Jiang Mingzhu, who was initially happy because her birthday was coming soon, suddenly became worried.

My maternal grandfather's family came and caused trouble.

Although they knew that the trouble was started by the Gu family, they, a group of orphans and widows, would be the ones to suffer if things escalated.

After all, public opinion can be devastating; a single comment like "you've even offended your own family" is enough to put your mother in a difficult situation.

The girl gently tugged at Gu An'an's arm, her worry undisguised.

"It's alright, don't be afraid." Gu An'an smiled and comforted the worried little girl. "Go and check if Mingxu has bullied your sister."

My brother isn't that kind of person.

Mother only said that to get me out of the way.

She didn't want to see the adults arguing.

Jiang Mingzhu understood Gu An'an's good intentions perfectly well, but as a little girl, she really couldn't do anything to help her mother.

If she were a little older, that would be nice.

The girl knew that all she could do was try her best not to hold Gu An'an back. "I will definitely take good care of them."

Gu An'an couldn't help but pinch the little girl's cheek. The girl's face was so delicate and smooth, especially since she had been eating well lately, her little face had become a little chubby.

She has a delicate beauty with a touch of childlike innocence; in a few years, she will truly be a stunning beauty.

I wonder what kind of good fortune Jiang Laosan has to be able to give birth to such a beautiful daughter.

Such a beautiful child deserves to be protected.

Taking a deep breath, Gu An'an smiled and headed for the door.

Gu Ersao was a clever woman; her shouts outside the door immediately attracted the attention of others.

Psychology is a very interesting subject.

There's a particularly interesting saying: one might not resent an emperor for possessing the empire and endless wealth, but would deeply despise a beggar who has won the lottery.

It's probably a different kind of snobbery.

It's a skill for the rich to have money, but how can someone like you, who was previously worse off than me, suddenly be better off? That's unacceptable!

They must have been tricked into giving it to me. I must report them and seek justice.

While the countryside does have a simple and honest side, it also has its share of cunning and treacherous people.

These past few days, quite a few people have come to borrow the carriage.

They simply wanted to go into the city and borrow Gu An'an's carriage.

Gu An'an declined them all, her excuses quite simple—

A horse-drawn carriage costs ten coins per trip.

Ten coins are enough to take Uncle Niu's oxcart to Anping County five times round trip!

The villagers grumbled that Gu An'an was heartless, and they were indignant but there was nothing they could do.

Who told Gu An'an to be so stubborn?

She doesn't even give face to her husband's family. They're just neighbors, how dare they be so arrogant?

Now that Gu An'an's family has come to borrow the carriage, they want to see whether Gu An'an will lend it or not.

Many people came to watch the spectacle, but the fastest runner was none other than the widow, Ninth Sister-in-law.

Previously, because the family dog ​​injured Jiang Mingzhu, she was "extorted" by Gu An'an to pay one tael of silver, which made Ninth Sister-in-law so angry that she couldn't eat for several days.

Now that she heard that Gu An'an's family had come to make trouble, Ninth Sister-in-law was very excited.

"That's right. Even if Xiao Gu doesn't give face to us neighbors, would he refuse his own mother and sister-in-law?" Seeing the person come out, Ninth Sister asked with a smile, "Right, Xiao Gu? Disrespecting one's parents is something that will be struck by lightning."

Filial piety is a heavy mountain weighing on people's heads.

The relationships between ruler and subject, father and son, were merely tools for the imperial family to rule over the common people.

However, Gu An'an didn't care about any of that.

"I heard that Ninth Sister-in-law's family wanted to find her another husband, but you refused, right?"

The smile on Ninth Sister-in-law's face vanished without a trace. What good could her sister-in-law from her own family possibly be up to? Wasn't she just trying to get herself married into that family so they could marry their daughter to her precious son?

Dream on! Why should I agree?

If she wants to remarry, can't she find someone? Why should she be an extra?

However, it's fine to talk about this in private, but it's not good that Gu An'an brought it up now.

"Ninth Sister-in-law, your parents are gone. It's not an exaggeration to say that an eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. I wonder if you'll be struck by lightning for not listening to your eldest sister-in-law!"

Gu An'an's sudden cry startled Ninth Sister-in-law, who turned pale as if she had been struck by lightning.

"Don't talk nonsense."

Gu An'an smiled and said, "It seems that Ninth Sister-in-law has agreed. That's wonderful! Congratulations, Ninth Sister-in-law! When will we be able to attend your wedding?"

Her thoughts shifted so quickly that Ninth Sister-in-law couldn't keep up. "I... when did I agree to that?"

Seeing that Ninth Sister-in-law was so upset by Gu An'an's words that she wished she could disappear into a hole, Second Sister-in-law Gu couldn't help but say, "Why are you meddling so much in other people's business?"

Upon hearing this, Gu An'an couldn't help but sigh, "Isn't it because Ninth Sister-in-law insists on meddling in my family affairs? By the way, what's wrong with Mother? Is she feeling unwell?"

Seeing this, Gu Ersao quickly helped her mother-in-law up, "That's right, she was already tired, and she's been very busy lately. She was saying that the New Year is coming soon and she was wondering if she could come and help you. I was thinking that you have a carriage, so why don't you lend it to me? I'll take my mother to the county town to see a doctor."

"Second Sister-in-law!"

Hearing such a loud voice out of the blue, Gu Ersao's heart skipped a beat. "Why are you shouting so loudly?"

"Isn't that because my second sister-in-law doesn't treat me like family? Isn't my mother my mother too? Why does she need to borrow my carriage to go to the city for medical treatment? She can just take it with her whenever she wants."

This reaction left Gu's second sister-in-law dumbfounded, and the ninth sister-in-law, who had been rebuked by Gu An'an in a sarcastic manner, was even more confused. When did Gu An'an become so easy to talk to?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!