Duke Jing's younger sister

A strong wind suddenly arose and a heavy rain fell at night.

Xingping opened the window early in the morning and saw that most of the white flowers in the yard had been washed away by the rain, which made her feel a little sorry.

"If it hadn't rained, this flower would have bloomed for many more days!"

Shen Li glanced out the window. The white flowers that were still on the branches yesterday, smelling fragrant in the wind, were ruthlessly destroyed by the sudden rain and fell to the ground, creating a mess.

"It's okay. The magnolia blooms for a long time, and new buds will soon bloom on the branches."

There is never a shortage of beautiful flowers in this world. If there is no white magnolia, there is still lotus. In autumn there is elegant chrysanthemum and in winter there is red plum.

After the heavy rain, there was a faint scent of summer heat in the air. Shen Li, wearing a light green summer dress, sat in front of the window, flipping through a book casually.

If you can't calm down, you won't be able to focus on anything.

Just as she was in a daze, Nanny Qin walked into the room without any hurry or delay, without even looking at her, and said in a haughty manner, "Third Miss, the Madam ordered you to pack up and go to the front hall."

The front hall is usually used for meeting guests. What kind of guests does she need to meet?

Shen Li did not ask any more questions, but only responded in a low voice, tidied her hair and clothes a little, and followed Nanny Qin with Xingping towards the front hall.

Entering the hall, Yang was sitting in the main seat, and on the guest seat to her right sat a woman in her forties.

The woman was dressed elegantly, with a conspicuous golden hairpin as thick as a finger inserted in her bun.

Seeing Shen Li come in, the woman who had been polite to Yang just now immediately fell silent, turned her gaze to her, and looked her up and down.

"Lier, this is Madam Gu." Yang said.

Shen Li bowed politely, "Meet Madam Gu."

She roughly guessed why Yang called her to the front hall today, specifically to meet this Madam Gu.

Probably he was choosing a husband's family for her.

But Shen Li had been in Jiangdu City for eight years and had never heard of the Gu family.

Mrs. Gu seemed quite amiable, with a friendly smile always on her face.

She stood up, took Shen Li's hand, and took off a very fine emerald green jade bracelet from her wrist, intending to give it to Shen Li as a gift.

Although the Sizhou Gu family is not a prominent family, it is still a well-known family among the ten states of Southern Wu.

The Gu family has been in business for generations, and it is no exaggeration to say that they are the richest family in Southern Wu. Mrs. Gu's sister is good friends with the wife of the second branch of the Shen family, and this marriage was also arranged by Mrs. Shen.

Mrs. Gu looked at Shen Li and was extremely satisfied with her future daughter-in-law.

They thought that a wealthy family like the Duke's Mansion would be willing to marry into their Gu family, and that the third daughter of the Shen family was either ugly or stupid.

But the third girl in front of him had a pair of clear eyes and a quiet and gentle temperament. One could tell at first glance that she was a very cultured lady from a noble family.

Mrs. Gu was relieved about Shen Li, but doubts arose in her heart.

Could it be that the third daughter of the Shen family has some hidden illness?

Otherwise, why would they choose the Gu family instead of the numerous noblemen that were flowing in Jiangdu City?

You have to know that these official families have always looked down on merchants like them.

Yang talked with Mrs. Gu, and Shen Li sat quietly on the side, smiling appropriately at the right time to respond to Mrs. Gu's praise of her.

After seeing Mrs. Gu off, Yang sat back in the head seat. Shen Li knew that Yang had something to say to her, so she stood quietly in the hall.

"Li'er, this Madam Gu is from the Gu family in Sizhou. Have you ever heard of her?"

Shen Li pondered in her mind, "The Gu family that is said to be rich enough to rival a country?"

"That's right." Yang nodded.

"The Gu family is very wealthy, their family background is simple, and they are not complicated either."

"Madam Gu has two daughters and one son. After you marry her, you won't have to worry about food and clothing, and you won't have to worry about social interactions. Madam Gu is a cheerful person and will definitely not give you any trouble."

