The gift was placed in a golden nanmu box and had never been opened.
Regardless of what gifts are in the box, the golden nanmu box alone is worth a fortune.
Gu Jiu frowned slightly and first opened the gift list.
There was a large blank space on the gift list, with only the two characters "Zhou Jin" written in a flamboyant style.
What's the meaning?
Do you want to show your presence in a unique way?
Gu Jiu asked Ma Xiaoliu, "Who sent the gift?"
"He's a steward."
"What did you say?"
"They said this gift was specially sent from the south by their young master. It was to wish his wife a happy new year."
Gu Jiu smiled and asked, "Did you say anything else?"
"The steward said that their young master has been very busy lately and can't come to the capital. He said that he might have the opportunity to stay in the capital for a while next spring. He also said that their young master is very happy to cooperate with Madam and hopes that the cooperation between the two families can be maintained for a long time."
Gu Jiu smiled.
She sent people to Jiangnan to engage in maritime trade.
But maritime trade is not that easy to do.
For the time being, her people have not had the opportunity to go to sea.
But the cooperation with Zhou Jin has already begun.
Zhou Jin was quite powerful in the south. No matter what goods Gu Jiu wanted, he could supply them at a fair price.
The jewelry at Zhenbaozhai has obviously been upgraded to a higher grade, all thanks to Zhou Jin.
In Zhou Jin's hands, he held a large number of jewellery, all of which were brought back from overseas through years of maritime trade.
Jewelry is something you should sell with care and never dump. If you dump it, it loses its value.
Due to being reluctant to sell for many years, Zhou Jin has a large inventory of jewelry of high quality.
For the sake of these jewels, Gu Jiu could not refuse to cooperate with Zhou Jin.
But what does this gift in front of me mean?
Qingmei asked, "Madam, won't you open it and take a look?"
Gu Jiu nodded and opened the golden nanmu box. A jade sculpture one foot high and half a foot wide, worth a million gold, appeared in front of Gu Jiu.
Purple jade grapes, topaz corn and pumpkin, emerald branches and leaves, ruby fruit...
Crystal clear, the water color is absolutely superb.
What is even more precious is that jade of several colors grows perfectly together, which is simply a miracle.
Only nature can create such a miraculous natural jade.
Gu Jiu clearly heard the servants' exclamations.
Even though they were members of the royal family and had a wide range of knowledge, the jade carving in front of them still refreshed their cognition.
“It’s amazing that it’s a whole.”
Who could have imagined that high-quality jade of several colors could grow together, be mined, and then carved into its current form according to its shape and color?
Gu Jiu had to admit that this jade carving was incredibly precious. It was probably something you wouldn't find once in a century.
It is no exaggeration to say that this jade carving is a rare treasure in the world.
Because it is rare, it is precious.
Gu Jiu was breathing heavily, without any joy at all.
What does it mean that Zhou Jin gave her such an expensive gift for no reason?
Gu Jiu placed the jade carving into the box and asked Ma Xiaoliu, "Is the steward still here? Call him over. I have something to ask him."
Ma Xiaoliu took the order and left.
Not long after, a middle-aged man with a goatee, dark complexion and a strong body was led into the side hall.
Gu Jiu looked him up and down and asked, "Are you the manager under Zhou Jin?"
"Madam, I am Hu An, and Mr. Zhou is my master."
Gu Jiu nodded, "So it's Manager Hu. Do you know what the gift you brought is?"
Juan shook his head. "I don't know. I was just following orders to give a gift to the lady."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Didn't Zhou Jin tell you anything else besides giving you a gift?"
Juan shook his head again, "The young master is not in the capital at the moment, so I have no way to explain."
"Where is your young master now?"
"I'm not sure about the little one. It could be in the south, west, or north."
It seems that he is running around all over the world.
Gu Jiu nodded to Qingmei, and Qingmei opened the golden nanmu box, "Manager Hu, take a look, this is the gift you sent."
Juan looked inside the box and was also surprised.
