Apart from this matter, Yu Tang couldn’t think of any other reason why Gu Chang would come to Lin’an.
However, why would Gu Chang think to ask Pei Yan about Li Duan’s affairs?
In her previous life, she had never heard of any friendship between the Pei and Gu families.
Perhaps it was because in her previous life the Li and Gu families had formed a marriage alliance, so compared to the Pei family, the Gu family was closer to the Li family?
Yu Tang looked at Pei Yan.
That curious expression was so plainly displayed on her face that Pei Yan couldn’t ignore it even if he wanted to.
Both amused and exasperated, he said, “What’s wrong with him coming to ask me? Am I not more trustworthy than a Li Duan?”
It’s mainly because you’re both graduates of the imperial examinations, isn’t it?
Scholars only recognize such credentials.
Yu Tang said nothing.
Yu Wen hurriedly asked, “What did Young Master Gu say when he came?”
Scholars held high status. If Gu Chang revealed dissatisfaction with Yu Tang, or even casually complained about her in front of outsiders pretending it was unintentional, Yu Tang’s reputation would likely be ruined.
His worry was not without reason.
Pei Yan looked at Yu Tang.
Yu Tang felt it was unlikely.
In her previous life, Gu Xi’s dowry servants never stopped praising their family’s eldest young master in front of her. In that life, she had just listened. In this life, she had her own judgment. Although she felt the words of Gu Xi’s dowry servants were certainly biased, judging from Gu Chang’s actions in her previous life, he was ambitious and wanted to leave his name in history, which meant he valued his reputation and wouldn’t sacrifice the greater good for the lesser—he wouldn’t smear her and leave the world with an impression of someone who indulges in petty verbal attacks.
Watching her, Pei Yan couldn’t help but click his tongue inwardly.
Who would have thought Miss Yu had such confidence in Gu Chaoyang.
She didn’t even know Gu Chaoyang!
Had she inquired about Gu Chaoyang?
Didn’t she know there were far more hypocrites in this world than true gentlemen?
Thinking this, his mood suddenly became somewhat subtle and rather displeased. He simply told Yu Tang some of what Gu Chaoyang had said: “Gu Chaoyang is very grateful that the Yu family informed the Gu family about Li Duan’s matter. However, he feels Miss Yu’s approach was somewhat inappropriate—while Li Duan certainly has his faults, a gentleman doesn’t gossip about others’ rights and wrongs. By exposing this matter to the Gu family so bluntly, you angered Second Master Gu so much he’s been bedridden for several days.”
Yu Tang’s eyes widened.
When had Gu Xi’s father cared so much about Gu Xi?
In her previous life, when Gu Chang’s career progressed smoothly and he became a high official, Second Master Gu only showed Gu Xi superficial concern. In this life, Gu Chang hadn’t yet risen to power, so how could Second Master Gu fall ill from anger over Gu Xi’s marriage?
Was Gu Chang saying this to justify his own actions? Or did he truly feel she had gone too far and wanted to damage her image in Pei Yan’s eyes? Or was he trying to spread this story through Pei Yan?
Whichever it was, Yu Tang felt somewhat disappointed in Gu Chang.
Yu Wen, on the other hand, was very nervous after hearing this and anxiously asked Pei Yan, “Did Young Master Gu really say that?”
Pei Yan glanced at Yu Wen coolly.
Yu Wen sheepishly touched his nose.
Pei Yan hadn’t exaggerated Gu Chang’s words, and Gu Chang had said this merely to complain to him. Because when Gu Chang had spoken about Miss Yu, he had defended the Yu family a few times.
