Gu Jiu and her sisters came to the side room and presented the gifts they had prepared.
"Sister Mei, I wish you a happy marriage, a long life together, and a son soon."
Everyone said auspicious words in unison, making Gu Mei blush with embarrassment.
Seeing Gu Mei blushing, everyone started laughing.
Gu Mei's face flushed red as she scolded with a smile, "It will be your turn sooner or later, just wait for it."
"Just wait and see. Maybe by then Sister Mei will be pregnant and unable to move around easily, and won't have the energy to tease us."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter again.
Gu Mei stamped her feet and said, "I won't talk to you anymore. You just know how to make fun of me."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Today is the day to show off the dowry. We have prepared a gift for Sister Mei to add to her dowry. Sister Mei, please don't dislike it."
"How could I be disgusted? I'm so happy! I'm so grateful to you for taking the trouble to prepare these gifts for me."
"Sister Mei, don't be polite with us."
Everyone took out the gifts they had prepared to add to the makeup.
The sisters are not rich, so what they prepared are mostly needlework.
Gu Jiu also took out the gift he had carefully prepared.
She prepared a one-foot-high double-sided embroidered table screen.
One side is embroidered with blooming flowers and prosperity, and the other side is embroidered with abundance every year.
When Gu Mei saw it, she liked it very much. "What exquisite embroidery! Sister Xiaojiu's gift is so thoughtful. Thank you, Sister Xiaojiu."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "As long as Sister Mei likes it, that's good. I also drew a portrait of Sister Mei, I hope Sister Mei won't dislike it."
"My portrait? Take it out quickly. As long as you don't make me look too ugly, I promise I won't mind." Gu Mei joked.
Qingmei came in carrying a long wooden box. She placed it on the table and said, "Miss Mei, this painting took my daughter three full months to complete. I don't know how much draft paper she wasted during that time, but she finally got the one she was most satisfied with."
Gu Mei was deeply moved, "Sister Xiaojiu is so thoughtful."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Sister Mei, please open it and take a look. I hope you like it."
"I certainly like it."
Gu Mei took out the painting and slowly unfolded it.
Wow!
Oh my god!
like!
Exclamations came one after another.
Gu Jiu used oil painting techniques to paint a portrait of Gu Mei.
The characters are so lifelike that every detail is visible, their eyes are vivid, and they smile before they speak, as if the real people were carved on the drawing paper.
Everyone came closer to take a look, smelling the scent and observing the color of the paint.
"What kind of painting method is this? Why haven't I seen it before?"
"It should be a realistic style."
"It's definitely realistic, but Sister Xiaojiu's painting is too realistic."
Gu Mei was so excited when she saw her own portrait.
She took Gu Jiu's hand and said, "Thank you, little sister Jiu. I love this painting so much."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "As long as Sister Mei likes it."
"Sister Xiaojiu's painting captures Sister Mei's charm."
"If you look closely, the face isn't that similar. But the eyes are so well drawn, they really capture Sister Mei's spirit."
Everyone was amazed. They had no idea that realistic paintings could be so beautiful. Although they didn't have the artistic conception of freehand paintings, they were still more realistic.
Gu Jiu was very happy that Gu Mei liked her paintings.
In her previous life, she suffered from congenital heart disease and could not run, jump or do strenuous exercise. Reading and painting became her way of passing the time. Later, she really fell in love with reading and painting, and put a lot of effort into painting.
Although she is not as good as the masters who have been immersed in this field for decades, fortunately she has good talent and has persisted in learning for more than ten years and has achieved some results.
"How come I didn't know that my second sister could draw, and draw so well?"
Gu Yue stared at Gu Jiu, waiting for him to clear up her confusion.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "There are so many things that Third Sister doesn't know. It doesn't make sense for you to know everything about me."
Gu Yue smiled and said, "Back in the northwest, I followed a teacher to learn music, chess, calligraphy and painting. I remember that my second sister's paintings were incomprehensible. Even the teacher said that my second sister had no talent for painting and advised her to give up.
