As the saying goes: No one knows a father like his son.
Though Gu Yanshu had spent little time with Marquis Gu, he'd pierced the man's character with uncanny precision.
The proof lay in these meticulously curated dossiers—each candidate flawless by aristocratic standards.
Within moments, the marquis made his choice.
Qin Lu, having reviewed the profiles earlier, recognized the selection at a glance:
Miss Tang.
The 20-year-old niece of a Ministry of Rites vice-minister.
With her refined beauty and impeccable background, she'd hardly rank among undesirable matches. Her delayed marriage stemmed from extraordinary circumstances—
At thirteen, her family had betrothed her to a promising official's son, planning a post-coming-of-age wedding.
Then misfortune struck.
Six months before her hair-pinning ceremony, the groom's grandmother died.
Given their youth, both families agreed to wait out the three-year mourning period rather than rush the wedding.
But fate intervened cruelly—
On the eve of completing mourning rites, the groom's grandfather succumbed to sudden illness.
Another three-year filial obligation loomed.
By then, Miss Tang would be twenty-one—a perilous age for noble brides.
Her family panicked.
Having sacrificed her prime years waiting, they demanded a mourning-period wedding—
Initially, the groom's family consented.
Just as the Tang family began preparing the wedding arrangements, believing no further mishaps could occur—
The groom's family abruptly reneged.
Not only did they publicly break off the engagement, but the former fiancé immediately married the Minister of Rites' illegitimate daughter.
Naturally, the Tang family demanded explanations.
Instead of apologies, the groom's clan retaliated viciously:
"Miss Tang bears an inauspicious fate—why else would elders perish whenever her marriage approaches?"
Having slandered her, they then offered "mercy":
"At her age with such ill fortune, she'll never be a proper wife. But out of past affection, we'll accept her as a concubine."
No honorable family would tolerate such insult. Miss Tang flatly refused—
Turning former in-laws into sworn enemies while her marital prospects evaporated.
Though blameless, society's harsh judgment followed:
"Ill-omened" whispers haunted her
"Kin-killer" rumors spread
Even minor officials' sons now deemed her unworthy
Worse—many echoed the ex-fiancé's offer: "Be our concubine."
Miss Tang's response became legend:
"Rather shave my head as a nun than be any man's concubine!"
She drove suitors away with broomsticks.
Though praised for integrity, this brought no practical relief.
Two years passed without suitable matches.
Hardship forged transformation:
The once-delicate maiden became iron-willed—
Managing household affairs with military precision
Quadrupling female relatives' dowry assets
Orchestrating her ex-fiancé's demotion (and his father-in-law's imperial reprimand)
Outsiders assumed bureaucratic incompetence.
Zhi Ge's investigations revealed the truth:
A secluded gentlewoman had toppled officials through sheer cunning.
Now Marquis Gu—blind to the trap—had chosen precisely this formidable woman.
______
Meanwhile in the Hall
Marquis Gu studied Miss Tang's portrait, increasingly enchanted:
Noble lineage (Vice-Minister's niece)
Elegant erudition (Classically educated)
Unblemished virtue (Technically true)
He envisioned moonlit poetry exchanges, already mentally composing wedding odes—
"Father favors Miss Tang?" Gu Yanshu interrupted his reverie.
"Ahem... passable," the marquis coughed, failing to suppress a grin.
Gu Yanshu played along: "Then let Elder Brother summon matchmakers today."
"So urgently?"
"Her age pressures the Tang family. Rivals already circle—delay risks losing her."
Gu Yanshu pressed the advantage: "Proper betrothals require six months' rituals. Hesitate now, and Younger Sisters' marital prospects suffer further."
Panicked about his daughters, the marquis capitulated.
Gu Yanli seized the portrait and departed before objections could arise—
The matter was settled.
______
Carriage Conversation
Qin Lu observed his consort with amused admiration:
"You predicted his choice perfectly."
Gu Yanshu's vulpine smirk emerged: "I tailored Miss Tang's profile to his tastes—beauty, gentleness, literary cultivation..."
Suddenly, Qin Lu recalled a fox from his campaigns—
That clever creature would:
Trick soldiers into surrendering rations
Feast smugly just beyond reach
Vanish when approached, leaving only a teasing tail flick
Just like his consort now—
All playful cunning and elusive charm.
No wonder the troops had sworn to skin it.
Yet when the soldiers next encountered that little fox—
All their previous threats evaporated.
Instead of skinning it, they'd surrender their rations again, helpless against its pitiful whimpers and big, pleading eyes.
Back then, Qin Lu had dismissed his men's fascination as mere amusement—
Now, watching Gu Yanshu's vulpine grin, he understood.
That mix of cunning and playfulness truly made fingers itch to ruffle fur.
"The marquisate will soon be... lively," Gu Yanshu mused, oblivious to Qin Lu's thoughts. His eyes sparkled at the impending chaos Miss Tang would unleash. "Pity I won't witness it firsthand."
His tone held zero regret—only poorly concealed glee.
Noting that metaphorical tail swishing, Qin Lu couldn't resist teasing:
"What if Miss Tang refuses?"
Gu Yanshu's confidence never wavered. He'd engineered this match meticulously:
Social Pressures - Miss Tang's family resented her unwed status hindering younger sisters' prospects
Limited Options - She'd already lowered standards to consider widowers like Marquis Gu
Strategic Advantages - Despite its messy后院, the marquisate offered:
Noble status (however faded)
Immediate household control (the dowager's ill health ensured this)
Simple family structure (no meddling in-laws)
Gu Yanli's Guarantee - As heir, his vow of respect secured her future widowhood
"I never gamble on uncertainties," Gu Yanshu declared, his imaginary tail wagging faster.
