Chapter 23. Wedding Dress – Gu Sui: “Then who… who will I marry?”…

On the way back, Gu Sui tried to indirectly inquire from Gu Tingsong about what she had discussed with Mu Jiulu.

Gu Tingsong looked at him with an extremely complex gaze.

“Sui, be good, don’t pry too much into adult matters, okay?”

Gu Sui: “……”

How come she’s learned from Mu Jiulu now!

In the end, he couldn’t get any details out of her. After returning to the mansion, a tailor came to take his measurements for clothes. Gu Sui was a bit confused.

“Why are we making clothes again? I haven’t even worn all the new clothes that were delivered half a month ago.”

This lifestyle seemed a bit too extravagant.

“This isn’t ordinary clothing, it’s your wedding attire.”

Gu Sui spat out a mouthful of tea, his eyes widening like brass bells.

“Mother, what did you say?”

“Child, why are you in such a hurry drinking water? Quickly, wipe yourself.”

Gu Tingsong handed over a handkerchief. Gu Sui accepted it with stiff movements.

“You’ve practiced martial arts with me since childhood and aren’t very skilled in embroidery. You can’t sew your own wedding clothes, so of course, I have to choose the best tailor for you.”

Gu Sui laughed awkwardly a couple of times. Under Gu Tingsong’s affectionate gaze, he resignedly allowed the tailor to take his measurements.

With things having reached this point, Gu Sui could only try to think positively about the situation.

They had just returned from the Regent’s mansion, and Gu Tingsong immediately arranged for his wedding clothes to be made. Did that mean…

“Master Liu here was booked from before the new year. A young man wearing wedding attire tailored on the first day of the lunar year will surely have a harmonious marriage and a smooth life thereafter.”

To say that Gu Tingsong was originally not a superstitious person, but when it came to her precious son, she was naturally thorough in everything, not daring to be careless in any aspect.

Gu Sui: “……” Mentally and physically exhausted.

Seeing him silent all along, Gu Tingsong thought he was reluctant to part. She took his hand and said earnestly.

“Sui, don’t be sad. Mother doesn’t want to marry you off so quickly either, but that bloody calamity cannot be taken lightly. You were almost assassinated not long ago. Mother can’t take that risk!”

Gu Sui looked up slightly, stuttering as he asked.

“Then who… who will I marry?”

Gu Tingsong opened her mouth, seeming to hesitate.

“Actually, there’s another way. Mother can find a reliable person, and you’ll marry in April, but it will just be a formality.

After five years, when that bloody calamity has completely passed, you can divorce. By then, you’ll still be mother’s precious son, the legitimate son of the Gu family. How about that?”

Gu Tingsong’s weathered eyes held seriousness and solemnity, with a hint of depth that Gu Sui couldn’t understand.

Gu Sui’s thin lips pressed together lightly: “That doesn’t seem right.”

Who would willingly be a tool for five years, only to end up with nothing in the end?

Moreover, how was this any different from a sham marriage? That was what he hated most.

Gu Tingsong’s eyes darkened as she lowered them. She knew this was the worst option, but it was also the final compromise.

“Actually, mother really doesn’t want to hand over your lifelong happiness so casually because of a fate reading. But… sigh!”

Gu Tingsong heaved a heavy sigh. Gu Sui’s heart felt as if it had been pricked by a tiny thorn, somewhat uncomfortable.

He grasped Gu Tingsong’s broad hand in return, his voice gentle.

“Mother, trust me. I won’t casually marry someone just because of some so-called bloody calamity. I will only spend my life with the person I’ve chosen.”

His tone, as if preferring to shatter like jade, alarmed Gu Tingsong. Her fingers curled and tightened.

Gu Sui spoke earnestly: “And the person I’ve chosen has always been only one.”

Gu Tingsong’s lips quivered: “…She has deep thoughts.”

“I know.”

“She has profound methods.”

“I know that too.”

