Gu Wan didn't even dare to look up at the Prince. Her face was flushed red as she fiddled with the handkerchief in her hand. She could only think that among her sisters at home, she was the most likely one to be engaged...It all depended on whether Grandmother Gu was willing to fight for this for her or not.
The etiquette in Eastern Li was strict, with clear divisions between nobility and commoners that could not be neglected.
Lady Gu had originally wanted to yield the main seat to Zhao Changdu, but Zhao Changdu was in an extremely good mood and politely declined, letting her sit down.
Gu Boyan was taken aback. He rubbed his icy big hands and curiously glanced at this newly promoted nobleman. Although he had never been close to the Prince who was the subject of rumors, he had caught sight of him from afar, jumping down from his horse in full military gear and proceeding straight to the palace gates with his sword.
Just that one glimpse was enough for Gu Boyan to feel that this Prince was no ordinary man.
After spending ten years training in the border regions, the young man who was once obsessively in love had now become decisive and ruthless, with piercing eyes and brows.
He exuded a bloody aura, giving off a feeling that kept others thousands of miles away and made people not dare to approach him.
Yet the Prince today seemed much more amiable...Could it be that he would truly have the fortune to become in-laws with the Duke's Residence in this lifetime?
This left Gu Boyan somewhat at a loss. He had been tense and nervously swallowing his saliva the whole time, after all, as the father, he knew perfectly well what his daughters were worth.
If they were to marry into the Duke's Residence...with neither virtues nor status befitting such a match, who knew what kind of disaster could come out of this.
"Sorry to have kept Lady Gu waiting for so long." Zhao Changdu gave a faint smile. "I was busy with things in the afternoon and couldn't get away. That's why I made Lady Gu wait for me for so long."
Lady Gu accepted his attentions with pleasant surprise, laughing as she said, "The Prince is busy with state affairs, I understand completely."
Zhao Changdu was in a good mood. He thought of a certain person's sweetness and unconsciously stroked the lingering softness on his fingers. Smiling, he said, "I've troubled Lady Gu by making you wait for me for so long. So now, let's properly discuss the marriage between me and the young lady from your household."
Seeing Zhao Changdu's expression, Lady Gu understood in her heart. It seemed the Duke's Residence truly wanted to form a marriage alliance with her, the Countess of Dongping.
At the very least, the Prince was sincere. She just didn't know for what purpose the Prince insisted on marrying a daughter from the Gu family.
Thinking of this, Lady Gu also smiled. "We're honored by the Prince's affections and that you would look kindly upon our insignificant household. But our girls are young and ignorant, so there are some things that we elders need to decide on their behalf. Today, since the Prince has brought Aunt Zhao and so many betrothal gifts, this old woman can see your sincerity and is naturally willing to agree to this happy event between you and our young miss. But everyone has been waiting for a long time, so let's first let the girls return. I want to discuss the marriage between our two families carefully with you."
Zhao Changdu raised his brow slightly. He had accidentally arrived late today, so naturally he had no complaints. "I'll defer to Lady Gu on everything."
Lady Gu was still not used to seeing the Prince be so agreeable and gentle. She was startled for a moment, then waved her hand for everyone else to leave.
Aunt Zhao and the others were reluctant, but there was nothing they could do.
For important matters like these, only Lady Gu could make the decisions. Even Mrs. Liu didn't have the qualifications to interfere in the Prince's marriage.
Thinking of this, both Aunt Zhao and Wang felt more balanced. They brought their daughters out of the front hall, but secretly left some people behind to eavesdrop for news.
After dismissing the others, Lady Gu tentatively asked again, "The one the Prince wants to marry is my second branch's daughter, Gu Ying?"
Zhao Changdu gave an affirmative "Mm".
Lady Gu's expression changed slightly and she quickly said, "Prince, you must not."
Zhao Changdu's cold brows knitted together. "What does Lady Gu mean by this?"
Lady Gu pulled at the corners of her mouth and her aged face sank slightly as she said, "I won't hide it from the Prince, Ying is already engaged to my elder brother Liu Jianren from the main Gu branch. I'm afraid she can no longer marry you."
Zhao Changdu's eyes darkened slightly as he quietly listened to her speak without responding.
Lady Gu could see the man's eyes turn cold, but still steeled herself to continue, "I don't know why the Prince is so fixated on Ying. That girl has always had a poor reputation. Also, she doesn't know her letters well and has learned some crude martial arts skills from her father. Her conduct is unrefined. She truly cannot undertake the great responsibility of being the future main mistress of the Duke's Residence."
No matter what, she still refused to let her second branch daughter marry into the Duke's Residence.
Zhao Changdu lazily curved his lips. "What, is Lady Gu slandering her own granddaughter from the second branch in order to protect the young ladies from the main household?"
Lady Gu pursed her lips, her aged face sinking slightly as she said, "I don't mean to slander Ying. I'm considering this for the Prince's reputation and Ying's future. The Prince wouldn't want to marry Ying and then get laughed at by all the prestigious families in Bianjing afterwards, right?"
Zhao Changdu found it laughable that the old woman could come up with so many tricks against such a good girl.
"Lady Gu is too late. No matter what, I will marry Gu Ying."
"Prince, you—"
"Reputation and such, I've never cared about those things. Once she marries me, I will properly protect her reputation myself. As for Lady Gu's words about engagements and parental arrangements, I've already had people secretly investigate. There are no matchmakers nor gifts exchanged between Gu Ying and Liu Jianren. Lady Gu is not Ying's parent either. Her mother passed away long ago and her father is still at the border. So it can't be said that they are engaged."
Lady Gu felt her entire body turn cold when she heard this. "The Prince investigated the Gu family?"
Zhao Changdu's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, his tone dangerous. "What's wrong, does Lady Gu feel guilty about something and believe the Gu family should not be investigated?"
"Prince!" Lady Gu was also somewhat furious. She had suppressed the second branch for so many years, but recently things were not going as she wished time and time again. She couldn't restrain herself any longer. Her aged face paled and she stood up. "No matter what, the marriage between you and Ying is improper and unsuitable. This old woman does not consent to it!"
Zhao Changdu lazily lifted his gaze, his tone cold. "You have no choice but to consent."
Lady Gu gnashed her teeth in anger. "Does the Prince intend to use force? Aren't you afraid that such things, if spread, would make others laugh till their teeth fall out?"
The instant her words fell, Lady Gu felt a terrible pressure weighing down on her, suffocating her until she couldn't breathe.
She stared fixedly at Zhao Changdu's eyes, her aged hands trembling slightly within her sleeves.
Zhao Changdu paused for a moment, then sneered disdainfully, though his smile did not reach his eyes. "What if I did take her by force? What could Lady Gu do to stop me?"
