When night fell, Peng Yizhen's family resigned and went to rest, and the servants who were tired from the journey were also thoughtfully sent to have an early rest.
Lingbao took Cao's arm and led her to look around the bedroom, telling her where she bought the yarn and where it was laid. He also led her to look at the seasonal flowers on the window sill.
"I've already spent a lot of money on things, and why bother with this..." Mrs. Cao just said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
While talking, Gu Shiba Niang came in, and Lingbao was about to leave, but Cao held his hand.
"Is there any news about your brother?" she asked.
Lingbao shook his head, but then smiled again, "The lady said, I will definitely find it."
Mrs. Cao recited the Buddha's name and held Lingbao as she was about to leave, thanking her for her affection and righteousness towards Gu Hai.
"This is what I should do. My wife's family has been very kind to us. Even if Lingbao can exchange his life for the young master's life, it is worth it..." Lingbao said.
Gu Shiba Niang sat on the chair, looking at them talking with a half-smile, while gently twiddling her fingers.
These days she has neglected her skills and her fingernails have grown long.
Cao kept talking to Lingbao, and Lingbao gradually realized something was wrong. After a long separation, shouldn't the mother and daughter be eager to talk all night? Why did the lady seem to be afraid to be alone with the young lady
"Okay, Lingbao, let's go and rest." Gu Shiba Niang finally spoke.
Ms. Cao suddenly became a little panicked, but she couldn't say anything else, so she could only watch Lingbao say goodbye and leave.
Her daughter's clear eyes were looking straight at her, and Mrs. Cao felt even more at a loss. She was just about to find an excuse to hide away, but she saw Gu Shiba Niang got up and walked in front of her, blocking the way.
"Tell me, what's going on?" Gu Shiba Niang looked at her mother acting like a frightened deer. She felt like laughing, but she had to suppress it.
"It's nothing..." Cao murmured with lowered eyes.
"What's nothing?" Gu Shiba Niang held back her laughter and said with a sullen face, "Did you sell my daughter to me?"
This sentence made Mr. Cao raise his head in shock and wave his hands hurriedly.
"No, no, the young master of the Xin family is different from the rest of his family. He is a scholar. He is not trying to profit from your daughter's skills..." she said in panic.
Before he finished speaking, he looked at Gu Shiba Niang's face that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and lowered her head in a sly manner.
"Which Young Master of the Xin family?" Gu Shiba Niang asked, her voice calm, without the slightest surprise.
Mrs. Cao raised her head, glanced at her daughter, and whispered: "The younger brother of the eldest son, Mr. Xin, is called Chunfang."
"Xin Chunfang..." Gu Shiba Niang frowned and read it over and over again.
"You may not recognize him, but he is a scholar and he knows your brother..." Ms. Cao explained.
"I recognize it." Gu Shiba Niang interrupted her and nodded.
Outside the green bamboo pavilion, a gentle and humble young man studying.
She turned around slowly. Although her face remained calm, there was an unspeakable taste spreading in her mouth.
In other words, that day and that side were all for this person, and not for the medicine that I was sure and slightly proud of.
"Eighteen Mother..." Sensing the change in her mood, Ms. Cao's face became even more frightened and uneasy, "You, are you angry that Mother made your own decisions?"
Without waiting for Shiba Niang to reply, she continued speaking in a sad voice.
"... He lives in his family, which is an ordinary family. He also lost his father early, leaving only a mother and son..."
“…..soft-tempered, diligent and studious…..”
"... At that time, everyone avoided us, and they didn't even dare to mention knowing your brother, for fear of being implicated and getting into trouble, but the mother and son were full of injustice..."
"...Eighteen Niang, I just want you to have a good home if your brother goes away and you are incompetent. You are not alone. You can close your eyes even if you die..." "
At this point, her voice was choked with sobs.
Gu Shiba Niang couldn't help but shed tears, turned around, and knelt down to Mrs. Cao.
"Mom, you... have suffered." She also choked with sobs.
Ms. Cao quickly helped her up, wiping away her tears while shaking her head and forcing a smile, "Why do you say that? It's you who suffers, mother. You are the one who suffers. Mother is useless and can't help you. Instead, it drags you down all the time. You have to suffer. You worry... ."
"Mother..." Gu Shiba Niang buried her head in front of her and choked, "My daughter knows, my daughter knows my mother's suffering... My daughter is the one who worries my mother..."
During this period, everyone knew that she, Gu Shiba Niang, was running around outside and suffered a lot.
But does Mr. Cao have an easy life at home? You can imagine how a mother feels when her son's life or death is uncertain, but a weak daughter is running around outside.
She was worried that her son would care about her daughter, endure the cynicism of others, and suffer the torment of her own heart.
