Forced to marry, I picked up a young powerful official

Chapter 237 Open the Skylight and Talk

After entering the yard, Mother Gui was about to call for help, but Shen Nankui raised his hand to stop her.

"I can go in by myself."

Hearing this, Mother Gui showed her the way.

Zhang Qiongsi was lazily leaning on the beauty couch reading a book, while Hongdou was dozing off on the kang table. Neither of them noticed that someone had entered the room.

It was not until Zhang Qiongsi inadvertently caught a glimpse of a figure standing at the door that she turned around and took a closer look.

When she found out it was Shen Nankui, she was so scared that she dropped the book in her hand.

He shouted, "You ghost!"

Hongdou woke up from her dream and looked around in confusion, "Ghost? Where is the ghost? How dare a ghost come out of the underworld in broad daylight?"

She looked so stupid that Zhang Qiongsi couldn't help but knock her on the head and said through gritted teeth, "Guests are coming, why don't you go make tea?"

Hongdou then noticed the person at the door, who also had a frightened expression on his face, and screamed, "You, you, you... why are you in my girl's room?"

Zhang Qiongsi couldn't stand it any longer and pushed her out, "Why don't you go quickly?"

The fact that Shen Nankui could appear in his room without disturbing anyone must have been instructed by his mother. But he didn't know why she came to see him.

Although Zhang Qiongsi was surprised, he still followed the etiquette of entertaining guests and invited Shen Nankui to take the seat of honor.

After the tea came, she asked, "I wonder what brings you here today, Madam Gu?"

Although she didn't like Shen Nankui, she had to remember her favor. After all, it was she who helped her smooth over the big mistake she made last time.

Shen Nankui said, "I heard that sister Qiong Si has been in a bad mood recently, so I came to visit her."

Zhang Qiongsi's face changed, knowing that she must have heard from her mother about the quarrel between her and her family over her engagement.

And she came here specially today. Was she afraid that she still had delusions about Gu Yichuan?

She turned her head awkwardly and whispered, "Don't worry, I don't agree to the marriage because I don't like the eldest grandson of the minister's family, not because I have any other intentions."

During this period, even though she didn't go out much, she had heard from others how loving Zhou Zun and his wife were. Not only did they go to Shuiyun Tower together to watch the fireworks on New Year's Eve, but they also went to the lantern festival together on the Lantern Festival. They were a couple praised by everyone.

How could she have any delusions?

Shen Nankui smiled slightly, "I know."

Zhang Qiongsi was stunned. "If you know, why did you come to see me?"

"On the day of my daughter's 100th day banquet, Aunt Zhang mentioned your marriage, and I advised her to postpone it."

Zhang Qiongsi's eyes widened instantly, "What! Why didn't mother tell me?"

Shen Nankui said: "Because I said I would come to comfort you, maybe Aunt Zhang wanted me to tell you this news."

"But you..."

why?

Zhang Qiongsi's face was full of disbelief. She was happy to be freed from the marriage, but also confused as to why Shen Nankui wanted to help her again?

She once coveted Shen Nankui's husband. If she were a normal person, wouldn't she hope that she could get married earlier and give up this idea?

Shen Nankui picked up the teacup, took a sip of the tea, and then said, "Miss Zhang, you are a smart person. I have noticed you for a long time. Let's be frank today. I want to ask you, are you willing to join me in establishing a women's academy in Yongzhou?"

When she asked this question, there was an obvious flash of excitement in Zhang Qiongsi's eyes, but for some reason, it became silent in an instant.

Zhang Qiong was silent for a long time and shook his head.

"Forget it. I'm just a little girl. What can I accomplish?"

Shen Nankui looked straight at her, "Do you remember that day in Yanxia Pavilion, Miss Zhang was still speaking eloquently in front of the state master, and her speech was so inspiring that everyone in Yanxia Pavilion applauded you. And you promised everyone that you would build an academy for girls to study in. Why are you so timid today?"

"I……"

Zhang Qiongsi lowered his head in shame.

Shen Nankui asked: "Is it because you don't want to work with me?"

"Yes... not entirely..." Zhang Qiongsi bit her lip.

For some reason, facing such a frank look, she couldn't find a reason to cover it up.

Shen Nankui smiled and said, "Ignorance is not a crime. The matter has long passed. Why don't you get rid of this burden?"

"Besides, even if you still admire Yichuan in your heart, I won't be angry."

Zhang Qiongsi looked up in astonishment, "Why?"

Shen Nankui said: "Just like everyone loves beauty, it is not wrong to admire an outstanding person. It just proves that the person is outstanding. Not only you, there are many married and unmarried women in the city who are fascinated by their state master. Do I have to knock on their doors one by one?"

"But I'm different from them. Before..."

"Nothing is different," Shen Nankui interrupted, "You were born into one of the five surnames in Yongzhou. You have been well-read since childhood, and you know etiquette and know when to advance and retreat. You must have a bottom line in your heart, and you will never cross that line easily. That's enough."

Zhang Qiongsi's thoughts were all expressed by her in one sentence, and she was stunned for a moment.

After a moment, she stood up, her eyes moist, and bowed respectfully, "Mrs. Gu, thank you for understanding me."

Shen Nankui asked with a smile: "So now, are you willing to run a school with me in Yongzhou?"

Zhang Qiongsi's eyes were filled with excitement, but he still sighed, "But I'm still afraid."

"What are you afraid of?"

Zhang Qiongsi sat down again, shook his head and said, "Most of my ideas for establishing a women's academy came from the female teacher in Cang County. I have only heard about her general deeds, but I don't know what she did to successfully run the school. Besides, Cang County and Yongzhou are in two different places. What if it doesn't work at all?"

Shen Nankui raised his eyebrows and smiled, "How do you know if you don't try?"

"But you and I are not that female teacher, how can we have her ability?"

"How do you know I'm not?"

When Zhang Qiongsi heard this, she suspected that she had heard it wrongly. "Mrs. Gu, do you know what you are talking about?"

Shen Nankui played with the teacup in his hand, "I can't be so ignorant of who I am, right?"

Zhang Qiongsi looked shocked. I don't know what she was thinking of. Suddenly she murmured, "The female teacher in Cang County is surnamed Shen, and Madam Gu, your surname is also Shen. There can't be such a coincidence. Could it be that you are really her... or are you kidding me?"

Shen Nankui didn't explain much and just handed her a letter.

"This is a letter from a student. It says that he passed the Tongshi exam last autumn and became a Tongsheng. You can take a look at it."

Zhang Qiongsi took the letter with trembling hands.