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“After Shedding My Armor, I Await Marriage” Chapter 58

"It’s really hard to meet you in broad daylight.”

For the Dowager Consort’s grand birthday, the carriages coming and going at Prince An’s Residence never seemed to stop. Considering that the Dowager Consort had narrowly escaped death recently, it wouldn’t have been appropriate to celebrate her birthday with great fanfare. However, the residence had once invited a so-called half-immortal, who calculated the Dowager Consort’s birth date and specifically instructed that her birthday this year must be celebrated grandly. The purpose was to use the festive atmosphere to ward off evil spirits, thereby resolving future calamities and even bringing good fortune.

Thus, Prince An’s Residence did not dare to take this lightly. All the families in the capital who received invitations were more than willing to help out, hoping to perhaps share in some of the good fortune from Prince An’s Residence.

The invitation sent to Gu Fu by Prince An’s Residence was not solely for her. However, it so happened that something arose in Second Madam Li’s natal family, requiring her and her husband, Gu Qirong, to return home. Because of this, they specifically entrusted Gu Xiaowu to Gu Fu’s care. So on this day, Gu Qizheng took Gu Fu, Gu Xiaowu, and the reluctant Gu Zhu, who Gu Fu had dragged out the door, to the An Prince’s Residence to celebrate the Dowager Consort’s birthday.

Perhaps it was due to her connection with the Imperial Preceptor’s fiancée, but as soon as the Gu family’s carriage arrived at the entrance, a servant immediately went to inform Princess An.

Not long after, Princess An personally came to lead Gu Fu inside.

Many people said that Princess An came from a humble background and lacked the grace and poise of a noble lady. But when Gu Fu looked at the round-faced, fair-skinned princess who spoke straightforwardly, she felt an immense sense of ease.

Princess An resembled Miss Qi in some ways, though her temperament was too gentle, lacking Miss Qi’s confidence and boldness. However, Princess An and Miss Qi got along well, so they had long become friends. Through Miss Qi, Princess An had heard about Gu Fu and knew that Gu Fu had a pleasant and easygoing personality.

Sure enough, within a few words, Princess An grew fond of the atmosphere when interacting with Gu Fu and even brought Gu Fu and Gu Xiaowu to meet the Dowager Consort.

The Dowager Consort was muddled and couldn’t remember people well, but she called Gu Fu “Second Miss Gu” and was particularly fond of Gu Xiaowu, holding her and refusing to let go.

What was strange was that although Gu Xiaowu was usually introverted and timid, she wasn’t afraid of the Dowager Consort. Before long, they were conversing, with the child speaking in simple language and the Dowager Consort responding nonsensically. Yet somehow, they got along extraordinarily well.

Later, when the Dowager Consort started to nod off, Princess An led Gu Fu and Gu Xiaowu away and toward the banquet hall.

On the way, Princess An asked Gu Fu, “I’ve heard that you grew up with the Second Miss of the Mu family. Do you know what kind of temperament the current Madam Mu has? Is there anything I should be cautious of when dealing with her?”

Gu Fu indeed knew the answers to these questions.

Even though Mu Qingyao had moved out of the Gu residence, the two had kept up their correspondence and often met. Naturally, Mu Qingyao would tell Gu Fu about her family matters, so when it came to her stepmother, Gu Fu knew all too well.

She replied to the Princess of An, “Madam Mu is from the northwest and isn’t very familiar with the rules of the capital, so she acts with caution. However, there is one thing—if you don’t want to hear her say something awkward that could ruin the atmosphere, then you absolutely must not praise the Second Miss in front of her.”

The Princess of An was slightly taken aback but quickly nodded, saying, “Understood.”

Gu Fu’s words were not without reason; the reality was indeed as she described. This new wife of the Mu family usually seemed normal enough—though she didn’t understand the rules very well and still casually mentioned Mu Qingyao’s given name. Generally speaking, there wasn’t much to criticize about her. However, whenever someone praised Mu Qingyao in front of her, she would, in a seemingly humble manner, subtly disparage Mu Qingyao. This left people uncertain whether she was doing it intentionally or unintentionally.

Gu Fu decided to nip the issue in the bud, preventing any potential incidents and making it clear that Madam Mu didn’t like hearing others praise her predecessor’s child. This way, if any unpleasant rumors were to spread, people would simply say that Madam Mu was unkind and deliberately tarnishing Mu Qingyao’s reputation, rather than questioning Mu Qingyao’s character.

Entering the banquet hall, Gu Fu found Mu Qingyao and purposely pulled her to sit beside her. Soon, the girls who were familiar with them also gathered around, one of them even bringing along the Third Miss of Prince An’s Residence. The group chatted, ate, and drank together, enjoying a harmonious and cheerful atmosphere.

