Chapter 16: The Conditions of Marriage

In the ideal realm, Valentine’s Day exists, but it is not celebrated on February 14th; rather, it falls on February 20th. Conveniently, this date always lands on a Sunday, allowing everyone to spend the day peacefully at home with their loved ones, free from the worries of work overshadowing family time.

Gu Xinyao was meeting her boyfriend’s family for the first time. Naturally, she was nervous, but beyond that, she also felt uneasy. She was not afraid of nobles, but meeting the family of Du Gu Yi was a different matter altogether. It was difficult for her to describe the feeling of her heart being tightly gripped.

Today was Valentine’s Day, a day meant for romance beneath the flowers and moonlight. Du Gu Yi’s unexpected visit brought her joy, yet he insisted she meet his parents. Their time together had been scarce, but since that night at Fenghua Pavilion, she realized he was not hard to understand. His personality might be somewhat cold, but his heart was warm. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have proposed such a seemingly hasty yet considerate idea when she was so deeply saddened.

To avoid embarrassing him when meeting his parents, she bought a high-end dress. The dress was a soft lavender that perfectly complemented her fair skin.

Unsure what to bring as a gift, she decided to make a box of pastries herself. After Qin Rou tasted one and praised it, her confidence grew considerably.

Sitting beside Du Gu Yi, she still felt a bit awkward. Perhaps it was because he was so exceptional that it felt unreal to her, she thought.

“The pastries are delicious. You don’t need to be so nervous. When we get there, just tell them what you told me that night. Don’t worry about anything else,” Du Gu Yi said, withdrawing his gaze from the car window to look at her gently.

Gu Xinyao nodded, placing the box of pastries, which she had been holding tightly, aside. Hesitantly, she reached out her hand, resting it on his hand lying on his knee.

His hands were long and fair, the bones clearly defined beneath the skin. It was these very hands that strengthened her determination to cherish and protect him. In this country, it was expected that a woman would shield and support her man. Although she had initially found this difficult to accept, ever since meeting him, she believed it was her duty to carve out a future for him, so he could live happily and joyfully in the days to come.

Du Gu Yi did not pull his hand away. His eyes fell on their clasped hands with a hint of daze. If today’s meeting went smoothly, they would soon become husband and wife. Yet, having a wife now, could he still maintain his original beliefs?

“There’s a saying in my land: ‘Hold your hand, and grow old together.’ No matter what happens, I will never let go of your hand,” she whispered softly into his ear, as if making a vow. Yet, calling it a vow was only partly true; it was truly the voice of her heart.

He was not one to be moved by words, but at this moment, lost and without anchor, her words truly touched his soul.

His temperament was too cold, causing most women to stare at him from afar without daring to take a step closer. Only this woman beside him was steadily approaching him in her own way. Rather than a soft-hearted concession, he was more like a gambler backed into a corner.

He had been moved by her, yet remained resolute in following his own path until there was no other choice but to reach out and hold onto her.

He had to admit, the day he saw another man by her side, his heart was pierced with pain. But his pride wouldn’t allow him to question her feelings under those circumstances. So when he overheard the news at the clinic, he took her to his place of healing and rashly decided to marry her.

Reflecting on all this, he realized he wasn’t exactly a good person.

“Heh!” He let out a light laugh, tinged with self-mockery. Indeed, he was still very much a son of the Du Gu family. Beneath the surface kindness lay selfishness and calculation in his bones.

“Don’t laugh like that; that kind of smile doesn’t suit you.” A soft hand brushed the corner of his lips, bringing him back from his trance. Her face showed concern. He stared at her in surprise. She was the partner he intended to walk with through life. Did she know the sordid thoughts he harbored?

He closed his eyes; he didn’t want to look at her anymore. If he continued, he might change his mind. He was tired of walking alone and wanted a companion for the road ahead.

Gu Xinyao gazed at the man with closed eyes, a shadow of sadness in her own. She knew he was kind-hearted. His proposal of marriage was perhaps out of pity, so she should not harbor too many illusions. Maybe having him by her side for the rest of her life was the greatest compensation fate could offer.

She withdrew slightly, settling quietly back into her seat.

Two hearts, two sets of thoughts, yet both had misread the other’s direction.

The car drove in silence until it reached the gates of the Du Gu residence.

Wisteria vines grew wildly upon the walls, making the yellow stone façade resemble a warrior cloaked in a mantle.

