CH 117

Chapter 117 – Suppression

Apart from that, Yu Tang could not think of anything else Gu Chang would come to Lin’an for.

Still, why did Gu Chang think of asking Pei Yan about Li Duan?

In her previous life, there was no indication of any sort of friendship between the Pei and Gu families.

Perhaps it was because the Li and Gu families were related by marriage and thus the Gu family drew closer to the Li family rather than the Pei family?

Yu Tang looked at Pei Yan.

Her curiosity was practically written on her face, making it impossible for Pei Yan to ignore even if he wanted to.

He was both amused and exasperated, saying, “What’s wrong with him coming to ask me? Am I not more trustworthy than Li Duan?”

It’s only because both of you were dual honor imperial scholars, right?

People in academia acknowledge a person’s worth based on scholarly merit.

Yu Tang scoffed internally.

Yu Wen hurriedly asked, “Did the Gu family’s eldest master say anything?”

Scholars were considered high in social status, so if Gu Chang expressed his displeasure with Yu Tang, or even pretended to unintentionally gripe about it in front of outsiders, Yu Tang’s reputation would be ruined.

His fears were not unreasonable.

Pei Yan looked at Yu Tang.

Yu Tang felt it was unlikely.

Previously, Gu Xi’s accompanying maids boasted about their family’s eldest young master in front of her, but she only listened in passing. In this life, she had her own opinions. Although she felt that what Gu Xi’s accompanying maids said was definitely biased, judging by what Gu Chang did in his previous life, he was an ambitious person who wanted to make a name for himself in history, so he would have valued his reputation highly and would not have jeopardised his reputation for the sake of trifling things and leave people with the impression that he was trying to prove himself superior over her.

Pei Yan inwardly snorted as he watched.

Unexpectedly, she held so much confidence in Gu Chaoyang.

She didn’t even know him!

Had she previously enquired about Gu Chaoyang?

Didn’t she realize that there were more fake gentlemen in this world than decent ones?

At this thought, he suddenly felt his mood dampen, turning somewhat unpleasant. He decided to share with Yu Tang what Gu Chang said, “Gu Chaoyang was grateful to the Yu family for telling them about what happened. However, he felt that what Lady Yu did was a little inappropriate – Li Duan certainly had his faults, but it’s not good to judge the rights and wrongs of others. By sharing this matter so openly without any attempt to cover it up, the second old master of the Gu family got so angry that he spent several days lying in bed recuperating.”

Yu Tang’s eyes widened.

Since when did Gu Xi’s father care so much about Gu Xi?

In her previous life, Gu Chang had a smooth career path and became a powerful official. However, the second old master of the Gu family only treated Gu Xi with superficial kindness. In this life, Gu Chang had not secured his position and influence yet, so how could the second old master of the Gu family be so upset over Gu Xi’s marriage so much so that he fell ill in bed?

Was Gu Chang saying this to justify his actions? Or did he really think she had gone too far and wanted to ruin her image in Pei Yan’s mind? Or was he trying to get the word out about this through Pei Yan?

Whatever the case may be, Yu Tang was a little disappointed in Gu Chang.

Instead, it was Yu Wen, who was all tensed up listening and asked Pei Yan anxiously, “Did the eldest young master of the Gu family really say that?”

Pei Yan lightly glanced at Yu Wen.

Yu Wen touched his nose furtively.

Pei Yan did not exaggerate Gu Chang’s words. However, Gu Chang only made that comment because he wanted to grumble about it in front of him. It was also because at the time when Gu Chang spoke of Lady Yu, he had put in a few goods words in defence of the Yu family.

