Lord Gu sent an invitation to the Zhou family.
He hadn't had much hope at first, but he didn't expect the Zhou family to be so considerate and actually come to his house with gifts to congratulate him on his promotion.
Lord Gu was so happy.
The two major families in the court, the Sun family and the Zhou family, have stood in the court for hundreds of years.
The two families have a complicated relationship in the officialdom. On ordinary days, they seem to be fine, and there has been no powerful person in the family in recent years.
When something really happens, you will find that the power of these two families in the court is astonishingly great.
For example, the former Crown Princess, now the Queen Mother of the Prince of Chu, Sun, is from the Sun clan.
If she committed a crime and was caught, the emperor would execute her, but would not touch the Sun family. At most, Sun's father and brother would be dismissed from their official positions.
Both the Sun and Zhou families relied on the talents and abilities of their own children to gain a foothold in the court, rather than relying on in-laws.
Not only do they not rely on their in-laws, but they also keep their distance from them.
The only people who could destroy these two families were themselves. Unless there was an internal conflict within the families, it would be difficult for outsiders to shake the two families.
The Zhou family has always been low-key in their behavior and work, so it was really unexpected that they came to the Gu family to congratulate them today.
After settling the Zhou family, Master Gu calmed down after his excitement and asked Master Ma, "Is the Marquis' Mansion going to marry into the Zhou family?"
Master Ma nodded, "I heard so."
"Did Miss Zhou agree?"
"I'm not quite sure either. But marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. The Zhou family elders have agreed, so it's useless for Miss Zhou to object alone."
Lord Gu nodded. "The Zhou family girl is worthy of being a clan wife. The previous Jia was too weak. For this reason alone, she should not be married as a clan wife."
"Your Excellency is right. I wonder what the Marquis's Mansion was thinking back then. They were so foolish as to cancel the Zhou family's marriage and marry the girl from the Jia family."
Lord Gu spoke with the tone of a man who had experienced it, "It's inevitable for young people to be lustful and lecherous. After learning his lesson, he has finally grown a little and knows how to marry a virtuous woman. If I were in the capital back then, I would definitely stop Gu Rui from marrying Jia's daughter."
"Your Excellency is wise."
Master Ma flattered Lord Gu.
Lord Gu was very proud. He was completely overjoyed.
In fact, he was just talking nonsense. If he really was in the capital, he would not have the courage to interfere in the affairs of the Marquis' Mansion and would only blindly agree with them.
Master Ma also knew this, but he was smart enough not to expose Master Gu, allowing Master Gu to maintain a happy mood.
This is the duty of a legal advisor.
The girls from the Marquis' Mansion accompanied Miss Zhou to the side room to drink tea.
"Sister Xiaojiu, I heard that the Xie family came over. Was it a big commotion?"
"Fortunately, it's all resolved."
Gu Qi looked at Gu Yue.
Gu Yue looked at Miss Zhou curiously.
She didn't go to the last banquet hosted by the Marquis' Mansion, but she heard about the relationship between the Zhou family and the Marquis' Mansion.
This Miss Zhou is quite good-looking, just like Miss Jia before her, she is as pretty as spring orchid and autumn chrysanthemum, each with her own merits.
However, Jia's temperament is weak and pitiful, which can arouse men's desire to protect her.
Gu Yue had a malicious guess in her heart that Gu Rui must like weak women and not a dignified and generous woman like Miss Zhou.
She lowered her head and gave a sarcastic smile. All men are the same.
If Miss Zhou really wants to marry Gu Rui, she will definitely suffer.
In short, in Gu Yue's mind, any married woman will not have a good life.
Even if the couple is harmonious, there will always be sisters-in-law, aunts, and mothers-in-law who will cause trouble for them. If they are constantly being annoyed by them, a good relationship between the couple will become a mess.
If the couple is not harmonious, it will be even more miserable.
Maids, concubines, actresses, and mistresses came one after another. From the day of marriage, life was a torment.
Gu Yue thought that if Miss Zhou married Gu Rui, she would definitely be the second type, with marital discord, various concubines causing trouble, and a mother-in-law who made things difficult for her.
In short, everyone's marriage life is unhappy, and Gu Yue feels balanced.