Gu Xinyao carried the box of pastries as she stepped out. The purple wisteria complemented her dress beautifully. She rarely wore dresses, not for lack of desire, but because without someone to admire them, wearing one felt meaningless.

Now, seeing the wisteria on the walls, she felt a quiet gratitude towards Qin Rou and Ge Yue for their suggestion.

“Come in!” Du Gu Yi had already opened the gate. Seeing Gu Xinyao still lost in thought, he called softly.

She responded with a nod and hurried forward. Perhaps unused to wearing a dress, her long strides seemed somewhat odd; a woman in a flowing gown walking so briskly did not appear very graceful.

Du Gu Yi’s eyelids twitched, and his lips quivered slightly at her bold approach, but he said nothing.

He hooked her arm with his and adjusted the loose belt of her dress caused by her wide steps.

Gu Xinyao blushed faintly at his thoughtful gesture. Once he secured the belt, she linked her arm with his again.

He gently pulled her hand away from his arm. Gu Xinyao thought he was displeased and felt a little disappointed. The next moment, however, he clasped her hand in his palm, lifting her spirits back to the clouds.

She lowered her head and smiled quietly. Beside her, Du Gu Yi’s lips curved upward in a faint smile.

The main hall door stood open, revealing the assembly inside.

Du Gu Yi’s eyes flicked with a slight raise of his brows at the presence of some unnecessary guests.

Du Gu Muqing’s peaceful expression darkened briefly as he saw Du Gu Yi and Gu Xinyao entering hand in hand.

Sitting beside him, Gu Yu offered a rare smile, calmly sipping his tea.

Beneath the main seat were two rows of guest seats. On the left sat two distinguished men of different appearances yet both outstanding. Behind them stood two men and two women.

Next to Du Gu Muqing on the left sat a man in his forties, not particularly striking but refined and scholarly. Behind him stood a boy who resembled Du Gu Muqing somewhat, but bore more resemblance to the man seated before him. The boy’s expression was calm and composed.

Beside them sat a man behind whom stood Du Gu Nan, known to Gu Xinyao. Today, she was unusually present. Her smoky eye makeup was lighter, and her attire more formal, but her slouching posture remained unchanged, suggesting she did not take this day seriously.

“Please, have a seat!” Gu Yu spoke softly, inviting the two at the door inside.

Gu Xinyao was nervous but did not rush forward recklessly.

Du Gu Yi pressed her hand gently and led her inside.

“Father, Mother, Second Father, Third Father, this is my fiancée, Gu Xinyao.” Standing at the center of the room, Du Gu Yi introduced her to those present.

Du Gu Muqing frowned as he looked at Gu Xinyao, while Gu Yu’s eyes flickered with interest upon hearing her surname.

“Miss Gu, pleased to meet you,” Gu Yu nodded courteously.

Du Gu Muqing continued, “Yi, your father and I have not yet given our consent. Where did this talk of a fiancée come from?”

Du Gu Yi knew his mother disapproved, so he said nothing unnecessary. “Mother, I have made up my mind about her. Bringing her to meet you is simply fulfilling my duty as a son.”

Du Gu Muqing’s neck veins bulged slightly at his words, and her grip on the armrest whitened. She turned her gaze to Gu Yu, but seeing his apparent indifference to their son’s declaration, she suppressed her displeasure and waited to see how things unfolded.

Gu Xinyao did not expect such an imposing scene upon arrival, but luckily her heart remained steady. She offered the pastry box. “Uncles and Aunts, these are pastries I made. It’s a small gift and not much of an honor, but please accept it.”

“Oh! Even before entering the Du Gu family, you know how to be frugal,” a man at the side spoke before Gu Yu or Du Gu Muqing could reply.

Gu Xinyao turned to see the speaker was the man seated before Du Gu Nan, about forty years old. His long hair was tied back, and his deep, sculpted features gave off a craftsman’s aura in every gesture. His lips were thin and pale, and such cutting remarks from his mouth were hardly surprising.

Gu Xinyao guessed this was likely Du Gu Nan’s father. Without the smoky makeup, she probably resembled him closely. Indeed, father and daughter shared not only looks but also a sharp tongue.

“Second Father, this is Xinyao’s sincere gesture. A small gift with deep meaning is a timeless truth. Even if you disdain culture, you should understand this,” Du Gu Yi interjected before Gu Xinyao could speak.

It was the first time he had called her by name so affectionately, stirring her heart slightly. His support healed the sting of earlier disappointment.

