Marrying into the Wife's Family

This excuse, attributing his earlier slip of the tongue to a drunken stupor, was a decent enough cover-up.

Gu Chengyin's expression softened slightly. He waved his hand and said flatly, "No matter. But Brother Cui, you should exercise some restraint. Too much alcohol harms the body and can ruin important matters."

"Yes, yes, yes, Marquis Gu is absolutely right to lecture me. I will keep it in mind." Cui Ziting nodded repeatedly, though inwardly he cursed himself for getting carried away and almost ruining everything.

Cui Ziting steadied his nerves. The relaxed smile typical of a noble young master reappeared on his face as he looked at Gu Chengyin and asked in a light tone, "Marquis Gu, I wonder if you are satisfied with my hospitality?"

Now that the official business was concluded, it was time for some romantic indulgence.

Gu Chengyin casually replied, "I am so happy here that I have forgotten my home."

Cui Ziting's eyes lit up, and he immediately probed, "As long as Marquis Gu is satisfied. Then... would you like to have a bit more fun?"

Saying this, he leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them, and used his folding fan to point toward a lakeside pavilion where the sweet laughter of women could be heard.

Gu Chengyin looked in the direction he pointed and saw light gauze curtains hanging from the pavilion. Through the shadows, he could make out the gathering place of the noble ladies he had seen before the banquet.

They seemed to be holding a small banquet of their own at the moment, laughing and playing, making for a lively scene.

"Marquis Gu, rest assured, these noble ladies are nothing like the vulgar women outside."

"Knowing what to say and what not to say is carved into their very bones. If anyone dares to disobey, you won't even need to lift a finger; someone will naturally teach them a lesson."

Cui Ziting wanted to add a few more words, but suddenly remembering something, he glanced behind him and quickly changed his tune. "Of course, this all depends entirely on your wishes. I am merely an errand boy."

The meaning couldn't be any clearer. With just one word from Gu Chengyin, a noble lady would immediately come to help him relax.

Gu Chengyin only took one look before withdrawing his gaze.

The smile on his face remained unchanged, but his tone took on a touch of solemnity and helplessness:

"I appreciate Brother Cui's good intentions."

"However, I shoulder heavy responsibilities and must return to report to Her Highness. It truly is not convenient for me to stay longer."

A look of regret appeared on his face, as if he truly had no choice. "Next time. Next time when I have some free time, if Brother Cui is still in the mood, I will certainly join you."

A sharp glint flashed in Cui Ziting's eyes.

He recalled certain rumors claiming that this Marquis of Equal Rank had an extraordinary relationship with the Eldest Princess, with some even speculating that he was Her Highness's male favorite.

Although no one dared to discuss it openly, such gossip circulated widely in private among the noble circles.

Cui Ziting had originally dismissed it as sheer nonsense, but seeing Gu Chengyin not only bring up Her Highness but also refuse so decisively, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt.

Right at that moment, he felt someone gently tug at his sleeve.

Cui Ziting calmly glanced behind him and saw Cui Zilu. Taking advantage of the moment Gu Chengyin was watching the dance, she was blinking rapidly at him and pouting her lips toward Gu Chengyin's direction.

This left him momentarily bewildered, completely failing to grasp her meaning.

It wasn't until Cui Zilu, seeing his lack of reaction, anxiously mouthed a word.

Cui Ziting finally realized what she meant, and then he gently shook his head, indicating his refusal.

Seeing that Cui Ziting actually dared to refuse, Cui Zilu widened her eyes and mouthed the word 'Yunying'.

Cui Ziting instantly lost his nerve, thought for a moment, and put a smile back on his face as he asked Gu Chengyin:

"Uh... Marquis Gu, I am going to ask a presumptuous question; please do not take offense."

"You are young and promising, full of heroic spirit. I wonder if you already have a sweetheart in the Divine Capital?"

"If you do, my Cui family still has some face and can make an introduction for Marquis Gu."

This question was actually quite overstepping, sounding more like something an elder or an extremely close friend would ask.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Gu Chengyin raised his eyebrows slightly and gave Cui Ziting a strange look.

His eyes clearly said: I just brought up Her Highness and need to return to report, so why are you still asking such personal questions? Does this align with the upbringing and sense of propriety of a noble scion?

Cui Ziting instantly read Gu Chengyin's eyes, and a trace of awkwardness flashed across his face.

But he felt so bitter inside!

Who told him to have a grandaunt with explosive curiosity sitting behind him? And she was even threatening him by pinching his lifeline.

In the end, Cui Ziting had no choice but to resort to the drunkenness excuse once again, apologizing, "Oh dear! Look at me, spouting nonsense again!"

"When the alcohol hits, I lose control a bit and always want to talk more. Marquis Gu, please don't take it to heart. Just pretend I said nothing! How rude of me, how rude!"

Watching Cui Ziting's performance, Gu Chengyin found it amusing and replied casually:

"Brother Cui, you exaggerate. This isn't some secret anyway."

"To tell you the truth, I have been in the Divine Capital for no more than three days in total."

"During these three days, I have been incredibly busy from top to bottom, without even a moment to catch my breath."

"Where would I find the time and mood for romance? Not to mention having a sweetheart. Right now, I only want to properly handle the tasks assigned by Her Highness."

He spoke candidly, and it was indeed the truth.

Just as Gu Chengyin's voice fell, a tense yet exceptionally bold voice suddenly rang out from behind:

"Um, Gu... Brother Chengyin, can I ask you a question?"

Gu Chengyin paused for a moment and looked back.

He saw the little maid who had been standing quietly behind them, wearing a goose-yellow ruqun embroidered with interlaced lotuses, now raising her head.

A pair of big, bright eyes stared intently at him. Her face bore a nervous blush, but her gaze was exceptionally firm.

Gu Chengyin looked at Cui Ziting with a questioning gaze. "Who is this?"

Cui Ziting cried out inwardly, glaring fiercely at Cui Zilu, reprimanding her with his eyes: We agreed you would only listen and not speak! What are you doing jumping out now?!

But he couldn't lose his temper in front of Gu Chengyin, so he gave a dry cough and hastily introduced, "Marquis Gu, this... this is my little sister, Cui Zilu."

"She has been spoiled by the family since childhood and doesn't know proper etiquette. Please forgive her for presumptuously interrupting you, Marquis Gu."

Saying that, he scolded Cui Zilu again, "Zilu! Do not be insolent! You have no right to speak here!"

However, Cui Zilu seemed to not hear Cui Ziting's scolding, keeping her eyes fixed on Gu Chengyin.

Gu Chengyin suddenly understood. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he nodded at Cui Zilu, "So it is the young lady of the Cui family. It is I who have been neglectful. I hope you will forgive me."

"I wonder what question you have? As long as I know the answer, I will certainly tell you everything."

Gu Chengyin's modest attitude gave Cui Zilu sufficient respect and also allowed Cui Ziting to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

He picked up his teacup, preparing to suppress the anxiety in his heart; his little sister's sudden outburst just now had really given him a fright.

Cui Zilu took a deep breath, as if mustering all her courage.

Her eyes looked straight into Gu Chengyin's, and word by word, she asked very seriously:

"Brother Chengyin..."

"Are you willing to marry into my family?"