Lord Gu got promoted!
Great news.
After two years of sitting in the position of prefect of the capital, he was fed up with being squeezed. Now his luck has finally turned and he got a promotion.
The Minister of Revenue fulfilled his promise and promoted him to Vice Minister of Revenue. The Ministry of Personnel issued a transfer document and he took up his post ten days later.
These days, Lord Gu has been busy with the handover.
Of course, a banquet must be prepared to invite relatives and friends to have fun together.
Gu Jiu returned to her parents' home with gifts to congratulate Mr. Gu on his promotion and wealth.
Lord Gu laughed heartily, his face full of energy and radiance.
People are in high spirits when they are happy. Lord Gu looks three or five years younger than usual.
Xie was also full of energy and a smile on her face. From now on, she would be the wife of the Minister of the Court, and would be flattered by many ladies when she went out to visit friends.
It can be said that this is the thing that makes her most proud in the two years since she returned to Beijing.
Rarely, she even smiled at Gu Jiu.
"It's good that Second Aunt is back. Go to the wing room and have some tea. You sisters are all over there."
"Madam, you're busy. I'll go to the side room to have some tea. If you need anything, just send someone to the side room to let me know."
"You are my aunt, a precious guest in the mansion. How can I ask you to share the burden? I have Shan'er to share it for me."
Mrs. Xie smiled, and when she mentioned Gu Shan, her mouth was full of sweetness.
It seems that Xie is indeed focusing on Gu Shan.
Gu Jiu was just about to get up and go to the side room to drink tea when the doorman came to report that the third aunt had returned.
Gu Jiu looked towards Xie. Was Gu Yue called back by Xie?
Xie was a little confused and muttered, "Isn't she here to observe the mourning period for Zhao Erlang? Why is she back?"
Master Gu's face froze. On such a beautiful day, he couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable about his daughter coming home in mourning. He was afraid that it would ruin his happiness and bring him bad luck.
He looked towards Xie.
Xie waved her hands and explained, "I didn't inform her. I don't know why she came."
Lord Gu coughed lightly and said, "Since you are already at the door, please come in. We can't kick you out and let others gossip about you."
Mrs. Xie was a little worried, "Will it offend the master?"
Lord Gu frowned, he was also worried.
Gu Jiu said, "Father has been reading the books of sages since he was young. He has established his mind for heaven and earth, his destiny for the people, and he has inherited the lost knowledge of the ancient sages and brought peace to the world for all eternity. He has integrity, so why should he fear others' attacks?"
When Lord Gu heard this, he was overjoyed and praised it highly.
Gu Jiu's words really touched his heart.
Although he did not have such lofty ideals in studying and becoming an official, it did not prevent him from placing such lofty ideals on himself and advocating for himself.
He said in a clear voice: "Xiao Jiu is right. As an official appointed by the court, I am upright and have no fear of any conflict. Come, please invite the third aunt in."
The servants received the order.
Xie looked at Gu Jiu and thought to herself, Gu Jiu is indeed sharp-tongued. He can still say such things, which is amazing.
A moment later, Gu Yue was invited to the flower hall.
Gu Yue had lost weight and grown a bit taller. She looked thin and tall, and in her plain clothes, she looked rather pitiful.
"Greetings, Father, Mother. I heard you got promoted, so I came back to congratulate you. I hope I didn't ruin your happiness."
"No problem!"
After being consoled by Gu Jiu, Lord Gu was now truly righteous, showing no fear or disgust. He even smiled at Gu Yue.
Gu Yue was inexplicably touched. "As a daughter, I know that my parents treat me the best. This is a little gift from your daughter for you, please accept it."
Lord Gu accepted the gift and said, "You are so thoughtful. Come to the wing room with your second sister for tea."
Gu Yue turned around and looked at Gu Jiu, "Hello, second sister. Second sister is even more beautiful now."
"Third sister is really good at talking. Father and the mistress are busy, so let's not disturb them. Let's go to the side room and talk first."