During this time, gifts were sent from the palace, and after the Dowager Consort came out to express her gratitude, she sat in the banquet hall for a while. Princess An, concerned that the Dowager Consort might be exhausted, escorted her back to the rear courtyard to rest.

Seeing her mother leave, the Third Miss of Prince An’s Residence pulled Gu Fu aside, wearing a mysterious expression as she insisted on taking the group to the garden. The girls all followed her lead and moved to the garden.

When they arrived, they saw a maze constructed with two-person-high fences and vine-covered plants. Gu Fu finally understood why the Third Miss had insisted on bringing them there; this unique and creative landscape was indeed something to show off.

The girls eagerly ran into the maze to play, but since Gu Xiaowu was feeling drowsy after eating, Gu Fu decided to take Mu Qingyao to the lakeside pavilion, which was farther from the maze. She instructed Lu Zhu and Mu Qingyao’s maid to wait by the shore, telling them there was no need to follow.

With no one else around, Gu Fu finally had the chance to ask Mu Qingyao, “In your last letter, you mentioned that your uncle was considering potential matches for you?”

At that moment, above the pavilion, Prince An’s Heir, Wen Qize, who had sensed someone entering the pavilion, initially intended to jump down and greet them before leaving. However, hearing this, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Wen Qize, realizing his situation, held his breath and tried to minimize his presence, fearing that Gu Fu, who was also skilled in martial arts, might sense him.

Mu Qingyao nodded, her eyes showing a hint of weariness. “Since my father returned to the capital, the marriage proposals have been pouring in nonstop. I deliberately kept them at bay, but a few days ago, I let my guard down, and Lady Wu Xiao found out. She mentioned it to my father, and he insisted that I hand over all the proposals to him.”

Mu Qingyao paused briefly, then smiled faintly and said, “Luckily, I still have a brother.”

Wen Qize, crouching on the pavilion roof, felt a strange tightness in his chest at the sound of her laughter. He found himself hoping that Gu Fu would say something to comfort Mu Qingyao, but instead, Gu Fu remained silent, allowing Mu Qingyao to continue venting her thoughts.

“The other day, my father suggested marrying me off to the youngest son of the Minister of War. I had my brother look into the man’s character, and it so happened that he caught him speaking ill of me at a music house. My brother was so enraged that he beat him up, and naturally, the marriage proposal was dropped. But what if…”

Mu Qingyao lifted her gaze to the distant sky, her voice soft, almost as if she were talking to herself, “But what if we weren’t so lucky next time?”

The question hung in the air, filled with uncertainty and a quiet fear of what might come. Wen Qize, listening from above, felt an unexpected sympathy for her, mixed with a growing unease.

Mu Qingyao’s voice trembled slightly as she continued, “If we hadn’t caught that man’s disgraceful behavior, and my brother had come back saying he was decent, would I have ended up marrying him?”

Gu Xiao Wu, still half-asleep, didn’t fully understand what they were talking about, but he sensed Mu Qingyao’s sadness. He slipped down from Gu Fu’s lap and ran over to hug Mu Qingyao’s leg.

Mu Qingyao looked down and bent to lift Gu Xiao Wu onto her lap. Once he was settled, he wrapped his short arms around her neck and nuzzled his face against hers, softly comforting her, “Sister, don’t be sad.”

Mu Qingyao hugged him tightly, “Alright, Sister will listen to Xiao Wu.”

Wen Qize, watching this scene unfold, breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that Gu Fu, despite being an elder cousin, was not as considerate as this little child.

However, it was precisely this moment of relaxation that led Gu Fu to sense someone on the pavilion roof. She stood up abruptly and shouted, “Come down!”

Mu Qingyao was startled, but soon she saw Wen Qize, whom she had met twice before, leap down into the pavilion. He bowed and apologized to them with sincere humility.

This was the second time Wen Qize had overheard her private thoughts, but unlike before, when she felt shame and anger, Mu Qingyao remained expressionless, calmly replying, “If I don’t forgive you, what do you intend to do?”

There was no trace of the easygoing demeanor she had shown when they first met at the palace gates.

Wen Qize, straightforward as ever, unhooked a pouch from his waist and took out a jade pendant, offering it to Mu Qingyao. “If you ever need anything, just send someone with this jade pendant, and I will do my utmost to assist you. Consider it my way of making amends for my offense.”

Mu Qingyao reached out and took the jade pendant. As her delicate fingertips brushed across Wen Qize’s palm, he suppressed the sudden flutter in his heart, bowed once more, and took his leave.