The look she gave Miss Zhou was filled with pity and regret.
Miss Zhou was very puzzled. This was the first time she met Gu Yue and they hadn't even spoken to each other, so why was he looking at her with such pity and regret?
Is she pitiful?
Miss Zhou was a little unhappy.
She felt that there was nothing about herself that deserved sympathy. Gu Yue was being too sentimental.
She turned her head away and ignored Gu Yue.
Gu Yue snorted inwardly, how rude. The so-called elegance and grace were all lies.
Gu Jiu asked Gu Qi, "Sister Mei isn't coming today?"
"The Daihou Mansion is having a banquet with relatives today. Sister Mei sent someone to send a gift to Uncle, so she won't be coming."
"Sister Mei is so thoughtful. Is she okay?"
"It's okay. Last time, Xiaojiu stood up for Sister Mei, and we all have to thank you. You don't know that when my aunt heard about this, she was very angry. She went to the Daihou Mansion in person to support Sister Mei. The old lady of the Daihou Mansion came forward and persuaded my aunt to calm down."
Hearing this, Gu Jiu curved his eyebrows and smiled.
The eldest lady, Xiao Wei, loves Sister Mei the most. How could she not be angry when she learned that Sister Mei had suffered injustice in Dai Hou Mansion?
Gu Qi added, "It's a pity that the Qu family still lives in the Daihou Mansion. Living under the same roof, they see each other all the time. Sister Mei still needs to cheer up and deal with that family."
Gu Jiu said, "It's not difficult for Sister Mei to deal with the Qu family."
"That's true."
Gu Qi was already five months pregnant and felt uncomfortable after sitting for a long time, so she asked her maid to help her go out for a walk.
"Miss Zhou, have some tea."
Gu Jiu greeted her, "Miss Zhou, please forgive me if I haven't treated you well enough."
"Madam Zhao, you are so polite." Miss Zhou was very polite.
Gu Jiu looked at her and asked, "Should I say congratulations?"
Miss Zhou was stunned for a moment, then shook her head and smiled, "Madam Zhao, you are joking."
Gu Jiu nodded, "I understand. But I'm really surprised that you would come to visit me."
Miss Zhou said casually, "I am here with my uncle as a guest, just to introduce myself."
Gu Jiu didn't get to the bottom of it.
When she had some free time, Gu Zhen pulled Gu Jiu aside and asked quietly, "What's going on with Miss Zhou? Is she going to marry cousin Gu Rui?"
Gu Jiu said: "I'm not sure either."
Seeing Gu Qin looking at them, she waved and asked her to come over.
Gu Qin moved closer to Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu asked her, "What's going on between Miss Zhou and cousin Gu Rui? Is this marriage going to happen?"
Gu Qin whispered, "Both the Zhou family and our Marquis' Mansion are working hard to promote this marriage. My eldest brother is also trying hard to get it. But Miss Zhou still hasn't relented. I heard that Miss Zhou's mother will be going to the capital to preside over the wedding. I guess that once Miss Zhou's mother arrives in the capital, the marriage will be settled."
Gu Zhen said with a strange look on her face, "Since you will marry your eldest cousin Gu Rui sooner or later, why is Miss Zhou still insisting on this?"
Gu Jiu could understand Miss Zhou's persistence. She said, "Of course, we should insist on what we should insist on. For some things, even if the outcome is already determined, we still have to show the right attitude. Especially when it comes to marriage, attitude is very important."
Gu Qin laughed. "What Xiaojiu said is pretty much the same as what mother said. Mother also said that Miss Zhou was just posturing, and that she was using this method to correct big brother's attitude. Big brother used to be too casual about marriage, canceling the engagement as he said and getting married as he said. He can't be as casual this time."
Gu Zhen suddenly understood, "So, Miss Zhou is still willing to marry Brother Gu Rui?"
Gu Jiu glanced at Miss Zhou and said, "Maybe. Some people are destined to be husband and wife, and they will be together no matter what."
"In this way, we will be able to enjoy the wedding banquet of cousin Gu Rui soon."
Gu Qin smiled and said, "Maybe we should attend Gu Cheng's wedding first."
