199 Decision
A hint of hesitation flashed across Madam Gu’s face. She stroked the fur on her sleeves and continued walking towards the carriage without stopping.
After she finished talking to Madam Murong in the green gauze cabinet, she heard from the Murong family’s housekeeper that Gu Yunzhen and Gu Yanfei had gone to the gate together.
Therefore, Madam Gu did not stay any longer and directly bade farewell.
Madam Murong did not force her to stay. She only instructed the housekeeper to send Madam Gu off.
The housekeeper wanted to redeem herself and was extremely polite. She sent Madam Gu straight to the black carriages in front and did not leave.
The Gu family’s two carriages drove out of the alley where the Murong family was and embarked on their return journey.
At noon, Gu Yanfei and Gu Yunzhen alighted from the carriage at the Gu family’s gate.
Madam Wang heard the news and rushed over at this moment. She said with a smile, “Mother, thank you for making the trip.”
She walked over briskly and affectionately supported Madam Gu’s arm. “How’s Old Madam Murong’s condition?”
Gu Jian’s reminder sounded in Madam Wang’s ear. This marriage was beneficial to the Marquis Household, so nothing must go wrong.
Madam Wang was asking Madam Gu, but Madam Gu looked at Gu Yanfei and gently called out, “Yanfei, what do you think?”
Madam Gu’s gaze was like a torch on Gu Yanfei’s face.
“The dead can’t be revived. Everything is predestined,” Gu Yanfei said casually as she rubbed the pumpkin-shaped hand stove between her fingers.
It was just a few words, but it seemed unfathomable.
There was silence for a moment.
Madam Gu’s graceful face darkened visibly, and the corners of her eyes twitched.
This girl was deliberately being mysterious again!
Madam Gu had something on her mind and could not be bothered to say anything to Gu Yanfei. She casually said, “Go back.”
She turned to Gu Yunzhen and said, “Zhen’er, follow me to the Benevolent Harmony Hall.”
Gu Yanfei turned around and saw a yellow, white, and black figure flash past. The calico cat, which had run out of nowhere, jumped down from the top of the carriage and stopped steadily on her shoulder. It meowed and began to question where she had carried the cat to play again.
Madam Gu also heard the meowing of the cat. Her heart thumped uncomfortably, and her brows furrowed.
Even when she sat down in the Benevolent Harmony Hall, she was still frowning.
The irrelevant people in the east room had all been dismissed. The rest of them sat side by side on the kang bed. Madam Wang sat at the bottom, leaving Granny Li alone in the room to serve them.
Madam Gu took two sips of tea. After she recovered, she pulled herself together and started talking. “Zhen’er, I’ve heard about the garden.”
She patted Gu Yunzhen’s hand comfortingly and said in a gentle and loving tone, “Madam Murong has already told me that she’s a cousin. After the new year, she’ll give her a secondary dowry and marry her off.”
Gu Yunzhen lowered her eyes and looked at Madam Gu’s well-maintained hands.
Although she was old, her hands were still fair and delicate. There was a string of rosewood prayer beads wrapped around her hand. When she patted the back of Gu Yunzhen’s hand, the beads were actually a little jarring, leaving a small red mark on the girl’s tender skin.
Madam Gu patted Gu Yunzhen with her hand that was wrapped around the prayer beads and advised her earnestly, “You, don’t always go crazy with Gu Yanfei. She has no parents, and her future is unpredictable. She doesn’t have any worries, but you’re different. You have a bright future. Just focus on living a good life, why do you have to be stubborn and hurt yourself?!”
“Madam Murong thinks very highly of you. She also said a lot of good things about you to me today…”
“…”
Madam Gu talked non-stop. Every time she thought of the chaos in the residence after Gu Yanfei returned, she felt extremely vexed.
Gu Yunzhen leaned against Madam Gu’s arm and sat upright on the bed. Her figure was as elegant as an orchid, and she looked dignified and virtuous.
Although Madam Wang did not know what had happened in the Murong Manor, she could roughly guess from Madam’s words. To put it bluntly, it was not uncommon in the various manors for cousins to be couples.
Madam Wang also advised Gu Yunzhen, “Zhen’er, such a good marriage is hard to come by. Your grandmother won’t harm you.”
Gu Yunzhen did not react at all. She sat motionless, her eyes half lowered, her lips pursed, and she did not say a word.
Looking at Gu Yunzhen’s sullen appearance, Madam Gu felt a little angry. The corners of her eyes twitched slightly as she thought to herself, ‘This girl’s personality is just not as likable as Rong’er’s.’
She stroked the red sandalwood prayer beads in her hand and said in the high and mighty tone of an elder, “I’ve already agreed to Madam Murong’s request just now. The marriage is set to be before the new year.”
“…” Gu Yunzhen finally reacted. She looked up at Madam Gu.
It was already the 27th of December, and there were less than four days until the new year.
Even Madam Wang was shocked. This was too rushed. She was afraid that she would not even have time to prepare the dowry.
However, Gu Yunzhen would marry sooner or later, just a few days in advance.
“Zhen’er, I’m doing this for your own good.” There was a hint of impatience in Madam Gu’s eyes, but her face was still kind. The silver inlay on her earlobes shone.
“This time, you married into the Murong family to save Ah Yong’s grandmother. The Murong family will be indebted to you. Regardless of whether the Old Madam can recover this time, the Murong family will definitely not mistreat you in the future. They will remember your kindness!”
She seemed to be persuading her, but in fact, her words were already domineering and unquestionable.
Madam Wang nodded repeatedly and chimed in, “The slight grievances you’ve suffered will also be your blessing in the future.”
“There’s no other young and promising bachelor like the Second Young Master of the Murong family in the capital!”
Madam Wang bragged about Murong Yong, but Gu Yunzhen was very calm. Even when she heard about the wedding date, she only moved her eyelids without any ripples in her eyes.
She had thought it through and made her decision.