Gu Jiu said, "You know how valuable this gift is, even without me telling you. I can't accept such a valuable gift. You can take it back."
thump!
Juan knelt on the ground and said, "Please accept the gift, Madam. If you knew that I failed to complete the mission, I would die a miserable death."
Gu Jiu frowned, "If this lady doesn't accept the gift, will you die a miserable death? Could Zhou Jin really beat you to death for such a trivial matter?"
What was the big deal about fighting and killing? If it was just fighting and killing, he wouldn't be afraid at all.
The way his young master dealt with people was enough to stop children from crying at night.
Thinking of what happened to his old friend when he fell into the hands of the young master, Juan shuddered subconsciously.
He simply kowtowed to Gu Jiu and said, "Please, Madam, take back your order. I will be grateful to you."
Gu Jiu was dissatisfied, "Zhou Jin has a bad temper. If I don't accept the gift, he will beat you to death."
"It is my fault that I did not do the job you asked me to do. It is not your fault."
Gu Jiu observed the other person and found that Juan was really scared and not just pretending.
I didn't expect that Zhou Jin, who looks gentle and harmless, like a young man from a wealthy family, is so cruel and ruthless to his subordinates.
Gu Jiu pondered for a moment and said, "I will accept the gift for now. When Zhou Jin arrives in the capital, send someone to inform him. This lady will personally return such a valuable gift to him."
Juan was stunned for a moment, "Madam, are you really not going to accept the gift?"
Gu Jiu said expressionlessly, "Such a valuable gift. I have no relationship with Zhou Jin, so why would I accept it? Even if we were relatives, we wouldn't give each other such valuable gifts. Unless your young master has something to ask for, and it's something very important."
Hu An lowered his head, thinking to himself: "My lady is very perceptive. My son really wants something very great. He doesn't want wealth or fame, he wants you as a person."
However, he would never say this even if he was beaten to death.
He kowtowed in thanks, "Thank you, Madam, for your understanding. When my young master arrives in the capital next spring, I will report to you as soon as possible."
Gu Jiu hummed.
"I'll take my leave."
Gu Jiu stared at the golden nanmu box with a frown.
What should she do with such a valuable gift?
"Ma'am, do you want to put your things away?"
"Put it away and put it in the warehouse."
"What goes into the warehouse?"
Liu Zhao came back early today.
He walked into the side hall in the chill of the wind and snow, and immediately saw the golden nanmu box on the table.
Being in the royal family, I can’t say that I have any other special abilities, but I do have the ability to identify and appreciate treasures.
"Golden nanmu?"
It’s still such a big box.
"I don't remember there being such a box in the mansion."
Gu Jiu sighed, "Someone else sent it."
Liu Zhao stepped forward, and when he saw the jade carvings in the box, his brows immediately furrowed.
"Who sent it? Did someone ask for a favor?"
Then he saw the gift list on the table and picked it up and opened it.
A very personal gift list, as only one name was left.
"Zhou Jin!"
When this name came out of Liu Zhao's mouth, people inexplicably felt a chill.
"Who is this person? Why are you giving me gifts?"
His intuition told him that Zhou Jin was not a good person.
Who would give such an expensive gift for no reason?
Asking someone to do something shouldn't be done this way.
Leaving only one name on a gift list is not the right attitude to have when asking for a favor.
Gu Jiu said casually, "He's a sea merchant from the Huai'an Zhou family. He's a relative of the Chuzhou Zhou family, within the fifth degree of mourning. I've met him twice before and we've had some business dealings. This time, he sent his steward to give us a gift, saying it was to wish us a happy New Year."
I thought this gift was too valuable, so I planned to return it to him. But the steward was timid and didn't dare to take it back. So I will wait until next year when Zhou Jin arrives in the capital and then return it to him."
Liu Zhao frowned, his heart burning with anger. He had no idea where this anger came from.
Anyway, he was unhappy that a strange man gave such an expensive gift to his beloved wife.
He asked straight to the point, "How old is this Zhou Jin?"
Gu Jiu thought for a moment and said casually, "In his early twenties, about the same age as you."
So young?