Since ancient times, the king has guided the ministers and the father has guided the sons. There is no father in their family to support the family. As a mother, she naturally wants to protect her children from wind and rain. But since her daughter woke up from a serious illness, everything has turned upside down.
The strong daughter earns money so that they can have enough food and clothing, and blocks all external bullying.
As a mother, she is naturally proud to have such a capable daughter, but the reverse relationship between mother and daughter inevitably brings pressure. This pressure manifests itself in her anxiety, helplessness, confusion, and deep self-blame.
She blames herself for being useless and hates that she can't save her son or protect her daughter, so that sometimes she can't help but think that maybe if she dies, her son and daughter will be less involved and their lives will be easier.
Gu Shiba Niang has never thought of this, but today her mother's words are useless to her. The panic look on her face and the anxiety between her brows made her alert. She has always been very guarded to the outside world, and she has been brave in overcoming obstacles. , but never looked back to see what kind of pressure the relatives around me were bearing.
She herself was reborn and had personally experienced all kinds of tragedies that had never happened before, but her mother and her brother did not experience it this way. However, they both chose to support and believe, hiding their fear and uneasiness, and followed her staggeringly. Behind her, I try not to lag behind her or drag her down.
The family's nerves have reached their limit and they are exhausted. They are rich and have resolved various crises, but they are happy but not happy. Is this the good fate she wants and dreams of
"Eighteen Niang, I think maybe that's not the case..." She thought of what Gu Hai said.
Those were the words Gu Hai said after being silent for a while after he was released from prison and faced with his sad and angry accusation against his fate.
"...Perhaps it's not that fate cannot be changed, but that we control our destiny..." The young man realized after some hardships, "Everyone's destiny is chosen by themselves. After this incident, I think this is the truth even more... Shiba Niang, it’s not fate that forces us to follow a predetermined destiny, but I choose what kind of fate I want. Shiba Niang, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid that fate will Forcing us to embark on the original path, relax, and live our current life boldly and peacefully... "
"Is this letting go?" Gu Shiba Niang murmured.
Mrs. Cao didn't know what her daughter was thinking at this moment. After hearing her confused words, she just thought that she was worried because of the marriage she had rashly agreed to.
"As for Mr. Xin's matter, if you are not satisfied, just refuse..." She stretched out her hand and gently stroked her daughter's slightly frowning brow.
"Not decided yet?" Gu Shiba Niang was a little surprised. According to Cao's temperament, there is probably no room for maneuver in the matter.
"Not Najib yet..." Ms. Cao whispered with a bit of panic and lowered her eyes.
The most critical step is Najib. It also means issuing a letter of appointment, which is similar to a contract in a shopping mall. Once this step is completed, it means that the contract has been completed. If you regret it at any time, it can be regarded as a breach of contract.
Gu Shiba Niang breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled, "Why not Najib?"
Logically speaking, Xin Chaoyang would not let things stop at this critical moment. He should have completely finalized the marriage before letting Cao leave. This would be in line with his behavior.
"I want to ask what you mean..." Cao said softly.
"Really?" Gu Shiba Niang didn't believe it.
If I really wanted to ask her what she meant, she wouldn't have gone to Najib's level to think of it.
Mr. Cao's face was slightly red, and her true emotions were revealed in front of Gu Shiba Niang.
"It's because, it's because someone at home said...someone said..." She said hesitantly and raised her head to look at Gu Shiba Niang.
"What did you say?" Gu Shiba Niang asked.
"You said you might want to be the princess of the county..." Mrs. Cao mustered up the courage to speak out in a voice as loud as a mosquito.
Gu Shiba Niang was speechless, "What kind of concubine should I be?"
Prince Wenjun's explanation for Gu Hai has been spread widely. The common people have no idea and are not interested in these important matters in the court, such as the balance of status and balance. Everyone likes romance-style stories, where weak women are brave and courageous. The story of breaking into the capital, making a desperate move to annoy the royal family and nobles, being able to meet the king, and then asking for help from the nobles, can be widely circulated.
If it spreads around, you need to add some seasonings that are more suitable for public tastes, such as passionate young men, pitiful beauties, etc...
"That's nonsense!" Gu Shiba Niang raised her eyebrows and yelled. In a blink of an eye, she saw Ms. Cao's face filled with guilt and self-blame. She quickly softened her tone and said, "Mother, I will never believe or say this in the future..."
Ms. Cao nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then said softly: "Eighteen Niang, actually I don't want you to climb a high branch... I really want to ask you... what are you thinking?"
Gu Shiba Niang lowered her eyes and said nothing.
