Destined

Yin Hong quickly brought over the girl named "Yun Yun," by which time Liu Yu Ru had already finished crying.

Before Yin Hong arrived, she had washed her face with water, appearing calm and composed. If not for her slightly reddened, misty eyes, no one would have guessed she had been weeping.

The girl who arrived had a slender figure and a delicate, gentle beauty. Standing there, she resembled a willow swaying in the wind, evoking a sense of tender pity. Liu Yu Ru looked her over and then said, "Yun Yun, is your mother feeling better now?"

Hearing Liu Yu Ru's question, Yun Yun hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Miss, for your help. My mother is much better."

"Yun Yun," Liu Yu Ru sighed, "I called you here today to ask you—since I will soon be married, in the future, could you assist my mother here in the Liu residence?"

Yun Yun was taken aback, and Liu Yu Ru quickly added, "I'm only asking. If you're willing, you may stay. If not, there's no need to force yourself."

Understanding Liu Yu Ru's meaning, Yun Yun smiled and said, "Miss, you jest. I come from a poor family and have this appearance—ordinary households won't take me, and in wealthy families, I'd either become a singer or a bed companion. If I can become a concubine to help the lady, it would be a blessing. How could I be unwilling?"

"I'm afraid of wronging you," Liu Yu Ru hesitated. "After all, you're at this age..."

"Miss," Yun Yun sighed, "I've thought it through clearly. Honestly, living a life of wealth and luxury doesn't seem so bad to me. Besides, Miss has been as good as a second parent to me, and I feel deeply grateful. Being able to help you care for the lady would make me happy."

With these words, Liu Yu Ru finally felt relieved. She patted Yun Yun's hand, gave her a few instructions, and then had someone bathe Yun Yun, change her clothes, and take her to Su Wan's room.

Su Wan was still fast asleep. Frail and often unwell, she spent most of her time feeling drowsy and weak, sleeping through much of the day. Liu Yu Ru didn't dare disturb her and waited quietly for a while until Su Wan slowly woke up. Liu Yu Ru hurried forward to help Su Wan rise. After Su Wan rinsed her mouth with tea, Liu Yu Ru supported her to the dining table. Softly, Su Wan said, "Today, I heard it's very lively outside. Has the Ye Family come to propose marriage?"

At these words, everyone present froze. Unaware of any issue, Su Wan picked up her chopsticks and continued to Liu Yu Ru, "Once the Ye Family has made the proposal, this matter will be mostly settled. I specifically had someone inquire about Young Master Ye—he's a fine young man. Once you marry him, I won't have to worry anymore."

"Mother..." Liu Yu Ru hesitated before speaking. Su Wan turned to her, puzzled, "Hmm?"

"It's not the Ye Family," Liu Yu Ru finally said. Su Wan was slightly stunned, her eyes filled with confusion.

Liu Yu Ru took a deep breath, lifted her head, and looked at Su Wan earnestly, saying, "The one who came to propose marriage isn't the Ye Family—it's the Gu Family."

Su Wan's face showed shock. Gripping her chopsticks, she quickly asked, "Which Gu Family?"

"Gu Jiusi," Liu Yu Ru almost spat out the name. Su Wan was utterly dumbfounded.

"Gu Jiusi..." she suddenly realized, "That Gu Jiusi who gambles and fights all day, shows no ambition, and relies on his family to commit all sorts of misdeeds?!"No one in the room spoke. Liu Yuru lowered her eyes as Su Wan began gasping for breath. Seeing Su Wan's deteriorating condition, Liu Yuru hurried to support her, but the moment she touched Su Wan, the latter suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Yin Hong screamed in alarm. Liu Yuru immediately sent someone to fetch the physician and firmly helped Su Wan lie down on the bed. Su Wan struggled to sit up, her usually gentle face now filled with rage: "I must go find your father... I must confront him! He has abandoned even the last shred of decency... This marriage cannot be settled, it simply cannot!"

