This was something she valued.
After the divorce, no one would question her choice not to marry anymore.
Having been schemed against by Qu Shujie, she had seen through everything and would no longer be bothered by anything.
She had never truly considered marriage and having children.
Ideally, it would involve no romantic entanglements whatsoever.
Therefore, when Ruan Xi proposed to cooperate with her, she was moved.
Listening to Gu Zhiruo, Ruan Xi's eyes lit up. "Of course! I keep my word. Besides, you're Yun Shu's friend. If I don't fulfill my promise to you, she definitely won't agree."
If he couldn't keep his own promises, he wouldn't be worthy of being a person.
Hearing Ruan Xi mention Yun Shu, Gu Zhiruo laughed, "Yun Shu probably won't agree to this decision of mine."
Ruan Xi's eyes flickered. "You have to testify for me, that I didn't force you."
"Is Yun Shu that scary?" Gu Zhiruo couldn't help but laugh, but she was relieved inwardly. If he was wary of Yun Shu, he definitely wouldn't break his promise.
"Yun Shu isn't scary, but Yun Shu's three sons and King Ye are terrifying," Ruan Xi thought of that entire family and felt fortunate that he had good judgment and didn't make them enemies.
Otherwise, he would be regretting it deeply now.
Gu Zhiruo's mood suddenly became light, and she leaned against the wall. "I've always wanted to ask you, there are thousands of women in the capital, why did you choose to cooperate with me?"
"Because your reputation in the capital is currently soaring, everyone knows you've broken off your engagement with the Qu family twice. I had someone investigate you and knew you'd choose to go along with this charade with me. You're different from those pedantic women in the capital," Ruan Xi thought for a moment and decided to be honest.
In front of a clever woman, there was no need to beat around the bush or act hesitant to speak openly.
Even if he didn't say it directly, with her intelligence, she would quickly figure it out herself.
Upon hearing this, the smile on Gu Zhiruo's face vanished.
Seeing this, Ruan Xi quickly said, "You know I don't mean anything else, I'm just stating a fact objectively. But in my heart, I truly believe Qu Shujie is not a man at all! How about this, now that you've decided to cooperate with me, we're in the same boat. As long as you agree, I'll go and cripple Qu Shujie right now, so he can never be a man again. What do you say?"
"This punishment will definitely satisfy you!"
Gu Zhiruo's mood had suddenly dipped as she thought of Qu Shujie and the predicament she now faced.
However, after hearing Ruan Xi's words, she smiled again.
She looked at the bright moon and stars in the sky and slowly said, "Qu Shujie is no longer related to me. Whether he's a man or not is unimportant. What's important is that he won't have the chance to hurt me in the future. Thank you, I appreciate your sentiment."
"Good! That's the spirit! Life is short, only a few decades. Why trouble yourself by dwelling on things? I really didn't misjudge you! I was worried that if you accidentally fell for me, you wouldn't want to divorce me anymore. Now I'm at ease," Ruan Xi said with a laugh.
He had never considered giving up all other women for one woman.
Even though he felt he had once loved Yun Shu deeply, he had never thought of giving up everything for her.
Gu Zhiruo was a little speechless and glared at Ruan Xi. "Put your mind at ease, I will absolutely not accidentally fall for you. Your concerns are my concerns too. If you have any ill intentions towards me and don't want to divorce me anymore. It seems now that won't happen, you and I will both keep our promises."
On this point, they reached a consensus.
Next, there was only one thing left for them to do.
They had to go see Yun Shu.
This matter could not be kept from Yun Shu.
The two looked at each other and spoke almost simultaneously.
"You tell Yun Shu."
The corners of their mouths twitched.
Then they said at the same time, "We'll tell her together!"
Gu Zhiruo rolled her eyes and kicked a small stone at her feet. "We'll go tomorrow."
This decision she made, she could only tell Yun Shu, and she had to hide it from her parents. She could only tell them she was going to marry Ruan Xi. Thinking of having to fabricate stories about how good Ruan Xi was to deceive her parents filled her with guilt.
"Okay!" Ruan Xi readily agreed.
With Gu Zhiruo accompanying him, he didn't have to worry about being beaten by Yun Shu.
Seeing that they had already cemented their decision, she could only agree.
...
The next day.
Shortly after breakfast.
The doorman came to Yun Shu and reported that Gu Zhiruo and Ruan Xi wanted to see her.
Yun Shu was looking at some letters.
Jing Heng had found some information about Jiang Luoxi.
Hearing the doorman's report, she looked up in surprise and asked, "Gu Zhiruo and Ruan Xi came together?"
"Yes, they got out of the same carriage," the doorman replied.
Upon hearing this, Yun Shu's face immediately changed. She slapped the letter in her hand onto the table and said angrily, "Detestable!"
"Let them in!"
"Yes!"
Yun Shu walked out of the room.
Acha and Yu Le were bringing in the freshly made tea and pastries, and seeing Yun Shu's displeased expression, they immediately stepped forward with concern.
"Miss, is something wrong? Who angered you?"
Yun Shu looked at them and waved her hand, "It's nothing major."
It was a very big deal!
She could guess with her toes that Ruan Xi had found Gu Zhiruo again!
And Gu Zhiruo had probably already agreed to Ruan Xi.
They had made a joint decision and came to see her together.
Hmph!
Were they here to share their happy news?
That silly girl Zhiruo!
A moment later.
Ruan Xi and Gu Zhiruo walked over.
Even from a distance, Ruan Xi could smell the anger.
His heart immediately raced into his throat. Yun Shu was angry!
He whispered to Gu Zhiruo, "We're in this together now, you have to put in a good word for me with Yun Shu."
Gu Zhiruo sighed softly, "I can't even protect myself."
The two looked at each other.
A single thought crossed their minds: they had no deep affection for each other, and self-preservation was paramount.
Then they approached Yun Shu.
Yun Shu looked at the two of them as they approached, and the anger that had been simmering in her heart immediately dissipated. They now looked like they had done something wrong.
In reality, everyone had their own thoughts.
Since they had made their decision, no one, including her, could change their minds.
The two lowered their heads.
Yun Shu stared at them.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman, a pleasing sight.
"Shu'er, I've thought this through carefully. I've been thinking about the future and my current situation, so I don't regret this decision. We are both getting what we need," Gu Zhiruo spoke first.
Yun Shu hummed and then looked at Ruan Xi, "You're letting a woman speak first, are you even a man?"