"Eighteen Mother, you are still young. No matter what happened in that life... it seems like a dream now..." Mrs. Cao stroked her daughter's shoulder and looked at her tired daughter under the light. He looked extremely sad and said, "You're still very young in your life, so you can't be alone. Mom feels very uncomfortable... What are you thinking?"
There was silence in the room.
After a while, Gu Shiba Niang raised her head and shook her head, "Mom, let's wait until my brother gets married. I don't want to think about this now." She said with a smile and held Ms. Cao's hand, "But, mom , Don’t worry, I know it well.”
"Actually, that kid from the Xin family is really good..." Ms. Cao said softly.
Gu Shiba Niang nodded, "I know."
Although the fact that it was Xin Chaoyang's arrangement made people feel a little uncomfortable, putting aside this point, Xin Chunfang is a very good and suitable marriage partner. She has met him, and she is more or less confident about him. He has a good appearance and is a scholar. The key is that he has no prejudice against their family. Everything is good, but it was not good when they met.
Now she has no intention of getting married.
"In that case, mother listens to you." Mrs. Cao sighed and nodded, stroking her daughter's thin cheek, "Mother Eighteen, mother only wants you to be well and happy, more than anything else... . ... "
Gu Shiba Niang smiled at her and nodded, "I know."
"That mother has dragged down your reputation this time..." Ms. Cao said with guilt.
They were the only ones who were wrong in rejecting the Xin family's marriage at this time, and according to everyone's usual impression, I am afraid that Gu Shiba Niang's reputation will be even more tarnished.
Gu Shiba Niang laughed, "Fame? What's the use of that thing?"
Cao's rejection letter was carefully written, full of self-blame and apology, but this did not relieve the depressed mood of those who read it.
"I have long said that somewhere in the capital, there is a world of flowers. You can't even see it with a single eye when you get there. There are so many wonderful people of all kinds..." Xin Chaoling said with a longing look on his face, as if he was already surrounded by flowers. I can't wait to drool, "... It's weird that someone likes Chunfang! He's not as good as you, brother... "
"Shut up!" Xin Chaoyang shouted.
Xin Chao Ling hurriedly shrank his head and kept silent.
"She's not that kind of person..." Xin Chaoyang said softly, as if he was talking to himself.
Xin Chaoling couldn't help but pricked up his ears again, "That kind of person? Brother, that's the capital. When Madam Gu arrives in the capital, what does that sentence say? The sky is high and the birds can fly and the sea is as wide as the fish can jump, waiting to take her There are so many people to marry, so they naturally have to choose carefully. I have said before, Chunfang's dull-witted... "
"Shut up!" Xin Chaoyang shouted again, a trace of anger appearing on his face that usually showed no emotion or anger.
What went wrong? This result shouldn't have happened. His arrangement couldn't be more in line with her wishes. Even though she knew it was her own deliberate arrangement, Mrs. Gu could still appreciate her kindness. Even if she wanted to keep her There are benefits in it, but regardless of character or family background, it is definitely not a blind marriage, a mute marriage, a random combination...
Impossible, impossible to refuse so decisively. He raised his head and looked out the window. The trees in the courtyard were lush and green in summer, almost covering the blue sky above the courtyard. A bird flew across the sky, flying so freely. .
That man, like a bird, finally jumped out of the sky in front of him.
"I'm going to the capital!" Xin Chaoyang stood up and strode out.
Xin Chaoling was startled by his rambling words, and quickly realized what he was saying and chased him out.
"What are you going to do in the capital?" he asked.
They had already walked outside the door and stood under the door plaque. Xin Chaoyang stretched his hands in front of his eyes, then slowly closed them and held them tightly.
At this moment, a strong gust of wind came. Xin Chaoyang subconsciously turned his head, and an arrow passed by his ear and shot into the door panel with a thud.
There was a sudden scream outside Xin Chaoyang's house. The concierges shouted and ran around to protect Xin Chaoyang, but Xin Chaoling had already crawled into the doorway with his head in his hands.
"Quiet!" Xin Chaoyang shouted.
The feathered arrow quivered and nailed a piece of paper firmly to the door panel.
"Bring it here!" He stretched out his hand and said.
The nearest concierge immediately reached out and pulled it out, carefully taking the arrow and paper over.
"Be careful!" Xin Chao Ling poked his head inside and shouted.
Xin Chaoyang ignored it, took the feather arrow, and looked through it in his hand. It was a killing arrow. It was extremely powerful at close range. It was commonly used in the military. It was used to assassinate oneself? It was too fussy...
He looked at the paper that was pierced by the arrow again. It was a narrow piece of paper folded into a strip, and the writing could be faintly seen. He shook it open and saw that it read clearly, "If you dare to plot against my wife, you will die."