Chapter 33: She Can't Leave Him
"Oh?" Gu Yan looked at her. "Just a while ago, you were asking me to persuade Ming Wei. Changed your mind now?"
"That was then, this is now." Yan Xuerui said slowly, "Before, Ming Wei suffered deeply from unrequited love, longing for what she couldn't have. Naturally, I felt heartache for her. Now that both young ones feel the same way, why not let them be together?"
Gu Yan's eyes flickered slightly. He didn't agree outright nor refuse outright, only saying, "Su Huaimo's teacher holds a position opposite to our Marquis' household, with long-standing grudges between them."
"I know." Yan Xuerui nodded. "But principles are fixed, while people can adapt. We've reached this point now—our daughter's marriage is far more important than social status or factional struggles."
Gu Yan chuckled lightly, raising an eyebrow. "So you think that highly of Su Huaimo?" They'd only met for an hour, just a young lad after all, yet he'd managed to win her favor so completely.
A subtle sense of jealousy arose in Grand Tutor Gu's heart.
"Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a devoted lover is hard to come by. Leaving aside talent and appearance for now, Young Master Su putting aside party conflicts to seek Ming Wei's hand shows genuine sincerity." Yan Xuerui said. Now that the Marquis' household had reached ultimate wealth and prestige, when choosing a son-in-law for Ming Wei, family background was actually the least important factor. As long as he treated her well and Ming Wei liked him herself, that would make an excellent match.
Having spoken, she slightly raised her head and happened to meet Gu Yan's narrow, deep-set eyes. He was staring at her boldly, his gaze simmering with emotions she couldn't read.
She didn't know that in this moment, Gu Yan suddenly wanted to ask: And what about him?
She felt heartache for Ming Wei suffering from unrequited love—what about their nearly twenty years of marriage? Had she ever felt heartache for him?
"A devoted lover is hard to come by"—wasn't he her "devoted lover"? Or did she still harbor thoughts for that man surnamed Fang in her heart?
"My Lord?"
In just an instant, Gu Yan quickly composed himself, saying lightly, "Being the Marquis's son-in-law won't be easy."
He thought he must be losing his mind. All these years he had imprisoned her, forced her, used every means to tame her—only he had never asked Yan Xuerui if she had any place for him in her heart.
He didn't need to.
Only cowards get caught up in romantic sentiments. He wanted her, he obtained her—that was enough. Now in middle age, he was becoming sentimental instead, actually starting to dwell on such trivial matters. Absurd.
Gu Yan attributed his unusual behavior to Fang Zhixu. A former fiancé, sneaking around, hiding and lurking, not daring to show himself. He originally wanted to keep him around to see what schemes he was plotting.
Now thinking about it, it was probably aimed at him anyway. The court had always been treacherous; he'd made it through so many years—what was there to fear? Someone who should have met King Yama long ago was nothing but a calamity if kept around.
He deserved to die.
......
Yan Xuerui understood Gu Yan's "petty jealousy." In their conversation, she didn't dare praise Su Huaimo too much, only emphasizing Ming Wei's liking and that it was all for their daughter's sake. She hadn't expected to still strike a nerve in Gu Yan's heart.
Gu Yan was unhappy, so he wasn't as "accommodating" as last night.
He said, "Su Huaimo's mentor is Li Shuhong."
Yan Xuerui immediately followed up, "I remember—the current Minister of Revenue, a pillar of the court. Last time during the impeachment attempt against the Crown Prince, Minister Li's voice was the loudest."
"Minister Li's wife's nephew serves under the Virtuous Prince, said to be his right-hand man, highly trusted and relied upon."
In short, the Li family was thoroughly part of the Virtuous Prince Faction.
Gu Yan originally intended to explain carefully to Yan Xuerui, but as soon as he mentioned the name, Yan Xuerui eloquently detailed this person's official position and actions, concise yet precise.
He raised an eyebrow: "You know?"
Yan Xuerui lowered her head slightly shyly. "Thanks to the Marquis."
During their casual chats, Gu Yan would tell her about court matters; last time during the Marquis's Flowerviewing Banquet, while writing invitations, she learned some more.
