At noon, the Marquis' Mansion prepared a banquet.
Everyone went to the flower hall.
Gu Lin came to Gu Jiu and pulled her sleeve, "Second sister, I have something to tell you."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "What's the matter? Tell me."
Gu Lin glanced around and said, "Second sister, it's not convenient here. Let's talk in the corner."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows, did not object, and followed Gu Lin to a corner of the flower hall.
"Fifth sister, if you have anything to say, just tell me."
Gu Lin bit her lip and whispered, "In the wing room, the eldest sister was saying bad things about the second sister. I heard it."
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Lin and asked calmly, "Big sister said something bad about me? What did she say?"
Gu Lin said, "I didn't hear it all. I just heard the elder sister tell people that you were a sickly person."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Fifth sister, do you know who the eldest sister said this to?"
Gu Lin looked around the crowd and pointed at Gu Qin, "That's the sister, her name is..."
"Her name is Gu Qin, and she is a concubine's daughter from the eldest wife's house in the Marquis's mansion."
Gu Lin nodded frequently, "Yes, the person who was talking to Big Sister was Sister Gu Qin."
Gu Jiu glanced at Gu Qin a few more times, then understood what was going on. He then said, "Thank you, Fifth Sister, for telling me this."
Gu Lin's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe it. "Second sister, aren't you angry? Big sister said something bad about you, don't you care?"
Gu Jiu said, "Thank you for your concern, Fifth Sister. I have my own ideas for this matter. Let's eat first."
"I……"
Gu Jiu pulled Gu Lin to the table. Gu Lin had no choice but to swallow the rest of her words.
Everyone sat down.
Gu Lin looked at Gu Zhen and thought to herself, I didn't expect the eldest sister to say bad things about the second sister. I didn't usually see any conflicts between the eldest sister and the second sister.
She couldn't have heard it wrong.
Gu Lin shook her head. She was sure she hadn't heard it wrong. She had clearly heard the word "sickly child".
The only person in the family who is called a sickly person is my second sister.
Gu Zhen sat with Gu Jiu, "Second sister, the Marquis's Mansion is indeed rich."
Gu Jiu's mouth curled up and he smiled, "A dignified Marquis's Mansion must be rich and noble."
Gu Zhen whispered to Gu Jiu, "Second sister, I saw you chatting with Sister Mei for a long time. Has Sister Mei's marriage been decided yet?"
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Zhen and said, "It's the first time we meet, how can I ask such a thing? Big sister, do you really want to know?"
Gu Zhen was embarrassed. "I was just asking casually."
Gu Jiu looked at her with a half-smile, "There are some things you can't ask casually. Trouble comes from the mouth, big sister, you should know that."
Gu Zhen smiled awkwardly, turned her head and said nothing.
After hearing what Gu Zhen said, Gu Qin became very curious about Gu Jiu.
She secretly observed Gu Jiu and he didn't look like a sickly person at all.
Could it be that the incident with the sick kid was deliberately fabricated by Gu Zhen?
Gu Qin suppressed her doubts and decided to take a closer look.
The Marquis' Mansion specially prepared fruit wine for the girls.
As the eldest daughter of the Marquis' Mansion, Gu Mei came out to greet everyone.
"Ladies, I offer you a toast. This is fruit wine, it won't make you drunk, so you can't refuse it."
Gu Yue spoke first: "Sister Mei is so kind, how could we refuse?"
Gu Mei looked at Gu Jiu again, "Sister Jiu, what about you?"
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Sis Mei is toasting, so of course I have to drink first as a sign of respect."
Gu Mei laughed, "Sister Xiaojiu is really straightforward."
After drinking half a glass of fruit wine, it tastes sweet and is indeed different from other wines.
Gu Lin looked satisfied and said, "It's really delicious."
Gu Yue said to Gu Lin, "Fifth sister, this is wine after all. Even if it tastes good, you can't drink too much."
Gu Mei smiled and said, "Sister Yue is right. Sister Lin, please don't drink too much."
Gu Lin smiled sheepishly and asked, "Sister Mei, how many drinks can I have?"
Gu Mei said: "Sister Lin is still young, three cups are enough."
When Gu Lin heard this, she felt a little sorry that she could only drink three cups.
The wine tasted really good, without any hint of alcohol. She felt she could drink at least one bottle.
Drink a bottle, that's amazing.
Gu Jiu savored the taste of the fruit wine, which was a bit like the low-alcohol wine of later generations.
However, in her previous life, Gu Jiu was not in good health and her family did not allow her to drink alcohol. She only secretly tasted it after she turned 18.
Therefore, she had no way to accurately compare fruit wine with low-alcohol wine in later generations.
On the contrary, I feel that this fruit wine is more like a drink.
After filling the wine glass, Gu Jiu stood up and presented a toast to the sisters of the Marquis Mansion on behalf of the Gu Mansion.
