Chapter 15 Single-mindedly focused on the exam, with no other thoughts
Back in her courtyard, Ruan Xingzhu's mind was filled with her encounter with Shao Qunyin that day. Madam Fang said that she would find some time tomorrow to arrange for the two of them to have another proper chat.
Ruan Xingzhu nodded gently in agreement, secretly hoping to see Shao Qunyin again.
However, before she could even look for Madam Fang, Madam Fang came to her door first. The moment Ruan Xingzhu saw Madam Fang, a flicker of gratitude flashed in her eyes—a gratitude for Madam Fang's efforts in finding a remedy for her.
Then he noticed that Madam Fang's expression was a little off; her brows were slightly furrowed, and she looked somewhat troubled.
A bad feeling welled up in Ruan Xingzhu's heart, but before she could speak, Madam Fang looked at her with a heavy expression, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
“Xingzhu, that…” Madam Fang hesitated for a moment, but still gritted her teeth and said, “I’m afraid that Young Master Shao’s matter will not be settled.”
After speaking, Madam Fang looked guilty, as if she had done something to wrong Ruan Xingzhu. After all, just yesterday she had been so confident in handling things, even telling Ruan Xingzhu to introduce her to Shao Qunyin more often. Now, only a day later, she was being told that the marriage was off, which was really hard to say.
"Why?" Ruan Xingzhu frowned, her eyes full of doubt. She couldn't help but wonder if she had done something wrong, or if there was a problem with Shao Qunyin.
Her big, bright eyes blinked, which made Madam Fang feel even more affection for her.
Madam Fang looked troubled. Last night, she had just gone to bed and extinguished the candle when she suddenly heard a knock on the door.
The servants announced that Shao Qunyin had come to visit. She was a little impatient and wanted him to come again tomorrow, but Shao Qunyin insisted on coming again.
Left with no other option, she relit the candle and asked Shao Qun what urgent matter he had to attend to.
"Why are you here so late? What brings you here?" Madam Fang looked somewhat helpless at being disturbed.
Shao Qunyin knew he was bothering him, but he had no choice but to come. His voice was somewhat low, and his complexion was not as energetic as it was during the day; instead, he seemed somewhat depressed.
"Madam Fang, I apologize for my sudden visit." Shao Qun said apologetically.
Madam Fang just wanted to rest and didn't want to hear anything abrupt. She frowned slightly, but then she heard him say something.
"I am grateful to Madam Fang for her help with my affairs with Miss Ruan, but let's leave it at that."
As soon as Shao Qunyin finished speaking, Madam Fang was instantly wide awake, her eyes widening in confusion. If it weren't for his serious expression, she would have thought she had misheard.
It was because Shao Qunyin himself said he wanted to find a good wife that she took precautions and acted as a go-between for him and Ruan Xingzhu. Moreover, when Shao Qunyin met Ruan Xingzhu today, the joy in his eyes was impossible to hide. Why did he suddenly change his mind?
"Are you kidding me?" Madam Fang couldn't help but find it absurd. When she made the appointment here today, Shao Qunyin had agreed without hesitation.
"No, what I said is true. Please ask Madam Fang to tell Miss Ruan that I am focused on taking the exam and have no interest in anything else."
Shao Qun kept his head down, not daring to look directly into Madam Fang's eyes, his hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes, as if he was trying his best to suppress his inner emotions.
"Are you really going to reject Miss Ruan?" Madam Fang was still unwilling to give up and wanted him to reconsider carefully, since she could see that the two of them were still on good terms.
Shao Qun was deeply conflicted by Madam Fang's repeated questions. His mind couldn't help but replay the uninvited guests he had encountered upon returning home.
He was about to ask them why they had come, but they seemed not to hear him and went straight to mention Ruan Xingzhu. They accurately stated their family background, pointed out the gap between him and Ruan Xingzhu in a few words, and even subtly threatened him that if he persisted, he should be careful about his career.
He was startled. He was just a lowly scholar who wanted to change his fate through the imperial examinations. How could he dare to resist such a threat? Helpless, he could only compromise.
Even so, a trace of resentment still struggled within me.
"really."
His voice trembled slightly, as if he were making a final, small stand.
Madam Fang was so angry that her chest heaved. Why hadn't they said this before? She had already made arrangements and met with them, and now they were bringing this up. However, she also understood that for a scholar, his future was the most important thing.
She sighed helplessly and waved Shao Qunyin away. She then sat in her room, pondering for a long time before figuring out how to tell Ruan Xingzhu about it. Girls her age are sensitive; she couldn't hurt Ruan Xingzhu's pride.
"Shao Qunyin suddenly said that he only wanted to focus on the exam and had no interest in anything else." After thinking it over, Madam Fang repeated what Shao Qunyin had said.
Hearing Madam Fang's words, Ruan Xingzhu felt a mix of emotions. If Shao Qunyin truly only wanted to take the exam, he wouldn't have come to arrange a marriage in the first place. This sudden change was far too unusual.
She clearly remembered that Shao Qunyin's gaze towards her yesterday was filled with admiration and goodwill, but how could it have changed so much in just one day? However, she hadn't seen Shao Qunyin in person, so she didn't know how much of what he said was true.
With a sigh in her heart, Ruan Xingzhu looked at Madam Fang's self-reproachful expression, forced a smile, and said in a nonchalant tone, "It's alright. After all, one's career is the most important thing."
After speaking, she turned her head slightly away, not wanting Madam Fang to see the hint of loneliness that flashed in her eyes.
