Su Jinyao was very anxious, and immediately opened the envelope when she went back.

The letter was very brief, saying that there was nothing major in the family, and that Dad's leg was recovering well.

The reason why Ma Liu was in a hurry to find Xiaocheng'er back was because Xu Chenming suddenly came to find Sophie, but the two didn't know what to say, and Xu Chenming left again.

Su Xiangui repeatedly asked Sophie the reason, but Sophie only lowered her head and shed tears without speaking.

Su Xiangui saw that the New Year was approaching, and he was worried that Sophie would be embarrassed, so he went to Ma Liu and asked him to try if he could find Xiaocheng'er to go home.

After all, the family is reunited when they get together for the New Year, and I hope that when Xiaocheng'er returns home, she can make Sophie think about it or say why.

Since the family is fine, Su Jinyao is estimated to be sad because of Sophie's (qíng). was reluctant to Xu Chenming, and worried about the injury on his face, so he drove Xu Chenming away, but regretted it again.

Think about Sophie's indecisive (xìng) son, such a result is most like her approach, and now she herself is aggrieved and uncomfortable, and it is not enough.

But the letter did not mention when Xiao Cheng'er would come back, Su Jinyao pondered about it with the letter and understood Xiao Cheng'er's thoughts.

He won't be back yet. Because Gu Xuebin had also reminded him before that if Xiao Cheng'er participated in this (chūn) test, it would be in the name of a protégé of the Gu family. But if Xiaocheng'er really passed the exam, then needless to say, the Gu family would definitely keep him.

Then, Xiao Cheng'er's future choices are afraid that none of them can be decided by himself.

Now the little town has obviously made a choice, taking the opportunity to stay in the countryside and give up the opportunity to try (chūn).

When he comes back, it is estimated that it will be after Su Jinyao and Gu Xuebin got married. At that time, Xiaocheng'er can naturally stand on Su Jinyao's side, which is equivalent to breaking away from the Gu family and becoming the prince's cronies.

The Gu family and the Feng family married

Knowing Xiaocheng'er's choice, Su Jinyao also breathed a sigh of relief. It's not that the Gu family or the old man Gu is not good for Xiaocheng'er, but Su Jinyao feels that Xiaocheng'er should have the right to choose his own life path.

I read the letter in my hand again, and I really didn't find any other suspicions, and the family was calm.

At least Xiaocheng'er went back, which was a good thing for Su Xiangui and Su Fei'er, and they had a backbone.

Looking back now, it seems that there is a reason why Xiaocheng'er left so suddenly. The matter of the family (qíng) is just an opportunity.

Su Jinyao put the letter away, and Gu Xueqi came, with a smile on her face.

Su Jinyao pulled Gu Xueqi to sit down and asked, "How is it, are you happy?" ”

"Well, at least I don't want to marry the third prince, I really don't want to." Gu Xueqi fiddled with the small handkerchief in her hand, and she was also blunt with Su Jinyao.

"But next time?" Su Jinyao also asked directly: "Next time it may be another prince, or the son of a certain prince?" ”

"Let's count it as a day." Gu Xueqi shook her head, indicating that she didn't want to think about it at all now.

Su Jinyao was also helpless. Now it seems that Gu Xueqi not only has a special mind for Seventeen, but also seems to have an iron mind?

Seeing that Su Jinyao didn't speak, Gu Xueqi pulled her sleeve and said, "Jinyao, thank you." ”

"Huh? Thank me for what? Su Jinyao looked at Gu Xueqi and said, "I didn't do anything." And today's event (qíng) is really an accident. Actually, Princess Miina is more dangerous. ”

"I don't understand any of this, I just want to be like you and marry someone I like." Gu Xueqi whispered.

Su Jinyao frowned and thought about it, and had a bold idea in her heart. But she looked at Gu Xueqi again, and finally didn't say anything.

Gu Xueqi sat for a while, and saw that her heart (qíng) was good, so Su Jinyao accompanied her to talk without a word.

Until dinner, Mingjuan invited them to the main hall for dinner.

The two of them came to the main hall together, and the old man of the Gu family and the prime minister of the Gu family were also there. Neither of them had a very good face (qíng).

Su Jinyao guessed at once that this must be because of the matter of the third prince (qíng). It seems that the threat of Princess Miina is obvious to all.

