allendalepharm Chapter 141 The Seeds of Doubt
Chapter 141 The Seeds of Doubt
Chapter 141 The Seeds of Doubt
Seeing that she was trying to shift the blame, Wang You shook his head and said, "Speak, what is it?"
"Sister Minglan would like to ask you for a favor."
Mu Jie'er said, "The second young master of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion went to the Yu family to propose marriage, but Sister Yu, lacking her own opinion, went to ask Sister Minglan for help."
Wang You was not surprised by this; some things are accidental, while others are inevitable.
If Gu Tingye were to meet Man and have a child with her, he would definitely consider asking Yu Yanran for her hand in marriage so that Man could enter his family.
Given Man Niang's status, even if she were to become a concubine, she wouldn't be able to enter the Gu family.
Gu Tingye's only solution was to first marry a wife, and then, with her consent, bring Manniang into the family.
With his daughter-in-law's agreement, Gu Yankai would also consider the Gu family's reputation and wouldn't make a big fuss.
But the Gu family is a noble household, of high social standing. What family would accept an actress into their household?
He remembered that Gu Tingye heard about Yu Yanran's good temperament from Wei, the head of the brothel. She would teach courtesans who asked her about needlework in a serious manner.
Since Yu Yanran had no prejudice against courtesans, she naturally wouldn't have any prejudice against Man Niang.
He believed that Yu Yanran would definitely accept Manniang, which is why he went to propose marriage.
However, he remembered that it was a polo match, probably the one after the imperial examination.
In addition to holding a polo match each in spring and autumn, Madam Wu also held one after each imperial examination.
The imperial examinations haven't reached the final stage yet, so the polo match hasn't started either.
In other words, things have changed somewhat, but Gu Tingye still chose Yu Yanran.
"How can I help with something like this? I can't exactly go and steal the bride, can I?" Wang You laughed.
What can he do if someone proposes marriage normally?
Moreover, he knew that Gu Tingye ultimately failed. That woman, Manniang, was stupid, yet she managed to completely deceive Gu Tingye.
But if you say she's smart, I don't know what she was thinking, she actually went to the Yu family to serve tea to Yu Yanran.
Given her status, it was impossible for her to become the legal wife, even though Gu Tingye had never considered it.
It seems unreasonable to worry that Yu Yanran wouldn't accept Gu Tingye after marrying her.
Even if Yu Yanran really marries Gu Tingye, she will never accept him if she does that.
Moreover, it would expose her existence, putting Gu Tingye in a very passive position.
Perhaps she just didn't want Gu Tingye to have a legal wife, and for her to be a legal wife without a title?
Given Man Niang's personality, she will inevitably go to the Yu family, and in the end, Yu Yanran will still marry a good husband, just like in the drama.
Although it's a bit of a stretch, for a woman, being able to marry a husband with whom she has a harmonious relationship is the greatest blessing.
"Sister Minglan said that it was Gu Erlang who went to the Yu family to propose marriage, not Gu Hou."
It was clearly Gu Erlang's own choice, but Gu Erlang and Sister Yu had no contact whatsoever, so it's inexplicable that he would suddenly come to propose marriage. There must be something wrong with this.
Mu Jie'er said, "So I wanted to ask you to help me ask Gu Erlang to find out the reason behind this."
Wang You pondered for a moment and said, "I understand, I'll help ask around."
Although he knew the reason, he couldn't explain it.
Minglan is worried about her good friend, and she'll probably keep worrying if she doesn't get a reply.
"Then I'm leaving."
Upon hearing this, Mu Jie skipped away, but regained her composure once she reached the door.
Wang You shook his head and asked Shi Tou to deliver an invitation to Gu Tingye.
After the news spread that the emperor had left some officials in the palace, the sons of officials in Bianjing dared not come to Fanlou.
Although those young masters did indeed make outrageous remarks at the time, discussing the matter of establishing an heir.
However, they were talking in a private room, each with their own entourage, so normally it would be impossible for the news to leak out.
It's unlikely that someone reported it.
Because the families of the young men present at the time had all been kept inside.
It's even less likely that a servant would betray them, as ancient laws stipulated that relatives should cover for each other.
Even if a relative commits a crime, as long as it's not a crime like treason, not exposing or protecting them is not a violation of the law.
The same applies to servants; except for serious crimes like treason, even if they know their master is guilty, they cannot report it.
A slave accusing his master is a capital offense, and neither confession nor evidence is valid.
Otherwise, which wealthy family would dare to employ servants? And which of these wealthy families doesn't have some troubles?
If I treat my servants badly and they hold a grudge and report me, I'm doomed.
Neither I nor my servants could have reported it, so the only possible culprit is Fanlou.
In fact, Fanlou's background is mysterious. As the number one restaurant in Bianjing, it makes a fortune every day.
