lcionline Chapter 709 A visit that should have eased tensions ended badly.
Chapter 709 A visit that should have eased tensions ended badly.
Birthday banquets must eventually come to an end.
Just as Chu Ruohan stood up, about to bid farewell to the old lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, a slightly urgent voice came from behind her.
"Madam of the Duke of Zhenguo, please wait."
Madam Yang quickly caught up, a slightly awkward smile on her face. She had barely spoken during the meal, and her intention in chasing after him alone was self-evident.
Chu Ruohan stopped and turned back to look at her gently: "Sister-in-law, is there anything else?"
Madam Yang glanced around and, seeing that the familiar ladies had all gone far away, breathed a slight sigh of relief and lowered her voice.
"It's about Lu Ge'er's marriage. You saw how enthusiastic those ladies were today. My father-in-law wants to ask you... to help him make an opinion."
This is a very humble statement.
Yang knew in her heart that neither her aunt nor her maternal aunt could, in principle, influence Gu Lu's decision.
However, Gu Lu had been close to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion since childhood, and last time, because of Gu Lanxin's matter, he had a very unpleasant falling out with the third branch of the family.
As her aunt, she really didn't want to interfere in her nephew's marriage anymore, but she couldn't stand her father-in-law, who was Gu Lu's grandfather, nagging her every day.
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan simply smiled, a smile that was both polite and slightly aloof.
"Ultimately, it's up to the children themselves to decide on their own matters. Lu Ge'er is a man of his own mind, so I'm not too worried about him."
She changed the subject, her eyes filled with genuine concern: "It's mainly Lan'er. She's considered a young lady in the capital now. Ever since her fiancé passed away, she hasn't been able to find a husband. I'm really worried about her."
Mentioning Gu Lanxin, Madam Yang sighed, "Indeed, that child is truly pitiful."
But she hadn't forgotten the important matter her father-in-law had given her that day, so she changed the subject and came back to it: "What the Duchess says is true. It's just that... Lu Ge'er has been back in the capital for some time now, and he hasn't gone back to the old house to see his grandfather yet."
"Now he has been promoted to the third rank and has won the emperor's favor. If someone with ulterior motives uses this to make a fuss and says that he is disrespectful to his elders and unfilial to his grandfather, it will certainly damage his reputation."
Chu Ruohan understood that she was acting as a mediator at someone's request.
Her smile remained unchanged as she nodded: "Third Madam is right, it was my oversight. I will definitely tell Brother Lü about this when I get back."
Having received this confirmation, Madam Yang was finally relieved. She thanked Chu Ruohan repeatedly and watched her carriage disappear into the distance.
The next morning, a low-key carriage with a green canopy stopped in front of the Gu family's third house.
Gu Lu and Gu Lanxin got out of the car one after the other, both dressed in plain clothes, without the slightest hint of ostentation.
After being informed, the brother and sister were led into the main hall.
Master Gu sat upright in the main seat, holding a teacup in his hand, without even lifting his eyelids. Only after the servants skimmed off the tea foam did he slowly take a sip.
"Oh, isn't this our Gu family's great contributor, the newly appointed Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?" He put down his teacup with a soft sound, his tone full of sarcasm. "What brings you to my humble abode?"
Gu Lu remained calm, stepped forward, and bowed to Gu Lanxin side by side.
"Grandson Gu Lu and granddaughter Gu Lanxin greet their grandfather."
The two seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in his words.
The anger in Master Gu's heart originally stemmed from being neglected for a long time and the "lack of closeness" between his grandchildren and his grandson. Seeing Gu Lu's appropriate manner of handling things, it seemed as if he, as the grandfather, was being unreasonable.
He let out a heavy snort, and his anger subsided considerably.
After all, he is the most promising grandson in their lineage, so they can't afford to be too disrespectful.
"Since you still acknowledge me as your grandfather, please sit down."
Madam Yang hurriedly ordered the servants to serve tea, and then gave Gu Lu and his sister a helpless smile.
Master Gu cleared his throat and cut straight to the point: "Your aunt went to a banquet yesterday, and I'm sure your aunt has already told you what the ladies in the capital are thinking. You're not young anymore, and your official position is now secure, so it's time to arrange this marriage."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang felt a chill run down her spine and could only repeat what Chu Ruohan had said yesterday: "Father-in-law, the Duchess said that this matter depends on Lu Ge'er's own wishes."
"What could he possibly mean!" Master Gu glared and scolded Madam Yang, "You woman, all you do is spout this useless nonsense all day long!"
"Can his marriage be decided by his own whim? You, as his aunt, don't care at all!"
Ms. Yang felt deeply wronged after being scolded, and her eyes welled up with tears.
As an aunt, with her own grandfather in front and the even closer Duke's Mansion beside her, how could she possibly be in charge of her nephew's marriage?
"Grandfather, Aunt is only doing this for our own good," Gu Lanxin quickly interjected to defuse the situation.
Gu Lu also chimed in, "I want to make my own decisions about my grandson's marriage. I'm looking for a girl who is mutually attracted and understanding."
"A meeting of minds?" Master Gu seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. "Can a meeting of minds put food on the table? Can it make you more secure in the court?"
He tapped the table with his finger. "The most important thing for your legal wife is that she comes from a family of similar social standing and can be of help to your career! I will find one for you; you don't need to worry about it!"
After speaking about Gu Lu, his gaze turned to the silent Gu Lanxin, his eyes showing a hint of criticism and calculation.
"And you, you're not young anymore, and you've earned a reputation in Chengdu for being a jinx to your husbands, which is a blow to your reputation. It's impossible for you to marry into those high-ranking families in the capital."
“However, I have already found a family for you,” Master Gu said slowly and deliberately. “The second son of the Wang family of the Hanlin Academy. Although he is born out of wedlock, he is still a scholar.”
"With the Gu family by your side after you marry into the family, they won't dare to mistreat you. I'll arrange for you to meet in a few days."
Upon hearing this, Gu Lu and Gu Lanxin's expressions instantly darkened.
It was common knowledge in the capital that Wang Shidu was a man of the Crown Prince.
The fact that Grandfather brought up this marriage at this moment clearly meant that he wanted to use Gu Lanxin's life to curry favor with the Crown Prince or to exchange for some other benefit.
“Grandfather.” Gu Lu’s voice turned cold, no longer respectful as before. “Lanxin is my sister, not an object to be exchanged for one’s future.”
"Grandfather need not worry about her marriage. I, as her elder brother, will find her a good match."
"You!" Master Gu was so angry that he slammed his fist on the table and stood up, not expecting him to dare to talk back to his face.
"You've rebelled! You've rebelled! Who am I doing this for? Isn't it all for you siblings! For the sake of the third branch of the Gu family!"
Gu Lu stood up and bowed deeply to him.
"I appreciate your kindness, Grandfather. But there is absolutely no possibility of Lanxin getting married."
After he finished speaking, he no longer looked at Master Gu's ashen face, took Gu Lanxin's hand, and turned to leave.
"You wretched child! What a wretched child!"
Behind them came Master Gu's furious curses, but neither brother nor sister turned around.
What should have been a visit to ease tensions ended badly.