47 Profit

Gu Yanfei did not stay long in the Benevolent Harmony Hall and returned to Yuheng Garden with Juan Bi.

The autumn chrysanthemums and tree shadows swayed in the wind, adding to the quiet and cold atmosphere.

Along the way, servants could occasionally be seen walking in the wind. From time to time, Gu Yanfei heard the words “Kang Wang”, “marriage proposal”, “Third Lady” and so on.

When she reached the entrance of Yuheng Garden, Juan Bi, who had been holding back for a long time, could not help but ask, “My Lady, didn’t the Empress Dowager say that the Third Lady would marry into the British Monarchy today? Why is His Highness Kang Wang here to propose marriage?”

“I’ve never heard of any prince personally going to propose marriage.”

In this play, weren’t the Emperor, Empress, or Empress Dowager also the ones who chose the imperial concubines to marry?

“If you’re curious, you can ask around yourself,” Gu Yanfei said with a smile. Her words were suppressed by a dissatisfied cat meowing.

“Meow—”

Qing Guang ran out and pounced into Gu Yanfei’s arms, meowing and complaining. One moment, it blamed her for leaving it behind, and the next, it complained about sending it to Chu Yi.

Not understanding anything, Gu Yanfei carried the cat and walked in. Juan Bi ran out happily with light footsteps.

Juan Bi was the son of the Marquis Mansion. Her family, from her parents to her siblings, had been working in the mansion for several generations. Although they were not in charge of anything, there were people everywhere.

After a while, Juan Bi heard some news about Kang Wang from her cousin-in-law’s niece-in-law.

Juan Bi’s relative was a servant in the Benevolent Harmony Hall. She could not enter the main room, but she secretly asked the second-class maidservant in the Benevolent Harmony Hall.

It was said that Kang Wang had indeed come to the Marquis Mansion to officially propose. However, Madam Gu had yet to agree. She only said that Kang Wang could not decide on his own regarding the marriage. If Empress Dowager Yuan had other plans, it would not be good.

Kang Wang was finally persuaded to leave.

Although this marriage had not been decided, it still caused a storm in the Marquis Mansion, making everyone feel honored. The entire mansion was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

However, Madam Gu and Gu Jian’s hearts were a little heavy. Even the atmosphere in and outside the house became oppressive.

“Mother.” Sitting beside Gu Jian, Madam Wang cleared her throat and broke the silence. “Why didn’t you agree to Kang Wang’s proposal?”

As soon as she finished speaking, the curtain of the green gauze cabinet was quietly lifted by a hand, revealing half a face.

It was a housekeeper in her mid-thirties. She was wearing a sauce-colored dark-striped orange and a sandalwood mamianqun. Her figure was slightly plump, and her beautiful oval face was filled with anxiety.

She stared at Madam Gu without blinking and bit her lower lip.

14 years ago, she had taken the risk of exchanging the two baby girls in the hope that her daughter would have a better future.

In the past, she had thought that her daughter would marry into the British Monarchy and become the Duchess in the future. It would be the greatest dream of her life. She did not expect that her daughter would be lucky enough to be favored by Kang Wang and have the chance to become the Princess Consort!

If her daughter could get her way, her life would be worth it.

Back then, after her daughter’s background was exposed, she almost thought that she would not survive. Fortunately…

Mother Su’s dark eyes were like a deep ancient well. She held her breath and stood behind the curtain, not daring to make any sound, afraid that others would discover that she was eavesdropping.

Madam Gu slowly took two sips of tea and was silent for a moment. She seemed to be deep in thought, but also seemed to be considering her words.

The house was extremely quiet, and the sound of water dripping from the pot on one side was exceptionally clear.

Mother Su’s feet were turning numb from standing in the jade cabinet. When she almost thought that Madam Gu would remain silent, she heard Madam Gu’s calm and slow voice.

“The more difficult it is, the more precious it is.”

“Now that the Empress Dowager is against it, Kang Wang can only retreat and come personally to propose. If the Gu family agrees easily, it will make Kang Wang feel that this marriage is easy.”

Gu Jian, who was sitting below, looked at Madam Wang thoughtfully.

Gu Jian thought for a moment and understood the meaning behind Madam Gu’s words.

He was a man, so he naturally understood men. Men were more or less inherently bad. The more they couldn’t have a woman, the more precious she was.

That made sense, but Gu Jian couldn’t help but worry. The Empress Dowager had always been stubborn. If she refused to agree, would Kang Wang still be able to persist?

Gu Jian rubbed his raised eyebrows in frustration and said, “Mother, I heard that the Eldest Prince also went to Prince Jing’s Manor today.”

Gu Jian felt that the safest thing to do now was to quickly settle the marriage so that it wouldn’t backfire.

When Madam Gu heard this, her hand that was holding the prayer beads trembled and she almost lost her grip on the prayer beads. Her original composure was gone.

Gu Jian continued, “The Eldest Prince even went to see Prince Jing alone. The two of them stayed in the study for two hours before coming out. After that, the Eldest Prince returned to the palace.”

Madam Gu naturally understood her son’s intentions. She became frustrated and her cold expression was a little sinister.

Just as she had speculated before, the Eldest Prince would be the greatest variable. His return would definitely cause a bloodbath in the royal court.

In the face of supreme power, many things and people would become insignificant.

No one could guarantee that Kang Wang could resist the temptation of the throne for Gu Yunrong!

Madam Gu pursed her lips. She felt as if a heavy rock was pressing down on her heart, making her unable to breathe.

There was silence in the room and it was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Mother Su, who was listening attentively in the jade cabinet, did not think of as many things as Madam Gu. Seeing that they were silent again, she was anxious.

She almost bumped into the curtain and made a commotion, but she held herself back. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty, and she did not know what Madam Gu was thinking.

Madam Gu slowly twirled her prayer beads and suddenly changed the topic. “How’s the preparation for Zhen’er’s marriage? Murong Yong seems to have made a contribution in Qingzhou recently?”

Now that Madam Wang was in charge of the Marquis Mansion, Gu Yunzhen’s marriage was mainly managed by Madam Wang. Usually, when Madam Wang nagged about trivial matters, although Gu Jian had heard it, he did not care much about it and only gave Madam Wang a look.

Hence, Madam Wang replied with a smile, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely manage Zhen’er’s marriage well. I’m just waiting for the Murong family to apply for an appointment now.”

“Marquis, Young Master Murong is about to return to the capital, right?”

The wedding date could only be officially decided after Murong Yong returned from Qingzhou.

At the mention of Murong Yong, Gu Jian perked up and said confidently, “He came back this morning! This Murong Yong is indeed a young talent. This time, he went to Qingzhou with the army to suppress the bandits and personally took down the bandit leader, making a huge contribution. He will most likely be promoted this time.”

“The Divine Arms Battalion just so happens to have a vacancy for a Valiant Cavalry Captain. I think this position is almost guaranteed to be his.”

Murong Yong was young and had made a great contribution this time. It was equivalent to showing his face in front of the Emperor. As long as he could enter the Divine Arms Battalion, his future would be limitless.

What Kang Wang lacked the most now was military support.

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