On the outskirts of the capital, at the Gu family farm, the housekeeper Gu Quan arrived today.
The head of the farm respectfully welcomed Gu Quan into the gate.
Gu Quan was busy with his work and had no time to deal with the flattery of the village head.
He asked, "Where is the Third Aunt?"
"The person is in the backyard." Zhuangtou said honestly.
Gu Quan's face was serious. "Lead the way."
The village head did not dare to be negligent and bowed to lead the way.
Gu Yue, the third aunt of the Gu family, was imprisoned in the farm for nearly two years.
She was thinner and looked older.
The clothes she wore were all popular styles in Beijing two years ago, and her hairstyle was also popular two years ago.
Gu Yue's time seemed to have stopped two years ago.
Two years of farm life had worn away her sharpness.
She began to become silent and always liked to look at people with a gloomy look.
It was midsummer, the house was hot, and there was no ice basin.
She sat under the eaves, letting her maid fan her while she did needlework.
Gu Quan was a little surprised when he saw this scene.
As far as I can remember, Gu Yue rarely did needlework.
She lacks patience and cannot sit still.
Needlework, a delicate job, was not suitable for her, and Xie never forced her to do it.
I didn't expect that after living in the village for two years, I developed patience.
"Hello, Third Aunt!" Gu Quan bowed.
Gu Yue glanced at him lightly, "Butler Gu, you are a rare guest. Please take a seat."
She looked calm, without anger or surprise, and she didn't even ask why Gu Quan had come suddenly.
It's like a neighbor passing by and casually saying hello and asking him to sit down.
Gu Quan didn't hesitate and sat down on the bamboo chair.
The osmanthus tree in the yard swayed in the wind, bringing a hint of coolness.
"Won't Third Aunt ask why I'm here?"
Gu Yue said calmly, "I can't escape my father's orders. Is he sending you on this trip to give me a cup of poisoned wine to kill me?"
Her tone was light and calm, but her words were as unpleasant as ever.
Gu Quan thought to himself that everything before was indeed an illusion. Gu Yue was still the same Gu Yue. She could choke someone to death just by opening her mouth.
"Third Auntie misunderstood."
Gu Yue smiled, and this was the first time she smiled today.
"Go ahead and talk. I'm listening."
Gu Quan considered his words carefully and said, "I came here this time to take Third Aunt back home."
Gu Yue was surprised and stopped sewing.
Her expression was obviously stunned at first, and then she smiled, a very shallow smile with a hint of sarcasm.
She said, "Master wouldn't take me back for no reason. Tell me, what's the matter? It can't be that something happened to the mistress."
"Don't worry, Third Aunt, everything is fine."
Gu Yue stared at him, waiting for his next words.
Gu Quan was in a bit of a dilemma. It seemed that if he didn't tell the truth, Gu Yue would not leave with him.
He gritted his teeth and said, "The master has found a marriage for Third Aunt. I am taking Third Aunt back this time just to see her."
Hearing this, Gu Yue sneered, "Master hasn't finished mourning yet, and he's so anxious to marry me off. He really can't tolerate me."
"Third Auntie has misunderstood. The Master is only thinking about you. Third Auntie, you must have someone to rely on for the rest of your life."
Gu Yue raised her eyebrows and smiled, "I have brothers. When I get old, I can rely on them for support. Isn't that okay?"
"It's not good at all."
"There's nothing wrong with it. Go back and tell the master that I'm fine here and there's no need to worry about it. As for that marriage, just pretend it never happened and reject it directly."
Gu Yue buried her head and continued doing needlework.
The maid Grape was fanning herself at a fixed rhythm and didn't even look at Gu Quan.
Gu Quan was a little anxious, "Third Aunt, why don't you ask who the man is and what conditions he has?"
Gu Yue sneered, "I'm getting married for the third time, how can I expect a good marriage? I'm just a middle-aged widower, and I'll be married off to someone else as a stepmother. I'm not interested in that."
Gu Quan frowned, "This is the master's arrangement. Third Aunt, please pack your bags and go back with me."