"Mother!" Liu Yuru pressed Su Wan back down, shouting loudly, "It's too late!"

Su Wan froze completely. Liu Yuru's eyes reddened as she whispered hoarsely: "The betrothal gifts have already been delivered. No respectable family would ever marry a woman who has broken off an engagement. Mother," her voice grew raspy, "I have no other choice."

Su Wan remained silent, staring blankly at the bed canopy, her entire being radiating despair.

"Yuru..." she finally spoke after a long while, her voice gravelly, "It's my failure."

Having never borne a son, she lived in constant fear of her husband divorcing her. If she were cast out, it would bring utter disgrace upon the Su family. Her only option would be to hang herself from the beams - she truly had no alternatives.

She had lived her entire life cautiously and fearfully, hoping only to secure a good future for Liu Yuru. Who would have thought they would still end up in such circumstances?

She knew exactly how much effort Liu Yuru had invested to marry into the Ye family. And now, all those years of dedication had been destroyed by her own father, all for the Gu family's gleaming silver.

How she hated this.

Su Wan clenched her fists, wishing she could drag Liu Xuan, Zhang Yue'er, and the entire Liu household to their deaths. But she couldn't. If she actually did something, what would become of Liu Yuru's reputation? Gu Jiusi might even refuse to marry Liu Yuru - then what would become of her daughter's future?

Lost in helpless despair, Su Wan felt completely disoriented. Seeing her mother's state, Liu Yuru tightly grasped her hand, wiped her tears, and quickly said: "Mother, don't think such thoughts. I'm willing to do this."

Su Wan slowly turned to look at her, complete understanding in her eyes.

"Willing to do what?" she asked hoarsely. "All these years, you've only shared good news, never the bad, always saying you're doing well. But how could I not know how you're truly living, what you're truly thinking? Yet I could do nothing, only watch helplessly as you endured grievances, flattering Zhang Yue'er, hoping she would treat you better seeing how compliant we mother and daughter have been."

"And now?" Su Wan's tears fell. "She has sold you off."

"Mother, no," Liu Yuru smiled through her tears, "Truly, I'm willing. Actually, Gu Jiusi is quite wonderful. The reason the Gu family came to propose is because we met first. He helped me before, and we both think highly of each other."

With this, Liu Yuru hastily fabricated a story about how she and Gu Jiusi met, turning it into a tale of love at first sight. She attributed many nonexistent qualities to Gu Jiusi, transforming him from a spoiled young master into a pure-hearted youth who simply enjoyed stirring up minor troubles.

"That rouge I bought for you last time was actually from him. He saw I couldn't bear to buy it, but was concerned about my reputation if he gave it to me directly, so he bought rouge for everyone at the cosmetics shop. It was really just meant for me.""He treats me well, truly. I won't suffer any grievances marrying him."

Liu Yuru spoke with a mix of sincerity and pretense, leaving Su Wan unable to discern the truth. She could only shed tears, holding her daughter's hand while lamenting her own helplessness.

Seeing that Su Wan had calmed down and the physician had arrived, Liu Yuru waited until after the doctor examined Su Wan, confirmed she had suffered from extreme anger causing reversed qi and blood flow, prescribed several herbal formulas, and administered acupuncture before departing. After the physician left and Su Wan had stabilized, Liu Yuru hesitated briefly, then took Su Wan's hand and said gently, "Mother, my engagement to Gu Jiusi is already settled. Please don't dwell on it further. There's another urgent matter we must address."

Su Wan turned to look at Liu Yuru's composed expression. "The betrothal gifts from the Gu Family must be substantial this time, otherwise Father wouldn't risk offending the Ye Family to form this marriage alliance. Given Zhang Yue'er's nature, my dowry will likely be meager. If we become the subject of ridicule, I truly won't be able to hold my head up in the Gu Family."

Hearing this, Su Wan became serious and responded, "You're right. I must fight for your dowry..."

