Chapter 84: Playing Matchmaker Is Truly Exhausting

A trace of amusement flickered in Zhongli Yu’s eyes. He suddenly found that his wife, when she occasionally acted this adorably foolish, was quite endearing.

After finishing their evening meal, the couple made their way toward the front hall, wanting to check on how their companions had settled in.

They had not yet reached the hall when Gu Qingyang’s voice drifted out from the flower room.

“Miss Yang, when did you move in here? How is it that I never knew? My little sister’s residence actually houses such an unparalleled beauty!” Gu Qingyang exclaimed repeatedly. Ever since Zhan Yan had married, he hadn’t visited this courtyard, so it was only natural he didn’t know about Princess Birou.

Princess Birou blushed at such direct praise. This Gu Qingyang—how could he speak so boldly? Unsure how to respond, she cast a pleading glance at Gu Qinghan.

But Gu Qingyang noticed the glance immediately and, growing even more astonished, cried out, “Ah? Elder brother, it turns out you’re hiding a beauty in a golden house!”

Princess Birou’s face turned crimson, more vivid than a cooked shrimp, as she hurriedly protested, “Young Master Qingyang, you misunderstand—I am not here because of Young Master Gu.”

Gu Qinghan coughed awkwardly, his face darkening as he admonished, “What nonsense! If you carry on like this, you’ll ruin Miss Yang’s reputation.”

“Ah? So it’s not that?” Gu Qingyang looked disappointed. Normally, his elder brother was cold and distant with women, rarely making any connections. Now, with such a matchless beauty here—one who even seemed to have come especially to see him—he’d thought his brother had finally come to his senses. Who would have guessed it wasn’t so?

“Of course not! Miss Yang is here at my invitation—she is my guest.” Zhan Yan entered the room, smiling broadly. As she spoke, she glanced at Gu Qinghan. She had seen clearly from outside the interaction between Birou and her brother—it seemed there was hope for the two. Zhan Yan rejoiced at the thought.

“Your Grace, you’re here! I heard you are expecting—congratulations!” Princess Birou rose quickly to greet Zhan Yan, her goodwill evident.

Zhan Yan waved a hand, saying, “Princess Birou, don’t call me that—it feels so distant. We’re about the same age; just call me Zhan Yan, or Yan’er.”

Princess Birou felt a warmth toward Zhan Yan, who seemed to glow with maternal radiance, and replied with a smile, “Then I’ll call you Yan’er from now on. And you mustn’t call me Princess—just Birou will do.”

Gu Qinghan and Gu Qingyang had not missed Zhan Yan addressing her as Princess Birou. Gu Qinghan’s heart sank. So she was a princess? For some reason, learning her true identity weighed on him.

“Little sister, she’s a princess?” Gu Qingyang voiced the question on both brothers’ minds.

Zhan Yan nodded. “Yes, she’s the Third Princess of Xiyuan—the famed beauty Yang Birou.”

Seeing Gu Qinghan’s subtle change of expression, Princess Birou thought he was displeased that she had concealed her status. She hurried to explain, “Young Master Gu, I didn’t reveal my identity before because the situation in Xiyuan is uncertain. It wasn’t intentional deception.”

Gu Qinghan replied indifferently, “I understand—there’s no need to explain, Your Highness.” His tone carried a hint of distance.

Zhan Yan watched her brother’s awkwardness and sighed inwardly. Oh, brother, have you truly retreated just because she’s a princess? Drawing on memories from her past life, Zhan Yan felt no concern for social status, but Gu Qinghan was a true son of ancient times, steeped in old notions of class and rank. Even today, most people cared about matching backgrounds. Gu Qinghan was an orphan with no family or connections. He’d been drawn to Birou because she seemed a helpless girl dependent on others—who would have thought she was a princess of a foreign land? So he began to feel unworthy.

Princess Birou, sensing his newfound coldness, felt a pang of disappointment. Was her heart destined to be misplaced yet again?

Zhan Yan saw all this but couldn’t address it now. Her brother was excellent in every respect but lacked power and status—she wondered what Yang Rui’s family would think. Still, she believed that true lovers would find a way; destiny would see it through. For now, she’d let things develop.

Gu Qingyang noticed something amiss as well. He sensed his brother had feelings for the girl, but at the revelation she was a princess, he seemed to shrink back. Clearly, some counseling was needed.

Zhan Yan decided she should speak to Birou alone. She turned to Gu Qinghan and Gu Qingyang. “Elder and second brother, you must be tired from your journey. Go and rest.” Then she turned to Zhongli Yu. “Husband, you go ahead—I want to speak with Birou.”

Zhongli Yu glanced at his wife, easily guessing her intentions. She was playing matchmaker. He had seen everything earlier and, dotingly, replied, “I’ll go see Grandfather. Don’t be too long—I’ll come back for you.”

