Seemingly noticing Gu Zhan’s, the Old Royal Consort sighed softly.
“Faced with someone like Marquis Yong’an, Marquis Yong’an’s Wife must have had her temper worn down long ago. For a woman, choosing the wrong man means a lifetime ruined.”
Marriage for a woman is essentially a second life. That saying is not just empty words.
“Why doesn’t Marquis Yong’an’s Wife divorce him?”
Gu Zhan asked in confusion.
The Great Yue’s customs were relatively open. Women were not as tightly restricted as in previous dynasties. After divorce, there were still some social consequences, but it was not entirely unacceptable. Remarriage was not uncommon. Moreover, Marquis Yong’an’s Wife came from a good family and would not lack suitors.
Even in modern times, divorce could be looked down upon in some places. The current situation in Great Yue was already quite progressive.
“Because of a mother’s heart,” the Old Royal Consort replied.
Marquis Yong’an’s Wife could naturally leave Marquis Yong’an. In fact, because the Jiang family was highly valued by Emperor Xuanwu, separation would not be difficult if she truly wanted it.
But Wen Yunyue could not leave Marquis Yong’an. Marquis Yong’an favored his concubines, and if his wife left, Wen Yunyue might not even grow up safely.
There was another even more important reason. If she divorced, Wen Yunyue would effectively grow up without maternal guidance. That would be extremely disadvantageous for her future marriage prospects. No noble household would be willing to accept a young lady with such a background as a principal wife.
Gu Zhan could not think that far ahead. He only felt that Marquis Yong’an’s Wife was sacrificing too much for Wen Yunyue.
“In truth, seeing her mother suffer so much, Miss Wen may not necessarily be happy that her mother made such a sacrifice,” he said.
His thinking was still modern. Parents did not necessarily need to sacrifice everything for their children.
The Old Royal Consort shook her head.
“A mother becomes strong. How could a mother abandon her daughter?”
As a mother herself, she understood Marquis Yong’an’s Wife’s choice completely.
Gu Zhan said nothing further. His mindset was still immature, and differences in era and experience made it difficult for him to empathize. He still felt that such self-sacrifice was not worth it.
In his past life, his parents divorced due to incompatibility, but both still loved him deeply. Though they were no longer husband and wife, they remained his parents. He still received both paternal and maternal love.
Different experiences naturally lead to different perspectives.
……
After that day, Gu Zhan rarely went out wandering. He focused entirely on copying handwriting. He was indeed talented in imitation, and he had already made Gu Zhan’s handwriting about seventy percent similar.
Looking at the progress, he finally felt slightly relieved. The crisis was temporarily resolved. At the same time, he was thankful that the original owner was not a prodigy in the four arts—he was basically useless in them. Otherwise, Gu Zhan would have had a much harder time.
After half a month at Zhen’guo Temple, the Old Royal Consort gradually accepted the fact that Gu Zhan’s personality had become more restrained after his nightmare. To her, no matter what his temperament was, he would always be her most beloved son.
In early May, Gu Lin arrived at Zhen’guo Temple.
Seeing Gu Zhan quietly listening instead of leaving impatiently as before, Gu Lin raised a brow.
“Zhan’er has changed quite a bit?”
The Old Royal Consort nodded. “Yes. That nightmare frightened him. His temperament has become steadier.”
During this half month, Gu Zhan had been copying Buddhist scriptures, and compared to before, he had indeed become much calmer.
Gu Lin patted his shoulder. “This is good. You were too impulsive before and easily plotted against. I told you many times, but you never changed.”
Gu Zhan smiled faintly. “Because I knew Big Brother would protect me.”
That was the original owner’s belief. He acted recklessly because he knew Gu Lin would always shield him.
Gu Lin’s gaze softened. “You are my only younger brother. Of course I will protect you.”
The brothers were six years apart. When Gu Zhan had just learned to walk, he had already been following behind Gu Lin everywhere. Their relationship had always been close.
“But it is better this way now. I can rest easier.”
The original owner idolized his elder brother blindly. Although there was competition for the throne between Gu Lin and the King of Lang, in his eyes, Gu Lin would definitely become emperor.
As the future emperor’s younger brother, what could he not do?