At banquets, amidst women's laughter and conversation, messages were discreetly probed. Besides paying attention to eligible young ladies, Yan Xuerui hadn't come away empty-handed either.
So today when Su Huaimo said he wanted to be a "neutral official," even without Gu Yan's input, she herself found it unrealistic.
Nowadays in the court, it was either the Virtuous Prince Faction or the Crown Prince's faction, sharply divided. Trying not to align with either side might seem neutral but actually offends both thoroughly. He was indeed young, he didn't know what was important.
That Yan Xuerui, spending her days enjoying flowers and plants within the estate, could offer such insights truly surprised Gu Yan.
He asked with great interest, "Then according to Rui Er, if we want Su Huaimo as our distinguished son-in-law, how should we resolve this situation?"
Unless Su Huaimo didn't pursue an official career, between family status and the Upright faction, between marriage and righteousness, he would inevitably have to choose one.
Yan Xuerui smiled. "Coincidentally, I've thought of a method and specifically want to discuss it with the Marquis."
Since she brought this up with Gu Yan, she had naturally given it careful consideration.
They had now reached a mountain stream. Having been raised in secluded women's quarters for many years, Yan Xuerui had only walked a few steps before a light sweat already dotted her forehead. Gu Yan had her sit on a rock to rest while he rolled up his sleeves, his slender hands cupping clear stream water and bringing it to Yan Xuerui.
"No hurry. Moisten your throat first before speaking."
Yan Xuerui looked at him suspiciously. "This water... is it drinkable?"
Back in Yangzhou, when she was still a young girl, she had also taken off hairpins, poled a small boat into the depths of lotus flowers, and picked that large lotus pod. Layer upon layer of lotus leaves blocked out the blue sky as she lay in the small boat, deliberately opening her lips to catch the glistening dew trickling down the leaf veins.
Stealing a moment of leisure. At the time, it just felt fun, not dirty at all.
Now, having been a noble lady in deep estate mansions for many years, her meals used clean, clear well water from the estate; tea water was painstakingly gathered by maids—only morning dew collected, only winter snow drawn—then steamed and boiled, sweet and refreshing.
Having been refined for so many years, suddenly seeing wild mountain spring water, she inevitably turned up her nose at it.
Gu Yan said slowly, "Legend says White Deer Mountain sits on a dragon vein, where the excellence of the land produces gifted people. This stream water seeps murmuring from the blue rocks underground. Ordinary people take great pains to come here seeking water to drink, yet you look down on it."
Yan Xuerui swallowed, gently shaking her head. "I'm not thirsty."
Many years of marriage meant Gu Yan knew her too well. Both annoyed and amused, he said, "I just looked—the gravel below is clear and visible, not dirty."
The words "not dirty" worked better than any "dragon vein." Yan Xuerui stretched her neck forward to look, but it was too far to see clearly. However, since Gu Yan said so, he probably wouldn't lie to her.
She lowered her head, cautiously extending the tip of her tongue like a dainty little kitten, lapping bit by bit at the stream water cupped in his hands, making Gu Yan's heart melt.
He thought quite proudly: In this world, besides him, who else could raise her so well? Her food, clothes, everything she uses—all exquisitely refined, not merely measurable by gold and silver. Even if he let go now, could she leave him?
She wouldn't last.
The water tasted sweet and refreshing, but there was only a cupped handful, some trickling through fingers, barely a few sips. Yan Xuerui raised her head, looking at him with dark, pleading eyes.
"I want more."
"No."
Gu Yan wiped the water droplets from his palms and said, "The water is cold. You have a weak constitution and shouldn't drink too much."
A flicker of disappointment passed over Yan Xuerui's face. Gu Yan had always been firm in his decisions, and it wasn't worth arguing over just a sip of water.
She nodded and continued, "Let's return to the topic of this young couple. I was thinking, since no matter what choice Young Master Su makes, it will be wrong, why not make him choose at all?"
Gu Yan watched Yan Xuerui quietly as she smiled faintly and said, "Besides the Upright and the influential families, there is still one higher power above the court."
