Chapter 9: Arranging the Wedding

Gu Yunzhu did not know what she was about to experience; she was currently sulking.

As the only young lady of the Marquis’s estate, she was considered incredibly noble in the eyes of ordinary commoners.

However, among the daughters of the capital’s powerful and wealthy, she was nothing of note.

Furthermore, Gu Yunzhu’s embroidery and talents were mediocre, and she hadn't even inherited a tenth of her two older brothers' looks. She resembled the old Marquis very closely, while her two brothers resembled the old Madam.

Thus, Gu Yunzhu’s appearance was average. Coupled with the fact that she had been raised in the palms of the old Marquis and the old Madam, she had been pampered beyond measure since childhood.

She had no desire to curry favor with the daughters of those powerful families.

Liu Ming was a man of talent and handsome appearance, and he treated her very well. Liu Ming’s mother and grandmother were also very kind to her.

She felt that marrying into the Liu family would be quite nice.

Although Gu Yunzhu had always bullied Hanzhi, she was also afraid of being treated that way by her future in-laws, so naturally, she had even less desire to marry into a higher status.

In Gu Yunzhu’s view, although the Liu family was a bit inferior, Liu Ming treated her well!

Moreover, Hanzhi had money, so her future life wouldn't be too bad.

It was just that now, Hanzhi was no longer managing the money; the power of the household was held by Aunt Liu, her mother didn't care, and her second brother was even more stingy—he actually required her to pay for all the clothes and jewelry from the shops.

Ever since Hanzhi married in, when had she ever worried about money?

Gu Yunzhu was furious. She had originally intended to take her maid with her to see Liu Ming.

But Liu Ming had told her not to bring too many people, saying it was too flashy and that if his mother found out, she might be displeased. It was precisely because of this concern that Gu Yunzhu didn't bring a single maid and went to find Liu Ming alone.

"Yo, where did this little lady come from? She’s so beautiful!"

"Looking at this attire, she seems to be a young lady from a wealthy family!"

"These young ladies usually look down on people like us."

Gu Yunzhu was scared to death as she watched the men suddenly approach and surround her.

These few people were in rags, disheveled, and looked extremely disgusting. When they got close, they emitted a foul stench that nearly terrified Gu Yunzhu to death.

However, she still possessed a shred of reason, and she instantly resorted to her signature skill: her loud voice.

Unfortunately, before she could even scream, someone covered her mouth, leaving her unable to make a sound.

Seeing the man’s blackened fingers, Gu Yunzhu felt so disgusted she almost vomited.

Gu Yunzhu struggled desperately, but how could a woman be a match for three grown men?

Gu Yunzhu was fair-skinned. One must know that in this era, wealthy families and the poor were practically two different species.

Ordinary farm girls, who were neither well-fed nor well-clothed and had to do farm work every day, basically never grew tall, and their skin was tanned black and yellow by the sun.

They were also gaunt from hunger; in such a state, even if a girl was a beauty with pretty features, she would be ruined into an ugly woman by the environment.

But Gu Yunzhu had been meticulously groomed; she wore white powder and was adorned with pearls and jewels.

Such a woman was somewhat attractive.

It wasn't just because of her appearance, but more so because of her status.

A noblewoman who was usually high and unreachable could now be reduced to a lump of mud beneath their feet, trampled ruthlessly—just thinking about it made their blood boil.

Gu Yunzhu’s clothes were torn, and the pearl hairpin on her head and the jewelry on her body were all snatched away.

"So-called young ladies are nothing more than this, huh?"

"Brothers, look at her now; she’s not even as good as a prostitute in a brothel."

"Hahaha..."

Gu Yunzhu wanted to cover her ears; her face was covered in tears and snot.

She wanted to escape, but she didn't have a single piece of clothing left on her body; her clothes had been torn apart by them.

"What are you doing!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.

The three men were so frightened that they fled in a panic.

"Brother Ming!"

Gu Yunzhu cried out, then immediately covered her face with her hands. At this moment, she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Liu Ming took off his outer robe and covered Gu Yunzhu with it, then said to her, "Yunzhu, no matter what happens, my feelings for you will never change."

"Brother Ming..."

Gu Yunzhu could no longer control her emotions and burst into loud sobs.

"Yunzhu, don't worry. I will never let those who bullied you get away with it. However, for the sake of your reputation, this matter should not be publicized; we cannot let too many people know. I will take you back to the Marquis’s estate first."

"Brother Ming!"

Gu Yunzhu could only call out Liu Ming’s name, not knowing what else to do.

In this instant, she didn't even know how to think.

Her brain had stopped functioning.

She was both relieved that Liu Ming had saved her and mortified that Liu Ming had seen her in such a wretched state.

The whole way back, she didn't know what to do other than cry.

She also felt that Liu Ming was very thoughtful, as he had even found a carriage to take her back to the Marquis’s estate.

...

At this time, Hanzhi was being pushed in her wheelchair by Qiuju toward the main hall.

The old Madam sat in the main seat with a gloomy expression.

"Miss, I just saw that scholar Liu. He was actually sent out personally by Nanny Gui, who is by the old Madam’s side."

Nanny Gui was the old Madam’s confidante and had been by her side since the old Madam was married.

The old Madam had always looked down on Liu Ming.

How could she possibly let Liu Ming enter the Marquis’s estate? This was truly too strange.

The old Madam sat in the hall, and Gu Yundian, who usually never stayed home, had also returned.

Aunt Liu was not present.

Clearly, the old Madam had not called for Aunt Liu.

Hanzhi glanced at Gu Yundian. Gu Yundian’s face was livid; he seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he didn't open his mouth.

"Hanzhi, Yunzhu and Liu Ming are considered to be in mutual affection, and the two have been together for a long time. You should handle Yunzhu’s marriage arrangements!"

"Cough, cough!"

"Mother, look at sister-in-law’s health; she is still ill!"

Hearing Hanzhi’s coughing, Gu Yundian couldn't help but speak to the old Madam.

Hanzhi had been speaking much more pleasantly lately, and regarding some business matters, Hanzhi truly had great insight. For some things, without him even having to speak, Hanzhi would proactively think of his difficulties and offer a few pointers, which made things go much smoother for him.

Therefore, Gu Yundian naturally found Hanzhi more agreeable now.

In Gu Yundian’s view, there was nothing shameful about doing business.

He might one day become the number one merchant of the Sheng Dynasty.

Gu Yundian discovered that doing business was even faster than gambling.

And doing business was also a gamble—a gamble on one’s own judgment.

If you win the gamble, you can make a lot, a lot of money.

For example, he had taken a liking to a certain type of rouge in advance and had craftsmen make a large quantity, storing a lot of stock. If it didn't sell, he would have suffered a terrible loss.

It was Hanzhi who had reminded him.

She said that since he often frequented brothels and observed those women, and since women had strong purchasing power, if he did business related to women, it would surely sell well.