"I'll listen to my second sister."
Xie gave a few more instructions.
The two sisters walked out of the hall together and headed towards the wing room.
"How is Third Sister these days?" Gu Jiu asked casually.
Gu Yue pursed her lips and smiled, "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, second sister."
Gu Jiu was still not used to Gu Yue's polite way of speaking. The difference from the past was too obvious.
The noisy Gu Yue with eyes on top of her head has grown up. She has become more sophisticated and knows how to hide her emotions.
"Why are you looking at me, Second Sister? Is my face dirty?"
Gu Jiu shook his head, "It's not dirty, it's very clean."
"That must be because I've become ugly." Gu Yue covered half of her face. "I have to observe mourning for my husband, so I usually go out with a bare face. I haven't put on makeup in a long time. My skin must be very dry. I feel it's a lot rougher when I touch it."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Third sister loves beauty as always."
Gu Yue said, "As a woman, how can I not love beauty? Second sister must be living well in the palace. I heard that Gongzi Zhao has returned home. I wonder when I can hear good news from second sister."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Don't worry, there will always be good news."
As they were talking, they arrived at the side room.
Gu Zhen also came back with her baby who was only a hundred days old.
Gu Zhen gave birth to a boy who was chubby and looked fierce and very cute.
"The child is already so big!"
On the third day of the baby's birth, Gu Jiu went to the Xu family to visit Gu Zhen and the child. Back then, he was just a tiny, soft child, but he had grown up so quickly. His eyes, distinctly black and white, darted around, revealing a cleverness.
Gu Zhen held the child and asked Gu Jiu, "Second sister, do you want a hug?"
"Can I hold you?"
Gu Jiu felt a little guilty, she really didn't know how to hold a baby.
"It's okay, just hold him. This kid is thick-skinned and tough. He'll be fine after falling to the ground and crying for a few times." Gu Zhen was very straightforward.
Gu Jiu carefully took the child from Gu Zhen's arms. The child was quite heavy.
"It must be more than ten pounds."
Gu Zhen smiled, her eyes filled with love and happiness. "I weighed it a few days ago, and it weighed a full fifteen kilograms."
A hundred-day-old baby is so heavy, no wonder he is so fat.
"Brother Hu, I'm your second aunt!"
Gu Jiu was playing with the child.
Hu Ge'er stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and grabbed her hair.
The force was so strong that Gu Jiu cried out in pain.
"oops!"
Gu Zhen was anxious and quickly and carefully pried the child's hands apart. "This child likes to pull hair the most now. Second sister, are you okay?"
Gu Jiu finally got rid of the little brat's ravages, rubbed his scalp, and said with a smile: "It's okay. Do you see my hair is messy?"
"It's a little messy. I'll ask the maid to come in and do your makeup again."
"Don't bother with that, just tidy it up a bit."
Gu Jiu asked Qingmei to tidy her hair.
Gu Zhen handed the child to the wet nurse and smiled bitterly, "This child now wants to grab everything he sees. He also likes to smear his saliva on people's faces."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Big sister must have suffered a lot."
"Don't mention it. He almost scratched my head bald." Gu Zhen smiled happily.
Children are angels who bring laughter to people.
When the child grows up a little, he will be both an angel and a devil.
I wanted to beat the kid up, but after I was done, I saw him crying and regretted it, thinking I was too violent. I reminded myself to just reason with him next time and never use violence.
The next time, they still had to hit the child because he really wanted to be hit.
Raising children is a time of chaos and laughter.
Gu Yue laughed with everyone and said, "Speaking of which, it's still the eldest sister who has the best luck. She got pregnant a few months after getting married, and it was a boy."
Gu Zhen glanced at Gu Yue and said with a hint of meaning, "The blessings that belong to me cannot be taken away by others. The blessings that do not belong to me are useless even if they are taken away. In the end, it will all be in vain."
