CHAPTER 138: CHAPTER 138: A LIFE WELL LIVED

The main house of the Duke Yan Mansion has a beautiful name, called Ningchun Court.

It’s said that the maiden name of the Gu Family is Gu Ning.

Thus, every time Tang Xiaobai comes here, she looks at the words on the plaque with a sigh, feeling like she’s feeding herself a mouthful of dog food.

"Xiaobai is here." Gu Ning was casually reading on the Imperial Concubine Couch, and upon seeing her, she sat up and beckoned her over.

The deep green soft gauze gracefully slipped down, revealing arms as fair as jade, her eyes were misted with a smile, carrying the aura of Jiangnan’s misty rain. She pulled her into her arms gently and asked, "I heard that as soon as you returned from the academy, your elder sister called you for a talk?"

Tang Xiaobai’s expression immediately tightened as she asked, "Does mother know that elder sister is learning martial arts from Master Yuan?"

Gu Ning sat up straight in surprise, "Jiaojiao’er wants to learn martial arts? Since when?"

The internal affairs of the Duke Yan Mansion had been handed over to Tang Jiaojiao two years ago, and Gu Ning rarely intervened, so she indeed wasn’t aware of this matter.

Tang Xiaobai then recounted the whole story and said, "When I saw elder sister today, she was lying on the bed unable to get up. Elder sister has been pampered since childhood; when has she ever suffered? Mother should talk to Master Yuan and ask him not to make things difficult for elder sister."

Of course, what Gu Family heard was not just about enduring hardships. She immediately furrowed her brows and called a maid in, instructing, "Invite Miss Tang over!"

She then looked at her for a moment and, with a smile, asked, "What did Jiaojiao ask you? You weren’t reprimanded, were you, sneaking off to complain behind your sister’s back?"

Tang Xiaobai shook her head with a suppressed laugh and said, "I was afraid that Master Yuan would bully elder sister, so I had Ah Song keep an eye on things, but then elder sister found out and called me over. Elder sister said—" She cleared her throat, imitating Tang Jiaojiao’s cold and disdainful tone, and snorted, "If you’re so against me learning martial arts from that Yuan, what’s the use of just sending Ah Song to watch over? Have the guts to go complain to mother!"

Gu Ning laughed out loud, "Jiaojiao’er is all about saving face."

Tang Xiaobai nodded in agreement.

Miss Tang would not do something as shameless as losing a bet and then complaining to an adult, so it was up to the Second Miss Tang to do it on her behalf.

"With mother talking to elder sister, should I head back to my homework now?" Having completed her task, Tang Xiaobai felt she could leave.

"No rush," Gu Ning hugged her tighter into her arms, and after a while of silence, softly asked, "Does Xiaobai like your Cousin Wanwan?"

Tang Xiaobai immediately shivered, quickly thought it over, and earnestly replied, "Cousin Wanwan is nice, but I like Cousin Qinglan the most!"

Gu Ning paused and nodded with a smile, "Qinglan is an understanding and generous child. Back then, when you wanted to go to the Gu Family academy, Qinglan volunteered to accompany you, no wonder you like her." After speaking, doubt flickered in her eyes again.

Gu Qinglan is only a year older than Tang Xiaobai, but no matter how outstanding, she’s not yet at the age to talk about marriage.

If choosing a daughter-in-law from the Gu Family, in terms of age, only Gu Wan is suitable.

"What does Xiaobai think about Cousin Wanwan becoming your sister-in-law?" Gu Ning hesitated for a long time before asking.

Even though she had written to Tang Shigong to inquire about this marriage, she always felt it wasn’t just up to her and Tang Shigong to decide.

If the two daughters didn’t like it, she wouldn’t agree either, to avoid ruining the sibling relationship after marriage.

Of course, Tang Xiaobai didn’t think it was a good idea.

But she couldn’t put it into words.

On the surface, this marriage seems like Gu Wan is marrying up by being with Tang Ziqian; if the Tang Family directly refused, it would be embarrassing for Gu Wan.

But from Tang Xiaobai’s perspective, there’s nothing wrong with Gu Wan, in fact, it’s Tang Ziqian, who might end up captivated by the female protagonist’s aura in the future.

She doesn’t remember if the book mentioned Tang Ziqian being engaged before; if he had been, he must have surely backed out later.

In her eyes, it wasn’t a good match overall.

However, if she said it wasn’t good, Gu Wan would be the one who got hurt.

She hesitated and said, "I also don’t know what to think? Since it’s brother’s marriage, why not wait for brother to come back and ask him himself?"

Tang Ziqian has gone to Hedong and won’t be back until the end of the year.

After the New Year, delay another two months, and Ye Qingrong would have entered the capital by then.

Let’s wait until then...

...

"The madam intends to arrange a marriage for the eldest young master with the third daughter of the Gu Family—" Li Mu handed over the news from the capital, which had just been delivered, to Tang Ziqian.

The news contained more than just this; he didn’t keep people in the capital only to watch over Tang Ziqian’s marriage.

Tang Ziqian skimmed over the various power dynamics in the capital and then saw the brief mention of his marriage at the end.

He chuckled, casually tapping the letter on the table, "What do you all think?"

In the room, besides Tang Ziqian and Li Mu, there was only Xin Yi holding a sword.

Upon hearing Li Mu’s words earlier, Xin Yi turned to glance at the letter, her expression seemingly concerned.

When Tang Ziqian asked, she eagerly replied, "The Third Miss Gu is graceful and elegant, a fitting match for the eldest young master!" Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Tang Ziqian, as excited as if she were the one getting married.

Tang Ziqian smiled and looked at Li Mu.

Li Mu said flatly, "The Duke Yan Mansion and the Gu Family are already quite close, there’s no need for the eldest young master to marry into the Gu Family."

Moreover, Tang Shigong only has one son, Tang Ziqian, and using him to strengthen family ties might be a waste.

Tang Ziqian nodded, pointed to Li Mu, and said to Xin Yi, "Learn from this; don’t be so short-sighted!"

Xin Yi looked at Li Mu, then at Tang Ziqian, and said, "The Second Miss has said that people should be with the ones they like in order not to have lived in vain. When the eldest young master marries, shouldn’t he marry someone he likes?"

Tang Ziqian laughed, "How old is your Second Miss? Do you still believe the words of a child?"

Li Mu glanced at him dismissively and said, "The Second Miss is absolutely right—"

Tang Ziqian was at a loss for words.

"Although the Duke Yan Mansion and the Gu Family don’t need a marriage alliance, if the eldest young master has an affection for the Third Miss Gu, it would be a good match." Li Mu said this, feeling as if sunlight was gradually warming his heart.

She’s right.

One should be with the person they like to have truly lived.

She’s young, simply distracted by new things for the time being.

No worries, he would guide her back, and one day, her eyes would have room for only him!

"Eldest young master! Prince Jin summons you!" A report came from outside the door.

Tang Ziqian held back the sarcasm he was about to utter, took the sword from Xin Yi, and said, "You stay here, Ah Xiao, come with me to see Prince Jin!"

...

When Tang Ziqian came in, Prince Jin, Li Shu’s gaze only lingered on him for a brief moment before moving past him to settle on the masked young man.

The young man’s form was still somewhat immature, but his demeanor carried an impressive aura.

Such dignity, he had only ever seen in the sons of aristocratic families.

But the sons from aristocratic families had a gentle and harmonious demeanor, and their eyes would never have such a shadowy cold sharpness, as if they had fallen into the mud and struggled desperately to climb out.

Li Shu silently curled his lips into a cold smile.

Ah, Qin Xiao...