Stopped at the Door

Gao Lan had several braziers brought over and helped Xu Weibei change his clothes. Looking at the silent Xu Weibei, he cautiously asked, "My Marquis, where have you been? The Grand Princess heard you didn't go to the palace and has sent people to invite you several times."

Now, whenever Xu Weibei hears the name "Grand Princess," he immediately associates it with "holding her back."

My grandmother was extremely calculating.

Gu Wanning simply didn't care, but deep down she really disliked it.

"Have someone tell Grandma that I'll go to kowtow and wish her a Happy New Year at dawn. She's old; she should rest early and not stay up all night."

"Yes."

Xu Weibei stroked the jade thumb ring on his thumb, his mind filled with thoughts of the heartfelt words he had overheard earlier that day.

He never knew that Gu Wanning thought this way...

Although her lack of self-trust is infuriating, her concerns are not unfounded.

Her ideas were indeed... unconventional and unorthodox.

But it's not her fault.

Gu Wanning thought it was right for him to want multiple wives and concubines.

But from Gu Wanning's perspective, her father and brothers each only had one woman, so why should she tolerate so many women?

Having too many women is really annoying.

The First Concubine is always crying and whining, the Second Concubine is always scheming about business, the Third Concubine is always gloomy and unpredictable, the Fourth Concubine is always unruly and deserves a beating... and then there's Linglong, who can't think straight. They're all annoying.

He's already annoyed, how can he expect Gu Wanning to like him?

Gu Wanning: I actually really like them.

He had indeed been constantly at odds with her father and brothers, putting her in an awkward position, which put her in a difficult position, since she couldn't possibly sever ties with her family.

Blood ties are her greatest support.

She should have trusted her father and brothers more than herself, an "outsider."

It's common for men to be fickle in matters of love, but I've never heard of a man being fickle in matters of daughters or sisters, going so far as to adopt a daughter or sister for himself.

My grandmother had so many rules; her abacus beads were practically flying into people's faces. Who wouldn't give her a wide berth?

In conclusion, after reflecting on his actions, Xu Weibei realized that Gu Wanning's retreat was entirely justified.

It's not her fault, it's really not her fault.

If anyone has to blame, it's myself for not anticipating her thoughts sooner, for not addressing them one by one, and for not giving her enough security.

But it's alright, what's past can't be undone, but the future can still be shaped.

He and Gu Wanning have a long future ahead of them.

He should be overjoyed, because although Gu Wanning didn't fancy him, she didn't fancy any other men either.

That's good.

Moreover, with such demanding requirements for a partner, it's unlikely that anyone would meet those conditions.

Therefore, it's all good news, all positive news.

Gao Lan watched the Marquis's strange expression, alternating between frowning and smiling, and stood silently to the side with his hands at his sides, wondering what had possessed the Marquis.

That's a little scary.

"Gao Lan."

"Your subordinate is here."

"I'm hungry." Xu Weibei belatedly realized that he hadn't eaten yet and was starving.

"Yes, very well! I'll have the food brought over right away; it's still warm!"

I want to eat hot pot.

"Eat, eat the hot pot?"

Is it okay to eat hot pot during Chinese New Year?

"Yes, have someone prepare to go."

He ate hot pot with Gu Wanning.

"Okay, all done!"

Marquis says it's good, then that's good.

Gu Wanning: I've already eaten and drunk my fill. Only scraps remain. I'll excuse myself from joining you.

After finishing his meal, Xu Weibei washed up and lay down.

Gao Lan said cautiously, "My Marquis, you still have to go to the palace to pay your New Year's respects to the Emperor later..."

"Didn't you say you were cured? What illness can heal so quickly? I'm not going!"

"Yes, Your Marquis. Please rest well. I won't wake you up tomorrow morning."

"Call me," Xu Weibei, "Go and kowtow to your grandmother to wish her a Happy New Year as soon as possible."

"Yes, that's how it should be."

"And aren't those guys going to the temple fair? I'll go with them!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Lan's expression immediately turned horrified.

Will you accompany me?

The sun rose in the west?

Is the Marquis so angered by his wife that he's considering other women?

OK.

They can't just walk away and leave while the Marquis is still here weeping and wailing, threatening to kill himself.

That's all for now.

Chapter 151 Obstruction from Leaving

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Wanning dressed Zhi Nu in new clothes and sent him to the Gu family to pay New Year's respects.

"Auntie, aren't you coming with me?"

"I'm not going. It's not a good day for a married daughter to return home on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Don't worry, Er Ya will go with you. Your older brother is going out to pay New Year's visits; just follow behind him."

Zhi Nu didn't want to go, fearing he would bring shame to the Gu family. He discussed it with Gu Wanning and said he only wanted to go to the Gu family to kowtow to the elders and then come back.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Wanning said, "Alright, hurry back, I'll take you out to the temple fair."

Gu Anqi feels guilty towards Zhi Nu, so he probably won't make things difficult for him.

"Okay." Zhi Nu left happily.

He returned after a while, followed by Gu Anqi.

"Happy New Year, big brother!" Gu Wanning said with a smile, reaching out to take the purse that Gu Anqi handed her.

"You're going to the temple fair, it's not safe without someone with you, I'll go with you."

"Oh? No need, it's fine," Gu Wanning quickly refused. "There are so many people, who will notice us? We're not causing any trouble..."

Taking her older brother along? Isn't she just making herself uncomfortable?

"It's okay, I had plans to go to the temple fair with my friends anyway."

"Oh, brother, aren't you going out to pay New Year's visits?"

"We only went to five or six places and are already back," Gu Anqi said. "Get ready and we'll set off."

Oh no, I absolutely have to go with them.