In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

Lord Gu, who claimed he would stay for a while and then return, naturally did not leave.

Not only did he not leave today, but because they were just a wall apart, he had the advantage of being close to the source of the moonlight. For several nights in a row, Master Gu had an excuse to sit for a while, and every night he had a new trick to seduce Master Zhu.

Zhu Qingyu was caught in a cycle of stern warnings every morning, determined not to let him in, but then her will weakened and she began to waver at night, only to be overwhelmed by mundane pleasures again before she knew it.

However, a few days later, when the Duchess of Dingguo arrived in Jiangning with the mission of proposing marriage, even though Lord Gu had all sorts of skills but had not yet had a chance to use them, he had to put aside his supernatural powers and move back to the Governor's Mansion.

After all, at this crucial moment, Gu Zhao was still counting on his mother to propose marriage on his behalf, and he couldn't leave his mother alone in the governor's mansion at this time.

Zhu Qingyu then chose a time after her shift to return to the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau.

She's getting married, and since they've agreed to continue being family, it's only right and proper for her to tell Zhang Shen and Zhang Ruohua.

It was already this late, and Zhang Shen still had guests. Zhu Qingyu didn't get to see him right away, so she waited in the front hall until he finished his work.

The servant brought tea, and Zhu Qingyu had just started to drink it when Zhang Shen, dressed in official robes, hurried over.

Upon seeing her, Zhang Shen was overjoyed:

"If I had known you were coming, I wouldn't have arranged to meet with the merchants today to discuss business. I thought you were only returning on your day off."

Seeing that he seemed to be dealing with serious matters, Zhu Qingyu felt very guilty.

"Knowing you're busy, I should have sent someone over with an invitation first to let you know. It's not a big deal, it's just that I'm getting married soon and wanted to let you know."

Zhang Shen's smile froze on his face as he stood there, staring blankly at her.

Seeing him like this, Zhu Qingyu felt a little sad. She didn't want to upset Zhang Shen, but she didn't want him to get the news from someone else, fearing that it would make him even more upset.

Perhaps they need more time before things can calm down, at least not now.

Zhu Qingyu stood up:

"That's all for now. I'll be going now. It's my day off, Jingyan. If you're feeling unwell, I won't be coming back."

Seeing that she was about to leave, Zhang Shen finally let out a long sigh of relief. His eyes were red, but he smiled and gestured for her to sit down, saying:

"Ah, I know, I heard he came to Jiangning, I guessed it. Please sit down, let me ask you, what are their family's procedures for your marriage? The three letters and six rites, how does it go?"

Having survived a life-or-death experience in the northern frontier, Zhu Qingyu didn't really care about this. She didn't even ask Gu Zhao how to proceed with these complicated formalities, and simply replied:

"Just like any other family, nothing special."

Zhang Shen straightened his expression:

"What do you mean 'just like that'? How can a Duke's mansion's wedding be like an ordinary family's? Qingyu, he might be taking advantage of you because you don't understand. You're not without family support. Tell them to come to me, and I'll make sure you're properly dressed and proper, without missing a single detail."

If it really is a cousin from the maternal family, it would be good to have Zhang Shen helping to keep an eye on things.

But putting herself in his shoes, Zhu Qingyu couldn't imagine how upset Zhang Shen would be if he helped her with these things, so she refused, replying:

"Jingyan, you don't need to do this."

Zhang Shen, however, insisted:

"I have to do this, Qingyu. I've told you before that I want to find you a good husband so as not to hold you back."

As he spoke, Zhang Shen laughed again:

"Perhaps, if I personally see you off, I can finally find peace."

......

The day of Minor Snow was sunny and auspicious, suitable for marriage and engagement.

The Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau opened its doors to welcome guests from the Governor-General's Office of Liangjiang.

Lady Dingguo, accompanied by Gu Zhao, along with the betrothal letter, gifts, a pair of live geese hunted by Gu Zhao himself, and the matchmaker, visited the Zhang family.

Marriages in noble and powerful families are not like those in ordinary families. The matchmakers they invite are usually high-ranking and influential people, to show that they value the woman.

Currently, in the Jiangning region, apart from Gu Zhao, a first-rank official with the titles of Governor-General of Liangjiang and Minister of War, the highest-ranking official is Governor Zhuang of Jiangsu, and the Duchess of Dingguo has entrusted her affairs to him.

Although the Zhuang family originally intended to arrange a marriage between their children, and Lord Zhuang and Lady Dingguo were almost related by marriage, it must be said that those who can rise to high positions are not ordinary people. Lord Zhuang actually agreed readily and just like that.

Choosing a matchmaker who almost became her children's in-laws, and discussing the marriage between the two families with the ex-husband of her future daughter-in-law—such an extraordinary scene would have made anyone else uneasy. However, the Duchess of Dingguo remained calm and composed throughout, chatting and laughing with Zhang Shen about how the two families would handle the marriage arrangements.

Following the traditions of marriage in this era, which involved arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers, Zhu Qingyu and Gu Zhao watched the entire conversation between Zhang Shen and the Duchess of Dingguo.

The Duchess of Dingguo was worried that something might go wrong in the process of getting her son married, so she was anxious. She discussed with Zhang Shen whether the wedding date could be brought forward as much as possible, and she wished that the wedding could be held tomorrow.

Zhang Shen glanced at Zhu Qingyu and said:

"The scenery of Jiangnan is beautiful in spring. Since it is a major event for marriage, it should naturally be held in the best season in Jiangnan. Let's do it next spring."

Before the Duchess of Dingguo could say anything more, Gu Zhao spoke first:

"it is good."

The final date was set for the third day of the third lunar month next year, the Shangsi Festival.

After seeing off the Duchess of Dingguo and her entourage, Zhang Shen hurriedly explained to Zhu Qingyu:

"Qingyu, I don't mean to delay your marriage, but there are rules for marriages in noble and powerful families. There is no such thing as a marriage that is proposed and settled in the same year. If we look back later, people will say that the Gu family does not value you, and there will inevitably be gossip and you will suffer from unwarranted grievances."

Zhu Qingyu looked at him and smiled:

"Jingyan, although I don't understand these things, even if you don't explain them to me, I know that you chose this date for my own good."

Zhang Shen breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face:

"It's only been half a year, which is a tight schedule. Come here, let me show you your dowry list."

Zhu Qingyu was surprised:

"Oh, you really prepared a dowry for me?"

Zhang Shen looked at her with a face full of helplessness:

"I've told you so many times, I've prepared a dowry for you."

Although that's what she said, Zhu Qingyu always thought that Zhang Shen was just using rhetoric, but she didn't expect it to be true.

When Zhu Qingyu received the dowry list, she was stunned:

"Jingyan, you've given me all your possessions. Are you planning to starve with Ruohua from now on?"

Zhang Shen knew she was embarrassed to accept it, so he insisted on giving it to her, saying:

"Keep this safe. Remember you have a dowry and a family to rely on. You don't have to live without him. If he ever treats you badly in the future, divorce him and come back anytime."

At this point, Zhang Shen paused, opened his arms, and smiled:

"Qingyu, come here, give me one last hug."

Zhu Qingyu rushed over, hugged him, and whispered in his ear:

"Jingyan, thank you. I'm so lucky to have met you."

Someone also whispered in her ear:

"You two must take good care of yourselves, for the rest of your lives."