“Grandmother, I won a lot of money betting on Young Master Ling. Please accept this 10,000 taels as a token of my respect.”
Xie Zhaozhao respectfully handed a ten-thousand-tael silver note to Old Madam Xie.
That silver note wasn't a silver note; it was a slap.
He slapped Xu Shi hard, and then slapped Tu Shi even harder.
They were so angry that their faces turned pale.
Xie Zhaozhao remained calm, thinking to herself, "This is just the beginning."
For every little thing that Tu had done to her in her past life, she would repay it in some other way.
Xu, the blood on your hands, you will have to pay for in this lifetime.
Is your mental fortitude really that bad? You can't even handle this little setback?
However, in a short while, Tu and Xu miraculously recovered and were fully healed.
What's there to be smug about? On Dragon Boat Festival, I received news of Gu Shaoyu's death. I hope you stay calm. Also, may your finances remain stable for the rest of your life.
Madam Xu: All your money will belong to my Xiang'er from now on.
Tu Shi: Your money will all belong to my grandson in the future.
"Since Miss doesn't mind, then it's settled. The engagement between Young Master Gu and Second Miss will be on the Dragon Boat Festival."
Xie Zhaozhao: I don't care, you can do as you please!
***
Since the day of the peony festival, Gu Chengyan has been staying in the southern city and has not dared to return to the Marquis's residence.
He was afraid of being punished by his family, afraid that Guan Yingying might do something rash, and afraid that Yin Jin'an would catch him and demand the 15,000 taels of silver.
In addition, he went to his maternal grandfather's house in Ouyang County to register Guan Yingying's household registration.
My third uncle's family lost a daughter years ago, who was about the same age as Guan Yingying. He used this identity to register Guan Yingying's household registration, and her name was Tu Qianyue.
Once all the travel permits and other documents are ready, I can travel openly and legitimately from now on.
If he doesn't handle this well, Guan Yingying might really abandon him and run away from home.
But Wang Fugui was unlucky. Every time he went out, he ran into those bastards Yin Jin'an and Li Yunmu. Every time they saw him, they would ask, "When are you going to pay back the money you owe?" If he didn't pay, they would beat him to death.
He was ruined by Madam Guan!
Another unfortunate family member was the Tu family.
Gu Chengyan kept hiding, and the Marquis and the old lady scolded her every day for failing to raise her son properly.
She knew where Gu Chengyan was, of course, but she would never go to the South City to find him. That shameless slut had stolen her son's heart and ruined her daughter's life, preventing her from ever entering the palace. She wanted nothing more than to skin her alive.
She called Wang Fugui over and told him to go and find Gu Chengyan, saying that the betrothal ceremony was to be held on the Dragon Boat Festival, and he had to come back.
She was in charge of managing the household affairs, but some important things were in the hands of the old lady, so she had to find a way to get them out of her hands.
Early this morning, Wang Fugui ran to the south of the city and told Gu Chengyan that the betrothal ceremony with the Xie family was scheduled for the Dragon Boat Festival, and that Madam Tu told him he must go back.
At the end of the hour of You (5-7 PM), the master and servant sneaked out of Tianhou Lane and returned to the Marquis's residence.
Upon entering the mansion, the steward Zhang Qing advised, "Young Master, you must secretly go to the Old Madam's place. The Madam cannot protect you. Only if the Old Madam forgives you can this matter be resolved."
Gu Chengyan gently said to Zhang Qing, "Thank you."
Gu Chengyan went to Madam Tu's place first, and Madam Tu immediately closed the door and angrily said, "Kneel down before me."
Gu Chengyan knelt down, remorsefully saying, "I have caused Mother to worry about her unfilial son."
His attitude in admitting his mistake was excellent, and Tu's anger turned into sorrow.
"Is that bitch a lucky star or a jinx? Before she even came of age, her father died and her entire clan was exiled. Now that she's with you, she's plunged the whole Marquis's mansion into the abyss of harboring fugitives."
