The second day after returning to the capital.
Early in the morning, Gu Jiu was woken up from bed by Qingmei.
"Miss, it's time to get up. I have to visit the Marquis' Mansion today, so I can't afford to waste time."
Gu Jiu had sleepy eyes and looked like he hadn't woken up yet.
Perhaps it was because of the change of environment that made him somewhat accustomed to his bed. Gu Jiu didn’t fall asleep until late last night.
She wiped her eyes, not quite awake, and let Qingmei and Qingzhu help her get dressed.
It was not until a handful of cold water was splashed on his face that Gu Jiu finally woke up.
She blinked her eyes. The water was so cold.
Washing your face with cold water will instantly make you feel refreshed.
Wash and dress up.
After breakfast, I came to the second gate.
Everyone is dressed festively today.
Gu Yue wore a bright red dress, and with her bright appearance, she was the most eye-catching in the crowd, instantly grabbing everyone's attention.
Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Gu Yue couldn't help feeling proud.
When we go to the Marquis' Mansion today, she will definitely be the one who stands out.
Gu Shan, Gu Jiu, all of them, get out of the way.
The sixth girl, Gu Jun, followed the first wife, Zhang, and also came to the second gate.
Gu Jun smiled sweetly, "Hello, sisters. You are all dressed up beautifully today."
Gu Jiu discovered that when Gu Jun smiled, she had dimples on both sides of her cheeks, which made her look particularly cute.
"Greetings to my aunt. My sixth sister looks great today, too."
Gu Jun smiled, looking very excited.
Madam Zhang asked, "Third girl, where is your mother?"
Gu Yue bowed slightly and said, "Mother will be here soon, please wait a moment, Auntie."
The eldest wife, Zhang, smiled and said, "Third girl, you look so rich and noble today."
That's right.
Not to mention what Gu Yue was wearing, just the emerald headpiece on her head was worth a fortune. It was estimated to be worth at least a thousand taels.
Xie was really willing to spend money to prepare such expensive head jewelry for Gu Yue.
Gu Yue pursed her lips and smiled, "It's my first time visiting the Marquis' Mansion, so I naturally have to dress up to show respect."
The eldest wife, Zhang, looked at Gu Yue with a half-smile. "Your outfit is indeed beautiful and looks rich. But you are still a girl after all. You dress so flamboyantly that the other girls in the Marquis' Mansion are outshined by you. Third girl, you are deliberately trying to steal the limelight from the girls in the Marquis' Mansion."
Gu Yue was stunned, her heart panicking. She was at a loss as to what to do.
The eldest wife, Zhang, continued, "The fourth girl's outfit is quite appropriate. It's neither ostentatious nor rude. It should leave a good impression on the old lady of the Marquisate."
Gu Yue suddenly looked towards Gu Shan.
Gu Shan was dressed in peach pink and had only a few simple pieces of jewelry on her head.
It looks clean and refreshing.
Gu Yue gritted her teeth. Did he want her to go back and change her clothes?
I got up early this morning and started washing and dressing.
After finally dressing up, her aunt said that she was dressed too ostentatiously and would steal the limelight from the girl from the Marquis's Mansion.
This made Gu Yue worried and unwilling.
This outfit today is the one she is most satisfied with, and she really doesn't want to change it.
The eldest wife, Zhang, reminded Gu Yue, "Third girl, if you want to change, it's not too late now. Otherwise, it will be too late when you get to the Marquis' Mansion."
Gu Yue was entangled and struggling.
At this time, Xie arrived.
"I didn't expect my sister-in-law to come earlier than me."
Zhang smiled and said, "My sister-in-law is finally here. Now that everyone is here, let's go."
After saying that, Zhang was the first to get on the carriage.
Although the Gu Mansion was only separated from the neighboring Marquis Mansion by a wall, there was a corner gate in the middle to facilitate communication between the two families.
However, when the two families visited each other formally, they both went through the main entrance.
Xie also said to Gu Yue and the others, "Let's all get in the car."
The Gu Mansion has no shortage of carriages, which is convenient for everyone.
Gu Jiu and the maids boarded the carriage.
