Chapter 1501: Chapter 1499: The Choice
The information and backgrounds of Miss Zhuo and Miss Ai were given to Gu Changque, and the Lady of the Gu Family initially wanted to arrange an opportunity for them to et and get to know each other.
But Gu Changque refused.
He still had personnel left in the Capital City from before, which were not idle.
He had soone investigate, and soon all kinds of information were gathered on his desk.
The details about Miss Zhuo in the data given by the Lady of the Gu Family were roughly the sa, with no major discrepancies.
Since her engagent was called off, Miss Zhuo has been living most of her ti in an estate in the suburbs, growing flowers and raising fish, leading a very leisurely life.
Even being gossiped about by countless people behind her back, she didn’t care much. Occasionally, she even revealed to her close friends that it was fine as it was, her parents were around, and she would enjoy each day as it ca.
If her parents were no longer around, she’d rather cut off her hair and beco a nun than marry just anyone and live a life of humility.
This ti, the proposal from the Gu Family was actually due to Lady Zhuo’s persuasion for several days, saying that the Gu Family had a good reputation, and the Old Master Gu and the Second Master, as well as the Third Master—who used to be worthless—never took concubines.
It was presud that this newly-found Third Master would not take concubines again, and although this Third Master was a bit older, wasn’t it better for a man to be older and more caring?
It was heard that the Third Master had suffered a lot outside in his youth and was only recently found, and it was heard he had never married before, so technically this would be his first marriage.
It was heard that the Gu Family was intent on compensating this Third Master, with the Old Master Gu even humbling himself before His Majesty the Emperor to seek a favor, donating for a sinecure.
Thus, if she really married in, from the mont of marriage, she’d beco a Fifth-Rank Enjoin.
In comparison, Miss Zhuo’s biological father, through the years, had only reached the rank of from Fifth Rank, and besides the Third Master’s slightly advanced age, there were no other faults in him.
If not for the age factor, it wouldn’t even be her daughter’s turn, right?
If their daughter married in and bore a child or two, they would have a firm standing! Henceforth, they wouldn’t have to worry, even in death, about their daughter’s future.
Miss Zhuo knew her parents felt guilty towards her, believing they hadn’t looked after her well by arranging such a troubleso engagent, resulting in her misfortune.
Seeing her mother’s eyes filled with hidden anticipation and guilt, and considering Third Master Gu’s conditions, she agreed.
Upon reaching the Gu Family and seeing so many girls invited, only then did the Zhuo mother and daughter realize that Third Master Gu was such a catch, and compared their conditions with the others, theirs was the least appealing.
Upon realizing this, the mother and daughter let go of their thoughts, thinking it probably wasn’t going to work out, and maintained their composure.
Who would have thought that because of their calm and collected deanor, they caught the Lady of the Gu Family’s eye.
As for Miss Ai, the youngest daughter of her family, she was quite cherished.
Because her mother and two sisters were considered good at motherhood, many suitors sought after her.
Additionally, Miss Ai was also reportedly very beautiful, and the Ai Family, it seems, had a significant agenda, frequently promoting her beauty and her affection for children outside.
Logically, they didn’t need to send their youngest daughter for the Gu Family to choose, to marry a man old enough to be her father.
It’s just that currently, Miss Ai’s eldest brother is employed under Gu Changji.
Bringing Miss Ai to the Gu Family had an obvious purpose.
Gu Changque, although uninvolved in officialdom, wasn’t foolish, having endured a lifeti of hardships, he had seen plenty.
He was well aware of the Ai Family’s intentions. Even though he understood that these families brought their youthful daughters aiming to gain sothing from the Gu Family.
Although he felt a lack of strong attachnt to the Gu Family, they were still his blood relatives, and he wasn’t one to let his family contribute too much just for his own benefit.
Moreover, Miss Ai’s eldest brother worked under his unseen second brother, and if she were chosen, marrying her would naturally incline her towards the Second Branch.
The hostility Gu Zii held for Wang Yongzhu was still fresh in mory, and if his wife leaned towards the Second Branch, and with the elders’ support, acted against Wang Yongzhu…
At this point, Gu Changque decisively excluded Miss Ai, regardless of her fertility potential.
With two out, only Miss Zhuo was left.
With only this option remaining, Gu Changque pondered further and felt that Miss Zhuo was indeed the most suitable.
She was slightly older, an unmarried lady of twenty-five or twenty-six, marrying her entailed less guilt.
Moreover, she had a composed temperant, and the Zhuo Family had a good reputation, unlikely to seek undue gains through marriage.
Having made up his mind, he wasn’t one to procrastinate and went straight to discuss with the Lady of the Gu Family.
The Lady of the Gu Family was delighted, as it aligned with her wishes.
She imdiately nodded, saying she would find a matchmaker to propose.
Gu Changque added that during the proposal, certain matters should be made clear in advance: though holding a sinecure, he didn’t plan to advance in the officialdom.
Moreover, the Gu Family had long been separated, and marrying him ant life would be set, without lacking in necessities, but one should not expect excessive splendor and wealth.
After marrying him, without much to be said, it might an leaving the Capital City for years without return.
Besides, with his advanced age, he was certain to pass away many years earlier than Miss Zhuo. If the Zhuo Family didn’t mind, while he couldn’t ensure everything, at least he could promise not to take concubines to bother Miss Zhuo.
The Lady of the Gu Family was amused, questioning if this was the way these matters were usually handled.
These discussions could wait until after marriage to be said slowly.
Yet Gu Changque seriously replied, “Elder sister-in-law, marriage is of utmost importance in life; as the saying goes, n fear choosing the wrong career, won fear marrying the wrong man. This engagent is about both parties choosing each other, it’s best to clarify things beforehand to avoid unrealistic expectations!”
“This is just my condition, an unrefined man who can’t promise wealth and glory and is advanced in age. What I can do, I will, but I won’t deceive anyone! Marrying at my age, I seek stability, not to play gas with others.”
“If they agree, we marry and lead a good life; if not, there’s no rush, we can find another suitable match later.”
The Lady of the Gu Family, assuming a serious expression, understood that these were Gu Changque’s sincere words, and she understood the aning behind them.
Precisely because of this understanding, she felt a sense of admiration, truly seeing that Gu Changque shared the sa lineage as her family, as his thoughts and actions were just like her own husband’s.
She then seriously remarked, “Rest assured, Uncle, I shall undoubtedly relay these words through the matchmaker.”
Only then did Gu Changque smile slightly, and gave a respectful bow to the Lady of the Gu Family: “Thank you, elder sister-in-law!”
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