The first day of the first lunar month in the second year of Wende.
Early in the morning, Gu Jiu went to the palace to pay his respects and gave a generous gift to Empress Pei and Empress Dowager Xiao.
Even Concubine Shen Xian and Concubine Luo De were not left out and gave gifts to them. Although they were not expensive, they were full of thought.
Empress Pei received the gift and smiled, "The eldest son's wife is more docile than the eldest son."
Wen Shaojian said with a smile: "Your Highness's ability to handle affairs is beyond reproach, but he lacks a bit in social etiquette."
Empress Pei chuckled softly, "No one is perfect. While this is good, there are still shortcomings there. Go, open the storehouse, pick out a few of the four treasures of the study, and send them to Yu Ge'er. This New Year's Day, I, as your grandmother, cannot fail to express my gratitude."
Wen Shaojian asked, "Besides Yu Ge'er, the other children..."
Empress Pei said, "Each of the eldest and second sons will receive a copy of the Four Treasures of the Study. For the other legitimate children, each receive two jade carvings. As for the illegitimate sons, you can decide what to give them. Any gift will be fine."
"I obey your command. Your Majesty is truly thoughtful."
Queen Pei smiled indifferently.
She is a person who attaches great importance to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.
She was a legitimate daughter and became the legitimate wife when she married Prince Ning.
When Prince Ning ascended the throne, she became the queen.
From the time she was born till now, her life has always been accompanied by the word "Di".
So she could never like Liu Yi's illegitimate child.
Even though she had taken the initiative to take a concubine for Liu Yi.
Although she also didn't like Xiao Qin'er, it didn't stop her from liking the child Xiao Qin'er gave birth to.
…
Empress Dowager Xiao received Gu Jiu's gift and sent someone to return the favor. She gave Yu Ge'er a set of gold bowls and chopsticks made of pure gold.
The other children also received gold pendants.
Thanks to Gu Jiu's gift, the children in the mansion got an extra New Year's gift and were very happy.
Concubine Shen Xian and Concubine Luo De also returned the gifts, which were given to Yu Ge'er as usual.
Gu Jiu waved his hand and said, "Put all the gifts away for Brother Yu and give them all to him in the future."
There was a special storeroom in the East Courtyard, used to store the gifts that Yu Ge'er received. In just two or three years since Yu Ge'er was born, the storeroom was already half full.
Judging from the value of the gifts, Yu Ge'er is already a wealthy grandson of the emperor.
For this reason, Gu Jiu even secretly teased Liu Zhao.
"We're both grandsons of the emperor, but Yu Ge'er has always been well off, while you've almost become a pauper. How come you're not as well off as your son?"
Liu Zhao was very tired.
Can this be compared?
Can it be the same?
Parents are different, so don't compare them.
Ask the second and fourth wives, who will save up gifts for the children?
Only Gu Jiu would do this.
Gu Jiu not only wants to do this, but also wants to carry it forward.
For all future children, a storeroom must be prepared specifically for storing gifts.
Some people are taking advantage of others and acting like they are good.
Xiao Qin'er said privately, "Sister-in-law is very wealthy, so she can naturally give away valuable gifts in large quantities. We are poor, so we can only follow behind Sister-in-law and drink some of her soup and water to take advantage of her."
"Since you've benefited from this, stop talking nonsense." Liu Yi was a little impatient.
He admired Gu Jiu's style of doing things, so naturally he looked down on Xiao Qin'er's pettiness.
Xiao Qin'er rolled her eyes at him and said, "Can't I just complain a little in private?"
Liu Yi frowned.
Xiao Qin'er snorted, her woman's intuition kicking in. "Every time I mention my sister-in-law, you put on a sour face. Are you really that unhappy with me saying bad things about her?"
Liu Yi's face darkened. "Stop talking nonsense. I just hate having nothing to do and gossiping about other people all day long."
Pooh!
Xiao Qin'er said angrily, "I said, Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, don't you have enough time to gossip? Why don't you refute it?"
"Can it be the same?"
"What's the difference? They're both sisters-in-law, what's the difference? Explain clearly."
Liu Yi took a deep breath and said, "Don't forget, you just received a dividend from your sister-in-law on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Your future pocket money, and even the expenses after we separate, will all depend on your sister-in-law. Are you sure you want to continue making up gossip about your sister-in-law?