Gu Yue stood there without moving.
Mrs. Xie looked at her strangely, "Yuer, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and get in the carriage."
Gu Yue looked troubled and whispered to Xie in a low voice, "Mother, my aunt just said that my daughter's outfit is too flashy and might steal the limelight from the other girls in the Marquis' Mansion."
Xie frowned, "Did your aunt really say that?"
Gu Yue nodded, "Mother, do you want me to go back and change my clothes?"
Xie snorted coldly, "Change what? Don't listen to your aunt's nonsense. She has bad intentions. Listen to me and dress like this. When you get to the Marquis' Mansion, behave well. In short, I'll take care of everything."
Gu Yue reluctantly accepted Xie's words and followed Xie into the carriage to the marquis's mansion next door.
In the carriage, Qingmei and Gu Jiu whispered, "I think what the eldest lady said makes some sense. The third young lady is dressed too ostentatiously. Such expensive jewelry is impossible to ignore. A young lady from the Marquis's Mansion would definitely not dress like this in her own home."
Gu Jiu smiled softly and said, "Third sister obviously wants to leave a good impression on the old lady of the Marquis Mansion, so she is worried about gains and losses and is influenced by her aunt. However, what her aunt says is not necessarily right."
The two houses are next to each other. After leaving Gu Mansion, you will arrive at the Marquis Mansion.
The doorman of the Marquis' Mansion was waiting early. When he saw the carriage of the Gu Mansion arrived, he hurriedly opened the side door and welcomed the people from the Gu Mansion in.
Lord Gu took his sons to pay a visit to the old marquis first.
Xie and Zhang took the girls to the inner courtyard to pay a visit to the old lady Wei.
The old women led the way in front.
"The two ladies and the girls are finally here. The old lady has been talking about them since she got up this morning. She also said that she has missed the eldest lady so much after such a long time."
The old woman led the way and spoke in a humorous manner.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhang, the eldest wife, laughed and said, "I've always been thinking about the old lady. I was too busy recently, busy cleaning up the courtyard of the second house, and didn't come to pay my respects to the old lady. I'll have to apologize to the old lady later."
The old woman smiled and said, "The eldest lady is indeed a caring person. No wonder the old lady always talks about her."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, smiled brightly, with joy in the corners of her eyebrows and eyes.
Xie walked in silence, paying attention to Zhang talking to the maid while looking around the marquis's mansion.
It is indeed a wealthy place, and it looks more magnificent than the Gu Mansion.
The maid kept saying that the old lady was always talking about Zhang, and Xie's words of envy and jealousy were definitely false.
But I don't feel envious or jealous about this.
She had been away with Master Gu for over ten years. There was no way around it, as she had no chance to ask the old lady for a heart transplant.
When they arrived at Songhe Hall, the maid said, "Madams and young ladies, please come in. I will escort you here."
At a glance from Zhang, Shaoyao handed a purse to the old woman.
The old woman smiled happily and said a bunch of auspicious words before bowing and taking her leave.
The maidservant from the Marquis' Mansion was smart and went in first to report, "Old Madam, the first and second wives and all the young ladies from the mansion next door have come to pay their respects to you."
When the old lady Wei heard this, she immediately laughed and said, "Please invite the person in quickly."
The eldest lady of the Marquis' Mansion, Xiao Wei, said, "My daughter-in-law heard that after the second wife next door came back yesterday, the old man from the neighboring house made a scene. He almost overturned the banquet."
Old Madam Wei snorted coldly and whispered, "The old man in the neighboring mansion is getting more and more absurd. Don't let him get involved in our mansion."
Madam Wei bowed slightly and said, "Old Madam is absolutely right. My daughter-in-law has already ordered the gatekeepers to guard the gate tightly and not allow the servants of the two families to wander around."
Old Madam Wei nodded repeatedly, "This is a very good solution."
Wang, the second wife of the Marquis's Mansion, said, "The second wife of the neighboring mansion has returned this time and will not leave again. I heard that there are several girls in the second wife's house who are still unmarried."
Old Madam Wei said, "Let's wait and see."
At this time, the maid lifted the door curtain and welcomed in Zhang, Xie, and the girls from the Gu Mansion.
