200 Not Marrying

The house was as warm as spring and filled with incense, but Gu Yunzhen felt that her limbs were cold. Her fingertips were slightly numb from the cold, and the dull, oppressive, and unpleasant smell she had smelled in Old Madam Murong’s house today lingered in her nose.

It lingered in the spacious, brightly lit house.

“Grandma,” Gu Yunzhen met Madam Gu’s dignified eyes and said calmly, “I’ll listen to your arrangements.”

It was just a marriage. Every woman had to experience it to lead a good life.

It was just that they would not be in love with each other.

It was just a part of life. Since Mother and Grandma could do it, of course she could too.

Although she had made up her mind, she could not help but feel a little disappointed. The strange smell on her nose intensified, and she sighed. However, she was going to make her sister worry about her again.

Hearing Gu Yunzhen’s agreement, Madam Gu’s face instantly turned from gloomy to bright. A kind smile appeared on her graceful face again.

The atmosphere in the room instantly brightened.

Madam Gu instructed Granny Li in satisfaction, “Quick, get someone to invite the Third Madam over.”

Granny Li hurriedly nodded and quickly went out to pass on the message.

Madam Gu called in the maidservant, Bai Lu. In front of Gu Yunzhen, she asked Bai Lu to open the storeroom and get a box of jewelry from her private vault. She also instructed another nanny to bring over the list of dowries from when the eldest aunt got married.

If the marriage was set before the new year, it meant that the dowry would be delivered tomorrow.

The Benevolent Harmony Hall became busy at once. The grannies and old women came and went in a hurry.

After Gu Yunzhen finished speaking, she began to fall silent again, as if her soul had been pulled out of her body.

Madam Gu was in a good mood and kept talking. “Zhen’er, the family won’t let you suffer. Second Aunt will also help your mother manage your dowry. We’ll handle it well.”

“I’ll add more dowry for you. In addition to this box of jewelry, I’ll give you 10,000 taels of silver and a farm.”

“I still have a lot of good materials here. It’s a good opportunity for you to get the needlework room to work day and night.”

“…”

Gu Yunzhen pursed her lips and was silent for a long time.

Madam Gu’s voice was clearly beside her ear, but it seemed so far away, as if it came from a thousand miles away.

However, in Madam Gu’s eyes, Gu Yunzhen’s silence became obedient.

Madam Gu smiled brightly. She was in high spirits as she discussed some details of the wedding with Madam Wang.

Without batting an eyelid, Madam Wang signaled her housekeeper to find someone to inform the Marquis of the good news.

Madam Wang smiled and said, “Mother, the eldest son-in-law is not even 20 years old, but he’s already a fifth-grade battalion commander of the Divine Arms Battalion. His future is just right. If he doesn’t have to mourn, he’ll be able to rise in a few years and wear a fourth-grade scarlet robe uniform.”

In the imperial court, those below the fifth-grade wore green robes, and those above the fourth-grade wore scarlet robes.

The scarlet robe meant he was in full swing. It was a symbol of status and a bright future.

Madam Gu agreed and nodded happily.

The words “Fifth-Grade Battalion Commander of the Divine Arms Battalion” pierced Gu Yunzhen’s ears like needles.

For the first time, her originally stagnant expression fluctuated slightly, and her long green eyelashes fluttered twice.

She slowly turned to Madam Gu, her eyes like a cold black pool. She asked word by word, “A fifth-grade battalion commander of the Divine Arms Battalion?”

“That’s right,” Madam Gu said with a smile. “There’s a hurdle between the fifth and fourth ranks. After passing this hurdle, Eldest Young Master will have a bright future…”

Madam Gu wanted to talk to Gu Yunzhen nicely, but she was interrupted by her. “Grandma, isn’t the Divine Arms Battalion’s battalion commander position meant to be for Big Brother?”

The entire residence knew that Gu Yuan had been transferred to the Divine Arms Battalion and promoted to battalion commander after receiving the order from the Ministry of War. Of course, Gu Yunzhen also knew.

But this was Big Brother’s job. Why did it become Murong Yong’s?!

What about Big Brother?

In order to follow in his uncle’s footsteps, Big Brother had worked hard for many years. He had gradually gained a foothold in the army at the cost of blood and sweat. It was not easy for him to reach this point…

The relaxed and cheerful atmosphere just now instantly froze and became a little awkward.

Madam Gu and Madam Wang looked at each other. Their expressions froze as they realized the problem.