Chapter 619 Questioning Ouyang Jing

Of course, this wasn't because Meng Wei wanted to curry favor with the Gu family, but because she felt that since Gu Yuxin was Gu Renjie's cousin, they would be family from now on.

Since we're all family, we naturally don't have as many reservations when we talk.

In the past, when Gu Yuxin saw Meng Wei, she would always follow behind Gu Shuyan and rarely chime in. Now, seeing how affectionately she was being treated, Gu Yuxin smiled shyly.

"I just took a stroll in the garden and found the garden of the Meng Mansion to be quite unique, so I couldn't help but look around for a while longer."

Gu Yuxin wasn't lying; she genuinely felt the Meng family's garden was familiar, so calling it unique wasn't an exaggeration.

Speaking of the garden, Meng Wei also felt that her own garden was unique, so she told Gu Yuxin about the garden's history.

"Speaking of which, my grandparents had a big fight over this garden!"

Meng Wei's words successfully caught Gu Yuxin's attention. She also wanted to know what had happened that the Meng family had built this garden in a way that was completely different from the gardens of other families in the capital.

Actually, there's nothing particularly special about it. It's just that Old Lady Meng wanted to transform Jiang Garden into the type of garden that a large family in the capital should have.

When Old Master Meng learned of this, he argued vehemently that the city should be built in the style of the Southern Capital, saying that only in that way would it truly look good.

The two elderly people argued for a month, and eventually even went on a hunger strike. In the end, the old lady couldn't persuade Old Master Meng to stop, so she let him do what he wanted.

After hearing Meng Wei's words, Gu Yuxin couldn't help but ask, "So, does that mean the old man once lived in the south?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Wei thought for a moment and said, "My father told me that my grandfather spent a long time in the south, but I don't know exactly what he did there."

Gu Yuxin nodded upon hearing this and did not continue the conversation on this topic.

The two chatted idly in their room for a while before a maid came to invite them to have a meal.

The Marquis's residence was not as bustling as the Meng family's.

The old lady, Gu Shuyan, and Ouyang Jing were quietly eating their meal around a table.

Gu Congzheng's babbling could be heard from time to time.

"To be honest, I'm quite satisfied with my granddaughter-in-law Meng Wei, but it's that old woman Meng who's the problem."

The old lady suddenly sighed as she spoke.

Gu Shuyan and Ouyang Jing knew exactly what the old lady meant.

When that old woman Meng came to the Marquis's residence before, how was her petty and timid manner any different from He Yin's mother and wife?

“Why should Grandmother worry about these things? No matter what, that old woman Meng can’t come to the Marquis’s mansion every day to freeload. Besides, Madam Meng is a good person and will certainly not stand by and watch her lose face.”

Gu Shuyan's words struck a chord with the old lady, and thinking of Meng Wei's mother's knowledgeable and reasonable manner, her worries subsided.

"I hope so! You two sisters-in-law should remember to prepare a few tables of food later. Even if it's just a betrothal ceremony, it's still a joyous occasion, so let the servants in the mansion have some fun too."

The Marquis of Yi'an's household was quite lenient with its servants. In addition to their monthly stipends, they would host extra banquets for any happy occasions, bringing everyone together for a good meal.

Gu Shuyan and Ouyang Jing smiled and agreed. Only then did the old lady put down her chopsticks and let Zhao Mama help her back to Yunxiang Garden.

After the old lady had walked away, Gu Shuyan looked at Ouyang Jing.

"Has Second Brother mentioned anything about how things are in Suzhou since he returned recently?"

Yun Yichen's letters always reported good news and never bad news, so Gu Shuyan couldn't see any problems in them at all.

Left with no other choice, Gu Shuyan could only pin her hopes on her second brother.

Compared to Gu Renjie's overthinking, only Gu Yingjie was honest enough to tell her the truth.

Unfortunately, Gu Shuyan underestimated her position in the eyes of the Gu family.

Upon hearing Gu Shuyan's question, a complex look flashed in Ouyang Jing's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

"Your second brother said that since Lord Yun arrived in Suzhou, the disaster victims have been properly resettled, and Lord Yun also built a new city as soon as possible. Presumably, once the new city is completed, the Grand Secretary should be back."

Speaking of which, Gu Shuyan and Yun Yichen were newlyweds, deeply in love.

At this critical moment, Yun Yichen volunteered to leave the capital to provide disaster relief.

For the Great Zhou Dynasty, Yun Yichen might be a good official who cared about the people, but for Gu Shuyan, he was not a good husband who could think of his wife.

Ouyang Jing's words were exactly the same as the letter Yun Yichen sent back. Apart from Yun Yichen also telling Gu Shuyan about his arrangements outside the city, everything matched perfectly.

But it was precisely because they matched so perfectly that Gu Shuyan felt even more uneasy.

"Didn't Second Brother mention anything else, like disaster relief grain or funds?"

Gu Shuyan continued to press for answers, somewhat unwilling to give up, while Ouyang Jing's face showed no sign of unease.

"You know that your second brother's position means he can't hear anything useful. Even if there's something about those disaster relief funds, your second brother would have no idea."

Ouyang Jing was not deceiving Gu Shuyan. Gu Yingjie was only a sixth-rank official and did not even have the qualification to attend the morning court session. How could he know about the discussions in the main hall?

Gu Jin and Gu Renjie knew, but even if Gu Shuyan asked them anything, given how much they loved her, they would never tell her the truth.

Thinking that Ouyang Jing's father had also gone along, Gu Shuyan wanted to ask, but when she remembered that Ouyang Jing had said she would sever ties with the Ouyang family, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Seeing Gu Shuyan remain silent, Ouyang Jing's eyes flickered.

She wasn't truly ignorant, but even if she knew, what could she do? Tell Gu Shuyan that a plague had broken out in Suzhou and that everyone who went there might be in mortal danger?

How could she bear to say that!

"Sister, you don't need to worry too much about Lord Yun. Good people are always protected by heaven, and I don't think anything will happen to him."

Ouyang Jing didn't know what to say, so he could only pray that Yun Yichen would be alright.

"I hope so!"

Gu Shuyan didn't notice Ouyang Jing's expression. If she had looked closely, she would have definitely noticed that something was wrong with Ouyang Jing.

Gu Shuyan glanced at the sleeping Gu Congzheng and answered aloud, but secretly made a decision in her heart.

"I'll go to the kitchen and see what dishes we need to prepare."

Gu Shuyan was in a low mood and didn't even bother to tease her nephew as usual.

Seeing this, Ouyang Jing did not stop him; perhaps when busy, one doesn't have so many thoughts.

Gu Jin and the others didn't return until evening. Seeing that everyone looked tired, Gu Shuyan quickly had some hot water that had been boiled in advance brought over.

"Father and Mother, please wash your faces and relax first."