Chapter 931: Chapter 767: My Marriage Is Settled
Gu Chengyu touched his nose and let out a bitter laugh. He didnât know how his mother could have figured out the housing prices in the Capital in just a few days.
Gu Wanfang was startled upon hearing this, "This is five hundred Silver Taels!"
"I canât accept this; Little Uncle should take it back. Itâs too valuable."
Gu Chengyu waved his hand, "Donât say such polite words to me. We are of the same family, and more importantly, uncle and nephew. In the future when youâre in official circles, people will naturally see us as one. Youâll understand then. Besides, when you get married, if you donât even have a place to live, it would shame my reputation. Thereâs no need to argue about this; itâs late, go home now! Tomorrow come again for your studies."
This is the downside of ancient times; how Gu Wanqian fares is actually linked to Gu Chengyu.
Outsiders will surely say the nephew has no house outside while the uncle lives in such a big mansion, why not let the nephew stay?
After all, in ancient times, people of the same clan were like this, coming from distant states. If clan members were there, they usually stayed at the clan memberâs house.
So those aristocratic families often had poorer clansmen coming to visit, and due to the family ties, they wouldnât let people leave empty-handed.
If there were aspiring scholars, theyâd be sent to live in the mansion, hoping for future mutual support.
Gu Chengyu didnât wish to speak more, as he had matters to discuss with his parents today. It was late and he didnât want to delay.
Ah! Either way, itâs a knife whether you face it or avoid it.
"This?" Gu Wanfang hesitated, feeling moved was certainly true, but was it okay to just accept it?
Mrs. Lvâs face showed a bit of concern, and seeing it, Mr. Gu had to say, "Fang, go back first! Accept this courtyard as a wedding gift from your Little Uncle, itâs his sentiment, donât refuse."
Mr. Gu heavily emphasized the words "wedding gift," implying not to expect another gift from Xiao Bao at the wedding.
"Thank you, Little Uncle, thank you Granduncle and Grandaunt." Gu Wanfang was extremely grateful and quickly expressed thanks.
"Fang, your Little Uncle treats you genuinely well. Once you pass the Advanced Scholar exam and become an official, you mustnât forget his kindness!"
Mrs. Lv, although dissatisfied, couldnât object more since her son had already done a good deed.
But she was quite displeased with her son for reporting the tael amount lower, foolishly giving away Silver without getting credit!
Mrs. Lvâs intention was clear to Gu Chengyu, just to make Gu Wanfang grateful. So he didnât stop her words, as he wasnât a saint; having given, he expected to be repaid.
Gu Wanfang quickly nodded in agreement, "The kindness of Little Uncle, Granduncle, and Grandaunt is clear to my heart and always remembered gratefully. Previously, because of Xiao Yaoâs matter, my grandfather committed an unforgivable crime. Although he later regretted it, the mistake was made. Fortunately, you didnât hold it against us. Now, Little Uncle is so gracious, treating me well, I feel indebted."
Gu Wanfangâs expression turned a bit somber and carried a hint of shame.
"Donât worry too much; after all, we are family, connected like bone and sinew!" Mr. Gu felt comforted seeing his understanding of gratitude.
After a little while, the endlessly thankful Gu Wanfang was sent off, promising to find him a match tomorrow.
Once Gu Wanfang left, Gu Chengyu didnât move but poured himself another bowl of tea, drinking at his own pace.
Know your son, best by the mother; Mrs. Lv saw Xiao Bao like this and knew he had something to say.
"Itâs already dark; if thereâs nothing more, you should rest early. You have to rise early to work at the palace tomorrow!"
Mrs. Lv, seeing Gu Chengyu still silent, probed despite her curiosity.
It seemed difficult to speak, having never seen Xiao Bao like this before.
"Father, Mother..." Gu Chengyu really didnât know how to start, sigh! This troublesome ancient life.
"Whatâs the matter?" Mr. Gu couldnât stand his sonâs look, his heart also raised.
"My marriage is settled." Gu Chengyu took a deep breath, finally speaking.
Then, a quiet stillness filled the room. Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv stared at Gu Chengyu in shock.
Even Dumb Granny looked stunned, as if she couldnât believe her ears.
"What did you say? What marriage? Whose marriage?" Mrs. Lvâs mind was in a muddle, blurting out three questions.
"Didnât you say earlier that it was too soon for marriage, that it should wait? How come itâs settled now? You didnât ask your parents first, how could you decide on your own?"
Mr. Gu finally reacted, "This isnât right!"
Previously, Xiao Bao had insisted on waiting to discuss marriage, but now he says his wedding is settled; itâs too odd.
"Did you learn from some uncouth person and privately make a lifelong commitment with a girl? Thatâs not acceptable; youâre an official, such actions could harm your reputation."
Mrs. Lv hurriedly looked at Gu Chengyu with concern; this quiet announcement was unsettling. Could it be he had already decided on someone before refusing to discuss marriage?
Why not come back and tell them, to let them propose the match? Could it be the girl wasnât presentable?
Since she could privately commit with Xiao Bao, what kind of girl could she be?
Mrs. Lv was anxious, Xiao Bao is still too young, easily fooled in such matters.
In that instant, Mrs. Lv imagined many scenarios, her gaze toward Xiao Bao turned harsh.
"Mother, what are you thinking? Your son isnât like that; privately committing is absolutely impossible." Gu Chengyu replied helplessly.
"Then was it someone else who matched you? But arenât matchmakers supposed to consult us, his parents, first? Why was it discussed with you directly?"
Mrs. Lv puzzled, then suddenly thought of a possibility.
"Was it your teacher who matched you?"
"Didnât he say before that his teacher advised against discussing marriage now? How could it be his teacher as the matchmaker?" Mr. Gu immediately countered.
Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead; was that the main point? Why not ask who the match is?
"Which familyâs girl is it? Itâs not some humble family girl from the street, is it? Who arranged the match?"
Mrs. Lv finally remembered the question they had overlooked, yet it was crucial.
"Itâs the granddaughter of the teacher, the legitimate daughter of the Duke Zhenâs Mansion eldest branch, Miss Yao. Previously, the teacher mentioned it to me, and I agreed."
Gu Chengyu smiled, pouring tea for both Mrs. Lv and Mr. Gu.
"What? That Miss Yao?" Mrs. Lv hadnât met Yao Mengxian, but Gu Chengyu had mentioned her casually before.
Back then, Xiao Bao didnât delve into it, only saying her family was Duke Zhenâs Mansion, a top aristocratic familyâs legitimate daughter. She thought they werenât relevant, so she didnât ask further.