Although the atmosphere was a bit deadlocked, neither the old man nor the ancient prime minister mentioned the matter of the third prince's marriage (qíng).

It wasn't until after the meal that the old man asked Su Jinyao to go to the study with him.

Su Jinyao didn't say anything, she followed honestly, and sat peacefully in the study, just waiting for the old man to speak first.

After a while, the old man said, "Jin Yao, Grandpa Miyina's matter (qíng) has already heard about it, it's really unexpected." ”

Su Jinyao pursed her lips, weighed it in her heart, and then said: "I understand what grandpa means, in fact, you want Xue Qi to marry the third prince, so that our ancient family has another bargaining chip." Is it? ”

Old Man Gu nodded and said, "Actually, Grandpa also hopes that Xue Qi can help you." You always have less to rely on in the palace alone, if you and Xueqi become concubines, there is a response. ”

That's true, too. The relationship between concubine and sister-in-law is the most difficult to get along, if Su Jinyao and Gu Xueqi become concubines, then at least Gu Xueqi will not turn around and deal with Su Jinyao.

Su Jinyao was about to speak, at least she really didn't want Gu Xueqi's happiness to pave the way.

The old man waved his hand and said, "Since this matter has developed like this, I am afraid that it will not be returned." Princess Miyina must have come prepared, she still has a certain status in Tianze Kingdom, if the third prince wants to take advantage of the situation, then she will definitely agree to this marriage. So grandpa came to you today to say something else. ”

Su Jinyao was stunned, thought about it for a while, but didn't come up with what the old man Gu wanted to say to herself.

The old man said: "Since Xue Qi can't help you, and grandpa can't let you marry into the prince's mansion alone, then you will face the entire royal family in the future." So grandpa thought about it, and now there are two things (qíng) that you need to facilitate. ”

Su Jinyao really didn't expect that Old Man Gu would think so much about himself. Therefore, his attitude was also respectful, and he said, "Grandpa, please speak." ”

"The first thing is your brother's little city (qíng)." Old Man Gu said: "I have taken Xiaocheng'er to the side (shēn) for many years, and I am very important to him, and I also want to help him become a talent. It's just that now it seems that he should be used by you. Therefore, grandpa will hand him over to you, and you will let him go to the prince (diàn) 下 (shēn) to be a strategist, and he will take good care of you in the future. ”

As soon as the old man finished speaking, Su Jinyao's heart was astringent.

Thinking about the letter she received from Xiao Cheng'er just now, Su Jinyao was relieved that Xiao Cheng'er was leaving the Gu family.

But now it seems that grandpa is thinking about himself, and he has never thought about leaving Xiaocheng'er in the Gu family. But they were overcalculating.

Seeing that Su Jinyao was silent, the old man said, "Virtuous people don't avoid relatives." Although Xiao Cheng'er is your younger brother, his ability and talent are definitely not inferior to others. As long as you go through a few years of experience and gain experience, you can at least be worthy of a fourth-grade member of the court. Therefore, you don't have to worry about the prince (diàn) not taking him in, in fact, you are recruiting talents for the prince (diàn). ”

Su Jinyao listened, nodded, and said, "Then I will thank grandpa for Xiaocheng'er." Thank you grandpa for your cultivation over the years. ”

The old man waved his hand and said, "The second thing also needs to be personally promoted by Jinyao." However, there are some difficulties. ”

Su Jinyao asked, "What kind of difficulty?" Jinyao just did her best. ”

"Grandpa saw that you were able to control the Yugui people, so he thought that you would come forward and bring us closer to the Feng family."

Speaking of this, Old Man Gu sighed and said, "The Feng family and the Gu family actually have no grievances, they just have different positions in the DPRK and China, and they both want to be better." But now that the time is not in the past, if the Gu family and the Feng family continue to fight like this, I am afraid that they will really benefit from the fisherman. ”

After listening to this, Su Jinyao said, "So, grandpa intends to let me be a middleman?" ”

"yes. Grandpa thought that only Jinyao was the only one in the family who could take on this responsibility. After the old man finished speaking, he said: "You go and test it, if the Feng family has the intention of marrying, our Gu family is also willing." ”

"Ahh Marriage. Su Jinyao exclaimed in surprise. She really didn't expect that her grandfather would have such an idea.

