Chapter 890 - 726: Using Kindness to Demand Repayment

Chapter 890: Chapter 726: Using Kindness to Demand Repayment

Gu Chengyu finished speaking and glanced at the Dumb Granny standing aside. But the Dumb Granny nodded at Gu Chengyu, and he understood that his mother was aware.

Mrs. Lv’s once bright smile gradually faded upon hearing this.

"Of course I know, how could I not?" Mrs. Lv put down the tea bowl she had handed to Gu Chengyu, muttering to herself.

"Then why do you still associate with her? The Eldest Princess surely wouldn’t like us being too close with her daughter, not to mention anything else."

Gu Chengyu sighed, feeling that too many unexpected things had happened today.

When did the matter of his marriage become a topic? He was obviously still young!

"The Commandery Princess’s temperament is different from her mother’s; she’s very kind-hearted! Although her status is noble, my son is not inferior. At just fourteen, he’s already a Sixth-rank Official. Who else in the world is as capable as my son? So what if she is a Commandery Princess? Isn’t it just because of her birth?"

Mrs. Lv’s expression sank completely, and every time she thought about others looking down on her son’s status, it hurt her like a knife piercing her heart.

"You! You’re just creating trouble for Xiao Bao. I’ve long told you, better not to associate with that Commandery Princess. You’ve experienced what her mother is like, you know it well. Relying on her birth, she indeed relies on her lineage, what can you do about it?"

Mr. Gu, who had been silent, couldn’t hold back his words. He disapproved of Mrs. Lv’s one-sided enthusiasm.

Xiao Bao, with his good looks and official rank, should have no trouble finding a wife, right?

But this old woman just fancies that Commandery Princess, yet with their status, could they really be hopeful that the Gu Family, still bearing the mud on its feet, would be looked upon favorably?

"Her mother is her mother, and she is herself! As long as Xiao Bao likes that girl, he will find a way to marry her."

Mrs. Lv felt that because Gu Chengyu was looked down upon for his humble beginnings, she wanted him to marry a girl from a high-status family, which could also provide some support for his career in the future.

Originally, she didn’t understand these matters, but recently she’s heard a lot about such things and still felt marrying a good wife was much better than her son fighting alone.

As for the Eldest Princess, what does a little grievance matter?

Gu Chengyu was somewhat amused and speechless, as his mother had an inexplicable confidence in him.

"Mother! Matchmaking is always decided by the elders, how can the Commandery Princess decide her own marriage? The Eldest Princess would never agree. Besides, the Commandery Princess probably doesn’t even have this in mind, please don’t mention this in front of her."

Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead, thinking his mother was sometimes naively endearing.

"See, Xiao Bao is more sensible than you. You’ve said yourself, her status is noble, don’t think about reaching too high. I think it’s better to find someone of similar status for Xiao Bao."

Mr. Gu put down the pipe in his hand, firmly opposing this matter.

The girls from wealthy families are not easy to marry, or else they’d be pointed at, scolded for licking up.

"What is called ’of similar status’? With Xiao Bao’s capability, what kind of girl can’t he marry? Even though she is a Commandery Princess, once married, she would take the husband’s family name, could she possibly marry into the royal family again?"

Mrs. Lv was choked by Mr. Gu’s words, feeling even more unsettled.

Others look down on her son’s background, even his own father does. Doesn’t he realize that their son is held back by such parents?

Otherwise, with his looks and talent, which girl in the entire Capital wouldn’t consider marrying Xiao Bao as a step-up, with matchmakers frantically seeking their door?

Seeing Mrs. Lv in a snit, Mr. Gu could only cease his flag-waving and drum-beating.

"I’m just saying, you know that Commandery Princess, it certainly won’t work." Mr. Gu mumbled.

"Yes! Mother, never mind the Eldest Princess wouldn’t agree. Think about it! If I marry the Commandery Princess, would there be a good life ahead? Her status is noble, we wouldn’t even say a harsh word, your son would have to worship her like a Bodhisattva, how suffocating, how tiring that would be!"

Gu Chengyu stood up and massaged Mrs. Lv’s shoulders, explaining softly.

Mrs. Lv wanted to say more, but upon further thought, Xiao Bao made sense.

Originally, she was reluctant for Xiao Bao to marry, and if the wife brought home can’t even be spoken to sternly, what if Xiao Bao gets bullied by his wife in the future?

This wasn’t acceptable; Mrs. Lv wavered again.

"Madam, the chicken noodle soup is ready."

Caiyun came in with a tray, and the aroma of chicken noodle soup immediately caused Gu Chengyu’s mouth to start watering.

Forget it, eating is paramount over an emperor. These worries can be thought about later, it’s better to fill the stomach first.

"Master! What did Jinyu say?" Mrs. Ning asked impatiently after Gu Chengyu had left, seeing Liang Zhirui silent.

She had seen earlier that Gu Chengyu seemed unwilling, feeling a bit apprehensive, fearing perhaps he refused.

Liang Zhirui opened his eyes that were tightly shut, sighing gently: "He said as long as Xian is willing, as he considers it a high aim."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Ning’s expression relaxed, and a slight smile appeared on her face.

"Xian has a good temperament and looks impeccable. It’s not like she’d disgrace him. Besides, Xian comes from the Duke Mansion, except for having an uninteresting stepmother, how else could he be wronged? However, Jinyu, this sweet-talking and steady child, is also quite capable—they are truly a match made in heaven."

Perhaps because this matter was half-settled, Mrs. Ning felt relieved and became more talkative.

"He’s not been wronged?" Liang Zhirui abruptly sat up from the bed, looking at Mrs. Ning with eyes full of sarcasm.

Mrs. Ning was taken aback by Liang Zhirui’s actions, patting her chest, "What are you doing?"

"Ask yourself, if this marriage wrongs Jinyu or not. Considering the Emperor’s favor on him, surely after a couple of years, Jinyu would not remain of the current rank, and might hold a higher position thereafter. At that time, aside from the Imperial Family, would any aristocratic family refuse to marry him?"

Liang Zhirui’s words stabbed like a sharp knife into Mrs. Ning’s heart, their heavy breathing resonating in the room.

"Don’t be too biased! Which promotion have you seen happening so swiftly? Every Minister in the court came through by earning seniority. Yet, you expect so much from him. Besides, if Xian didn’t have a stepmother like that, how would it have been her turn?"

Mrs. Ning was irritated too, tears streaming down her face, thinking of her late eldest daughter, feeling her granddaughter unfairly treated.

"How foolish your thinking is! Do you know this time he went to Hejian Prefecture, the Emperor has already promised a promotion for him? Do you think with his capabilities, a promotion is hard?"

Liang Zhirui rubbed his temples and leaned against the pillow.

Mrs. Ning was silent; in truth, she knew of Gu Chengyu’s abilities, or she wouldn’t have agreed to match Xian with him.

Just that she was reluctant to acknowledge it!

"I’ve lived my life with integrity, priding myself as a gentleman, acting without shame. Who would have thought in my old age, I’d be coercing with gratitude. We claim not to force him, but how is this different from doing so? I know with his temperament, as long as I say it, he would eventually agree."