuruan was shocked, "The imperial decree grants marriage, are you crazy?!"
"Yes," Song Siyun raised his eyes and repeated calmly, "The imperial decree grants marriage, are you crazy?"
A word can wake a person up from a dream.
Li Yuruan only then realized that she had spoken out of turn. Her hands began to tremble in panic. "I, I didn't mean that. I just..."
Seeing her panic, Song Siyun raised his hand to hold the teacup in her hand, stared at her sternly and said:
"Li Yuruan, I don't know where you heard this, but if His Majesty says they are a good match, then they are. I am beautiful, kind, and generous, and he is naturally a gentleman, gentle and refined."
After he finished speaking, he took the teacup from her hand, which was shaking like a sieve, and placed it steadily on the table before asking, "Do you understand?"
"I understand." Li Yuruan responded with a trembling voice and found an excuse to leave.
Perhaps he knew how unpleasant his words were, and he almost fell when he left.
Song Siyun glanced aside and then set his gaze on the group of ears that seemed to be there and not there outside the pavilion.
The ladies eavesdropping in the pavilion felt embarrassed when they were discovered. After pursing their lips and nodding to greet each other, they dispersed in twos and threes.
Here, it is quiet again.
Song Siyun poured a cup of tea and sipped it carefully.
"Yanzhou, it seems that Miss Song is quite satisfied with this marriage and with you."
In the corridor not far away, Mu Jingheng looked at his friend and couldn't help but joke.
The distance here is not close, but people who practice martial arts have always had sharp ears and eyes.
Therefore, both of them saw and heard everything that just happened.
Hearing this, Gu Yanzhou also raised his eyes to look at the person in the pavilion, his brows gloomy, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Seeing this, Mu Jingheng thought he was just worried about that matter and hurriedly said to comfort him: "Don't worry. If it really is the teacher, the disaster will not affect the married girl. As long as this girl is sincere to you, I will definitely plead for her with the emperor."
Finally, he suppressed his laughter and warned: "Yanzhou, true love is the most precious thing in the world, you must cherish it."
Gu Yanzhou glanced at him and said coldly, "Your Highness, aren't you going to visit your sick aunt? Why haven't you gone yet?"
"Yes, yes, yes," Mu Jingheng replied perfunctorily, teasing the guards around him:
"Look, he's got this bad temper when I say a few words to him. He's just embarrassed, but he insists on saying that he needs to see his aunt. His aunt won't run away when she's sick, but you, young lady, may not be the same."
As he spoke, he patted her shoulder and pointed with his chin at the wife of Marquis Xuanyi who was walking hurriedly.
Following his pointing direction, I unconsciously climbed onto the green leaves beside me. After a moment, I heard a scream of "Ouch!" and then chaos ensued.
The noise was quite loud, and the two people in the pavilion heard it.
Yun Wanqiao took a look and whispered, "The wife of the Marquis of Xuanyi fell down. Do you want to go and take a look?"
"I'm not a doctor, and I'm not the master of the house. What can I do?" Song Siyun turned his head and glanced at him without paying any attention.
"But her family has discussed marriage with you..."
"Stop, it's not a marriage proposal, it's just that mother wanted to invite her out for an outing but failed. I have never seen her." Song Siyun said, but his eyes couldn't help but glance down.
As luck would have it, I saw a patch of green on the edge of her shoes.
This place is open, with only a small gravel path and a stream. Where do these green leaves come from?
Muttering to himself, his eyes slowly slid towards the corridor behind him, only to catch a glimpse of the corner of a hurriedly moving piece of clothing.
Before I knew it, it was noon.
Long before the lunch at Li's house started, Song Siyun sent Cuiyu to take a sneak peek at the kitchen. After getting the confirmation that there was nothing good to eat, she left without staying and made up an excuse.
By the way, Yun Wanqiao was also taken away.
"Except for that pavilion, there's really nothing interesting about this Flower God Banquet." Yun Wanqiao couldn't help but complain as they walked along the street. Song Siyun nodded, finding it hard not to agree.
Yun Wanqiao was about to speak, but she shut up the moment she looked up. She gritted her teeth and leaned close to her ear, saying, "Gu Yanzhou."
"? Don't make such jokes, it's not funny." Song Siyun retorted instinctively.
But looking at her anxious look, it doesn't seem fake.
He looked up, not quite believing it.
The next moment, he turned around and was about to leave.
"Second Miss Song."
A call froze her in place.
Reluctantly, he turned around and saluted, gnashing his teeth: "Second Master Gu."
Gu Yanzhou nodded, took a few steps closer, and asked, "The Gu Mansion is quite far from here. I was thinking that Miss Song might be on the same route. I wonder if Miss Song could give me a ride on the next leg?"
"I'm afraid this is inconvenient." Song Siyun pursed his lips and forced a smile on his face.
"I left the house today in Miss Yun's carriage, and we're going back together. It's really inconvenient for you, a man."
Still want to take a carriage? Dream on!
It would be best if you walked back today and were so tired that you couldn't move for three months. This way, the wedding could be postponed for a month or two.
Song Siyun's smile grew even wider.
"Really?" Gu Yanzhou took a few steps forward and stood beside her, staring at her with his eyes lowered. "But why do I only see Miss Song Er?"
Song Siyun was startled and stepped back in horror. When he turned around and didn't see Yun Wanqiao, the smile on his face could no longer be maintained.
At this moment, Qiu Chan, Yun Wanqiao's personal maid, took the opportunity to come over and said, "Second Miss Song, my mistress said she has something else to do and won't be leaving yet. Please feel free to use the carriage."
Song Siyun: "No!"
Gu Yanzhou: "Thank you very much."
Song Siyun suddenly turned his head and glared at him with eyes wide open.
Gu Yanzhou smiled, raised his eyebrows slightly, and extended his hand: "Miss Song, please."
Every move he makes reveals his gentlemanly demeanor.
But in her opinion, it was full of provocation.
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