In the backyard of my uncle's house, under the green grape trellis, not far away is a deep covered well.
The little maids served tea and went out. Accompanying them in the backyard were two experienced nuns, who seemed to be accustomed to all this and didn't even look at it.
Guo Ting asked Gu Xiao to sit down and drink tea. Gu Xiao seemed a little embarrassed, then laughed again and said, "Sister Ting really doesn't remember me."
Guo Ting was stunned and looked up.
The young man is clear and bright, full of sunshine.
He smiled and said: "My father and uncle are also classmates, but they were not able to become Jinshi in the same subject. My father will be three years behind."
"Back then...my uncle took Sister Ting to my house. We were still young at that time, and Sister Ting even played hide-and-seek with me."
Guo Ting raised her eyebrows. She couldn't remember when this happened.
Gu Xiao continued: "At that time, the elders joked that when I also pass the Jinshi examination, they would get engaged to the two of us. But Sister Ting said that I am so young, how can I be a husband? It also made the elders laugh.
, I was quite unconvinced at the time, thinking that I was only two years younger than Sister Ting, so why couldn’t I be my husband? My father is three years younger than my mother, and they have been in love all their lives and have never blushed."
Guo Ting remembered that it was the time when the old man of the Gu family celebrated his sixtieth birthday, and there were many people there, including many children.
The women were all talking in the backyard, and the men were drinking tea and talking in the front hall.
She and a few children were running in and out, and it was very lively.
As for those words, they were all said in the evening, late at night, when several adults gathered together for a late-night snack. Seeing that she and Gu Xiao were still awake, they joked about it.
When she was young, she was doted on by her father and was very arrogant.
Gu Xiao was only a little old at that time. He fell down and couldn't even take off his clothes. The wet nurse helped him change.
Doesn't she look down on it?
Guo Ting pursed her lips and sighed at the wonderful fate.
"Then you are here now because you want to take revenge on me?"
Gu Xiao was embarrassed and said quickly: "Sister Ting is joking, but I really want to marry you. My parents are very strict in their upbringing. If I really had that idea, I might have broken my foot if I couldn't delay coming to see Sister Ting."
The young man made a good impression on others, he was well-behaved and humorous.
Guo Ting said: "You are the eldest grandson of the family. Among your grandfather's sons, your father is the most promising, and you are your father's only son. Am I right?"
Gu Xiao nodded, suddenly became nervous, and said quickly: "Yes."
Guo Ting nodded slightly, and then said: "Although my father is one year higher than your father and once sat in the position of prefect, he died young and our family also cut off contact with the clan. You know this, right?
?”
Gu Xiao said seriously: "I have known this for a long time."
Seeing that he was quite candid, Guo Ting added, "Since you know everything, why did you come to propose marriage? With your conditions, you can definitely marry a better girl with a higher family status."
Gu Xiao's cheeks were slightly red, his eyes were twinkling, and he murmured: "But our families are family friends."
Guo Ting replied: "That was before."
Gu Xiao continued: "We have known each other since childhood."
Guo Ting curled her lips: "I don't remember."
Gu Xiao blushed completely and said sheepishly: "Sister Ting is beautiful and smart. She is a model among women. I want to marry her."
Guo Ting shook her head.
Gu Xiao became anxious and said quickly: "Guo Ting, I am serious."
Guo Ting smiled and said, "Why don't you call me sister?"
Gu Xiao said nervously: "I'm sorry, I was in a hurry."
"Sister Ting, just agree. I will definitely be admitted to the Hanlin Academy and I will definitely work hard to earn a future."
Guo Ting said: "Your Gu family is considered a wealthy family in Jiangnan. I know a little bit about your family's family affairs."
"Your uncle was sick and your aunt had a quarrel with the clan because of this, but the whole family was kicked out by your grandfather."
"As far as I know, your grandfather has been gaining power for a long time, and no one in the clan can influence him. Although I don't know why you were able to persuade him to discuss our marriage, I want to tell you that I have always been used to being sharp and unwilling to do so.
