Gu Boyuan was just a captain at the time, but Jiang Luoluo took a liking to him at first sight. After that, Jiang Luoluo relentlessly pursued Gu Boyuan.
Jiang Chengfeng couldn't resist his daughter's affection and took Gu Boyuan as his last disciple, providing him with guidance in swordsmanship and military strategy.
Gu Boyuan distinguished himself in battle in Yunchuan, and with the support of General Jiang Chengfeng, he was promoted from a seventh-rank captain to a fifth-rank junior general.
This time, when Gu Boyuan returned from Yunchuan, Madam Gu planned to invite some prominent people to a grand celebration banquet.
Today, Gu Boyuan went to the palace to report on his duties, and Madam Gu specially sent someone to invite Jiang Luoluo over to discuss the celebration banquet.
The Gu family was originally a declining merchant family. Master Gu had passed away 10 years ago. For many years, Madam Gu had managed the Gu family business and raised Gu Boyuan on her own. They originally lived in the western suburbs.
But ever since Jiang Luoluo and Gu Boyuan got engaged, Jiang Luoluo has tried her best to please Gu Boyuan, disregarding the gossip in the capital, and moved the Gu family to a five-courtyard house in the eastern suburbs. This house is only an hour's drive away from the Weiyuan General's Mansion.
Madam Gu also began to live the life of a noblewoman, with eight maids and servants attending to her. In the summer, there was not only an ice basin in the room, but also a maid who would fan her. Her life was as comfortable as that of the Empress Dowager in the palace.
Every member of the Gu family was dressed in fine silks and satins. Even the maids and servants in the mansion wore clothes made of the finest materials. Needless to say, their meals were exceptional, with fish, shrimp, beef, mutton, seasonal fruits, and vegetables served three times a day, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables.
Madam Gu often complained of heart palpitations and discomfort, and she drank a bowl of bird's nest soup every day.
Jiang Luoluo even sent a letter to General Weiyuan, inviting imperial physicians to treat Madam Gu. All this money was funded by Jiang Luoluo, this great traitor.
With the help of Brother Jiang Luoluo, some of the Gu family's businesses have also been revived and their operations are steadily improving.
Jiang Luoluo glanced at the majestic plaque of the Gu Mansion and the two imposing lions at the entrance.
Was Miss Jiang in the original book out of her mind? Gu Boyuan is such a scumbag, is he really worth all that effort from her, even to the point of losing her life?
Jiang Luoluo clicked her tongue twice, shook the round fan in her hand, and walked in with light steps, guided by the servants. She was very familiar with the Gu residence. In the past year or so, she had visited the Gu residence many times.
"Luo Luo is here! Come on, come quickly and sit down next to your aunt." Madam Gu warmly greeted Jiang Luo Luo.
Jiang Luoluo sat down gracefully and took a sip of tea. It was Jin Jun Mei tea, a tribute to the royal family. The tea was fragrant and left a lingering aroma on her lips and teeth. It was a gift from her elder brother, which she then gave to Madam Gu.
Jiang Luoluo swallowed her tea and went straight to the point, "Auntie, what brings you here today?"
Madam Gu gently held Jiang Luoluo's hand, her smile exceptionally gentle, her voice drawn out, yet concealing hints and pressure, "Luoluo, since Boyuan was promoted to Young General, he has not held a celebration banquet."
You know he admires your virtuousness and generosity. If you, as his fiancée, were to organize this celebration banquet and do it beautifully, Boyuan would be even happier and like you even more!
Jiang Luoluo withdrew her hand without showing any emotion, and said with a forced smile, "Thank you for your advice, Auntie, but Luoluo is still inexperienced. It is best for Auntie to take care of such an important banquet herself."
In truth, Madam Gu looked down on Jiang Luoluo from the bottom of her heart. Although she was the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion, she was always chasing after men. She was truly a good-for-nothing.
In her opinion, Jiang Luoluo was nothing more than a cash cow, and compared to her cousin Yao Shiyu, she was far inferior.
She didn't really want to hand over the banquet to Jiang Luoluo; she just wanted her to contribute money. Jiang Luoluo was well aware of Madam Gu's cunning intentions.
She smiled faintly, "With Auntie taking care of everything, General Gu will surely shine at the banquet, and the Gu family will also have the opportunity to make many connections with important people in the capital. As for the food needed for the banquet, I will instruct my elder brother's Zuiyuelou restaurant to give Auntie the most favorable price."
Madam Gu was waiting for the last sentence: the housewarming celebration was negotiated between Jiang Luoluo and Zuiyuelou, and Zuiyuelou only symbolically accepted a small amount of money.
Zuiyuelou's dishes are among the best in the capital. Since they are going to invite some high-ranking officials and dignitaries, they must use the best. They can't ruin General Gu's reputation. But Madam Gu is reluctant to spend money, so she thought of Jiang Luoluo.
Madam Gu's smile immediately brightened even more. "Luo Luo is such a good child, so sensible. From now on, you two sisters will serve Bo Yuan together, and your aunt will be at ease."
Jiang Luoluo paused slightly with her fan in her hand, then quickly resumed her movements. A cold smile curled at the corner of her lips. "Could it be that Auntie already knew that Gu Boyuan and Yao Shiyu were together?"
Madam Gu's eyes were gentle yet scrutinizing as she looked Jiang Luoluo up and down, as if to say, "You don't even know your own worth. How can you compare to Yao Shiyu?"
"Oh, Luo Luo, your aunt was just about to tell you this. Bo Yuan is all alone at the border, without anyone to care for him. It must be tough on him. You know there are all those girls in the military camp, you know, but he's very chaste and has never touched one. It's really tough on a strong, virile man like him."
"So, he went to find Yao Shiyu behind his fiancée's back." Jiang Luoluo took another sip of tea and placed the teacup heavily on the table.
Madam Gu patted Jiang Luoluo's hand again and said earnestly, "Luoluo, I know it's hard for you to accept right now. Shiyu is the second female doctor in Daqi. Her medical skills are superb. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. It's common for Boyuan to be injured. With her by our side to take care of him, you and I can rest assured, right?"
Everyone knows that you have been afraid of blood since you were a child. You can't do what Shiyu can do for Boyuan. Moreover, after you marry into the Gu family, you will have to manage the inner quarters and it will be impossible for you to accompany Boyuan all the way to Yunchuan.
Besides, Yao Shiyu was also your mother's apprentice, and by virtue of that, you were cousins. Her being able to enter the household and serve Boyuan alongside you is a fitting end to the beautiful story of Ehuang and Nüying.
"What a load of rubbish!" Jiang Luoluo wanted nothing more than to slap this old hag. Madam Gu had been so kind to her before because she was useful and they had no conflict of interest. But now that Gu Boyuan was mentioned, Madam Gu's hateful face was revealed.
Jiang Luoluo shook the round fan in her hand and said with a half-smile, "Auntie, you can let Yao Shiyu into the mansion, but only if she becomes a concubine."
Madam Gu was furious. "Luo Luo, you are a lady of high birth. Don't be so rude. Yao Shiyu is the second female physician in the Great Qi Kingdom. She has received an award from the Imperial Concubine."
She's a court lady-in-waiting; how could someone like her become a concubine in someone else's household? If word gets out and angers the Empress Dowager and Consort Lu, our Gu family will be in deep trouble.
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