Those who usually frequent Fanlou were all high-ranking officials and dignitaries.
Without some connections, troublesome spoiled brats alone could make it impossible for a shop to stay in business.
But Fanlou remained open, and there wasn't even anyone causing trouble.
Therefore, many people believe that Fanlou has a connection with the palace.
If you go to Fanlou for a meal, your words might reach the ears of the officials.
Although as long as there's nothing shameful to be ashamed of, there's nothing to be afraid of.
But those rich kids are afraid to even have a meal without feeling anxious.
Although there were fewer sons of powerful and wealthy families, Bianjing was not lacking in rich people; there were just as many young noblemen from other places.
Overall, business has not been affected much.
In a private room on the third floor of the West Building, Wang You sat by the window, looking at the bustling and prosperous scenery outside.
It was already dark when the street was lit up with lanterns, and the streets were bustling with people.
The sounds of hawking and chatting blended together like a moving melody.
Shi Tou led Gu Tingye in and bowed, saying, "Young Master, Second Young Master Gu has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Wang You turned around and smiled, "Zhonghuai, please have a seat."
Upon hearing this, Gu Tingye stepped forward and sat down, while Wang You instructed Shi Tou to inform the waiter to serve the dishes.
"I was quite surprised to hear Ziqian invite me to drinks," Gu Tingye said.
The assassination attempt they suffered in Yangzhou years ago created a rift between them.
Although the two seemed to have let go of the past thanks to Sheng Changbai's mediation.
But in reality, the divide has always existed.
Only when Sheng Changbai and Qi Heng took the lead would they have meals and outings together in private.
This was the first time the two had met alone since Yangzhou.
"We're friends, at least, and we can be considered classmates. We were just having drinks together, what's the big deal?"
Wang You poured a cup of tea for Gu Tingye and pushed it towards him.
"That's true."
Gu Tingye smiled and said, "But you didn't invite Zecheng and Yuan Ruo, is there something you need from me?"
"So many years have passed, and you're still as impatient as ever." Wang You smiled and shook his head.
"I'm impatient?" Gu Tingye was both amused and exasperated.
Back then, no one knew who was pointing fingers at him and cursing. If the two hadn't known each other for only a short time, Wang You probably would have severed all ties with him.
"Back in Yangzhou, weren't there safer methods?" Wang You countered.
Don't be fooled by Gu Tingye's clever and wise demeanor in the original drama; that was only after he saw through the true nature of Xiao Qinshi and Manniang.
It was only after such a huge blow that Gu Tingye's temperament became completely calm and composed.
Before that, Gu Tingye was not only impatient but also stupid in Wang You's eyes.
Even though he knew he would be assassinated, he still dragged Sheng Changbai and Wang You along.
The purpose was to prevent the news from spreading if he were assassinated alone.
Since the assassins dared not touch Sheng Changbai and Wang You, they could naturally send out messages through them.
But Gu Tingye could have chosen a more prudent approach; he simply chose to force the Yangzhou officials to comply.
Of course, this is understandable.
After all, the Bai family had been operating in Yangzhou for many years and had complicated relationships.
Who knows if those officials will side with the Bai brothers because they've taken money from them?
In addition, he did the same thing with his mother, only arguing with his father and never thinking of investigating it privately first.
As for Gu Tingye's stupidity, it goes without saying.
Gu Tingye was deceived by Madam Qin for many years, and Wang You could understand that.
Having lost his mother at a young age, Gu Tingye was still young and naturally couldn't distinguish between true and false feelings.
It's normal that he treated Xiao Qinshi well, like his own mother, and had no reservations about her.
Conversely, if Madam Qin had always been good to him, and he still harbored suspicion and distrust towards her, wouldn't he be an ingrate?
But what about Manniang?
Even if an actress is good at acting, her act of causing trouble at the Yu family's house was easily covered up with a few words.
What else could it be but stupidity?
"Perhaps."
Gu Tingye remained silent for a while, then shook his head and did not argue.
At this moment, Shi Tou walked in with a waiter carrying wine and dishes.
Once the food and wine were served, Shi Tou retreated to the outer room.
"By the way, after your attendant died when you went to Yangzhou, why didn't you find another personal attendant?" Wang You asked as he poured wine from the wine jug.
Gu Tingye's personal attendant died in the assassination attempt in Yangzhou.
Given Madam Qin's personality, the attendants around Gu Tingye must be her people.
In a way, that assassination attempt actually helped Gu Tingye.
But he intercepted the stone. Logically, after Gu Tingye returned to the capital, he should have been given a new attendant.
If that's the case, then Man Niang's existence couldn't have been kept secret from Madam Qin.
However, Gu Tingye did not bring any attendants when he left the capital, and he returned to Bianjing to study at the Sheng family's residence alone.