He thought about it and shared with both of them what happened. “Lady Gu is extremely unhappy with the marriage, but Second Old Master Gu felt that since the marriage was already fixed, withdrawing from the marriage at this time would not only damage the Gu family’s reputation, but also make it difficult for Lady Gu to get married in the future. However, letting the Li family off the hook like this would be too generous towards the Li family. The second old master called Mrs. Li in and reprimanded her. Mrs. Li was also quite the character. She was able to cunningly stretch and bend, and in front of so many people in the Gu family, she knelt down on her knees and heavily kowtowed three times to Second Old Master Gu, making her forehead bleed in the process. As a result, it placed second old master Gu in a difficult position whether should he help her up or not, and it was not good to continue berating her. Who knew that Lady Gu would despise the Li family even more after finding out about this. When Gu Chang returned, she made it clear that she wanted to withdraw from the marriage. Gu Chang was afraid that Lady Gu might end up marrying the wrong person, but also felt that she had acted too impulsively, so he thought that since I was from Lin’an. It would be good to ask me for a second opinion.”

He didn’t mention the rest.

Madam Li was hiding away in Hangzhou, it must be that she was afraid that the wound on her forehead would be seen and she wouldn’t be able to explain it well.

Yu Tang held back her laughter. However, her bright eyes were sparkling with moisture, like a lake reflecting mountains and light, shining with brilliance.

Pei Yan was stunned for a moment.

Yu Tang had already voiced her appreciation, saying “It’s all thanks to you, if it weren’t for your kind words in defence, I’m afraid that Eldest young master Gu wouldn’t have just left with only a few words of complaint.”

Yu Wen felt perplexed, and only after a moment did he react.

After thinking about the conversation, it was not difficult to understand why Yu Tang had to thank Pei Yan.

If Pei Yan hadn’t favoured the Yu family, with Gu Chang’s status and intellect, why would he outwardly say anything bad about the Yu family?

He hadn’t even thought of it, but his Yu Tang had already thought of it at once.

Yu Wen was proud of her.

Pei Yan, on the other hand, gave Yu Tang a deep, contemplative look.

He figured that Lady Yu was quite capable at causing trouble, but he didn’t expect her to be so perceptive and actually appreciated his unspoken kindness.

Was it only a coincidence this time? Or did he underestimate Lady Yu and fail to realize that she had such a caring perceptive side?

Pei Yan immediately felt contented.

He thought that Lady Yu was still quite intelligent.

It was very easy to speak with Lady Yu.

He replied, “There is no need for you to worry about this matter. Although Gu Chaoyang is arrogant and unrestrained, he is good at maintaining his reputation. Only in front of me would he dare to say a few words recklessly. He will not share this in front of outsiders. What he says will end with me. The only reason I asked you over was to remind you of a few things. After all, the Gu family are outsiders and not residents of Lin’an City, so I will take care of anything that happens, you don’t need to pay any attention to him.”

It turns out that Gu Chang was such a person in Pei Yan’s mind.

Yu Tang was a little surprised.

And in her mind, Pei Yan was not a warm-hearted and outwardly helpful person, but this time, he took the initiative to help them.

It was evident that with time, as people got along with each other, there would be a bond that’s created. Only when there is a good relationship, will they help each other out.

Yu Tang then thought about how she would have to repay Pei Yan.

Yu Wen’s heart settled down at once.

He asked Pei Yan, “So is this matter will be settled like this?”

Yu Tang looked at Pei Yan and listened at the side.

Pei Yan always felt as though Yu Tang’s eyes could speak, and the more she looked at him quietly, the more he could feel Yu Tang’s emotions, almost like a child.

He couldn’t help but say gently: “Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken to Gu Chang. Even if he should have any ideas, on my account, he won’t bother Lady Yu. Besides, the reason for his visit to Lin’an was for Lady Gu’s marriage, so there’s no need for him to cause trouble. That wouldn’t do him any favors, and he would only be subjected to needless comments.”

His words implied an intention to suppress Gu Chang.

Yu Wen nodded his head repeatedly, not knowing how to thank Pei Yan for being so kind.

Yu Tang, however, smiled bitterly in secret, knowing that she owed Pei Yan yet another great favor.

Thinking of this, she told Pei Yan about her encounter with Gu Chang at the entrance of the local school.

Pei Yan was a bit surprised and after a brief pause, he thanked Yu Tang and said, “Both Gu and Shen are major families in Hangzhou City, it is only right for him to visit Mr. Shen when he visits Lin’an City.”