These two factions in the court were locked in a struggle, with one gaining as the other lost. Why did they dare to act so arrogantly? The Upright were betting on the Virtuous Prince succeeding to the throne, while the influential families had staked everything on the Crown Prince. Both believed their master would eventually become emperor.
But the emperor was still sitting on the dragon throne.
The emperor was merely old, not dead. With a single imperial decree, he had recalled Gu Yuan from the distant northwest to the capital, instantly turning the situation around.
In this world, only the emperor was the one truly in charge.
Yan Xuerui said, "If Young Master Su can come out on top in the spring imperial examination, he will be granted an audience with His Majesty and invited to the Deer Cry Banquet. The emperor himself could arrange the marriage."
"Even if Minister Li has complaints, who would dare defy an imperial decree?"
This way, in terms of reputation, their Ming Wei wouldn’t have to endure gossip, saying she married someone ungrateful. Personally, Young Master Su would feel less guilt toward his former mentor and peers.
Both sides would have some wiggle room.
"It's just that they’re headed different ways and cannot walk together. Perhaps their past affections can be preserved, but the road ahead will be for him to figure out for himself."
Yan Xuerui spoke softly; this was the best solution she could devise amidst the dilemma.
"What does Lord think?"
Gu Yan looked impressed and praised, "Excellent."
He hadn't considered such a troublesome approach. If Su Huaimo wanted to become his son-in-law? Fine. He could overlook his background, but Su Huaimo must cut all ties with the Upright.
He wanted no double-dealers.
If he couldn't let go, then he might as not become an official at all. He could stay as a live-in husband to keep their daughter happy—the marquis' household could certainly afford an idle man.
He hadn't expected Yan Xuerui to consider things to this extent for Ming Wei's sake. Even less had he anticipated that she would see through the struggle between the Virtuous Prince and the Crown Prince and bring the emperor into the picture.
Whether this method was good or not was debatable, but she truly had a sharp mind.
He asked again, "Why would the emperor bestow this marriage?"
Yan Xuerui replied, "You said Young Master Su could achieve the top rank."
Bestowing a marriage upon the top scholar had always been considered a beautiful tradition.
Gu Yan asked again, "Why would the emperor bestow a marriage that satisfies neither faction?"
Yan Xuerui said, "Why wouldn’t it? I am—"
She suddenly stopped. She wanted to say she would be satisfied—as long as Ming Wei was happy, she didn't care about factional struggles.
But she was only herself; she couldn't make decisions for Gu Yan.
Yan Xuerui seemed lost in thought. In small matters, she could sweet-talk him, but when it came to big court matters, would he listen to her?
Gu Yan was not that kind of man.
She lowered her head and murmured, "I was getting ahead of myself..."
After pondering for so long, she had thought she'd come up with a perfect plan.
Gu Yan affectionately stroked her cheek and said, "It is brilliant. Ruier is very clever."
"But as you said, everything depends on Young Master Su coming in first at the Deer Cry Banquet for this to even be possible."
"There's still some time until the results are announced. Our Ming Wei is still young; there's no hurry."
Gu Yan dodged the question vaguely. Before they knew it, the sun had begun to set in the west. He took her hand and helped her down from the rock, asking, "Can you walk?"
Yan Xuerui had rested for a while and had enough strength, but she was feeling down.
She shook her head gently.
Gu Yan chuckled lightly and effortlessly scooped her into his arms. The mountain path was winding and rugged, but his embrace was steady. Leaning against Gu Yan's chest, she watched the sunset paint the mountains in shades of red—a truly breathtaking sight.
It was a pity they had only three short days. Yesterday, she had waited for him shut inside her room. Today, her mind had been entirely preoccupied with Ming Wei. Now, as they were about to leave, she finally noticed this splendid scenery. When would she have another chance to see it? She had no clue.
After gazing for a while, her dark eyes reflecting the glow of the sunset, she suddenly turned and buried her face in Gu Yan's chest.
"Hurry up," she said.
Maybe it was better to go back. At home, her Little Young Slave awaited her, and she still needed to find a way to help Ming Wei and her ill-fated lovers. No scenery was worth dwelling on.