Chapter 717 My older brother is a very good person

Qiao Zhiyu was taken aback: "They're leaving already?"

He gave her such an exquisite and luxurious dress and then left? No other purpose? Did he not need her to do anything?

"It's time to go. I still need to go to the Imperial Household Department."

"The Court of Imperial Sacrifices?"

Isn't this where Gu Qianling goes on duty?

Qiao Zhiyu asked with a mixture of doubt and anticipation, "What is my sister going to the Imperial Household Department for?"

Shen Wantang smiled faintly: "Isn't it raining heavily? I'm going to bring my brother an umbrella so he won't get wet on his way home."

Qiao Zhiyu was astonished: "Give an umbrella? To my older brother? You, you, you, which older brother are you talking about?"

"Naturally, it's Gu Qianling, the eldest son of the Duke's mansion!"

Qiao Zhiyu's eyes widened in shock. How could Shen Wantang, a sister-in-law, give an umbrella to her brother-in-law?!

She really wanted to know if Meng Yunlan knew how much Shen Wantang cared for and cherished Gu Qianling.

You probably don't know, right? If you did, you'd be furious!

Qiao Zhiyu forced a smile, her tone becoming sarcastic: "Little sister, you're so kind of person. Even in this heavy rain, you went out of your way to bring my brother-in-law an umbrella. Does he know about this? Does my cousin know?"

Shen Wantang smiled insincerely, "I was just passing by to deliver an umbrella to my brother. It's a trivial matter, no need to make a big fuss about it, right? Otherwise, people will think I'm trying to take credit! It's getting dark, I really have to go now, sister, you don't need to see me off."

After she finished speaking, she turned and walked out.

Qiao Zhiyu hurriedly called out to her, "Hey, wait a minute!"

Shen Wantang turned around: "What's wrong? Is there something else, sister?"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Qiao Zhiyu's eyes: "It's raining so hard, it's not safe for you to go alone, sister. Let me go with you!"

Shen Wantang hesitated slightly before saying, "This...this isn't necessary, is it? The rain is heavy, but there's no danger. Besides, I have maids and nannies with me. Sister, you should stay home and rest. Don't go out in the rain, or you might catch a cold."

Qiao Zhiyu scoffed inwardly. They didn't want her to go? Afraid she'd disturb her secret rendezvous with Gu Qianling? Hmph, then she'd go anyway!

Moreover, this is a perfect opportunity for her to get close to Gu Qianling! She even has a ready-made excuse!

What's even better is that she now has new clothes to wear. Such a beautiful dress, of course she has to wear it for Gu Qianling to see!

And coincidentally, this royal blue color happens to be Gu Qianling's favorite color!

"Sister, what are you saying? I'm not that delicate. It's just a little rain; it won't make me catch a cold. Besides, didn't you just advise me not to stay cooped up at home all the time and to go out more? I listened to you!"

After Qiao Zhiyu finished speaking, she stepped forward and took Shen Wantang's arm: "Little sister, what are you waiting for? Let's go together!"

Shen Wantang glanced at the hand tightly wrapped around her arm and wanted to laugh, but her face was full of reluctance: "Alright, since you want to go so much, sister, let's go together!"

The two walked out of the shabby and dilapidated Qiao family home together. In the heavy rain, Shen Wantang's carriage was waiting there quietly. It was sturdy, luxurious, spacious, and imposing, and was spotless after being washed by the rain.

Qiao Zhiyu immediately let go of Shen Wantang's arm and climbed up.

Once she sat inside the carriage and saw how even more luxurious and opulent it was, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Why is Shen Wantang able to marry so well?!

She was just a concubine's daughter of a fifth-rank official. In the past, she was suppressed by her elder sister and rarely had the opportunity to go out and meet people. No one invited her to poetry clubs, chess clubs, flower appreciation clubs, or football clubs. Now, she has transformed into the second young mistress of the Duke's mansion!

Qiao Zhiyu clenched her hands tightly inside her sleeve.

Her father was a renowned scholar who ranked third in the imperial examinations. He entered the Hanlin Academy at a young age and was later recommended by the head of the academy to become a censor in the Censorate. Although his rank was not high, his status was extremely high, and even the emperor had to be wary of him, let alone other officials.

Her mother and Meng Yunlan's mother were sisters, born into a scholarly family, and were outstanding ladies of high society in their youth!

In what way is she inferior to Shen Wantang? Why is it that Shen Wantang can marry Gu Qianhan as his legal wife, while he can't even marry Gu Qianling as a concubine?!

When Shen Wantang was helped into the carriage by Du Juan, what she saw was Qiao Zhiyu's undisguised jealousy and resentment.

But she seemed not to see anything, and smiled slightly at Qiao Zhiyu, saying, "The carriage is simple, please don't mind it, sister. After I see my elder brother, I will ask him for a better one, and then I will invite you to ride in it."

What?! She thinks this is too basic?! She wants something even better from Gu Qianling?!

Qiao Zhiyu's eyes almost shot fire!

She was practically grinding her teeth to powder, and said with a forced smile, "What kind of carriage do you want, little sister? This one is already quite luxurious."

"Besides, even if you want a carriage, you should ask Young Master Gu for it. He is your husband!"

"It's not appropriate for you to ask my brother-in-law for it."

Shen Wantang seemed oblivious to her sarcasm and said with a smile, "My husband is incompetent and has no money, but my elder brother does. Moreover, he is a very good person, kind and gentle, and takes good care of his younger brothers and sisters."

“I treat him like my own brother, so naturally I’m the first person I turn to when I’m in trouble! What’s wrong with that?”

"Or does my sister think that my brother is a stingy person, so stingy that he won't even let me use a carriage?"

Qiao Zhiyu's smile froze on her face; she gained a new understanding of Shen Wantang's shamelessness.

She actually had the audacity to say she considered Gu Qianling her own brother? She was clearly treating Gu Qianling like a sucker!

No wonder he rushed to give Gu Qianling an umbrella; he was trying to get something in return!

Qiao Zhiyu struggled to suppress the urge to roll her eyes: "My brother-in-law is certainly not a stingy person, but since he's generous, we can't always ask him for things, that would seem too inconsiderate!"

"Besides, your older cousin will be unhappy, so you should tone it down a bit and not go too far."

Shen Wantang looked bewildered: "Is everything... alright? My elder brother and sister-in-law are both very good to me and Qianhan. My sister-in-law even brought Qianhan some bird's nest today. I just asked my elder brother for a better carriage. My sister-in-law won't be upset, will she?"

Qiao Zhiyu looked at Shen Wantang and felt a sense of powerlessness, like punching cotton.

That doesn't make sense, it just doesn't make sense!

Shen Wantang is determined to take advantage and gain benefits!

Qiao Zhiyu was furious. She worked hard every day from dawn till dusk doing embroidery, and could only earn two taels of silver a month. Shen Wantang didn't have to do anything. She could just give Gu Qianling an umbrella and get a luxurious and expensive carriage!

This is unfair!!

It's true that following the right person is very important; choice is more important than effort!

Why should she bother with embroidery anymore? She's not going to do it anymore. She's going to do everything in her power to marry Gu Qianling as his concubine!

As long as she can achieve this goal, she can be just like Shen Wantang in the future and never lack money again!