Gu Cheng and Miss Hu are engaged, and the wedding date is set for March next year, the season of spring flowers blooming.
I heard that Xie prepared a betrothal gift of 10,000 taels for Gu Cheng, which clearly shows that she values her future daughter-in-law very much.
The meal starts on time at noon.
Everyone was eating and drinking happily.
After the banquet, Xie called the two sisters Gu Yue and Gu Shan to Furong Courtyard to talk.
He also sent someone to call Gu Gong over.
Gu Gong still felt a little guilty.
"Mother!"
Xie glanced at Gu Gong coldly, "What's going on between you and Xie Yuan? Don't tell me you're attracted to her."
Gu Gong quickly waved his hands, "That's not true. My son doesn't like cousin Xie Yuan. She's older than me, how could I like her?"
Gu Yue snorted, "A woman three years older than you is a treasure. Eighth brother, haven't you heard of it?"
Gu Gong blushed, "Third sister, don't talk nonsense. Besides, she is not three years older than me."
"Mother, look at my eighth brother. I think there must be something going on between him and Xie Yuan that we don't know about." Gu Yue was afraid that the world would not be in chaos.
Gu Gong stamped his feet anxiously, "Third sister, whenever you had problems in the past, I always stood by you. But now you are making things difficult for me. What's the reason?"
Gu Yue smiled softly, "I remember all the good things that my eighth brother did to me. I also remember all the bad things that my eighth brother did to me."
Gu Gong's expression changed. "When have I ever wronged you? Please explain clearly."
Gu Yue looked at Gu Gong with a half-smile, "I was just joking with you. You look so nervous. Is it really that serious?"
"Okay, stop talking."
Mrs. Xie stopped the siblings from arguing and asked Gu Gong, "Are you and Xie Yuan really okay?"
Gu Gong swore to the sky that he and Xie Yuan had absolutely no relationship beyond blood ties.
Xie heaved a sigh of relief. "It's best if there isn't one. If there is, cut it off immediately. You saw with your own eyes how your father treated the Xie family."
Because your eldest uncle passed away, your father no longer pursued the Xie family. But that doesn't mean you can marry a girl from the Xie family.
If you have any inappropriate thoughts about Xie Yuan, be careful that your father will break your legs."
Gu Gong shrank his neck and said weakly, "I will listen to my mother and I will definitely not do anything rash. From now on, I will avoid the Xie family when I go out."
Xie waved her hand and told him to go down.
Gu Gongru was pardoned.
Xie took a sip of tea and considered how to start the conversation.
She looked at Gu Yue and asked, "Has your mother-in-law given you any trouble these days?"
Gu Yue shook her head, "I never made things difficult for my daughter."
Mrs. Xie complained slightly, "You should have followed my instructions and brought back the dowry directly. You wouldn't have had to suffer in the Haixi Marquis's Mansion for a whole year. I see you've lost weight. The Haixi Marquis' Mansion must have been very strict with your diet."
Gu Yue quietly defended herself, "Because I'm in mourning and eating vegetarian food every day, I've lost weight."
"You're still growing, so how can you eat vegetarian food every day? I asked the kitchen to make chicken soup for you today. Have you had it?"
Gu Yue was very touched. "My daughter drank the chicken soup, it was delicious. Thank you for your concern, mother."
Mrs. Xie waved her hand. "When the one-year period is up next year, you should hurry back with your dowry. Is your dowry still there?"
Gu Yue clutched her handkerchief and said, "Most of the items are still there, but there is not much left of the dowry money."
"How could several thousand taels of dowry silver be used up so quickly? Where did it all go?"
Gu Yue's tears instantly rolled down her cheeks, and she sobbed, "It was all ruined by Zhao Erlang. He stole my money and spent it on a life of luxury. I didn't dare tell my mother about it because I was afraid she would worry."
"This is too much!" Xie slammed the table, furious.
If Lady Haixi was present, she would definitely argue with the other party.
"Mother, please calm down. Fortunately, the other items were put away by my daughter and were not ruined."
Gu Yue turned around and began to comfort Xie again.
