Chapter 95 Plans

Chapter 95 Plans

The old lady, of course, knew the other party didn't recognize her, so she introduced herself, "Duan Shaoqing of the Imperial Horse Department is my son."

"Ah, it's the Lady of Shaoqing Mansion," Count Gu Chang bowed politely. "Thank you for your concern, Lady. My family is just behind and will catch up shortly."

As they spoke, a horse neighed in the distance. Dai Ze rode back: "Father, how did your horse get ahead?"

"It suddenly got spooked."

"No wonder. I thought you couldn't keep up with me, so I let my horse chase after you."

Count Gu Chang's face darkened: "Stop talking nonsense."

Dai Ze's attention shifted to Xin You: "Hey, aren't you Miss Kou from Qingsong Bookstore?"

Xin You slightly curtsied: "Young Master Dai."

The Zhu family and others also came out. Duan Yunling and Duan Yunhua stood not far from Xin You.

Count Gu Chang glanced over and saw three young girls standing together, a delightful sight. What surprised him even more was that his son knew one of them.

"Miss Kou, I haven't had the chance to thank you yet for the book." Seeing Xin You again, Dai Ze felt quite pleased.

This girl knows how to make people feel good; she made me look great in front of that kid Zhang Xu.

"Young Master Dai is too kind. It's an honor for our bookstore that 'Painted Skin' is to your liking."

Mentioning 'Painted Skin,' Dai Ze's eyes lit up: "I never expected the second part of 'Painted Skin' to be so surprising. Mr. Songling is truly talented! By the way, when will Mr. Songling's new book come out? I'll be the first to buy it."

"We're not sure. Mr. Songling usually contacts the bookstore himself."

As they conversed, one oblivious to the others, the other composed and graceful.

The unfamiliar groups fell into an awkward silence.

At this moment, the carriages arrived. The lead carriage was the most ornate, with two maids—one lifting the curtain and the other helping a woman adorned with jewels step down.

"My lord, what happened?"

Xin You looked over and recognized the woman as Lady Count Gu Chang.

"The horse suddenly went wild."

Lady Count Gu Chang looked at the old lady with confusion.

Count Gu Chang explained: "We happened to meet the Lady of Shaoqing Mansion. She got out to see if we needed help."

The old lady smiled and greeted Lady Count Gu Chang.

Lady Count Gu Chang glanced at the young girls, then smiled demurely: "Lady, you have such a kind heart. Are you going for an autumn outing too?"

"Yes, taking my daughter-in-law and granddaughters to Bailu Mountain."

Hearing herself mentioned, Zhu curtsied: "My lord, Lady."

Lady Count Gu Chang exchanged pleasantries and smiled: "What a coincidence, we're also going to Bailu Mountain. Let's chat more when we get there."

The old lady understood this was mere politeness and bid farewell with a smile.

Although the spooked horse had returned with Dai Ze, Lady Count Gu Chang, out of caution, asked her husband to join her in the carriage and instructed their son: "There are more people on the road now, don't ride so fast."

"I know, I know." Dai Ze responded impatiently, glancing at the old lady's carriage, then relaxed the reins and let his horse follow slowly beside Lady Count Gu Chang's carriage.

Lady Count Gu Chang lowered the carriage curtains, making it easier to talk with Count Gu Chang.

"My lord, why did the horse suddenly spook?"

Count Gu Chang had already checked the horse while his wife chatted with the old lady from Shaoqing Mansion and found nothing wrong, so he didn't think much of it: "It wasn't really a spook, just jumped a few times. After all, it's an animal, unpredictable sometimes."

"As long as no one was hurt. Ze'er is being reckless, and you still indulge him. Why must both of you ride so fast?"

"Why are you nagging again? Even if the horse did go wild, with my skills, could I get hurt?"

Seeing his reaction, Lady Count Gu Chang changed the subject: "That old lady from Shaoqing Mansion is interesting."

"How so?" Count Gu Chang, a straightforward military man, didn't understand women's subtleties.

"She's an elderly lady with a group of women. If my lord had been injured, it would make sense for her to help. But since nothing happened, why did she still get out to offer assistance? Is it purely out of kindness?"

"What do you mean—"

Lady Count Gu Chang smiled wryly: "Didn't you see those three lovely young girls?"

Count Gu Chang waved his hands: "I have no ulterior motives!"

Lady Count Gu Chang paused, glaring at him: "Where are your thoughts wandering?"

"Then what are you worried about?"

"Don't you forget about Ze'er?"

Count Gu Chang was shocked: "She'd actually set her sights on Ze'er?"

Lady Count Gu Chang sighed:

After a moment, Lady Count Gu Chang continued: "Even though Ze'er isn't interested in studying and acts carelessly, he is our only heir. Doesn't that make him worth scheming over?"

Count Gu Chang thought seriously and replied honestly: "No one has indicated any interest in that direction. Ever since Ze'er vomited at the Imperial Academy and got us expelled along with me, and he often harasses women on the streets—"

"Stop it, my lord!" The Countess of Gu Chang's expression twisted momentarily.

How could he speak about his own son like that!

But the Count of Gu Chang began to ponder after hearing the countess's words: "My lady, even if you dote on your child, you should know that Ze'er is indeed troublesome. If we were to find him a wife from an equally prestigious family, it would be difficult for us to handle his mischief in the future. On the contrary, someone from Shaoqing Mansion wouldn't stir up any trouble."

Dai Ze's notorious behavior was well-known throughout the capital, and the Count of Gu Chang had long given up on the idea of marrying his son to a noblewoman of equal standing. Otherwise, if the two families fell out, it might even affect the Second Prince.

For the Count of Gu Chang, as long as his nephew ascended to the throne, no one could surpass the wealth and glory of the Count of Gu Chang's residence. His only son's marriage did not need to add more luster; it just needed to be stable.

The Countess of Gu Chang was stunned by her husband's words.

In her heart, her son deserved nothing less than a princess, but hearing her husband's reasoning, she saw the sense in it.

With some hesitation in her heart, her tone softened: "Ze'er is still young. We can take our time choosing the right bride for him."

The Count of Gu Chang casually picked up a fruit and took a bite: "He's not like those students at the Imperial Academy who must devote all their time to studying. Instead of idling around all day, it would be better for him to get married early and have a few children; perhaps then he'll become more responsible. I think he gets along quite well with Miss Kou. My lady, why don't you use this autumn outing to get to know her better?"

"The cousin from Shaoqing Mansion?" The Countess of Gu Chang immediately frowned, "Others might be fine, but not this cousin."

"Why not?"

"I heard that the Kou family has only her left, and even her close relatives are all dead. I don't want Ze'er to marry such an unlucky girl."

"You're right, let's look at other options."

While the Count and Countess of Gu Chang were having this conversation, the matriarch was also chatting with Xin You.

"Is Qingqing very familiar with the Count of Gu Chang's heir?"

She had interacted with the Count of Gu Chang not to entangle her granddaughter in this!