Extra Chapter 7
After all his careful planning and effort to finally meet the girl of his dreams, who would have thought she would mistake him for a poor student scamming people on the streets.
At present, Gu Hongbai found himself in quite a predicament.
Concealing the truth was certainly wrong, but if he were to explain the real situation to her, he feared it would ruin the good impression he had built with the Chang family elders.
So...
After much deliberation, Gu Hongbai decided to keep quiet for now.
A few days later, his dormitory mates noticed that the recently peculiar Gu Hongbai, after stopping his fortune-telling business down the mountain, had taken up gathering mushrooms, white fungus, and lingzhi in the mountains.
Puzzled by his behavior and assuming his family had fallen on hard times, they privately collected some money to give to him.
"Though this isn't much, it should help Brother Gu for a while. You were the top scorer in the previous prefectural exam, and with the institutional exam approaching, if you prepare well, you'll surely become a government student. Then you won't have to worry about making a living anymore."
Gu Hongbai: "..."
Touched by their gesture, he politely declined their money and said, "I appreciate everyone's kindness, but I have money. If any of you have spare time, you could help me gather mushrooms and white fungus, and lingzhi would be especially welcome."
Everyone: "???"
A few days later, the East City Chang Manor received another batch of mountain products, including mushrooms, white fungus, and some lingzhi.
These were said to be from the mountains behind Crane Lake Academy, seemingly carrying an scholarly air that made them particularly special.
Needless to say, these were again from that young scholar.
More importantly, he had specifically arranged for these to be delivered to Chang Ruyu, saying it was a small token of gratitude for her kindness.
Chang Ruyu was initially surprised, then amused—
Why was this young scholar busy setting up fortune-telling stalls and gathering mountain products instead of focusing on his studies?
She shook her head and simply had the kitchen store everything, thinking nothing more of it.
However, a few days later, she unexpectedly saw him again on the street.
He was wearing the same cyan straight-collared robe, with his slim figure so different from her father, brothers, and relatives.
This time, Gu Hongbai didn't need to devise any schemes as Chang Ruyu stopped her horse and jumped down to greet him, "Are you fortune-telling again?"
Though his heart was pounding, Gu Hongbai maintained a casual demeanor as if this were a chance encounter, expressing surprise before saying, "Oh, Miss Ruyu, you misunderstand. I'm here to buy clothes today. Since hearing your words last time, I haven't set up my stall again."
He coughed slightly and ventured to ask, "What brings Miss out today?"
Chang Ruyu replied with her usual frankness, "I just visited relatives in the south of the city."
Then she asked, "Were those mushrooms and white fungus from you?"
Gu Hongbai nodded, "Yes, it was a small token of gratitude for Miss's kindness..."
He specifically emphasized, "I gathered them all myself."
But she replied, "Why aren't you focusing on your studies instead of gathering these things? Please don't do this anymore."
Gu Hongbai obediently agreed, then quickly took out a money pouch from his chest and handed it to her, saying, "I've been carrying this with me, hoping to return it when I met you. Now that we've finally met, please take it back. I... actually don't lack money."
Chang Ruyu didn't take it, and after some thought said, "Let's consider this payment for your dried goods. Don't gather anymore in the future; focus on your studies. If you want to repay me, earn a good academic title and bring honor to our Lanling."
With that, she gave a carefree smile and gracefully mounted her horse to leave.
As Gu Hongbai watched her depart, he silently vowed in his heart—
Wait for me, my lady, I will definitely bring honor to you!
In the following days, his dormitory mates noticed that Gu's family crisis seemed to have passed, as he no longer told fortunes or gathered mountain products.
Instead, he threw himself into his studies, rising early and sleeping late, studying by lamplight, nearly to the point of tying his hair to the beam to stay awake and pricking his thigh with an awl to keep from dozing.
His fellow students were relieved and remarked, "At this rate, Brother Gu will surely top the institutional examination."
Gu Hongbai responded confidently, "Thank you for the kind words. If it comes true, I'll treat everyone to a feast!"
Everyone: "...Brother Gu, how many meals have you promised now? Perhaps you should keep a notebook to avoid forgetting?"