Gu Yue lowered her head and smiled, "Big sister, do you hold a grudge against me so much? It happened so many years ago, how can you still remember it?"
"Just a reminder to my third sister, it's only been two years since those things happened. It's not that long. I have a very good memory and won't forget it so easily."
Gu Zhen looked at Gu Yue with a smile.
Gu Yue reached out her hand, teasing the child, and said casually, "Big sister, you should thank me for what you have today. If you were the one who married into the Haixi Marquis's Mansion, would you still be able to laugh as heartily as you do today?"
Gu Zhen hated this about Gu Yue the most, as if her happiness today was all thanks to Gu Yue.
She said to Gu Yue: "I am not as cruel and ruthless as you. I am grateful. No matter where I marry, I can still laugh as happily as I did today."
Gu Yue laughed sarcastically, "Big sister, have you become stupid after giving birth? Ask the second sister, after a woman gets married and goes to her husband's family, does she really think that she can live a good life just by being grateful?
"As someone's daughter-in-law, you don't have any sense of purpose in your heart, and you don't plan for yourself on a daily basis. Do you really think that you can live in peace and harmony forever? There are still decades to go, big sister, don't jump to conclusions too early, or you will be slapped in the face."
Gu Zhen's face fell, "Third sister, you can't bear to see me have a good life, right?"
"I'm reminding Big Sister to be more careful and not just be silly and cheerful all day long."
"Don't worry about my affairs."
Gu Yue stretched out her hand and looked at her nails. She didn't use nail polish, but she had always taken good care of them. The nails on all ten fingers were neatly trimmed, round and cute.
She said to Gu Zhen, "Big sister, I really don't have time to worry about you. It's just that we rarely meet today, so I kindly reminded you a few words, but you just turned your face away. Sisterhood is really cheap."
Gu Zhen sneered, "Do you even have the word sisterhood in your heart? Which of us five sisters hasn't been trampled upon by you? Back in the northwest, it was you who caused our second sister to fall into the water and become seriously ill. You still have the nerve to talk about sisterhood? You're truly shameless."
Gu Yue's face froze and looked very ugly.
Gu Zhen smiled smugly. When it comes to exposing someone's shortcomings, Gu Yue has a lot of dark history. Any one of them would be enough to slap Gu Yue in the face.
Gu Jiu rubbed his brows and asked Qingmei, "Is it sorted out?"
Qingmei put away the comb and said, "It's already been sorted."
Gu Jiu reached out and touched his head. Sure enough, the hair that had been pulled up before was now sticking to his scalp.
She took a sip of tea and then said, "Big sister, third sister, you two always have an argument every time you meet.
I won’t try to persuade you, because I guess you won’t listen even if I do.
Just as the third sister said, there are still many days to come, so why rush now?
It's better to wait and see who can live a good life. Wouldn't it be more convincing to discuss it again in three, five, ten, or eight years?"
Gu Zhen laughed, "Second sister, what you said makes sense. In a few years, when my Sanlang comes back, I will give Hu Ge'er two more brothers and sisters.
I wonder what Third Sister's plans are? Once the New Year begins, your one-year term will be up. Will Third Sister return to her parents' home, or continue to stay at the Haixi Earl's Mansion?
The Earl's Mansion is a wealthy family, and my third sister loves wealth and luxury the most. It would be better for her to continue staying in the Haixi Earl's Mansion and adopt a child from one of her relatives."
Gu Yue smiled coldly and said, "Thank you for worrying about me, big sister. Whether I will return to my parents' home or continue to stay in Haixibo Mansion, you will know next year. Why are you so anxious now?"
"Then I'll wait and see."
Gu Yue pursed her lips and smiled, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint Big Sister."
Gu Zhen secretly rolled her eyes. She really didn't know what Gu Yue was so proud of that she could even laugh.
Someone from the Xie family is coming.
Everyone was surprised.
Didn't they cut off contact with the Xie family? Why would the Xie family have the nerve to come today? Could they be here to extort money?