Zhan Yan nodded. “Alright.”

Once everyone had left, only Zhan Yan and Birou remained in the hall. Zhan Yan got straight to the point, asking, “Birou, be honest with me—do you like my brother?”

Birou, embarrassed at the directness, blushed but eventually nodded and whispered, “I think I do. While he was away in the capital, I missed him constantly. Yan’er, you’ve been through this—tell me, is this what it feels like to like someone?”

Zhan Yan asked, “What would you do if you never saw him again?”

Birou’s face went pale. She thought she’d be miserable. “Yan’er, I don’t know—I’m scared. Just now, when he ignored me, my heart hurt so much.”

“Have you wondered why he suddenly became distant?”

“Is it because he found out I’m a princess?” Birou was clever—Zhan Yan’s question helped her see the issue. “Why? Is being a princess so terrible?” Many men dreamed of marrying a princess; this she could not understand.

“It’s a matter of male pride,” Zhan Yan explained. “He thinks you’re lofty and untouchable, that he’s not worthy, so he’s lost his confidence.”

“Then what should I do? If I stop being a princess, will Young Master Gu like me?” Birou asked, not out of naivety but sincerity—she was willing to give up her title for love.

“Silly girl, if someone truly loves you, your status won’t matter. My brother already likes you. If he can’t accept that you’re a princess, he doesn’t deserve your love. I believe he’ll come around.”

“Really?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“When will he realize? My brother will come to fetch me soon.”

“I hope he figures it out before you leave.”

Birou nodded, filled with hope. She truly liked that man and wished to be with him for a lifetime—to grow old together. She loved being with him, loved when he listened to her play the zither, lost in the music; loved how he was cold to others but gentle and soft-spoken with her. Such a man made her feel warm.

They chatted a while longer. When Zhongli Yu came to fetch her, Zhan Yan returned with him to Lixiang Court. There, reclining against the bed with Zhongli Yu, she sighed, “Being a matchmaker is exhausting.”

Zhongli Yu looked at her in amusement—she’d only spoken with Birou for less than half an hour and was already complaining. “If you find it tiring, then stop.”

“That won’t do. For my brother’s happiness, I can bear a little hardship. You have no idea—my brother is already twenty-one, two months older than you. You’re about to be a father, but he hasn’t even started! I have to help him.”

“Oh? And how do you plan to do that?”

“Of course, I’ll talk him around—appeal to his feelings and his reason, persuade him not to be bound by social prejudice. In short, I’ll reason with him.”

“Will that work?”

“Heh, honestly, I’m not sure. My brother has a wooden head—once he decides on something, no one can sway him. And it’s not as if I can really ask Birou to give up being a princess.”

“Since you know it’s pointless, why bother?” Zhongli Yu couldn’t help but tease her.

“Hey, give me some credit! This is my first time matchmaking—you should have some faith in your wife. You’re not being supportive at all,” Zhan Yan grumbled.

To Zhongli Yu, however, her complaints were just adorable, making him want to kiss her again.

But Zhan Yan was lost in thought, paying no mind to his mood. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, “I’ve got it! In those dramas, the male lead always needs a bit of a jolt to realize his feelings.”

Zhongli Yu was puzzled. “What’s a drama?”

Zhan Yan was momentarily mortified—she’d been so excited she let the word slip. She really would need to find time to explain her past-life memories to him one day, so he wouldn’t be startled by her odd references.

She laughed it off. “I just meant, like in the stories—sometimes something needs to happen to give my brother a shock.”

“What stories? I’ve never seen one like that.”

“Do you even like watching plays? The romantic kind?”

“Not particularly.”

“There you have it. If you don’t like them, of course you wouldn’t know the plot.” Zhan Yan gave him a look as if he were hopelessly out of touch.

Zhongli Yu was exasperated by her expression. What was so strange about a grown man not liking romantic plays?

“So, how do you plan to give him a jolt?” he asked.

Zhan Yan tilted her head in thought. “How about this—you pretend you want to take Princess Birou as a secondary consort and see how my brother reacts?”

Zhongli Yu’s face darkened—what sort of idea was this? He replied coldly, “Don’t even think about it. One Yan’er is more than enough for me. I won’t sully my name by taking a concubine.”

“I said it would just be an act,” Zhan Yan replied, exasperated but secretly delighted by his refusal. Even if it was fake, he considered it a betrayal of his feelings.

“Not even as an act. You should quit being a matchmaker,” Zhongli Yu said sternly.

“Dearest husband, help me think of something, won’t you? After all that effort, you won’t even agree to this.” She shook his sleeve, her voice soft as cotton. Being a matchmaker was truly exhausting—but since it was for her dear senior brother, whom she had always regarded as family, she couldn’t refuse.

“Why not have your second senior brother pretend to court Yang Birou and make your brother jealous?”