Old Man Gu nodded with difficulty, but extremely seriously, and said, "Our Gu family still has two unmarried daughters, and the Feng family also has two daughters of appropriate age. The matter of marriage (qíng) can only be pondered from these four girls (shēn). ”

Hearing this, Su Jinyao's heart suddenly lifted.

Who will make the sacrifice

Su Jinyao knew that if she wanted to marry, it might be Gu Shangqing marrying the daughter of the Feng family; or one of Gu Xueqi and Gu Yuxuan married into the Feng family.

But no matter which one it is, it doesn't seem to be their original intention.

How the daughter of the Feng family would accept the arrangement, Su Jinyao didn't know. But Su Jinyao knew very well that what Gu Shangqing liked in her heart was Chu Kefan; And Gu Xueqi has a special heart for Seventeen.

As for Gu Yuxuan, although she is still young and has not yet reached the age of Gujin, she is also very useful to Xiaocheng'er.

In addition, Xiaocheng'er and Gu Yuxuan's childhood sweetheart have known each other for many years, and it would be too unapproachable (qíng) to separate them like this.

Su Jinyao's heart was full of guilt, and she was also astringent.

She knew very well that her grandfather had made this decision so that she could (shēn) have someone available and not fall into the point of being isolated.

Grandpa deliberately put aside the gap between the Gu family and the Feng family for many years, and used the marriage of the children of the Gu family to pave the way for himself.

However, can Su Jinyao really accept all this with peace of mind?

What's more, grandpa still asked her to arrange it, and she couldn't do it.

Su Jinyao shook her head and said, "Grandpa, I know you are really good to me. However, I can't let my brother, Xueqi and Yuxuan sacrifice for me for my own happiness. They should have had their own choices, and I couldn't have ruined their hopes myself. ”

"Silly boy." Old Man Gu sighed and said, "This is not what Grandpa wants. Shang Qing, Xue Qi, and Yu Xuan, they all grew up under the watch, and the palms and backs of their hands are all (ròu). Grandpa also hopes that they will be with the person they like and be happily pampered for a lifetime. However, losing the pawn and protecting the car is a sacrifice that the big family must make. They will understand in their hearts, and they will not blame you. ”

"That's not going to work either." Su Jinyao shook her head and refused.

Old Man Gu's eyes widened suddenly, and he looked at Su Jinyao with coercion, and said, "Jinyao, you are also carrying the burden of the Gu family on your shoulders now, and you can't do anything with it either." If Xue Qi marries the crown princess today, grandpa will also let you and Yu Xuan plan for her. ”

After a pause, the old man said: "Grandpa also saw that you and Feng Shusheng's child still have intersections, so he asked you to be this middleman." If the grandfather went to talk about this family affair in person, the Feng family would also respond (yǔn). Jinyao, do you want grandpa to come forward in person? ”

"Don't." Su Jinyao shook her head and said, "Let me think about it." Maybe...... I discussed it with my brother and them to see which of them was willing to marry the Feng family. ”

"Well, that's fine." Only then did the old man relent and nodded. He also said: "However, Jinyao, you remember, this is not a matter of children playing at home, who wants to do whatever they want (qíng). One of the three of them has to be sacrificed after all. ”

"Yes, I see." Su Jinyao's voice sank, and her heart (qíng) fell even lower to the bottom.

Although she and the Gu family brothers and sisters have not known each other for a long time, they are all a family with bones (ròu). At this time, how should she choose in order to "lose her pawn and protect the car"?

Su Jinyao walked back with a lot of concern, and happened to see Xi Shen'er holding a basin of warm water, saying that she was going to bathe the golden python.

Xi Shen'er is not afraid now, but takes good care of the golden python every day. Every day at noon, I will take the golden python out to bask in the sun. It is also necessary to take a warm bath at night before putting it back.

Although the golden python has not grown yet, as the temperature rises, it is already more active than before. Xi Shen'er let the golden python coil around her arm, and she would take it with her wherever she went.

Xi Shen'er also tried (cāo) the golden python and asked it to "kowtow" to Su Jinyao.

Of course, the golden python didn't know what kowtowing was, but it actually listened to Xiluo'er's words, raised its head and nodded at Su Jinyao, and Xinzi swallowed, as if sensing Su Jinyao's activities.

Su Jinyao touched the head of the golden python in the past as a sign of encouragement, and the golden python was also very obedient to Su Jinyao.

