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Outside the door, Hong Ling and Yin Sha were momentarily stunned, quickly covering their mouths in fright. They discreetly opened the door for the two and retreated outside to keep watch.
A marriage decree had left both of them in a state of shock.
"Cousin, I—" Gu Wan Ning hesitated, feeling a strong sense of resistance rise within her at the announcement of the imperial edict. Yet she dared not defy it; disobeying the emperor was a capital offense. She couldn't gamble with the lives of the one hundred and eight members of the Zhongyuan Marquisate. All that remained was to compromise.
"Can we think of another way? There must be a solution!"
As Shizi Mo gradually suppressed his inner turmoil, all his thoughts twisted together into a single strand, restoring his usual rationality. "Let’s consider why the emperor decided to grant you this marriage. We need to find the root cause to resolve this issue. With Qing Ning absent, we cannot act recklessly."
Shizi Mo called for Hong Ling and instructed her to open the courtyard door. After she did so, Hong Ling and Yin Sha waited expectantly in front of them.
"I will listen to my cousin," Gu Wan Ning said as she stood up, feeling that Shizi Mo's reasoning was sound. Those people were clearly trying to set her up while her father and sister were away from home. If she made a scene, it would only throw her into chaos and provide others with fodder for ridicule.
To contend with those people, it was crucial to maintain her strength. Even if the sky were to fall, filling her stomach was paramount; only then would she have the energy to deal with them.
Shizi Mo helped Gu Wan Ning sit at the table, handing her a bowl and encouraging her gently. Gu Wan Ning nodded and took small spoonfuls of the now lukewarm yam and red date porridge.
Hong Ling brought Shizi Mo a pair of chopsticks, and together they quietly shared their lunch with Gu Wan Ning.
During lunch, Shizi Mo had already analyzed their situation in his mind. He then asked, "Has there been any news from the Jing Wang Mansion regarding Qing Ning these past two days?"
The emperor only mentioned choosing an auspicious day for the wedding but hadn’t set a specific date; as long as there was no formal ceremony, it didn’t count as an official marriage. Xiang Ling had gone over there, so news should be forthcoming soon.
Hong Ling chimed in, "It’s been an hour since Xiang Ling left the house; she should be back shortly."
"Good. With both Uncle and Cousin stationed at the border, they certainly cannot assist us. If we want to muddle through this marriage decree, we need to think of other strategies."
Shizi Mo filtered through the entire web of relationships in her mind but found no breakthrough.
Gu Yanran. Gu Yanran could assist us.
Gu Wan Ning suddenly blurted out, her eyes lighting up. Gu Yanran was Pei Zhi Rui's consort, and she had previously been jealous of her sister marrying Pei Zhi Jing as the primary consort. In this capital city, who would want her to marry Pei Zhi Rui more than Gu Yanran herself?
"Second Miss, our Miss is resting," came a voice from outside Qiu Shui Courtyard, interrupted by a commotion.
"How dare you block our consort's path, you insolent servant!" Xiang Lan stood arrogantly in front of Xiang Ling and slapped her across the face.
Xiang Ling had not yet returned to Qiu Shui Courtyard from Jing Wang Fu when she ran into an enraged Gu Yanran in the front courtyard. Seeing the fury on her face, Xiang Ling realized she was looking for trouble after returning from the Zhongyuan Marquis residence.
Worried about her Miss, Xiang Ling steeled herself and stepped in front of Gu Yanran.
Gu Yanran, already furious, glared at the servant who dared to block her way, her phoenix eyes filled with anger.
Inside the room, Gu Wan Ning and Shizi Mo heard the commotion and immediately rose to step outside.
Upon seeing Gu Wan Ning, Gu Yanran's anger flared. "Gu Wan Ning, how dare a blind person like you marry into the royal family?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Shizi Mo clenched his hands tightly at his sides and shot a sharp glance at the arrogant Gu Yanran.
Gu Yanran felt a chill run down her spine as she finally noticed Shizi Mo standing beside Gu Wan Ning. Coming from a merchant background and having traveled far and wide, he appeared calm and easygoing but was, in fact, a wolf that would kill without blinking an eye.
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