"Back then, my mother wanted to choose a servant for me, but before she had chosen anyone, I went to Bailudong Academy."
Gu Tingye took the wine glass and said, "I've gotten used to it over the years; I don't like having someone following me around."
"I think they're afraid that Man Niang's existence will be exposed."
Wang You muttered to himself, then picked up his wine glass and drank with Gu Tingye.
After taking a bite of food, Wang You said, "I heard you went to the Yu family to propose marriage?"
"Um.
""
Gu Tingye nodded and said, "The eldest daughter of the Yu family is virtuous and kind. I admire her and have come to propose marriage."
"How about you be my guest of honor at my wedding?"
The "binxiang" is actually the same as the best man in later times.
"Your reputation wasn't very good before, would the Yu family agree to this?" Wang You asked, feigning surprise.
Yu Yanran's grandfather was a high-ranking official. Although he retired last year, he still had great influence in the court.
Otherwise, if Gu Tingye had bypassed his parents and personally proposed marriage, given Gu Yankai's personality, it's impossible that he wouldn't have reacted at all.
The reason they didn't stop him was simply because the family Gu Tingye chose suited his tastes.
"That's all in the past. Grandma Yu invited me to visit Daxiangguo Temple in a couple of days. She probably wants to test me out."
Gu Tingye smiled and said, "I am confident that I can pass the evaluation."
"Zhonghuai should know that I'm engaged to the sixth daughter of the Sheng family, right?" Wang You said.
"Know."
Gu Tingye nodded and said, "However, the sixth Miss Sheng has not yet come of age, but the eldest Miss Yu has already come of age. I am not young anymore, so my marriage will be arranged faster. I should get married before you, so as not to delay you from being my guest of honor."
"The eldest daughter of the Yu family and the sixth daughter are very close friends. She doesn't want to marry you, so she went to find the sixth daughter for this reason."
She knows you previously studied at the Sheng family's school and wants to ask the Sixth Miss to pass on her message to you.
"So, Sixth Miss asked you to tell me this?"
Gu Tingye picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup of wine, and drank it down in one gulp.
"Marriage is a major life event, arranged by parents and matchmakers. We haven't even met, so why doesn't she want to marry me?"
Gu Tingye said, "Although I did some bad things in the past, I was still young at the time."
Since she asked the Sixth Sister to help deliver the message, it means that Grand Tutor Yu has already agreed.
I would also like to trouble Ziqian to ask my sixth sister to pass on a message to me: I will treat her well.
I can't speak for other things, but we certainly treat each other with respect and mutual affection.
"I overheard Yuan Ruo inadvertently let slip that you have a mistress?" Wang You suddenly asked.
Gu Tingye's expression changed, and he said darkly, "Ziqian, are you threatening me?"
"No, no, no."
Wang You shook his head and said, "I'm just curious, what kind of woman could make Zhong Huai so infatuated that he brought her back to Bianjing from Jiangzhou?"
"She wasn't from Jiangzhou, just a poor woman trying to make a living in Bianjing. I helped her, and she traveled all the way to Jiangzhou to repay my kindness."
Gu Tingye said solemnly, "Ziqian, help me cover this up. Although I have a mistress, I would never do something like favoring a concubine over my wife."
"But you want to marry Miss Yu because she is gentle and kind, isn't that right?" Wang You retorted.
Gu Tingye was silent for a moment before saying, "I admit that there are factors involved, but as I said, I will not do anything that would favor a concubine over my wife!"
""
"I trust your character, but your mistress is probably not as simple as you think," Wang You said.
"What does Ziqian mean by this?"
Gu Tingye put down his chopsticks, his face grim, and said, "If you want to tell the Yu family about this, just say so. Why humiliate them like this?"
Wang You shook his head slightly and said, "A woman traveled thousands of miles to Jiangzhou, and even managed to find you. Gu Tingye, don't you find that strange?"
"Wang Ziqian!"
Gu Tingye stood up and said angrily, "This is my private matter, none of your business!"
Wang You poured himself a drink and said, "If I were her, I would definitely cause a scene at the Yu family if I found out that you went to the Yu family to propose marriage."
"snort!"
Gu Tingye snorted coldly and turned to leave.
"Tsk~"
Wang You took a sip of wine, but did not try to stop him. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.
His words just now planted a seed of doubt in Gu Tingye's heart.
Gu Tingye doesn't believe it now, but when Manniang actually goes to the Yu family, Gu Tingye will naturally start to doubt it when he recalls his words.
Man Niang herself is not easily tested. If Gu Tingye tests her even slightly, she will surely reveal her true colors.
His purpose in doing this was to let Gu Tingye see Man Niang's true colors as soon as possible.
Only in this way can Gu Yankai avoid being angered to death, and Gu Tingye avoid realizing the true nature of Xiao Qinshi.
Naturally, they wouldn't leave Bianjing.