Gu Dafu only has this one son, Gu Dexing, left. He dreams day and night of him marrying and having children. But Brother Xing swore a poisonous oath because of Sister Meiâs matter, that he wouldnât discuss marriage until he achieved an official position.
However, now he is a student and has already gained an official status in Great Chu, so he can consider marriage proposals.
Gu Dexing was already bewildered. He had seen the Xu family people yesterday, and judging by Elder Xuâs demeanor, the grandson-in-law they had set their eyes on was clearly Brother An. How in the blink of an eye did the Xu familyâs daughter end up with him?
"Are you happy or not? Say something, will you? Keeping silent, what do you intend to do?" Mrs. Chen was extremely anxious and kicked Gu Dexing.
Gu Dagui was so furious he wanted to hit Mrs. Chen. Brother Xing was already grown, yet she still kicked him. He then said to Gu Dexing, "Brother Xing, the Xu family is not bad. They are a well-known wealthy household in Tianfu County, marrying their daughter is advantageous."
He continued, "You donât need to mind that the Xu family initially favored Brother An. Brother An never had any interest in the Xu family to begin with. Moreover, the Xu family offered Xu Ling to Brother An, and they are offering Xu Zhong to you, which is different."
After hearing this, Gu Dafu was afraid that Brother Xing would become distant from Brother An, so he quickly said, "Brother Xing, you mustnât be obstinate, donât blame Brother An because of the Xu familyâs marriage proposal."
Gu Dexing said, "Father, Second Uncle, youâve misunderstood. I donât blame Brother An, and I donât mind... The Xu familyâs eldest daughter is quite good. Iâm just surprised that the Xu family would fancy me, no more than that."
"Surprised about what? You are a Master Tongsheng, destined to become an official. Youâre now one of the top ten golden sons-in-law in Tianfu County. Xu Linglong marrying you means sheâs practically getting an officialâs wife position for nothing; she benefits from it." Mrs. Chen couldnât stand Gu Dexing looking like he wasnât fit for a wealthy young lady, and she patted his back, saying, "Straighten your back for old mother, and show some arrogance as a Master Tongsheng, donât look so lacking in vigor."
Gu Dexing straightened his back quickly after nearly getting knocked out of breath and took a step back, looking at his father and saying, "Father and Second Uncle, if you think itâs workable, then... her it is... quite fine."
"Ah, with you saying that, itâs settled. Rest assured, Second Aunt will arrange this wedding beautifully and bring back a wealthy young lady for you." Mrs. Chen couldnât be more delighted that Brother Xingâs marriage was finally settled.
She proudly added, "Once this engagement is settled, our Brother Xing will be way ahead of Brother An and Young Master Ming, as the first of the four Master Tongshengs in the village to make an engagement. Heâll marry first and have children first, surpassing them from this moment onward."
Gu Dafu was too happy to speak, only nodding repeatedly, agreeing.
Gu Dagui was also pleased, thinking how Brother Xing had a bad temper in the past. His elder brother still remembered his late sister-in-law and stubbornly refused to remarry, making him worried that if Brother Xing didnât change that awful temper, he might ruin himself, leaving his brother without a future plan.
Seeing now that not only had Gu Dexing achieved an official position, but also was marrying a wealthy young lady, it truly made him unable to close his mouth from joy: "What Father said was really right. As long as Brother Xing studied, he was bound to achieve an official position, and with an official position, he could marry a wealthy young lady. Isnât it now just like Father said?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Dafu thought of Village Chief Gu and began to cry, kneeling down toward the direction of the main entrance, saying, "Father, our Brother Xing has achieved something. Rest in peace, please."
Gu Dexing also thought of Village Chief Gu, remembering how his grandfather was the one who loved him the most in the family. No matter how poor his studies were, his grandfather always believed he could achieve an official position.
Thinking of the deceased loved ones in the family, he knelt down with Gu Dafu, placed his forehead on the ground facing east.
Gu Dagui also began to cry, kneeling and kowtowing, shouting, "Father, our life is truly good now, rest assured."
Mrs. Chen rolled her eyes and said, "In the dead of night, Dadâs asleep; donât disturb him, get up quickly."
Such a joyous matter, why make it so eerie, deliberately trying to scare her?
Upon hearing this, Gu Daguiâs weeping got stuck in his throat, silently glaring at Mrs. Chen, then wanting to continue crying but realizing the sadness was gone, standing up he said, "Big brother, letâs discuss going to the Xu family to propose marriage."
"Ah, indeed." Gu Dafu stood up with the support of Gu Dexing and returned to sit down on the chair, saying, "We need to hire an official matchmaker, not an unauthorized one, to avoid disgracing the Xu family. And for the gift upon arrival, it must be substantial; after all, the Xu familyâs eldest daughter is a noble lady... Also, we need to invite Third Aunt along; sheâs experienced and eloquent, having such an elder with us will please the Xu family."
Inviting a renowned elder from the clan to propose marriage shows regard for the brideâs side, which many families appreciate. If the marriage is successful, they often give a red envelope to the elder who visits.
Gu Dafu, Gu Dagui, and Mrs. Chen discussed for a long time, with Mrs. Chen occasionally teasing Gu Dexing, making him unable to stay, and he dashed to the kitchen to wash dishes and boil water.
Yet, in his heart, he was very happy... A wealthy young lady, this had been his ideal spouse choice for over twenty years. When he wasnât good at studies, he thought heâd never marry a wealthy young lady, but now a wealthy young lady took a fancy to him, which was truly unbelievable.
He recalled what Gu Jinli had said, that if you want a good life you have to earn it yourself; blaming Heaven and Earth wonât help if youâre inept and canât earn it yourself.
These words were said by Gu Jinli when scolding Sister Mei, but Sister Mei never understood this logic until her death, while he understood it too late. If he had understood earlier, Sister Mei wouldnât have suffered.
"Sister, Brother has achieved an official position and caught the eye of a wealthy household in the county, marrying a wealthy young lady... It turns out thereâs no need to reach out to anyone; we can live the life we want relying on ourselves."
Thinking of his past deeds, Gu Dexing felt his own stupidity was terrifying, and he was filled with melancholy and sentiment.
Gu Dafu and the others continued talking late into the night until they called him over, saying, "Brother Xing, accompany your Second Uncle and Second Aunt for a bit, your Second Aunt has put a lot of effort into your marriage proposal."
Gu Dewang grumbled, "Just a few steps, whatâs there to escort."
Before, no matter how late, they always returned on their own; thereâs no outsider involved, so why the courtesy, he couldnât get used to it.
Hearing his grumble, Gu Dagui awarded him a head flick, making Gu Dewang wince in pain, and Gu Defa looked sympathetically at his elder brother and thought to himself: Brother is still so foolish, how can he become a bit smarter?
"Ah, coming." Gu Dexing responded and escorted Gu Dagui and his family back home with Gu Dafu.
...
Yet, it wasnât going well for the people in the He Family Ancestral Hall.
The He Family People spent the entire day in the ancestral hall, and by now everyone was so hungry their stomachs were aching, yet they couldnât go home to eat.
Village Chief He said, "Eat what? A bunch of useless eaters, if this matter isnât resolved, none of you can go back; you have to wait here until starving to death!"
This waiting was for He Daqian.