Xie calmed down and said, "Reporting to the old lady, the marriages of the children have not been settled yet. My nephew's wife is very anxious.
Now that our family has returned to the capital, my nephew's wife wants to arrange a marriage for the children in the capital.
Unfortunately, my nephew's wife is away from home all year round and doesn't know anyone in the capital, so it's really difficult to arrange marriages for the children."
After listening to this, Old Madam Wei nodded in agreement, "This matter is indeed a bit difficult. However, since it concerns the children's lifelong affairs, we must not be careless. Miss Zhen has already reached the age of marriage, right?"
Mrs. Xie nodded. "That's right. Miss Zhen was already of marriageable age in August."
Old Madam Wei said, "We must hurry up and arrange Zhen's marriage. We can't delay the girl's youth."
Mrs. Xie said, "My nephew's wife thinks the same. Besides, Jiu'er and Yue'er are not young anymore. It's time to prepare for the marriages of these two children."
Old Madam Wei's eyes swept over Gu Jiu and Gu Yue's faces, and then she said, "These two children haven't reached marriage age yet, so their marriages are not in a hurry for now. Let's settle Zhen's marriage first, and then talk about other things."
"My nephew's wife will listen to the old lady. But how should we solve the problem of Zhen's marriage? My nephew's wife can't find a suitable family for the time being."
Xie looked at the old lady Wei eagerly.
As long as the Marquis' Mansion is willing to help Gu Zhen arrange her marriage, then Gu Yue's future marriage can naturally be arranged under the name of the Marquis' Mansion.
The old lady Wei said cheerfully, "I'll have someone arrange for Zhen's marriage. My righteous daughter-in-law, don't be anxious."
"My nephew's wife understands."
The eldest lady of the Marquis' Mansion, Xiao Wei, said, "Speaking of Zhen's marriage, I do have a candidate."
Gu Zhen's heart tightened and he immediately pricked up his ears.
This concerns her marriage, how could she not care?
At this moment, she was so nervous that her palms were sweating and her heart was beating like a drum. I'm afraid there were even beads of sweat on her forehead.
Gu Zhen bit her lips tightly, lowered her head, and didn't dare to look at anyone.
Gu Jiu was sitting next to her. Seeing her like this, he whispered, "Big sister, relax. Don't be nervous."
How could Gu Zhen not be nervous?
The conversation about Gu Zhen's marriage continues.
The old lady Wei asked, "Eldest daughter-in-law, please tell me which boy is worthy of Zhen."
The eldest lady, Xiao Wei, smiled and said, "Do you think the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Haixi is suitable?"
Madam Wei couldn't recall it for a moment, so she asked, "Is he the illegitimate young master of the main house of the Haixi Marquis's Mansion?"
Madam Wei nodded, "It is that illegitimate young master."
Madam Wei nodded and said, "Let's take a look at each other first. If it's suitable, you can bring her to me. I will personally check on Zhen girl."
Madam Wei agreed, "I'll remember that. I'll send someone to the Haixi Marquis's residence to let them know someday. I'll find time to let my second brother and his wife review it first."
"You make the decision." Old Madam Wei said decisively.
Gu Zhen was excited.
Haixi Earl's Mansion, Earl's Mansion.
She smiled secretly.
Although the other party was also born out of wedlock, it was an earl's house after all, and he had a meritorious title.
Gu Zhen clutched her handkerchief, and couldn't wait to meet the illegitimate young master of the Earl's Mansion. She wondered what he looked like.
Xie and the eldest lady, Xiao Wei, expressed their gratitude, "Thank you, sister-in-law, for solving a big problem for me."
Madam Wei smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law, you are too polite. Although our two families have separated, we still have two brothers. If you have any difficulties, please tell me and I will definitely help if I can."
"With what my sister-in-law said, I feel reassured." Mrs. Xie laughed.
Everything went well today.
Zhang raised her eyebrows and saw how happy Xie was. She really couldn't bear to disappoint her.
No way!
At this time, a maid came in from outside.
