Once Wed to the Disabled General Chapter 3

Helena's wishful thinking did not come true after all. Naturally, the so-called chance encounter at the gate of Qingpu Courtyard did not produce any results.

When Gu Mingyi saw Amelia Nian, he ran away faster than anyone else, but Amelia Nian was concerned about her marriage and quickly said goodbye and left.

Helena was left alone, gritting her teeth, full of doubts, but not even a single answer was given to her, and she felt uncomfortable all over.

After returning to the Nian family, Amelia Nian told her grandmother that the marriage would go on as planned. Lorraine tried to dissuade her several times and was so angry that she couldn't eat. It was not until a few days later that the Mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery asked the second wife of the Qi family to come and formally discuss the marriage of the two families.

At this time, the matter that had been rumored in Yanjing for half a year finally came to an end, and with it came a new wave of discussion.

"Did the Nian family really marry the eldest daughter to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery Mansion? What is left of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery Mansion now?"

"That is to say, this marriage was fine a year ago, but now even the imperial physician can't help. This person will be crippled for life. What's the difference between him and a cripple?"

"Even if His Majesty sympathizes with the Gu family's merits, he would at most give them a sinecure. The title would definitely not be secured. With the family background of the Nian family, how could they be willing to do so?"

In the busiest Fanyin Market in Yanjing City, in the silver shop that girls love to visit the most, in the second-floor box, several girls were looking at jewelry and talking about it, and their words all expressed regret that Amelia Nian was going to marry Ethan Gu.

"Come to think of it, I have met that girl a few times. She was pretty and gentle, and looked like someone who could be easily bullied." The second daughter of the Qin family picked out the most popular jewelry and tried it on her head.

The other one nodded, but the third one among them seemed to have no interest since she left the house today. At this moment, no one knew whether she listened to them or not. She just sat by the window looking outside.

"What's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?" Miss Li, who was sitting nearby, poked her lightly.

Celeste Duan finally came back to her senses, her eyes were full of tears, and she looked at Miss Li tenderly: "Hmm?"

"We were just talking about the marriage of Amelia Nian and Ethan Gu. Your family is quite familiar with the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. Didn't your mother visit him after he came back from injury?"

"What is there to say about their marriage? You find it incredible. Perhaps the Nian family has other considerations." Celeste Duan did not respond to the question of whether they were quite familiar with each other.

"It's just that the old man of the Nian family and the old marquis had a very good relationship when they were alive, and it's hard to break off the arranged marriage now."

"She, Amelia Nian, is the eldest daughter of the Nian family. If there is no unspeakable reason, it is not justifiable for her to marry him just to fulfill the engagement from earlier years. The engagement is not a formal proposal of marriage, so it is reasonable for the Nian family to choose another candidate. Others will not say anything."

This analysis does make some sense. If they were in her shoes, they would definitely not be willing to get married.

But Miss Qin didn't think so: "What if she likes him?"

"Ethan Gu is away from home all year round, and they have never met in private, so how can they like each other?" Celeste Duan paused, "Don't you think that Amelia Nian looked weird?"

"What's strange about that?"

"Although she also attended banquets with Madam Nian, she always looked naive. People say that she is ignorant of worldly affairs and has a simple personality. But I think she is a little silly. I am afraid that the Nian family is hiding it."

Miss Li covered her mouth in surprise. This was big news. "Is there something wrong with her?"

Celeste Duan raised her lips with a hint of sarcasm: "Whether he is really stupid or pretending to be stupid, it seems that he is not a smart person."

Miss Li had never met Amelia Nian, so she just followed what others said, which made her think that the other person really had a problem with his brain.

Qin Mian raised his eyes, put the selected jewelry on the tray beside him, and said with a smile: "Why do I feel that you are somewhat hostile to this girl from the Nian family?"

Celeste Duan's face changed slightly: "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not wrong. We all feel sorry for her marrying a cripple, but you think it's her fault. I don't know if Amelia Nian has a problem, but Ethan Gu is a real person."

Qin Mian looked at Celeste Duan's expression and said calmly, "Half a year ago, all the girls in Yanjing City envied her for being engaged to the general since she was a child, and countless wanted to marry him. But now it's different. Anyone who marries him will lose out."

The Li family girl nodded again, it made sense, "The two young masters of the Nian family are quite smart, and as a younger sister, I shouldn't be so..."

Celeste Duan and Qin Mian don't count. Today it was the girl from the Li family who hosted the party. So she secretly glared at the girl from the Li family. Does she have a stance? She's like a fence-sitter and thinks everyone is right?

She suddenly stood up and walked out with a sullen look on her face.

"Hey, you don't want to pick anymore?" The girl from the Li family hasn't reacted yet. It's just a discussion, why is she so angry?

"Maybe you don't like it." Qin Mian ignored him and asked someone to come in to replace a batch and continue choosing.

Seeing that the two people did not follow out, Celeste Duan felt even more uncomfortable. However, she felt that there was something fishy about the Nian family's marriage. Given Ethan Gu's current physical condition, she might not even have an heir in the future. Isn't it suspicious that she is willing to marry him?

Celeste Duan went downstairs angrily with her maid. As soon as she stepped down the stairs, she saw Amelia Nian walking in with two maids. She was wearing an emerald green jacket with velvet edges and fur around her neck, which made her look delicate and charming.

And her smile with a hint of naivety remained the same for ten years, making others feel closer to her.

But it touched Celeste Duan's heart. If she was so happy to marry a cripple, what kind of person would she be if not a fool?

"Should we prepare more satin?"

