Chapter 8: I Want to Marry Her

Leaning against the pillar, Gu Chaobei took a sip of wine and couldn't help but chuckle. His eldest brother, who had always been praised as an upright man, unexpectedly had his despicable moments when it came to women.

Second Brother's Dream Butterfly was already pregnant, and Aunt Liu's family was gaining attention. Eldest Brother directly married the fifth Miss Shen from the Shen family, presumably to secure his position with the child in her belly, and then he would turn around and coax the third Miss Shen.

He was somewhat curious. What if the third Miss Shen from the Shen family wasn't so easily deceived and didn't forgive him? What would Gu Chaodong do then?

"These days, you help me appease the Shen family, and don't let Yan'er suffer any grievances," Gu Chaodong instructed Fengxiao before turning and walking towards the direction of the new house.

Fengxiao was clever and capable. Although it was already dark, he immediately planned to ride out of the mansion. The Shen family was just a few moments' ride away in the northern part of the city.

After Fengxiao left, Gu Chaobei came out from behind the pillar, thought for a moment, casually tossed the wine jug into the flower bed, and then followed after Fengxiao. He mounted a horse and followed.

Shen Guiyan had set up a memorial for Aunt Qin, as she was only an aunt and couldn't have a memorial set up in the main hall or receive any funeral rites. Her body had already been sent to the charity house and could only have white cloth hung in her yard and a memorial tablet placed.

The rain was still falling, and Gu Manor's atmosphere was unknown. Shen Guiyan knelt upright, burning paper money bit by bit, her face clean and tearless, only her eyes red.

"Ah..." Bao Shan stood under the eaves outside, covering her mouth and sobbing. Her skirt was soaked by the rain, but she didn't dare to go inside.

Fengxiao hurriedly arrived, wearing a raincoat, and upon entering the yard and seeing Bao Shan in this state, he asked urgently, "What's wrong, Miss? Where is the third Miss?"

Due to the formalities, Shen Guiyan and Gu Chaodong couldn't meet often, but Fengxiao and Bao Shan were quite familiar. Bao Shan pulled him aside and whispered, "I really want to cry, but the young lady said not to, as it might disturb Aunt Qin's spirit. I couldn't help it, so I dare not go in... the young lady is still inside."

Fengxiao sighed softly and, after glancing around, said to Bao Shan, "Alright, stop crying. Come with me to a place where we can talk privately. You stay here and keep an eye on the young lady. She might get upset again."

Bao Shan nodded, and Fengxiao led her away.

The maids and servants in the yard had been sent to the charity house to watch over it for the night, and Aunt Qin would be buried in her coffin the next day. Once Bao Shan left, only Shen Guiyan remained in the yard.

Gu Chaobei, slightly intoxicated, boldly entered the yard, his clothes dirtied by the rain as he climbed over the wall. Despite his disheveled appearance, he didn't seem to mind and slipped into the memorial hall, hiding in a corner.

He didn't intend to do anything wrong; he had simply heard people praise the third Miss Shen for many years and wanted to see what she looked like.

Shen Guiyan paid no attention to the commotion around her, finishing burning the paper money and then kneeling quietly on the cushion, lost in thought.

A gust of wind blew in through the door, nearly extinguishing the candles on the table. Shen Guiyan came to her senses and got up to close the door.

But as she turned, she bumped into Gu Chaobei, who was trying to sneak a peek at her from behind.

"Ah!"

The exclamation didn't come from Shen Guiyan, but from Gu Chaobei. Not only did he cry out, but he also took three frightened steps back and shouted at the door, "Thief! Catch the thief!"

Shen Guiyan was dumbfounded, staring at him.

It was perhaps due to her overwhelming grief that she had no reaction to anything. If it were a normal day and a disheveled man suddenly appeared behind her, Shen Guiyan would have surely screamed louder than Gu Chaobei.

After calling out, Gu Chaobei finally came to his senses. This wasn't the Prime Minister's mansion; it was the Shen family's mansion. As a thief, he seemed to have made a mistake.

He chuckled foolishly and bowed to Shen Guiyan, "I was just passing by. I hope you won't take offense, Miss."

After speaking, he raised his head but was stunned in place.

"Is there a thief causing trouble in the courtyard?" The voices of the servants were already faintly heard, and it was clear they were coming this way. Gu Chaobei should have run, but he found himself unable to take his eyes off the face before him for some inexplicable reason.

