"My lord, are you going to the palace to see the Empress Dowager?"
After leaving Lingyun Garden, the servant beside him tentatively spoke.
But then Kui Ruo pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's go straight back to the manor."
If she goes straight back to the mansion, the Empress Dowager will surely understand Miss Guo's attitude.
"What did you and Miss Guo talk about in the room just now?" As the most trusted servant, Wei Ruo only glanced at him indifferently. "Sir, this servant was just wondering if Miss Guo is the future wife?"
"Don't say anything before things are clear, lest it ruin Miss Guo's reputation."
"In my humble opinion, Miss Guo is a person of strong character. My lord, I'm afraid she won't agree so easily."
The servant's words made Wei Ruo's eyes narrow slightly. Yes, Guo Siyuan... is not someone who would agree to anything easily.
Just before he left, he clearly saw a mocking look in Guo Siyuan's eyes.
"The affairs of this world are driven by fate. If there is fate but no destiny, there will be no good outcome no matter what." Wei Ruo murmured softly, not knowing who she was talking about or what she was referring to.
"I would rather she refuse."
"What?" Wei Ruo's voice was so soft that even the servant could not hear her clearly.
Kui Ruo twitched the corner of her mouth and said no more.
As long as he shows that he is willing to get married, the retired emperor will not keep an eye on him.
Zhaoning Palace.
Upon learning that Wei Ruo had returned directly to her residence from Lingyun Garden, Jiang Yu paused for a moment, then said, "That was to be expected."
"Mother, is it possible for the master's marriage to go through?"
Gu Qingyan overheard Jiang Yu's conversation as soon as his ears perked up, and he quickly ran over. "I tried mentioning Miss Guo to Mr. Gu before, and he didn't seem to object."
“Even if Wei Ruo doesn’t object, we can’t force Si Yuan.” Jiang Yu frowned. “Let’s put this matter aside for now, so as not to delay Si Yuan’s imperial examination. If she is still unwilling after the examination, we will find another suitable candidate for Wei Ruo.”
"Your Majesty, I think Mother is right. What do you say, Father?"
Gu Qingyan raised his voice and turned to look at Gu Lin, who was walking straight toward Jiang Yu. "Marriage between a man and a woman cannot be forced. Do as your mother wishes."
Upon hearing Gu Lin's words, Gu Qingyan let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.
......
Meanwhile, the Pei family father and daughter, who had returned to Longyou, also had a conventional New Year.
The only difference from before is that Pei Zhi is increasingly reluctant to leave the courtyard. She spends all day in the side room of the courtyard making medicine, and sometimes she can't even be called out by Pei Jian.
"Zhi'er".
Pei Jian's expression was noticeably unpleasant this time. "As the young master, the Pei family has many affairs waiting for you to handle, but you're focusing all your attention on making medicine here. How can I be happy about that?"
“Father, I’m only staying here for a few days during the New Year.”
Pei Zhi chuckled lightly, her expression unchanged from usual.
"Really?" Pei Jian looked at Pei Zhi's expression, unsure of her thoughts, which made him slightly irritated. He disliked the feeling of things slipping out of his control.
"How could I lie to my father!"
Pei Zhi looked at Pei Jian, "Father, did you come looking for me today because of something?"
"Come on, let's go inside and talk."
Pei Jian's expression turned serious as he thought about the important matter he had come for.
Only Pei Jian and his daughter Pei Zhi remained in the room. Pei Jian slowly spoke, "Zhi'er, tell your father about your trip to Luoming from beginning to end."
"Father?" Pei Zhi seemed a little confused about Pei Jian's meaning.
"After thinking it over, I believe Yun Zhi must have died a long time ago."
A ruthless glint flashed in Pei Jian's eyes. "If it weren't for this, how could Yun Hui have so openly defied her ancestors and submitted to Dayu? And how could Yun Mo have remained safely in the capital?"
"So there's only one possibility: Yun Zhi died when he was in Luoming, and everything that happened afterward was a lie told to us by Dayu."
“Father, I did not see Yun Zhisheng or die with my own eyes.”
Pei Zhi's eyelids twitched suddenly. When it came time to deal with Yun Zhi, Jiang Yu had intentionally or unintentionally sent her away.
Could it be that... Yun Zhi is really dead, and not imprisoned somewhere in Dayu?
"That's right."
Pei Jian gave Pei Zhi a deep look. "Da Yu has never lowered its guard against us. Zhi'er, you can't let your guard down against Da Yu."
"What are your plans after this, Father?"
Pei Zhi nodded, but a different feeling was stirring within her than before.
"First, let Luoming be thrown into chaos, spread the news of Yunzhi's death." Pei Jian let out a soft breath. "The reason why Luoming was so easily subdued by Dayu is because Dayu claimed to have imprisoned Yunzhi."
"Although Yun Zhi is foolish, he has controlled Luo Ming for decades."
"Why would you want to throw the Yun family into chaos?" Pei Zhi suddenly stopped speaking, looking at Pei Jian in disbelief. "Does Father want Yun Wei to...?"
"Exactly."
After Pei Jian left, Pei Zhi stared in the direction he had gone for a long time, unable to come back to her senses.
Why? If Yunwei hadn't gotten involved in these matters, she would never have needed to take these risks. Once she was pushed out, she would become a target for powerful families.
Father......
“Young Master, the plum blossoms in Dayu seem to be blooming better than here.” Ah Hao lowered the curtain to block the cold air from outside. “We went to take a look from afar last time, and they were in full bloom. I wonder how they’ve managed to grow them.”
"What, you like the plum blossoms of Dayu?"
"It's not that I like it, it's that Young Master likes it." Ah Hao smiled shyly. "Last time, I saw Young Master gazing at you from afar for a long time without saying a word, his hands were so cold that they were stiff, but he still didn't want to go back. I knew that Young Master liked it."
"I don't have a favorite flower."
Pei Zhi said calmly, "Ah Hao, next time Father comes, remember to let me know in advance."
"This servant understands."
Ah Hao was at a loss for words. In the past, the head of the family would come directly to the young master's courtyard, and the young master had even told her that there was no need to announce her arrival. But today...
Thinking of the recent changes in the young master, Ah Hao also lowered his head.
Pei Zhi was preoccupied with Yun Wei, while Yun Wei was immersed in the thrill of having completely outmaneuvered the entire Gong family.
"Haven't received a reply yet?"
Yunwei's smile faded slightly as she received no reply to the letter she sent from Jiang Yu.
She feared the letter would be intercepted en route and never reach Jiang Yu.
A few days later, just when Yunwei was getting restless, Jiang Yu's reply finally arrived.
Yunwei eagerly opened the reply, which contained only a few strokes of the pen:
"Go with the flow."
Go along with their wishes.
That is to make her follow the Gong family's wishes and "fight" against Yun Hui.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com