After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

She crouched down and hid behind a tree.

"Come here," the shadowy figure said.

It turned out to be Gu Ce. Rong Yingluo straightened up and walked towards the shadowy figure.

"What are you doing here?" Rong Yingluo asked, puzzled. Didn't he say he was going to be busy until very late?

"We'll talk about it when we get back." Gu Ce walked ahead, heading towards the Silver Willow Courtyard.

He had overheard her conversation with her grandmother and was surprised to learn that her grandmother liked her so much.

The two walked one after the other in the quiet corridor, neither of them speaking.

Suddenly, Gu Ce pulled Rong Yingluo behind a pillar.

Rong Yingluo opened her eyes and saw someone.

It's so late; apart from the patrolling guards, there's usually no one around.

Besides, this is the inner courtyard, so guards can't possibly enter the inner courtyard.

The two held their breath and hid themselves.

Two figures approached from a distance, walking from another corridor.

The two also traveled in the dark.

The two passed by the place where Rong Yingluo and Gu Ce were hiding, but did not find them.

Rong Yingluo could tell who the two people were from their figures.

It was Su Jingyi and Granny Zhao.

After they had gone far away, Gu Ce and Rong Yingluo came out from behind the pillar.

"Where are they going so late?" Rong Yingluo asked curiously.

"Why don't we follow them and see for ourselves?" Gu Ce was also eager to know.

The two followed quietly.

The further we go, the further we stray from the right path.

Rong Yingluo looked in the direction and realized they were heading to the garden.

It's already September, why go to the park so late at night? It's not like it's summer and so hot you can't sleep.

Finally, the two saw Su Jingyi and Granny Zhao enter the Lotus Pavilion.

"What is she doing there?" Rong Yingluo whispered.

Gu Ce covered her mouth and, with a swift movement, hid behind the artificial hill.

Rong Yingluo had already heard the faint footsteps.

By the moonlight, the two saw a man's figure walk past the artificial hill.

Gu Ce only released Rong Yingluo's mouth after the person entered the Lotus Heart Pavilion.

"It's Second Uncle." Rong Yingluo was shocked.

However, Su Jingyi and Gu Jingcheng were at the Lotus Pavilion, so they couldn't get close.

They really picked a great place; I couldn't even listen to what they had to say.

When Gu Jingcheng arrived at the pavilion, Granny Zhao withdrew and stood on the Nine-Bend Bridge to keep watch.

The distance was quite far, and they weren't carrying lanterns, so Rong Yingluo couldn't see their specific actions or hear what they were saying.

Gu Ce's eyes, like those of a lone wolf in the night, stared at the pavilion.

The two people in the pavilion were unaware that someone was watching them.

Gu Jingcheng entered the Lotus Heart Pavilion and saw Su Jingyi sitting on a stone bench, seemingly lost in thought.

"Sister-in-law, what brings you here so late?" Gu Jingcheng sat down opposite her.

"Second Master, the marriage between Qingyin and the fifth young master of the Gao family is not going to happen. His Highness the Crown Prince has sent word that we must marry one of our daughters into the Gao family no matter what. What do you think?" Su Jingyi got straight to the point.

"Both of the eldest sons of the Gao family are already married, so we can only target the second branch. Why don't you marry Qingya off to them?" Gu Jingcheng pushed Gu Qingya forward without even thinking.

"You..." Su Jingyi was so angry she wanted to curse, "Qingya is the only legitimate daughter of the eldest branch of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. How can the son of the second branch of the Gao family be worthy of her?"

"Then what do you want?" Gu Jingcheng's heart tightened.

"You and your second sister-in-law should have a good talk and marry Qingwan off. Stop always looking at other people's husbands and thinking they're better off. Is the Princess Pingyang's residence something she can even dream of?" Su Jingyi said forcefully.

"No, Lady Guo will not agree. She has already made contact with Princess Pingyang, and there is a high probability that Qingwan will marry into Princess Pingyang's household."

His Highness the Crown Prince should be pleased to see this happen. Gu Jingcheng knew that His Highness the Crown Prince also wanted to win over Princess Pingyang's household.

