Minglan adjusted her gray squirrel-fur jacket embroidered with intertwined patterns in scallion green, silver, and gold threads, sitting in a semi-pavilion hall with open doors and windows on all sides. In the center of the room stood a purple copper heater engraved with the character "fortune", its charcoal burning vigorously. A small, long-spouted copper kettle adorned with bat motifs rested on a barrel-shaped stove nearby, bubbling as it boiled water.
Nibbling on a plump sunflower seed, Minglan had to admit that Hualan had gone to great lengths.
This was an expansive hall built over a small pond. In summer, when its doors and windows were removed, it became a pavilion surrounded by water on three sides, with only one open pathway. Within a hundred paces, there were no hiding spots—absolutely no one could eavesdrop, and anyone within sight could clearly see what was happening inside.
Moreover, the area had evidently been cleared out. Aside from the maid who had escorted her in, Minglan saw no one else, and even that maid had swiftly disappeared.
With a mindset reminiscent of "the wind whistles coldly as the river flows," Minglan awaited the impending situation. By the time she cracked her fourteenth sunflower seed, a tall figure approached from afar. Her eyelids twitched slightly, but she continued nibbling.
Excellent—she had questions for him too.
Soon, the man entered the hall against the light, bringing with him a chill of wind and frost. He strode confidently, stopping about seven or eight steps away from Minglan. With an empty-handed salute and a faint smile, he said, "It’s been a long time."
Minglan narrowed her eyes slightly. Today, Gu Tingye wore a sky-blue brocade cotton robe, its collar and cuffs trimmed with white fox fur. The robe was richly embroidered with intricate patterns, and he wore a dark silver jade-inlaid thick brocade belt around his waist. Over it, he draped a heavy black fur cloak with flying edges—a style only tall, broad-shouldered men could carry well. Someone like Sheng Hong, a civil official, would be overwhelmed by such a garment.
Minglan stood up and returned the salute with a perfunctory curtsy, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Second Uncle, it’s been a long time."
She was pleased to see Gu Tingye’s mouth twitch slightly in response. Without another word, he untied his cloak and casually draped it over a nearby chair before turning to sit in an armchair opposite Minglan. They faced each other, about five or six steps apart.
Gu Tingye glanced at Minglan, then at the empty teacup on the small table before him. Seeing that she showed no intention of pouring tea for him, he picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of boiling water. In a low voice, he said, "We are about to be married. Do not address me so improperly from now on."
Minglan clenched her fists, forcing down her anger. Though the man before her wore a smile, his words were slow and deliberate. Beneath his long, elegant eyelids, a faint, blood-like intensity flickered in his gaze—the killing intent forged in battles amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood was difficult to conceal.
After a long pause, Minglan replied calmly, "Second Uncle, I have no idea what you are talking about. I was raised by Old Madam since childhood, and she has never mentioned a word about marriage."
Gu Tingye frowned. "Marriage is a matter of parental decree."
Minglan said, "Then I shall await word from my father and mother."The hall fell into silence. Gu Tingye stared at Minglan, who turned her head to gaze at the scenery outside. Gu Tingye raised one eyebrow, the fabric of his clothing casting a faint blue shadow along his browline in the side light. He said quietly, "You're angry."
Minglan chuckled dismissively, "It's fine, it's fine."
Gu Tingye deepened his tone, "Back on the Huaiyin River, I told you I don't want to hear evasive lies."
Minglan immediately sealed her lips tight like a clam.
Seeing Minglan's tightly drawn little face, Gu Tingye felt rather headache. He could only soften his tone slightly, "I know you're upset inside, but everything should be spoken openly. Sulking in silence isn't the solution - honest communication is what matters."
Gu Tingye's earnest persuasion carried the tone of an adult coaxing a child. When authority failed to solve the problem, he resorted to coaxing. Minglan nearly burst out laughing three times. She turned her head and smiled slightly, "Speaking truthfully to truthful people is called honest communication. Speaking truthfully to untruthful people is called brain damage. Does Commander Gu think Minglan appears somewhat foolish?"
Hearing Minglan change her form of address, Gu Tingye smiled faintly. Listening to her teasing tone, he felt an itch in his heart and said, "You're naturally not foolish." His gaze fell upon Minglan's fingers resting on the table - plump, tender little fingers placed on the glossy black lacquered wood, with fleshy nails transparent and pink. He couldn't help but cough lightly and said seriously, "You accuse me of being untruthful. How so?"
