Chapter 852: Thinking of You

“Hey, little brother, what are you looking at?”

An old beggar poked the young beggar, looking puzzled.

“Nothing.”

The young beggar snapped out of his thoughts, his disheveled hair covering the gloom in his eyes.

“Little brother, I advise you not to think of things out of reach. Such a beautiful bride, so much dowry, is not something we can aspire for. Instead of dreaming, you might as well have an extra bowl of meat later. The Shopkeeper is happy today, marrying off his daughter means even the beggar’s feast is filled with large fish and meat, and there’s plenty of buns.” The old beggar shook his head, talking about the meat dishes with a cheerful face.

The young beggar withdrew his complex gaze from the final lift of the dowry, disdainfully thinking, you understand nothing; you don’t even know who I am.

If he hadn’t rejected Gu Taohua’s affections earlier, all this dowry would have been his.

Lucky for Tong Huaqiong’s family coachman, he suddenly became a close minister of the emperor and married Gu Taohua.

If he had known earlier that the widow’s business in Qinghe Bay would be so big, and the dowry so generous, he would have clung to Gu Taohua no matter what, even if beaten badly.

He might even have turned the raw rice into cooked rice.

Just a little bit more, just a little bit more, today he would have been the groom.

That’s right, this young beggar is Fan Tong.

He’s afraid the Gu Family would discover his whereabouts, so he mixes among the beggars to get some benefits from Gu Taohua’s wedding feast.

After all, he has turned into a real beggar by now, his clothes are so dirty they seem coated with paste, and his beard and hair are mixed together, even standing in front of the Gu Family, they might not recognize him.

“I almost became the son-in-law of this family.” Fan Tong muttered.

The old beggar looked at him, saying, “You’ve read too many plays, thinking if a lady’s handkerchief is picked up by a beggar, she won’t marry anyone else, and would betray her family just to marry. I’m telling you, those are just made-up fantasies by sour intellectuals to deceive people. Dream all you want, just don’t deceive yourself.”

Fan Tong was silent, his cold gaze swept past Gu Honglian, busy giving out wedding candies and cakes.

This woman’s heart is truly malicious; even though she used to act like she would die for him, she turned away without acknowledging him in the blink of an eye.

After marrying, he didn’t have multiple wives, and even when heading to the capital for a career, he insisted on taking her despite his mother’s reproach. But he made one mistake, and Gu Honglian didn’t give him a chance to turn back.

Gu Honglian was wearing a light red dress, her whole person radiant. She saw a row of beggars sitting against the wall and instructed the servants to bring the feast dishes from the table over.

“There are many of you here today, but don’t grab, everyone can eat their fill.”

Gu Honglian spoke as she took buns from her basket to give to a nearby old beggar, saying, “Old man, eat more.”

The other beggars surged forward with their bowls, while Fan Tong turned his face away to avoid Gu Honglian’s gaze.

Encountering Gu Honglian under these circumstances was truly humiliating.

But he was too hungry. Having had no oils for two or three months, knowing he’d be exposed while asking for food from the Gu Family, he nonetheless couldn’t resist coming.

Fortunately, Gu Honglian didn’t notice him.

Fan Tong grabbed two buns, picked up a bowl of meat and vegetables, and buried his head in eating.

Once full, Fan Tong leaned against the firewood stack and dozed off.

Spring winds carried warmth and the fragrance of flowers, blowing pleasantly on him.

Fan Tong dreamed an odd dream, so real it felt like it had happened.

In the dream, he was still an unsuccessful scholar, having failed thrice to pass the provincial exam.

The dream Gu Taohua was as lively and unrestrained as the Gu Taohua he knew.

The widow Tong didn’t do business; the Gu family remained an ordinary farming household in Qinghe Bay, with the exception of the prodigious Gu Jingzhe being appreciated by the Shengjing Lu Family and becoming their son-in-law.

Gu Taohua liked him; he disliked the Gu Family for not offering any support, continuing to string Gu Taohua along.

There was no Su Chengmin then, and Gu Taohua devoted herself entirely to him.