“She’s skilled in wielding power, yet is below one person. Sui, mother is truly afraid.”

“Afraid she’ll usurp the throne?”

Their gazes clashed. Suddenly, Gu Tingsong closed her eyes heavily. A stifling feeling in her chest needed to be released.

“Don’t you want to know what the Regent and I talked about?”

Gu Sui’s expression tensed slightly: “What?”

“Wan Qi Xing Yin’s fate reading.”

Gu Sui was puzzled. Gu Tingsong continued.

“That year when I sought her out, she refused to tell me the solution to your ill-fated destiny. It was only when I pressed urgently that she uttered four words –

Purple Star in motion.”

These simple four words made Gu Sui’s heart skip a beat.

“What does that mean?”

Gu Tingsong seemed to have shed some burden. She exhaled deeply and reopened her eyes.

“At first, I never had hope. Heaven knows how shocked I was when you suddenly started speaking a month ago.

I was naturally happy that you could improve, but I’ve also been afraid that Wan Qi Xing Yin’s fate reading would come true. The current young emperor bears the Purple Star. Once a change occurs, the most likely scenario would be the Regent usurping the throne.”

Gu Tingsong, bearing the late emperor’s entrustment, absolutely did not want to see this scene unfold.

Gu Sui tightened his grip on her hand and said urgently: “You also said it’s just a possibility. It doesn’t necessarily mean it will be her!”

“Mother knows. Today I tested her with this fate reading, but her reaction was unexpected. Although I don’t want to admit it, Sui, mother can no longer see through her completely now.”

“But isn’t it even more absurd to completely negate a person based on these unfounded fate readings?”

Gu Sui had always felt that even if Mu Jiulu wanted to usurp the throne, it would be justified.

That throne should have been hers originally.

But she clearly hadn’t.

He believed he understood Mu Jiulu fairly well. Although he had only attended two grand court sessions, he could see that she was acting as a whetstone.

Gu Sui’s words caused a sharp glint to flash through Gu Tingsong’s eyes. She pinched the bridge of her nose somewhat regretfully.

Indeed, when had she started to draw such firm conclusions based on someone else’s words?

Those four words “Purple Star in motion” had been buried in her heart for over a decade. If Sui hadn’t awakened her, she might have continued to be absurd.

“Sui, mother was deluded. From now on, mother will observe her without bias.”

Gu Sui let out a sigh of relief: “You will certainly have a change of perspective.”

*

On the second day of the new year, Gu Sui accompanied Gu Tingsong to visit the Chen family.

The Chen family wasn’t among the nobility, but for the General to make a special trip, it was undoubtedly because Gu Sui’s father was surnamed Chen.

“Your maternal grandfather had only one son and one daughter. Your father passed away over a decade ago. Now, only the old master and your younger aunt remain in the Chen family, depending on each other.”

On the carriage ride to the Chen family, Gu Tingsong briefly explained the Chen family’s situation to him.

Upon hearing the word “grandfather,” Gu Sui’s heart trembled.

Gu Shi had been deceived into marriage when she was young. After giving birth to him, his father disappeared. Gu Sui had never met his biological father since childhood.

After he turned five, Gu Shi rarely took care of him. It could be said that he was raised by his grandfather.

His grandfather was a craftsman who taught him many skills and life principles. He was arguably the person closest to him.

During his university years, his grandfather passed away due to illness. In the end, he left him that small courtyard house under his name, giving him a place to settle down.

Gu Sui always had a unique feeling towards his grandfather.

Even knowing that the current old Master Chen was Gu Sui’s grandfather and not his own, he was still willing to show filial piety to the old man.

“Old Master, I’ve brought Sui to see you!”

Guided by a doorman, the two arrived at the main hall of the Chen family. Old Master Chen’s kindly voice came from within.

“Sui’er has come, quickly let grandfather have a good look at you.”

Gu Sui supported the elderly man walking towards him and said with a curved lip.

“Happy New Year, Grandfather.”