Gu Yue put down her needlework and said, "Gu Quan, let me ask you something: what was my previous identity?"
Gu Quan was stunned.
Gu Yue didn't wait for his answer and said directly: "I used to be the concubine of the Prince of Chu. Although I was a concubine, I was also a member of the Royal Jade Butterfly, so I was a person of status. I also gave birth to a child for the Prince of Chu.
I have enjoyed fine clothes and delicious food, and I even had a generous dowry. Now I am asked to marry a middle-aged widower and become someone's stepmother. Is he worthy?
How dare he marry the former Consort of the Prince of Chu? Isn't he afraid I'll stab him to death? You know I can do it.
Tell the master exactly what I said. If the master does not want to make enemies, don't worry about my marriage and don't find anyone to send me away. "
Upon hearing this, Gu Quan’s face turned pale.
Gu Yue snorted coldly and lowered her head to continue her needlework.
This is not the first time she has committed murder.
The man looks strong.
But as long as you plan well, killing a man is easy.
It was a good idea of Lord Gu to ask her to marry and become a stepmother, but she was unwilling to obey.
It is said that when you first marry, you should obey your father, and when you remarry, you should obey yourself.
She didn't want to get married, and Lord Gu couldn't do anything about it.
Gu Quan asked, "Third Auntie, aren't you curious at all? You really want to stay in the village forever and live a simple life."
Gu Yue smiled. "Last year, I asked my sixth brother to use my dowry to buy me a small farm and two shops. I heard that the shops are doing well and should be able to make around one thousand taels this year. I live in the farm, so I don't have to spend much money. I can save some money every year, enough for my retirement. Housekeeper Gu, don't worry about me. I won't die."
Gu Quan was speechless and didn't know how to respond.
"Third Aunt, please think about it again."
Gu Yue shook her head. "There's nothing to consider. I'm not interested in being someone's stepmother."
"Life on the farm was hard."
"I'm used to it. Butler Gu, do you think my needlework is good?"
Gu Quan was stunned for a moment, then hesitated and said, "It's okay."
Gu Yue smiled at him and said, "Butler Gu, you haven't seen my needlework before. If you had, you wouldn't have said it was just okay."
Gu Quan smiled awkwardly.
Gu Yue waved her hand, "Go ahead. I won't keep you here. Grape, please see Butler Gu off for me."
The maid Grape put away her fan and bowed slightly, "Butler Gu, please!"
Gu Quan had no choice but to get up and leave.
He was still a little unwilling to give up. He walked to the gate of the farm and looked back at the maid Grape. "What on earth does your aunt think? Does she really want to live in the farm for the rest of her life?"
"What my great-aunt said before was her true thoughts. Although life is hard now, there are fewer disputes. There's nothing wrong with living a quiet life."
"She's still so young, can she bear it?"
The maid Grape lowered her head and smiled, "It's fine, I can bear it."
Gu Quan didn't quite believe it.
It is said that it is difficult to change one's nature, and how could a competitive person like Gu Yue endure the hard life in the farm?
If Gu Yue hadn't spoken with such sharp words as always, Gu Quan would have even suspected that Gu Yue had been possessed by a demon and had become a completely different person.
Gu Quan shook his head and had no choice but to go back home and ask for instructions from Lord Gu.
The maid Grape watched the butler Gu Quan leave, then returned to the backyard to work.
Gu Yue had put away her needlework and was drinking watermelon cooled by well water.
She asked Grape, "Has the person been sent away?"
Grape nodded and said, "Let's go."
Without Gu Yue's instructions, she picked up a piece of watermelon and started eating it.
Gu Yue looked indifferent and didn't say anything to her.
"I'm still in mourning, yet you're in such a hurry to marry me off. Could it be that you're out of money and want to take advantage of this opportunity to collect a betrothal gift?"
Grape finished a piece of watermelon and wiped her fingers with her handkerchief. "Are you really not going to get married?"
"Why get married? I'd be crazy to get married. Isn't it good now? Are you not satisfied?" Gu Yue stared at Grape with a bad look.
