A hint of helplessness flashed in Madam Song's eyes. She gently shook her head, released Gu Qinlan's hand, and said slowly, "Qinlan, do you think freedom can bring you happiness? Do you think your sweetheart can really give you the life you want?"
Gu Qinlan pursed her lips, a hint of pain flashing in her eyes, but she still insisted, "Mother, I know you mean well, but love and marriage are two different things for me. I cannot go against my heart and marry someone I don't love."
Madam Song sighed, a deep worry in her eyes. She slowly sat down, patted the seat next to her, and gestured for Gu Qinlan to sit down as well. Gu Qinlan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately sat down as instructed.
"Qinlan, do you know how treacherous this world is?" Madam Song said slowly. "The power of the Prince Duan's mansion is a strong protection for our Gu family. If you marry into that family, you can not only ensure your own safety but also bring glory to the Gu family. Are you willing to see the Gu family fall into trouble because of you?"
Gu Qinlan lowered her head, clasped her hands tightly together, and after a moment of silence, said softly, "Mother, I understand your worries, but... I really can't do it."
Looking at her daughter's resolute expression, Madam Song felt a pang of pain in her heart. She slowly stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the night outside, and remained silent for a moment.
"Qinlan, do you know? I had no choice but to marry your father back then. I had my own ideas and dreams, but in the end, I chose the interests of the family. Do you know why?" Madam Song turned her head and looked at Gu Qinlan with a firm gaze.
Gu Qinlan was slightly taken aback; she had never heard Madam Song mention these things before.
“Because I know that only in this way can I protect my family and let them live a peaceful life.” Madam Song’s voice was low and firm. “Qinlan, as the eldest daughter of the Gu family, you are not only yourself, but also the hope of the entire Gu family. You are marrying into the Duan Prince’s Mansion not only for yourself, but also for the future of the Gu family.”
Gu Qinlan bit her lip tightly, tears welling up in her eyes. She slowly raised her head, looked at her mother, and a hint of wavering flashed in her eyes.
"Qinlan, I know the pain in your heart, but you must remember that nothing in this world is perfect. Sometimes, we need to give up some personal feelings for the sake of greater responsibilities." Madam Song gently patted Gu Qinlan's shoulder. "Your mother will always be by your side to support you."
Gu Qinlan remained silent for a moment, a resolute glint in her eyes. She slowly stood up, walked towards her mother, and gently hugged her.
“Mother, I understand,” Gu Qinlan said softly. “I will marry into the Duan Prince’s Mansion for the sake of the Gu family and for your sake.”
A warmth filled Song's heart. She hugged her daughter tightly, and tears streamed down her face.
"Then Mother will go and make the arrangements."
But as soon as she turned her back, Madam Song immediately put on a smug grin and was about to leave when Gu Qinlan stopped her, saying, "Madam, please wait."
Madam Song turned to look at her: "Is there anything else?"
Gu Qinlan said calmly, "I would like to take stock of my birth mother, Aunt Jiang's, dowry."
Upon hearing her mention the dowry left by the late Aunt Jiang, Madam Song's expression suddenly changed, but she quickly returned to normal.
Madam Song's eyes flickered slightly, and she forced a smile: "Checking the dowry is a good thing. Since you want to do it, then go ahead and do it. I have no objections."
Gu Qinlan nodded slightly, but her eyes revealed a hint of unwavering determination: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. However, I have a request: I hope that you can personally accompany me to count the items."
Madam Song's eyes narrowed, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared. She seemed surprised that Gu Qinlan would make such a request. She couldn't help but sneer inwardly: You think I care about that little bit of dowry? Accompanying you to count it is just a formality.
She was silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, before finally nodding: "Alright, since you put it that way, I'll go with you."
The two arrived together at the storeroom where the dowry was stored. Gu Qinlan gently pushed open the heavy wooden door, and a musty smell wafted out. Inside the storeroom, all sorts of boxes and cabinets were neatly arranged, each item revealing its former glory.
Gu Qinlan walked to a box, opened it, and inside were her birth mother's clothes and jewelry. She picked up an embroidered robe with delicate patterns, her eyes filled with longing.
“This is my mother’s favorite embroidered robe,” Gu Qinlan said softly.
Madam Song glanced at them and said indifferently, "Take those things if you like."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, put the embroidered robe into her bosom, and then walked to another box containing various gold and silver jewelry. She picked up a gold hairpin and handed it to Madam Song: "Madam, look at this hairpin. Mother said that it was a gift from Father to her when she got married."
Madam Song took the hairpin, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She examined it carefully for a while, then handed it back to Gu Qinlan: "Keep it, these are all yours."
As the inventory was taken, Gu Qinlan discovered that her mother's dowry was far more substantial than she had imagined.
Not only were there clothes and jewelry, but also property deeds and even a landscape painting hand-painted by the father.
Gu Qinlan picked up the painting, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
My mother still keeps my father's paintings!
She gazed silently at the painting, a complex mix of emotions welling up within her.
After the inventory was completed, Gu Qinlan carefully stored all the items away. She looked at Madam Song, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes: "Madam, thank you for helping me inventory these dowry items."
Madam Song smiled slightly, but a hint of coldness was barely perceptible in her eyes: "I am merely fulfilling my duty as a wife."
Gu Qinlan sighed softly, "I know, but I still want to say thank you."
Madam Song did not speak; she turned and left, leaving Gu Qinlan standing alone in the storeroom.
She gently stroked the landscape painting, silently vowing that she would cherish these legacies and carry on her mother's last wishes.
At this moment, Gu Qinlan's personal maid, Xiangzhu, walked in. Seeing that Gu Qinlan was alone, she asked softly, "Miss, are you alright?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly: "It's nothing, I'm just feeling a bit sentimental. Xiangzhu, why don't you come for a walk in the garden with me?"
Xiangzhu nodded and followed Gu Qinlan out of the storeroom and into the Gu family garden. The flowers were in full bloom, and sunlight filtered through the lush foliage, casting dappled shadows on the two of them.
Gu Qinlan gently lifted her skirt to avoid stepping on the flowers and plants on the ground, while Xiangzhu followed closely behind, her eyes full of concern.
“Miss, look how beautiful this flower is,” Xiangzhu said, pointing to a peony not far away, trying to divert Gu Qinlan’s attention.
Gu Qinlan nodded slightly, but her gaze was somewhat distant: "Yes, Xiangzhu, do you know? When I was little, I loved to admire the flowers in the garden with my mother."
Xiangzhu smiled gently: "Miss, you must have been very happy back then, right?"
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