"I'm so happy to meet all of you today. I toast to you all and wish you all the best and success."
"Sister Xiaojiu, you're welcome."
Everyone raised their glasses and drank.
However, Gu Yue secretly glared at Gu Jiu and let Gu Jiu steal the limelight. It was really too much.
What made Gu Yue even more unhappy was that Gu Jiu acted as if all the sisters followed her lead.
What made her even more angry was that the girl from the Marquis' Mansion obviously valued Gu Jiu more and would always ask for Gu Jiu's opinion before doing anything.
Why?
They are both legitimate children, and she is only half a year younger than Gu Jiu. Why should Gu Jiu be the priority while she is ignored?
What's even worse is that Gu Jiu's maternal family, the Su family, has long been in decline. This is known to everyone.
As for her mother's family, the Xie family, her eldest uncle was an official in the Eastern Palace, highly regarded by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and her second uncle was a wealthy businessman with a fortune of millions.
The Su family is in decline, while the Xie family is thriving. In comparison, everyone should pay more attention to her and look down on Gu Jiu.
But the reality was completely opposite to what she imagined.
This made Gu Yue very angry.
When she was in the northwest, everyone would gather around her when she went out to visit friends. She was the natural center of attention among the sisters.
Returning to the capital, she thought everything would continue as it did in the northwest.
However, she didn't expect that the reality would slap her in the face when she visited the Marquis' Mansion for the first time.
Gu Yue drank alone. She had always been the protagonist of the banquet and had never been a supporting role.
The first time she played a supporting role was in the Marquis' Mansion, which she had been looking forward to, and she was playing a supporting role to Gu Jiu.
This is too much.
No matter how delicious fruit wine is, it is still alcohol after all.
Gu Yue drank five or six cups in a row and felt a little drunk.
Gu Shan looked at Gu Yue worriedly, "Third sister, drink less. Don't get drunk."
"I'm not drunk. Who said I was drunk?"
Gu Yue snorted, very unhappy.
Gu Shan frowned, "Third sister, mother told me to keep a close eye on you today. You can't drink anymore. Don't forget what you promised mother before you left."
Gu Yue rolled her eyes. "I told you I'm not drunk. I'm sober and I know what I'm doing."
Gu Shan looked at Gu Yue who was obviously drunk. This didn't look like he was sober at all.
Gu Yue was dressed up today, which easily attracted everyone's attention.
Gu Mei asked, "Sister Yue, are you drunk? Someone, take Sister Yue downstairs to rest."
"Thank you for your concern, Sister Mei. I'm not drunk. I'm just sitting here with everyone. I'm very happy."
Gu Mei looked towards Gu Shan.
Gu Shan shook her head slightly and decided not to touch Gu Yue for the time being.
Gu Yue had a bad temper and was very strong-willed. If she was taken away by force, Gu Shan couldn't guarantee that Gu Yue wouldn't make a fuss.
Gu Mei then ordered the servants, "Bring a bowl of hangover soup. Ladies, please don't drink too much."
Gu Jiu nodded with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Mei."
The sobering soup was served, and Gu Shan and the maid served it to Gu Yue.
The sobering soup didn't taste very good, Gu Yue disliked it and stopped drinking after just two sips.
She stared at Gu Jiu with eyes full of resentment.
Gu Jiu didn't want to pay attention to her, but Gu Yue's gaze was like a slug, glued to her.
Gu Jiu turned his head and looked at Gu Yue, "Third sister, is there something wrong?"
Gu Yue nodded, "Something happened."
Gu Jiu asked, "What's the matter?"
"I……"
"Third sister."
Gu Shan was almost scared to death, fearing that Gu Yue would ignore the occasion and start a quarrel with Gu Jiu. If that happened, it would be a huge embarrassment.
Gu Shan winked at the maid, asking her to report to her mother immediately. She then took Gu Yue's hand and said, "Third sister, I feel a little dizzy. Can you accompany me to the side room to rest?"
Gu Yue was unhappy, "You go by yourself, I don't want to go to the wing room."
"Then, then I will accompany my third sister."
Gu Yue snorted, "Who wants you to accompany me?"
The girls from the Marquis' Mansion were all secretly observing the girls from the Gu Mansion.
Seeing that Gu Jiu drank several glasses of wine without any problem, Gu Qin thought to herself, Gu Jiu doesn't look like a sick person at all. How can a sick person drink like this?
Gu Zhen was indeed talking nonsense and making up stories about Gu Jiu.
Gu Qin felt more and more contempt for Gu Zhen.
Because of a small conflict between the sisters, they even fabricated rumors that Gu Jiu was a sickly person.
Didn’t Gu Zhen ever think that if the reputation of being a sickly person spread, no matter whether it was true or not, it would affect Gu Jiu’s marriage?
