Chapter 370 Who to Marry
Of course it's to propose marriage! Otherwise, what would a matchmaker be doing coming to your door? Just because she's bored?
"Congratulations, Your Excellency! Congratulations! I am here today for the wedding of your eldest daughter."
The matchmaker was able to get invitations from high-ranking families because of her silver tongue; congratulations were a common occurrence for her.
While others might be pleased to hear this, Gu Jin couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
Did it really happen?
Gu Jin looked at Lu Youming and saw that Lu Youming was just smiling at him with a faint smile from beginning to end. Gu Jin's brows furrowed even more.
The matchmaker noticed that Gu Jin's expression was not good and was hesitating whether to continue speaking when she received a look from Lu Youming.
The matchmaker knew that she couldn't afford to offend this prince, so she had no choice but to step forward and say with a smile, "My lord, you may not know this, but I have come to your door today on the occasion of His Highness the Third Prince's request to marry your esteemed daughter."
As soon as the matchmaker finished speaking, Lu Youming raised his head slightly, looking somewhat comical.
"Matchmaker, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"
Although Gu Jin was speaking to the matchmaker, his gaze unconsciously swept across Lu Youming's face.
Lu Youming was clearly surprised by Gu Jin's response. Even if someone came to propose marriage, shouldn't he be more likely to say it was a mistake? So, Lu Youming, who had just been feeling smug, instantly showed a hint of displeasure.
"Why do you say that, Lord Marquis? Today, I have come here with the sincere intention of asking for the eldest daughter to be the Third Prince's principal wife. If you are not at ease, I can swear it now. Why do you have to say such ambiguous things as 'you've made a mistake'?"
Lu Youming felt that as a prince, it was already enough of a show of respect to be able to humbly accept a minister's request to marry his daughter.
But Gu Jin completely ignored him, shaking his head and saying to the matchmaker, "I'm afraid the matchmaker will have made a wasted trip today."
Gu Jin ignored Lu Youming completely and rejected the matchmaker without saying a word. Lu Youming was immediately embarrassed, but he couldn't show it.
"I wonder why Your Excellency is unwilling to marry your daughter to me?"
Now that Lu Yuanbin is engaged to Luo Yuying of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, Lu Youming really can't understand who Gu Jin wants to marry Gu Shuyan to, besides himself.
Looking at all the princes of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who else could match Gu Shuyan in status and position?
In Lu Youming's view, even if a family member like Gu Shuyan is favored, it's only for the sake of the family's interests. The Gu family is currently on the rise, and with General Ji backing them up, they can be considered one of the top families in the capital.
Such a family would naturally not marry their daughter to an ordinary noble family. Therefore, if they wanted to advance further, the best way would be to find a prince and marry their daughter to him as his principal wife.
When the daughter becomes empress one day in the future, this family will prosper forever.
However, Lu Youming never expected that in the Gu family, his daughter's happiness was far more important than any family honor.
"Yes, my lord, why do you disagree with this marriage?"
After watching the play for a while, some people who shared the same thoughts as Lu Youming couldn't help but ask.
Among the princes now, besides Lu Youming, only the fourth prince Lu Changqing does not have a principal wife. Lu Changqing's health is not suitable for the throne, so the only one left to choose is Lu Youming.
Gu Jin noticed the glances that were being stolen from him and secretly memorized their names before apologetically bowing to Lu Youming.
“Your Highness, it is not that I am unwilling to agree to this marriage, but my daughter is already betrothed, so I cannot grant Your Highness’s request.”
Lu Youming could hardly believe his ears. He had just heard Gu Jin say that Gu Shuyan was already betrothed? He had clearly been keeping an eye on the Gu family, so if someone had really come to propose marriage, he couldn't possibly not know.
Suddenly, Lu Youming remembered the news that the Lady of Jinning Marquis had brought her son to propose marriage not long ago. Could it be that the Gu family had really formed a marriage alliance with the Jinning Marquis's family?
Thinking of this, Lu Youming's gaze instantly locked onto Xu Rao, who was talking with Gu Yingjie.
Seeing how familiar the two were, Lu Youming's eyes were practically spitting fire.
So it really is Xu Rao?
Lu Youming's reaction was a bit too much, especially the way he looked at Xu Rao the first time, which made everyone's attention turn to Xu Rao.
"No way? Marquis Yi'an would be willing to marry his daughter to Xu Rao?"
People whispered among themselves, completely unable to believe that someone like Gu Jin would marry his daughter to a good-for-nothing scion of a wealthy family.
“There’s nothing he can’t do. Xu Rao is, after all, the heir of the Marquis of Jinning’s mansion, and he will inherit the title in the future. The Marquis of Yi’an marrying his daughter to a clan shows that he doesn’t want to get involved in the court’s struggles.”
Throughout history, those who became embroiled in court intrigues have invariably met one of two fates.
With the Marquis of Yi'an's current status in the capital, there is absolutely no need for them to get involved in court infighting.
"It seems that I was being presumptuous."
Lu Youming's expression was not good as he listened to the gossip. He had come to propose marriage full of hope, but he had been slapped in the face.
Did you think he would just give up like that? As long as Gu Shuyan wasn't married yet, he could find a way to make the Gu family and the Jingning Marquis's mansion ruin the marriage.
As Lu Youming was pondering this, the butler suddenly rushed over and whispered something in Gu Jin's ear. Gu Jin immediately stood up from his seat.
"Quickly, invite them in."
After giving his instructions with a joyful expression, Gu Jin turned to look at the people around him.
"Your Highness, gentlemen, I have other matters to attend to, please excuse me for a moment."
Gu Jin's hurried yet joyful appearance aroused the curiosity of everyone present.
"Does Your Excellency require our assistance?"
Curious, they were unwilling for Gu Jin to leave so easily, and couldn't help but speak up, wanting to go with him.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Gu Jin hesitated for a moment before finally steeling himself and saying, "It's nothing serious. If you're willing, you can all come together!"
Gu Jin responded, and everyone naturally followed him out of the pavilion.
A large group of people followed Gu Jin to the front yard. They looked up and saw the gate, where servants were carrying boxes into the mansion one after another.
What are these things?
Everyone was stunned when they saw the mahogany boxes tied with big red flowers, and then their eyes fell on Gu Jin and Xu Rao's faces.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, chests tied with large red flowers were either betrothal gifts or part of the dowry carried during the wedding. Could it be that the Marquis of Jinning's mansion had presented the betrothal gifts directly on Miss Gu's birthday?
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