Grape shook her head and said, "I just feel sorry for my aunt."
Gu Yue sneered, "Stop talking nonsense. Pack up, we'll go out for a walk this afternoon."
Two years later, under the financial offensive, all the people in the farm were bribed by Gu Yue.
The old women who were guarding Gu Yue became Gu Yue's pawns.
Now she can enter and leave the farm freely, and occasionally visit the capital.
She has a dowry and an annual income.
Even more fortunately, when she was still in the palace, she invested several thousand taels in Gu Jiu's project outside the South City Gate.
This investment brought her a rich return, and the dividends at the end of each year allowed her to live a very comfortable life.
Money is a person's courage.
The wealthy Gu Yue lives a happy life thanks to the surname Gu.
In the afternoon, she took a donkey cart to another farm more than ten miles away.
This small farm was bought with her dowry.
The village is very small, with only three hectares of land, half of which is sloping land, and less than one hundred acres of irrigated fields.
Deep in the farm, there is a small house with two entrances, surrounded by a high wall.
It looks inconspicuous from the outside, but the houses in the inner courtyard are decorated very comfortably.
All kinds of luxury items can be found in the bedroom.
When the servants learned that she was coming, they set out an ice basin in advance.
All the servants in this farm were bought by her and are hers.
She lay down on the couch and felt the coolness of the ice. This was the life she should live.
"Madam, Mr. Xie is here."
In this mansion, Gu Yue asked everyone to call her Madam.
The Young Master Xie the maid was referring to was Xie Shi.
Xie Shi was on vacation, so he came to sit with Gu Yue.
Coming with him was a young man from a noble family who came to Beijing from another place.
Men and women are not innocent people who have never experienced anything, and they all know what to do.
The young men from noble families who came to Beijing from other places cared about Gu Yue's status as the former Liang Di of the Chu Palace. In the eyes of some people, this status was just that of a concubine, worthless.
But in the eyes of some people, this identity represents a secret pleasure.
It was like secretly cuckolding the King of Chu. Just thinking about it made my soul tremble with excitement.
As for what Gu Yue cares about?
hehe!
The young man from the aristocratic family brought Gu Yue a gift: a pair of translucent jade bracelets, a pair of jade earrings, a jewel hairpin, and a pair of hairpins, all of which were very valuable.
Gu Yue liked the gift very much and invited the young master to have tea.
Then what was supposed to happen happened.
Xie Shi took the maid Grape to the side room for some intimacy.
When everything was over, the young man from a noble family who came to Beijing from other places was driven away by Gu Yue.
She never lets anyone stay overnight.
Xie Shi came to the bedroom, talked to Gu Yue, and massaged her sore waist.
The maid Grape was serving quietly by the side, with a look of satisfaction on her face.
Gu Yue teased, "Since being moisturized, the grapes have become more and more juicy."
The maid Grape smiled secretly.
Xie Shi stared at Gu Yue and jokingly asked, "Are you jealous?"
Gu Yue snorted coldly, "Why should I be jealous? You are you, I am me, let's keep it clear."
Xie Shi laughed, and seemed very satisfied with Gu Yue's attitude. "I can take five days off this time. I'll come to see you again before I leave."
"Don't come. My family may send someone over again in the next few days, so don't let anyone see you."
"About your marriage?" Xie Shi asked.
Gu Yue hummed.
Xie Shi asked cautiously, "Are you getting married?"
Gu Yue looked at him with a half-smile, "Do you want me to marry you?"
Xie Shi said sincerely: "I respect your idea."
fart!
Gu Yue saw through Xie Shi at a glance.
Xie Shi could introduce her to someone and get a good amount of money or connections. Naturally, he didn't want her to get married.
The Xie family is no longer what it used to be and their income is limited.
Xie Shi never disliked the idea of making money in this way, and he became more and more motivated.
But Gu Yue was picky. Not only did she have to be good-looking and physically strong, but she also had to come from a good family and have a gift that suited her taste. Otherwise, even the gods would be useless.
