Chapter 473 He Gu San Sui
The first day of the Lunar New Year.
The younger generation went to Shou'an Hall early this morning to pay their respects to Madam Gu.
Madam Gu gave the younger generation the New Year's money she had prepared long ago. It is said that New Year's money can ward off evil spirits, and that the younger generation can pass through the year safely after receiving it, which represents the elders' good wishes for the younger generation.
When Madam Gu did not see her great-grandson, she asked Jiang, "Xiuyuan's wife, where is Yunxin?"
Jiang said truthfully, "Yunxin caught a cold and is feeling unwell now, so I didn't bring him over, for fear that the wind would worsen his condition."
Upon hearing this, Madam Gu pressed further, "Is it serious?"
Madam Jiang replied, "Grandmother, don't worry, it's not serious. She should be fully recovered in a couple of days."
Hearing this, Madam Gu was relieved and said, "That's good. Children are weak, and the weather is cold now, so we need to pay attention to keeping them warm. Otherwise, if they get a fever, it won't be a joke."
Madam Jiang nodded and replied, "Your granddaughter-in-law understands."
Then, Old Madam Gu's gaze fell on Zhang Shi, her tone carrying a hint of accusation: "I heard that after you all went home last night, Eldest Daughter-in-law, you and Xuan Yi had a fight. Is that true?"
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Zhang and her daughter. The commotion last night was quite significant; the mother and daughter had been arguing fiercely, and it was only after Chen intervened that the fight was brought under control.
The incident began when Zhang scolded her daughter for being inconsiderate, leaving home without a word, and being gone for so long. She also blamed her daughter for not informing her of her return beforehand, and she only found out about her daughter's return from someone else.
Unable to bear her mother's accusations, Gu Xuanyi lost her temper and started arguing with Zhang Shi, saying that Zhang Shi only had eyes for her son-in-law, whom she didn't even have yet, and didn't care about her as a daughter at all.
Finally, the mother and daughter, both in a fit of anger, started arguing fiercely.
Gu Xuanyi admitted her mistake readily: "It was my granddaughter who was being disrespectful and shouldn't have talked back to her elders."
Zhang stammered, "Mother, this...this is all because the child was being difficult. My daughter-in-law got angry and criticized her. It wasn't intentional to quarrel on such an important holiday and spoil everyone's fun."
Old Madam Gu looked at Zhang with a warning in her eyes and said in a deep voice, "Children grow up and have their own ideas. As a mother, you should respect your child's wishes and not always make them obey unconditionally. This is a one-time exception. If this gets out, it will not only affect the child's reputation but also make other families laugh at you."
Zhang nodded repeatedly: "Yes, daughter-in-law understands."
Madam Gu withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "Alright, everyone go back now. I went to bed late last night and I'm tired too."
Zhang hurriedly said, "Then Mother, please rest well."
After leaving Shou'an Hall, Gu Xuanyi ignored her mother and walked beside Meng Jinyao, telling her about the interesting things that happened when she went to her maternal grandfather's house and her cousin's wife's house.
Meng Jinyao used to dislike Gu Xuanyi because she was arrogant and domineering, but now she has changed a lot and is quite likable. She also likes to associate with her. Although she is a junior, she is about the same age and they have a lot to talk about.
Listening to their conversation, Zhang felt a pang of sadness. Her daughter, who had once been so close to her, seemed to be drifting further and further away.
Madam Chen said in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, I told you yesterday not to say things you shouldn't, but I didn't expect you to still be unable to hold back in the end. Fortunately, you didn't say it at the family dinner, otherwise you would have ruined the dinner and made Mother even angrier."
Zhang: "..."
She didn't want things to turn out this way. It was only because Xuan Yi was ignoring her that she got angry and blamed Xuan Yi for leaving without saying goodbye and being away from home for so long. Even though she wasn't speaking loudly at the time, Xuan Yi suddenly started arguing with her like a madwoman, not caring at all about being overheard, which caused the commotion.
Back at the main house, Gu Jingsheng also scolded his wife: "What were you doing last night? You had to cause such a scene during the holiday. If you want to discipline your daughter, do it behind closed doors. What kind of behavior is this, making a scene in the back garden?"
Ms. Zhang felt wronged: "All you do is criticize me. You're a father, why didn't you educate your daughter?"
Gu Jingsheng said, "Xuanyi has become like this because you spoiled her. She dares to argue with you now, but who knows, she might dare to fight with you in the future."
Zhang: "I..."
Before she could finish speaking, her husband turned and left, looking like he didn't care to argue with her. She was angry and aggrieved, but there was nothing she could do.
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Meanwhile, Gu Xuanyi followed Meng Jinyao back to Weirui Pavilion and clung to Meng Jinyao, talking to her.
Gu Jingxi was left standing to the side, unable to join in their conversation. He was annoyed to see his niece, who had no sense of propping up his wife and chatting so enthusiastically with her. When his wife looked at him, he immediately returned her a resentful look.
Seeing him staring at her like a wronged woman, Meng Jinyao felt puzzled and asked, "Husband, why are you looking at us like that?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanyi immediately looked over at her third uncle.
Gu Jingxi's expression changed faster than turning the pages of a book. He changed his previous resentful look and looked at them gently, saying in a kind tone, "Xuanyi, your third uncle has noticed that you have made a lot of progress recently. I'll take this opportunity to test your knowledge."
Gu Xuanyi: "?"
She doesn't need to take the imperial examinations like her brothers, so why would they test her knowledge?
Seeing that her third uncle seemed to be serious, she panicked and quickly came up with a solution: "Third Uncle, I suddenly remembered that I had a fight with my mother last night and I haven't apologized to her yet. I'll go apologize to her first. As for the academic matter, how about you test me next time?"
Gu Jingxi nodded: "Then you should go quickly."
Gu Xuanyi felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and stood up to say goodbye: "Then I'll go to my mother's place first, Third Aunt, I'll come to see you again tomorrow."
Meng Jinyao smiled and replied, "Okay."
Gu Xuanyi disappeared from her third uncle's sight as quickly as possible. What a joke! Her third uncle was going to test her knowledge, and even her brother was afraid he wouldn't be able to answer. Someone like her would definitely be speechless.
Seeing her running away as if her life depended on it, Meng Jinyao glared at Gu Jingxi and scolded, "Husband, why are you scaring that child like that? Look how scared you've made Xuanyi!"
Gu Jingxi looked completely innocent: "Ayao, you're wronging me. How could I scare her? I just wanted to test her because I saw that she's made some progress recently."
Meng Jinyao gave him a look that said, "Do you think I believe you?" and laughed, "She doesn't take the imperial examinations, so what are you studying for?"
Gu Jingxi disagreed: "The Gu family's daughters also study, so why can't they take the imperial examinations?"
“I think you’re not thirty-one this year, but three.” Meng Jinyao chuckled helplessly. “You’re actually jealous of your niece. She hasn’t seen me for a while, that’s why we’ve been talking more today.”
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