Jiang Pan rushed to the Gu Wangfu and directly grabbed Gu Chenzhou, asking, "What do you intend to do about the engagement from back then?"
Gu Chenzhou replied politely yet indifferently, "Naturally, as we agreed back then, it was a temporary arrangement and not to be taken seriously."
Jiang Pan's eyes widened. "You say it's not serious, so it's not serious? Your word doesn't count for this! You gave my daughter a betrothal gift back then! Now everyone knows my daughter was engaged to you. If you say it doesn't count, what about my daughter's reputation? I don't care, you'd better bring people to my house to propose, or I'll break your legs!"
Gu Chenzhou felt a headache coming on. What was this family trying to do?
Wasn't it made clear back then that it was just a temporary arrangement, not a real engagement?
Moreover, he knew that the Jiang family was arranging a marriage for Jiang Wan and Cheng Sinian, which indicated they didn't take this engagement seriously at all. Why had they changed their minds now?
Could matters of marriage be treated so lightly?
Gu Chenzhou said very calmly, "Uncle Jiang, to be honest, I have a hidden ailment and am not suitable for marriage. If you don't want the county princess to be a widow for life, you should find her a good match soon. As for the engagement, I can explain to the world that it was my issue and guarantee it won't affect the county princess's reputation." kuAiδugg
Jiang Pan was stunned and unconsciously glanced down towards his waistline.
He wasn't very willing to marry his daughter to Gu Chenzhou in the first place, and now that he knew Gu Chenzhou was suspected of being impotent, he was even less willing.
Gu Chenzhou felt a rare moment of awkwardness, but the half of his face visible outside the mask remained very calm.
Jiang Pan gritted his teeth and said, "Wan Wan's mother has excellent medical skills. Your hidden ailment might not be incurable! Chenzhou, you're not young anymore, it's time for you to get married. Otherwise, do you really want the Gu family's bloodline to end with you?"
Gu Chenzhou was taken aback, unsure how to answer.
This was something he hadn't considered.
Jiang Pan said, "Chenzhou, I won't hide it from you. Actually, I'm not very willing to marry Wan Wan to you. But given the current situation, you are the most suitable candidate."
"The Emperor wants her to enter the palace and marry the Crown Prince. You know Wan Wan's temperament, and that kind of place, the harem, is not somewhere she can endure."
"But right now, we don't have time to find another suitable husband for Wan Wan. Looking around the capital, only you can withstand the Emperor's pressure. Chenzhou, I know this is unfair to you, but we have no other choice."
At this moment, Yan Li ran in.
"What? The Emperor wants Wan Wan to enter the palace as the Crown Princess? That won't do. With that girl's temperament, she might lose her head shortly after entering."
He then nudged Gu Chenzhou, "Chenzhou, Wan Wan has helped you quite a bit. Are you really going to stand by and watch her suffer in the palace? The harem is no place for people. Once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering a deep sea. It's uncertain if she'll ever have a chance to leave the palace alive and see the outside world."
"Master knows you don't want to get married, and I never intended to force you. But in this situation, you can't just watch her die, can you? Jiang Wan has a great debt of gratitude towards you. Even if it's to repay her kindness, you should help her resolve this trouble."
Gu Chenzhou lowered his head, not speaking, perhaps contemplating something.
After a moment, he looked up and said, "If this is the only way, I can cooperate. But let's be clear beforehand, this is just a temporary arrangement. After two years, I will divorce her."
Jiang Pan's eyes widened, very displeased. "Divorce?"
His daughter hadn't even married yet, and he was talking about divorce. Could he tolerate such a thing?
Yan Li quickly said, "Brother, this is not the time to quibble about this. The most important thing now is to prevent the Emperor from issuing an decree and save Wan Wan!"
He then pulled Jiang Pan aside and whispered, "Brother, this kid's personality has changed drastically, and he's quite ruthless. Honestly, it's a huge loss for Wan Wan, such a good girl, to marry this moody fellow!"
"In my opinion, let's first solve the Emperor's problem. In two years, Wan Wan will only be seventeen. Then you can let them divorce. Wan Wan herself has a high status, you are a Duke, and her second brother is a Prince. You'll surely find a good husband for her in the future, right? It's better than entering the palace, isn't it?"
Jiang Pan felt heartbroken.
His precious daughter had to marry in a hurry, and the other party was unwilling to marry her. Even if he married her reluctantly, they had to divorce after two years.
What did this make his daughter?
But what could he do?
If he didn't accept Gu Chenzhou's terms, he could only watch as his daughter was forced into the palace by an imperial decree. From then on, it would be difficult for them to even see their daughter.
Jiang Pan was filled with grief, but in the end, he could only grit his teeth and agree, "Fine, I agree. You go prepare the betrothal gifts now. All the proper etiquette must be followed!"
He could only try to save his daughter some face through these formalities now.
Gu Chenzhou did not object. Although this marriage was just a temporary arrangement, he would not let Jiang Wan be ridiculed by others. He would naturally provide her with the respect she deserved.
The next morning, Gu Chenzhou personally led a procession of betrothal gifts, with music and fanfare, to the Zhongguo Gongfu.
Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi were both astonished by his actions.
So soon?
Jiang Pan gritted his teeth and said, "That kid wouldn't just whip up something to fool us, would he?"
Chen Yuezhi sighed, "Don't be so critical at this moment. Let's go out and see."
When the two of them came out, they were stunned again by the sight of the grand betrothal procession.
Good heavens, so many?
At a rough glance, there were at least eighty to a hundred carrying poles.
Could this have been prepared overnight?
Gu Chenzhou, wearing his mask, walked to the front and bowed to Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi, cupping his fists. "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please accept this humble son's bow."
The two deliberately stepped aside and asked, "Prince Gu, what is this?"
Gu Chenzhou said, "Of course, I've come to propose. Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, seven years ago, Wan Wan and I made an engagement. Now that my Gu family's great revenge has been avenged, I have come to propose and prepare to welcome Wan Wan into my home."
Jiang Pan's face darkened. "You still remember this engagement? I thought you had forgotten."
Gu Chenzhou's expression was equally cold. "This humble son dares not forget."
Chen Yuezhi forced a smile and said, "Please come inside first."
Gu Chenzhou bowed again and stepped onto the stairs.
Jiang Pan snorted and turned to enter the mansion first. Chen Yuezhi gave Gu Chenzhou an apologetic smile and led him into the mansion.
Gu Chenzhou did not care about Jiang Pan's attitude. He politely nodded to Chen Yuezhi and stepped into the Zhongguo Gongfu.
The long procession of betrothal gifts followed him into the mansion.