Xie Chen felt as if he were floating.
Had he misheard?
"Sister-in-law, are you telling the truth?" Xie Chen asked the eldest madam of the Qin family, playing along.
"Whether it's true or not, why don't you ask Xiao Xue?" the eldest madam of the Qin family teased.
Qin Tingxue remained very calm. At her age, she had experienced enough that she couldn't muster any shy expressions.
Although, she did feel a bit shy and nervous.
Xie Chen looked at Qin Tingxue with affectionate eyes, "Tingxue..."
"If you are unwilling, then just pretend my mother never said anything," Qin Tingxue said quickly.
"Willing, willing, how could I be unwilling? I've been waiting for so many years!" Xie Chen said gleefully.
"You, you—"
"If Lord Gu is willing to come for the wedding banquet, I would be most welcome. Of course, Lord Gu won't come empty-handed!" Xie Chen added.
"A Xue, this isn't true." Gu Changwei, whether making a final struggle or genuinely disbelieving, spoke.
"You can't joke about your own reputation just to anger me. Xie Chen, Xie Chen has been unmarried for so many years, who knows if he has some hidden ailment?" Gu Changwei blurted out.
As soon as he said it, he felt even more that he was making a lot of sense.
Otherwise, why would Xie Chen remain unmarried for so many years?
"That's right, Xiao Xue, you can't be deceived by him," Gu Changwei said.
Xie Chen laughed in anger, never expecting Gu Changwei to be such a person.
"Does Lord Gu think everyone is as dark-hearted as you? I remained unmarried for so many years because my heart has always been with Xiao Xue," Xie Chen said.
This was the truth, so there was nothing to hide.
He liked Xiao Xue, but he had never bothered her.
This was his respect for her.
Now that she was divorced, he didn't want to miss the chance again, so he bravely confessed his feelings.
Anyone else hearing this would surely praise his deep love for Tingxue.
Why, in Gu Changwei's ears, did it sound so despicable?
"Gu Changwei, are you done? Did I not speak clearly enough? Or are you deaf? Please leave immediately. If you don't, I'll send someone to the yamen to accuse you of trespassing on an official residence in broad daylight," Qin Tingxue said with a cold face.
"Tingxue, there's no need to send someone to the yamen. I am now the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Although this isn't a major case, if it happens, I can't just ignore it, can I?" Xie Chen said.
After speaking to Qin Tingxue, Xie Chen looked at Gu Changwei again, "Lord Gu, will you leave now, or shall I escort you back to the Court of Judicial Review? I imagine Gu Siya would be very happy to see you."
What a harmonious scene it would be for father and son to communicate in prison.
Gu Changwei's expression changed.
"You, you, you—"
"Trespassing on an official residence, if I recall correctly, is punishable by fifteen days of detention," Xie Chen continued. "Since we know each other, I will certainly have you locked up with Gu Siya. That can be considered me looking out for you!"
Gu Changwei was no match for Xie Chen.
Qin Tingxue didn't even spare him a glance.
Gu Changwei finally realized that Qin Tingxue was not playing hard to get; she truly had no interest in his proposal. She detested him to the point of not wanting to even look at him.
Gu Changwei left in a daze.
His disheveled appearance made one think he was a beggar.
Gu Changwei returned to the Duke's mansion, and his state startled the servants.
Tattered clothes, covered in wounds.
Soon, the news reached the ears of the Old Madam Gu.
Old Madam Gu sighed, this troublesome fellow.
But he was her son, and she couldn't simply abandon him.