Aren't you afraid that she'll get to her ears and get rid of you?
Although I don't have much ability, I won't take benefits and gossip about others at the same time.
Also, my mother asked me to remind you to mind your mouth. We and the eldest wife are of the same mind and we stand together.
You can say anything about anyone, but you can't gossip about my elder brother and his wife. If you ruin my good deeds, I won't forgive you. "
Without waiting for Xiao Qin'er's reaction, Liu Yi waved his sleeves and left.
"Liu Yi, you bastard."
Xiao Qin'er roared from behind Liu Yi.
Liu Yi remained unmoved. It wasn't the first day he was called a bastard.
He originally wanted to go out for a drink, but after thinking it over, he went to the study.
The eunuch Wang Shun knew that Liu Yi was unhappy, so he reported the happy news to him.
"According to your Highness's instructions, I had someone buy ten apartments in the second phase of the project outside the South City Gate, and I rented them all out. They were all rented to scholars and candidates going to the capital for the imperial examinations. Because a college was established outside the South City Gate, many more scholars came there."
Liu Yi smiled. "When you have time, come over often. If you find someone suitable, please introduce them to me."
Wang Shun said, "I am currently scouting for talented individuals for Your Highness, and I have a few that look promising. However, after the spring, more scholars will enter the capital. Why don't we hold a poetry gathering in a courtyard outside the city and invite all the talented scholars to attend so Your Highness can personally examine them?"
Liu Yi nodded, "That's great. You should pay attention to this matter."
"I understand."
After a pause, Wang Shun looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Liu Yi raised an eyebrow. "Just say what you want to say. It's unbecoming to be so hesitant."
Wang Shun said, "It's like this. Yesterday I went to the palace and met Xiao Zhaoyi. She asked me to bring a gift to you, my dear."
"Why are you so troubled by such a small matter?" Liu Yi sneered, looking down on Wang Shun for being so cautious.
Wang Shun gritted his teeth and said, "In addition to the gifts for my brother and my daughter, Xiao Zhaoyi also gave one to Your Highness."
"Give me?"
Liu Yi was surprised. He didn't rush to ask what the gift was, but asked another question.
"In what capacity did she give me a gift? And in what capacity did she give the children's gifts?"
Wang Shun bowed and said, "Your Highness, Xiao Zhaoyi is giving gifts to the young lady as her aunt. She is also giving gifts to Your Highness as her cousin."
Liu Yi frowned, "Now that she is my father's woman, I have to address her as Empress Zhaoyi when I see her. There's no need to mention cousins anymore. Return the gift."
"Your Highness, the gift cannot be returned. At the time, this old servant said that the gift could not be accepted, but Xiao Zhaoyi insisted on giving it to you and would not accept it. She also said that if Your Highness did not accept her gift, it would mean that you looked down on her and despised her in your heart."
Liu Yi frowned, "Did she really say that?"
"It is absolutely true. I dare not lie to Your Highness. I should have told you this last night, but I never found the right opportunity. I have decided that Madam must not know about this."
Liu Yi nodded, he really couldn't let Xiao Qin'er know.
After Xiao Qin'er found out, no one knew whether she would make a fuss or to what extent.
"Bring the gift here for His Highness to review."
Wang Shun hurriedly took the gift.
Xiao Zhaoyi did not give any taboo gift, just a set of top-quality four treasures of the study, which was very valuable.
Plus a few bookmarks with incense, and the bookmarks also have famous quotes from saints written on them.
Liu Yi thought about it for a while, but still couldn't figure out the intention of Xiao Zhaoyi giving him this gift.
"Forget it. Just find a name to register it and put it in the warehouse. Don't register Xiao Zhaoyi's name."
"I understand. Your Highness, would you like to use these bookmarks?"
Liu Yi hesitated for a moment and said, "Use it."
…
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Jiu took her child and her husband back to her parents' home.
The Gu family has already given up filial piety.
As early as the time of mourning, the first and second branches of the Gu family had already separated.
Mr. Gu, surprisingly, inherited the not-so-valuable position of General of the Zhenjun Army from Mr. Gu, which was considered a promotion.
The house allocated to the second branch of the Gu family was on the same street as the Marquis' Mansion and the General's Mansion, but only a few hundred meters away.
When Mrs. Gu was still alive, she considered the separation of her two legitimate sons, so she bought a house on the same street early on.
