Chapter 146 The Wicked Stepmother and the Poor Child 39

After Madam Gu arrived at the mansion, she took charge of the household affairs and became the true steward. She had to approve everything, big or small.

She holds both the status of an elder and the power of a housekeeper.

She valued rules and was strict in her methods. After a period of time, she did indeed eliminate much of the lazy atmosphere that had existed in the Gu family, and the household became much more disciplined.

As a result, they got along better with their neighbors, and their reputations, which had been ruined by Zhou Jingxuan and Gu Hongjian, were somewhat restored.

The Gu family only focused on cutting expenses, not increasing revenue; their sole source of income was Gu Hongjian's salary.

The Gu family were not native to the capital; their ancestral home was in Yizhou, and even less so than Shen Ci's family. Shen Ci's family was a wealthy household in Yizhou, while the Gu family were just poor people in the village who made a living by farming.

However, they have always considered themselves to be a family that values ​​both farming and scholarship.

Although Madam Gu was shrewd and frugal, she couldn't keep up with the fact that the household only had expenses and no income. No matter how much she saved, it couldn't work forever.

Gu Hongjian's salary was meager, yet he had to support his large mansion, cover daily expenses, social obligations, and official duties. His salary was simply a drop in the ocean.

In the past, the family was able to maintain their glamorous lifestyle entirely thanks to the continuous subsidies from Shen Ci's enormous dowry. Now, Shen Ci has given up and is keeping all of her dowry to herself, refusing to give away a single penny.

Of course, she didn't use any of the Gu family's public funds either, as the Gu family's money wasn't enough for her needs.

With no income from public funds, even if Madam Gu had extraordinary abilities, she couldn't cook without rice.

She could only keep cutting back on expenses, reducing the household's expenditures again and again. Many servants complained, and even the allowances for several courtyards were being reduced.

She didn't tell Gu Hongjian because she felt she shouldn't cause trouble for her son; he should focus on dealing with official matters.

The Gu family enjoyed a long period of apparent peace and tranquility. Shen Ci's health had fully recovered, and she didn't want to be confined to bed every day because she was pretending to be sick.

So she used the excuse of recuperating and needing to rest to stay indoors every day, seemingly sleeping all day, but in fact she would leave the Gu residence with her two children through a hidden door every day.

If this house isn't comfortable, then let's go to the new house, the Shen residence on Zhuque Avenue. It changes every day. Shen Ci is busy decorating the new house. Every plant and tree in the new house was chosen by her and the children together.

When they were not at the Gu residence, the mother and her two children lived a happier, more carefree, and safer life in their new home.

However, Zhou Jingxuan, who remained at the Gu residence, found her days becoming increasingly difficult.

Every day she had to go to the old lady's place to learn the rules, and she was at the old lady's beck and call every day. Although she was a concubine and considered half a mistress, she felt like a maid.

Zhou Jingxuan was more than five months pregnant and her movements became more and more inconvenient, but the old woman did not show any consideration for her inconvenience and still made her come to serve her every day.

That day, she had just come out of the old lady's courtyard, rubbing her sore lower back, feeling bitter. Her personal maid was massaging her arms while complaining in a low voice.

“Aunt, your body is getting heavier and heavier, and the old lady doesn’t seem to care at all, still calling you over all the time.”

She only cares about the two children born to the madam; has she ever cared about you and the little master in your belly?

Ultimately, the one who truly holds power in this household is the master. Your real hope lies in firmly grasping the master's heart.

"Now that the lady is ill, this is the perfect opportunity for you. If you wait until the young master is born, but have already lost favor, what status will you have left in this household?"

These words struck Zhou Jingxuan right to the heart.

She recalled everything that happened after she entered the family: the initial glory, then the fall from favor, being beaten by Shen Ci, the old lady, and Gu Hongjian, being bullied by their family, and being forced to return her beloved possessions.

Isn't all of this because Gu Hongjian's attitude changed?

If he could cherish her as much as before, how could the old lady dare to treat her so lightly?

The more she thought about it, the more she realized that the maid's words made sense. She had really made a mistake in trying to curry favor with the old lady, wasting so much effort on her.

The old lady was as stinky and hard as a rock in a latrine, always trying to intimidate people with rules and regulations, and I often made snide remarks to discourage her.

After all, she and Gu Hongjian had a long-standing relationship. If she were willing to humble herself and be gentle and considerate, she might be able to win him back, and the two might be able to be as loving as they were before they got married.

Later that evening, Gu Hongjian returned home. This time he was very happy and announced with a beaming smile the good news that he had been promoted to the rank of sixth-grade compiler.

This was his first promotion in many years since he came to Beijing, and it went smoothly but was also unexpected.

The old lady's face was full of wrinkles from smiling, and she held her son's hand, praising him incessantly.

“My son is the reincarnation of the God of Literature, and it is also thanks to your father who died young protecting you from the underworld.”

I owe all my success to my own hard work, which is truly a great joy!

"We've finally made it this far after all these years! The last time I was this happy was when you became the top scorer in the imperial examination!"

Zhou Jingxuan immediately seized the opportunity, offered her congratulations in a soft voice, and then said a few nice words.

Gu Hongjian was in a good mood, and his gaze towards her was warm. He even remarked to his mother.

"This successful promotion is largely thanks to the mediation of Jingxuan's uncle, Lord Zhou."

"To have Jingxuan as my spouse is truly a blessing for my son."

Otherwise, why would he have married Zhou Jingxuan? He initially intended for her to be his principal wife, but things didn't go as planned, and she was forced to become his concubine.

Upon hearing this, Madam Gu's shrewd gaze swept over Zhou Jingxuan, and she instantly understood her son's meaning: the Zhou family was an asset that could help him advance in his official career!

Her smile immediately became much more genuine. She personally took Zhou Jingxuan's hand and warmly invited her to sit beside her. Her tone was so gentle and kind that it gave people goosebumps.

"Good child, it turns out you have made such a great contribution to the Gu family."

"It was my negligence in the past. Now that you are pregnant, you should rest well. From now on, the morning and evening greetings are unnecessary. Everything should be for the sake of the baby in your womb."

At this moment, Zhou Jingxuan felt a tingling sensation on her scalp – this was the feeling!

The old lady used to be very critical of her, always finding fault with her, and nothing she did was right. But now she's completely changed, being so affectionate and considerate towards her, her former arrogance turning into obsequiousness. This already says it all.

Gu Hongjian's affection and high regard were genuine!

What does the old lady matter as long as we capture this man?

Madam Gu was unusually generous, immediately taking off a pair of fine jade bracelets from her own wrist and putting them on Zhou Jingxuan's wrist, as a promise.

"Take good care of yourself, and your mother will reward you handsomely after you give birth to your child safely."

I got up early; even the stingiest man has plucked his feathers.

However, Zhou Jingxuan really enjoyed this feeling.