Chapter 22: When to propose marriage?
When these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned, especially Gu Xuejiao.
She looked at Su Mengxue in surprise. She had insulted her in public in front of many guests at noon. Presumably, rumors about her were all over the city now. How could she be so kind as to help her plead with her grandfather?
Especially since every time they met, they had an unpleasant encounter, and Su Mengxue never let her go for her ridicule, so she didn't believe that Su Mengxue would really help her. She must have some conspiracy behind the scenes, either deliberately using her magnanimity to highlight her own badness, or she had other bad tricks up her sleeve.
Thinking of this, Gu Xuejiao bit her lip, and her expression became even gloomier. She looked at Su Mengxue vigilantly, her eyes telling her that she would not be fooled and was grateful to her.
Seeing this, Su Mengxue remained calm on the surface, but secretly sighed in her heart that Gu Xuejiao was really ungrateful. However, she was too lazy to argue with Gu Xuejiao. After all, she was not sincere in pleading for Gu Xuejiao, but she really saw the anger on Sun Suqin's face.
The book says that Sun Suqin is insidious and cunning. She always pretends to be filial and obedient in front of Gu Changhe. She rarely disobeys Gu Changhe, but her face was obviously gloomy just now, which made Su Mengxue smell danger.
Gu Xiangyu had just been put in jail. If Gu Xuejiao went to the countryside because of her again, Sun Suqin would definitely hate her and might even come up with some sinister tricks to harm her. After all, the most important thing for her at this stage was to make money and survive in Jiangbei. She had just arrived, so she should not bring herself into too much trouble.
Through his interactions with Su Mengxue over the past few times, Gu Yunting guessed the reason why she took the initiative to plead for Gu Xuejiao. His elder brother was honest and could not cause any trouble even if he was angry, but his elder sister-in-law was different. She was not someone to be trifled with.
He then thought about how Gu Xiangyu had already brought rumors to the Gu family. If Gu Xuejiao went to the countryside again, it would just add fuel to the fire. With a glance, he agreed with Su Mengxue's approach. She was a smart person.
Gu Changhe was furious and could not care less. He said sternly with a sullen face, "Mengxue, this is not just a private matter between you two. Her nonsense today has made the Gu family a laughing stock in Jiangbei. None of you need to plead for her anymore. I must punish her severely this time."
Su Mengxue knew Gu Changhe's temperament. He was upright and cared deeply about the reputation of the Gu family. After thinking for a few moments, she said calmly:
"Grandpa Gu, I know you value the reputation of the Gu family. That's why you can't do this. Gu Xiangyu is already in jail. If Gu Xuejiao is sent to the countryside, I'm afraid the Gu family will be immediately pushed into the spotlight."
Sun Suqin and Gu Weiguo exchanged glances. What Su Mengxue said did not seem to be what she seemed to be saying. The expressions in their eyes became more and more complicated. They could not figure out why Su Mengxue wanted to plead for Jiaojiao.
Gu Changhe frowned. How could he not know the interests involved here? He just couldn't help but get angry.
He considered himself to be an upright person without making any mistakes, and he educated his children strictly. Although the eldest son, Gu Weiguo, was a little mediocre, he was an honest child who did not cause trouble. Besides, his youngest son, Gu Yunting, was his pride.
He was almost at the age of death, but who would have thought that his reputation would be dragged down by his grandchildren. He must not tolerate evil any longer, otherwise Gu Xuejiao would only cause greater trouble in the future.
Gu Changhe looked at Su Mengxue and said earnestly, "Child, you don't have to worry about this matter. She has to learn her lesson if she does something wrong."
Gu Xuejiao completely lost hope after hearing this. It would be futile for anyone to cry or beg for mercy after her grandfather's decision was made. She couldn't stop shaking all over when she thought about going to the countryside.
She thought of the countless mosquitoes and insects hiding in the damp adobe houses in the countryside, the stinking pigpens and sheep pens everywhere, and how if she stayed there for too long, she would probably be pickled by the smell.