Old Master Chen paused slightly and looked towards Gu Tingsong. The latter smiled and said.

“Sui is well now, he’s just forgotten things from before.”

Old Master Chen excitedly tapped his cane on the ground.

“Good, good. This way, Fu’er can rest in peace in heaven.”

“Grandfather, please sit down. Be careful of your health.”

“Ah, good. Sui’er, sit down too. Bring tea. Oh yes, grandfather has prepared a big red envelope for Sui’er. Take it quickly.”

The red envelope was quite substantial. Gu Sui declined, saying, “I’m already grown up. Grandfather doesn’t need to spend so much.”

“What nonsense is this? It’s from your grandfather, so just take it.”

Old Master Chen put on a stern face. At the same time, a woman’s voice came from outside the door.

“Sui, just accept it. No matter how old you are, you’re still a child in our eyes.”

The speaker was the current head of the Chen family, Chen Lianyi, Gu Sui’s aunt.

“Then thank you, Grandfather.”

Gu Sui said very sweetly. Hearing his obedient grandson speak like this, Old Master Chen wished he could give him all the good things in the world.

Gu Tingsong and Chen Lianyi watched the harmonious scene between grandfather and grandson, their eyes filled with gratified light.

After lunch, when Old Master Chen returned to his courtyard for a nap, Gu Sui asked Gu Tingsong, somewhat puzzled.

“Why does Grandfather call me Sui’er?”

The nickname, identical to that of his own grandfather, almost made him think they were the same person.

Gu Tingsong’s expression became somewhat desolate.

“When you were just born, it was your father who named you, just Gu Sui. The name Sui Zhi was only changed after you were three years old. Your grandfather was used to calling you that, so he’s just continued to do so.”

Gu Sui’s hand trembled, nearly spilling the tea in his cup.

“Why was it changed?”

Gu Sui asked nonchalantly. Gu Tingsong then explained to him.

“You were in poor health at that time, always falling ill. It was Wan Qi Xing Yin who said changing your name might help you improve.

But your name was given by your father, and I couldn’t bear to change it too much, so I just added a character.”

“I see.”

“Then Mother, now that I’m grown and in good health, can we change it back?”

Gu Sui said with a faint smile: “I wasn’t able to properly show filial piety to Father. Changing back to the name Father gave me now is a way to make up for the guilt in my heart.”

Gu Tingsong lovingly stroked the top of his head: “What is there to feel guilty about? Neither I nor your father would want that.”

“Mother, please allow me.”

Gu Tingsong pondered briefly: “Since you have this intention, it’s not impossible.”

“Thank you, Mother!”

Gu Sui said excitedly. Deep wrinkles creased at the corners of Gu Tingsong’s eyes.

He was the only thing Fu’er left in this world. Seeing him safe and happy for the rest of his life was her lifelong wish.

When Old Master Chen and Chen Lianyi learned that Gu Sui was changing his name back, they were both pleased.

Old Master Chen took the opportunity to give Gu Sui another big red envelope, insisting it was a name-changing fee and that he must accept it.

Gu Sui was both amused and exasperated: “Grandfather, if you keep doing this, I won’t dare to come next time.”

“Oh, how can that be? Not only should Sui’er come by himself next time, it would be best if you brought a wife-master back. Then grandfather could die without regrets!”

“Grandfather!”

Gu Sui called out somewhat dejectedly. After a while, he leaned close to the old man’s ear and said.

“Grandfather, how about I bring back a granddaughter-in-law for you?”

Old Master Chen’s cloudy eyes suddenly lit up, and he started whispering with Gu Sui.

“Is it what grandfather is thinking?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Sui’er has grown up. Good, when the time comes, grandfather will prepare the betrothal gifts for you!”

Gu Tingsong and Chen Lianyi didn’t know what the two were secretly plotting, only seeing brilliant arcs spread across their lips, with slightly mischievous smiles blossoming on their faces.

They looked just like an old fox leading a young fox.