“Ah, you’re right! My second brother is so handsome and charming—if my brother sees him with Birou, he’ll be so jealous. Why didn’t I think of that? I must be getting dumber since the pregnancy. Baby, it’s all your fault—making your mother’s brain so muddled.”

“What does this have to do with our child?” Zhongli Yu protested. It was clearly her idea, yet she blamed the baby—what kind of woman was this?

“How is it not the baby’s fault? Was I ever this clueless before? No, I wasn’t!”

“…”

Zhongli Yu was lost for words.

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Zhan Yan was delighted. She pecked him on the cheek and said, “Let’s sleep. Tomorrow morning, I’ll talk to second brother.”

Zhongli Yu was caught off guard by the kiss, grinning foolishly with joy. If Lihun and the others saw him like this, their jaws would drop in shock.

The next morning, no one knew what Zhan Yan had said to Gu Qingyang and Princess Birou, but the two were already cooperating. Early in the day, Gu Qingyang arrived at Princess Birou’s courtyard to invite her for a boat ride on the lake. After dressing with special care, Princess Birou looked even more stunning, her radiant smile nearly mesmerizing Gu Qingyang. He murmured, “Little sister really trusts me—doesn’t she worry I’ll steal Princess Birou away?”

“Young Master Qingyang, shall we go?” Princess Birou teased, smiling. She wasn’t truly happy, but Yan’er had instructed her to appear delighted when accompanying Gu Qingyang. If Gu Qinghan saw them together, it would make him jealous—serves him right for withdrawing the moment he discovered she was a princess. So she resolved to follow Yan’er’s plan and give him a little torment.

Sure enough, as they walked toward the gate, they encountered Gu Qinghan. He saw Princess Birou, beautifully dressed and smiling sweetly at Gu Qingyang. His heart sank, weighed down by bitterness. He wanted to confront Gu Qingyang but found himself without grounds—after all, nothing had ever been declared between him and Birou. What right did he have to question?

He stood there, uncertain whether to approach or retreat. He wanted to retreat, but his little sister had asked him to come discuss something, and if he didn’t go just because he’d seen Qingyang with Birou, she’d surely press him for answers, leaving him no dignity.

So Gu Qinghan braced himself and walked on, drawing closer and closer to the pair. Gu Qingyang inwardly rejoiced—seeing his brother so dejected confirmed that his feelings for Birou were genuine.

“Elder brother, good morning! Where are you headed?” Gu Qingyang greeted him cheerfully, his demeanor like a spring breeze—enough to make Gu Qinghan’s heart ache with envy.

“Little sister asked to see me. And you—where are you two off to so early?” Gu Qinghan carefully avoided looking at Birou, feigning composure.

Gu Qingyang chuckled inwardly. His little sister’s plan was perfect—having him invite Birou out and ensuring his brother would pass by at just the right moment. Outwardly, he maintained his smile. “Well then, you’d better go. Don’t keep little sister waiting. I’m taking Birou to the lake.”

Gu Qinghan nodded. Birou? The familiarity stung. He felt even more bitter, his steps heavy as lead as he trudged toward Zhan Yan’s courtyard, feeling as if he could hear his own heart shattering.

When he arrived at Lixiang Court, Zhan Yan was already waiting. One look at his demeanor, and she knew he must have just seen Qingyang and Birou together. Thankfully, her timing had been perfect.

“Brother? Elder brother?”

“Ah, little sister, you wanted to see me?” Only after she called him a second time did Gu Qinghan, lost in thought, snap out of it and respond, feigning nonchalance.

“It’s nothing major. Second brother told me he’s quite fond of Birou, and I’m delighted. I wanted to ask your opinion—you’ve met Birou a few times now. What do you think of her?”

“Princess Birou is a rare beauty—intelligent, charming, an excellent woman,” he replied sincerely.

“Do you think she’s a good match for our second brother?”

“In terms of looks, certainly.” In truth, he wanted to say no—they were not suited at all. “But she is a princess, after all, and may not consider Qingyang worthy.” He fervently hoped she wouldn’t. It was the first time he realized he could be so petty.

“Brother, that’s a shallow view, isn’t it? Is Princess Birou the type to favor wealth and status? She told me that, if she ever met the right person, she’d gladly give up her title and devote herself to him.” Zhan Yan embellished the story, barely able to contain her laughter at her brother’s regretful expression.

“Oh, really?” Gu Qinghan muttered, feeling even gloomier. Had she already found someone she’d give all that up for? Was Qingyang the one she was willing to serve? The bitterness in his heart was overwhelming. He didn’t want to hear any more.

He apologized, “Little sister, I didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll rest now. Leave Qingyang’s business to you.” Without waiting for her reply, Gu Qinghan made a hasty retreat from Lixiang Court.

Watching her elder brother flee, Zhan Yan finally burst out laughing. So even he could lose his composure like this! Where had all his usual calm and self-control gone?