Chapter 3 Arranging a marriage alliance, letting him humiliate himself!
Dou Wenyi's face turned pale, her heart was in turmoil, and she almost lost her balance.
Cuizhi quickly supported her arm, "Miss, what's wrong?"
Hearing the noise, the people inside looked in the direction of the sound and saw Dou Wenyi wearing an extremely elegant plain dress, walking gracefully with delicate steps.
Her skin was like jade, and her hair was simply styled with a single begonia flower, yet it possessed a unique charm that made her so beautiful that one couldn't look away.
Pure as snowflakes, radiant as spring blossoms, the beautiful figure from my dream instantly became reality!
Xie Guidu's clear face softened instantly, his eyes filled with a complex emotion, "Qianqian..."
Dou Wenyi's heart sank into an icy abyss.
Qianqian was her nickname, which she told him after they got married in their previous life.
Has he really been reborn?
But if he were to be reborn, and he cherishes Dou Mingyan so much, why would he still marry him?
During the countless nights he spent embracing and entwining with himself, the person on his mind was someone else.
If he doesn't love her, why does he use the guise of 'love' to despicably deceive and fool her, making her indulge in his false tenderness?
Dou Wenyi concealed her disgust and resentment, lifted her skirt and stepped into the room, bowing to greet everyone.
Madam Gu, the mother, sat at the head of the table, wearing a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a dark begonia pattern and gold thread. She had an oval face and was adorned with pearls and jade, making her look round and noble. Even though she was over thirty, she still had a unique charm.
Madam Gu's expression was indifferent as she gestured for her to sit down.
Dou Wenlian glanced at the empty seat below her and consciously sat down in the corner.
“Young Master Xie, please address me as ‘Fourth Miss.’ It is really inappropriate to call a young lady by her childhood name.”
Xie Guidu was slightly taken aback. "Fourth Miss, please don't be offended. It was my rudeness."
"May I ask, Young Master Xie, from where did you learn of my given name?"
"Yi'er!" Her mother, Madam Gu, glared at her with displeasure.
A mystery lingered between Xie Guidu's brows, and a scene suddenly flashed into his mind.
The new house was decorated with red ribbons everywhere, lanterns and colorful decorations, luxurious and dazzling. His slender fingers carefully lifted the fiery red veil.
The woman, blushing slightly, gave him a charming smile and softly called out, "My husband!"
Xie Guidu raised his eyebrows slightly and sat down opposite her. "Yi'er."
"You can also call me by my nickname."
"What is Yi'er's nickname?"
"You're the top scholar, can't you guess?"
"Sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water; a faint fragrance drifts in the twilight. Could it be the word 'shallow'?"
......
Xie Guidu felt as if he were possessed. Ever since he fell a few days ago, he had been dreaming about her every day.
Sometimes, they are dreams that are too embarrassing to talk about...
These disturbing dreams gave him a strong premonition, so he disregarded his original plans and came to the Dou residence ahead of schedule to propose marriage.
Seeing him lost in thought, Madam Gu forced a smile and said, "Young Master Xie is well-read and handsome. I am very satisfied with him. He and our Yi'er are a match made in heaven. If they could be happily married..."
“Ahem—” Her father, Dou Bochang, frowned and interrupted her.
Mr. Gu had no choice but to shut up.
Dou Bochang said unhurriedly, "Marriage is a major event, and it is decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. Some time ago, your mother seemed to be less than satisfied with this marriage. Marriage is a union between two families, and it is not appropriate for a junior like you to come and propose marriage so rashly."
Xie Guidu and Dou Mingxiu studied at the same academy and often visited each other's homes. He and Dou Wenyi were childhood sweethearts.
However, Xie Guidu is the eldest son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, of noble status, learned and erudite, and the top scholar appointed by the current emperor, with a promising future in his official career.
Without outstanding descendants to support them, the Dou family was declining. Dou Bochang had only been a minor official of the fifth rank for more than ten years, and Dou Zhongyuan of the second branch held only a nominal position in the court, spending his days indulging in pleasure-seeking and bird-watching, doing nothing.