As Wen Qize’s figure receded into the distance, Gu Fu suddenly turned to Mu Qingyao and asked, “Do you have someone you like?”

Mu Qingyao looked at Gu Fu, who continued, “If you do, I’ll help you evaluate him. If he’s suitable, we can petition the Emperor to grant you a marriage. That’s much better than letting your father marry you off to just anyone. And if you don’t want to marry at all, I can help with that too. I’ve got experience in forcing people to break off an engagement.”

Mu Qingyao thought seriously for a moment before shaking her head. “Not getting married is too troublesome; I might as well get married. But I’ll choose for myself, and once I’ve decided, I’ll let you know.”

At this, Mu Qingyao seemed to remember something and said to Gu Fu, “Lately, I’ve been running into the Prince of Yi a lot. It’s one thing to meet him while out, but it’s another when I accidentally bump into him at home. I’ve heard he’s been coming to see my father.”

Gu Fu raised an eyebrow. “Do you think he’s suitable?”

Mu Qingyao shook her head. “No, he already has a princess and two concubines.”

Gu Fu nodded in agreement. “Right, you wouldn’t like him if he’s already tainted.”

Mu Qingyao chuckled at Gu Fu’s remark, but after the laughter faded, she added, “Maybe I’m overthinking it, but it feels like too much of a coincidence, and it makes me uneasy.”

Gu Fu reassured her, “Don’t worry. Since the Prince of Yi already has a wife, your father wouldn’t dare marry you off as a concubine.”

Gu Fu didn’t necessarily trust Mu Heng completely, but given Mu Heng’s status, unless he had lost his mind and wanted to trample on his own reputation, he would never make the foolish mistake of sending his daughter to be someone’s concubine.

The two continued to chat idly in the pavilion for a while until suddenly, a maid came running up to them, saying that the old Dowager Consort had requested Gu Fu’s presence.

Gu Fu was slightly taken aback. “Just me?”

The maid kept her head low. “Yes, the Dowager Consort specifically asked for you, Second Miss Gu.”

Mu Qingyao, holding the now-sleeping Gu Xiao Wu, reassured Gu Fu, “Go ahead, I’ll look after Xiao Wu.”

Gu Fu had no choice but to take Lu Zhu and follow the maid out of the garden to meet the old Dowager Consort. However, halfway there, Gu Fu suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“Second Miss Gu?” The maid turned back to urge her.

Gu Fu replied, “This isn’t the way to the rear courtyard.”

The maid hesitated, glancing nervously between Gu Fu and Lu Zhu.

LĂź Zhu, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, “Miss, you should follow her.”

Gu Fu paused, then understanding dawned on her. Without further hesitation, she not only obediently followed the maid but also quickened her pace.

The maid led Gu Fu out through a small side gate of the prince’s residence. Outside the gate, a carriage that Gu Fu recognized all too well was waiting.

She jumped onto the carriage, and as soon as she stepped inside, the person inside pulled her into an embrace. A cool touch against her ear accompanied the soft whisper, “It’s really hard to meet you in broad daylight.”


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After Shedding My Armor, I Await Marriage

After Shedding My Armor, I Await Marriage

卸甲后我待字闺中 Xiè Jiǎ Hòu Wǒ Dài Zì Guī Zhōng
Score 9.2
Status: Completed Type: Author: Released: 2020 Native Language: Chinese

In the ninth year of Yongqing, General Gu Fu died in Qi Huai. The current emperor posthumously honored him as Marquis Zhongshun.

In the twelfth month of the same year, the second Miss Gu, who had accompanied her grandmother to the mountains to perform Buddhist rites for five years, returned home. The first thing she faced upon arrival was punishment—kneeling in the ancestral hall. In the ancestral hall, the elder of the Gu family scolded her, telling her not to act recklessly in the future and to obediently wait for the elders to arrange a marriage for her. However, she responded with a single sentence that made him storm off in anger. An unaware aunt and younger sister came to visit, seemingly out of concern, but they were actually mocking her. She calmly countered their remarks. Finally, her elder brother arrived. The scholarly eldest son of the Gu family paced back and forth in front of her, eventually blurting out, "The military camp is full of men! Do you know that if word of your disgraceful behavior spreads, it will bring shame to the family's daughters?" Gu Fu finally shed her carefree demeanor and replied seriously, "Defending the country is not a disgrace." Upon hearing that the Gu family wanted to marry off the second Miss Gu, the current emperor immediately sought out the empress, earnestly saying, "I regard the second Miss Gu as my own daughter. I can't let her marry just anyone. If empress has time, perhaps you could help me by looking for suitable candidates for her in the capital." The empress: "..." Understood, Matchmaking 101 it is.
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