Thinking of this, Gu Qinlan put down her teacup, coughed twice, and looked at Madam Song, saying, "Mother, I think my younger sister Qinlian should marry into the Duan Prince's mansion. The population there is small and life is worry-free. She can become the Crown Prince's wife if she marries there. As for me, I am willing to marry into the Ji family."
Madam Song looked up at Gu Qinlan, her eyes filled with a hint of doubt and surprise. She frowned slightly and said, "Qinlan, what did you say? You want to marry into the Ji family?"
“Yes, Mother.” Gu Qinlan nodded emphatically, a resolute glint in her eyes: “The Ji family lives a frugal life, and their etiquette is cumbersome. My sister has been pampered since childhood, and I’m afraid she won’t be able to endure the Ji family’s poverty and formalities. As for me, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the benefit of the Gu family and for my sister’s happiness!”
Hearing Gu Qinlan's heartfelt words, Madam Song was almost moved to tears, but Gu Qinlian jumped out and glared at Gu Qinlan angrily, saying, "What kind of logic is this? No matter how bad the Ji family is, it is still a hundred times better than the Duan Prince's Mansion! Are you going to make me jump into a fire pit for your own selfish reasons?"
Gu Qinlan frowned slightly, and replied calmly, "Qinlian, you've misunderstood. I'm not acting out of selfishness, but because I genuinely feel that the Ji family isn't suitable for you. You know, I've always cared about your happiness."
Gu Qinlian snorted and looked at her distrustfully: "You care about my happiness? Then why don't you let me choose for myself? You always presumptuously make decisions for me, but have you ever thought about my feelings?"
Madam Song hurried over and sternly reprimanded the two women: "What are you doing? How can sisters quarrel like this? Qinlan, as the eldest sister, you should know how to take care of your younger sister. Qinlian, you should also respect your older sister's opinion."
Gu Qinlian sneered: "Respect? She doesn't respect my choice at all! Mother, I will marry no one but Ji Yinli, so let Gu Qinlian marry into the Duan Prince's mansion!"
Gu Qinlan bit her lip and turned to Madam Song, saying, "Mother, Qinlian is determined to marry into the Ji family, but I have heard that there is constant infighting within the Ji family. If she marries into it, she will probably suffer a lot. I really can't bear to see her suffer, so I want her to marry into the Duan Prince's Mansion to enjoy wealth and honor."
After a moment of silence, Madam Song looked at Gu Qinlan with a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Qinlan, why do you know so much about the Ji family? Have you visited the Ji family in private?"
Gu Qinlan paused for a moment, then quickly explained, "Mother, I was just worried about Qinlian, so I inquired about her privately. I know it was inappropriate, but I really meant well for her."
Madam Song's face was ashen. She snorted and looked at Gu Qinlan and Gu Qinlian, saying, "Since ancient times, the marriage of children has been decided by their parents. Don't you two understand this principle?"
Gu Qinlan quickly lowered her head, behaving as obediently as a quail, but her mind was as clear as a mirror: the marriage between Gu Qinlian and Ji Yinli was as solid as iron, and the overall situation was settled!
Gu Qinlan emerged from Rongxi Hall and, accompanied by her maid Fuyu, headed towards Jinghong Garden. The autumn sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves, casting a warm glow upon her.
However, her heart was frozen, cold and desolate.
"Miss, why do you look so troubled?" Fuyu asked with concern.
Gu Qinlan sighed softly: "I'm thinking about my marriage, and it's a difficult problem for me."
Fuyu was silent for a while, then said cautiously, "Miss, you should find someone trustworthy to entrust your life to."
Gu Qinlan smiled bitterly: "But where are the trustworthy people? I no longer have any hope. For the sake of my sisters, I have no choice but to marry them, whether it's a dragon's den or a tiger's lair."
"Miss, what do you think of the Prince Duan's residence?" Fuyu suddenly asked.
Gu Qinlan turned around and looked at Fuyu: "The Duan Prince's mansion has a small population, and the Duan Prince's heir, Zheng Dinglian, is away from the mansion due to long-term warfare, so he is enjoying peace and freedom. This seems like a good place for me."
As the sun gradually sank in the west, a golden hue appeared in the sky. Gu Qinlan gazed at that golden expanse and suddenly made a decision.
"Fuyu, I've made up my mind. I'm going to the Prince Duan's residence." She said resolutely, her eyes shining with determination.
Fuyu was taken aback, pursed her lips, and said with some worry, "But Miss, the Prince Duan's heir already has two sons and a daughter. It is said that these three little devils in the Prince Duan's mansion are all unruly and difficult to tame. If you marry into the family, you will become a stepmother, and I'm afraid you will have a hard time getting along with them!"
Gu Qinlan smiled gently, a smile that was calm yet confident, as if all the troubles of the world had nothing to do with her.
She gently patted her maid Fuyu's hand, her tone soft yet firm: "Fuyu, what you say makes sense, but how can anything in this world be perfect? Now that I have decided to marry the Prince of Duan, I have to face these three children, whether they are good or bad."
Upon hearing this, a hint of worry flashed in Fuyu's eyes. She bit her lip and asked softly, "Miss, what do you plan to do with these three children?"
A glint of light flashed in Gu Qinlan's eyes. She said calmly, "If they are obedient, I will naturally treat them well and raise them properly. But if they are disobedient, I will only provide them with basic sustenance and will not bother to discipline them. I never expect them to be filial to me in the future; I trust the meager income in my own pocket more."
Upon hearing this, Fuyu's expression changed slightly, and she couldn't help but ask, "Miss, are you really not going to discipline them yourself?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly and shook her head: "Fuyu, I haven't abandoned them; I've just chosen a different way. I know they are my responsibility, and I will do my best to raise them, but I will never let them control my life."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qinlan walked through a grove of purple bamboo. Suddenly remembering something, she quickened her pace, only to be blocked by someone in her path.
Looking up, she saw none other than her dear younger sister, Gu Qinlian!
Seeing Gu Qinlan pause, a hint of smugness flashed across Gu Qinlan's face, but she feigned concern and asked, "Sister, what's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry? Is something urgent?"
Gu Qinlan frowned slightly. She knew her younger sister intimately and knew that every little thing she did had a hidden meaning. She glanced at Gu Qinlan indifferently and said, "It's just some trivial matter. No need for you to worry about it, sister."
Gu Qinlian, however, was not about to let it go. She stepped forward, getting closer to Gu Qinlan, and whispered, "Sister, you don't need to hide it from me. I heard that you've been quite close to Ji Yinli, the young master of the Ji family. Do you also have feelings for him? Or do you also want to marry into the Ji family?"
Gu Qinlan chuckled and said, "Sister, you really know how to joke. I've only met Young Master Ji a few times on some occasions, how could there be any romantic interest between us?"
Gu Qinlian pressed on, staring intently into Gu Qinlan's eyes, trying to find a flaw in her gaze: "Sister, you don't need to lie to me. I know you've always had designs on the Ji family, is it hard for you to admit it?"
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