Chapter 4 Zhou Gu_2

Someone said, "Before, I really didn't hear that Young Master Zhou had a fiancée. It was only after Old Duke physically punished Zhou Gu that everyone found out. I wonder which noble lady from a high societal family could be worthy of Young Master Zhou from the Duke Residence."

"The Duke Residence's keep their secrets very well. Oh, we are all curious. Who might the lady be that had a blind date arranged with Young Master Zhou since they were children?"

...

Zhou Gu's deeds were widely discussed. He was quite famous in Capital City, however, he wasn't implicated in any major scandalous deeds.

Therefore, Li Yan had an idea. He decided to visit the Duke Residence on the day the Duke was present.

After announcing his identity, the gatekeeper sized him up with surprise, promptly informing the Duke. He didn't have to wait long; the Duke Residence's housekeeper personally welcomed him inside.

Li Yan looked around the Duke Residence secretly, thinking to himself how grand it was, the equivalent of ten Governor's Residence. It truly deserved the title of a top-ranked Duke Residence.

The old Duke met him in the study. Li Yan presented the letter. After reading it, the old Duke laughed, "Time has indeed passed quickly, that young girl is about to grow up."

He said, "You should rest first. Let me consider this thoroughly, then I will reply to your lady."

Li Yan agreed.

The old Duke instructed his housekeeper to settle Li Yan and sent someone to summon Zhou Gu to his study.

Zhou Gu, having been harshly disciplined by the old Duke, had been bedridden for seven days. Fortunately, his health was generally good. Seven days later, he was able to move around. By now, half a month had passed and his injuries were almost healed.

Having been confined at the residence for half a month, he couldn't bear it any longer and wanted to go out for some fun. Just as he was about to lead his beloved horse out of the stables, someone came to tell him that the old Duke had summoned him to the study.

Zhou Gu let go of the horse's reins, "What could possibly need me now? I haven't been causing trouble for the past half month," he grumbled on his way, "Despite his old age and white hair, why is he always so intent on meddling in my affairs?"

The servant wanted to reply, 'Who asked you to be the most troublesome?' The other young masters were not as wild as he was. Naturally, it could be expected that the offspring of a military man would be more boisterous than those of a scholar. However, Zhou Gu was simply too outrageous. From a young age, he had been more troublesome than anyone else.

Zhou Gu lazily saluted as he arrived in the old Duke's study, "Grandfather!"

The sight of him was enough to irk the old Duke, who pointing at him chided, "Just look at yourself. Can't stand properly, can't sit properly. Lazy and irresponsible, just like a boneless creature. Your three older brothers are all well-disciplined, but you? It's just getting worse as you grow older, letting down the family reputation."

Zhou Gu had a point, "Grandfather, my three brothers have been raised in the military since they were young, in a strictly disciplined environment. Naturally, they are well-educated. But what about me? You may be unhappy about me now, but it was you who adamantly disallowed me from growing up in the military like them. And now you're blaming me? What's your reason?"

The old Duke was caught off guard, his face reddened with embarrassment, "Do you know what the Eastern Palace is? The Crown Prince himself, surrounded by strict teachers, couldn't control you. If I had known you would turn out this way, the day you were born, I would have strangled you."

Zhou Gu sneered, "What you said was harsh. If you had killed me, what would my grandmother and mother have done?"

The old Duke was so enraged he felt a pain in his heart, "It's all their fault, they spoiled you."

Of all the things Zhou Gu could learn, he had to learn to chase after women. He hadn't been this angry when Zhou Gu had disrupted the scholar's class.

Seeing Zhou Gu's arrogant demeanor irritated the old Duke, "The Emperor has already bestowed Qin Luan to the Crown Prince. You should stop hoping."

Zhou Gu let out a grunt but didn't respond.

The old Duke glowered at him, "What's with that look on your face? That Qin Luan has just read a few poetry collections, wrote a few poems about flowers and plants, and she's hailed as someone extraordinary by the Capital City's youngsters. In my view, she's just ordinary. Don't feel wronged. That flamboyant Qin Yuan is being used as a pawn by others without realizing it. He's a fool who led to the ruin of his entire family. It's his own fault. How could he raise a good daughter?"

"Grandfather, you once told me not to belittle people behind their backs. Have you forgotten?" Zhou Gu rolled his eyes.

The old Duke coughed once, and glared at him, "I was simply stating a fact. You remember those words very clearly, why didn't you remember the other things I told you?"

He said in annoyance, "I reminded you long ago that you have a prearranged marriage, and you shouldn't be reckless. Did it go in one ear and out the other? Listen, the descendants of our Duke Residence cannot take a concubine or have a lifelong mistress before their official wives have entered the house. No one can violate this rule, understood?"

"Understood, and so what?" Zhou Gu was equally annoyed. He had no intention of taking a concubine or having a mistress.

"Therefore, you're engaged, and should not behave recklessly, nor casually provoke other women. You especially must not steal women from outside. Or I will break your legs." the Duke emphasized sternly.

Zhou Gu was furious, "You arranged a marriage for me when I was little, that's fine. But why didn't you arrange it with a lady that I can take pride in? Why am I so unlucky? I was not allowed to grow up in the military like my brothers and now, even my marriage is not to my liking."

He asked with a stern face, "Am I a cabbage you picked up from the ground that you can freely decide my life?"

The old Duke was also angry, "What nonsense are you talking about? You haven't even seen the lady, how could you say she is not worthy or of your liking?"

Zhou Gu huffed coldly, "A lowly girl from Jiangning County, listen to this, what a trashy status? As a lowly born girl, how well-disciplined and presentable could she be?"

Words stuck in the old Duke's throat as he attempted to refute but was held back.

Taking advantage of this, Zhou Gu asserted his stance firmly, "I won't marry her!"