Gu Jiu followed behind Xie, lowered his head slightly, and looked at the situation in the room calmly.
There were many people sitting in the room.
Sitting at the top, the old lady with silver hair and a very kind heart must be the old lady Wei from the Marquis's Mansion.
There were three wealthy ladies and a row of girls sitting below.
Zhang led the group, "My niece and daughter-in-law pay their respects to the old lady. This is my sister-in-law Xie, who has been away from Beijing for over ten years, and my nieces."
Mrs. Xie hurried forward and bowed: "Your nephew's wife greets the old lady. May the old lady be well."
Gu Jiu led her sisters to pay their respects as well.
"Your niece greets the old lady. May she be in good health."
“Okay, okay!”
Old Madam Wei was smiling.
She looked at Mrs. Xie and said, "You have been with Zhili for so many years, taking care of your husband and raising your children. You have worked hard."
Xie was so excited that even though she knew that Madam Wei's words were just polite words, she couldn't help but tear up. All these years of hard work had finally paid off.
Xie said, "Giving birth to children for the master, sharing his worries and solving his problems, and keeping him from being distracted by trivial matters in the backyard, this is what a nephew's wife should do."
Madam Wei said cheerfully, "I knew you were a good person. When Zhili insisted on making you his wife, I told you that you must have something extraordinary."
Xie was touched, "Thank you for your understanding, old lady."
After so many years, she finally heard such thoughtful words. Xie was deeply moved.
Zhang had a smile on her face and watched the scene calmly.
Gu Jiu secretly glanced at the old lady Wei, feeling emotional in his heart. The old lady was indeed someone who had experienced many ups and downs, and her means of winning people's hearts were truly amazing.
Just a few words moved Xie to this extent.
The old lady Wei said, "Please give the first and second wives a seat."
The maid came forward and said, "First Madam, Second Madam, please sit here."
The maid placed Zhang and Xie at the lower right of the old lady Wei.
Old Madam Wei looked at Gu Jiu and the others again.
"All the girls with good looks, come forward and let me take a good look at them."
Gu Jiu took the lead and led everyone forward two steps.
Old Madam Wei's eyes swept across everyone's face one by one.
With just one glance, she could tell who was who.
She first said to Gu Zhen, "This is Miss Zhen, I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, she has grown so big."
Gu Zhen was very excited. She never expected that the old lady still remembered her.
She bowed and said, "Your niece pays respects to the old lady."
"Good boy."
Immediately afterwards, the maid standing next to the old lady Wei presented a specially prepared gift, two pieces of jewelry.
Gu Zhen was excited and secretly looked at Xie. She only accepted it after Xie nodded.
Old Madam Wei looked at Gu Jiu again, took a closer look, and was stunned for a moment.
What a beautiful girl! She hasn't fully grown yet, but her whole figure exudes an air of elegance that makes her look extraordinary.
"You are Xiaojiu, right? You were like a kitten back then, but now you have grown up so big."
Gu Jiu smiled sweetly, "My niece greets the old lady and wishes her a long and healthy life."
Old Madam Wei smiled and extended her hand towards Gu Jiu, "Come closer so I can take a good look at you."
Gu Jiu took two steps forward.
Old Madam Wei held Gu Jiu's hand, looked him up and down carefully, and nodded secretly.
Then he asked, "Have you read?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "I've read a few of them."
"I heard you were weak. After all these years of nursing you, are you feeling better?"
Gu Jiu nodded slightly, "Thank you for your concern, old lady. My niece's health has improved a lot."
Old Madam Wei smiled happily, "That's great. Now that you're well, spend more time with your sisters. Treat the Marquis' Mansion as your own home."
Gu Jiu smiled slightly, "My niece has just arrived in the capital, and there are many things I don't understand. I was just going to ask you sisters for advice later."
Old Madam Wei laughed out loud, "Girls, did you hear that? Xiao Jiu will ask you for advice later, so don't be perfunctory."
Several girls in the Marquis' Mansion were talking at once.
"The old lady is partial. Now that she has little sister Jiu, she has forgotten us."
