Gu Qiuyi’s memory of An Chengqi had grown somewhat hazy.
After all, she’d been so young when she left Yanjing with Ye Chen.
She couldn’t help but murmur, “Mum, I can barely remember what Aunt An looked like. Did she like me when I was little?”
Lin Wanqiu smiled, “Your Aunt An adored you more than you can imagine. The day you were born, she was at the hospital with me, the second person to hold you.”
“Really?” Gu Qiuyi’s eyes lit up with surprise, and she pressed, “So who came up with the idea of my engagement to Brother Ye Chen? You’ve never told me before.”
Lin Wanqiu sighed, “That engagement was your Aunt An’s idea. Back then, the Ye family was the strongest in the country. Your dad and I were constantly looked after by your Uncle Ye and Aunt An. Honestly, we always felt the Ye family was way out of our league. For them to treat us like their own was already an honour, we never dared dream of a marriage alliance.”
Gu Qiuyi asked, wide-eyed, “Then why did Aunt An suggest it?”
Lin Wanqiu chuckled, “Because she loved you, silly. She thought you were the perfect fit to be her daughter-in-law.”
Gu Qiuyi’s heart swelled with joy.
To her, Ye Chen had too many admirers, but she was the only one his mother had ever approved of, setting her apart from the rest.
Her only regret was that Ye Chen’s mum had passed too soon. Like her own mum said, if Aunt An were still alive, she’d have taken charge, never letting Gu Qiuyi be left hanging like this.
But as the mother and daughter reminisced, they’d never have dreamed that An Chengqi was still alive, and just a while ago, had been staying at Yonghe Palace, not far away.
Even now, living at Mount Putuo, it was only a little over a thousand kilometres from Yanjing.
At that very moment, An Chengqi was in a zen courtyard at Mount Putuo, crafting seal incense.
After shaping it, she lit it with a stick of incense, watching the thin smoke curl upward. She leaned in slightly, inhaling its scent, closing her eyes to savour a rare moment of inner peace.
Sister Sun approached, bowing respectfully, “Madam, the young master’s having lunch at the Gu family. Ye Changmin’s out shopping personally, looks like there’s a Ye family dinner tonight too.”
An Chengqi opened her eyes, nodding with a faint smile, “Seems they’re teaming up to pressure Chen’er.”
Sister Sun added, “The Four Seas are taking the water route, so it’ll be a while before they reach China.”
“No rush,” An Chengqi said, “Even if they’re slow, they’ll arrive by the first lunar month.”
Sister Sun asked, “Madam, didn’t you once say the Ito family’s eldest daughter was the best match for the young master?”
“Indeed,” An Chengqi smiled, “Objectively, I think no one suits Chen’er better than Nana-chan. Especially since she’s attained the Dao, she’ll be a huge help to him in the future.”
Sister Sun pressed, “And what about Miss Gu?”
An Chengqi smiled softly, sighing, “Nannan’s the one I held as she grew up… Logically, Nana-chan’s the best fit, but emotionally, no one can replace Nannan in my heart.”
