After being praised by Qin Lin, Huo Xiuxiu appeared very modest, with a hint of embarrassment on her face.
"I heard that Grandma Gu was very knowledgeable and talented. She was a well-known talented woman in the south. In front of Grandma Gu, I was really embarrassed to show my skills."
Grandma Gu said, "Don't be modest. The fact that the Huo family's huge business was handed over to you shows that you are indeed a smart and capable person."
"I want to learn more from Grandma Gu in the future."
"Hehe, I'm just a reclusive old woman, I can't teach you anything."
Although Madam Gu appeared polite, her words conveyed a sense of distance.
Huo Xiuxiu was at a loss for words.
Qin Lin said, "Xiuxiu, quickly take out the gift you gave to your Grandma Gu. Mom, this child is so filial. Knowing that you are very interested in embroidery, she specially asked a famous embroiderer from Jiangnan to make you a shawl. Do you like it?"
Huo Xiuxiu opened the gift box, inside which was a neatly folded silk cloak embroidered with elegant begonia flowers, giving it a very high-end feel.
Huo Xiuxiu took out a shawl and said to Old Madam Gu, "This was personally embroidered by Master Li Lizhen, the head embroiderer of Su Jinxuan. I heard that you like Master Li Lizhen's embroidery very much. Master Li said that your favorite flower is the crabapple. I don't know if you like this style."
Grandma Gu took the shawl and looked at it: "You can tell from the embroidery that it was embroidered by Li Lizhen herself. You've put a lot of thought into it."
"I'm glad you like it."
Madam Gu folded the shawl and put it back in the box: "However, this gift is too valuable, I cannot accept it."
Huo Xiuxiu's smile suddenly froze.
"Grandma Gu, why can't you accept it? Don't you like it?"
“Mom, Xiuxiu is just trying to be filial. If you don’t accept it, the child will feel very sad.”
Madam Gu smiled and looked at Huo Xiuxiu: "As the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit. If you bring some fruit and snacks as a guest today, I will welcome you warmly. However, Li Lizhen's embroidery is extremely expensive. She always tailors traditional Chinese-style clothing for the wives of political figures. This shawl of yours must have cost a lot of money. It is really too precious."
Grandma Gu's words left Huo Xiuxiu speechless.
Qin Lin said that the old lady liked Suzhou embroidery the most, especially the embroidery made by Li Lizhen herself. She originally thought that the old lady would like this begonia Suzhou embroidery shawl, but she was unexpectedly rejected.
"Miss Huo, you must have something to say to me today?"
Grandma Gu didn't give the other person a chance to come to their senses and spoke bluntly.
Both Qin Lin and Huo Xiuxiu showed a strange expression.
"Mom, shouldn't we settle Xiuxiu's marriage with our Aye as soon as possible? Aye is not young anymore, and it's time for him to settle down and start a family. Besides, haven't you two been looking forward to having a great-grandson? If Aye doesn't get married, who knows when we'll ever see our great-grandson."
“Ah Ye is indeed getting on in years, and his grandfather and I are eager to have a great-grandson as soon as possible. But then again, we can’t just let Ah Ye marry anyone just because of a great-grandson, can we? In the end, Ah Ye’s choice of who to marry will depend on his own wishes.”
Qin Lin's pupils dilated, her face showing disapproval.
“Mom, we can’t keep being so foolish. Who knows how long it will take for Ah Ye to find someone to marry on his own? Besides, given the Gu family’s social standing, we should find someone of equal social standing. Even if Ah Ye takes a liking to a daughter from a less wealthy or poor family, marrying into the Gu family would bring endless trouble. You’ve been through this, so you definitely understand this better than I do.”
Grandma Gu remained calm, and Qin Lin couldn't discern her thoughts.
She smiled and glanced at Huo Xiuxiu beside her.
"Besides, Xiuxiu and Aye are already engaged. Our Gu family values integrity the most. Since the Gu family ancestors had an engagement with the Huo family, this matter must be fulfilled."
Huo Xiuxiu then spoke up, "Grandma Gu, if you feel that I am not suitable to be the daughter-in-law of the Gu family, I will go back and discuss this matter with Grandpa. Don't worry, I will definitely not hold a grudge against Lord Jue."
Huo Xiuxiu looked heartbroken, which made Qin Lin feel a pang of sympathy.
"Mom, look at Xiuxiu, how understanding and generous she is. She just doesn't want to put you in a difficult position. Don't you think such a good daughter-in-law is better than any random cat or dog that Aye might pick out outside?"
Grandma Gu's face turned cold. "Who are you referring to as 'cats and dogs'?"
Qin Lin noticed the old lady's displeasure and immediately suppressed her arrogance.
She was just furious that the old lady was still being so picky about Huo Xiuxiu, such a good future daughter-in-law.
The old lady genuinely liked Bai Qianmo, a girl with questionable character and a less-than-ideal background.
Sure enough, as I get older, my eyesight deteriorates and my brain also declines.
Although Qin Lin was furious with Old Madam Gu's behavior, she had to put on a respectful demeanor on the surface.
"Hmph, your son's all grown up and you want to boss him around? Have you ever thought about why A-Ye isn't close to you? Do you think he's stupid or we are? You think you're so clever?"
"Mom, you've misunderstood. I didn't say that."
“But that’s what you think!” Old Mrs. Gu’s tone became more forceful.
Qin Lin flinched in fright and obediently lowered her head.
Qin Lin has always been arrogant, but after being married into the Gu family for decades, she has remained silent and timid only towards the Gu family elders.
In fact, Madam Gu rarely made things difficult for her in front of her, but she was still very wary of this old lady.
"Grandma Gu, please don't mention Aunt Gu. It was presumptuous of me to come and visit you two today. I sincerely apologize to you." Huo Xiuxiu stood up and bowed to Madam Gu.
"As for the marriage between the Gu and Huo families, I am just a junior and have no say in the matter. However, I will definitely convey your attitude to my grandfather in time. If the Gu family refuses this marriage, our Huo family is not the kind of family that will pester us endlessly."
Huo Xiuxiu's words, seemingly an apology, were actually an attempt to put pressure on Old Madam Gu.
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