Gu Shan looked as if she had suddenly understood something. "No wonder when my brother-in-law passed away, I went to your room and it was completely empty. There wasn't a single good thing. It turns out they had put everything away. Third sister, you hid such a big thing from the family. It's really wrong. After so much time, the money can't be recovered now. What a pity."
Xie also felt it was a pity.
But after being angry for a while, she thought it through again.
"Fortunately, Zhao Erlang is dead and can no longer do evil."
Gu Yue wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. "Since I married into the Haixi Marquis's Mansion, the days since my husband passed away have been the most peaceful and tranquil time for me. I regret not listening to my parents' advice and insisting on marrying Zhao Erlang. I was truly blind back then."
Gu Shan glanced sideways, it was really rare.
Gu Yue actually admitted that she was blind. She really changed her personality.
Xie sighed and felt distressed. "It's not too late to repent now. You're still young and childless. Next year, I'll ask the Marquis' Mansion to arrange a marriage for you. I'll make sure you marry off with honor."
Gu Yue stood up and bowed deeply, "Thank you very much, mother. I am an unfilial daughter and have caused you worry all these years."
"Why are you saying this? Sit down."
Gu Yue hummed and sat down weakly.
Mrs. Xie continued, "After finishing Gu Cheng's betrothal gifts, it's time to work on Shan'er's dowry. Fortunately, the wood is already prepared, and we can hire a carpenter to make furniture in the spring. Needlework and fabrics can be prepared closer to the wedding date. But the jewelry needs to be prepared early."
Gu Yue grabbed the handkerchief and tightened it.
In the blink of an eye, her hand loosened again, she pursed her lips and said, "I heard that a new treasure shop has opened in the capital, and the jewelry inside is novel and unique.
Each style is limited to ten sets at most. If you're willing to pay a high price, you can even customize your own unique jewelry.
Sister Shan is outstanding in appearance and character, and is talented and educated. She will definitely be betrothed to a wealthy family.
I think we should prepare a unique set of head jewelry for Sister Shan so that she can marry off in style."
Gu Shan smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. I've heard of Zhenbaozhai, but the jewelry there is too expensive. I don't need to spend so much on my dowry."
Gu Yue pursed her lips and smiled, "How can you say that, Fourth Sister? It's precisely because you're preparing for your dowry that you have to be willing to spend money and buy more expensive items. And mother has already made a budget for you. Are you still worried about not having enough money?"
Gu Shan looked towards Xie.
Xie coughed lightly and said, "Yuer, I will take care of your fourth sister's dowry. You should spend more time thinking about your own affairs."
Gu Yue nodded, "Daughter understands. There are only a few months left. Daughter will definitely behave herself and not cause trouble for her mother."
"You have really grown up. After all this trouble, at least you have gained something." Mrs. Xie was very pleased.
Gu Yue quickly glanced at Gu Shan with a gloomy look in his eyes.
Gu Shan didn't notice Gu Yue's eyes. She was thinking about her dowry.
She had received news long ago that Xie had prepared a dowry of 40,000 taels for her.
She had never dared to ask, fearing disappointment and being too embarrassed to ask.
Besides, her marriage has not been finalized yet, so it is inappropriate to ask about the dowry at this time.
However, judging from Gu Yue's reaction, it is very likely that the rumor about 40,000 taels is true.
Xie was tired and sent the two sisters out.
Gu Yue did not stay. After bidding farewell to Mrs. Xie and Lord Gu, he got on the carriage and set off back to the Haixi Marquis' Mansion.
The carriage moved slowly along the street.
She suddenly knocked on the carriage wall and told the driver, "Go to the cloth shop. I want to take some cloth back."
The driver obeyed the order, turned around and headed for the market.
When they arrived at the cloth shop, Gu Yue got off the car and told the driver to wait at the door, as it might take her quite a while.
The driver obeyed the order.
Gu Yue walked into the cloth shop with her maid Grape.
"Shopkeeper, do you have any cotton cloth?"
"Yes, yes, please come in, distinguished guest."
The shopkeeper invited Gu Yue into the backyard.
There is a hidden gem in the backyard.
Gu Yue suppressed her inner excitement and told Grape to wait in the yard while she walked into the guest room alone.
There was someone waiting for her inside.
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