After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

Gu Yu'an pursed his lips. Since things had come to this point, there was nothing he couldn't ask.

"Your Highness, may I ask why you are helping the Gu family? In the past, the Gu family might have been an asset to Your Highness, but now..."

Chu Jingyan understood Gu Yu'an's concerns; was he afraid there was a trap involved?

Indeed, the world is bustling with activity, all for the sake of profit; the world is bustling with activity, all for the sake of profit!

Who can offer help at this crucial moment? It's someone I just met.

"I am not happy with you, Brother Gu. I have been away from the court for many years and have no foundation. Moreover, my pursuit is not in the court. But others will not think that way."

I had just returned to Beijing when someone tried to harm me. I wasn't afraid, but my mother was still in the capital.

I truly believe that Lord Gu is innocent; consider this my way of making a good connection.

Chu Jingyan spoke cryptically, but Gu Yu'an understood: he meant for the Gu family to take care of Consort Ning in the future.

Gu Yu'an breathed a sigh of relief; so that's how it is.

The Sixth Prince is far too certain that the Gu family will survive this calamity, isn't he? Although some things have changed, Gu Yu'an is still uneasy.

"Your Highness saved my sister, making you a great benefactor to the Gu family, and naturally, so is Consort Ning as well. Even if Your Highness hadn't mentioned it, the Gu family would have done the same."

Chu Jingyan patted Gu Yu'an's arm, with an expression that said, "I knew I hadn't misjudged him."

"it is good"

Chu Jingyan picked up a new collection of poems and engaged in a long conversation with Gu Yu'an.

Gu Yu'an was surprised that the prince, who had grown up in the mountains, had his own unique insights into poetry forums, and couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship.

The two looked at the stars and the moon, discussing everything from poetry and songs to the philosophy of life...

The sky is filled with light and shadows of clouds, and the sun gradually rises.

Yesterday, the Gu family opened its main gates to welcome guests, but there were very few visitors. However, the Sixth Prince went to the Gu family, accompanied by a catchy dance performance.

Discussions about the Gu family mansion are still going strong today.

"That's hilarious! Gu Mingtang is already in jail, and the Gu family still thinks they're the old Minister's mansion?"

"Not necessarily. They said they were only temporarily detained to cooperate with the investigation. Maybe it's just a false alarm, and the Sixth Prince even went."

"That's right, Lord Gu has always been a good official who speaks up for the people, unlike that kind of person."

"The Emperor himself gave the order. Even if the wrong person was arrested, would the Emperor think he was wrong? Besides, the Sixth Prince is not favored."

"That's true. I reckon this time it'll either result in beheading at the Meridian Gate, or confiscation of property and exile."

"What a pity, the young lady of the Imperial Physician, is going to be implicated at such a young age. I've heard that Miss Li is both beautiful and talented, a renowned woman of exceptional ability in the capital."

"I still remember her poem from last year, which was so beautiful it captivated the world and inspired countless talented men. It was because of this that our two families became in-laws—what a wonderful coincidence!"

"Sigh... So what? She's still going to marry the son of a disgraced official. What a pity, what a pity."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaohan gripped her handkerchief tightly. She had no intention of marrying Gu Yu'an, a man who was about to be beheaded and have his property confiscated.

She sternly rebuked the coachman, "Hurry up and move along! Are you here to laugh at me too?"

The coachman dared not speak out in anger, but with a flick of his whip, the horse was startled and ran off quickly.

Li Xiaohan nearly crashed into the carriage when she leaned back.

"You dog of a servant, don't you know to be gentle..."

As soon as Li Xiaohan returned to the mansion, she started smashing things, destroying whatever she saw. The maids dared not stop her and cowered to the side.

Li's mother rushed over and snatched the vase from Li Xiaohan's hand. "My goodness, what's wrong with you now?"

Tears welled up in Li Xiaohan's eyes. "Mother, I won't marry Gu Yu'an. How can the son of a disgraced official be worthy of me?"

Li's mother hugged Li Xiaohan tightly, saying with heartache, "Alright, alright, if you don't want to marry, then don't."