Gu Hongbai waved his hand dismissively, "What's a few meals? If I succeed, I'll treat you all for a whole month!"
Everyone applauded his generosity.
But then, a fellow student said, "By the way, have you heard the latest news about the Chang family's martial arts marriage selection?"
Hmm?
Upon hearing this, Gu Hongbai immediately asked, "What's the latest news?"
The student replied, "The Chang family's sons are all exceptionally skilled, and after nearly a month, they still haven't found a suitable candidate. They've injured quite a few people, so Old Master Chang has ended the selection and plans to marry his daughter to his nephew instead."
Nephew?
Gu Hongbai jolted and quickly asked, "What nephew? What does he do?"
The student answered, "Isn't it Zhao Kaihong, the second young master of the South City Zhao Family Escort Agency?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Hongbai froze, suddenly remembering that day when he met Ruyu on the street and she mentioned visiting relatives in the south of the city...
...Could it have been that Zhao fellow's family?
This won't do!
How could Ruyu marry someone else?!!
A few days later, Chang Ruyu received a letter.
Opening it, she found only a short sentence: "I hear that Zhao Kaihong, the second young master of the South City Zhao Family Escort Agency, is a regular patron of the Yihong House's top courtesan. Miss Chang should think carefully."
Chang Ruyu: "???"
To be honest, she had never particularly liked Zhao Kaihong and hadn't even thought about marriage. It was only because the martial arts selection hadn't found a suitable candidate that her father had grown anxious and turned his attention to the Zhao family.
Her father thought the Zhao family was good enough since they were distant relatives and they knew each other well, but she had grown up with Zhao Kaihong and had always disapproved of his arrogant behavior.
If what this letter said was true, she would have a reason to refuse...
However... who had written this letter?
Chang Ruyu examined the letter carefully again, noting that the handwriting was as beautiful as iron paintings and silver hooks.
...Hmm, among all her family's relatives, few could write so beautifully...
She suddenly thought of someone.
Could it be... that young scholar?
With this question in mind, Chang Ruyu visited Crane Lake Academy for the first time.
After sending word, she soon met the young scholar.
She noticed that he seemed to have grown even thinner since she last saw him.
She wondered if he had no money for food again and had grown thin from hunger.
At that moment, the young scholar bowed to her and said, "It's my great honor that Miss Chang has come here."
Hmm? Chang Ruyu thought, he doesn't seem surprised that I've come to find him?
So she got straight to the point, "I have something to ask you. A few days ago, I received a letter saying Zhao Kaihong is involved with the top courtesan at Yihong House. Did you write it?"
To be honest, Chang Ruyu wasn't entirely sure about this.
She just felt that among all the people she knew, only he could produce such beautiful handwriting.
And if it wasn't him, she wouldn't have suspected anyone.
However, to her surprise, he immediately admitted without any hesitation, "Yes."
Chang Ruyu paused.
After a moment, she asked, "Then do you know that spreading gossip behind others' backs is not what a gentleman would do?"
He nodded again very frankly and said, "I do."
Chang Ruyu raised an eyebrow, "Then why did you write it?"
He replied, "When I was setting up my stall on the street, I heard about this person's character. Then a few days ago, I heard your father intended to take him as a son-in-law... I simply couldn't bear to see such a person become your husband, so I resorted to this ungentlemanly act."
At these words, Chang Ruyu was stunned.
After another moment, she thought to ask, "Why can't you bear to see him become my husband? What does my marriage... have to do with you?"
But he replied, "Because there is someone in this world who truly loves you."
As the words fell, Chang Ruyu blushed for the first time in her life and stammered, "W-what are you saying?"
Gu Hongbai coughed lightly and said, "A gentleman should not speak improperly, so there are some things I dare not say rashly. However, I hope miss understands that besides your family, if there's anyone who most wishes for your happiness, it would certainly be me."
Chang Ruyu was stunned.
Her mind went blank for a long while, forgetting what she wanted to say...
A few days later, people in the city heard news that the pending marriage arrangement between East City Chang Manor and South City Zhao Family Escort Agency had suddenly been called off.