Gu Jiu ordered Xiao Cui, "Go out and see what's going on."
When Gu Yue heard that the Xie family was coming, she lowered her head with an unclear expression.
Gu Zhen looked at her and said, "Third sister, why don't you say anything? The Xie family is your uncle's family, don't you go out and take a look?"
Gu Yue snorted, "I'm in mourning, how can I go out casually? Don't joke, big sister."
As they were talking, Xiao Cui came back from outside.
"Mrs. Xie came with her people, saying they wanted to congratulate the master on his promotion. But after meeting the master, she said she wanted the eighth young master to be responsible, as if the eighth young master had flirted with a girl from the Xie family."
"Ridiculous!" Gu Yue scolded, "Why did they choose to come today instead of earlier? As soon as they entered, they started talking about my eighth brother. I think they are here to pick a fight."
Gu Jiu said, "Third sister is really insightful. But how could Eighth brother be related to the Xie family?"
Gu Yue snorted, "Who knows? Maybe the Xie family deliberately framed me."
Gu Jiu nodded. "Third sister, what you said makes sense. We are just sitting here making random guesses. Why don't you come with me to the front and see what's going on?"
Gu Zhen responded, "Let's go together."
She left the child in the care of the wet nurse and followed Gu Jiu to the flower hall in front.
Gu Yue naturally followed behind.
Before I even entered the door, I heard the loud voice of Mrs. Xie Ma.
"Sister, you can't just ignore us! Your Gu Gong molested my girl, no matter what, you should give him an explanation."
Xie was so angry that she was shaking all over. She knew without even looking that Lord Gu's face must be ashen at the moment.
She pointed at Ma and angrily said, "Sister-in-law, stop slandering me and making random accusations. Today is my master's wedding day. If you still recognize me as your sister, take your people and leave immediately. I will visit you another day."
Ma stared at Xie. "I don't want to be the bad guy, and I don't want to ruin my brother-in-law's wedding. But I'm more worried about you, my sister." She forgot what she said in a flash. Also, I'm not making random accusations. Call Gu Gong, and my daughter will confront him.
"Ridiculous! How dare you cause trouble in my house and even involve my children? Do you really think I won't punish you?"
Lord Gu was extremely angry.
After Xie Mao died, he thought he had gotten rid of the Xie family as a relative.
Who would have thought that only two years later, the Xie family would dare to come to my house.
Xie Shi, who had been silent the whole time, stood up and said, "Master Gu, there's no need to be angry. Is it us making random accusations, or is it really true? Call out your eighth master and we'll know the answer."
Lord Gu sneered, "Are you working at the Prince of Chu's Palace now?"
Xie Shi said expressionlessly, "I am grateful to the King of Chu for his favor. I will serve as his vanguard."
"Do you think that just because you have the support of the King of Chu, you can challenge me?"
Xie Shi was neither humble nor arrogant, without even a superfluous expression. "This humble official has never thought of this. Lord Gu has misunderstood. This humble official only wants to seek justice for his sister. Lord Gu, please do not shield or condone Gu Gong."
"presumptuous!"
After a pause, Lord Gu calmed his inner anger, "Come, call the Eighth Young Master. I will confront you here today. If you dare to accuse my son, I will not let you off. You can expect to be sued."
Not long after, Gu Gong was invited to the flower hall.
Gu Yan also came with them.
"Father!"
"Evil son! The Xie family said you flirted with their daughter. Is this true?"
Lord Gu pointed at Gu Gong and asked angrily.
Gu Gong shuddered, first fearful and then angry, and shouted, "What frivolous talk? Nonsense. I just saw her get knocked down, reached out to help her up, and then personally sent her home. Why should you be wrongly accused for doing good things? Are you even human? Xie Yuan, stand up and explain yourself clearly."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
Happy National Day!
Number one, number two, still collecting manuscripts.
Only the third ingot can go out and have fun!
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