"Nonsense!" Li's father scolded as he walked to the door.

"The engagement has already been arranged, how can I just back out like that? What will the Emperor think of me? What will the Gu family think of me?"

Wouldn't the people of the world condemn the Li family for being ungrateful? When I faced obstacles in my official career, Minister Gu helped me a great deal.”

Li Xiaohan cried even louder, "So what? Just give them some money, that's enough. For these empty titles, you're willing to let your own daughter marry into such a family and suffer, or even die after marriage?"

"Just because Lord Gu is in jail, you want to break off the engagement? How have I always taught you? Never be ungrateful or faithless."

With a wave of his long sleeves, Li's father left only one sentence.

"Anyway, I won't take the initiative to break off the engagement with the Gu family," he said and left.

"Mom, look at Dad," Li's mother patted Li Xiaohan's arm, watching her husband's departing figure.

After more than ten years of marriage, she had long seen through him. If he were truly as trustworthy as he claimed, why didn't he let her attend the Gu family's full-moon celebration?

Instead, he sent the butler with gifts to maintain a semblance of peace. His refusal to go was a subtle way of implying that I should go instead.

Ha! What a ridiculous man.

Even if Li's father didn't hint at it, she would have found a way to break off the engagement. In the past, it was considered that the Li family had climbed above their station.

But how could she possibly let her own daughter marry into the Gu family, whose future was uncertain?

Even if the Gu family doesn't die now, they'll be skinned alive. Even if she has to bear the infamy of being a traitor, she still has to call off her daughter's marriage.

It's good that Su Xiuran readily agreed; she might even give the other party some compensation.

If you disagree, her eyes will gradually turn sinister, and then don't blame her...

……

Su Xiuran's scouts all returned empty-handed, only receiving the order, "No visits allowed."

But she still got up early and went to Gu Yu'an's place. After understanding Gu Yu'an's thoughts, she took the engagement letter and tokens exchanged during the engagement ceremony and went to the Li residence.

Gu Yu'an was staring blankly at the table when he suddenly remembered something. He took out the framed poem from the box.

That was the poem by Li Xiaohan that made her famous in Beijing last year. She wrote it down, framed it, and gave it to him.

At the poetry gathering that year, this poem was undoubtedly the best, even surpassing the men's poems next to it.

He was amazed when he saw the poem and discussed it for a long time before the poetry gathering ended.

A maidservant stopped him, saying that the young lady from the Physician's family had something to give him.

Gu Yu'an looked up and saw the person on the bridge curtsying to him. Gu Yu'an was stunned for a moment, then quickly returned the greeting with his fan. When he looked up, all that remained was the slender back of the girl…

Then her mother told her that she had been looking at the young lady of the Langzhong family for a long time and felt that she was steady, humble, and both beautiful and talented.

Although their family background is not as good as Gu's, they don't care about that.

His mother wanted him to get engaged to the youngest daughter of the physician, and asked for his opinion.

His earlobes subtly turned crimson, and he said calmly, "I will follow Mother's arrangements."

Seeing her son like this, Su Xiuran understood everything; he must have taken a liking to that girl from the Li family.

Everything proceeded according to procedure, and Su Xiuran found the best matchmaker in the capital.

The engagement process, including betrothal, asking the name, accepting auspicious gifts, and presenting betrothal gifts, signifies that the couple is engaged. Since both are still young, the engagement is finalized, and after two years, a wedding date is set for the ceremony.

If it weren't for this situation, she probably would have become his wife...

A talented woman like her should be admired by many. He shouldn't be so selfish. She shouldn't have suffered the pain of exile and the confiscation of her property with him.

Gu Yu'an placed his fingers on the box. He knew Li Xiaohan's feelings for him; otherwise, she wouldn't have risked her reputation to give him a gift.

That's why he couldn't let her suffer; a moment of sadness was better than a lifetime of hardship.

He picked up the box and went out, but after thinking for a moment, he called Gu Liyao and Gu Linglong to come with him.

Perhaps the younger sister can understand what she's thinking and can better comfort her...