SGEIRS -Chapter 607 Marriage Settled

Half a month later.

Madam Zhao visited the Changxing Marquis Manor again, bringing news of the progress with the Guo family to Meng Jinyao.

Meng Chengzhang had met Miss Guo once. He was impressed by her elegant demeanor and polished manners. However, Miss Guo did not take a liking to him; she dismissed him as a feeble, bookish scholar with no strength to speak of.

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao was only momentarily surprised—she wasn’t truly shocked. To outsiders, it seemed that Miss Guo should have accepted the match, after all, Meng Chengzhang, as the newly minted third-place graduate, had a limitless future. But Jinyao knew Miss Guo’s character well enough: she was a woman of both literary and martial talents. Had she been a man, she would surely have inherited General Guo’s legacy. It was just a pity she was a girl.

Madam Zhao sighed lightly. “Jinyao, I thought this marriage was practically a done deal. I never expected Miss Guo wouldn’t favor Chengzhang.”

Jinyao replied, “Actually, I had thought about arranging them before the provincial exam, but then I decided it would be better to wait until my second brother had succeeded in the exam before proposing. Mother, don’t think that because the Guo family has no male heirs left, they are weak or lacking support. Miss Guo is an outstanding young lady. Just because she seems gentle and lovely doesn’t mean she’s weak. She excels in both civil and martial skills. I simply admired her talent and character, which is why I wanted her to become my Second Sister-in-law.”

She finished speaking, letting out a regretful sigh.

Madam Zhao said, “Jinyao, perhaps there’s still a chance.”

Jinyao looked surprised. “Mother, what do you mean?”

Madam Zhao smiled. “I think Chengzhang truly has feelings for Miss Guo. Although being rejected initially discouraged him, he quickly regained his courage and began to pursue her.”

Hearing this, Jinyao was even more astonished. Her younger brother was shy—he would blush even at the mention of marriage—yet now he was actively pursuing a girl?

Madam Zhao glanced at her and continued, “Miss Guo looked down on him because he was a feeble, bookish scholar. So he went to her in person, asking to become her disciple so she could teach him martial arts. Miss Guo naturally refused, but the boy was sincere. He waited outside the Guo family residence for an entire day and night, which eventually softened her heart, and she agreed to take him as a student. They’re both at the age when feelings first awaken. Now that they’re teacher and disciple, they will meet often. Perhaps Chengzhang truly can win Miss Guo’s heart.”

Jinyao thought this had potential and said, “Then there’s no need to rush my second brother’s marriage. Let them spend some time together. If his marriage isn’t settled in a few months, Mother, you can start preparing for our third sister’s marriage instead. There’s no need to wait until my second brother marries. Our third sister is a young lady; her marriage cannot be delayed.”

Madam Zhao smiled and agreed. She was in high spirits. Her daughter had been betrothed to the eldest son of the Ministry of Rites, and her stepson had just secured third place in the provincial exam. Her good days had finally arrived. As for her husband, she could simply ignore him—he lost arguments, lost fights, and if he didn’t listen, she could just beat him into submission, just like last time.

Meng Chengzhang’s marriage hadn’t been finalized yet. Gu Xiuwen’s marriage was still under consideration. But Gu Xuanyi’s marriage had already been arranged—without her knowledge—decided firmly by Madam Zhang.

Gu Xuanyi learned about it when she returned from outside and passed by the rear garden, only to be confronted by Madam Zhang. She scolded her, “Look at you—no longer a child, yet still so playful, always out and about. From today onward, you will stay home and embroider your wedding clothes, preparing for marriage. Otherwise, when you go to your in-laws in a few months, they’ll find fault with you.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanyi froze, staring at Madam Zhang in shock. “M-Mother, what did you just say?”

Madam Zhang looked at her seriously. “You’re no longer young. Look at your friends—they are already mothers. If you delay any longer, you’ll become an old maid. Then who will want to marry you?”

“So…?”

Gu Xuanyi’s voice choked as tears streamed down her face. She had thought that by refusing marriage firmly, her mother wouldn’t have any power over her. But now it seemed the marriage had already been arranged—without her knowledge.

Seeing her daughter in tears, Madam Zhang felt uneasy and continued, “Xuanyi, don’t blame your mother. I’m doing this for your own good. A young gentleman came to propose today. He is handsome, talented, and promising. If you miss this opportunity, you may never meet such a fine man again. That’s why I didn’t consult you before accepting the match.”

Gu Xuanyi angrily questioned, “You just disregarded my wishes and casually betrothed me to someone, claiming it’s for my own good? What if I don’t like this young man? Have you thought about that?”

Madam Zhang was unconcerned. “How could you not like him? Didn’t you say you liked younger men? This young gentleman is younger than you and quite handsome. He meets all your criteria.”

Gu Xuanyi blinked in confusion.

Those had only been her excuses to avoid marriage, and now they had become her supposed criteria for choosing a spouse?

Madam Zhang took out a handkerchief to wipe her daughter’s tears and said gently, “Don’t worry. I won’t harm you. Young Master Wang is three years younger than you, a newly minted graduate of this year’s imperial exam, and has known you since childhood. You grew up together, truly understanding each other.”

A childhood friend from the Wang family?

Gu Xuanyi was bewildered. Tears lingered in her eyes as she stammered, “Which Master Wang?”

Madam Zhang replied, “Wang Xushi’s son, Wang Xuzhi. His sister is your close friend. This boy is outstanding; he placed ninth in the second division of this year’s spring exam. His future is limitless. I’ve seen him many times before. Had he not come today with his parents to propose, I wouldn’t have believed he actually has feelings for you.”

Wang Xuzhi?!

Gu Xuanyi was dumbfounded. Her mind was buzzing. Last year during the autumn exam, she had seen Wang Xuzhi outside the examination hall. Several years apart had transformed the chubby boy she remembered into a completely different young man. Later, her friend, Wang Xuzhi’s sister Wang Yingqiu, had remarked, “Your younger brother is really handsome now, even prettier than some girls. I wonder which girl will be lucky enough to marry him.”

She had also encountered Wang Xuzhi a few more times, but he had never shown interest in her.

And now, the boy who used to sweetly call her “Sister Xuanyi” suddenly asked to marry her? It was almost unbelievable. She half suspected he had been bewitched.

Madam Zhang shot her a reproachful look. “What’s the matter? Are you too happy to think straight? This young Master Wang perfectly fits your marriage criteria—he’s younger, handsome, talented, from an official family, and his household is uncomplicated, free from intrigue.”

Gu Xuanyi gazed at her mother deeply, then turned and ran outside.

Madam Zhang was puzzled and asked, “Xuanyi, you just got back. Where are you going?” She then instructed her maid, “Follow your eldest daughter quickly.”

Gu Xuanyi ignored her mother and the maid, summoned a coachman, and hurriedly left the residence for the Wang family.

By evening, Gu Xuanyi returned. No one knew what she had discussed with Wang Xuzhi, but she no longer resisted the marriage.