Chapter 141 Upcoming Marriage

There hadn’t been such a hustle and bustle in the Prime Minister Mansion for long. Guests were being here with their congratulations even earlier than Gu Qiang herself.

She slowly walked towards the Prime Minister Mansion, deep in thought. How many visitors would show up? How many new acquaintances? Who would propose a toast to her, and how much she should drink tonight?

Generally, the number of presents guests presented on important occasions reflected the status of the family. Today, people were flooding into the Gu Family, which told Gu Qiang that the seemingly teetering Gu Family was still a force that couldn’t be reckoned with in the capital.

This suddenly reminded her of the Su Family.

Actually, the Gu Family was now no different from the Su Family; Although it seemed thriving and powerful on the surface, it was collapsing at a shocking speed inside. Some people knew this, some didn’t, and some only pretended that they did not know it.

Seeing Gu Qiang’s arrival, the servant quickly came forward to greet her with a big smile and a respectful courtesy, “My lady, you are finally back. His lordship is waiting for you in the study, you’d better go now.”

The study was located in the southeast of the garden as this place was bestowed with geometric omens. He could have sharp minds and quick thoughts here, as said by Gu Zhizhang.

In fact, it was because there was a stream flowing by in front of the study. With the creek gurgling and cool wind breezing, of course, one would feel refreshed all the time.

Hearing the door squeaked open, Gu Zhizhang put down the brush in his hand and found it was Gu Qiang at the door.

“You are here,” said Gu Zhizhang as he turned back to his paper, pretending he was busy writing something.

Gu Qiang let out a grim smile. Why was this man still pretending? He must be completely mad at her so why didn’t he just speak out his mind? Come on, she came here fully prepared and wouldn’t care what harsh words he would throw at her.

“Why are you asking me to here, father?” asked Gu Qiang, helping herself into a seat with a cup of tea. In Prime Minister Mansion, the best tea leaves were only served in the study. But Gu Qiang had never been a tea specialist, she would do as long as they were tasty.

Failing to keep his pretense, Gu Zhizhang put down his brush again and helped himself into the chair behind the desk. “Qiang, is it your idea to marry the Ninth Duke? Do you know what kind of situation you put me in? How can I face that young master from the Ye Family?” said the Prime Minister in a low voice after an enormous sigh.

Gu Qiang responded with a burst of laughter. Prime Minister Gu had never seen her laugh like this, but he knew it was not hearty. After all, she had never had a happy time in this family.

But things wouldn’t always happen as one wished; even he as Prime Minister was not enjoying himself all the time. Therefore, Gu Qiang had no reason to hurt her family just because she was not having her day.

“It was never my idea to marry Ye Mu, so why should I be the one to apologize? Wasn’t it done by you and Ye?” said Gu Qiang, amused. They decided on her marriage without asking her opinion, and found it awkward in front of Ye Mu as the Emperor betrothed her to the Ninth Duke? Then why did they do it in the first place?

Shouldn’t the Prime Minister be a forward-looker? Gu Qiang found everything quite laughable.

Caring only for himself and his reputation, Gu Zhizhang had never considered for those whose fates were in his hands.

“Do you know why we need to unite other families through marriages? I know you’ve lost your memories, but you are still a member of our family and should be on our side, right? After all, it is us who brought you up,” said Gu Zhizhang.

Gu Qiang sneered. Fortunately, she had lost her memory and didn’t know anything about her childhood, or she would have believed his words.

If everyone were allowed to be selfish, Gu Qiang would rather think for herself than for the Prime Minister.

“But I am also your daughter. Have you ever thought about what I want? I have been woken up for days, but have you ever asked me about what kind of man I like? What kind of life do I want to live? Have I got any better with my health? Or what am I doing usually? No, you haven’t! You gave me nothing! So in which position could you ask me to pay you back?” said Gu Qiang.

Soft and gentle, her voice was no longer fierce and tough like it had been when she came home and quarreled with her father before. Back then, people around even wondered whether they were enemies in their previous life.

As she had expected, her softened attitude stunned Prime Minister Gu, who couldn’t find his words until after a long while, “You are my daughter, you at least need to fulfill your filial duties, right?”

