Qin? Cousin?" She hurriedly went up to greet Gu Boyan and was pleasantly surprised to pull Qin's hand, "How did you get here?"
Qin was an upbeat person. She said directly in front of Gu Boyan, "Naturally, I heard that the Crown Prince went into the palace to ask for marriage. This is really--"
"Auntie," Gu Ying bent her eyes and smiled, interrupting Qin, "Why don't you go sit in my yard? I have the finest Bi Luo Chun tea left by my mother there. Let me make a pot with my own hands for my auntie and cousin, okay?"
Gu Boyan reacted and smiled embarrassedly at Ye Qingchi, "Thank you for showing me the way, sir. Now my niece and I have a few personal words to say, so I won't keep you here."
Ye Qingchi smiled awkwardly. He had wanted to get along well with Ye Qingfei and Qin to pave the way for his official career, but thinking of what the Gu family had done to the Ye family back then, he really had no face to stay any longer. So he could only put on the appearance of an elder and exhorted, "Ying, you must take good care of Madam Qin and Master Ye, don't lose face for the Gu family."
Gu Ying chuckled and nodded, "Don't worry, uncle."
After all, they were her relatives. How could she not treat them well?
This uncle was too self-important.
Seeing Gu Boyan leave, Gu Ying happily pulled Qin back to Musui Studio.
Yin Lan and Yanzhi went to make tea.
Ye Qingchi looked around Gu Ying's boudoir and twitched his lips. "Does Ying live in such a small courtyard?"
The courtyard Ye had left for Gu Ying in Qinghe Garden was three times the size of Musui Studio, and was specially located closest to Qin for her convenience. It was a pity that Gu Ying hadn't been to the Ye house these past few years, so the yard was just left empty.
Gu Ying said with a smile, "Cousin, it's okay. I'm used to it. It's secluded here and I really like it. Being able to be alone without competing with others is an extremely good place."
"You have a lot of thoughts at such a young age."
Ye Qingchi stroked his nose. Dressed in blue today, with a layer of gray fur on his collar, his features looked even more elegant.
The child of an aristocratic family over hundreds of years naturally had an elegant demeanor.
As he looked at his little cousin, he vaguely saw a few red marks on her neck and frowned.
But the candid Qin didn't notice it. She continued what she had not finished saying, her face full of surprise, "Is it true that the Crown Prince wants to marry you?"
"Yes." Gu Ying chuckled. She had already given herself to Zhao Changdu, so of course she could only marry him first now...
Qin was also emotional for a moment, thinking back and forth, still feeling inappropriate, "The Crown Prince looks difficult to get close to, fierce and cold. You may not be able to have a good life after marrying him. Ying, you might as well just marry into my Ye family directly. I'll be your mother-in-law and take good care of you when you get pregnant and have children. I'll bring up the children well for you without you lifting a finger. I'll treat you like my own daughter and dote on you. That would be better."
Qin's words were too bold.
"Auntie!" Gu Ying didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she heard this.
Ye Qingchi's face also turned red with anger. "What is Mother talking about? Ying is Auntie's daughter. I am her brother! How could I take her as my wife...? If Grandfather hears of this, Father will definitely not get away with it!"
"What's wrong with cousin marrying cousin when you two don't have the same surname? My Achi is also handsome and good-looking, eight feet tall, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, just pleasing to you girls' eyes." Qin made great efforts to recommend her son, looking very serious, "Ying, I really don't feel assured handing you over to that little fox Zhao Changdu."
The Zhao family's generations of male foxes were famously licentious in Bianjing and even Dong Li. The Zhao family ancestors had spared no effort indulging in beauty. After generations of hard work by their descendants, the Zhao children grew more and more good-looking.
When the Duke Zhao was young, he attracted bees and butterflies wherever he went. Two years into his marriage, his principal wife still hadn't given birth to his eldest son, while a concubine brought from outside had given birth to a son ahead of her.
This matter had been criticised by others.
However, considering that the Zhao men were quite good-looking, and fearing the power of the Duke's mansion, no one said much about it.
Ye Qingchi didn't speak, just looked at Gu Ying.
Although his mother's words were absurd, if Ying really couldn't marry into a good family, he would be willing to marry her.
For him, once he had decided on someone, it was for life.
She was originally his auntie's daughter. Adding an in-law relationship between their two families was a good thing. If he was determined to marry her, he would definitely cherish, love and pamper her all his life, just as his father treated his mother.
Gu Ying chuckled and looked at Qin, then at Ye Qingchi. She said seriously, "Auntie, don't get me wrong. He... he's been really good to me. You and cousin know about him petitioning to marry me, right? Although I don't have a good reputation, he didn't think to wrong me."
This was a rejection.
Qin pursed her lips. Hearing about Zhao Changdu's petition, she was also very shocked. Otherwise she wouldn't have rushed over to the Gu residence.
"Ying, have you really decided?"
Gu Ying nodded, "I've decided."
Qin was silent for a while, quickly sorting out the relationships between the families in her mind.
She struggled for a long time. These powers were secondary. "His love is right under his nose. Do you not mind?"
Gu Ying smiled slightly, "I don't mind. I believe he has let go of the past."
With nothing more to say, Qin's character was like this. Once she figured it out, she would only move forward, never hesitating.
She laughed, "Since you've decided, Auntie will fully support you! Just marry into the Zhao family. In the future, if that Zhao Changdu dares to betray you, your uncle can make him suffer with just a few words. Even if I have to risk my old life, I won't let him get away with it. Oh yes, Auntie will prepare your dowry over the next few days, and your wedding dress, you have to embroider it yourself, right? Your grandmother and aunt definitely won't put their heart into it, so it's better to leave this to Auntie."
Gu Ying pursed her lips, seemingly lost in thought.
"Ying, don't be scared by my mother. She is just enthusiastic and eager to participate in your wedding." Ye Qingchi was worried Gu Ying would be repulsed by his mother meddling too much. He said with a smile, "You know our Ye family doesn't have any girls. You're the only one, of course you'll be doted on to heaven."
Qin also realised her mistake and said awkwardly, "That's right, I've always wanted a daughter, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. You're the only girl in our Ye family. I got too excited about your wedding. Don't reject your auntie, okay? Your auntie has no other way to help you."
Gu Ying held Qin's hand, her mouth curving up slightly, "Auntie, you misunderstood. I... I was just thinking, on my wedding day, I want to wear the bridal costume my mother wore when she got married..."