Because of this, the original owner had become increasingly arrogant and offended many people. If Gu Lin ever failed one day, there would surely be many waiting to kick him while he was down.
Although Gu Lin was confident he could always protect Gu Zhan, he would still be happier if his brother became more stable.
……
Since Gu Zhan and Wen Yunyue were engaged, Gu Lin’s visit to Zhen’guo Temple naturally included a visit to Marquis Yong’an’s Wife.
Gu Lin, though usually reserved, was capable of handling such matters smoothly when needed. After all, competing for the throne was not something that could be done passively.
In front of Marquis Yong’an’s Wife, Gu Lin acted like an elder to Gu Zhan. Their conversation revolved around Wen Yunyue and Gu Zhan, while Gu Zhan and Wen Yunyue sat below, quietly listening.
Gu Lin’s attitude made Marquis Yong’an’s Wife feel that he valued Wen Yunyue, putting her in a good mood.
When Gu Lin rose to leave, she asked Wen Yunyue to escort him out together with Gu Zhan.
Standing outside Zhen’guo Temple, Wen Yunyue and Gu Zhan watched Gu Lin board his carriage.
Before leaving, Gu Lin suddenly remembered something.
“Zhan’er, I heard from Mother that your appetite has been poor. Should I send the household chef over?”
Gu Zhan quickly shook his head. “No need, Big Brother. I am already fine.”
Gu Lin nodded and said nothing more.
After he left, Wen Yunyue looked at Gu Zhan.
“You had no appetite?”
Gu Zhan explained, “I couldn’t eat much when I first arrived, but it’s fine now.”
Wen Yunyue’s gaze turned slightly complicated. She remembered the bun-eating scene she had once seen. He did not look like someone with poor appetite at all.
She felt that ever since Gu Zhan fainted from his fall, he had become somewhat abnormal.
But if her guess that he was ill was correct, the Prince’s Estate should not be this quiet. Yet she had carefully observed and found no imperial physicians had been summoned.
Moreover, Gu Lin could not possibly fail to notice such a big change in Gu Zhan, yet he showed no reaction at all.
That made her even more puzzled.
Gu Lin should not be so easily fooled.
Seeing her expression change, Gu Zhan asked, “Miss Wen, what’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
She would have to continue investigating these abnormalities.
She originally thought Gu Zhan might have some kind of mental illness, but after seeing Gu Lin’s reaction today, she was no longer certain.
Normally she led their conversations, but today she had no mood to continue, and they soon parted ways.
……
Inside Zhen’guo Temple, in the abbot’s meditation chamber.
Master Liaohui sat on a cushion, fingers slowly moving a string of prayer beads, looking at the person across from him.
“Why has the benefactor come to seek this monk?”
Light from outside the window fell across the man’s face, revealing his features.
It was Gu Lin, who had supposedly already left by carriage.
“Several years ago, the master predicted that Zhan’er would face a tribulation, but you were unwilling to explain in detail due to various reasons. I will not press further. I only wish to ask—does Zhan’er’s personality change this time relate to that tribulation?”
“It does,” Master Liaohui replied.
“Then is his life in danger?”
This was Gu Lin’s greatest concern.
“Fate is ever-changing. This monk dares not make any absolute prediction about another’s future.”
Gu Lin frowned, but knowing Master Liaohui’s temperament, he did not press further.
Instead, he asked, “When you previously matched Zhan’er’s eight characters with Miss Wen, was the result true?”
Back then, Master Liaohui’s judgment had only been four words—heaven-made match.
Master Liaohui replied calmly, “Monks do not lie.”
Gu Lin’s return visit was unknown to Gu Zhan. He was still relieved that Gu Lin had not suspected anything.
From the original owner’s memories, Gu Zhan knew Gu Lin was not easy to deceive, and he had been worried that all his efforts would be exposed.
Fortunately, the result was still good.
As long as he mastered handwriting imitation, the Prince’s Estate would pose no threat.
That only left the male lead, Wei Hao.
Thinking of this name, Gu Zhan immediately felt discouraged. Wei Hao was ruthless and vengeful. If he could not properly resolve the matter with Wen Yunyue, he would eventually face retaliation.
But how to dissolve the engagement with Wen Yunyue… he still had no idea.
Headache.