It has three courtyards, with courtyards within courtyards, and is only a few acres smaller than the General's Mansion where he used to live.
The move started half a year ago.
I moved some of the things I didn't need over there one by one.
When the mourning period came to an end in the twelfth lunar month, they hired some people and, after a few days, the second family moved into the new mansion. A plaque with the words "Gu Mansion" was hung on the mansion.
Today, Gu Jiu returned to the Gu Mansion he had just moved into, instead of the original Zhenjun General's Mansion.
Mrs. Hu had been waiting for a long time.
"Second Aunt is finally here, and the eldest prince is here too. They are both rare guests."
"Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law."
"It's not hard, it's not hard. It's cold outside. Come with me into the house and have some tea."
Gu Cheng came out to greet Liu Zhao and led him to the outer courtyard.
Gu Jiu brought the child into the inner courtyard flower hall to drink tea.
"This is my first time visiting this mansion. Judging from the layout, it's similar to the Zhenjun General's Mansion."
Mrs. Hu nodded. "My husband told me that when the old lady was still alive, she ordered people to build this house in the style of the Zhenjun General's Mansion. Before we moved in, they just sent someone to clean and repair it. It didn't cost much, and then we moved in."
Gu Jiu praised: "This house is very nice."
Mrs. Hu smiled until her eyes were reduced to slits. "Who says it's not true? Houses in this area are so expensive that you can't even buy them nowadays."
Houses in the imperial city are extremely expensive and you can’t live there if you have money but no status.
The old lady of the Gu family was foresighted and bought the house early on, so her descendants didn't have to worry about the house and could just move in directly.
Gu Jiu admired the old lady very much.
It’s a pity that she didn’t have the chance to meet the old lady.
When we arrived at the flower hall, all the sisters were there.
Gu Jiu let Yu Ge'er and Hu Ge'er play.
Hu Ge'er is the child of the eldest sister Gu Zhen. He is about five or six years old and has a chubby face.
Hu's daughter was still young and couldn't play with her two brothers.
Gu Shan’s child is younger, only half a year old, and is also a girl.
When Gu Jiu sat down, she found out that Gu Shan was pregnant again.
"Fourth sister is in good health, so she got pregnant so easily." Gu Zhen said with a smile.
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Shan. The last time he saw her, when he was attending Gu Yue's funeral, she looked in good spirits.
When I saw her this time, she looked a little tired.
Gu Shan pursed her lips. "This was also an accident. I had originally planned to rest for a year or two to get better. Unexpectedly, I felt unwell half a month ago and asked the doctor to check. I found out that I was pregnant again."
"How is Fourth Sister?" Gu Jiu asked with concern.
Gu Shan shook her head. "I'm so tired from being pregnant with this baby. I just want to lie down and sleep every day."
"If you're too tired, just take a good rest. It'll be ok if you visit fewer families during the New Year."
"You can choose not to go to other places, but you must go back to your mother's home. Today, my sister-in-law took great pains to entertain us, and we didn't even go back to her mother's home."
Mrs. Hu smiled and said, "I have discussed it with my parents. We will go back on the fourth day of the New Year, just in time for the banquet."
Mrs. Hu was also pregnant and would give birth in a few months.
However, this time, she had an easy pregnancy and didn't feel anything.
Everyone sat together and talked about parenting, but they forgot about the fifth sister Gu Lin.
Mrs. Hu invited a nanny back and forced Gu Lin to learn the rules.
This time, it seemed like his studies had paid off. Gu Lin looked more composed than before.
Gu Zhen asked her, "Fifth sister, do you find it boring to listen to our small talk?"
Gu Lin shook her head, "No! If I listen more to the experiences of the sisters, I will be able to avoid taking detours in the future."
"That's true. We've all been through this, and what we're saying is based on experience."
Gu Lin smiled shyly, "Congratulations, big sister, your brother-in-law is coming back soon."
At the beginning, Gu Jiu seriously underestimated his influence.
She always thought that she was a businessman despite her identity as the emperor's grandson's wife.
However, she did not expect that as a businesswoman, she had already influenced every aspect of the capital.
The result is that her words are very effective.
Liu Zhao didn't even need to show up. Just let Deng Cunli go to the Ministry of War and Xu Sanlang's matter would be settled.
Now Xu Sanlang is on his way back to Beijing, returning to Beijing openly for a rotation of duty.
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