Chapter 719: But the living must always look forward...
It seems that what Mr. Gu San said was not exaggerated at all.
Although his motives were impure and mixed with the idea of paving the way for his grandson's future, he did put a lot of thought into choosing a husband for his granddaughter.
The anger in Chu Ruohan's heart completely dissipated.
She waved her hand and asked Haitang to unfold the scroll.
The painting shows a scholar in a blue robe, with black hair and a jade crown, and handsome eyebrows and eyes. Although it is just an ink painting, one can still glimpse a bit of his gentle elegance.
"He's a good kid." Chu Ruohan commented softly.
She thought of Gu Lanxin's gentle and docile nature. If she were to be paired with such a well-educated and well-mannered husband and live a peaceful and stable life, it would be a good match.
As for that elusive "telepathy," as Master Gu San said, it's something you can only encounter by chance. At Lan Xin's age, she really can't wait any longer.
Chu Ruohan rolled up the scroll again and put it aside, already having a plan in mind.
Forcing her is absolutely not an option, but creating an opportunity for Lan Xin to see and feel for herself may help her resolve her worries.
"Go and find out which bookstore this young master Wang usually goes to." Chu Ruohan ordered.
"Yes, Wenyuan Pavilion." Haitang was obviously well prepared. "He often meets with a few friends in the private room on the second floor of Wenyuan Pavilion to drink tea and discuss philosophy."
"Very good." A faint smile finally appeared at the corner of Chu Ruohan's mouth.
She stood up and said, "Go call Sister Lan and tell her I'm bored. Ask her to go shopping with me and pick out some interesting storybooks to cheer me up."
Half an hour later, a low-key yet luxurious carriage stopped in front of Wenyuan Pavilion.
Chu Ruohan held Gu Lanxin's hand and got out of the car, looking up at the quaint building.
"Let's go and accompany your aunt to take a look." She said to Gu Lanxin with a smile, and her tone was so natural that there was no abnormality in it.
Gu Lanxin didn't understand what was going on, and just thought that her aunt was really free, so she nodded obediently and accompanied her inside.
The Wenyuan Pavilion is filled with the fragrance of ink, and the bookshelves on the first floor are filled with all kinds of books.
Chu Ruohan seemed to be flipping through the pages casually, but her eyes swept inconspicuously towards the stairs leading to the second floor.
"Lan Xin," she asked casually, picking up a travelogue, "What do you think is the most important thing for a woman to get married?"
Gu Lanxin didn't expect her to ask this suddenly. Her cheeks flushed slightly. She lowered her head and thought for a moment before answering softly, "Girls don't understand these big things. I just think that if two people can respect and support each other, that's good."
"Well said." Chu Ruohan nodded approvingly. "Then, character or family background, which do you think is more important?"
"Of course it's character." Gu Lanxin answered without hesitation.
Chu Ruohan smiled. This was exactly what she wanted to hear.
She took Gu Lanxin's hand and walked slowly towards the stairs, lowering her voice as if she was chatting.
"I've made inquiries about the family your grandfather showed you. They are both excellent in character and talent."
Gu Lanxin paused, the color on her face instantly faded. She looked at Chu Ruohan uneasily: "Aunt..."
"Don't be afraid." Chu Ruohan patted the back of her hand soothingly, her eyes gentle but firm, "I'm not here to force you."
"I just feel that since the other person is good in every way, if we reject him without even taking a look at him, it would be disrespectful to him and irresponsible to ourselves."
"Today, I will bring you to have a look."
Chu Ruohan lowered her voice even more, with a hint of cunning.
"He's in the private room on the second floor. We're downstairs, so we can watch him from a distance. He can't see us, but we can see him clearly."
"If you like it, we can make plans. If you don't like it, I'll be the first to refuse anyone who brings it up in the future. How's that?"
Gu Lanxin was at a loss after hearing Chu Ruohan's words which were half comforting and half encouraging.
She could only pull me and hide me behind a row of tall bookshelves.
This location is excellent, as you can just see the staircase leading to the first floor from the second floor, but it is difficult for guests passing by to notice them in the shadow of the bookshelf.
"Here it comes." Chu Ruohan's low voice sounded in her ears.
Gu Lanxin's body stiffened and she subconsciously raised her head.
I saw several young scholars walking down the stairs, talking and laughing.
The man in the lead was wearing a plain indigo robe, his black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, he had an upright posture and a handsome face.
He was listening to his companions with his ear tilted, a gentle smile on his lips, his eyes clear, and a quiet scholarly air all around him.
At just one glance, Gu Lanxin knew that what her aunt said was true.
He is indeed a modest gentleman with a bright and clear mind.
Chu Ruohan had been observing Gu Lanxin's expression, and felt relieved when she saw that she did not show any disgust or resistance.
She nudged Gu Lanxin with her elbow and said, "How is it? Auntie didn't lie to you, did she? There are only a few people of this talent and appearance in the whole capital."
Gu Lanxin withdrew her gaze, her long eyelashes drooped, covering all the emotions in her eyes.
She twisted the handkerchief in her hand so hard that her knuckles turned white. After a long time, she finally squeezed out a few words from her throat.
"He's...fine."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan finally revealed a genuine smile, "Since you think it's a good idea, then..."
"But Lanxin is not good." Gu Lanxin suddenly interrupted her, with a hint of pleading in her voice, "Aunt, it's Lanxin's fault. Lanxin is not worthy of a good man like Prince Wang."
The smile on Chu Ruohan's face froze.
She frowned slightly and looked at Gu Lanxin in confusion, "What nonsense are you talking about? Our Lanxin is well-educated, gentle and virtuous, how can she not be worthy of him?"
"I..." Gu Lanxin's lips moved, her face as pale as paper.
She watched the young master downstairs bowing goodbye to his classmates, and watched him walk out of the bookstore gracefully. His tall and straight back was as beautiful as a painting.
But her heart felt as if it was being cut by a knife.
"Aunt." Gu Lanxin finally made up her mind. She turned around, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. "Please don't worry about me anymore."
"My heart has long been full."
She seemed to have exhausted all her strength as she spoke word by word, "There's no room for another person anymore."
Chu Ruohan thought of thousands of possibilities, thinking that Lan Xin would be shy, hesitant, and would make excuses to shirk, but she never thought that the answer would be like this.
Chu Ruohan thought she was still obsessed with her fiancé who died early, and couldn't help but feel regretful, but the living should always look forward...
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