The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1720 - 1714: Relentless Pursuit

Old Granny Zhang noticed Wang Yongzhu’s expression change and quickly asked, "Is there something amiss?"

Wang Yongzhu first reassured Old Granny Zhang, "Mother, I’ll explain it to you in detail later."

Then turned to ask Shadow Seven, "Did this information come from the Duke’s Mansion’s secret division? Are you certain beyond doubt?"

Shadow Seven nodded, "Reporting to Madam, it has been confirmed."

Since Shadow Seven confirmed it, Wang Yongzhu didn’t inquire further, pondering, "Then keep an eye on Master Yi these few days, see if there’s any unusual behavior... hmm, check to see if he has any connections with the Capital City."

Shadow Seven nodded and left.

Wang Yongzhu turned back to look at Old Granny Zhang, who was watching her worriedly. She quickly explained, "Mother, it’s nothing major. But at least we know now who Master Yi wants to marry you for!"

She chuckled and sighed, "We guessed wrong. This Master Yi isn’t just a romantic, he’s a devoted father. But this fatherly devotion isn’t for his son, but for his daughter!"

She then picked the important parts from the information Shadow Seven brought and told Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang frowned and spat, "Bah! If he wants to play the romantic or doting father, let him do it at home, why use others as stepping stones?" Her impression of Master Yi worsened.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t comment, only advising, "As long as we don’t agree, it doesn’t affect us. Why get angry?"

After coaxing for quite a while, Old Granny Zhang finally smiled.

Just about to have breakfast, Gu Zikai arrived.

Old Granny Zhang was even more impatient, "We just talked about this yesterday, and today he’s already chasing Brother Kai for a reply? Isn’t that too eager? Afraid we might run away like this prized sheep?"

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Gu Zikai entered, greeted Old Granny Zhang, and immediately felt something was off.

Looking up, his aunt had been all pleasant yesterday, but today she seemed full of animosity?

And cousin, staring at him expressionlessly, making his legs weaken and his heart race.

He nervously asked, "Aunt, what’s wrong? Who upset you?"

Old Granny Zhang snorted, "Brother Kai, coming so early, is there something you need?"

Gu Zikai wiped the sweat off his forehead, "Isn’t this to have breakfast with Aunt and Cousin? I specially brought the famous roujiamo from Yunzhong County for you to try."

As he clapped his hands, signaling the attendants to bring up the pile of food.

Old Granny Zhang’s expression finally softened a bit, inviting Gu Zikai to join them for breakfast.

After the meal, Gu Zikai wasn’t in a hurry to leave, sitting there drinking tea, looking like he wanted to say something but dared not.

Old Granny Zhang, tired of wasting words, went straight to the point, "I know why you’re here today. Your aunt is not one to hide things, so I’ll be honest with you. I gave it serious thought last night, and I don’t think I’m suitable for Master Yi. I have no intention to remarry and feel sorry for his feelings."

Oh wow! Gu Zikai instantly understood — it went bust.

Master Yi, this toad, won’t be eating his aunt, the swan! Gu Zikai never thought much of it in the first place, so he wasn’t surprised.

He just nodded, "Aunt and Cousin, don’t worry. I’ll go back and decline Master Yi, let him seek another sweetheart elsewhere!"

Since everything was made clear, no more words were needed.

Gu Zikai felt a bit awkward, what was all this? The matchmaking work meant for official matchmakers ended up thrown onto him, a young man without any relation, how unjust!

It’s fortunate it didn’t work out. Had it worked, would he have sat at the witness table on their wedding, wouldn’t that be awkward?

Unable to sit still any longer, he bid farewell to return to the County Yamen.

Wang Yongzhu got up to see Gu Zikai out.

Once outside the courtyard, Gu Zikai spoke, "Cousin, please stop, do you have anything to instruct me?"

Wang Yongzhu, knowing Gu Zikai to be exceptionally sharp, was direct, "I’ll need to trouble you with everything. I’ll write a letter to our uncle today to explain everything myself. As for Master Yi, since this won’t work out, we should avoid further encounters to prevent awkwardness."

Gu Zikai immediately understood, "Don’t worry, Cousin, I’ll handle it!"

He then bid farewell and left.

Back at the County Yamen, Yi Mingshi felt somewhat uneasy, despite his usual calm demeanor, he was uncharacteristically restless today.

Upon finally seeing Gu Zikai, he hurried to greet him.

Being a smart man himself, seeing Gu Zikai’s expression, he couldn’t help but have a sinking feeling, even slowed his steps a bit.

Once inside the study, he dismissed everyone else.

Gu Zikai was upfront, looking sympathetically at Yi Mingshi, "Uncle, I had breakfast with Aunt and Cousin early today. After the meal, they gave their answer. Aunt said she doesn’t intend to remarry, thus, she must disappoint your sincere feelings."

Yi Mingshi was a bit unwilling, "I find it hard to believe. If the Gu Family girl truly had no intention of remarrying, she should have outright refused me yesterday. But she did so only after a night. Is there some concern? Or is there some dissatisfaction with me?"

"Please check again, my feelings are indeed genuine. If there are concerns, they can be voiced. If there’s dissatisfaction, also let it be known—"

Gu Zikai frowned, finding Yi Mingshi’s attitude somewhat off.

This is a mutual consent kind of matter, and besides, Yi Mingshi wasn’t like this normally, not a young lad anymore. If she’s uninterested, one should gracefully retreat.

Why did he seem somewhat relentless?

Though displeased, Gu Zikai kept it off his face, gently advising, "Uncle, don’t stress. My aunt is straightforward, if she says she doesn’t wish to remarry, that means it. If Uncle truly wishes to marry again, there’s no shortage of women in this world, with your conditions, finding a suitable match isn’t difficult—"

Yi Mingshi opened his mouth as if to say more.

Gu Zikai’s smile remained, but his tone intensified a bit, "Uncle, why force it if there’s no point? Isn’t a woman’s reputation extremely important? Since it wasn’t meant to be, it’s simply a lack of fate! Given that, let’s not bring it up again, just pretend it never happened, what do you think?"

Yi Mingshi looked at Gu Zikai, somewhat surprised.

Gu Zikai’s expression remained gentle and elegant as he quietly watched Yi Mingshi.

Yi Mingshi realized he had never really seen through this young Dong Weng before. Always thinking him young, humble, and respectful towards him.

Now he saw the true face of Dong Weng, not quite the gentle scholar, just that gaze made an old fox like him shiver.

He immediately lowered his head, containing all his thoughts, "Yes, I understand!"