How come in just a few years, my second sister's painting skills have improved so much that she can actually create such realistic paintings. Could it be that someone is ghostwriting her?"
As soon as the word "ghostwriter" came out, everyone in the room was shocked and confused.
Gu Yue smiled proudly and asked Gu Zhen, "Big sister, do you remember that the second sister can paint?"
Gu Zhen smiled. When Gu Yue asked her, of course she would help Gu Jiu.
"Third sister, you're busy all day, how could you know how much effort Second sister puts into painting in private? Just because Second sister didn't know how to paint back then doesn't mean she doesn't know how to paint now. It can only be said that the teacher at the time was too poor a teacher and didn't discover Second sister's talent."
Gu Yue bit her lip. She had miscalculated, forgetting that Gu Zhen was now so bold, constantly contradicting her. She still thought of Gu Zhen as the same follower and flatterer she had been.
snort!
Gu Yue then asked Gu Shan, "Fourth sister, have you ever seen Second Sister painting?"
Gu Shan looked around, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I haven't seen it, but I believe my second sister won't find a ghostwriter."
Someone murmured quietly, "Even if we find someone to write for us, it's a thoughtful gesture."
Gu Mei said, "Don't say anything. Does it matter whether it's a ghostwriter or not? This is a gift from Xiaojiu. I like it very much."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Mei. I think everyone here has the question in their hearts, whether this painting was ghostwritten. I don't want to be known as someone who hired someone to do it for me. To prove my innocence, how about this, I will draw a picture on the spot to prove whether I can paint or not."
"This... isn't necessary. Sister Xiaojiu, we trust you."
Gu Jiu said, "Thank you, Sister Qi, for trusting me. Third Sister definitely doesn't believe me. If I don't show some real skills, is Third Sister going to put the reputation of ghostwriting on my head?"
Gu Yue snorted coldly, "What's true can't be false, and what's false can't be true."
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Yue with a half-smile, "If I can prove that I can paint, and that I can paint well, I don't ask for much. How about Third Sister serving me some tea and apologizing, saying I was wrong?"
Gu Yue's expression changed slightly, and she wanted to retort.
Gu Mei spoke first, "This request is reasonable. Sister Xiaojiu shouldn't be wronged for nothing. She should apologize."
Others also echoed.
Gu Yue's face fell and looked very ugly.
The four treasures of the study were brought up, and Gu Jiu picked up his pen.
She looked at everyone in the room, smiled, and began to paint with a confident glint in her eyes.
With just a few strokes, a scene of a gathering of girls in the boudoir comes to life on the paper.
“Ah, the picture is of us.”
Someone recognized it.
"Which one is me?"
"Ahhh, what a beautiful painting."
"Sister Xiaojiu's painting skills are truly extraordinary. But it will definitely take time to make it look completely realistic."
"Of course. Didn't you hear what the maid said? Little Sister Jiu wasted countless manuscripts and spent countless hours drawing Sister Mei's portrait."
A painting of gratitude, completed quickly.
Gu Jiu put down his pen and asked with a smile, "Are you all satisfied?"
“Very satisfied.”
"Sister Xiaojiu draws so well."
Gu Jiu walked towards Gu Yue, "Third sister, pour some tea and apologize."
Gu Yue's face turned ugly, and she said stubbornly, "I didn't promise to apologize."
Gu Jiu looked at her with a half-smile, "Are you planning to default on your debt, Third Sister?"
Gu Yue said stubbornly, "Don't even think about asking me to do anything I haven't agreed to."
"Sister Yue, how could you do this? Apologize." Gu Qi was the first to refuse.
Gu Mei also said: "Sister Yue, if you still recognize me as your sister, you should apologize to Sister Xiaojiu. You slandered her, and you should apologize."
Gu Zhen sneered, "Third sister, how thick-skinned do you have to be to say that I haven't agreed to apologize? Aren't you ashamed?"
Gu Shan tugged at Gu Yue's sleeve, "Third sister, apologize. You were wrong in the first place for what happened today."
"Just shut up."
