Hu Ge Shuang Er was startled and looked back, only to see the Old Marquis wearing a dog-head mask, stealthily approaching the pavilion...
Hu Ge Shuang Er twitched her lips and asked, "Old Marquis, what are you doing?"
"Hush, ladies, don't make a sound. I'm whispering with Cupid!" the Old Marquis said sternly.
Hu Ge Shuang Er: "..."
Han Chi Yan: "..."
What was this Old Marquis up to again in broad daylight?
She really needed to have a word with Marquis Gu. If the Old Marquis continued to be confined to the manor, he might truly go mad...
Han Chi Yan quickly stood up and went to support the Old Marquis, chiding, "Old Marquis, although it's early spring, the wind outside is still quite cold. What if you catch a chill running out with so little on?"
After speaking, Han Chi Yan took the Old Marquis's arm. "Come, I'll escort you back to your room..."
"Hush, hush, hush, don't make noise!" The Old Marquis shook his dog-head mask and pointed to the sky. "See? Cupid is watching you two from not far away. What if she gets scared off?"
Han Chi Yan: "..."
Old Marquis, have you truly gone mad?
How can you speak such nonsense with your eyes open?
"Princess Yan Er, I've become friends with Cupid recently. Guess what she told me?" The Old Marquis took off the dog-head mask and asked with a serious expression.
Han Chi Yan couldn't hold back her laughter. "What did she say?"
"Cupid told me that before long, Princess Yan Er will break free from being single and become my son's little bride, hehe..." The Old Marquis chuckled.
Han Chi Yan: "..."
Why does everything get dragged onto her?
It's quite embarrassing.
"Old Marquis, please don't joke. I am your son's captive now, unable to return home, unable to speak of my grievances. How could I become his wife?" Han Chi Yan's cheeks flushed slightly, her heart gradually quickening.
Seeing this, the Old Marquis laughed even more heartily. "Princess Yan Er, my son is so outstanding. He performed well in quelling the rebellion this time, and the Emperor will reward him handsomely. You, just live well with him, and your future life will surely be prosperous and flourishing..."
What captive, what barbarian princess, let it all go to hell.
When love arrives, nothing can stop it.
Upon hearing this, Hu Ge Shuang Er's expression showed reluctance. "Old Marquis, since you know my princess's identity, you shouldn't say such things. Where in this world do enemies become spouses?"
The Old Marquis snorted lightly, cast a sideways glance at Hu Ge Shuang Er, and said unhurriedly, "I wonder who it is that guards the Marquis's manor gate every noon, waiting for Young Master Chu to bring her roujiamo and roasted sweet potatoes. You're unhappy if he's even a little late!"
Hu Ge Shuang Er: "..."
"Miss Shuang Er, Cupid also told me that you probably won't be able to return to the grasslands in this lifetime. Once you fall in love, you should obediently stay and enjoy your blessings. Don't worry about your princess's affairs!"
Although the Old Marquis often acted foolishly within the manor, either reading storybooks or playing pranks on the servants, his insight into matters was often more profound than Gu Ming Yan's...
He had walked over more bridges than young people had walked roads; he was very experienced.
Hu Ge Shuang Er's cheeks turned hot from his words, and she quickly turned away. "That's... that's because Young Master Chu is shamelessly pestering me every day..."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, a woman who says one thing and means another!" The Old Marquis wagged his finger and leaned towards Hu Ge Shuang Er. "Miss Shuang Er, if I were you, I would have married Young Master Chu and had babies long ago. That boy is simple-minded and has no ulterior motives. As for his strengths, there are too many. He can make money, he's caring, he's cautious in his actions, and he's not without humor. Such a husband is hard to find even with a lantern..."
Because she had always bought clothes from the Chu family's cloth shop before, the Old Marquis knew Chu Jiang Tun very well.
"I, I just find him amusing, so... so..."
"So you're willing to interact with him?" The Old Marquis glanced at Hu Ge Shuang Er, took out his tobacco pouch, and took a couple of puffs. "If you really marry him, there will be plenty of amusing things to do, and you'll never get enough of playing, hehe!"
Hu Ge Shuang Er: "..."
Han Chi Yan: "..."
Old Marquis, why are you smiling so wickedly?
You like playing matchmaker so much, from now on, you'll be called the number one matchmaker in the capital.
"Old Marquis, the wind in the capital is too dry. Have you drunk the rock sugar and pear soup I made for you?" Han Chi Yan asked.
The Old Marquis smiled faintly. "How can rock sugar and pear soup be as sweet as your love with my son!"
Han Chi Yan: "..."
He really can't go three sentences without mentioning love.
At this moment, Steward Zhou entered the back garden and approached the Old Marquis. "Master, lunch is ready!"
Ever since Han Chi Yan and Hu Ge Shuang Er arrived at the Marquis's manor, the food here had soared. Every day there was meat and fish, delicacies and rare ingredients, making the stray cats crouch on the kitchen roof and meow every day...
"Hurry and invite the two young ladies to dine!" the Old Marquis instructed.
"Yes, alright. Princess Yan Er, Miss Shuang Er, please!" Steward Zhou said with a smile.
As the two left the back garden, the Old Marquis quickly grabbed Steward Zhou and whispered a few words in his ear...
Upon hearing this, Steward Zhou was greatly alarmed. "Mas... Master, aren't you afraid the young master will blame you for doing this?"
Good heavens, the Master would think of any trick to get the young master and Princess Yan Er together...
The Old Marquis's expression turned serious, and he said irritably, "What would that brat blame me for? He's too timid to even handle a girl. If I don't help him, when will I get to hold my grandson?"
Steward Zhou: "..."
However, speaking of which, their young master, although talented and resourceful, was very shy when it came to pursuing girls.
The young master was not young anymore after this year; it was time for him to marry, have children, and start a family.
"Alright, then I'll do as you say. But if things go wrong, Master must protect me..." Steward Zhou said cautiously.
The Old Marquis heard this and slapped him on the forehead. "Look at you! How could my plans go wrong? Tonight, be smart, don't be a clumsy idiot!"
Steward Zhou wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and nodded. "Y-yes, Master..."
Everything was ready, all that was left was Gu Ming Yan's move tonight.
At the same time, inside the Imperial Palace's Hall of Diligent Governance.
Emperor Cheng had just returned from the Meridian Gate, having witnessed the public executions. The gloom that had been suppressed in his heart finally dissipated...
As long as those traitorous officials were all executed, the Great Liang Kingdom could regain its vitality and slowly move towards prosperity and strength.
Before his son ascended the throne, he had to clear all obstacles in his path.
He picked up a memorial and was about to read it when Eunuch Zhao suddenly walked in. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, they've brought the person..."