Thinking about food, she realized that apart from steamed bread, radishes and pickled vegetables, it was probably difficult to eat meat. She could even imagine herself retching into the coarse earthenware bowl.
She had been used to a life of luxury and pampering over the years, and she was afraid that she would get seriously ill if she went to the countryside. There were bumpy dirt roads everywhere, and transportation was underdeveloped. If she had any accident and was delayed again, she might never see Chen Yanzhi again in her life.
Thinking of this, Gu Xuejiao's eyelashes trembled violently. She looked at Gu Changhe and cried non-stop, "Grandpa, please... please don't send me... me to the countryside. That kind of hellish place is simply... not suitable for people to live in. I'm afraid if I stay there for too long... I'll die there sooner or later..."
Seeing that she was crying out of breath and her speech was stammering, and there was no trace of the dignified appearance of a daughter of a wealthy family on her body, Gu Changhe turned away angrily and stopped looking at her.
Seeing Gu Xuejiao like this, Gu Yunting felt very uncomfortable. No matter what, Gu Xuejiao was his niece who had grown up under his care. He couldn't stand here and watch the fun. Besides, if she really went to the countryside, it would not be good for either the Gu family or Su Mengxue.
He walked up to Gu Changhe and said earnestly, "Dad, Xuejiao has been weak since she was a child. You still remember when she was three years old, she had a serious illness and was almost beyond rescue. If you send her to the countryside out of spite, I'm afraid her body won't be able to withstand the humid environment there. Besides, Xiangyu just got jailed. If Xuejiao goes to the countryside again, and we live under the same roof, I can't bear to see my big brother and sister-in-law suffer."
After he finished speaking, he saw Gu Changhe concentrating on thinking about something. Knowing that things had slowed down, his Adam's apple rolled and he said step by step: "If you want Xuejiao to learn a lesson, you might as well find another way to punish her. Don't go to the countryside."
How could Gu Changhe not understand the implication of Gu Yunting's words? The "living under the same roof" he mentioned was not referring to him but Su Mengxue. If Gu Xuejiao really went to the countryside, I'm afraid Sun Suqin would not let her off either openly or secretly.
After thinking for a few moments, Gu Changhe looked at Gu Xuejiao, who was sitting on the ground sobbing, and said in a deep voice, "Gu Xuejiao, I'll give you one more chance for the sake of your uncle and aunt. You will go to the textile factory as an apprentice tomorrow. Remember, you are not allowed to use the Gu family's name to seek special treatment. If I find you talking nonsense or behaving improperly again, you will be sent to the countryside to feed pigs immediately."
Textile factory? Gu Xuejiao's face suddenly changed. It was summer now, and the factory was like a steamer, filled with the unpleasant smell of sweat and the roar of machines. She widened her eyes and her voice trembled: "Grandpa, I..."
Before he finished speaking, Sun Suqin interrupted: "Dad, don't worry, Jiaojiao will definitely change for the better in the future."
Gu Changhe sighed, looked at Sun Suqin and Gu Weiguo and warned them, "You two are not allowed to give her any more money. Let her live in the factory tomorrow. From now on, she must donate half of her monthly salary to the street office to help the children in the countryside go to school and eat. The rest of the money should be used for living expenses. When she learns to be self-reliant, she can come back home."
"Grandpa, the salary from the textile factory is so low that I can't even afford a decent piece of clothing, and I have to donate half of it..."
"Gu Xuejiao, shut up!" Sun Suqin stepped forward and interrupted her sharply, reminding her, "Jiaojiao, your grandfather has been very tolerant of you. Do you really have to go to the countryside to be satisfied?"
Gu Xuejiao knew that there was no turning back. Her eyes were red and she bit her lip and squeezed out a few words: "I... understand."
After Gu Changhe finished his work, he rubbed his temples and said with a tired look, "You all can go away. Yun Ting stay."
After everyone left, Gu Changhe stroked the purple clay teapot and suddenly raised his eyes: "Yun Ting, when are you planning to go to the Su family to propose marriage?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