Minglan glared, "Starting with Commander Gu's marriage proposal."
Gu Tingye adopted a grave expression, staring fixedly at Minglan with deep, dark pupils that made her heart flutter with unease. However, having witnessed serial killers in criminal courts, she managed to withstand this intimidating gaze. After a long while, Gu Tingye slowly spoke, "You figured it out?"
His voice was calm, but couldn't completely conceal his commanding tone.
Minglan nodded and said, "You're not the type to settle for second best."
Initially, Minglan thought Gu Tingye was aiming for Rulan, the legitimate daughter. But unexpectedly, the target shifted and became herself. Minglan didn't believe a single word of Sheng Hong's explanation. Though they hadn't met many times, every encounter coincided with Gu Tingye's marriage disputes. She intuitively knew that Gu Tingye wouldn't casually accept any daughter from the Sheng family - he must have known exactly whom he wanted to marry.
Gu Tingye pondered for a moment, his gaze towards Minglan rather complex. After a long pause, he slowly said, "From when you threw mud."
"Ah?" Minglan was utterly confused, "What are you talking about?"
"Aren't you wondering when I started having designs on you?" Gu Tingye's eyes held a trace of amusement as he repeated, "I'm telling you, it was from when you threw mud at your sister."
Minglan's face flushed crimson. She slammed the table and stood up, veins bulging on her forehead, nearly shouting, "Who asked about that!!"
"Oh, you didn't want to know about that." Gu Tingye leaned sideways in his chair, covering his mouth with the back of his hand as he chuckled softly. Only at such moments did he shed some of his fierce general's aura, revealing traces of a noble young master from an aristocratic family.
Minglan struggled to regulate her breathing, letting the redness slowly fade from her face. In confrontations between two armies, losing temper was most taboo - calm, remain calm... After finally composing herself, Minglan stared at Gu Tingye and spoke quietly, "You intended to marry me from the very beginning?"
Gu Tingye nodded very slowly and very definitely.Minglan couldn't help exclaiming: "Then why didn't you just propose? Why cause so much trouble?" Nearly costing Xiaoxique and Rulan their lives—one and a half lives at that.
Gu Tingye retorted: "Would you have been willing?"
Minglan's words caught in her throat. After a pause, she quickly added: "How could I have a say in marriage matters? It's enough if my parents agree."
Gu Tingye countered again: "Would your Old Madam have been willing?"
Minglan felt another wave of frustration, her face showing slight embarrassment as she fell silent.
Gu Tingye leisurely lifted his teacup for a sip, three slender fingers steadily holding the saucer before placing it on the table. Only then did he speak: "Arranging a marriage isn't easy, but rejecting one isn't too difficult. Mismatched status, generational differences... any excuse would do. Besides, I've always had a questionable reputation. Your Old Madam is stubborn—if she firmly refused, your father couldn't have done anything about it."
Minglan couldn't resist adding a touch of sarcasm: "You seem quite aware of yourself."
Unexpectedly, Gu Tingye's skin was thick enough to completely miss her sarcasm. He replied earnestly: "Self-awareness is precious—this is one merit I do possess."
Failing to provoke him, Minglan felt inwardly frustrated. She snorted: "Must have taken considerable effort."
"Not too much, not too much." Gu Tingye mimicked Minglan's tone, chuckling lightly.
Remembering He Hongwen, Minglan decided it was best to clarify everything today to avoid future complications. After hesitating for a long while, she finally gritted her teeth: "Then... do you know... about the He family matter? My grandmother already..."
"I know." Gu Tingye cut her off swiftly, his expression neutral but his tone carrying clear displeasure.
"You know?!" Minglan stared in disbelief. "Then why... why... why still propose?"
Gu Tingye declared righteously: "What of it? Whom the daughter marries is your family's affair—whether I propose is mine. As for the He family..." His sharp features showed faint disdain as he stated decisively, "You two lack fate."
Minglan laughed in extreme anger, finally straightening her small frame with three cold laughs: "Ha! Ha! Ha! Is the Matchmaker's red thread shop run by your family? You declare no fate, so there's none?"
Gu Tingye laughed heartily. When his laughter subsided, he gazed deeply into Minglan's eyes and said slowly: "Fate is half bestowed by heaven, half earned through one's own fortune. You're clever—you know well I'm right. You truly lack fate."
