Gu Junyan had been thinking all the way on the road. Just thinking about his younger sister's experiences in Yangxin Town, in the Feng family and the Jiang family made his heart ache as if being stabbed by a knife. Now seeing Jiang Che, he really didn't have a good look on his face. He just kept a straight face.
"What are you doing here?"
Jiang Che looked embarrassed. Then he looked at Gu Liyue again. "Liyue... Sister Gu, are you okay?"
Gu Liyue bowed. "Thank you, Young Master Jiang San, for your help today. I'm fine now."
Jiang Che opened his mouth, wanting to ask about the follow - up matters, but he was too embarrassed to say it in the end.
Gu Junyan was merciless. "It's getting late. You'd better go back quickly. Madam, Sister Qin, it's windy here. Let's go inside."
Qin Caiyin had recovered from the poison and was fine long ago. She quickly came up to support Gu Liyue and asked again, "Liyue, are you really okay? Have all those villains been brought to justice?"
Qin Caiyin had accompanied Gu Liyue for a full five days. Although she was always innocent, she still knew the hardships in the inner courtyard. Mrs. Qin asked her to stay with the intention of teaching Gu Liyue. After all, there were many things that it was not easy for elders to teach. Mrs. Jiang and Mrs. Qin were just aunts after all, not her biological mother.
Gu Liyue was shocked. "According to what you said, are none of the real sisters, half - sisters, cousins and other relatives trustworthy? Isn't there anyone trustworthy in this world?"
Qin Caiyin laughed and pinched Gu Liyue's face. "I mean you should always be on your guard and not trust anyone easily. It doesn't mean that no one is trustworthy. The Gu family members are all nice and treat you well. But you will get married someday, right?"
Gu Liyue was in a daze. She was going to marry Lu Jinchen and enter the prince's mansion. But she knew too little about the situation in the prince's mansion. And the little information she had was all bad. Her mother - in - law was originally a concubine. Jinchen had three younger brothers, one of whom was about the same age as him, and it was obvious that their relationship was not very good. His two younger sisters also had different mothers. Gu Liyue had met them twice. The younger half - sister was timid and had little presence. The older legitimate princess was also taciturn and rarely spoke.
Anyway, they all seemed difficult to get along with.
Gu Liyue was sitting by the pond, feeding the fish with fish food. "It's always the hardest to tell people's hearts. Some people seem amiable, but actually they are full of schemes... Sometimes when I think about those things, I just want to back off."
Qin Caiyin didn't care. "Why do you want to back off? Isn't this how people live their whole lives?"
Gu Liyue asked, "I used to live in an ordinary family. Although I didn't live a wealthy and comfortable life, people's hearts were often simple. I could tell at a glance whether they were good or bad. Since I could understand them, I wasn't afraid."
Qin Caiyin thought for a while and then said, "You're right. So the character and family background of a fiancé are particularly important. My mother took a fancy to the upright family style of the Gu family early on. She watched the elder cousins of the Gu family grow up. She had already picked a good match for my elder sister, either the second or the third elder cousin of the Gu family. Even for me, my mother also favors the fourth elder cousin..."
Gu Liyue turned around happily. "Do you mean you will marry my fourth elder brother?"
Qin Caiyin reached out to take the fish food and feed the fish. She pouted helplessly. "Liyue, Fourth Elder Cousin Gu is like my own elder brother. I've never had other feelings for him. I'm a bit scared just thinking about marrying my elder brother in the future... But since ancient times, parents have always had the final say in marriage. My mother thinks Fourth Elder Cousin Gu is the best. If I marry into the Gu family, I can be sisters - in - law with my elder sister. It seems to be the best choice."
It was the best choice, but not the happiest one.
Gu Liyue smiled. "I suddenly understand why my family was so anxious when they knew that the Crown Prince of the Liang King asked the emperor for a marriage order. Parents are all like this. If they love their children, they won't care about the family background. They just hope that their children can live a peaceful and smooth life."
Qin Caiyin nodded. "If you don't want to, you can tell your grandfather. This marriage can be cancelled tomorrow. And you don't have to be afraid. There are many men in this world. With the family background of the Gu family, you will surely find a suitable one."
Gu Liyue blushed and gave her a reproachful look. "What are you talking nonsense about? This marriage... has been settled for several months."
Qin Caiyin pounced on her and laughed. "You're shy? You must be thinking about him in your heart, too. Well, he is the most good - looking man in the capital and is whole - heartedly devoted to you. Anyone would fall for him."
Gu Liyue pushed her away. "You're really being naughty. Go away. I still have to embroider. I won't talk to you anymore."
She stood up by herself. But then she heard Qin Caiyin's excited shout. "Oh, that golden fish in your pond is really special. I'm going to catch it."
Gu Liyue was startled. She turned around and wanted to grab Qin Caiyin. "Caiyin, be careful. That fence is broken and hasn't been repaired yet. Don't go over there..."
Before she could finish her words, Qin Caiyin was so carried away that she threw herself onto the fence and fell into the water with a splash.
The maidservants around were all in a panic. Some shouted for help while others went to get bamboo poles.
But a figure in front leaped up, jumped into the pond and quickly fished Qin Caiyin out.
Qin Caiyin couldn't stop coughing. When she looked up after she felt a bit better, she saw Gu Chengzhi holding her carefully and frowning at her.
"Co... Cousin..."
Gu Chengzhi let her go and said crossly, "Fortunately it wasn't Liyue. Liyue can't stand the cold."
Qin Caiyin rolled her eyes. The momentary touch in her heart disappeared instantly. While coughing, she said, "Liyue is your sister. Am I not your sister? You... cough, cough, cough..."
Gu Liyue quickly patted Qin Caiyin on the back. She took the clothes handed by the maid and put them on Qin Caiyin. "He is just like this. Don't mind him. Let's go inside. Although it's summer, the water in the pond is very cold. Don't catch a cold."
The female doctor came and prescribed some medicine for Qin Caiyin, telling her to take good care of herself. Fortunately, Qin Caiyin had always been in good health and it was midsummer. She just sneezed a few times and then got better.
Mrs. Qin came over and poked Qin Caiyin's forehead crossly. "You child. You've always been so reckless since you were a child. You're so old now and still don't know better? I told you this morning that the fence by the pond was broken. Don't you have any memory?"
Gu Liyue watched Mrs. Qin from the side and couldn't help smiling. Mrs. Qin was always gentle. When had she ever been so impatient? Maybe it was because this was her own niece who had grown up by her side. She was so worried and anxious that she became like this. Gu Liyue felt a bit envious, but more of a warm feeling.
Qin Caiyin pouted and complained. "Aunt, you don't know. Fourth Elder Cousin is so bad. After he fished me out, he actually said he thought it was Liyue. Would he not have saved me if he knew it was me? Aunt, you must beat him severely. Okay?"
Mrs. Qin responded vaguely. She looked up and secretly sized up her niece. Her niece had grown up and had a graceful figure. Since she had fallen into the water, it was inevitable that she had lost her composure. Her son had fished her out. Didn't that mean they had had physical contact?