"Alright, no more anger, he's gone anyway," Yu Mingyue comforted.
"I'm not angry, I just feel bad that you had to suffer because of me," Gu Youyou said apologetically.
"I didn't suffer any loss, so what's there to feel wronged about?" Yu Mingyue's voice was soft, a smile floating between her brows.
"Fortunately, you didn't suffer, or I would have wanted to beat her up," Gu Youyou said indignantly.
"I know Sister Gu is the most capable. You'll have to protect me well from now on."
Gu Youyou patted her chest, "Don't worry!"
However, no further incidents occurred.
All the guests present were respectable individuals, and many of the young ladies were there with the intention of becoming the young madam of the Gu family.
Even if they privately mocked Yu Mingyue for being jilted, they maintained outward decorum to avoid disrupting the important occasion.
Old Madam Gu was indeed very pleased with Yu Mingyue. She was noble yet not arrogant, dignified yet not lacking in sharpness, truly a suitable candidate for the matriarch.
Tingyun's temperament was gentle and lacked assertiveness; having such a virtuous wife to assist him could compensate for his shortcomings.
However, the Emperor's inscrutable attitude made her uncertain.
"That Madam Feng is too impertinent," Chidan couldn't help but say in the carriage on the way back.
"She's young and impulsive," Granny Rong replied lightly, considering such people to be the least threatening.
The daughter of the Jizhou Military Governor, it was normal for a family without deep roots to raise such a daughter.
This was precisely why daughters from established aristocratic families were more favored by the nobility.
"She's older than our young lady!" Chidan pouted.
Granny Rong glanced at Chidan unhurriedly, and Chidan immediately fell silent.
She had spoken out of turn; comparing herself to the young lady was demeaning.
Yu Mingyue felt the carriage was stuffy and lifted the curtain, just in time to see Xie Jiayan entering the study.
"Stop the carriage," Yu Mingyue suddenly said.
"Granny, I was just about to buy some books from the study. Tell Mother later that I'll go back by myself," Yu Mingyue said.
"This old servant can walk back or take Madam's carriage. The carriage is for the young lady," Granny Rong disagreed.
"It's only a short walk, Granny, don't worry. Chidan will accompany me," Yu Mingyue winked at Chidan.
Chidan quickly said, "Granny, don't worry, I will protect the young lady."
With that, the two of them alighted from the carriage.
Yu Mingyue walked up to Xie Jiayan and, after a while, noticed him, "What are you doing here?"
"I came specifically because I saw Brother Jiayan entering," Yu Mingyue had to tilt her head to speak to him due to their close proximity.
"Do you need something from me?" Xie Jiayan's voice carried a hint of amusement.
Yu Mingyue pouted, "Can't I look for you if I don't need anything? I just wanted to see what kind of books Brother Jiayan usually reads to be so smart."
Xie Jiayan chuckled. Fortunately, she was a woman; there were no precedents for female officials in the Great Wei. Otherwise, if she entered court, she would surely thrive.
"Just passing by, came in to take a look," Xie Jiayan closed the book in his hand, about to return it to the shelf.
"Is this the latest? It's out so soon?" Yu Mingyue stood on tiptoe and took the book he had just picked up.
"You like it?"
"Yes, I love his travelogues the most. I've read the previous one about the Western Regions countless times. It's a pity he hasn't released a new book in over a year," Yu Mingyue said with regret.
Xie Jiayan looked at her clear, limpid eyes and smiled, "It seems you pay close attention to him?"
Yu Mingyue nodded, "I specifically asked the bookstore owner a while ago, and he said he wouldn't write anymore. I thought I'd never be able to read his books again, but I didn't expect a new one to be released so soon."