"Madam, the second master from the house next door has come with several young masters to pay their respects to you."
Old Madam Wei was excited, "Zhili is here, please invite him in quickly."
Second Madam Wang smiled and said, "These days, the old lady has been talking about the Second Master. She said she hasn't seen him in years and she missed him terribly. Today, she finally saw him."
Xie said hurriedly, "The old lady is thinking of our master, and we are all very grateful."
Madam Wei laughed. "I have watched Zhili grow up. He loved reading since he was young. He passed the imperial examination and became an official. He is becoming more and more promising. Zhili has been away from the capital for so many years, and now he has finally returned."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lord Gu walked in with his men.
When Lord Gu saw Madam Wei, he was thrilled, his eyes filled with admiration. He said in a clear voice, "Your nephew pays his respects to the old lady. How has the old lady been these past few years?"
"Okay, okay, I'm always fine. Come to me now."
Old Madam Wei also seemed very excited.
The two are like mother and son, and their relationship is very deep.
Lord Gu stepped forward to allow Old Madam Wei to take a look.
Old Madam Wei said excitedly, "Not bad, not bad. You are so powerful and worthy of being the father and mother official for so many years. I am happy for you to see that you are so promising."
Master Gu laughed and said, "Seeing that the old lady looks so well, my nephew is relieved."
Madam Wei said, "Don't worry about my health. I can live for at least another 10 to 20 years."
Second Madam Wang immediately took over and said, "May the old lady live a long and healthy life. Your daughter-in-law is planning to hold a centenary banquet for her."
The old lady Wei burst into laughter. "You monkey, if I really live to be a hundred, I'll become an old monster. Then you'll despise me."
Wang said hurriedly, "Madam, you're joking. We all hope that you'll live a long life, watching your children grow up, get married, have children, and have many children."
As soon as the words fell, everyone in the room burst into laughter.
After Lord Gu and his three sisters-in-law exchanged greetings, he called Gu Ting and the others over and said, "Madam, these are all your nephews. Come and pay your respects to the old lady."
Gu Ting, sitting in a wheelchair, took the lead in paying his respects to Old Madam Wei.
Old Madam Wei said cheerfully, "They are all good children. Have you met your brothers yet?"
Gu Ting was the first to speak: "I've already met the brothers in the Marquis' Mansion."
Old Madam Wei looked at Gu Ting, "You are Sanlang, right? How did your leg get hurt? Does it hurt?"
Gu Ting hurriedly said, "Reporting to the old lady, my grandson was injured while riding a horse."
Old Madam Wei was immediately startled. "How could you be so careless? Falling off a horse is no small matter. Besides your legs, are you injured anywhere else?"
"Thank you, old lady, for your concern. My grandson only injured his leg. Everything else is fine."
Old Madam Wei breathed a sigh of relief. "It's a blessing in disguise. Sanlang, it takes a hundred days for a broken bone to heal. You need to take good care of your leg. My eldest wife, take my note and ask Dr. Jiang to come and see Sanlang."
Lord Gu hurriedly said, "The old marquis has sent someone with a letter to invite the imperial physician."
Old Madam Wei nodded repeatedly, "The old man is quite reliable."
Then, Old Madam Wei and Gu Cheng spoke to them one by one, presented them with greeting gifts, and introduced them to the eldest madam, Little Madam Wei, and the other ladies of the Marquis' Mansion.
After a round, everyone got to know each other.
Madam Wei said, "The gentlemen are not comfortable staying here. Zhili, take the children to the outer courtyard and talk to your eldest cousin."
Lord Gu readily accepted the advice and led his men out of Songhe Hall.
Then, the old lady said to Gu Mei, the eldest daughter of the Marquis' Mansion, "Girl Mei, take your sisters to the side room to talk."
Gu Mei agreed. She stood up and walked to Gu Jiu, "Sister Xiaojiu, Sister Zhen, Sister Yue... Sisters, come with me to the side room to talk."