"Besides, as long as your brother is alive, the Duke's Mansion will always support you."

Yang looked at her meaningfully and continued,

"You also know that your situation is no longer suitable for marrying a young master from an aristocratic family. After much thought, this is the best way out I can find for you. Are you willing?"

Shen Li knew that, as Yang said, for her, the Gu family was the best way out.

Even though Yang seemed to ignore her, she had made careful plans for her marriage.

She has lost her innocence and married into the Gu family. Even if it is discovered that she is not virgin, with the support of the Shen family, the Gu family can only swallow this loss.

After all, businessmen should not fight with officials. If the Gu family wants to make their business bigger and more stable, they have to rely on the Shen family.

As long as the Shen family is around, she doesn't have to worry about the Gu family treating her badly because of this matter.

Shen Li's thoughts suddenly surged, and she recalled last night, when the lanterns in the corridor of Cuibai Hall were swaying gently and the light was dim. She stood beside Shen Beiqi, looking at his handsome eyes and brows unscrupulously.

A month later, he would wear a bright red wedding gown, a red silk chest binding, and go to pick up his bride home with the sound of gongs and drums. He would perform the six rites, worship heaven and earth, and establish a marriage alliance and a covenant of hearts.

Shen Li could imagine what a charming and stunning figure Shen Beiqi would have in a red robe.

She likes flowers, but she doesn't necessarily want to pick them.

Just as she likes the moon, she doesn't necessarily have to own it.

It was enough that she had been side by side with him.

Shen Li knelt down and kowtowed deeply, "My daughter is willing!"

……

Yang originally planned to marry Shen Li off as soon as possible.

In the end, he couldn't bear it and planned to arrange Shen Beiqi's wedding first, and then arrange Shen Li's wedding.

However, the date can be postponed, but the wedding must be scheduled in advance.

Once the two children meet and exchange their birth dates, they can proceed with the engagement.

Mrs. Gu was indeed a businesswoman, and she did things promptly and efficiently. Within five days, she brought her son Gu Nanxiao to the Shen Residence.

Shen Li had a husband. Ren Jiaorui felt happy on the one hand, but also a little jealous on the other.

The Gu family is the richest family in Nanwu. If Shen Li marries them, she will be able to sleep in a golden nest for the rest of her life. It’s infuriating just to think about it.

Moreover, Gu Nanxiao, the name sounds like a handsome and elegant young man. I don’t know why that dead girl has such a good life!

However, after she met Gu Nanxiao, this thought completely disappeared.

To be fair, Gu Nanxiao was not ugly. In fact, he looked very... pleasing.

With round eyes, a round face and a big waist, you can tell at a glance that this person has very good food at home.

Ren Jiaorui stood behind Yang, waiting to laugh at Shen Li, but after Shen Li and Shen Zhiyan came in together, they bowed steadily to Madam Gu without even a trace of extra expression on their faces.

However, when Gu Nanxiao saw his future wife who looked like a fairy, he smiled foolishly and seemed a little at a loss.

Shen Zhiyan glanced at Gu Nanxiao, and the joy on her face disappeared instantly. She looked at Yang in disbelief, and it was not an exaggeration to say that her expression was full of resentment.

"I came here in a hurry last time and didn't prepare any gifts for the younger generations at home. I came here today to make up for it." Mrs. Gu smiled, and the maid behind her handed her an exquisite wooden box.

Mrs. Gu opened it and found three Dong pearl necklaces inside. The white pearls were all round and full, emitting dazzling light.

You know, Dongzhu is precious, and Dongzhu that is so white and looks great is even rarer. Mrs. Gu is really wealthy, and she bought three at once.

When Ren Jiaorui saw that there was a share for her, she was immediately overjoyed.

Seeing that Mrs. Gu handed one to Shen Li first, and then to Shen Zhiyan, and it was about to be her turn, Shen Li spoke.

"Is this for Sister Zhijuan from the Second House? Why don't I take it for her first and send a maid to deliver it to her later."