Xie Shi didn't dare to disobey her and could only try his best to find a target for her.
In three to five months, you can always find one or two.
Occasionally, old acquaintances come back a second or third time.
The two of them did this secretly, and were afraid that others would find out.
But Gu Yue has a trump card.
She is a widow, not a chaste woman, so she does not need to remain faithful to any man.
If someone really finds out, the worst that can happen is I can find an excuse to get away with it.
If it's something that both of us are willing to do, there's nothing to be afraid of.
But it's better not to let anyone know because Lord Gu has to be proud.
Gu Yue used her toes to lift his chin, "Don't worry, I won't marry anyone unless you are willing to marry me."
Xie Shi laughed, he knew it was a joke.
Gu Yue snorted coldly and kicked Xie Shi in the chest, "Get out, don't enter my bedroom, it's dirty."
Xie Shi was used to her moodiness and said with a smile, "Then I'll go back first. If you need anything, tell someone to let me know and I'll find it for you."
Gu Yue sneered, "Don't forget, you owe me."
Xie Shi bowed and left quickly.
He did owe Gu Yue.
Because of him, Gu Yue had a scar on her body. Because of him, Gu Yue was driven out of the palace.
Therefore, Xie Shi always felt guilty in front of Gu Yue.
Grape saw him out.
Xie Shi chatted with Grape, "Your aunt's temper is getting worse and worse."
"Ignore her, she just lacks the nourishment of a man."
Xie Shi pinched Grape's cheek and said, "You're not afraid that she'll punish you if you say that to her."
"I'm not afraid. I know everything about her. She doesn't trust anyone else, and I'm the only one who can take care of her. When will you come over next time?"
"I'll come back in three days. Can you come out without telling her?"
The maid Grape bit her lip and said, "I'm afraid it's difficult. She can't leave anyone alone. Even when I go to the toilet, she has to urge me repeatedly."
Xie Shi looked disappointed. "What should I do? I miss you so much."
After saying that, he started to hug Grape's body.
In summer, clothes are thin.
After a few tugs, the grapes became soft.
She took his hand and said, "Why don't you stay here tonight?"
Xie Shi was a little nervous, "I'm afraid she'll get angry."
"Don't worry, I can coax her."
Xie Shi was tempted, so the two of them went back into the side room.
The maid Grape was late in coming back, and Gu Yue knew what she was doing even with her toes.
"You bitch, you can't live without a man's dog thing."
After cursing and venting his anger, Gu Yue asked the servants to bring hot water for him to wash himself.
Gu Yue drank two cups of tea before the maid Grape finally arrived.
Seeing Grape looking two years younger after being moisturized, Gu Yue snorted coldly, "You slut, you can't even walk when you see a man."
Grape smiled and said, "It's all thanks to my great-aunt's teaching."
"Bullshit! When did I ever teach you this?"
Grape smiled but said nothing. He changed her tea, served her some snacks, and asked the kitchen to prepare dinner.
"Where are the people? Did they leave this time?" Gu Yue asked casually.
Grape shook her head: "No, he was tired, so I asked him to rest in the side room."
Gu Yue sneered, "It seems that this house is now ruled by a lowly servant like you. As the master, I have to depend on your mood."
Grape smiled and said, "Didn't that young man serve me well this afternoon?"
"Get lost!" Gu Yue lost her temper. "No matter how devoted you are to Xie Shi, he won't take you as his concubine or give you a legitimate status. Think carefully, don't let him cheat you out of your money and your body."
Grape's face darkened. "Why are you saying all this, Auntie? In this life, I am yours in life and yours in death. Don't even think about sending me away. I will never marry Master Xie."
He was just short of swearing an oath to show his loyalty.
Seeing this, Gu Yue was reluctantly satisfied.
"Remember what you said. If you lie to me, I will never forgive you."
"I know. You're just being overly suspicious."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
Happy New Year, my dears!
Say goodbye to 2018 and welcome 2019. May everything go smoothly in the new year.
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