"Who made Sister Xiaojiu so beautiful and liked by the old lady?"
"I'm so envious of little sister Xiaojiu."
…
The girls chattered at once, making Old Madam Wei burst into laughter, and the other ladies also started laughing.
Old Madam Wei pointed at the girls in the Marquis' Mansion and said, "You monkeys, you're just making trouble. I've spoiled you for so many years, and you won't let me spoil Xiao Jiu for a bit?"
"Madam, your granddaughter also likes Little Sister Jiu. Would you please give her to us?"
Old Madam Wei smiled and said, "Take it, take it. You must take good care of Xiaojiu and don't let her suffer any injustice."
"Don't worry, Madam. I will definitely not let Sister Xiaojiu suffer any injustice."
The eldest daughter of the Marquis Mansion pulled Gu Jiu and sat down at her seat. "Little sister Jiu, please sit here. We will go to the wing room to talk later."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Thank you, Sister Mei."
Gu Mei was very surprised. "You know me? We've never met before. You're amazing. You recognized me the first time we met."
Gu Jiu smiled slightly and said, "Sister Mei is really beautiful. I noticed her as soon as I walked in."
Gu Mei laughed and thought to herself, this little sister Xiaojiu is quite good at talking.
As soon as Gu Jiu sat down, the maid brought over the gift prepared by the old lady Wei. It was also jewelry, but it had an additional jade hairpin compared to her elder sister Gu Zhen.
Old Madam Wei spoke to Gu Yue, Gu Shan, Gu Lin and Gu Jun separately.
Everyone is treated equally and no one is special than anyone else.
If we really have to say someone special, it would be Gu Jiu.
It was obvious that Old Madam Wei talked the most to Gu Jiu.
Gu Yue returned to her seat, feeling very unhappy, and secretly glared at Gu Jiu.
Why does everyone pay more attention to Gu Jiu?
It’s obvious that Gu Jiu has lost his biological mother.
Gu Yue never considered that Xie was promoted from a concubine to the wife, so she was naturally inferior to others.
In everyone's mind, although Gu Jiu, Gu Yue, and Gu Shan were all legitimate children, it was obvious that Gu Jiu's status was higher.
Because Gu Jiu's biological mother is Su.
The Su family came from a family of scholars and officials. How could the Xie family, who came from a humble background, be compared to them?
If Xie was married into the family as a concubine by Lord Gu, everyone would naturally look up to her.
If nothing else, at least the Xie family will be equated with the deceased Su family, and there is no question of who is inferior to whom.
Gu Yue and Gu Shan will also be able to get the same status and attention as Gu Jiu.
It’s a pity that Xie was not a concubine, but a first wife.
There is a huge difference here.
There is a subtle difference between being a concubine and being promoted to the main wife, and I'm afraid Xie herself didn't realize it.
No one would say such things to Xie's face.
No matter how everyone thinks of the Xie family in their hearts, at least on the surface, everyone will give the Xie family enough face.
Giving face to the Xie family is giving face to Lord Gu.
Gu Jiu was perceptive and noticed the subtle differences.
She didn't say anything and listened to what the elders had to say first.
Old Madam Wei asked Mrs. Xie, "Daughter-in-law Zhili, I heard that the northwest is very cold. You've been away for eight or nine years, and it must have been very hard for you."
Xie bowed slightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, old lady. As long as the family is together, your nephew and his wife will not feel the hardship."
Madam Wei nodded and said, "I know you can endure hardships. You have given Zhili two sons and two daughters, which can be considered a great contribution."
Xie said, "Giving birth to children for the master is what a nephew's wife should do."
"Not bad, not bad. You've been with Zhili for so many years and have gained experience. This time when you return to Beijing, your family will not leave again, right?"
Xie said, "It all depends on the master's wishes. He probably won't leave the capital in the next few years."
Madam Wei nodded. "It would be best if we stayed in the capital. The children's marriages can be arranged at the same time. Wife Zhili, have you found a marriage for these girls?"
Xie was delighted.
She was worried that she couldn't find an opportunity to bring up this matter, but unexpectedly the old lady took the initiative to bring it up, solving her problem.
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