"Mother, let's not mention that for now," Liu Yuru said calmly. "The Gu Family has just sent the betrothal gifts, and there's still time before the wedding. Your relationship with Father has never been particularly good, and Zhang Yue'er enjoys his favor. If you confront her now, you won't prevail."

"Then what should we do?"

"Yun Yun," Liu Yuru called out. Yun Yun stepped forward from beside Yin Hong, curtsied to Su Wan and Liu Yuru, and said softly, "Greetings, Madam."

"Mother," Liu Yuru said firmly, holding Su Wan's hand, "After I marry, Yun Yun will take care of you in my place."

Su Wan looked at the young woman who appeared. She seemed no more than eighteen or nineteen years old, exceptionally beautiful. With some minimal styling from Liu Yuru, she immediately resembled a young lady from a prominent family.

Su Wan stared blankly at Yun Yun, almost instantly reminded of a painting in Liu Xuan's study upon seeing the girl's face.

Liu Xuan had genuinely loved a young woman once, but she had passed away early, succumbing to a severe illness shortly after coming of age. Liu Xuan had cherished her memory his entire life.

Both she and Zhang Yue'er bore remarkable resemblance to the woman in the painting, but this Yun Yun possessed a face that mirrored that woman almost perfectly.

Su Wan immediately understood Liu Yuru's intention.

"Mother, I previously kept Yun Yun in the outer courtyard—first, to avoid conflict with Zhang Yue'er, as we've lived peacefully all these years, and second, fearing it might upset you. But times have changed. Now that I'm leaving, I can't rest easy with you alone in this household."

"I understand," Su Wan responded. In the past, she might have felt some sorrow, but now, looking at her daughter's face, she reached out and grasped Liu Yuru's hand, saying, "I understand completely. Leave her with me. Tomorrow I'll feign illness to have your father visit me."

The three discussed matters for some time until late at night when Liu Yuru finally left the room. Walking into the courtyard, she thought for a moment before saying, "Yin Hong, later go and inquire about what exactly was included in today's betrothal gifts."In a family like the Gu Family, when presenting betrothal gifts, there would be someone specially assigned to read aloud the contents of the gift list, and anyone in the courtyard could hear it. Yin Hong acknowledged the instruction and went to inquire about it. Late at night, she returned and reported the details to Liu Yu Ru. After listening, Liu Yu Ru pursed her lips and immediately said, "Yin Hong, find a few reliable people and go to the gambling den to look for Gu Jiusi right away. If you find him, deliver a message for me. I'll write it down for you—tell him to change the deed to my name."

The transfer of a deed required an official red seal. The Gu Family had acted too quickly with the betrothal gifts, making it impossible to obtain the official seal so soon. It was likely that the shopfront had merely been listed in the betrothal gift inventory—the only item in the dowry that hadn't yet been delivered to the Liu Family and was extremely valuable. To prevent the Gu Family from writing Liu Xuan as the owner of the deed, she needed to act fast.

Hearing this, Yin Hong hesitated, "Miss, won't doing this make the Gu Family look down on us?"

"Do you think the Gu Family doesn't know about our family's affairs? Who in Yangzhou City isn't aware? Look, whether it's Lady Ye or Lady Gu, has either of them ever asked about my mother? Isn't it because everyone knows that in the Liu Family, the wife is less respected than the concubine, and my mother has no say at all?" Liu Yu Ru smiled bitterly. "I've long been a laughingstock—what more do I have to fear about losing face?"

"Miss..."

"Don't worry," Liu Yu Ru sighed. "If I'm asking you to deliver the message, it's because I'm confident. Gu Jiusi isn't a bad person at heart."

Even if he seemed a bit arrogant and domineering, the fact that he had given her Rouge told her he was a good man. He was protective of those close to him and didn't care much for rules. Since he had asked his family to propose marriage, he must have some affection for her. At most, he might laugh at her later for this.