"Everything is ready. We have asked people to make gold and silver, and we have also found the best craftsmen in the city."

Listening to Clara Su's words, Amelia Nian nodded continuously, "Clara Su, what would I do without you?"

Toby A, who was standing by, heard this and said suddenly, "Don't worry, girl. I will protect you."

Amelia Nian gave Ah Fu a sweet smile, "Yeah, I know."

... Clara Su looked at the master and servant who were "not talking at all", raised her hand and called the shopkeeper, handed him the list to be sent to the mansion last year, and gave him some instructions.

At this moment, Amelia Nian heard a light rebuke, "Whose maid is so unruly."

Looking up, she found that it was Toby A who blocked the cabinet behind him, making it impossible to see the cloth. Amelia Nian was about to say sorry when she met Celeste Duan's unfriendly eyes.

"Toby A, this girl wants to see the cloth here, please move aside."

"It's unruly, and you don't even apologize for blocking the way. I really don't know how your master taught you." The maid behind Celeste Duan suddenly started to attack. Clara Su, who was talking to the shopkeeper not far away, heard the noise and rushed over.

"It turns out to be Miss Duan." Clara Su whispered a few words in Amelia Nian's ear. Amelia Nian showed a look of surprise and apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you as Miss Duan."

Celeste Duan was stunned. Is this what she meant? She was clearly saying that her maid was unruly!

"Miss Nian has such a bad memory, no wonder the people below didn't teach her well." Celeste Duan couldn't stand her pretending to be stupid, and her tone was unintentionally filled with harshness.

Amelia Nian thought for a moment and asked Clara Su: "How many times have I met this girl?"

"I have seen her several times at banquets. She is the daughter of Lord Duan, the Minister of Rites."

Amelia Nian suddenly realized, "So you are Miss Duan. People say you are gentle and graceful. Today I see that you are indeed so."

Celeste Duan was stunned. Why did these words sound so harsh? But looking at her expression, it didn't seem like she meant it on purpose.

She must be playing dumb. Celeste Duan raised her chin with a bit of pride, "Miss Nian is really arrogant. She only remembered it after being reminded by the servants. Could it be that she has other plans to marry into the loyal and brave mansion?"

"We are fine." After thinking for a while, Amelia Nian's eyes suddenly lit up and she looked at Celeste Duan as if she had discovered something new: "Miss Duan, are you concerned about the young general?"

There were many people watching around, Celeste Duan's face suddenly turned red, and she shouted angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Amelia Nian smiled and whispered to Clara Su, "So everyone is so concerned about my marriage to the young general."

"Miss, the Duan family is very close to the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion."

Amelia Nian nodded and started to talk seriously, "There will be many opportunities to meet in the future, Miss Duan."

It was as if he was roasting Celeste Duan on the fire, exposing her naked body to the people around him, as if he had other thoughts about Ethan Gu.

Celeste Duan was so ashamed of herself and had just been talked around by her that she got angry: "Shut up!"

The sound was so sharp that Miss Li and Qin Mian upstairs also heard it, so they hurried out to watch the fun, but they saw Celeste Duan with a flushed face looking at Amelia Nian with an innocent face.

Miss Li hurried down to persuade him, but was stopped by Qin Mian: "Let's wait and see."

Amelia Nian stared at Celeste Duan blankly.

Celeste Duan's chest was heaving with anger. "Amelia Nian, what's the point of pretending to be stupid? You dare to say that you married into the loyal and brave mansion without any ulterior motives? If you really don't have any, then you are really stupid!"

"Girl, can I hit her?" Ah Fu clenched his fists and was about to hit someone.

Amelia Nian shook her head, not angry: "Miss Duan, my marriage with the young general was decided a long time ago. If you say I have some ulterior motives..."

Amelia Nian thought about it. Even though everyone was watching, she only looked at Celeste Duan. Her eyes were innocent but frank. "It's General Tu."

Celeste Duan paused for a moment: "You!"

Amelia Nian then comforted her, "Don't worry, the Major General and I will be fine, and the things you worry about will not happen."

"When did I say I was worried?!" Celeste Duan almost jumped up, "Don't talk nonsense and slander my reputation."

"But you just said..." Amelia Nian paused, thinking it would be inappropriate to say it in public, so she lowered her voice, "Okay, I won't say it anymore, you can relax."

Seeing that more and more people were gathering around to watch the fun, Celeste Duan no longer had the same momentum as before. She couldn't keep up a straight face and rushed towards Amelia Nian, trying to push her away.

But before he could push his hand on anyone, Toby A quickly pulled Amelia Nian away.

Celeste Duan staggered and nearly fell. She stumbled forward several steps before she steady herself. Although she didn't fall to the ground, it was still embarrassing enough.

She had never suffered such a great injustice before, being angered by someone who couldn't even speak clearly. She threw up her hands and rushed out of the silver shop, and her maid hurriedly followed her out.

Amelia Nian looked at her back, then turned to ask Clara Su: "She and the young general have known each other since childhood?"

"The Duan family had a lot of exchanges with the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion. When the young general's mother was still alive, Madam Duan often went there."

"Then she must feel sorry for what happened to the young general." Amelia Nian showed understanding, "It's great that someone cares about the young general."

... Clara Su rolled her eyes. Few people could follow their girl's train of thought.

Turning around and seeing Toby A agreeing with her, Clara Su overturned what she had just said. There was one person who could keep up.

The master and his servants happily started shopping again. Miss Li on the second floor opened her mouth wide and looked at Qin Mian, "Why do I feel like Celeste Duan was bullied?"

Qin Mian laughed: "That's called great wisdom appearing foolish."