Du Gu Muqing’s two concubines, one surnamed Sun and the other He, were present. Sun had one daughter, Du Gu Nan; He had a son named Du Gu Ning.

Sun had once been a low-ranking employee at the Du Gu company with little education but a talent for winning favor. She had been involved with Du Gu Muqing during his tenure at the company and was later brought into the Du Gu household due to his favoritism. Consequently, she looked down on Du Gu Yi, though he paid her little mind.

He was a man Du Gu Muqing kept close for business reasons. Coming from a prestigious family and receiving a fine education, he nonetheless had the shrewdness of a merchant. His standing in the family was nearly equal to Gu Yu’s.

“You…” Sun was about to speak, but Du Gu Muqing raised his hand to stop her.

“Enough, what’s the use of arguing?” he scolded.

Gu Yu had already opened the pastry box and taken a piece into his mouth.

He was handsome, and even eating was done with elegance. After tasting a piece, he placed the box on the nearby table.

“Miss Gu, your pastries are delicious and rival those made by top-tier pastry chefs.”

It was rare for Gu Yu to offer praise, surprising those present who had previously interacted with him.

Gu Xinyao bowed slightly. “Thank you for your kind words, Uncle.”

“I do not oppose your marriage to Yi.” Unexpectedly, Gu Yu consented to the union.

“Xiao Yu!” Du Gu Muqing called his nickname instinctively, his expression tinged with disapproval.

“Thank you, Uncle, for your approval.” Gu Xinyao finally relaxed, turning to Du Gu Yi, who wore a complex expression—part excitement, part disbelief.

“Don’t thank me yet; I have conditions,” Gu Yu raised his hand, cutting off Du Gu Muqing’s unfinished words.

“Uncle, please speak. I will agree to any condition,” Gu Xinyao said earnestly, moved. She had expected nobles to be difficult, and had prepared herself to endure any hardship.

“I only have one son, Yi. When I grow old, I want him to care for me in his final days. If you marry, you must move into the Du Gu family. Any children must bear the Du Gu surname. Can you accept these terms?” Gu Yu’s eyes were clear and bright, his face unreadable.

Du Gu Yi frowned slightly at his father’s words. He did not understand why his father said this. From their brief encounters, his father had not held much hope for him, and the idea of caring for him in old age seemed even less likely.

Gu Xinyao paused for a few seconds after hearing Gu Yu’s terms. She looked at Du Gu Yi and saw the furrow between his brows, signaling some unresolved worry.

She quietly squeezed his hand. When he met her gaze, she nodded before turning back to Gu Yu sincerely. “Uncle, rest assured, I am the only one left in my family. There is no issue of continuing the family line. I can move in. As for children…”

Before she could finish, Du Gu Yi gripped her hand tightly, with force she did not understand.

“Father, I never planned to have her move in, and children are out of the question. If the Du Gu family needs heirs, let Nan try,” he said firmly. He did not want Gu Xinyao to make compromises for his sake. The idea of moving in had not been discussed with him; his father’s proposal now felt like a trap set for Gu Xinyao to fall into.

“What? After all we’ve done raising you, you won’t give back? Hmph, I misjudged you,” Gu Yu’s face darkened. It was the first time since adulthood that Du Gu Yi had seen such an expression on his father’s face, apart from childhood.

“I…”

Gu Xinyao restrained Du Gu Yi, who seemed about to argue impulsively, and quickly said to Gu Yu, “Uncle, I will agree to everything. Please don’t blame him; he only wants to protect me.”

She did not wish for a rift between Du Gu Yi and his family because of her.

Gu Yu finally smiled and waved a hand. “Enough. Since you agreed, go prepare for the wedding.”

Du Gu Muqing wanted to speak further, but Gu Yu’s hand on hers silenced her.

“The wedding will be arranged by the Du Gu family. You only need to attend,” he added, signaling his acceptance.

“Thank you, Father, thank you, Mother,” Du Gu Yi bit his lip and lowered his head to express thanks.

Gu Xinyao also quickly thanked them. From the conversation, she realized Du Gu Yi’s position in his family was precarious. Perhaps her presence could ease tensions, but even she could not be sure.

Sun clenched her teeth tightly upon hearing the outcome. She had struggled greatly to enter the Du Gu family herself, yet this ordinary woman seemed to gain entry so easily.

He, who had remained silent beside Sun, let a faint sneer cross his face.