Chapter 447: Chapter 443: Master Tao’s Innate Goodness—Tao Gu Extra (Part 9)

Gu Qinglan had already known.

Zhong Chuchu did come to see her yesterday, talking about breaking off her engagement with Tao Fen.

As for Zhong Chuchu’s whereabouts, Gu Qinglan had some guesses too.

Because she’d revealed her younger uncle Gu Ling’s whereabouts, Zhong Chuchu was likely going to pursue her young uncle.

She just hadn’t expected that there’d still be a former fiancé persistently seeking answers here.

“Even with the engagement canceled, is Master Tao still unwavering in his affection?”

Tao Fen was a bit dazed: “I am not…” How was it unwavering? How was it unremorseful?

But Gu Qinglan seemed not to hear his protest, still holding an elusive smile of ridicule as she said, “It’s just unfortunate that Miss Zhong has long harbored someone else in her heart; what’s the use of your urgency now?”

Tao Fen was shocked: “Chuchu has someone in her heart? Who?” He truly didn’t know this!

Her eyes flared with annoyance: “Didn’t I already advise you to spend more time with her? You, kind-hearted Master Tao, escort junior sister to Liangzhou, follow the army for disaster relief, even find the time to help others with trivial matters like retrieving an embroidery bag, yet can’t spare time to accompany your own fiancée more, and now she refuses you, it’s your own doing!”

Tao Fen was rendered speechless.

He wanted to retort, wanted to explain, wanted to apologize.

A thousand explanations, but when it came to his lips, it merely turned into: “Then you shouldn’t be angry…”

It was quite effective.

The Fifth Miss Gu suddenly stopped being angry: “What do I have to be angry about, it originally doesn’t concern me.”

Tao Fen: …

Maybe you should be angry?

Gu Qinglan calmed down completely and began to answer his initial question: “Yesterday Miss Zhong indeed came to see me and said some things, but it’s not appropriate for me to disclose. Please forgive me, Master Tao.”

Tao Fen had never felt so clumsy, awkwardly not knowing what to say.

“Does Master Tao have any more advice?” She asked coldly.

Tao Fen’s visit to the Gu family was a formal request to see the Fifth Miss Gu.

Next time, it’s uncertain whether there would be such a formal reason.

Tao Fen hesitated and asked another question: “Do you happen to know Chuchu’s whereabouts?”

The moment he asked, he felt even more chilled.

…

After sending off Tao Fen, Gu Qinglan had just returned to the third house when she was summoned to Han Family’s presence.

“Was it Tao Fen from Xinfeng County who came?” Han Family’s often imperturbable eyes rarely focused on her, with a cold, indifferent tone unlike speaking to her own daughter.

Gu Qinglan responded with a “Hmm.”

“Tao Fen, twenty-four years old, a recently appointed official, now serving as Crown Prince Minister—” Han Family spoke steadily, “Has a long-standing fiancée, isn’t it?”

Gu Qinglan was surprised, glancing at her once, and said: “Yes.”

Han Family’s tone suddenly changed: “Since that is so, why do you still associate with him?” The tone turned stern.

Gu Qinglan looked at her in confusion for a while, suddenly laughed: “So mother does know about my affairs.”

Han Family frowned at her for a while, the expression still severe: “You are a daughter of the Gu family, and many noble men wish to marry you. Don’t debase yourself by entangling with men that are spoken for!”

Gu Qinglan opened her mouth, wanting to say she would never make the mistakes she did.

But upon seeing the fine lines at Han Family’s eye corners, she swallowed the words back, remaining silent for a while, and softly said: “Daughter understands.”

Han Family nodded with satisfaction, saying: “You are not young, and I have already arranged a marriage for you—”

…

Combining the clues provided by Gu Qinglan with Second Miss Tang’s speculation led to a conclusion that greatly shocked Tao Fen.

Zhong Chuchu is likely headed to Junzhou, Tonghua Valley.

Before her, Gu Ling had just left the capital for Tonghua Valley, searching for his missing fiancée.

“Brother Tao, I suspect your former fiancée might be my young aunt-in-law.” Now Crown Prince Consort Tang sympathetically rested her chin watching him.

