I Won't Let Go (continued)

If it doesn't work, then a season's harvest will be wasted.

Gu Wanning will be scorned by many people, and she will carry this indelible stain for the rest of her life.

"Let your father handle it," Gu Yuanshi said. "Your father will tell the Emperor that it's your achievement, but since you're a woman, he might not believe it. So, I'll use my name to promote it. If it succeeds, the Emperor will know your contribution and reward you, telling the world that it's your achievement; if it fails, your father will take the blame."

He was already riddled with arrows and unafraid of infamy, but he didn't want his daughter to bear the burden of what he had endured.

"Father..." Gu Wanning's feelings were complicated.

If someone else said that, she would feel suspected of stealing credit.

However, Gu Yuanshi had already reached the pinnacle of his position and didn't need to accumulate any more wealth. Moreover, given his status, maintaining the status quo was sufficient; there was no need for him to take any risks.

He was genuinely working for the well-being of all people, and within his understanding, he wanted to make amends to his daughter.

"Gu Wanning, it's not that your father doesn't trust you, but this matter is of utmost importance. If anything unexpected happens, it will involve many things. The Emperor is not omnipotent or knows everything; and the common people have limited education, with many being ignorant..."

If anything unexpected happens, the daughter will have to bear the pressure from both above and below.

"Father, you don't need to say anything more. I understand your good intentions." Gu Wanning felt a pang of unease as she watched him carefully choose his words. "While I may not be a gentleman, I am not malicious either. Thank you."

"Good child, wait patiently a little longer. If the Marquis treats you badly, send Er Ya home to deliver a message, and I will have your elder brother come and take you back to your parents' home."

"The Marquis treats me very well, so you don't need to worry," Gu Wanning said. "I only ask that you never doubt my determination to divorce me."

For the first time, Xu Weibei understood what it meant to feel like his heart was being torn apart.

He treated her very well, but she still wanted a divorce.

Isn't this a bit too unreasonable?

Seeing that Gu Yuanshi was indicating his intention to leave, Xu Weibei quietly disappeared.

He was in a bad mood.

Gao Lan by, at a loss, wanting to urge him to go to the Ministry of Revenue but not daring to.

But, my Marquis, do you know...?

Your current state of despair over love is really... a bit stunted.

Who at twenty-three, an age when they've already fathered several children, is still crazy about love?

It's simply unbearable to look at.

Can we be a little more composed?

Don't lower your head, or you'll lose your prestige. You're a war god with illustrious battle achievements, not a pure love war god!

Men, perhaps, will eventually learn and grow from women; it's just a matter of time.

The Marquis has started his tutoring.

But it's okay to have extra lessons; take your time to understand, and please don't make things difficult for the teacher.

But things didn't go as planned. Xu Weibei asked, "What do you think she's really thinking? She said I'm good to her, so why does she insist on leaving?"

What's wrong with women? Are their brains different from men's?

He could understand each of Xu Weibei's individual sentences, but he couldn't comprehend them when put together.

Gao Lan: Sure enough, what did he say again?

"My Marquis, is it possible that neither the lady nor Chief Grand Secretary Gu were telling the truth? Has she always been indifferent to the Gu family?"

It's definitely not her style to expect Gu Wanning to complain to the Gu family, crying and saying how miserable her life is.

Xu Weibei frowned and thought for a long time, "You mean, she's suffering in silence?"

"It's not that she's suffering, but rather, it's that she might not be entirely satisfied with the Marquis... However, the real reason, which the lady didn't say, is that she might feel better with you than with the Gu family, and doesn't want to expose your shortcomings."

"I'm fine, so why did she leave?"

"It's not 'hello,' it's just a comparison..."

Gao Lan felt that he could easily have his tongue pulled out by Xu Weibei today, but if he didn't explain it clearly, his good Marquis probably wouldn't understand.

Speak like a human being.

"When Madam says 'hello,' she's just being polite."

Xu Weibei: "Nonsense!"

Gao Lan lowered his head, took half a step back, and dared not speak again.

But after a while, Xu Weibei said, "Continue!"

Gao Lan: "... Think about it, under normal circumstances, who would dare to boast about themselves!"

She wasn't bragging, she was praising me.

"That means Madam doesn't consider you one of her own, which is why she praises you so much. Otherwise, think about it, who would dare to praise themselves, their husband, or their son in front of outsiders? Wouldn't they have to be humble?"

Praising you to the skies is polite, but doesn't it also carry a hint of distance?

Xu Weibei glared at him, "You said everything, and look what happened now?"

Gao Lan: Sure enough, meddling in the marriage deserves to be struck by lightning.

Now it's up to you to figure out what to do next, but please don't torture me anymore.

Xu Weibei gritted his teeth and said, "That Old Thief Gu has finally done something good. There's still a year left..."

"But—" Gao Lan couldn't control his mouth in front of Xu Weibei, and he wanted to swallow back the words he was about to say.

Then, under Xu Weibei's threatening gaze, he stammered, "... Madam may not be thinking of other methods. Madam is quite quick-witted."

Xu Weibei was unable to refute.

Because he felt the same way, but he just didn't want to admit it.

"My Marquis, if you truly wish to treat your wife well, why not simply ask her what she wants from you? If anything is amiss, just correct it."

It's better than being like this now, wandering aimlessly like a headless fly.

"Do you think I haven't thought about it? Of all her things, she's the most stubborn." Xu Weibei helplessly, "And if I were to say it, she'd probably have a million rejections waiting for me."

He also lacked the courage to break the ice before winning her favor.

"Then, please don't argue with Madam anymore," Gao Lan said after thinking for a moment. "Just agree to whatever Madam wants to do, and don't bring any more women into the manor, lest she misunderstand you..."

"Should I tell him about Jiaoniang and Linglong?" Xu Weibei hesitated.