After thinking for a moment, he told Yu Wen and Yu Tang the whole story: “Miss Gu is now very dissatisfied with this marriage match. However, Second Master Gu feels that since the betrothal is already set, breaking it off now would not only damage the Gu family’s reputation but also make Miss Gu’s future marriage prospects difficult. Yet letting the Li family off so easily seemed too lenient. So Second Master Gu summoned Madam Li to scold her. Madam Li is quite a character—flexible and adaptable. In front of so many people from the Gu family, she dropped to her knees before Second Master Gu with a ‘thud,’ then kowtowed to him repeatedly—’thunk, thunk, thunk’—until her forehead bled. This left Second Master Gu in an awkward position, unable to help her up or leave her there, and he couldn’t continue his lecture. Who knew Miss Gu would despise the Li family even more after learning of this. This time when Gu Chang returned, she explicitly proposed breaking off the engagement. Gu Chang feared both that Miss Gu might entrust herself to the wrong person and that she might act too impulsively. Since he happened to think of me as someone from Lin’an, he made a special trip to ask me.”
He didn’t mention the rest.
Madam Li was hiding in Hangzhou, surely afraid that if people saw the injury on her forehead, it would be difficult to explain.
Yu Tang barely suppressed her laughter. But her bright, clear eyes held a watery gleam, rippling with light like they contained a lake of mountain scenery and water colors, shimmering brilliantly.
Pei Yan was startled.
But Yu Tang had already lowered her voice to thank him: “Thank you. If not for your support, I’m afraid Young Master Gu wouldn’t have merely criticized me for doing wrong.”
Yu Wen was completely baffled at first, only reacting after a moment.
Thinking about what had been said before and after, no wonder Yu Tang wanted to thank Pei Yan.
If Pei Yan hadn’t sided with the Yu family, given Gu Chang’s status, position, and personal cultivation, how could he have merely spoken ill of the Yu family verbally!
He hadn’t even thought of this, yet their Yu Tang had understood it immediately.
Yu Wen felt proud.
Pei Yan looked deeply at Yu Tang.
He had thought Miss Yu was quite the troublemaker, but he hadn’t expected she also possessed such delicate insight to perceive his unspoken implications.
He just didn’t know whether Miss Yu had guessed correctly by chance, or whether he had previously underestimated Miss Yu and failed to notice she possessed such a perceptive mind.
Pei Yan suddenly felt very satisfied.
He thought Miss Yu was quite intelligent after all.
Talking with Miss Yu was quite refreshing indeed.
He said straightforwardly, “However, you need not worry about this matter. Although Gu Chaoyang is arrogant and unrestrained, he maintains good appearances. Only in front of me would he speak so freely—he won’t easily speak up in front of outsiders. What he said stops with me. I called you here merely to give you a reminder. After all, the Gu family are outsiders. If anything comes up, I’ll handle it. You needn’t concern yourselves with them.”
So this was the kind of person Gu Chang was in Pei Yan’s eyes.
Yu Tang was somewhat surprised.
Moreover, in her mind, Pei Yan wasn’t someone warm and proactive, yet this time he had actively helped them.
It showed that people still needed to interact regularly—that’s how relationships developed. With relationships came mutual assistance.
Yu Tang began thinking about how she should repay Pei Yan.
Yu Wen’s anxious heart finally settled.
He asked Pei Yan, “So this matter will just pass like this?”
Yu Tang looked at Pei Yan, listening attentively.
Pei Yan always felt that Yu Tang’s eyes seemed able to speak. The more quietly she watched him, the more he could sense Yu Tang’s emotions—a bit like a child.
He couldn’t help but say gently, “Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken with Gu Chang. Even if he has any thoughts, out of consideration for me, he won’t trouble Miss Yu. Besides, his main purpose in coming to Lin’an this time is for Miss Gu’s marriage. There’s no need for him to create complications—it would do him no good, and he’ll make that judgment himself.”
His tone subtly revealed an intention to suppress Gu Chang.
Yu Wen nodded repeatedly, not knowing how to thank Pei Yan properly.
Yu Tang, however, smiled bitterly to herself, knowing she owed Pei Yan another great favor this time.
Thinking of this, she quickly told Pei Yan about encountering Gu Chang at the county school entrance.
Pei Yan was somewhat surprised. After a moment of silence, he thanked Yu Tang, saying, “Both the Gu and Shen families are prominent clans in Hangzhou City. Since he’s come to Lin’an City, it’s only proper for him to pay a visit to Master Shen.”