SGEIRS -Chapter 163 Accepting Reality

Old Madam Gu took a deep breath and said in a calm tone, “What else can be done? Xuanyi went boating with the Heir of Count Wu’an and fell into the water. He rescued her, and acquaintances saw it happen. News like this is bound to spread. If Xuanyi doesn’t marry him, should she shave her head and become a nun?”

Madam Zhang froze, her heart aching. She had already been troubled by the many messy affairs in the Wu’an Count’s household, worried that her daughter would suffer after marrying into such a family. Now she realized that her daughter was probably not the Wu’an Madam’s first choice for a daughter-in-law, but merely a backup. This made her even more furious and distressed.

She murmured, “Mother, with Xuanyi’s temperament, she won’t be able to cope after marrying in. She’ll suffer.”

Seeing Madam Zhang kneeling on the ground, looking worried and helpless, Old Madam Gu sighed softly. The matter was already settled—what else could be done?

After a moment, she said gently, “Get up first. Sit down and let’s talk.”

Madam Zhang responded softly, stood up, and sat in the lower seat.

Old Madam Gu continued, “Then find her a steady and capable accompanying nanny to guide her. As long as she listens to advice, she can suffer less. Besides, one learns from hardship. After suffering a few losses, she’ll eventually become wiser.”

Madam Zhang nodded lightly. “Your daughter-in-law understands.”

Old Madam Gu glanced at her and sighed. “People must pay for their willfulness. She didn’t listen to her elders and secretly associated with the heir of Wu’an, causing this mess. Fortunately, Xuanling’s marriage is already settled, or she would have been affected too. Since this is the marriage Xuanyi wanted, when the Wu’an household comes to propose, agree to it. There’s no other choice.”

Madam Zhang answered again. Forced to accept reality, her feelings were complicated and hard to describe. She had always wanted her daughter to marry well, into a good family, in a dignified and glorious way. Now, although the heir of Wu’an had good family background, his household was full of internal strife and open and hidden conflicts.

After that, Old Madam Gu gave more instructions.

However, Madam Zhang, worried about her daughter’s future, was absent-minded and probably did not take in much of it.

After Madam Zhang left, Old Madam Gu let out a long sigh and said helplessly, “Man proposes, but Heaven disposes. I wanted Xuanyi to marry into a simple family with fewer complications. Who would have thought she’d end up choosing such a complex one?”

Nanny Feng replied, “Old Madam, this is probably fate. What is destined cannot be avoided.”

Weirui Pavilion

When Gu Jingxi saw his wife return looking grave and distracted, sitting quietly with a listless expression, he asked, “Madam, what happened?”

Meng Jinyao looked at him and asked back, “Such a big matter, and you haven’t heard about it?”

Gu Jingxi was confused. “What matter?”

Seeing that he truly knew nothing—probably having stayed in his study all day—she briefly explained what had happened.

After listening, Gu Jingxi frowned. He had heard something about the dirty affairs of the Wu’an household. Though they tried to hide them, internal power struggles were well known. His eldest sister-in-law was usually muddleheaded, and in this case, she had indeed harmed Xuanyi.

Meng Jinyao sighed helplessly. “I saw Xuanyi boating with the heir this morning. If I had stopped her and brought her home then, this wouldn’t have happened in the afternoon.”

Although she disliked Xuanyi’s arrogant temperament, they had no personal grudges. As a fellow woman, she did not wish for her to fall into a pit of misery.

Gu Jingxi said calmly, “Sometimes, personality determines fate. Part of it is the parents’ upbringing, part of it is nature. If it were Xuanling, once Second Sister-in-law said no, she would never dare to meet a man in private.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement. If it were Xuanling, she definitely wouldn’t have dared. Xuanling was always obedient and never acted out of line.

“But Sister-in-law has been completely distraught over this,” Meng Jinyao added.

Gu Jingxi showed no sympathy and said indifferently, “She failed in teaching her daughter and let vanity guide her into agreeing with the Wu’an Madam about letting Xuanyi meet the heir. Now this happened—who is to blame? Instead of wallowing in sorrow, she should spend more time teaching her daughter to be smarter, so she won’t suffer after marriage.”

Meng Jinyao had no rebuttal.

Indeed, a mother greatly influences her daughter. Now that things were settled, only two paths remained: either accept the proposal from the Wu’an household, or shave her head and become a nun. Otherwise, what respectable family would marry Xuanyi?

Marrying into a lower-status family was possible, especially if she married far away. But with her reputation damaged, she would likely be despised by her in-laws. They might tolerate her for a while, but once they rose in status, she would probably lose favor. Being used as a stepping stone like that was worse than marrying the heir of Wu’an—at least that was Xuanyi’s own choice. As for the future, it would depend on her fate.

The second branch also soon learned of the matter.

The family of four had been chatting happily when a maid suddenly came to report the news. All were shocked.

Compared to her uninformed husband and son, Madam Chen was even more astonished. Previously, Madam Zhang had already given up on the idea of marrying into the Wu’an household, yet now the two youngsters had been meeting in private.

After such an incident, whether the two families wished it or not, the marriage would have to happen. If the Wu’an household did not come to propose, it would be a slap in the face of the Changxing Marquis’s residence and would create enmity. Xuanyi could now only marry the heir of Wu’an.

Madam Chen turned to look at her well-behaved concubine-born daughter and admonished her, “Xuanling, disobeying your parents leads to the kind of outcome your elder sister has now. Don’t think she has found a good match. Only after she marries in will she know whether that household is truly good. You can’t judge by appearances.”

Gu Xuanling nodded quickly. “Daughter understands.”

Seeing her obedience, Madam Chen nodded in satisfaction. “Now that you’re engaged, stay at home and prepare for marriage. Don’t run around like your elder sister and cause trouble. Don’t blame me for arranging the Liu family for you. When you and your sister are both married, you’ll understand my good intentions.”

Gu Xuanling replied hurriedly, “Mother, I’m quite satisfied with this marriage. Young Master Liu is very good.”

This was sincere. Young Master Liu was handsome, gentle, diligent, and studious. Madam Liu was mild-tempered, and Lord Liu was said to be an easygoing elder. She was truly content with this match.