Only then did Gu Liyue realize that this was where her second aunt's heart knot lay. On one hand, she felt sorry for her niece, and on the other, she didn't want her son to suffer.
She quickly told her what Gu Chengzhi had just decided: "Second aunt, don't worry. Fourth brother is sincere and will treat Caiyin well in the future."
Mrs. Qin still shook her head. "You don't understand... You don't understand. I gave birth to and raised Zhi'er. I know him best. Before, I thought he and Caiyin were a perfect match and would love each other for a lifetime. But it was only after what happened to Caiyin that I realized that Zhi'er didn't have the slightest bit of romantic feelings for Caiyin."
Gu Liyue fell silent.
Tears welled up in Mrs. Qin's eyes. She grabbed Gu Liyue's hand. "I like Caiyin. I'd be a thousand times satisfied if she became my daughter - in - law. But I hope Zhi'er can marry a girl he truly likes, rather than taking on a responsibility he shouldn't just for his cousin's reputation. But if he doesn't, what will happen to Caiyin? Liyue, my heart is in a complete mess and I'm so miserable."
Perhaps all mothers are so hesitant and troubled. Gu Liyue could only comfort her gently, telling her that it was Fourth Brother's own will.
Mrs. Qin was a thoughtful person and didn't listen to others' consolations. Now that she heard that Gu Chengzhi had made up his mind and with Gu Liyue's persuasion, she gradually accepted it.
Gu Liyue was curious. She whispered, "Second aunt, Fourth brother said that Caiyin was saved by Jiang Che. But was it also because of Jiang Che that her reputation was ruined?"
Mrs. Qin nodded. "Jiang Che carried Caiyin back himself and rushed her to the medical clinic. At that time, the capital was in chaos. Caiyin was so seriously injured that people suspected she was a spy. In a hurry, he revealed his own identity and Caiyin's... Alas, you know Jiang Che. He's rash and impulsive, just like your fourth brother. We can't blame him for this matter."
Gu Liyue turned her face away and mumbled, "He's really rash and impulsive. He's not half as good as Fourth Brother. Fourth Brother is brave enough to take responsibility even when he's impulsive, but he's as timid as a mouse. He's not a real man."
Mrs. Qin was taken aback for a moment. Seeing Gu Liyue's childish words, she laughed instead. She stroked Gu Liyue's hand, thinking that it was because she had a bad relationship with Jiang Che when she was in the Jiang family that she would say such things.
Back in the courtyard, Gu Liyue took a bath. The tiredness of the past few days was completely relieved. She was lying comfortably in the bathtub and didn't want to get out. It was Yunniang who thought it was too late. If she soaked any longer, her hair wouldn't be dryable, so she forced her to get up.
Yunniang was very worried. Before, there were Gu family members asking questions in the front hall, so she was too embarrassed to get close. After they came back, Gu Liyue went to the Fourth Young Master's place and then to the Second Lady's place. It was not until now that she finally had the chance to take a good look at Gu Liyue.
Gu Liyue knew what Yunniang meant. She comforted her, "Yunniang, don't worry about me. I'm fine."
Yunniang's face was flushed. She was worried but not very anxious. In the past six months, she had already known that the Gu family members were really kind to Liyue.
She covered her mouth and coughed. Then she walked to the outer room, coughing as if suppressing it.
Gu Liyue stopped. She frowned and looked back outside. "Is Yunniang sick?"
Danju explained, "I heard from the little maid that the aunt has been coughing for several days and can't sleep well at night. The female doctor examined her and said it was lung heat. But the aunt won't let us invite a doctor and get medicine. She said that the whole family is worried about you and the cousin now and she doesn't want to cause more trouble."
Gu Liyue stood up and walked outside, but was immediately pushed back in by Yunniang.
Yunniang stared at her and gestured, "Your hair isn't dry yet. How can you run outside? What if you catch a cold?"
Gu Liyue supported Yunniang. "Yunniang, how can you not invite a doctor when you're sick? How can the illness get better like this? Someone, go and invite a doctor..."
Yunniang quickly patted Gu Liyue's hand comfortingly and gestured, "Don't worry about me. The female doctor has examined me and prescribed some medicinal food. I'll get better after eating it for a few days. Didn't I recover even when I was seriously ill before?"
Gu Liyue was still worried, but Tangyuan came in and interrupted her.
"Miss, the Fourth Young Master is here."
Yunniang smiled and gestured, "I'm really fine. Don't think too much. Go and talk to your brother."
Gu Liyue casually put up her half - dry hair, put on a robe and went to the small hall. She saw Gu Chengzhi sitting there in a daze. She couldn't help being curious. "Fourth brother, why did you come so late? Fourth brother is more polite than before. He knows not to barge into my room randomly."
Gu Chengzhi scratched his head embarrassedly. "I was wrong before. I didn't pay attention to those things. Now I know how important a girl's reputation is. I won't act recklessly like this in the future."
Gu Liyue asked someone to serve hot tea again and then asked, "Fourth brother, what do you want from me?"
Gu Chengzhi said, "I want to ask you if you're going to the Qin family to see Caiyin tomorrow?"
He took out a small dagger about the length of a little finger from his bosom. It was exquisitely made of solid gold. "This was made by grandfather when I was a child. Every Gu family man has one. When you open it, my name is inside. I'd like you to take this dagger to Caiyin and tell her not to worry. I'm not being forced and I'll treat her well."
Gu Liyue took the dagger. She was very touched, but at the same time, she felt sad for Lu Yunxi. She couldn't tell Gu Chengzhi about Lu Yunxi's feelings for him, but she still couldn't help asking euphemistically, "Fourth brother, if... I mean hypothetically, if there's another girl who likes you?"
Gu Chengzhi laughed indifferently. "Don't worry. There's no habit of taking concubines in the Gu family. I'm not that kind of person."
Gu Liyue quickly shook her head. "No, what I mean is, you... don't like Caiyin. Don't you have a girl you like in your heart?"
Gu Chengzhi was slightly stunned, then shook his head. "No, I don't have a girl I like."
Gu Liyue sighed helplessly. Forget it. Fourth brother was such a blockhead. He probably couldn't figure it out. She put away the dagger and got up to go inside.
"Sister." Gu Chengzhi called her. "Sister, I'm a man. I have more responsibilities, whether it's for the family, the country or anything else. If I don't step forward, Third Brother will definitely do it. Third Brother... I don't want to see Third Brother in a difficult situation. It's better if it's me. And Caiyin and I are of a similar age. We're more suitable."
Gu Liyue looked back in surprise. She saw Gu Chengzhi lowering his head to drink tea, as if he hadn't said those words just now. Gu Liyue pondered for a moment. Did Fourth Brother mean that Third Brother already had a girl he loved? And Fourth Brother did this on purpose to help Third Brother?
Gu Chengzhi said vaguely, "Sister, don't try to persuade me anymore. I've made up my mind."
Gu Liyue opened her mouth. She really wanted to ask him what his feelings for Lu Yunxi were. But in the end, she just changed the topic. "Fourth brother, do you know what the Crown Prince's heir is doing? I haven't seen him since we met in the palace that day."
"Jichen? He's very busy recently. There's been a disturbance in the capital. The Crown Prince was ordered to investigate this matter. Jichen is following the Crown Prince and doesn't have any free time."