It is even more impossible to swallow one's anger and just compromise."
"So I hope you think clearly and don't act impulsively, lest you regret it later."
When Gu Xiao heard this, he was so nervous that his face turned pale at first, and then he smiled bitterly and said: "Sister Ting, don't get me wrong, my grandfather is a very good person."
"That incident was not because my second uncle was sick, nor was it because my aunt stood up for my second uncle. That was all explained to the outside world. In fact, it was because the doctor asserted that my second aunt could not have children, and she was worried that she would not be able to bear children at home.
Her status was about to plummet, so she took her niece from her mother's family in an attempt to get my second uncle to accept her and have a child. My second uncle refused, so she secretly drugged my second uncle, causing my second uncle's old illness to relapse.
Lose your life."
"After the incident, my second uncle took the initiative to move out with my second aunt because of the reputation of the two in-laws."
"Yesterday I also received a letter from home, including one from my second uncle, asking about my situation in the capital. If you don't believe it, I can show you that our family definitely does not fight for family property, exclude the sick and the weak, or kill each other.
matter."
Guo Ting did not expect that the matter that was widely circulated by the outside world would have such a hidden secret.
Seeing Gu Xiao's eagerness to prove his expression, his eyes were particularly firm, which showed that what he said was true.
Guo Ting thought it would be easy to deal with this younger brother, so she sent him away with a few words. Who knew that Gu Xiao came prepared, but for a moment she couldn't find anything to refute. She just smiled and said,
Continued: "I believe you."
Gu Xiao thought he had passed the test and said happily: "Our family also bought a house in the capital for me to study in. Although it is a bit small, it is enough for a new house. Later we..."
Guo Ting said quickly: "Don't be impatient, just listen to me first."
"I have some properties in Jiangnan, Tongzhou, and even Tianjin. Some things may need to be dealt with. Even though we are discussing marriage, we won't be able to get married for a while."
"The most important thing is, can your family accept me doing business? If not..."
Gu Xiaodao: "The ones far away may not work, because I won't be able to accompany you everywhere to collect accounts. If you have a steward you can entrust, then it will be no problem."
"As for those nearby, who doesn't have a few shops and farms to make income? These things need to be handled by the head wife. In addition, my grandparents are still alive, and my parents live at home to fulfill their filial piety, so we can free up our hands.
Come, I will focus on official career and general affairs in the capital."
"Anyway, I won't let you be wronged."
Guo Ting was simply shocked. She seemed to understand why her mother liked Gu Xiao so much. It was probably when the matchmaker came to the door that she explained Gu Xiao's sincerity in detail.
But this is just sincerity. After all, Gu Xiao is still young. It seems that he can make the decision on many things, but in fact, this is not the case.
She said to Gu Xiaodao: "You still remember those things in the past, and you sincerely want to propose marriage."
"But I have long felt that things have changed and people have changed, and I can no longer hold onto the past."
"I'm sorry Gu Xiao, I can't promise you."
The smile on Gu Xiao's face froze, he looked at Guo Ting in disbelief, and murmured: "Why?"
Guo Ting said: "Your parents, uncle and aunt are all in Jiangnan, and there is only one mentor in the capital. Am I right?"
Gu Xiao nodded, as if he knew what she was going to say, and said eagerly: "My master knows, and I didn't hide it from him."
Guo Ting smiled, nodded and said, "Of course, you are so sincere after all."
"But does your grandfather know? Do your parents know? What do they think?"
"Although you hired a matchmaker and your master also knows that we are officially discussing marriage, none of your closest relatives are around. I dare not accept such a marriage."
Gu Yan smiled bitterly and explained: "Before I entered Beijing, I asked my parents and they all agreed."
Guo Ting said: "You hadn't passed the Jinshi exam at that time, and you didn't know if I had proposed marriage. They agreed, maybe they just didn't want to distract you."
"Gu Xiao, your parents gave you this name. You should understand what it means?"
"Go back, I believe they will come to Beijing soon to help you choose a wife that suits you."