Gu Jiu stood up and said with a smile, "Sister Mei, please lead the way."
The girl from the Gu Mansion and the girl from the Marquis Mansion came to the wing room together.
There were more than a dozen girls from the two mansions combined, and with their maids, the side rooms were bustling with activity.
Gu Jiu presented the gift.
The gift she prepared was a small screen.
The embroidery on the screen was double-sided, and each girl's name was embroidered on it.
Gu Mei got the screen and was delighted: "What a delicate screen. Sister Xiaojiu is so thoughtful. I like it very much."
"As long as Sister Mei likes it."
The other girls in the Marquis' Mansion also said that they liked the gifts given by Gu Jiu.
Because everyone's gift is unique, this alone makes everyone feel surprised.
The gift given by Gu Jiu stole the prize.
Gu Yue was not willing to be outdone and also presented the gift she had prepared long ago.
The gift she prepared was a necklace, which was also unique.
Gu Mei said, "Sister Xiaojiu, Sister Yue, the gifts you prepared are so thoughtful. Compared to these, the gifts we prepared are too embarrassing to give out."
"Yes! Sister Xiaojiu, Sister Yue, I like the gifts you gave me very much. Thank you!" Gu Qi, the second lady of the Marquis' Mansion, took the two gifts and couldn't let them go.
Gu Yue smiled and said, "As long as you like it."
Then she raised her eyebrows and smiled at Gu Jiu, as if to say, look, the gift I prepared is no worse than yours.
Gu Jiu smiled and ignored Gu Yue's provocation.
Gu Yue's behavior was like that of an immature child. It would be embarrassing to argue with her.
Then, Gu Zhen, Gu Shan and Gu Lin also presented gifts.
The three of them prepared purses that they embroidered themselves, and they were very attentive.
Gu Shan said, "My embroidery is not good, please don't despise me, sisters."
"Sister Shan is so polite. The purse you embroidered is so beautiful. How could we dislike it?"
After the gifts were given out, the girls from the Marquis' Mansion also presented the gifts they had prepared long ago.
There are needlework, books, pens, ink, paper and inkstone, picture albums and copybooks.
Everyone prepared different gifts, and both parties were happy.
Gu Mei pulled Gu Jiu aside to talk.
"Sister Xiaojiu, is it very cold in the northwest right now?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "It is a little colder than the capital."
"Is the Northwest fun? There are a lot of horse farms there. Do you guys go horseback riding on a regular basis?"
Gu Jiu shook his head, "To be honest with Sister Mei, I've never ridden a horse in my life."
"Isn't it a pity?"
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "Thinking about it now, I do feel a little regretful. Does Sister Mei know how to ride a horse?"
Gu Mei nodded. "I can ride a horse, but I'm not very good at it. When spring comes, I'll take Xiaojiu out for a horseback ride. I'll also introduce my friends to you then."
"Thank you, Sister Mei."
"We are sisters, don't be polite to me."
Gu Zhen looked around.
She had met the sisters from the Marquis' Mansion when she was a child, but she was too young at that time and had no impression of them.
She walked around the room and finally started talking to Gu Qin, the fourth lady of the Marquis' Mansion.
The fourth girl, Gu Qin, was a concubine's daughter of the first wife of the Marquis's Mansion, and was only two or three months younger than Gu Yue.
Gu Zhen and Gu Qin started chatting, and when the atmosphere was right, Gu Zhen said, "Sister Qin, I have a favor to ask."
"Sister Jane, please speak."
Gu Zhen pondered for a moment, "Sister Qin, what kind of family is the Haixi Marquis' Mansion?"
Gu Qin smiled knowingly, "Sister Zhen, do you want to inquire about the illegitimate young master of the Haixi Marquis's Mansion?"
Gu Zhen's cheeks were red, all the way to her ears.
She lowered her head, feeling embarrassed. But she still nodded boldly, "Sister Qin, please tell me, okay?"