She claimed to be able to write poetry, but it was all plagiarism! She ruined her son's future and ruined Jiaojiao's life!
The whole city is now laughing at the Marquis's mansion. The Marquis wishes he could beat his son to death and berates her every day until her cerebellum atrophies.
Gu Chengyan repeatedly admitted his mistake, saying, "Mother, although Yingying is different from the women around us, she does have extraordinary qualities."
He said that Guan Yingying makes ice in the summer, and he has seen her make it and even eaten the ice himself. He said that she can really make a lot of money.
Recently, due to the hot weather, he presented the ice blocks made by Guan Yingying to the Crown Prince, and thus began to be valued by the Crown Prince again.
"Really? You've won the Crown Prince's favor again?" Madam Tu was both surprised and delighted.
"yes."
Tu was immediately filled with mixed feelings, both loving and hating Guan Yingying.
"Have a good talk with your grandmother. The betrothal is about to take place, and the betrothal gifts cannot be too meager, lest the Xie family look down on you."
"Yes, Mother, I will obey your command."
The mother and son went together to the old lady's Ci'en Hospital.
Gu Chengyan knelt down and admitted his mistake before the old lady could scold him: "Grandmother, it's all my fault. I haven't been hiding outside these days. It's because the Crown Prince summoned me for something."
The old lady was taken aback: "The Crown Prince would use you?"
"Yes, the Crown Prince was never interested in poetry. He said it was just for show. What he really valued was his grandson's ability. The grandson and the Crown Prince had important matters to attend to, so they did not return in time."
The old lady was half-believing and half-doubting, but seeing that he was serious, she said, "Since you have a plan, then I won't say anything more. Your third uncle sent word back today that he also wants to propose marriage on the Dragon Boat Festival. His betrothal gifts can only be more than yours, not less."
Madam Tu was taken aback and blurted out, "My uncle actually sent a message?"
"What's with that expression? Is it strange that he sent a message?"
Tu thought to herself, "Why isn't he dead yet?"
Judging from what my in-laws said, my brother-in-law is most likely dead in the south, so why would he still be sending messages?
By the way, it takes many days for a message to travel from Jiangnan back to the capital. My brother-in-law sent the message many days ago; he was alive then, but he's probably gone now.
The person is already dead, why would you need a betrothal gift!
But she couldn't say that, so she could only nod and say, "Mother, don't worry, I will take care of everything."
Before the Dragon Boat Festival, the old lady personally visited Madam Xie and, together with Madam Tu, presented the betrothal gift list.
He said with shame, "The Marquis's mansion is poor, and the betrothal gifts for the two young ladies are not generous. I have no choice but to shamelessly promise my in-laws that the two young ladies will be treated as my own children once they arrive at the mansion."
Madam Xie and Madam Xu looked at the two gift lists, both of which came from public funds and were almost identical in value and quantity.
Neither the old lady nor Madam Xu liked either of the two gift lists.
The Xie family's beautiful daughter, and this is all the betrothal gifts they offer?
Gu Chengyan also came today. After consulting with the two matriarchs and the mistress of the house, he and Xie Xiangxiang took a walk in the garden of the Xie residence.
Gu Chengyan was handsome and refined, with clear eyebrows and bright eyes that always looked at people with deep affection.
Xie Xiangxiang instantly ignored his disheveled state in the palace and asked, "Has the manor made things difficult for the young master?"
Gu Chengyan smiled gently and said, "Don't worry, whether it's His Majesty or the Crown Prince, what they value most is the way of governing the country. A few poems won't affect the relationship between the emperor and his ministers. These days, I've been running errands for the Crown Prince."
Xie Xiangxiang looked at him shyly.
Prince Gu smiled and gazed into her eyes with utmost tenderness, as if she were a priceless treasure in the palm of his hand.
He stretched out his large hand, gently grasped her small hand, and reverently placed a kiss on the back of her hand, saying, "I fell in love with the Second Miss at first sight."
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