The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!-Chapter 300 - 297: You... Know Who I Am, Don’t You?
The palace was immense, exuding opulence.
Pillars made of white marble, walls carved with golden silk patterns, and a spacious hall draped with silk curtains.
The path from Yangxin Hall was not short, and any sheltered maiden would be exhausted, but Yu Tingwan, accustomed to labor since childhood, walked with a calm grace.
Not long ago, the female guests were chatting and laughing, but now a momentary silence filled the air.
It wasn’t because of any unusual behavior by Gu Fuju.
Gu Fuju, who had once taught at the Imperial College, had instructed Wei Zhao. Although he didn’t say it, it was clear to all that he was pleased with the Wei Family’s son.
A distinguished scholar surviving adversity, it’s understandable to be emotional.
As for his gaze lingering on the Young Madam who suddenly appeared from Duke Shun Mansion, perhaps he was merely observing the new bride after knowing about the scholar’s marriage.
Murmurs of conversations drifted through the crowd.
"See how much the Grand Tutor favors General Wei? He even personally went to greet him; how many can boast such treatment?"
"It’s a pity, though. I thought the Wei and Gu Families would unite in marriage, but a girl from a small place got ahead. General Wei was foolish to trade a lifetime for a debt of gratitude."
"Foolish? Does General Wei seem swayed by such emotions? He’s capable on his own and doesn’t need the Yue Family’s support; naturally, he would marry the girl he likes."
Shen Zhiyi also heard the noblewoman beside her exclaim.
"The fabric of her dress, it’s made of Cloud Brocade!"
Its hues were vibrant, as beautiful as the rosy clouds.
A common person couldn’t carry it off, but her exquisite looks and graceful figure added to her charm.
Cloud Brocade’s production is intricate, said to be worth its weight in gold. Its materials include mulberry silk, gold thread, silver thread, and peacock feather thread.
Often, it’s not obtainable even with money, as only a few rolls are produced in Jiangnan annually.
Shen Zhiyi rolled her eyes.
What’s so surprising? Yu Tingwan once used a silk handkerchief for her mouth.
Someone else noted, "What’s on her head?"
"Just a golden hairpin, nothing remarkable."
"No!"
The noblewoman countered, "I meant the pearl flower; look closely, it’s made of sea snail pearls! Sea snail pearls!"
A collective gasp arose around them.
Shen Zhiyi: ...
Incredible.
So recently bought from the Jinluo Pavilion, and now it’s being worn?
Meanwhile, Xiao Huaian raised an eyebrow.
He leaned back, finding a comfortable posture.
"Remarkable."
"I thought Wei Zhao wasn’t interested in women; he’d ignored many admiring ladies over the years. I even suspected he might prefer men, which worried me."
Xiao Huaian scoffed, "Turns out he’s just picky for great beauty."
"Indeed, he has always sought the best in everything."
He cast a glance at He Xuran, whose mood had visibly soured since Wei Zhao’s appearance.
He Xuran was unhappy, which made him quite happy.
Xiao Huaian grinned mischievously, "Why so silent?"
"Feeling quite pressured?"
He Xuran glared in their direction.
On the verge of laughing with anger.
Xiao Huaian: "Are you looking at Wei Zhao or at his wife?"
"Looking at Wei Zhao is one thing, but his wife—that’s risky."
No one is as reckless as Wei Zhao is!
He Xuran’s emotions churned.
In the past, nothing seemed amiss, but now everything felt wrong!
For instance, how he garnered the support of officials and went smoothly to Ze County. Upon arriving there, he inexplicably traced his way to the Yu Family, then to Yu Tingwan.
Someone had been leading him forward!
Was it Wei Zhao?
Was it Wei Shen?
When he went to the Wei Family in Ze County, the person bandaged and masked on the sickbed was surely Wei Zhao.
Indeed hid himself well!
No wonder he couldn’t trace Yu Tingwan’s movements after she left Ze County.
What He Xuran could deduce, Gu Fuju surely also noticed something awry.
He seemed oblivious to the surrounding commotion, seeing only the graceful girl in front of him.
Gu Fuju feared it was an illusion, his eyes shining with warmth. He wanted to reach out but feared she’d vanish if touched.
His hand hovered uncertainly.
But he saw Yu Tingwan step back. To her, he was a stranger.
Indeed, to Yu Tingwan, he was unfamiliar.
Her heart was calm and unperturbed.
The Gu Family and the Wei Family were acquaintances, so Yu Tingwan respectfully curtseyed to Gu Fuju and, following Wei Zhao’s lead, addressed him warmly.
"Teacher?"
This uncertain acknowledgment brought Gu Fuju back to reality. He hastily blinked, finally recognizing the authenticity.
"You..."
Normally stern, Gu Fuju seemed even more serious now.
But the girl looked at him with curiosity.
Gu Fuju was afraid to frighten her.
He tried to be gentle: "May I call you Yaoyao?"
Yu Tingwan frowned slightly before hearing Wei Zhao ask, "Who calls you that?"
She replied instinctively, "My father and mother."
Yu Tingwan met Grand Tutor Gu’s gaze: "I don’t think it’s appropriate."
Wei Zhao: "Indeed."
Gu Fuju didn’t want to acknowledge Wei Zhao.
This outstanding student was becoming an eyesore.
"You..."
His voice was hoarse: "You know who I am, right?"
Though phrased as a question, he saw the answer clearly. Still, he was reluctant to lose hope. Yu Tingwan’s address made her stance clear, unwilling to acknowledge him.
Yu Tingwan hesitated: "...Mm."
Even Gu Fuju, a learned man, was momentarily at a loss.
Wei Zhao respectfully said, "If Teacher has no further instructions, we will take our seats."
He added to Yu Tingwan, "The palace pastries are quite tasty; they should suit your palate."
Yu Tingwan noticed them too.
Uniformed palace maids were setting down plates of pastries.
Her gaze caught Ning Suxuan, with seats next to her evidently meant for her and Wei Zhao.
Since there wasn’t much to converse with Gu Fuju, simply standing here seemed odd. So, she prepared to leave.
Gu Fuju suddenly focused on the irksome yet unignorable Wei Zhao, his chest heaving, words squeezed out as if through clenched teeth.
"You said, ’she’s yours’?"
Wei Zhao: "Is Teacher surprised?"
Gu Fuju coldly retorted, "I just showed you the portrait yesterday!"
Wei Zhao responded only with a smile.
His silence almost spelled it out.
—The student brought her to the palace banquet, letting Teacher see her too; how was that not fulfilling his promise?
Gu Fuju’s gaze darkened.
He wasn’t naive.
Though reluctant to admit it, Wei Zhao was clearly Yu Tingwan’s closest kin.
He couldn’t even ask why Wei Zhao never revealed Yu Tingwan’s identity to him earlier!
Evidently, Wei Zhao had orchestrated it this way on purpose.
The timing of the palace banquet today wasn’t coincidental and had everything to do with him.
In front of everyone, Wei Zhao forced him to choose between Yu Tingwan and Gu Wu.
This chance wouldn’t come again, making a painful acknowledgment of a daughter in private was now impossible.
If he declared Yu Tingwan as the true daughter of the Gu Family, then the carefully nurtured Gu Wu would be left without a place in the world.
No doubt a Wei Family member, always adept in cunning measures.