"Since Sister Zhen has asked, I will naturally tell you everything I know. The illegitimate young master of the Haixi Marquis's Mansion is the fourth child in the family and is known as Zhao Silang. I've only met him once. He's tall and well-educated. I heard his aunt died in childbirth, so he's been raised by his legal mother since he was a child."
Gu Zhen was delighted after hearing this. Being raised under the name of a stepmother since childhood meant being a legitimate son.
The marriage that the aunt in the lobby introduced to her sounded pretty good.
Gu Zhen asked, "Does this Zhao Silang have any bad habits?"
Gu Qin shook her head and said, "I've never heard of it. Sister Zhen, you don't have to worry. The marriage that mother introduced to you is very good.
If you don't believe me, go back and ask your cousins in the main house. They all know this Zhao Silang. If this Zhao Silang has bad habits, he will definitely know them.
Gu Zhen hurriedly said, "Thank you, Sister Qin. It's not that I don't believe what you said, I'm just a little uncertain and nervous."
Gu Qin smiled knowingly, "I understand Sister Zhen's feelings. After Sister Zhen's marriage is settled, it will be the turn of Sister Xiaojiu and Sister Yue."
Gu Zhen said, "My second sister is not in good health, so her marriage won't be decided so soon."
Gu Qin was stunned for a moment. "Didn't Sister Xiaojiu say in front of the old lady that she was in good health? And I see that Sister Xiaojiu looks very good. Why is Sister Zhen saying that Sister Xiaojiu is not in good health again?"
Gu Zhen looked around and pulled Gu Qin to a corner. "I'm only saying this to Sister Qin. Don't tell anyone else."
Gu Qin nodded repeatedly and promised not to tell anyone else.
Gu Zhen lowered her voice and said, "In the late autumn of last year, my second sister was pushed into the water and became seriously ill. She didn't recover until this summer.
At that time, my second sister almost didn't make it, and we all thought she was going to die.
Fortunately, the second sister survived.
When we were in the northwest, my second sister was always recuperating in her room. Even now, she still has to take medicine every day. People in the northwest all know that my second sister is a sickly person.
Gu Qin was surprised, "Really?"
She was not surprised that Gu Jiu was in poor health, but was surprised that Gu Zhen told her such a thing when they met for the first time.
Aren't things like this usually kept secret?
For the sake of Gu Jiu's marriage, this kind of thing should not be said.
But Gu Zhen said it anyway.
Gu Qin's eyes rolled around. What did Gu Zhen mean by telling her these things?
Could it be that Gu Zhen and Gu Jiu have a conflict?
Or perhaps Gu Zhen hoped that she would spread the news that Gu Jiu was in poor health.
In this way, Gu Jiu couldn't find a good marriage.
The wealthy families in the capital would not marry a sickly girl.
Gu Qin was very clear about this.
Obviously, Gu Zhen also understood this.
Gu Zhen looked at Gu Qin and nodded heavily, "This is absolutely true. Do you know what people in the northwest call my second sister?"
Gu Qin shook her head.
Gu Zhen said, "Everyone calls her a sickly girl."
"Ah? Then Sister Xiaojiu must be very sad."
Gu Zhen said, "I don't know if my second sister is sad or not. She never tells us what's really on her mind."
Gu Qin smiled and said, "Sister Zhen, I suddenly remembered that I have something to do."
"Sister Qin, go get busy."
Gu Qin hurriedly left Gu Zhen.
At this moment, Gu Qin's impression of Gu Zhen had dropped to zero.
At the beginning, Gu Qin liked Gu Zhen very much. Both of them were born out of wedlock and were in the same situation, which made them quickly become closer.
However, Gu Zhen's malicious remarks about Gu Jiu made Gu Qin realize that Gu Zhen was not a person to befriend.
What if one day, Gu Zhen had a conflict with her and also made up rumors about her outside? It would be too late to regret then.
So Gu Qin found an excuse and quickly got rid of Gu Zhen.
Oh my god, the girl from the neighboring house is just as Sister Mei said, there are swords and sabers everywhere, and none of them are easy to deal with.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
