Chapter 910 - 912: Successfully Playing the Matchmaker_1
Bai Ruozhu secretly observed Lin Xufei’s expression, feeling that this marriage wouldn’t be possible without Lin Xufei’s consent. Even if Lin Xufei definitely wanted to marry a legitimate daughter from a distinguished family in the Capital City, it didn’t have to be a daughter from the Gu Family, so it meant he was willing at first. As for later, it couldn’t be said he was unwilling, or else he wouldn’t care about Gu Xue’an at all. He simply disliked the changes in Gu Xue’an.
At the moment, Lin Xufei seemed to glance at Gu Xue’an intentionally or unintentionally, and Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but chuckle secretly. It seemed that this meal wasn’t for nothing.
Of course, it was because Lin Xufei was affectionate. Isn’t there a saying that if a man doesn’t care about you, he wouldn’t take any of your changes to heart, but if he likes you, he could tolerate even your many flaws?
"Speaking of which, today’s farewell banquet isn’t only for me and my second brother. We are leaving tomorrow, and after a few days, Miss Gu will also be returning to the Capital City, so you shouldn’t just wish us a smooth journey; you should also toast to Miss Gu." Bai Ruozhu spoke up.
Tang Feng didn’t mind when he heard this, but Lin Xufei’s complexion changed drastically, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Why are you returning to the Capital suddenly?"
Gu Xue’an’s face flew into a faint blush, steadied her mind, and said, "Because this time there was a cheating scandal, my father has to escort Deng Lin and others back to the Capital, so he asked us to return together. We may not come back after that."
Lin Xufei felt somewhat uneasy. His fiancée was leaving Jiangnan, and he was not the first one to know. Was it that she was moving further and further away from him, or was it really that he cared too little for her?
By this count, he had to pass the Imperial Examination, then wait until next spring to go to the Capital for the Provincial Examination before he could meet her again.
After the Provincial Examination, he would have to stay in the Capital, then prepare the Residence, and once everything in the Residence was finished, they would get married.
But now until next spring, there was still half a year to go. He had never thought before that not seeing her for half a year would be such a big deal, but now faced with the reality, he became somewhat restless.
"Father said he’s taking us to the Huainan King’s Residence to give notice of our return to the King," Gu Xue’an added.
Lin Xufei’s throat felt somewhat dry, and he responded absently with a hum.
Bai Ruozhu and Bai Qizhi exchanged looks with each other, both revealing triumphant expressions. This was just like giving a strong dose of medicine, indeed revealing Lin Xufei’s true feelings.
Seeing Lin Xufei like this, Gu Xue’an also felt some melancholy, and for a while, both of them fell silent, making the atmosphere in the room strangely quiet.
Tang Feng’s lips slightly curled as he raised his glass to Bai Zepei, saying, "Brother Bai, have fun on your trip, and we will meet again in the Capital next spring for the Provincial Examination. Then it will be my turn to treat you to a good meal."
Tang Feng’s words broke the awkward atmosphere in the room, and Bai Zepei also raised his glass in response, with both of them emptying their glasses in one go.
Bai Qizhi muttered somewhat emotionally, "I don’t know when I can return to the Capital. From now on, I’ll be all alone."
Gu Xue’an also didn’t want to part from Bai Qizhi and said, looking at her, "Silly girl, your father will complete his three-year term next year, and he might be transferred back to the Capital. Then we can play together again."
Bai Qizhi pouted, "By then, you might already be married and won’t have time to hang out with me every day."
At the mention of getting married, Gu Xue’an’s face turned instantly crimson, and Lin Xufei also subconsciously looked at Gu Xue’an. After a year, they should already be married, right?
Seeing that it was about time, Bai Ruozhu gave Gu Xue’an a meaningful look and said, "You all keep eating; I’m going to change my clothes."
Changing clothes was a more elegant way of saying going to the restroom at that time.
Bai Qizhi immediately stood up, "I’ll go with you."
As Bai Ruozhu and Bai Qizhi walked out arm in arm, she also gave her second brother a meaningful look.
Bai Zepei nodded slightly to her and, not long after they had left, clutched his temples and said, "I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the alcohol; I’ll take my leave for a bit."
Tang Feng had already caught his hint and went over to support him, saying, "Brother Bai, I’ll help you. Be careful."
Soon, only Gu Xue’an and Lin Xufei were left in the room. Lin Xufei also thought of getting up and following, but looking at Gu Xue’an, he felt there was something he wanted to ask her and couldn’t bring himself to leave.
"Why don’t you talk to Lord Gu about staying in Jiangnan until New Year before returning to the Capital?" Lin Xufei suddenly suggested, immediately regretting his words afterward. Was he trying to keep her from leaving?
Gu Xue’an looked at him in surprise and quickly showed a delighted expression. She was about to agree when she swiftly came back to her senses; she wasn’t traveling alone, she was returning to the Capital with her family. How could she decide on her own?
"I would like to spend more time serving my parents; I’m afraid I cannot stay," said Gu Xue’an, her expression turning serious, "Actually, I have some things I want to discuss with you today..."
Bai Ruozhu and Bai Qizhi found a table downstairs and sat down, speculating about the situation above. Before long, Bai Zepei and Tang Feng joined them, and the four of them called for the waiter to serve tea, starting to drink downstairs.
"Miss Bai and I might be considered in the same boat; I hope we can meet again." Tang Feng raised his teacup, using tea in place of wine to toast Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu’s smile was a bit unnatural as she responded, "There will naturally be opportunities in the future. I also greatly admire Mister Tang’s photographic memory."
By saying this, she explained what Tang Feng meant by "in the same boat." Yet, in her heart, she began to wonder if Tang Feng was also a transmigrator or like her, possessing some unique Space or other Golden Finger abilities?
After estimating the time, the four of them returned to the private room upstairs and saw that Gu Xue’an’s face was tinged with a faint blush, while Lin Xufei was no longer displaying his previous dejection. Bai Ruozhu took a careful look and noticed Gu Xue’an’s lips were slightly swollen. As someone who had been through similar experiences, she immediately understood what had happened.
Seeing how successfully she had played the role of matchmaker, Bai Ruozhu felt exceptionally satisfied.
After eating some more, the six people bid farewell and left. Bai Ruozhu left her second brother behind and went shopping with Gu Xue’an and Bai Qizhi, who insisted on dragging Bai Ruozhu to look at fans, claiming they wanted to gift her the best round fan from Jiangnan.
When they reached the fan shop, the three of them asked the shopkeeper to bring out several fans for them to choose from. At this moment, someone came in from outside. Bai Ruozhu turned to look and recognized the person; it was Su Bilan, Xu Panrui’s attendant.
Su Bilan was accompanied by an unfamiliar young woman, who addressed her as cousin, likely a relative from her family.
When Su Bilan noticed Bai Ruozhu and others, she hesitated but soon displayed a look of disdain, saying to her cousin, "Let’s go, we shouldn’t dirty our eyes with the sight of these unsavory people."
Without naming names, Bai Ruozhu and the others were not going to pick a fight over it; they took it as idle barking.
Yet, as she was leaving with her cousin, Su Bilan added, "Some women barely wait for their husbands to leave before inviting other men into their abode, meeting privately in their rooms late at night. It’s quite disgraceful."
Su Bilan’s cousin showed a look of surprise, "How can there be such women? That’s utterly shameless!"