"Qing Dai, you are not like Lianxin. Lianxin was sold into the mansion at a young age, all alone, with no attachments. Your parents are both in Duke Zhen’s Mansion; if you follow me in marriage in the future, will you be willing to leave them? I believe your mother also thinks the same, wanting to keep you by her side. Wang Rui’s son is currently working under Steward Tian in the mansion; he’s quite clever and will soon be able to take charge independently. Being a steward is also within reach."

Yao Mengxian noticed Qing Dai’s face looked displeased, and with a sigh, she continued to persuade: "We’ve been mistress and servant for many years. Would I ever harm you? I must find a satisfactory match for you. If you are agreeable, once we return to the mansion, I’ll ask Wang Rui’s family to bring their son over for you to meet."

This marriage proposal was benefited by Gu Chengyu’s fortune; if it weren’t for Gu Chengyu being promoted three ranks, would Wang Rui’s family be eager to cozy up to her? This proposal wouldn’t have been Qing Dai’s chance otherwise.

Everyone in the mansion tends to follow power like moths drawn to flame. Now that Gu Chengyu has been promoted, naturally her position rises as well. The fate of women is like this, lamentable and pitiful indeed!

Qing Dai felt a surge of bitterness in her heart, her vision blurred, "Miss, let me think about it!"

She sensed Yao Mengxian’s tone did not allow for refusal, and anger instantly flared in her heart.

Lianxin is a year older than her, yet the mistress did not mention helping Lianxin with a marriage but brought up her own marriage instead.

Over the years, the mistress had a hard time living in the mansion, yet Qing Dai always stayed by her side. Now that the mistress has found a good husband, she actually wants to kick Qing Dai aside.

It seems the mistress is an envious person who cannot tolerate others.

Qing Dai gave Lianxin a deep look; this girl is also foolish. She wants to see if the mistress will truly plan for Lianxin sincerely.

Yao Mengxian nodded slightly at Qing Dai’s words, as mistress and servant for many years, she ought to save face for Qing Dai.

If in a couple of days when they return to the mansion, Qing Dai still doesn’t give a definite answer, Yao Mengxian might directly match her with Wang Rui’s son.

"Then I’ll excuse myself for now!" Qing Dai bit her lips tightly; she feared if she stayed longer, she wouldn’t be able to resist scratching Yao Mengxian’s beautiful face.

Today was Lianxin’s night duty, so Yao Mengxian did not say much and let Qing Dai leave.

After Qing Dai left, Lianxin stepped forward and whispered, "Qing Dai doesn’t seem willing about Wang Rui’s family, Miss!"

Yao Mengxian rubbed her temples, "I’ve met Wang Rui’s boy once; he’s not only clever but also does things steadily. Do you think he truly appreciates Qing Dai’s lively character? Isn’t it all because of my marriage? I heard that even Mrs. Chen, who serves the madam, wanted to form a marriage with her family, but it was originally rejected by her."

Now there’s some news in the mansion, and Yao Mengxian can find out all about it. Even if she doesn’t want to seek it out, the news will be sent to her anyway; this is the advantage of power.

"Then this match is truly great, and Qing Dai doesn’t even want it? Miss, shall I go persuade her tomorrow?"

Lianxin and Qing Dai have served Yao Mengxian for many years, so there’s some sentiment involved.

Yao Mengxian sighed again, "It is indeed a good match, but I’m afraid Qing Dai has other thoughts in her heart."

Lianxin was shocked to hear this; she wasn’t foolish and quickly understood Yao Mengxian’s implication.

"How could this be? It’s hardly an exaggeration to say Mr. Gu is a dragon among men, and Qing Dai can’t think this way, can she?"

In Lianxin’s eyes, the noble and elegant Mr. Gu wouldn’t even consider Qing Dai for a concubine.

Qing Dai has a delicate appearance, but compared to Mr. Gu and the mistress, she’s lacking quite a bit.

Moreover, Qing Dai’s status is the same as hers, merely a servant. Even if Mr. Gu wanted a concubine, those educated and beautiful women from good families would be the first choice.

Furthermore, she doesn’t wish to see those concubines being an eyesore in front of the mistress; the mistress has suffered enough.

The next day, Gu Chengyu put on his court uniform, ready to report to the Dali Temple.

The Emperor’s health has been poor recently, and he hasn’t attended morning court for several days.

Thus, Gu Chengyu didn’t need to rise early; otherwise, he would have been waiting outside Taihe Palace at early 5 a.m.

Only today, he needed to be slightly earlier, having just returned to the Capital after completing a task, he ought to submit his card to the palace first, waiting for the Emperor’s summon.

Additionally, with a change in office and unfamiliar new colleagues, he definitely should go earlier on his first day to avoid leaving a lazy impression.

Previously, he had some conflicts with Kuang Zhao Ying at the Dali Temple, and now being transferred there, the people might give him a hard time.

The Dali Temple and Hanlin Academy are in completely opposite directions, conveniently located to the west, but closer to the palace gate than before.

Just as he stepped into the Dali Temple, an official walked up to him. Judging by his official uniform, he seemed to be a seventh-rank Ministry of Justice Evaluator.

"May I ask if you are Mr. Gu?" The man laughed before speaking, with a long face, sharp chin, and eyes that exuded shrewdness, clearly a slick character.

Gu Chengyu smiled and nodded, "Indeed, I am!"

"Evaluator Li Zhongxin from the Ministry of Justice greets Mr. Gu!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Gu Chengyu raised his eyebrows slightly, "It’s Evaluator Li. I wonder if Lord Kuang is currently at the Dali Temple?"

"Mr. Gu, Lord Kuang has already arrived, but he just went to the Eastern Palace," Li Zhongxin replied respectfully.

Though Gu Chengyu’s face held a smile, he pondered internally; going to the Eastern Palace for discussions, who knows when he’ll return?

Could it be a deliberate show of power to embarrass him? It’s his first day on duty, and this supervisor is absent, with other officials nowhere in sight, only a seventh-rank official coming to greet, which seems too dismissive.

By rights, given his rank, upon being transferred to the Dali Temple, the lower-ranked officials ought to come to pay their respects.

"Evaluator Li was ordered by Lord Kuang to welcome Mr. Gu. Please follow me, and let’s first head to your office."

Li Zhongxin was respectful on the surface, but internally he was quite anxious.

Lord Kuang is too dismissive of this Mr. Gu, and when a new official assumes office, the lower-ranked ones should come to pay respects and get acquainted with the rising Mr. Gu.

Unexpectedly, Lord Kuang seems a bit displeased with this Mr. Gu, making things difficult for those below.

Since Lord Kuang doesn’t give permission, they don’t dare to leave their own offices. If they offend Lord Kuang, how could they continue in the Dali Temple?

"I must trouble Evaluator Li then!"

Li Zhongxin hurriedly waved his hand, "Mr. Gu, you flatter me. I’m unworthy! I’m unworthy!"

"Mr. Gu, this is your office. Please enter and see if you’re satisfied; if there’s anything you need replaced, don’t hesitate to instruct me."

The two arrived at a room located next to a large pine tree. Though not an independent courtyard, Gu Chengyu found the surroundings serene, and the interior looked spacious and elegant from the outside, leaving him somewhat satisfied.