Seeing how understanding she was, Madam Fang couldn't help but feel sorry for Shao Qunyin. Such a good girl, and he had just missed out on her.
After speaking with Ruan Xingzhu, Madam Fang got up and left the courtyard. Just as she stepped out of the mansion gate, she ran into Gu Yun'an.
"Fourth Young Master." Madam Fang quickly bowed and greeted him. Seeing Gu Yun'an nod in acknowledgment, Madam Fang was about to take her leave when she heard him speak again.
"Is Madam Fang here to see Xingzhu?" Gu Yun'an seemed to have been waiting for this moment. His voice was low and his emotions were unreadable.
She was somewhat surprised, as Gu Yun'an rarely spoke to her normally, so this was unusual. Madam Fang quickly replied, "He spoke with Miss Ruan for a while."
Gu Yun'an narrowed his eyes slightly, glanced at Madam Fang, and slowly said, "I do not object to Madam Fang speaking to Xingzhu."
He paused, his aura suddenly intensifying, carrying a slight pressure: "They are just some unreliable people, and we don't want Madam Fang to lead them to Xingzhu anymore."
His words carried a subtle warning.
Madam Fang, with her keen perception, instantly sensed something amiss and realized she had been meddling. After all, even if Ruan Xingzhu wasn't a biological daughter of the Gu family, she had been brought back and raised by Gu Yun'an. Her unauthorized introduction of a marriage for her was indeed overstepping her bounds.
She was taken aback and quickly said, "I was impolite, and it will never happen again."
Seeing that Madam Fang was so understanding, Gu Yun'an nodded slightly and said, "The son of my uncle from the collateral branch has also reached the appropriate age, and he will be handed over to Fang Private School at that time as well."
Upon hearing this, Madam Fang's eyes immediately lit up with delight. Overjoyed, she quickly expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Fourth Young Master."
Gu Yun'an simply nodded and turned to leave. He thought to himself that Madam Fang's intention in introducing Ruan Xingzhu to a potential husband was good, but she had misplaced it.
Because of this incident, Ruan Xingzhu remained sullen after returning to her room. It wasn't that she particularly liked Shao Qunyin, but she had finally met a man she felt was suitable for her, only to have it all end so abruptly. This truly baffled her, leaving her feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing down on her heart.
When Gu Yun'an arrived at Ruan Xingzhu's courtyard, he saw her looking depressed. His eyes narrowed slightly, but it was unbelievable that someone he had only met once was worth her being so upset. A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, and he pretended not to know anything and asked her what was wrong.
"Xingzhu, what's wrong? You seem unhappy?"
Upon seeing Gu Yun'an, Ruan Xingzhu concealed her dejected expression and forced a dry laugh, saying, "No, I'm not unhappy."
Gu Yun'an couldn't help but pinch her cheek. "Really not?"
Feeling inexplicably wronged after Gu Yun'an tugged at her like that, Ruan Xingzhu grabbed his large hand back. Only then did she somewhat dejectedly tell him about the failed matchmaking.
Gu Yun'an knew the truth in his heart, but he still showed an expression of disbelief, which made Ruan Xingzhu feel even more aggrieved, and she pushed his hand away.
Having teased her enough, Gu Yun'an ruffled her fluffy head and said gently, "Alright, it's no big deal."
"Besides, I'm still here. I'll find you a good home."
A large hand enveloped half of her small face, and Ruan Xingzhu finally raised her head to look at Gu Yun'an. Yes, she still had Gu Yun'an; Gu Yun'an had promised her he would find her a good match. She naturally believed him.
A pair of bright eyes blinked at him, as if they believed his words without a doubt. A slight flutter touched his heart, and Gu Yun'an's gaze softened as he looked at her. It seemed he needed to hurry up and hasten the time to marry her…
Ruan Xingzhu had already been comforted by Gu Yun, but Gu Qingsu somehow heard about this. Thinking of Ruan Xingzhu's aggrieved little face, she couldn't help but laugh. She never expected Ruan Xingzhu to be secretly saddened by such a small matter.
Seeing Gu Qingxu smile, Ruan Xingzhu felt a little embarrassed and quickly said, "Fifth Sister, please stop smiling."
Seeing that Ruan Xingzhu couldn't help but tease him, Gu Qingsu quickly stopped laughing, but the corners of her mouth still couldn't be suppressed.
“It’s not Xingzhu, but this is something that’s making you sad.”
Ruan Xingzhu pouted. She wasn't really sad, just a little surprised. Everything was fine when they met, and then suddenly it all happened. She felt like it was her fault.
Unable to bear seeing Ruan Xingzhu's sullen face, Gu Qingxu couldn't help but say, "If you ask me, it's just a matter of finding a husband, I have one right here."
Ruan Xingzhu ignored the first half of Gu Qingxu's sentence and focused on the second half. Her originally somewhat dejected eyes lifted up and she stared straight at Gu Qingxu.
"Does Fifth Sister know any suitable men?"
She was somewhat skeptical, after all, she usually went out with Gu Qingxu every day. But she hadn't seen any gentlemanly figures among them, yet she still held a sliver of hope.
Hearing Ruan Xingzhu's question, Gu Qingxu was momentarily stunned, wondering if she had spoken too hastily. But having already made the promise, she could only bite the bullet and go on. Her mind raced, quickly searching for a man who matched Ruan Xingzhu's description.
Finally, she gritted her teeth, nodded firmly, and patted her chest to assure him, "Of course there is. I'll take you to see it tomorrow."
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