As one of the four dandies of the capital, Gu Chaobei was adept at recognizing women by their fragrance. He had once recited the names of all the women in the Drunken Flower Pavilion in the capital with his eyes closed, and he hadn't made a single mistake. He had seen countless women, enough to line a street, but he had never seen one that amazed him like this.

It was a face that made one feel comfortable, with rosy lips, willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and a clear gaze like a stream. Unfortunately, there was a hint of dullness, and a faint red mark between her eyebrows added a touch of charm, making her look a bit enchanting. However, overall, she still appeared dignified.

Upon closer inspection, there was nothing particularly outstanding about her, just slightly more attractive than an ordinary woman. Why did a flash of light seem to have just passed over him? Gu Chaobei rubbed his eyes. Was it a hallucination from the alcohol?

The servants were already at the door, and Shen Guiyan looked at the man before her without much reaction, simply instructing the servant behind her, "Tie him up and hand him over to the steward for handling."

His shoulder was grabbed, and only then did Gu Chaobei come to his senses, frowning as he said, "Do you take me for a petty thief?"

Hand him over to the steward?

Shen Guiyan looked him up and down, then turned back to kneel on the cushion, "Even if he's a pirate, please don't disturb my mother's peace."

With his shoulder held, Gu Chaobei finally regained his composure and said with a frown, "Do you mistake me for a petty thief?"

Hand him over to the steward?

Shen Guiyan looked him up and down, then turned back to kneel on the cushion, "Even if he's a pirate, please don't disturb my mother's peace."

It's truly heartbreaking when someone's spirit dies. He, such a handsome young man, standing in front of her, and she didn't even react. She must be overwhelmed with grief.

Gu Chaobei looked at her with great sympathy, then pushed away the servant behind him and knelt down next to Shen Guiyan with a thud.

"Madam, right? I am Gu Chaobei. I want to marry Miss Shen as my wife. Please give us your blessing." Gu Chaobei half-opened his eyes, looking somewhat intoxicated, and kowtowed three times without hesitation in front of the memorial tablet of Madam Qin.

Shen Guiyan stiffened, and the servants behind her were also dumbfounded.

Gu Chaobei? Isn't he the famous Fourth Young Master Gu?

Baoshan and Fengxiao rushed back upon hearing the commotion, only to see a carefree figure already leading Shen Guiyan out.

"Young Master Gu?" Fengxiao's expression changed when he saw the man's appearance, and he tightened his grip. "What are you doing here?"

Several servants hesitated to approach and stop him, but upon hearing Fengxiao's shout, no one dared to act rashly. Gu Chaobei stumbled forward, paying no attention to anyone, while Shen Guiyan was being pulled along, heading towards the main courtyard.

It was raining, and they were soon soaked. Shen Guiyan frowned and asked, "Are you drunk?"

"Not at all!" Gu Chaobei chuckled. "Do you want to see me walk in a straight line for you?"

Shen Guiyan: "..."

In the middle of the night, the exhausted Shen family members had all gone to rest, but they were all awakened by the arrival of this ancestor. Shen Lao Ye came out in his clothes to see what was going on.

"I want to marry your third daughter," Gu Chaobei stood in the main courtyard, holding Shen Guiyan's hand and facing Shen Lao Ye. "Marry your third daughter to me!"

Shen Lao Ye's face turned pale. Everyone knew that Fourth Young Master Gu was not a suitable match. He had numerous concubines in the backyard, and he had not achieved anything in terms of official career. He was just a prodigal son who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. If he married Yan'er to him, would she have a good life?

Shen Lady, on the other hand, treated it as a joke. Madam Qin had passed away, and Yan'er had already been married off. If Shen Guiyan married a playboy, it might bring her some joy.

"Master Gu, this..." Shen Lao Ye didn't know what to say and quickly looked at Shen Guiyan.

Shen Guiyan had been struggling all along. What kind of conversation was this in front of everyone? However, this man's hand was scorching hot and strong, and she couldn't break free.

"I won't marry," she said. "My birth mother just passed away, and I should be in mourning."

Gu Chaobei shamelessly laughed and said, "How long can you mourn for your birth mother? I'll wait for you. Whether you want to marry happily or unhappily, you'll have to marry me anyway, because I've set my eyes on you."

Shen Guiyan glared at him fiercely and couldn't help but stomp hard on his foot. She was full of grievances. Why should anyone be able to bully her at will?

Gu Chaobei winced in pain and looked at her through gritted teeth. "You've broken my foot. Your future husband will be a cripple!"