Liu Zhao gritted his teeth and became even more unhappy.
"What does he look like?"
"Not as pretty as you."
After saying that, Gu Jiu rolled his eyes at Liu Zhao and said, "What are you thinking about again?"
Liu Zhao snorted, "A businessman gave you such an expensive gift, and I'm not even allowed to think about it?"
Gu Jiu laughed when he heard this, "Look at you like this, people who don't know the truth would think you are jealous."
Liu Zhao wanted to say that he was just jealous and was almost dying of jealousy.
It seems that even he, the grandson of the emperor, has never given Xiaojiu such an expensive gift.
A businessman, and a good-looking young businessman at that, actually dared to give Xiaojiu such an expensive gift. How could he not think too much about it?
snort!
"When this person named Zhou Jin arrives in the capital, remember to let me know."
Gu Jiu asked casually: "What are you going to do?"
Liu Zhao snorted twice, "Don't worry, I won't kill him."
How could a businessman have the courage to give such an expensive gift to his own wife?
Giving gifts is also very particular.
Not all gifts have to be expensive.
Liu Zhao didn't believe that a businessman who traveled all over the country would not understand the proper measure here.
Since you know the limits, why do you do things without limits?
Liu Zhao was worried about Gu Jiu's safety.
I am worried that this man named Zhou Jin has other intentions and will do something bad to Gu Jiu.
Therefore, after Zhou Jin arrived in the capital, he had to conduct an investigation personally.
Gu Jiu ordered people to put the gift box into the warehouse and lock it up.
As soon as the servants left, Liu Zhao pestered her, "From now on, business matters will be left to the people below. You don't have to show up."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Are you afraid I'll run away? Don't worry, I rarely show up. I always ask Bai Zhong, Lao Deng and others to handle it."
Liu Zhao hugged her tightly and said, "When you go out, remember to cover your face."
Gu Jiu gave him a look of disdain, "Is it really that serious?"
“As for.”
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "When I go out, I am always surrounded by people. Do you think anyone can get close to me without permission? You are just imagining things and overthinking."
Liu Zhao refused to admit that he was overthinking.
Men also have self-awareness, okay?
He felt that this man named Zhou Jin was not a good person and had bad intentions.
Of course, he wouldn't talk nonsense without evidence.
In the past, he tried his best not to interfere with Gu Jiu's business, allowing Gu Jiu to develop freely and grow wildly.
But now, he made a decision that he needed to keep an eye on the people in the business world for Gu Jiu.
This matter has to be entrusted to Qian Fu.
The gift Zhou Jin sent did not cause much stir.
It was quickly forgotten.
…
Once the wind and snow stopped, the sun shone for a few days and the weather was finally not so cold.
Taking advantage of the good weather, Gu Mei invited her sisters to visit Dai Hou Mansion to enjoy the flowers and drink.
There is a patch of plum blossoms planted in the back garden of Dai Hou Mansion.
The plum blossoms are in full bloom, which is a good time to enjoy the flowers.
The banquet was held in the flower hall next to the plum blossoms.
The flower hall is inlaid with glazed windows, so you can enjoy the flowers without worrying about getting cold.
Gu Jiu came to Dai Hou Mansion with gifts.
The carriage stopped at the second gate.
Gu Jiu got off the carriage.
Gu Mei personally greeted her, "Sister Xiaojiu, you are a rare guest."
"Sister Mei is making fun of me again. Is Sister Mei feeling well?"
Gu Mei is pregnant again, and it has been three months. She only announced it to the public some time ago.
Gu Mei took her hand and said, "Sister Xiaojiu, please take a look for me."
Gu Jiu readily agreed and stretched out his hand to take the patient's pulse.
The pulse is steady and strong.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Sister Mei is in good health."
Gu Mei laughed, "I feel relieved with what Sister Xiaojiu said."
She glanced at Gu Jiu's abdomen and asked softly, "Are you still not moving?"
Gu Jiu smiled, she knew that Gu Mei cared about her.
She smiled and said, "Sister Mei, don't worry about me. I'm not in a hurry."