As for the reason, few knew, but many began to gossip about the Chang family's daughter Ruyu.
Some said that the young lady was usually too flamboyant and skilled in martial arts, making ordinary men hesitant to marry her.
Others said that the Chang family's martial arts marriage competition conditions were too harsh, which was why they couldn't find a husband for their daughter in a month. Now that things fell through with the Zhao family, perhaps ordinary men would be too afraid to marry her.
The blame fell on Master Chang – why did he let his daughter learn martial arts? If she had no such skills, she might have been married off long ago.
Now what? Would this beautiful flower of a lady end up unmarriageable?
Of course, Chang Ruyu paid no mind to these comments, continuing to ride horses in fine clothes, remaining bright and passionate as ever.
Actually, after the Zhao family incident, there were still suitors who came to propose, but she showed little interest in any of them.
As for the reason...
She couldn't quite explain it herself, but somehow, that young scholar's image kept appearing in her mind.
Tsk, what was happening to her?
Fortunately, after a few more days, new news spread through the city—
This year's provincial examination's top scholar came from Crane Lake Academy.
This joyous news spread quickly, and soon everyone in Lanling City knew about it.
Chang Ruyu naturally heard about it too.
While feeling proud, she secretly wondered if that top scholar might be that young scholar.
When she returned home, she heard her parents discussing this matter, and her mother specifically remarked to her, "What a coincidence, it turns out the top scholar who brought glory to our Lanling is that young scholar you saved on the street, what was his name again..."
"Gu Hongbai."
Her father deliberately cleared his throat and said, "That's a good name, sounds scholarly."
But Chang Ruyu was stunned.
It was really him?
He passed the examination?
After her initial shock, a hint of joy unconsciously crept onto her lips, impossible to suppress.
A few days later, the Chang Manor received unexpected visitors.
Master Chang looked at the name card and realized it was the Distinguished Scholar Gu from the west city, coming to visit with his son.
Scholar Gu had a high reputation locally, and Master Chang, surprised, quickly ordered servants to welcome them into the house.
When they met, before Master Chang could speak, Scholar Gu took the initiative and said, "I only recently learned that your daughter Miss Ruyu once saved my unworthy son. I've come rather late to pay my respects, which was quite discourteous. I hope your family can forgive us."
What?
Ruyu had saved Scholar Gu's son?
The Chang family was stunned and quickly looked at the young man beside Scholar Gu, only to realize he was the young scholar who had visited before – the one who had just won top honors in the provincial examination, Gu Hongbai.
Chang Ruyu, in particular, was completely stunned.
How was it him?
Her eyes remained fixed on him in surprise, momentarily forgetting proper etiquette.
Meanwhile, the adults continued their polite exchange.
Master Chang said, "Actually, your son had already come to thank us personally before, but we didn't know then that he was your son. We were quite negligent, and we hope you can forgive us."
Scholar Gu quickly smiled and said, "That was only proper of him, you're too kind..."
He coughed and continued, "Speaking of which, I've brought my son here today for another matter."
The Chang family master hurriedly asked, "Please, do tell."
Then he heard the other party say, "We can never repay your daughter's great kindness, so I would like to formally propose marriage on behalf of my son, hoping to join our two families."
As the words fell, Chang Ruyu was stunned.
She blushed for the second time in her life.
On their wedding night, the red candles burned bright.
After bidding farewell to relatives and friends at the banquet, Gu Hongbai came alone to the bridal chamber.
The moment he opened the door, he saw his dream girl sitting on the edge of the bed in her red wedding dress, waiting for him.
He tried to suppress his excitement, closed the door, and walked quickly to the bedside.
Then he quietly cleared his throat and called out in his most pleasant voice, "Wife."
As his words fell, the bride at the bedside looked up at him, but before responding, she said, "There's something I need to ask you."
"Since you were the son of a distinguished scholar, why were you setting up a fortune-telling stall on the street that day?"
Gu Hongbai: "..."
Tsk, he'd thought she'd forgotten about that.
What should he do now?
Would he be able to sleep tonight?