Minglan stopped laughing, her heart sinking.
She had known He Hongwen since long ago, and Old Madam had early on intended to unite their families. After their first return to the capital from Youyang, Old Mrs. Sheng had examined He Hongwen's character and talents while also observing several other young men. After careful comparison, she still considered He Hongwen the best choice, and the He family had agreed. Seeing both sides satisfied, Old Mrs. Sheng planned to formally betroth Minglan. But that late autumn brought the 'Shenchen Incident,' followed by turmoil in the capital with countless executions, delaying the marriage.
Then, Da Lao Taitai fell critically ill, and Old Mrs. Sheng went to Youyang to visit, further postponing the engagement. Later, Minglan also went to Youyang, originally planning to return to the capital after Da Lao Taitai's funeral. Unexpectedly, the 'Jingtan Rebellion' erupted, with military conflicts spanning thousands of miles across several provinces, preventing their return until the second year of Chongde, in May.Yet upon returning to the capital, they immediately encountered the messy affair with Cousin Cao, which infuriated Old Madam and delayed the marriage once again. Then, after twists and turns dragging on for nearly half a year, Gu Tingye seized the opportunity like Cheng Yaojin wielding his axe, charging straight into the fray.
As for regrets, Minglan felt it was often fate’s doing. If she were to say she had no regrets—if He Hongwen had been more decisive and settled the betrothal earlier, Gu Tingye wouldn’t have had a chance to stir up trouble. In their constant quarrels, resentments, and calculations, perhaps the bond between her and He Hongwen had already been worn thin.
Thinking of this, Minglan felt a slight gloom—wait. Suddenly, her heart stirred. She looked up sharply at the man before her, suspicion in her eyes: "How do you know all this so clearly? You... could it be... did you meddle with the He family too? And the Cao family... ah!"
There was one thing Minglan had considered before but never deeply pondered. Liangzhou was in the northwest—even with urgent dispatches, it would take four or five months to reach there. For a family like the Caos, traveling with all their dependents and little money, it would take at least twice as long to return to the capital. Yet the Cao family made it back in less than a year. Unless...
Gu Tingye didn’t deny it, calmly stating, "Correct. The Water Transport Gang travels along the rivers. I had the Shi brothers arrange their return to the capital by boat."
This time, Minglan didn’t even have the energy to be angry. She could only stare at him, dumbfounded. Gu Tingye frowned and retorted, "Do you wish the Cao family had shown up to cause trouble after you were betrothed to the He family, or even after you married?!" He actually had the nerve to say, "It’s best to lance a boil early. You should thank me for this."
Minglan slumped into her seat, her mind in chaos. She glanced out the window, then back at Gu Tingye, and woodenly said, "Thank you."
Gu Tingye smiled in reply, "You’re welcome."
The girl’s skin was naturally fair, and she disliked heavy makeup, applying only a thin layer of scented cream. The winter sunlight streaming into the hall made her skin appear as fragile as fine rice paper, as if it might tear at the slightest touch. A few strands of her raven-black hair softly framed her temples, lending her the delicate beauty of a budding flower.
And those eyes—those eyes. Gu Tingye gazed at her quietly. It seemed as if, long ago, he had fallen for those eyes. Dark and deep, like a tranquil spring, yet with a strange flame flickering within—perhaps anger, perhaps disappointment. The interplay of light and shadow, ever-shifting, stirred him profoundly. If his heart was moved, what more needed to be said?
Minglan’s thoughts swirled, pondering for a long while. The past was gone; what mattered was what lay ahead. She straightened her posture and turned to Gu Tingye with a faint smile. "Thank you for your kind intentions, Commander. But... it’s best to speak plainly. I fear I may not make a good wife—neither virtuous nor gentle, with countless flaws and bad habits. I urge you to consider carefully."
Gu Tingye curled his lips into a smile. "The matter has reached this point. The marriage between the Gu and Sheng families is already widely known. Your sister can still marry that Wen fellow, but what about you? Don’t tell me you’d rather settle for the He family!"