"You and Gongzi Zhao have been married for two years, so you should be anxious. You haven't made any move, and the princess hasn't said anything?"
Gu Jiu whispered to her, "Some time ago, because of this incident, my fourth brother's wife miscarried the child she had finally conceived. Now the princess is very quiet."
Gu Mei exclaimed, "I've heard about this, but I didn't know Xiao Qin'er had a miscarriage. No wonder the Young Master's Council was silenced by the Xiao family."
Gu Jiu laughed when he heard this, "Sister Mei also knows that it was the Xiao family who was trying to trick Liu Yi?"
"Looking through the entire capital, who else but the Xiao family would dare to hit the grandson of the emperor with a club? People outside are talking about how the two families are fighting so fiercely over a few concubines. Can they still be in-laws in the future?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "We will continue to be in-laws. My princess also promised the Xiao family that Liu Yi would not take a concubine within a year."
"Really?" Gu Mei was surprised, as if she had heard some huge gossip.
Gu Jiu nodded, "This is absolutely true."
Gu Mei said: "The Xiao family is quite capable."
"It's not that the Xiao family is capable, but Concubine Xiao Shu is dissatisfied with Liu Yi, so my princess has to give in."
Otherwise, with Pei's temper, she would never sit down and patiently bargain with Madam Xiao.
Pei had to give face to Concubine Xiao Shufei no matter what.
Xiao Qin'er had a miscarriage, and an explanation must be given no matter what.
Within one year, Liu Yi is not allowed to take a concubine. This is the explanation to Concubine Xiao Shufei and also to Xiao Qiner.
Even though Xiao Qin'er was full of grievances and dissatisfaction, since things had come to this point, she could only swallow her anger.
Reality is so cruel.
Gu Mei said, "I thought our house was a mess. But compared to your palace, it's nothing."
Gu Jiu asked, "But Aunt Qu embarrassed you?"
Gu Mei gritted her teeth and said, "Ever since I became pregnant, my old lady has been thinking about finding a concubine for the prince, a good concubine."
There is a huge difference between a concubine and a maid.
A concubine is equivalent to a side room or a concubine. Although the children born to them are also illegitimate children, their status is much higher than that of children born to maids and concubines.
Moreover, once the wife dies, the concubine has the opportunity to become the first wife.
For example, the Xie family.
Back then, Xie married Lord Gu as a concubine.
When Gu Jiu's biological mother Su died, Xie Mao won the favor of Crown Prince Renxuan, and Lord Gu took the opportunity to make Xie his legal wife.
If Xie was a maid or a lowly concubine, she would have absolutely no qualifications to be promoted to the principal wife.
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Mei worriedly, "Sister Mei, what are you going to do?"
Gu Mei smiled and said, "Don't worry about me. They want to take a concubine for the prince on the pretext that I'm pregnant. I can also use my pregnancy as an excuse to stop them from taking a concubine."
After a pause, she continued, "The prince can have a concubine, but he cannot have a concubine."
This is Gu Mei’s bottom line.
Children born to a concubine have the opportunity to compete with legitimate sons.
Gu Mei may not care who Prince Han sleeps with, but she will never allow anyone to threaten the child's status.
Gu Jiu was surprised. She didn't expect that Gu Mei would actually accept that Prince Han had a concubine.
Gu Mei smiled, her expression calm.
She said to Gu Jiu, "Little Jiu, when you have a child, you will find that men are just like that. As long as there is a child around, your heart and eyes are filled with the child. Men have become redundant, and at most they are used when you want to get pregnant."
Gu Mei is very free and easy because she no longer cares.
It's enough for her to have a child. Men are just like that. Why should she be so desperate and put herself in a difficult position?
Once she figured it all out, Gu Mei felt the world become wider, and even the air seemed to have a fresh fragrance.
Gu Jiu felt sad.
Back then, Gu Mei and Prince Han were in love with each other.
In just a few years, the feelings have been completely worn away.
Life is such a fucked up thing.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
Today is Friday, there will be more
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