Gu Yue angrily scolded Gu Shan. She pointed at Gu Jiu and asked, "Why should I apologize to her?"
Gu Jiu took advantage of the situation and grabbed Gu Yue's hand, secretly inserting the silver needle into the acupoint.
"Third sister, you'd better apologize quickly."
Gu Yue felt her heartbeat quicken and she felt uncomfortable all over. "Second sister, you..."
Gu Jiu stared at her with a half-smile, "Third sister, are you determined not to apologize?"
"I, I...let go."
Gu Yue felt anxious and short of breath, and the whole person was very uncomfortable.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Okay, I'll let you go if you apologize to me."
"Apologize quickly."
"Sister Yue is so unreasonable."
Gu Yue looked at the people around her blaming her and suddenly felt uncomfortable.
She burst into tears and said, "I'm just apologizing. Why are you being so aggressive?"
"If you had apologized earlier, why would we force you?"
Gu Jiu decisively let go of Gu Yue's hand, and the silver needle fell into her sleeve. Then she sat upright on the chair, waiting for Gu Yue to apologize.
The maid brought a cup of tea.
Gu Yue cried, wiped away her tears, picked up the teacup, and walked in front of Gu Jiu.
"Second sister, I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted you. Please be magnanimous and forgive me.
Gu Jiu took the teacup and said, "Third sister, please be more careful with your words in the future. People outside are not as easy to talk to as I am, understand?"
Gu Yue nodded repeatedly, "I understand. Thank you for your teachings, second sister."
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup and touched the corner of his mouth, which was considered as accepting Gu Yue's apology.
This matter ends here.
The room soon became lively again.
Gu Yue secretly hated her. She glared at Gu Shan fiercely, "Fourth sister, why don't you help me? Do you really want to see me make a fool of myself?"
Gu Shan was bewildered. "It was clearly Third Sister who said the wrong thing, why are you blaming me?"
Gu Yue sneered, "Don't act innocent. You must be very happy inside. I'm embarrassed, but you're proud. When Mother finds out about this, you'll be her good daughter, and I'll be the troublemaker."
Gu Shan frowned, "Since Third Sister knows that she is causing trouble, why can't she control her temper?"
"Why should I control it? I don't believe that when you suddenly saw Gu Jiu draw such a realistic painting, you didn't have even a little doubt in your heart."
Gu Shan said, "Even if I have doubts, they are only in my heart. And my second sister has proven with her own strength that the painting was indeed hers."
hehe!
Gu Yue sneered repeatedly, "Fourth sister, you really know how to behave. We had the same idea, but I ended up being the bad guy, while you won the favor of others.
No wonder even mother was deceived by you, thinking about finding you a good husband and preparing a generous dowry. Fourth sister, I am completely suppressed by you, you must be very proud.
Gu Shan frowned. "I don't understand what Third Sister is talking about. I've never thought about being proud or not."
snort!
How could Gu Yue believe what Gu Shan said? Instead, she felt even more hatred in her heart.
They are both biological daughters, but why are they treated so differently?
Gu Yue clutched the handkerchief tightly, the hatred in her heart almost overflowing.
The people from Dai Houfu came to urge the makeup, led by Han Dalang.
Everyone hid behind the screen and watched Han Dalang.
Han Dalang was riding his horse at full speed, his face full of smiles.
"Han Dalang is looking here, Sister Mei, please come here quickly."
Gu Mei blushed and shook her head, "I won't go over."
Before the wedding, men and women cannot meet each other. Although Gu Mei wanted to see the other party in her heart.
"Sister Mei, are you really not coming over? Han Dalang will be gone soon. Sister Mei, do you really not want to see him?"
Gu Mei bit her lip, hesitant.
Gu Jiu said, "Sister Mei, why don't you just take a look, just one look."
Gu Mei nodded hesitantly, "It shouldn't be a problem if I only take a look."
"It's definitely okay."
Gu Mei dragged her feet and came behind the screen. Through the screen, she secretly observed Han Dalang.
Han Dalang seemed to have sensed something and looked towards the screen.