After Gu Jingzhe passed the scholar exam and married Lu Zhaozhao, Fan Tong finally sent a matchmaker to propose to Gu Taohua.

Tong Dajiao and Gu Jingzhe strongly opposed, but couldn’t stop Gu Taohua from wanting to marry.

When Gu Taohua married him, her good sister-in-law Lu Zhaozhao gifted them land and a shop.

After marrying, Gu Taohua managed the household while supporting his studies; her temper remained fiery, and whenever someone spoke ill of Fan Tong, she’d tirelessly argue until the other apologized.

With Gu Taohua’s support, he attempted two more provincial exams but failed, giving up on changing his fate through studying.

Heaven wasn’t too harsh on him.

Gu Jingzhe became the top scorer, having a smooth career, and quickly rose as a new star in court.

Because of Gu Taohua’s tantrums, Gu Jingzhe, who’d always looked down on him, was pressured into securing him a county magistrate’s position.

Upon arriving at his post, he took multiple concubines, breaking Gu Taohua’s heart.

Though his administration was a mess, due to Gu Jingzhe’s backing, nobody dared speak against him.

During his term, he exploited the common people and illegitimately raised taxes until the intolerant citizens captured him and tied him to the city walls.

To save him, Gu Taohua stepped forward to take all the blame, resulting in her being tied up with him by the furious crowd.

Later, they died in a fire.

As the flames consumed her, Gu Taohua said she’d never want to meet him in the next life.

Fan Tong awoke to find it was already dark; the people at the wedding feast had left.

Beside the firewood stack stood a peach tree, its blossoms thriving, swaying branches in the moon shadow, scattering petals chasing the spring breeze, yet not a single petal touched him.

He couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or in reality.

Fan Tong felt a pang of melancholy, mixed with a slight reluctance.

Gu Taohua sat in the bridal chamber.

Su Chengmin passed by the room twice, once bringing her food and once asking if she was tired, but his colleagues discovered him and playfully dragged him away.

Gu Taohua repeatedly wanted to lift the veil covering her head.

The accompanying old maid pressed her down, advising her to wait for the groom to lift it.

Gu Taohua quietly lifted the veil a crack, then lay crooked on the bed with her legs folded.

Getting married was truly exhausting; the jewelry on her head was too heavy, and the bridal gown felt cumbersome.

As night began, the guests at the wedding feast gradually made their farewells and left.

Mrs. Min stepped in to drive out all those intending to create a ruckus in the bridal chamber.

Gu Taohua stared at the red candles on the table, asking the old maid when Su Chengmin would come. If he didn’t arrive soon, she’d remove the veil herself.

“Wife, I’m here.”

Just as she spoke, Su Chengmin’s voice drifted in, and Gu Taohua lowered her gaze, seeing Su Chengmin’s swaying boots.

Gu Taohua quickly covered her head and sat upright again guiltily.

Su Chengmin couldn’t help but laugh.

Mrs. Min quietly appeared at the door of the bridal chamber, signaling the old maid inside, who covered her mouth and snuck out, leaving the room to the newlyweds.

Su Chengmin unveiled the red veil.

Although he was already familiar with Gu Taohua’s appearance, Su Chengmin’s heart still skipped a beat.

Gu Taohua as a bride was stunningly beautiful.

Su Chengmin watched Gu Taohua motionlessly, feeling hot all over, slowly sitting down and pulling her hand, then standing up to take the two prepared cups of wine from the table and handing one to Gu Taohua.

They crossed arms and drank the nuptial wine.

After drinking, Gu Taohua’s face resembled a blooming peach blossom.

The red candles flickered, and amidst the firelight, Gu Taohua felt a fleeting sense of déjà vu.

Suddenly there was a swirl, and she was embraced in strong arms, her face lifted.

Gu Taohua raised her eyes to meet Su Chengmin’s deep gaze.

Su Chengmin asked, “Wife, what are you thinking?”

Gu Taohua smiled beautifully, “Thinking about you.”