That triumphant smirk proved too irresistible.
Before realizing his own actions, Qin Lu's hand settled on Gu Yanshu's head—
A first for both.
Gu Yanshu froze.
In his past life, reserved parents rarely showed physical affection. Later, his status forbade such liberties.
Even here, Gu Yanli's sole emotional outburst had been the desperate plea to flee marriage.
This unfamiliar contact stunned him momentarily—
Qin Lu misinterpreted the hesitation as rejection and began withdrawing—
Only for Gu Yanshu to press upward, nestling into that touch like a cat sunning itself.
Though exempt from court appearances during his wedding leave, Qin Lu's administrative duties hadn't lessened.
Yesterday's imperial audience and today's marital visit had already piled urgent documents sky-high.
Returning to the manor, Qin Lu headed straight for his study—
Only to find his legendary concentration fracturing.
A critical border report lay before him, yet the characters blurred meaninglessly.
When he finally grasped its contents and reached for his brush, his right hand gave him pause—
Palm still tingling from that fleeting contact.
Gu Yanshu's warmth, the silken strands between his fingers...
Those starlit eyes brimming with unspoken delight...
______
Meanwhile, in the Consort's Chambers
Gu Yanshu watched bemused as Xing Ren directed servants hauling lacquered chests in and out.
Unlike the frosty Zhi Ge who handled external affairs, this guard captain specialized in domestic management—meticulous and unfailingly polite.
"What's all this?" Gu Yanshu finally inquired when the third chest arrived.
Xing Ren bowed. "His Highness' orders—household accounts from his independent establishment onward."
Gu Yanshu flipped open the nearest ledger, confirming its contents. "Why?"
"His Highness stated since acquiring a princess consort, all internal affairs and finances should fall under your purview."
A diplomatic pause.
"Apologies for the delay. Some ledgers required restoration after storage damage."
Both knew the truth—these should've been surrendered days ago. Qin Lu's initial indifference had delayed the transfer until... recent developments.
Yet far from taking offense, Gu Yanshu's lips curved.
Intentions mattered less than present actions.
"Anything else?"
Xing Ren produced an ornate casket. "Storehouse keys, command tablets... and your personal seal."
The puzzle-lock opened with a twist. The guard demonstrated before handing it over—
Symbolically transferring the manor's beating heart.
"Even the treasury keys?" Gu Yanshu arched a brow.
"Yes," Xing Ren confirmed. "His Highness stated you may dispose of its contents as you see fit."
If Gu Yanshu had been three parts pleased before, he now soared to seven.
It wasn't greed—but the profound symbolism of a man entrusting his financial sovereignty to his spouse.
"Understood."
"Should you require assistance or explanations, this subordinate stands ready," Xing Ren added. "Any immediate needs?"
"These ledgers clutter the bedchamber. Prepare a study in the courtyard—I've brought books from the marquisate for it."
A simple request—yet Xing Ren's expression twisted in discomfort.
Unfamiliar with the manor's layout after days confined indoors, Gu Yanshu didn't realize:
Qin Lu's solitary nature dictated strict boundaries. Even servants rarely entered his private quarters without summons.
Beyond their shared bedchamber, the main courtyard contained only:
Qin Lu's study (inviolable sanctum)
A reception pavilion (for formal audiences)
Neither could be repurposed lightly.
"This... requires His Highness' approval," Xing Ren hedged, bound by Qin Lu's "fulfill all requests" order yet fearing overreach.
Gu Yanshu waved dismissively. "Proceed."
Relieved, Xing Ren bowed and retreated toward the study—
______
Earlier - Marquisate Gardens
During their private moment, Gu Yanli had voiced concerns:
"You consummated first? Initiated it?" Though knowing the answer, he needed confirmation.
"Indeed," Gu Yanshu admitted freely.
"Have you considered the future?" Gu Yanli's voice chilled with suppressed anger.
"Which aspect?"
"His status guarantees eventual concubines. As a barren male, where will that leave you?"
The unspoken warning hung between them—
Beauty fades, favor wanes.
"How to endure? Elder Brother needn't worry about that."
Gu Yanshu's response shattered Gu Yanli's expectations—not with anxiety, but with a light laugh:
"Even if your fears materialize, I won't wither away in some neglected corner of the manor."
"Meaning?" Gu Yanli's mind stumbled over this unexpected defiance.
"Meaning—if affection fades, I depart. Should that day come, this wide world holds places for me. As you said—I remain a man, regardless of marriage."
Though spoken softly, steel laced those words.
Studying his brother's expression, Gu Yanli realized:
This wasn't the reckless youth who'd once fled responsibilities.
The new Gu Yanshu calculated every move, accepted worst-case scenarios, and required no coddling.
Deflating yet relieved, Gu Yanli exhaled: "Then I'm content."
Truths Unspoken
Gu Yanshu's bluntness concealed deeper calculations:
Love's Gamble - He'd risked intimacy believing he could capture Qin Lu's heart permanently
Exit Strategy - Should he fail, imperial constraints wouldn't chain him
Pride's Mandate - Sharing a spouse? Unthinkable. His modern soul and merchant-king pride rejected such humiliation
Survival Instinct - Even without love, he'd thrived before—building empires amidst apocalypse bloodshed
Yet this feudal world complicated escapes. Preparations must begin quietly...
______
Return of Xing Ren
"Princess Consort." The guard's reappearance interrupted his scheming.
"Well?"
"His Highness approves. Shall we relocate these now?"
Something odd colored Xing Ren's tone. Ignoring it, Gu Yanshu nodded—
Servants swarmed in, removing the chests. Curious about his new study's location, Gu Yanshu followed...
Only to halt stunned at the destination:
Qin Lu had partitioned his own study—surrendering half the space.