Gu Qiang raised her eyes, slowly swirled the teacup in her hand, and smiled, “Father, may I ask you a question? Is fulling filial duties conflicting with a good marriage? Or it is simply because you want to demonstrate your power by forcing me to marry the man you choose despite my opinions?”

After she finished her words, Prime Minister Gu fell into silence. Sensing the great awkwardness filling in the study, Gu Qiang stood up and continued, “Father, sometimes, it is not difficult to accept the reality, nor need you to feel embarrassed as things are usually not as complicated as you think. Anyway, I still hope to have your blessings.”

Walking out of the study, Gu Qiang saw many tables were set up in the backyard, and they were obviously for another banquet. She sneered again. The Gu Family really liked holding banquets, which were nothing but a social occasion for officials to know each other. Was Ye really enjoying it? Or was she simply doing it out of vanity?

Soon, the hall was filled with guests.

Behind a folding screen, there was a faint fragrance coming out. The moment when Gu Qiang took her seat, a clean-dressed girl walked over and whispered to her, “Princess Changning wants to talk with you inside.”

She was Princess Changning’s lady-in-waiting, delicate and pretty. But Gu Qiang was still annoyed by her tone as it was neither humble nor pushy and even had a note of disrespect in it.

But in her heart, she knew that she was never the same as Princess Changning, who was born an Infanta while her title was only conferred by the Emperor.

The folding screen was a vivid depiction of the beautiful winding rivers and lofty mountains of the country, grand and magnificent, like the woman from the imperial family, who was always glowing no matter how torrents were surging in her heart.

A man who kept his countenance always worth admiring.

Behind the screen, Changning put down the fruit on the desk, her fingers were long and slim, and her face was calm. She seemed to have had suppressed all that was raging in her heart when she looked up at Gu Qiang. “Luoping, congratulations,” she said quietly.

Gu Qiang kneeled on the floor; although she was an Infanta, she needed to show her respect to the elder sister of the Emperor, as she was the senior.

“Get up. I was wondering when you and Qianshan would make the decision, and then you did it, much earlier than I thought. Quite straightforward.” Hearing her finish the words, the lady-in-waiting got out something from her back, and then Gu Qiang noticed that many maids were standing in a line behind Changning, each with a tray in her hands.

“As we are close sisters, I should have given you these gifts in front of all the guests. However, it suddenly occurred to me that it might make you the target for those ill-intentioned people, as you have always been clean-handed. So I’ve changed my mind and decided to do it in private, just wishing you to enjoy forever happiness and ignore that vanity,” said Changning, remaining still.

Clean-handed?

Gu Qiang’s eyes flickered, and her mouth tightened a bit. Had the Princess found out that she, Infanta Luoping, was greatly impoverished? That’s so embarrassing! She might have been the only person in the capital who was able to be cool and collected even in such a bankrupt situation.

Appreciating Changning’s kindness, she had thought Changning was only good to her out of goodwill or sympathy. Who would have known that there was more to it? Yet she forgot them all.

Ziyan stepped forward and waved her hand as well. There were also many maids waiting behind her, holding gifts for Gu Qiang. With much higher positions, these two women were very generous with their blessings.

“You are finally marrying my brother, Luoping! I think I should be the one to take most of the credits!” said Ziyan, laughing; not like Changning, she was very straightforward.

Changning turned to look at her sister, smiling to herself. Everyone in the capital thought Ziyan adored Shen Qianshan, and it was true. But for a young girl like Ziyan, the love for someone was only shallowly planted and could be easily blown away. Like the appreciation of a beautiful flower, once the flower withered, her love for it would die away.

“Had I not withdrawn from the competition, Brother Qianshan would definitely prefer me as I am the prettier one! But still, congratulations! Take these as dowery, but in return, I want you to give me a tour in the yard,” said Ziyan, as innocent as ever.

Although Gu Qiang had forgotten how she came along with these two ladies, she admired her old self for securing such bosom friendships. It indeed felt good when you had two high positioned friends like them to keep up the appearance.

Quickly getting back on her feet, Gu Qiang bid another curtesy to Changning, preparing to leave with Ziyan for the tour. But Changning spoke again, and her voice was low, “Luoping, your brother asked me to send you a word.”