Far-Sighted

Gu Wanning hesitated briefly, then nodded and followed Gu Anqi to the Gu family.

Gu Anqi did not allow her to pay her respects to his mother, Wei Shi, but instead took her directly to Gu Yuanshi's study.

Gu Yuanshi's study was small but cluttered with many things, making it appear somewhat messy.

In particular, the books he read filled many boxes and were piled up haphazardly in various corners of the room. Some of them were open, and the books inside were not very neat, probably because they were frequently read.

Seeing this, Gu Wanning's obsessive-compulsive disorder kicked in, and she said to Gu Anqi, "Brother, find a carpenter to make some bookshelves later. I'll draw up a blueprint for you, so the books will be neat and easy to find in the future."

Tell me about it.

We're just waiting for my father to come back so we can have time to discuss this.

I'll draw it for you later.

"Come here, draw here." Gu Anqi walked to the desk and beckoned to Gu Wanning, who was standing at the door. "Don't be afraid, I'm allowed into Father's study too."

Gu Wanning muttered softly, "But they didn't say I could come in..."

"I'm here. I'll let you in, so don't be afraid. Come on—"

Gu Anqi started tidying up the books on the table to make room.

Seeing this, Gu Wanning also stepped forward to help.

She was surprised to find that several books on the desk, including one open and weighed down by a paperweight, were all Agricultural Books.

"Dad is quite interested in farming," Gu Wanning said, while flipping through a few pages.

Hmm, very good, but I don't understand.

Another day of feeling utterly humiliated.

Seemingly sensing her "despair," Gu Anqi smiled. "These are all ancient books, obscure and difficult to understand; I doubt they're easy for me to read either. He's always been concerned with farming, so seeing your interest in it makes him very proud."

Gu Wanning remained silent.

She said that her father's love was like a mountain, and she was a monkey at the bottom of the mountain, only feeling its weight but not seeing its majesty.

"Grandfather, you're back!" Zhi Nu shouted from outside.

Gu Wanning was taken aback and couldn't help but look at Gu Anqi, her expression slightly tense.

Chapter 240 Foresight

Gu Anqi pointed to the screen depicting the Four Friends of Winter.

Gu Wanning walked behind the screen, feeling inexplicably flustered.

She felt like a petty thief.

If Gu Yuanshi finds out, where will she put her face?

He was so tough before, cutting ties so easily, but now he's sneaking into people's homes like a thief...

"Father, you're back." Gu Anqi stepped forward to greet him.

"Hmm." Gu Yuanshi's voice sounded tired. "Did the Grand Princess cause trouble for your sister?"

Gu Wanning was deeply moved.

For some reason, hearing these words warmed her heart.

Perhaps it was because Gu Yuanshi didn't say that he was the one who provoked the Grand Princess and caused her trouble.

"It was nothing more than a test of your attitude," Gu Anqi said. "I happened to run into them today when I was out to dinner with my He Ge and mother, and I spoke up for my sister. Father, was I a bit impulsive?"

Gu Wanning: "..."

Brother, you love to act, and you're a good actor.

You portrayed that cautiousness, that uncertainty as if you'd made a mistake, so perfectly.

"What impulse made you want to help your sister?" Gu Yuanshi said. "I can't intervene because my position with the Emperor is somewhat different. In this position, everything must be handled carefully. You're still young, it's normal for you to have your own sense of right and wrong, and to have clear likes and dislikes. Even if you did something a little out of line, you can just cover it up with impulsiveness."

"Father, even the Emperor won't kill the Marquis. Is it necessary for you to be so heartless and sever ties with your sister?" Gu Anqi asked.

Gu Wanning was deeply moved.

This was actually a question she kept hidden in her heart.

However, she felt that she and Gu Yuanshi were not that close, so she couldn't ask.

Moreover, even within familial relationships, there exists the same kind of awkwardness as romantic relationships—you dislike me, and I dislike you in return.

If you don't contact me, I won't contact you either.

I cannot afford to lose the Cold War.

Unexpectedly, Gu Anqi asked the question.

Gu Wanning could easily understand his intentions.

He probably guessed it, or perhaps he was worried about keeping it to himself, so he used this method to ask the question for him.

My older brother really put a lot of thought into this.

"Because I can see further." Gu Yuanshi sighed.

Gu Anqi pulled out a chair for him, and he slowly sat down, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Marquis, you've gone to such lengths for your sister. Humans aren't made of stone; how could they be without feelings? Even we outsiders are moved, let alone your sister, who experienced it all firsthand. I'm afraid your sister has given her whole heart."

Gu Wanning blushed.

It seems my father was right...

Although she didn't believe she accepted Xu Weibei out of gratitude, it was indeed a trigger that reminded her of the past.

Those scattered, lost little moments of beauty were inspired by this event and strung together into sparkling love.

"If your sister were still going against me like before, that would be one thing, but now she's suffered in the Marquis's Residence and has become more sensible..."

Gu Wanning: Xu Weibei was unfairly blamed.

"... The Corn harvest is almost here," Gu Yuanshi said. "Your sister will become famous and respected."

For those people who can't afford to eat, whoever feeds them is a god in their hearts.

"If she reconciles with the Marquis and then resumes close ties with her family, the Emperor will be worried."

Gu Wanning was shocked.

It turns out that her father had already thought about what would happen after she married Xu Weibei.

No wonder he's Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

While she was still thinking about how to get Xu Weibei out of trouble, her father had already envisioned a harmonious marriage after she got married.

With powerful civil and military officials complementing each other perfectly, wouldn't the next step be to seize the emperor's throne?

"Father, the Grand Princess is so domineering, and my sister refuses to back down, repeatedly offending her..."

"The Grand Princess is astute and knows how to assess the situation, seeking advantage and avoiding harm," Gu Yuanshi said. "As long as I remain in this position, your sister can rest easy. Anqi, I'm holding things up for you now, but the future of your two sisters and the burden of the Gu family will fall on you. This path is not easy, but it's an uphill climb. It's better to be lonely at the top than to be trampled underfoot."