It was just an interlude, and the banquet went on as usual. Mrs. Zhao the Younger didn't say any more. She just smiled and took her seat to continue enjoying the food and wine.
In the evening, Gu Liyue accompanied the old lady in the inner hall, watching Jiang and Qin doing the accounts.
Lord Gu hurried in after finishing his business and said to the old lady, "Mother, Lord Zhao the Younger has come. He said he's here to apologize for his wife's rudeness today."
The old lady didn't even raise her head. She just asked, "What's Junyan's opinion?"
Lord Gu replied, "Junyan's wife's family is also here. They said there's no need to interact with the Zhaos in the future."
Only then did the old lady open her eyes and let out a cold laugh. Looking at Gu Liyue, she asked, "Liyue, what do you think of today's incident?"
Gu Liyue smiled faintly. "Shu Mingzhu is using our family to clear her name."
"How so?"
Gu Liyue said calmly, "I can hardly believe that Mrs. Zhao the Younger did it unintentionally. She clearly offered a way out for Shu Mingzhu. The trigger, of course, was for Shu Mingzhu to confess her background. On the surface, Shu Mingzhu's action seems to show that she doesn't want any association with the Gu family, as if she were so noble. It's a pity..."
Lord Gu was quite curious and immediately asked, "A pity what?"
"A pity that if she were truly noble and didn't care, she should have kept silent instead of showing off everywhere. Shu Mingzhu said she didn't know her biological father. Apparently, she was showing that she didn't care who her father was. In fact, she was stepping on our Gu family, making it seem as if our family was so unreasonable that we didn't even care about our daughter who was living outside."
The old lady laughed heartily and patted Gu Liyue's hand. "Liyue is getting smarter. You've thought it through. So, have you thought about how our Gu family should handle this matter?"
Gu Liyue shook her head. "No matter how our family handles it, it won't be good. If we keep silent, people may think we're guilty. But if we argue, we'll just be falling into the Shus' trap. It'll be a losing battle for us."
The old lady raised her eyebrows. "So we'll just sit and wait for death?"
"Not sit and wait for death. It's to retreat in order to advance," Gu Liyue said calmly. "The situation is unfavorable to us, so we'll plan carefully before taking action. We don't need to do anything until they make their move. Big brother is already investigating the matter in Luanhe City. Once the truth comes out, we're not afraid of finding the Shus' flaws. However, before that, I'm afraid the two uncles and the four brothers need to be very careful."
Lord Gu paused. "Our Gu family's status today is not something the little Shu family can compare with."
The Shu family used to be a prominent family. But in the past twenty years, when they came to the capital to report on their duties, they were only sixth - rank civil officials. They didn't have enough power, and they even had to sort out the complex relationships in the capital again. How could they compare with the Gu family?
But Gu Liyue still shook her head. "Uncle, if you think like this, you'll underestimate the enemy. In ancient times, Goujian endured hardships to take revenge. Lord Shu's return to the capital may not be without careful planning. The Shu family has been in Luanhe City for nearly twenty years. The older generation has passed away, and they should have already established roots there. Why are they coming back at this time?"
Hearing this, Lord Gu seriously thought it over and nodded. "Liyue is really smart. Your big brother told me the same thing before, but I didn't take it seriously. I thought the Shu family was trying to come back by relying on their connection with the Prince of Liang. But hearing you say this, I think there's something strange. His Highness the Prince of Liang always knows how to make good use of talents. He's not the kind of person who will be influenced by the Princess's relatives. I also know Shu Hong. I know he has some talents, but not that much..."
He didn't say more. He just darkened his face, got up, said goodbye to the old lady, and left.
The old lady stroked Gu Liyue's hand again and sighed. "You've grown up. I don't know if I should be happy or sad."
Gu Liyue leaned against her and said obediently, "Grandmother should be happy. Your granddaughter has learned to think and observe more when facing things and will never back down."
The old lady stared blankly at Gu Liyue and then laughed. "Yes, grandmother is happy."
However, the Shu family didn't take any action.
Winter came soon. This winter seemed especially cold. It was so cold that Gu Liyue didn't even want to leave her room.
The Gu family had already lit the earth - warming stoves early. There was also enough charcoal in Gu Liyue's yard.
Tangyuan lit the stove, rubbed her hands, and said, "It's only the beginning of winter, and it's already this cold. By the twelfth lunar month, people will surely freeze to death."
Gu Liyue nodded, holding a hand - warmer. "When I was a child, there was also a winter that came early and was extremely cold. Yunniang only had one thick coat, but she was reluctant to let me freeze... Maybe that's when she got her chronic illness."
Tangyuan paused, turned her head, and asked, "Is the young lady missing Yunniang?"
Gu Liyue lowered her head, tugged at the belt on the hand - warmer, and then shook her head. "Not really. Aunt told someone to tell me yesterday that all the winter supplies have been sent to the manor. Yunniang is in the manor. There's no need to worry."
Tangyuan quickly laughed. "Yes. In the future, there will only be good days waiting for Yunniang. The young lady doesn't need to worry about her."
Gu Liyue walked to the stove to warm her hands. She picked up the embroidery thread but didn't feel like doing anything.
Tangyuan asked, "What is the young lady thinking about?"
What was she thinking about? Gu Liyue had nowhere to talk about it. The last time she saw Lu Jinchen was at Second Brother's wedding. But Lu Jinchen was among the male guests. They just caught a glimpse of each other and then separated.
She thought Lu Jinchen would be like before, asking Fourth Brother to take her out every now and then. But it never happened. What was Lu Jinchen busy with? She wanted to ask Fourth Brother, but she was too embarrassed to.
For an ordinary engaged couple, it was not convenient to meet. The folk customs in the capital were more open, so there weren't so many restrictions. But once the engagement was set, it was still not good to interact openly. But no one was like her. After the engagement was set, she had to wait three or four years to get married.
She wondered if Lu Jinchen missed her.
Tangyuan didn't notice Gu Liyue's abnormality. She continued on her own, "They said it will be sunny and not so cold in a couple of days. Cousin Miss Qin has sent an invitation, asking you to go out for tea."
"Okay," Gu Liyue replied absent - mindedly. "I want to send someone to... ask about Yunniang's situation at the Prince of Liang's estate..."
"Why not just send someone directly to the manor..." Tangyuan asked in confusion, then subconsciously stopped speaking. Seeing the young lady blushing, she couldn't help laughing. "Fourth Young Master comes to see the young lady every day. The young lady can just tell him."
Gu Liyue blushed and quickly said, "Caiyin has invited me for tea? Shall we go today? Let's go."
Tangyuan quickly held her back. "Oh, young lady. It's raining outside. Cousin Miss invited you for a day when the weather is good in a few days, not today. She just made the appointment in advance in case you have other things to do. But we should reply to cousin Miss."