As the gap between the two families widened, the original engagement was gradually forgotten.
Xie Guidu came to his senses and cupped his hands, saying, "Uncle, rest assured, this marriage was arranged by my grandfather, and my mother has no right to interfere. I have already informed my father about this matter, and he has not objected. Yi'er and I are in love, and I hope you will grant our request."
"If you agree, I will ask my mother and the matchmaker to come tomorrow to present the betrothal gifts. Once the Fourth Miss marries into the Marquis's mansion, Guidu will treat her sincerely and will never wrong her."
Dou Wenyi suppressed her anger, almost unable to hold back any longer. "Young Master Xie, watch your words! I have been recuperating at Yuqing Temple for four years and have never had any contact with you. How could there be any 'mutual affection' between us? Please, Young Master Xie, do not speak nonsense and needlessly tarnish my reputation!"
Inside the room, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Xie Guidu's deep gaze fell upon her. The girl was like an autumn begonia, charming yet elegant, bright and beautiful.
A woman's reputation is of utmost importance. Even though she had long admired him and secretly sent him many gifts, he was unwilling to bear the stigma of "illicit relations".
Xie Guidu suddenly realized and immediately corrected himself, "It was Guidu who was confused and used the wrong words. Fourth Miss is gentle and virtuous, with both talent and virtue, and is a good wife. Our two families have a marriage agreement, and in my eyes, she has long been the wife I have chosen."
“I once saw the Fourth Miss help a woman in distress at Mufangzhai. She not only took her to the clinic but also paid for her medicine. Such pure kindness is truly admirable! I hope Uncle will grant my request.”
Dou Wenyi frowned as she listened, her fair hands tightly gripping her handkerchief, wishing she could tear his mouth apart.
That happened five years ago, when she was only twelve years old. How could he say such a thing?
No wonder he was once the Grand Secretary; he's so eloquent and can manipulate my father's heart with just a few empty words.
She also took the opportunity to create an impeccable image of a devoted lover for herself.
How hypocritical!
Upon hearing this, Dou Bochang's expression softened slightly, and his eyes became even more loving. "In that case, this is truly a wonderful thing?"
"No, I don't want to marry him!" Dou Wenyi exclaimed anxiously.
“Father, Young Master Xie is peerless. How could he possibly admire his daughter? There must be some misunderstanding.”
Madam Gu's face immediately darkened. "Shut up! The older you get, the less manners you have. How dare you decide such a thing?"
Dou Wenyi got up and knelt on the ground, her hands folded and her back straight.
Her eyes were filled with tears, and her voice trembled slightly, "Father, it's not that I'm being willful, it's that I'm truly ashamed. A person should know their own limitations. How can someone like me, with such a blemish on my record, marry into a noble family like the Marquis of Dingyuan?"
Dou Bochang's face turned completely cold.
Dou Wenyi, seemingly oblivious to his expression, continued, "A tall tree catches the wind, and a great tree is not a good match. Young Master Xie is exceptionally talented; how many noble ladies in the capital wish to marry into the Xie family? Rumor has it that the Eldest Princess intends to marry Princess Fu'an to him."
"Princess Fu'an is far superior to me in terms of family background, temperament, and talent. Therefore, I urge my parents to reconsider! Otherwise, we may give others something to say and become a laughingstock!"
Dou Bochang was shocked. When did she become so perceptive about the political situation?
Even if the Dou family tries to hide this incident from Dou Wenyi, the Xie family will definitely not be able to swallow their anger once they find out.
With the addition of a powerful princess, if this opportunity were to be used to launch an attack, the small Dou family would not be able to withstand the wrath of both sides.
He couldn't help but hesitate.
Xie Guidu frowned. "I will handle the matter of the Eldest Princess myself..."
Just then, a clear female voice came from the doorway, "Sister, you are mistaken—"
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