Gu Jinâan explained the seriousness to Brother Cheng one by one, scaring him to tears, "I, I didnât mean to belittle Third Sister or Ouyangâs family, I just wanted Third Sister to see the good in my elder brother, so that he could achieve his wish."
"Ha, do you think your brother is some noble son that everyone would be fond of him?" Gu Jinâan sneered, "Iâve told you before, just because you like something doesnât mean others will like it too, but you wouldnât listen, and now youâve caused a huge mess, I donât even know how to fix it!"
Gu Jinâanâs voice lowered: "Because Third Missâs parents passed away, Master Ouyang dotes on her a lot. If Master Ouyang learns about this and gets angry, breaks ties with us and leaves Qingfu Town... itâll all be over."
He would forever lose the chance to be close to Third Miss.
Gu Jinli was shocked: "Brother, will it really be that serious?"
After thinking about it, he realized that in the strict ancient societal norms, this possibility was very real.
The Ouyang family is not an ordinary family, Third Miss is a noble lady, such a girl, even if liked by sons from the Imperial Family, must be pursued in accordance with protocol, step by step.
Gu Jinâan did not speak.
Brother Cheng cried anxiously: "Brother, Iâm sorry, I didnât know it would be like this, I just wanted to help you, wah-wah..."
He thought his brother was the best in the world, he did not want him to regret for life, thinking that it was difficult for his brother to express his feelings to Third Sister, he wanted to help break this barrier.
He did not deliberately mess things up, nor did he mean to belittle Third Sister.
Gu Jinli looked at Brother Cheng, then at Gu Jinâan, tentatively asking, "How about we keep this from Master Ouyang, not let him know?"
Gu Jinâan glared at Gu Jinli, "Do not be foolish, do you think itâs possible?"
Are the Ouyang familyâs Shadow Guards vegetarians? Are the nannies and maids around Third Miss just ornaments? As long as Master Ouyang wants to know, this matter cannot be concealed.
"Then what should we do?" said Gu Jinli, looking at Brother Cheng, thinking: Kid, Second Sister has helped you this far, if you still canât speak properly, your brain is really wasted.
Brother Cheng, being very clever, after Gu Jinli paved the way for him, knowing that this matter couldnât be concealed, said: "Brother, I will go and apologize to Master Ouyang right now, tell him it was all my doing."
Gu Jinâan snorted, "You didnât think about covering it up, so thereâs still hope."
After speaking, he fell silent, closed his eyes, and didnât move.
Gu Jinli knew he was thinking of a way, but now that it had come to this, what method was left?
"Brother, the best plan now is to brave death to be reborn, no matter what the outcome, quickly go to Ouyangâs house to apologize." she said.
Gu Jinâan, hearing this, knew he could no longer avoid it, nodded, and looked at Brother Cheng: "Can you still walk?"
"I can!" Brother Chengâs back hurt badly, but he couldnât care about that now, got up and stood obediently.
Gu Jinli glanced at Brother Chengâs back, frowned, wanted to give him some pills, but thinking this was the time to sell misery to get through this ordeal, she suppressed her heartache, put the pills away, and asked Gu Jinâan: "Should we let our parents go with you? After all, parents going would seem more sincere."
Gu Jinâan shook his head and refused: "Donât let parents know yet, lest it puts Master Ouyang in a difficult position."
Although parents going would indeed show more sincerity, Master Ouyang would likely prefer fewer people knowing about this.
"Alright, I understand, will help cover up." Gu Jinli said, went into Brother Chengâs room, grabbed a cloak for autumn, draped it over Brother Cheng, covering the bloodstains on his back: "Take it off when you arrive at the Ouyang house. Remember, youâre a big kid now, you need to take responsibility for your mistakes, after meeting Master Ouyang donât cry, explain the matter clearly, admit the mistake, and regardless of what Master Ouyang does, donât dispute."
Brother Cheng, hearing this, nodded while holding back tears: "Mm, I understand, Second Sister."
Gu Jinli smiled, patted his head, and asked: "Regret it?"
Brother Cheng was stunned, shook his head: "No regrets."
Gu Jinâan angrily said: "Do you want another beating?!"
Brother Cheng lowered his head, said: "Even if Brother beats me again, I wonât regret it... Brother likes Third Sister, cherishes her, strictly adheres to the rules, would never express his feelings to her, our family status is far apart, if no one breaks the barrier, Brother and Third Sisterâs matter will never progress."
"Perhaps for a lifetime Brother would just secretly like Third Sister, but I donât want that, I want Brother to marry the girl he loves, have a few children, and live happily ever after."
Gu Jinâan was startled, not moved was a lie, yet he still kept a stern face, scolding: "Stop it, donât say such selfish words, how are you different from the village hooligans who covet good girls?"
Feeling moved is one thing, right and wrong is another.
"Letâs go, donât dawdle." Gu Jinâan said coldly, leading the way out.
Luo Huiniang was having a great time today, she didnât return home after coming back from the Ouyang house, but went to Gu Jinliâs house, was sorting the return gifts from Third Miss with Gu Jinxiu, seeing Gu Jinâan, she called out: "Brother Jinâan, Third Miss gave us a lot of delicious things, tonight you can have a feast that only Capital noble families can afford."
Gu Jinxiu asked: "Brother An, where are you all going? Why is Brother Cheng wearing a cloak?"
Is it that cold?
"Brother Cheng is cold." Gu Jinli said: "Brother and Brother Cheng are heading to Master Ouyangâs house, they might return late or not at all, Big Sister doesnât need to prepare their dinner tonight."
"Ah? Going to Master Ouyangâs so late?" Gu Jinxiu was a bit surprised, didnât Brother Cheng just come home from school?
But Master Ouyang is different from others, sometimes if he gets a good ancient book or painting, or writes a good article, heâll suddenly have someone call Brother An to read and appreciate, so Gu Jinxiu put away her doubt, said: "Then you hurry up and go, donât keep Master Ouyang waiting."
Gu Jinâan nodded, taking Brother Cheng with him.
Gu Jinli saw them off, looked at Gu Jinâan, and finally said: "Brother, donât be too pessimistic, maybe youâre not unrequited."
Earlier, when Third Sister returned from seeing the painting, although she looked calm, with her keen eyes, she noticed the blush different than before on Third Sisterâs face.
Third Sister blushed, to make a young girl blush after seeing Brotherâs painting at least fifty percent chance that Third Sister has feelings too for Brother.
Gu Jinâan, hearing this, his eyes lit up slightly, a surge of joy in his heart, but quickly shook his head, said: "Donât say anymore, speaking one more word now is disrespectful to them."
By them, he means Master Ouyang and Ouyang Ming, but fearing others might hear and spread rumors, he used "them" instead of saying "Ouyang family."