However, Su Jinyao had something in her heart, so she didn't say anything, so she let her leave with the golden python.

Back in the house, Mingjuan and the others also saw that Su Jinyao's heart (qíng) was not good, so they all stood aside and did not speak. Su Jinyao sat alone for a while, and then said, "Prepare a carriage for me, and I'll go to the prince's courtyard outside the city to have a look." ”

Gu Xuebin's Prince's Courtyard didn't say that he couldn't go casually, so Su Jinyao wanted to go over and see Xiuning and them.

After all, talking to someone you know, even if you don't talk about your troubles, is a way to relieve stress.

Mingjuan looked at the sky and asked, "Miss, do you want to bring a few guards?" ”

Su Jinyao said, "No, you can just go with me alone." ”

Mingjuan agreed, and went to prepare the carriage.

The Gu family also did not impose any (jìn) orders on Su Jinyao. Although it was after dinner, the ancients finished eating relatively early, so it is normal to go out now.

In addition, Su Jinyao said that she was going to the prince's courtyard, and there were not many people who dared to ask more.

It's just that Su Jinyao didn't expect that she went out and got into the carriage, and the carriage had just started, when she heard someone outside talking: "Spread the message of the Queen Mother, come and invite the second lady of the Gu family into the palace." ”

The coachman obviously heard it too, and hurriedly stopped the carriage and turned back to ask Su Jinyao.

Su Jinyao lifted the curtain and looked over, only to see a eunuch in charge of the Empress Dowager's palace standing at the door of the ancient house. And strangely, he (shēn) was also followed by Feng Shusheng.

As soon as Feng Shusheng saw Su Jinyao in the carriage, he walked over and said, "Sister Jinyao, it turns out that you have heard the news and are ready to go out." ”

"Message? What's the news? Grandmother is looking for me? Su Jinyao frowned, feeling that this matter (qíng) was a little strange.

She had just returned from the palace banquet, but she didn't see the Queen Mother present at the palace banquet. Why is the Queen Mother coming to her now?

Feng Shusheng looked at the eunuch who was passing the word after (shēn) and said, "Don't let the Queen Mother wait, let's get in the car and talk while walking." ”

After speaking, he said to the eunuch in charge: "Manager He, can I get into Sister Jinyao's car?" Tell her about it on the way. ”

"Feng Sangongzi, please." The manager of He politely agreed. It seems that his task is to come and speak, and there is no other meaning.

Feng Shusheng stretched the wheels and jumped on Su Jinyao's carriage. As a result, Mingjuan came from inside and directly blocked the car, not allowing Feng Shusheng to get into the car.

Su Jinyao glanced up at Mingjuan, and Mingjuan said: "Our young lady is already the crown princess of the emperor's list to announce the world, you are a little Feng family, you can't ride with the crown princess." ”

Feng Shusheng touched his nose and didn't argue, so he said, "Then I'll sit outside the carriage, okay?" Shall I prepare a coachman? ”

Su Jinyao was beaten?

Feng Shusheng didn't insist on getting into the carriage, Mingjuan nodded and didn't stop it, which was not bad for Su Jinyao's reputation.

However, Mingjuan is not the kind of maid who lacks heart, and she is also afraid of offending the Feng family's son, so she gestured to Weiwei Fu (shēn) and explained: "Please also ask Feng Sangongzi to forgive me, we are slaves and maids, just to think about the master." Don't let the master fall into the mouth of others. ”

Feng Shusheng still looked like a hanger, but he smiled with a special sunshine, and shook his head to show that he didn't care about this.

Su Jinyao was about to sit back in the car again, because the carriage in front of her with Manager He had already started.

At this moment, Feng Shusheng turned his head and glanced at Su Jinyao, seemingly asking her not to sit back first.

Su Jinyao was stunned for a moment, then moved forward again, wanting to know if Uncle Feng had something to say to herself.

After all, the Empress Dowager suddenly summoned her into the palace again, but asked Feng Shusheng to follow her to invite someone, which was a bit strange in the book (shēn).

Feng Shusheng looked at Mingjuan again, and it seemed that he was still mysterious.

Mingjuan retreated with interest, and retreated into the carriage first, but did not sit down, but squatted on the soft cushion where Su Jinyao was sitting just now.