Yin Hong thought it over and felt Liu Yu Ru made sense. After Liu Yu Ru wrote the letter, Yin Hong sent several trusted servants to find him overnight. By dawn, they had located him.

By then, Gu Jiusi had been gambling for a full day and night. He had lost all his money and was walking home in the morning light, yawning. After a few steps, he was stopped.

Gu Jiusi was baffled. He looked the servant up and down and said with a yawn, "If you can't give me a good reason for stopping me today, don't blame me for hitting you."

"Young Master Gu," the servant handed him the letter and earnestly repeated Yin Hong's words, "My lady said that since you intend to become husband and wife, she asks you to take good care of her."

Gu Jiusi was utterly confused. As he unfolded the letter and read it, he frowned and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? Did you get the wrong person? I'm Gu Jiusi—what's all this about husband and wife..."

Before he could finish, Gu Jiusi suddenly sensed something amiss. He glanced at the letter's contents, recalled his father's usual tactics, and immediately looked up, "Who is your lady?"

"The eldest daughter of the Liu Family..."

"Liu Yu Ru?!" Gu Jiusi raised his voice. The servant, puzzled by his reaction, watched as Gu Jiusi took a deep breath and instantly understood what had happened. Clenching his teeth, he said, "Fine... just fine."

With that, he tried to rush home, but the servant quickly stopped him, urging anxiously, "Young Master Gu, the deed..."

"What deed?! If she agreed to such a marriage, is your lady out of her mind?!"With that, Gu Jiusi shoved him aside: "If you block me again, I'll break your damn legs!"

Shouted at like this, the servant didn't dare stop him anymore and could only watch as Gu Jiusi stormed off toward home, muttering along the way: "That wretched old man, is he treating my words as nothing but wind past his ears?!"

The servant couldn't make sense of Gu Jiusi's meaning and had no choice but to return to the Liu residence. Yin Hong was waiting at the entrance and, upon seeing the servant return, hurriedly asked: "Well? What did Young Master Gu say?"

The servant flushed red and hesitated to speak. Yin Hong pressed anxiously: "Say something!"

"Young Master Gu... Young Master Gu said," the servant stammered, somewhat embarrassed, "the young lady has a mental problem..."

Yin Hong relayed the servant's words verbatim to Liu Yu Ru.

Liu Yu Ru's hands trembled with rage as she drank her tea.

Yin Hong dismissed everyone else and looked at Liu Yu Ru with concern: "Young lady, don't let anger consume you. Let's think of another approach. Young Master Gu seems utterly unreliable. If Madam fails to secure your dowry and you end up married into the Gu Family, what will you do?"

"Mental problem..." Liu Yu Ru's voice shook with clenched teeth. Yin Hong looked confused: "Young lady?"

Finally losing her composure, Liu Yu Ru shattered her usual calm and elegance, slamming the teacup to the ground as she roared: "Gu Jiusi and his entire family are insane!"

Now she understood completely.

This Gu Family - the elder rashly proposed marriage without understanding the situation;

The younger generation spouts nonsense causing trouble, only knowing how to gamble all day, completely clueless about marital matters.

They treat others' marriages as child's play, every last one of them unreliable.

Insane, the whole family is insane!

Author's note: Secure the dowry first, then get married!

It's precisely because of these pre-marital incidents that the female lead faces various emotional obstacles toward the male lead, while the male lead also holds complex feelings toward her - hence these necessary setups.

All the grievances Yu Ru suffers now will be repaid later. Everyone's just been caught in misunderstandings. Don't be angry, readers... (voice fading)

[Today's one-sentence summary]

Liu Yu Ru: Fifteen years of cultivated refinement vanished upon encountering the Gu Family - this family is toxic.

Gu Jiusi: Who am I? Where am I? I gamble a bit and suddenly I'm getting married? You people are insane!

Su Wan: From today onward, I'll regain my spirit - wake up each morning and embrace the sun!

Gu Lang Hua: That wretched old man is utterly wicked...