Anger surged within Minglan, and all her pent-up grievances became unbearable. She stood up abruptly and sneered, "So, marrying you would plunge me into a vat of honey—everything perfect, without a single flaw!"Gu Tingye also abruptly stood up. His tall, slender frame advanced several steps, casting a shadow that enveloped Minglan entirely. Minglan forced herself not to retreat half a step. Gu Tingye gave a proud smile and declared clearly, "I dare not claim that marrying me will bring you every happiness, but I swear to the heavens that once you marry me, I will never let you suffer grievances or feel stifled again!"
Minglan grew even angrier, letting out a series of cold laughs. "General Gu, don't overthink things. Minglan has lived in luxury since childhood—when have I ever suffered grievances or felt stifled? And it's not for others to play the hero and rescue me from distress!"
Gu Tingye wasn't angered. Instead, his deep, tranquil eyes fixed on Minglan as he enunciated each word clearly: "No, you're lying. You've always been stifled. You've lived in grievance until this day. You despise those foul rules of legitimate and illegitimate births, yet you have no choice but to follow them. You excel in everything, yet you must lower yourself at every turn, not daring to stand out in the slightest! That's why you chose the mediocre He family!"
Furious, Minglan didn't even realize her eyes had turned red as she laughed coldly loudly. "Stand out?! Everyone in this world must accept their fate. Not accept fate?! Hah! The Late Emperor's Fourth Prince refused to accept his fate—and what was the result? A cup of poisoned wine! The Sixth Prince refused to accept his fate—and was demoted to a common imperial clansman! Prince Jing and Prince Tan refused to accept their fate—and now their bodies and heads lie separated!... Even you great men end up like this, let alone a mere woman like me! What can I do? If I don't understand this clearly, how can I survive?!"
She disliked embroidery—her fingers were covered in fine cuts. She disliked Madam Wang, Consort Lin, and Molan. She disliked having to smile when she was unhappy. She disliked pretending to be cute and obedient in front of people she loathed. She disliked having to let others pick through new clothes and fine things first. She disliked having to play dumb through every grievance... So many dislikes, yet she had to pretend to like them all!
What could she do? She had to survive!
Gu Tingye took another step forward, giving no ground, pressing closer with each step. "Exactly! You're too clear-headed! You're intelligent, you're perceptive, you see everything clearly—that's why you don't dare cross the line. But in your heart, you're seething with resentment. You're angry, you're unwilling, yet you can do nothing about it. You feel wronged, you feel stifled, yet you can only play the fool, being perfunctory everywhere, always treading carefully, forcing yourself to be the flawless Sixth Miss of the Sheng family!"
Minglan trembled all over, unsure whether from anger or fear. Cold sweat soaked her back, and her fingers dug deeply into her palms. It was like old scars that had long crusted over were being torn open again—the bloody wounds had never truly healed. She wanted to scream sharply, she wanted to weep bitterly, yet everything clogged in her throat. Standing rooted to the spot, trapped between advancing and retreating, she could only let her eyes grow hot and moist.
Ten years in ancient women's quarters, half a lifetime in a dream of a past life—she had played her role for too long, acted too deeply. She had forgotten how to truly cry, forgotten how to vent her emotions freely with furious curses, forgotten that she wasn't Sheng Minglan—she was originally Yao Yiyi.
Seeing Minglan's tear-streaked face, Gu Tingye felt an inexplicable ache in his heart. He took another step forward, bowed deeply with his tall frame, and clasped his hands in a formal salute. Raising his head, his clear voice carried a hint of hoarseness, yet each word was distinct: "I have admired you for a long time. I wish to take you as my wife, entrust you with the household duties, raise descendants with you, and grow old together!"
Through her tear-blurred vision, Minglan could only see Gu Tingye's earnest and sincere face. For a moment, she was at a complete loss.Gu Tingye's gaze, brimming with anticipation, burned bright and intense as he looked directly at Minglan: "I dare not promise you a life of celestial bliss, but as long as I live, I will never let you suffer injustice! Whatever rank I hold among men, you shall hold the same among women!"
Each word rang with resolute force, striking like hammer blows.
Minglan stood frozen, unaware that her face had grown cold. She reached up to touch it, her fingers meeting nothing but tears.
Because she was clear-headed, she suffered; because she understood, she despaired. At the end of hope always lay desperation. She dared not hope, dared not expect. While all others remained sober, she alone feigned intoxication—merely shuffling forward in shackles, treading on knife edges, wearing a foolish smile as she stumbled through.
This damned ancient era!
OpenNovel