Gu Mei was frightened and quickly looked away.
Her face was flushed red. What should she do? She must have been seen.
"Sister Mei, Han Dalang is looking for you."
Gu Mei stamped her feet anxiously, "Tell him not to look for it. We'll see him tomorrow."
Ha ha……
Everyone couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Gu Mei's face turned red with shame and she was too embarrassed to see anyone.
The eldest lady, Xiao Wei, sent someone to remind them not to laugh too loudly and let others hear them. She also asked everyone to go to the side room to talk.
Gu Mei was the first to run back to the room, and everyone followed one by one.
Friends and relatives came together to add to the decorations, and the Marquis's mansion was very lively.
The Marquis' Mansion displays the dowry to let the man know how much the woman values this marriage and how much she values her daughter who is about to get married.
Marriage is a union of two families, and the man should respect and love the woman.
Near noon, the Marquis's Mansion sent someone to deliver the dowry.
One hundred and sixty sets of dowry were carried out of the Marquis' Mansion, circled around Baiyi Lane, and finally entered the gate of Dai Hou Mansion.
The ten-mile red wedding attracted countless people to watch.
The Marquis' Mansion is indeed wealthy. They actually prepared so much dowry for their daughter's marriage.
The old women and maids who came with the dowry followed the team that delivered the dowry and came to the Dai Hou Mansion together.
Tonight they have to guard Gu Mei's dowry and decorate the bridal chamber in advance in preparation for tomorrow's wedding.
After a simple meal at the Marquis's residence, everyone set off for home. Tomorrow morning, they would return to the Marquis's residence to see off the bride.
Gu Jiu and the others got off at the second gate.
As soon as his footsteps touched the ground, the maid came to Xie and reported, "Madam, it's bad. Twelve Brother is dying."
"What happened? Didn't you call a doctor?" Xie asked with a stern face.
The old woman hurriedly said, "Twelve Brother has a fever. The doctor came to check and gave him medicine, but the fever hasn't subsided. It looks like he's dying. Aunt Bai was so worried that she burst into tears."
"Auntie!"
Gu Lin shouted and rushed out.
Xie's face was stern as she said to the girls, "You go back to your rooms first. I'll go to Acacia Courtyard to take a look."
Gu Jiu said, "We are also worried about Twelve Brother, so why don't we go with Madam to take a look?"
Xie snorted, "It's up to you."
The eldest wife, Zhang, sighed and said, "I'll go and take a look too. Twelve Brother has been through so many hardships since he was born. I don't know if he can make it this time."
Xie secretly muttered that the twelfth brother was a short-lived person and it would be a wonder if he could survive.
A group of people came to Acacia Courtyard in a mighty manner.
Before entering the yard, I heard Aunt Bai crying loudly.
Xie frowned, "He's crying so hard, could it be that Twelfth Brother has already..."
After saying that, Xie was the first to walk into the courtyard.
Aunt Bai knelt beside the bed, holding the child and crying.
Seeing this, Mrs. Xie said, "Mrs. Bai, put the child down quickly. The child is sick. How can he get better if you hold him like this?"
Aunt Bai was unaware and trapped in her own world.
She cried and shouted, "Auntie, I'm sorry for you, Auntie, I'm sorry for you."
"Bai!" Xie roared.
The eldest wife, Zhang, stopped Xie and said, "Let's take a look at the situation first."
Gu Jiu walked past the crowd, approached Aunt Bai, squatted down, and stretched out his hand to feel the pulse of the twelfth brother.
She frowned and sighed. The child was gone. She was too late.
Gu Jiu stood up, feeling a little heavy-hearted.
The eldest wife, Zhang, asked, "How is it?"
Gu Jiu shook his head slightly.
At this time, the maid Cui Liu came in from outside with red eyes, "Madam, please let Auntie cry for a while. The child is gone, and Auntie is sad."
Xie was delighted at first because the little brat finally died.
Then he frowned and cursed, "How did you take care of Twelve Brother? He was fine yesterday, and today he's gone just like that. How ridiculous."
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