Tao Fen touched his nose and asked, “I keep running north and south, rarely spending time with my fiancée—isn’t that improper?”

Crown Prince Consort Tang sat upright in shock: “Given the situation, isn’t it a bit late for reflection?”

Tao Fen sheepishly smiled, still waiting for her response.

Crown Prince Consort Tang found it somewhat amusing and exasperating: “Typically, few engaged couples stick together all the time; the issue between you and Miss Zhong isn’t about spending time, it’s about lack of dedication.”

Tao Fen, puzzled, said: “I wasn’t dedicated?”

Crown Prince Consort Tang pondered and asked: “How did you feel when Miss Zhong wanted to break off the engagement?”

“Indifferent, anything is fine!” Tao Fen replied.

“A few months ago, if I said I wanted to break off my engagement with the Crown Prince—”

Before Crown Princess Consort finished, Tao Fen shivered, hurriedly saying: “Alright, alright, I was not dedicated!” then asked, “So am I quite annoying then?”

Crown Princess Consort was puzzled: “Who’s annoyed?”

“No one, I was just asking casually.” Tao Fen responded promptly.

After a pause, he further asked: “What if someone gets annoyed because of this, what should I do?”

Crown Princess Consort gave him an odd look for a while, then laughed: “If someone’s upset because you didn’t treat your fiancée dedicatedly, you should promise that person you’ll find another fiancée soon and cherish them well!”

…

Tao Fen wasn’t silly; he picked up on the clear teasing.

But, when thinking carefully, it did somewhat make sense.

“To untie the knot, it requires the one who tied it; since I made her angry, I must do something to remedy it.”

“But the problem is, lacking sufficient reasons, seeing the Fifth Miss Gu is far harder than I imagined.”

“Last time, I could meet her because Gu Qinglan agreed upon hearing my intentions.”

“This time, I couldn’t even clearly state my intentions, let alone find a reason to seek a meeting.”

Tao Fen exhausted numerous means but to no avail, eventually seeking help from the recently found Zhong Chuchu.

“Not going!” Zhong Chuchu refused outright.

Tao Fen was rather affected: “Engagement canceled for just a few days, and now you won’t recognize me?”

Zhong Chuchu rolled her eyes: “Whether I recognize you or not is irrelevant, she’s a Gu family lady, Gu Ling’s niece, if I arrange for you to meet her, what would that make me?”

“Aren’t you about to become her aunt?”

Indeed, as Crown Princess predicted, Zhong Chuchu was Gu Ling’s long-lost fiancée.

This time, it was Gu Ling who forced Zhong Chuchu, who attempted to escape to worldly society, to reveal herself.

But discussing this matter, Zhong Chuchu was still awkward: “Don’t speak nonsense!”

“Your uncle Gu is quite remarkable, isn’t he? He searched for you for over ten years without giving up, showing integrity and trustworthy character.”

“I didn’t say he was bad.” Zhong Chuchu’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Tao Fen frowned, saying: “You’re great too.”

Zhong Chuchu laughed briefly and said: “It’s not about being great; about good people—there’s no doubt Master Tao is viewed as very kind, isn’t it?”

The words “very kind” struck a chord with Tao Fen, prompting his inquisitive pursuit: “So what?”

Why does the Fifth Miss Gu have such a big issue with him?

Zhong Chuchu dismissed it with a grin: “Gu Ling kept his promise for more than ten years, I am indeed moved, grateful, but he’s committed to the promise, not to me; regardless of who he promised back then, he would’ve been steadfast for over ten years—”

“In those days, I hit rock bottom, attached myself to you for a lifeline;”

“But now I am better, my martial arts returned, I became greedy, wanting more focused dedication, ideally something unique and exclusive…”

Tao Fen gained enlightenment!

It wasn’t about being unkind to the fiancée; it was about lack of focus!

Indeed!

Rumor has it that the biological father of the Fifth Miss was the only one in the Gu family to take a concubine, having a younger half-sister close in age, explaining her aversion!

Pfft! How could he be that kind of man?

“I understand,” Tao Fen urgently said, “please help me arrange to meet the Fifth Miss Gu!”

He knew what to say now!

Zhong Chuchu put away her unfocused melancholy: “Get lost!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep