“She was brought back by your Old Madam, wasn't she? Where is she staying now? In the Old Madam's courtyard, or has a separate courtyard been arranged for her?” Madam Qin's doubts gradually surfaced. Those who had spent their lives in the inner courtyards were adept at spotting key details. A lone orphan, specially brought back by the Old Madam, naturally invited speculation.
Madam Qin did not think much of it and nodded, “Yes, she was brought back by the Old Madam. When the Old Madam was in Jiangnan, she once collapsed and lost consciousness while out. Miss Biao happened to be passing by and administered acupuncture to the Old Madam. Without any aversion, she even cleared the thick phlegm from the Old Madam's throat. It is said that if not for her, the Old Madam would not have survived. Therefore, the Old Madam inquired about Xu Miaoniang's family background and learned that she was the only one left. She then brought her to her side, subtly arranging for her to be a distant relative and return to the Duke's Mansion as Miss Biao.”
“Tingxue, have you not seen the Old Madam's intentions?” Madam Qin asked directly. Although her daughter was intelligent and managed the Duke's Mansion's affairs well, she still lacked a certain depth. For some matters, when they were subtle, she wouldn't delve deeper. Thus, she still needed some guidance.
As expected, Madam Qin looked puzzled at Madam Qin's words, her brow furrowing slightly, “Mother, what do you mean?”
“I observe that the Old Madam has found a granddaughter-in-law that she herself favors,” Madam Qin said.
Only then did Madam Qin realize something was amiss. She had a good impression of Xu Miaoniang; she was also rare in her quiet demeanor. When she read Buddhist scriptures, Xu Miaoniang could sit silently beside her and copy them, her small, elegant calligraphy being a pleasure to behold.
However, all of this was overshadowed by ulterior motives.
“I don’t think Ah Nian has such intentions. They often meet here, and Ah Nian has always averted his gaze,” Madam Qin said, taking a deep breath to suppress her displeasure. “The Old Madam is good to us, mother and daughter, but I will not allow her to control Ah Nian's life. Ah Nian and I have an agreement that the person he marries in the future must be someone he wishes to cherish, not someone bound by interests or relationships!”
How could Madam Qin not understand why her daughter had such an agreement with her grandson? It was merely that she herself had never achieved what she desired in life, suffering in silence, and she did not want her son to endure the same hardship.
“The Old Duchess has indeed been thoughtful towards you and your mother. Since Xu Miaoniang was carefully chosen by her, she may not be easy to dismiss. Furthermore, Xu Miaoniang has indeed improved your health, which can be considered a kindness. And in the future, your health will still depend on her…” Even Madam Qin, with her experience, could not immediately think of a good solution.
“Mother, Grandmother, please do not worry. Just pretend you don’t know about this matter,” Gu Sinian said, lifting the curtain and entering. “Since they are looking for a wife for me, I must agree. If I do not agree, it matters not what her status is or what backing she has. I have also clearly told Mother and Grandmother that besides gratitude, I have no other feelings for that Xu Miaoniang. I already have someone I like, and when the time is right, I will tell Mother and Grandmother.”
Gu Sinian's words successfully stunned Madam Qin and Madam Qin for a long while.
“Ah Nian, tell your grandmother which family’s daughter it is. Grandmother will go and take a look. Our Ah Nian’s taste must be good; anyone you fancy must be a good girl,” Madam Qin said, smiling as she recovered.
Gu Sinian nodded very seriously, “She is indeed a good girl, but it is not convenient to tell Grandmother which family's daughter it is yet.”
“My dear child…” Madam Qin chided him, “Why are you hiding things from your grandmother? What, are you afraid Grandmother will bully your beloved?”
Gu Sinian sat up straight, “Grandmother is not that kind of person. Primarily, I have taken a liking to the young lady, but I have not yet made my feelings clear to her. I intend to seek the young lady’s consent first, and then formally propose marriage.” He then added with a hint of self-deprecation, “After all, my reputation in the marketplace is not good…”
“Rumors are just rumors. I know what kind of person you are. If that young lady also believes baseless gossip, then she is not worth your affection,” Madam Qin said. “Although your mother and I will not interfere, we cannot let you marry someone who looks down on you.”
Qi Zhenzhen was not in the capital, so she naturally did not know about the various rumors concerning him and Qian Yuanbao. If she did, would she, like others, believe them to be true, showing him respect on the surface while despising him in private? Gu Sinian dismissed this thought; she was not that kind of person. She was intelligent and could accurately discern right from wrong.
“That's why I need to gauge the young lady's feelings first,” Gu Sinian smiled.
“You must hurry. Gu Siya is already married, and given Gu Changwei's intentions, he wishes to hand over your position as heir apparent to Gu Siya immediately. If he were to have offspring first, it would give them an excuse. Although your grandmother dotes on you and your mother, Gu Changwei is her only son. If it truly comes to a decision, you will surely be behind him,” Madam Qin said. “Grandmother originally wanted to take your mother back, but your mother is stubborn and unwilling. If you want to protect your mother from being bullied, then the position of Duke must be yours in the future, otherwise, you and your mother will have a difficult life.”
Gu Sinian nodded, “I will not yield this position to anyone.”
Outside the Lan Zhi Courtyard, a commotion could be heard. Without even thinking, it was undoubtedly Dong Ningxin bringing reinforcements. And who else could these reinforcements be but Gu Changwei?
“You two lowly maids, move aside, or do not blame me for being ruthless,” Gu Changwei said angrily.
Earlier, Dong Ningxin had returned to complain about the two maids blocking her from entering the courtyard. Gu Changwei had initially thought Dong Ningxin was making a fuss, but upon following her here, he found these two maids to be utterly unyielding.
“You two go inside and guard,” Gu Sinian said as he walked out, his tone calm. “Is the Duke here to visit my mother? If so, please enter. If not, do not let unrelated people disturb my mother’s rest. As you know, her health is not good and she needs rest the most.”
“As the matriarch of the household, when new people join my quarters, according to the rules, she must meet them,” Gu Changwei said coldly. “Blocking people at the door, does that mean you have an opinion of me? As the matriarch, you are not virtuous and diligent in proactively managing these matters, and now you are throwing a tantrum. If this gets out, how will she have the face to see anyone?”
“You mean, if my mother meets her, she will have face?” Gu Sinian said sarcastically. “Such face is better off without. It is your business if you wish to bring new people into the household. Would it not be better if things were peaceful?”