If his daughter marries into the family, he can accomplish this through her, and Gu Jingcheng can also gain some merit in front of His Highness the Crown Prince.

Now, he can only connect with His Highness the Crown Prince through the Su family. His official position is far too low.

"It seems you're still too out of touch. Do you know that Minister Gao is very likely to be the next prime minister?" Su Jingyi received the news from her family and thought she might as well tell him and see what he would choose.

"Is this really true?" Gu Jingcheng's eyes widened.

If Minister Gao were to become the prime minister, he would be the head of all officials.

"Really?" Su Jingyi nodded affirmatively.

"But Minister Gao is already sixty-three years old. How many more years can he serve as prime minister? The emperor is unlikely to choose him." Gu Jingcheng was skeptical.

"Prime Minister Luo is already seventy-five years old, and he only resigned due to poor health. If Minister Gao also lives to this age, he will have twelve more years."

Twelve years have passed; the Crown Prince will have long since ascended the throne. He will surely bestow a title upon the Gao family, and Qingwan will marry into a noble family.

Princess Pingyang's residence was merely a princess's residence; the prince consort had no real power and relied on the princess's status to maintain the family's prestige.

"Her son is currently a junior officer in the army, just like you. He doesn't go to the battlefield; what future can he have?" Su Jingyi didn't think much of the Princess's residence; it only had a prestigious title, with few real benefits. Only someone as narrow-minded as Guo Shi couldn't see that.

She didn't take Rong Yingluo's outburst at the Gao family's house seriously at all.

Such a trivial matter could not possibly affect Gao Shangshu's reputation.

Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince has quite a few people in the court. The Emperor can't just promote whomever he wants; they must have the qualifications and ability, as well as enough supporters.

Su Jingyi had a very high opinion of the Gao family.

But she couldn't bear to see her own daughter marry down, since it would be a marriage below her station.

Her daughter is to marry into the Xuan Prince's mansion as the Crown Prince's wife.

Gu Jingcheng was swayed by Su Jingyi's words.

Although he was born into the Duke's family, he was only the second son and could not inherit the title.

If a daughter cannot marry into a noble family, even a princess might not be interested in her.

It would be different if you married into a family that would surely be granted a noble title in the future.

It's a case of marrying down now, but the future son-in-law will have a bright future.

No, even if the Gao family is granted a noble title in the future, it will be in the eldest branch of the family. The second branch will not benefit much, just like him.

"No, even if the Gao family is granted a title in the future, the second branch of the Gao family won't amount to much." Gu Jingcheng instantly came to his senses.

"Second brother, do you only know how to patrol the city every day, and never inquire about the character and knowledge of the third young master of the second branch of the Gao family?" Su Jingyi really regretted getting involved with him. He was far inferior to the Duke. How could she have fallen for his trick back then?

The Gao family has five sons in two branches. The eldest branch has two legitimate sons and one illegitimate son. The second branch has two legitimate sons, and the third son of the second branch is the eldest son of the second branch.

"What do you mean?" Gu Jingcheng was stunned.

"Let me tell you, Gao San is the best in academics among the Gao family's sons. I heard he's very likely to be in the top three in the exam. Such a prodigy is the envy of many families."

"The Second Madam of Gao still refuses to arrange a marriage for the Third Young Master Gao, waiting until after the imperial examinations when he tops the list before discussing his marriage. By then, Princess Jinyang will have reached the age of marriage," Su Jingyi said deliberately.

She hadn't thought of Princess Jinyang, but then she remembered the invitation Princess Jinyang had given to Rong Yingluo, which she could use to persuade Gu Jingcheng.

However, the high school senior's academic achievements are indeed quite good, something Gu Jingcheng only needs to inquire about to find out.

Gu Jingcheng's already wavering heart was further moved.

"If what you say is true, I will persuade the Guo family to agree to this marriage. But if you dare to lie to me, be careful, I'll deal with you," Gu Jingcheng threatened.

"Find out the details tomorrow and have your second sister-in-law come to me." After finishing her business, Su Jingyi got up to leave.

"Don't rush, it's dark and windy here. It's rare for us to meet in private. Do you want to give up such a beautiful time?" Gu Jingcheng said, taking a step forward and pulling Su Jingyi into his arms.