Princess Sheng An was taken aback, "Would the Su family agree if our Duke Residence breaks the engagement?"
"That's the meaning." The old Duke assessed, "The Lady of the Su family is quite a broad-minded woman, she does not try to please us just because she was associated with the Duke's Residence, her actual character is quite appealing. She was wise in choosing the Su family as her refuge, at least this lady, though I have never met, seems to be quite sensible from her letters."
Princess Sheng An sighed, "Eight years ago, when we found out about the child, I wanted to bring her to the Capital City to cultivate her relationship with Zhou Gu, but you were afraid that the little girl might develop a sense of insecurity by living in the Duke's Residence and suggested she'd be better off staying in Jiangning. But now, Zhou Gu is not happy about it, I just hope it doesn't lead to a resentful marriage. Long-term disharmony would certainly be tragic, wouldn't it?"
"So, are we really going to break this engagement?" The old Duke questioned.
"You mean Zhou Gu would rather leave home than honor the marriage arrangement?" Princess Sheng An asked.
"Not quite, but he is clearly unhappy." The old Duke shook his head, "I told him to attend the Coming-of-Age ceremony of the girl in Jiangning and expressed explicitly that he should not even think of breaking off the marriage. However, if after meeting her, he still dislikes her and is unwilling to marry, and the girl is also hesitant about the wedding, we will just let it go."
Princess Sheng An considered for a moment, "That seems reasonable."
She comforted the old Duke, "We don't need to stress over it. The girl didn't grow up with us, we have no idea of her personality. If Zhou Gu still dislikes her after meeting, there's no need to force him. Let's have our daughter-in-law treat her as her foster daughter and we can arrange another match for her. A harmonious partnership in marriage is essential for a couple's lifetime happiness."
The old Duke agreed, "If they cannot be husband and wife, being siblings would be just as acceptable. After all, we have a responsibility."
"That's correct. If we arrange it this way, I believe the deceased child would not blame us in the afterlife." Princess Sheng An said while becoming emotional, "It's a shame about the child. She was a wonderful girl who died prematurely from illness in Jiangning."
She expressed anger and resentment, "It's all due to Dawei's wolfish ambitions."
"Alas, discussing it further won't do any good. We'll wait until Zhou Gu goes to Jiangning and meets the girl, and then we will decide!" The old Duke was still hopeful for the alliance through marriage. "Many years ago, the girl sacrificed herself to save Daliang from danger, and also saved me from dying on the battlefield. For the state, she is a hero, to our Duke's residence, she is a benefactor. If we manage to get this girl to marry into our family, we must never mistreat her."
Princess Sheng An nodded, "Of course, Zhou Gu might be a bit unruly, but he has a good heart and understands reason. If we were to tell him about those events from the past, he might change his mind…"
The old Duke interrupted her, "The fewer people who know about that event, the better. Zhou Gu is still young and impulsive, telling him so won't do any good. As far as I know, they are also keeping this information from the girl in Jiangning until she grows up. Even if, someday, the truth about the past events is exposed, it should be dealt with in the future. Up to now the priority is to get her into the family."
Princess Sheng An thought it over and agreed.
After reaching a consensus privately, the old couple then called on their daughter-in-law to discuss Zhou Gu's upcoming visit to Jiangning, his attitude towards it, and their plans for the future.
Princess Sheng An often visited the Buddhist temples and the Duke's wife, who was a decisive and clear-minded woman, took charge of the whole Duke's residence. After hearing the couple's plan, she nodded, "Father and mother are right. I have no objections. Let's decide it this way!"
She laughed, "You don't have to worry about grandmother and grandfather, she is their child, she wouldn't make a wrong decision. Zhou Gu is a bit unruly, and I am more worried about the girl."
Princess Sheng An also laughed, "Have you ever heard someone talking that way about their own child? Zhou Gu is still young, he will become mature with age."
"When will he mature with that nature of his? He has been studying alongside the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace for several years without showing much improvement." The Duchesses laughed and shook her head, "Look at the Crown Prince, he has been mature since childhood. He is indeed a worthy successor."
"The Crown Prince's role is important, Zhou Gu does not bear heavy responsibilities, the comparison is unfit. There is nothing wrong with the nature of Zhou Gu." Princess Sheng An said, "Take Qin Luan for example, even after being beaten, he didn't kick up a fuss. This is already impressive. His years in the Eastern Palace have not been a waste."
Speaking of this, the Duchess was puzzled, "I also wonder why Zhou Gu likes Qin's young maiden. Why did he even attempt to elope with her?"
After saying that, she added, "I just heard that he left the Duke's residence for the Eastern Palace. And today, Qin Luan, after receiving training from the Empress herself, was also sent to the Eastern palace. He wouldn't have heard the news and went to see Qin Luan, would he?"
"Nonsense!" The old Duke did not know that Zhou Gu had left the residence.
Seeing the old Duke about to burst with anger, Princess Sheng An quickly said, "It doesn't necessarily mean he went to see Qin Luan. He is sensible, maybe he planned to leave the city and went to inform the Crown Prince."
The Duchess thought it might be possible, "I have already sent someone to follow him to the Eastern Palace. Father, don't worry, we won't let him cause a fuss."
The old Duke's anger lessened slightly, "This reckless child, he has never given us peace of mind."
Zhou Gu, of course, had no idea about the thoughtful plans his grandparents and mother had for his marriage. When he rode his horse to the Eastern Palace, coincidentally or not, he arrived just when Qin Luan was being admitted to the palace.
Zhou Gu was shocked himself, wondering how he could be such unlucky. He couldn't believe his misfortune, why did he come exactly when this was happening? He thought of turning around and leaving on his horse, but he was stopped by a palace manager, "Good Day, young master Zhou!"
Zhou Gu, holding the reins, stiffened his body and said sternly, "I am here to see the Crown Prince, is his highness around?"
Implying that he did not come for Qin Luan, but rather to see the Crown Prince, he had affairs to attend to.
The palace manager laughed, "The Crown Prince is said to be in the palace. Please come in, young master."
Zhou Gu had been studying with the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace for several years. So when he did come over, he was never required to announce his presence, he only needed to show his waist card and the palace staff allowed him in.
So, without looking sideways, Zhou Gu dismounted his horse and walked briskly into the Eastern Palace.
Qin Luan kept her head lowered, standing respectfully. Being a good student of court etiquette, she neither looked at Zhou Gu nor acknowledged his presence.
The palace manager was quite satisfied with Qin's Luan's performance. After Zhou Gu left, the palace steward arrived to take her inside.