Gu Liyue frowned. "If that's the case, are the two families not well-matched? If so, we must think it over carefully. A good match is of great importance. Marrying is not just about marrying a man, but joining a big family. If they are well-matched, why doesn't Fang Min just tell our parents about it? It's not the old days anymore. As long as the families are of comparable status and they truly like each other, I'm sure their parents will be happy about it."
Qin Caiyin hesitated. "Well... they're not exactly unmatched, nor are they well-matched..."
Gu Liyue didn't quite understand. She reached out and stroked Qin Caiyin's head. "What's wrong with you? You're talking in circles. Are they a good match or not? That Fang Min is always daydreaming about love. You should persuade her to think things over and not be so impulsive. Do you understand?"
Qin Caiyin hung her head listlessly. After a long while, she said, "That young man has someone he likes. He doesn't like me... or my cousin..."
Gu Liyue immediately said, "That won't do. If it's just one-sided love, how difficult Fang Min's life will be in the future? Caiyin, listen to me. Go and persuade her to choose a young man who is well-matched and also likes her. That's the right thing to do."
Qin Caiyin looked up and interrupted Gu Liyue. "Liyue, if it were you, what would you choose?"
"I..."
"You like the Crown Prince of Liang, don't you? If he doesn't like you, what will you do? People in the capital used to say that the Crown Prince of Liang and Qi Manyan were a perfect match. If they really get together, what will you do? Will you fight for it, or..."
"I won't." Gu Liyue clenched her fists tightly. She was trembling a little. She remembered the day at the Princess Chang's mansion when she had to humble herself in front of Qi Manyan. She had said that she wouldn't pester Lu Jinchen. Because she didn't deserve him. More importantly, she had never thought that he would like her.
She really wouldn't. If Lu Jinchen didn't take the initiative, she would only miss him silently for the rest of her life. Maybe she would obediently marry a suitable man in the future, or... if she hadn't returned to the Gu family, she would never marry anyone and live a peaceful life. He was just a ray of light in the darkness to her. She had never thought of getting close to him.
Qin Caiyin didn't notice Gu Liyue's uneasiness. She propped her face up and stared blankly into the distance.
After a few days of rest, Gu Liyue's body aches had completely gone. She pulled Qin Caiyin into the yard to stretch her muscles.
"Although the Princess Yunxi is really annoying, some of her ideas are quite good. The doctor also told me that doing the Five-Animal Exercises regularly is very beneficial to the body."
Qin Caiyin yawned continuously. "I'm going back to the mansion tomorrow. I'll come and see you when I'm free."
Gu Liyue knew that Qin Caiyin had been staying at the Gu family for half a month and it was already autumn. It was time for her to go home. But these days, she always seemed sleepy and listless.
"Do you want me to call a female doctor to take a look at you? Don't you sleep at night? Why are you always so listless?"
Qin Caiyin shook her head. "I didn't rest well at night."
"Isn't the bed at my house comfortable?"
Qin Caiyin quickly said no, but didn't say anything more.
A few days later, Qin Caiyin came to the Gu family early in the morning, saying that she wanted to take Gu Liyue out for tea and a play.
Mrs. Qin looked at the energetic Qin Caiyin. While making arrangements, she murmured, "What's wrong with this child? The older she gets, the more unruly she becomes. What time is it now? Where can you watch a play?"
Qin Caiyin smiled. "Auntie, I'm just bored. I want Liyue to accompany me out to play. We can go shopping, have lunch outside and then go watch a play."
Mrs. Qin shook her head helplessly. She stuffed a purse into Gu Liyue's hand and patted it. "Alright, it's good to have fun while you're young. If you see something you like, just buy it."
She knew that Gu Liyue was thrifty. After giving her instructions, she told Tangyuan to take good care of her.
On the way, Qin Caiyin leaned against the carriage wall in a daze and didn't say a word.
Gu Liyue was curious. She reached out and patted her, which made her scream.
"What's bothering you? You seem so distracted."
Qin Caiyin shook her head. After a long while, she stammered, "Liyue... if I do something inappropriate, will you blame me?"
Gu Liyue asked, "What inappropriate thing?"
Qin Caiyin bit her lower lip. "Just like Fang Min tricking you out for Feng Lanqing before."
Gu Liyue laughed. She patted Qin Caiyin's head. "Are you crazy? Why do you want to be like Fang Min? She never knows what she's thinking. Do you want to be like her too?"
Qin Caiyin quickly shook her head. "No, Liyue. I'm different from her. I know what you're thinking. You like Lu Jinchen, not him. But he... but he just wants to apologize to you in person... that's all..."
"Him? Who is he?" Gu Liyue looked at Qin Caiyin blankly. Seeing that she was about to cry, she suddenly realized. "You were entrusted by Jiang Sanlang to arrange this meeting?"
Qin Caiyin's eyes were red. She was a little anxious. "I regret it. I shouldn't have done this. Liyue, let's go back."
Gu Liyue held her hand and said seriously, "Caiyin, among the noble ladies in the capital, you're my only friend. I don't want you to lie to me. At the same time, I also want to know why you did this. Jiang Sanlang and I haven't been in touch for a long time. He's from the Jiang family and I'm from the Gu family. You know the current situation between the Jiang and Gu families. Meeting privately like this will only embarrass my family who loves me, won't it?"
Qin Caiyin was about to cry. "I... I was out of my mind. I saw him like that... and his arm was dislocated by Brother Si. His hand... I just couldn't help it and promised to arrange a private meeting between you and him. I was wrong, Liyue. Since you don't want to see him, let's go back..."
Gu Liyue asked, "When did you meet him alone?"
Qin Caiyin mumbled, "Last time when you were sleeping, I got off the carriage to buy pastries and happened to meet him... He asked me how you were and told me about the things you used to do in the Jiang family. He said he was very sorry to you. And then the day before yesterday, I went out for an appointment. On my way back, I saw Brother Si beating him angrily. He didn't even fight back. I..."
Gu Liyue sighed helplessly. "It's true that he's sorry to me, but it's also true that I don't blame him. I was an outsider to him, invading his mother's love and taking his sister's things. It's only natural for him to protect his sister. In fact, I used to envy Jiang Yingyue for having such a brother who would protect her unconditionally. It was wrong for Brother Si to beat him, but I like Brother Si because he's my brother and he protects me unconditionally."
Qin Caiyin whispered, "But he... he didn't fight back..."
Gu Liyue retorted, "When Jiang Yingyue bullied me, I didn't fight back either. Did you see how much pity Jiang Sanlang had for me?"
Qin Caiyin was completely speechless.
Gu Liyue knocked on the carriage door. "Change the route to the Fugui Tower."