Gu Yuanqing exuded an air of an official in every gesture, and his speech was laced with official jargon.
He was already putting on airs even before he officially took office. It seemed he wasn't a kind - hearted person.
"Please go ahead, Young Master Gu."
Cheng Xiran munched on some preserved fruits out of boredom. They were so sweet that the sweetness reached her heart. Thinking that Chu Liyin might like them, she decided to send some to her later.
Gu Yuanqing cleared his throat and began to elaborate with great feeling, "I heard that there used to be a prominent and scholarly family in Shoufang County. They had three daughters, all of them virtuous and beautiful. The second daughter was so infatuated with an actor that she defied her father's order and eloped with him. Before that, she had been selected as a maid - in - waiting for the palace."
"Oh, so what?" Cheng Xiran yawned lazily. She was already starting to lose interest in listening to him.
Gu Yuanqing took in every subtle expression on her face, but he continued regardless, "For the sake of their so - called deep love, they implicated the innocent people of both families. As a result, their families were raided. Everyone in the families committed suicide, leaving only the two of them to live on in ignominy. But I heard that in the end, they had a sudden realization and jumped into the river to end their miserable lives."
"Are you asking me whether what they did was right or wrong, Young Master Gu?"
Cheng Xiran sneered. Seeing him nod, she continued, "Your question has stumped me, Young Master Gu. I'm just a woman. How can I casually comment on others' affairs, especially since this is related to the current emperor."
Gu Yuanqing still looked as sanctimonious as ever, but his tone became much stiffer. "I'm just sharing this with you. Isn't your reaction a bit over the top, Miss Cheng?"
"I understand what you're insinuating, Young Master Gu. No need to say more."
He wasn't even part of the Cheng family yet, but he was already meddling in their affairs. He was clearly comparing himself to the second daughter in the story. Didn't that mean the actor was Helian Duo?
She must complain about him to Helian Duo later. What was so great about a county magistrate? Helian Duo was the regent, yet he wasn't as overbearing as Gu Yuanqing.
"You're so smart, Miss Cheng. You must know the stakes. Although the regent himself hasn't said anything, the content in Anecdotes of the Capital is a bit inappropriate. If those opportunistic villains take advantage of it in the future, the consequences will be unimaginable..."
"I think it's not your place to meddle in my business..." Cheng Xiran didn't give him a good look. "Since you're so free, you might as well spend more time on Cheng Zhiyue."
With that, Cheng Xiran left the table under the somewhat dazed gaze of Gu Yuanqing.
Why was he dazed? Maybe it was because he was used to preaching and being admired elsewhere. He wanted to feel important in front of Cheng Xiran, but he didn't know that she didn't buy it at all.
She didn't go to the front hall for dinner. She really didn't want to see those fake faces. Although she couldn't enjoy the delicious food, Zhuque still cooked her a bowl of plain noodles, which she ate with relish.
The front hall was still bustling, as Zhuque told her.
"Young Master Gu is really sincere to the second miss. Just now, when I passed by accidentally, I saw them chatting merrily. The prime minister also seems very satisfied with him. It's likely that they'll get married if nothing unexpected happens."
"They are really well - matched. Both of them are equally annoying."