Gu Zhen was indeed full of malice towards Gu Jiu.
Gu Qin labeled Gu Zhen a villain on his forehead.
Gu Zhen never thought that he would end up losing more than he gained.
I asked Gu Qin to drink with me several times, but her attitude was always lukewarm and indifferent.
They were so close when they were chatting in the side room before. How could Gu Qin become such a different person in such a short time?
Gu Zhen muttered to herself that the girls in the Marquis' Mansion just had bad tempers and were always upset.
At this moment, most of the girls in the Marquis' Mansion focused their attention on Gu Yue.
Gu Shan and Gu Yue were pulling each other, and it was hard not to attract attention.
Just when Gu Shan was about to worry to death, Chunhe came.
Gu Shan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Chun He came to Gu Yue and said, "Third Miss, Madam ordered me to come and see you. You've drunk too much and are feeling unwell. You'd better not force yourself. I'll take you downstairs to rest."
"I'm not going." Gu Yue was very unhappy.
Chun He had a blank expression on her face. She leaned over to Gu Yue's ear and whispered, "Madam said that if the Third Miss insists on embarrassing herself in the Marquis' Mansion, then don't blame her for not understanding you."
The words were not harsh, but Gu Yue shuddered.
"I……"
Chun He smiled again and said, "Miss Third is not feeling well, so please come with me and rest."
Gu Yue lowered her head and nodded slightly, "I'll listen to Sister Chunhe."
Gu Yue helped Chun He stand up, glared at Gu Jiu, and said loudly: "Second sister, you are not in good health, so you should drink less. Don't let mother and father worry about you. I don't think second sister wants to take medicine all day."
Gu Jiu smiled slightly, "Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. Since you are not feeling well, please follow Chun He downstairs to rest. Madam specially sent Chun He here, so you should not let Madam down."
Gu Yue snorted coldly, "Second sister, you don't need to worry about my affairs."
Gu Yue took a step and left.
As expected, she was a little drunk and her footing was unsteady. If Chun He hadn't supported her, she would have fallen.
Gu Yue shook her head. Her mind was so clear, how could she be drunk?
Gu Jiu wasn't drunk, so how could she be drunk?
Gu Yue looked towards Chun He. Chun He had a blank expression on his face, appearing very serious.
Gu Yue gritted her teeth and decided to leave with Chun He to avoid getting her mother angry.
As soon as Gu Yue left, Gu Shan was obviously relieved.
She was scared to death.
Fortunately, she stopped Gu Yue and did not disappoint her mother.
Gu Shan said to Gu Jiu, "Second sister, third sister is drunk, don't bother with her."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Fourth sister, you're worrying too much. I've always understood third sister. No matter what she does, I won't be surprised."
Gu Shan choked and smiled awkwardly, feeling very bored.
The girls in the Marquis' Mansion all smiled knowingly.
They had always heard people talk about the situation of the second branch of the Gu family.
One was born to the original wife, and the other two were born to the concubine who was promoted to the first wife.
There must be conflicts between these three sisters.
Now it seems that the contradiction is still quite big.
After lunch, the girl from the Marquis' Mansion took everyone to the garden for a walk to help digest the food.
In winter, the trees in the garden withered. I thought there was nothing much to see, but I didn't expect that the mansion had built a greenhouse.
Flowers were blooming in the greenhouse, and they even grew vegetables. Furthermore, one side of the greenhouse was made entirely of transparent glass.
Everyone looked amazed and stood outside the transparent glass, marveling at the scene.
The Marquis’ Mansion is indeed wealthy.
There is no such greenhouse in the Gu Mansion.
Gu Jiu was not like the other sisters who came forward to look at the curiosity.
She was just a little surprised. She didn't expect that in this era, there was already transparent glass, and the quality was very good, with no impurities visible.
The capital city is indeed a place where rich people gather, and you can see all kinds of rare things there.
When I was in the northwest, I had never seen glass, let alone heard of it.
The Northwest is too remote and too cold, fortunately Lord Gu has been an official in the Northwest for eight or nine years.
This kind of patience is rare among ordinary people.
This time, Lord Gu was promoted to the position of prefect of the capital. If he can calm down and focus, he may be able to achieve something.
The mayor of the capital city seems to be a job that is not easy to get along with and requires one to be bullied everywhere.
But there are always opportunities in crises.
If Lord Gu could seize the opportunity, he might be able to shine before the Emperor. Further advancement wouldn't be difficult either.
Gu Jiu associated so many things with a piece of glass, and his imagination ability has really improved.
"Sister Xiaojiu, why aren't you with everyone?"
Gu Mei walked up to Gu Jiu and asked with concern.
Gu Jiu said, "There are too many people, so I won't join in the fun. This is a great place for a greenhouse."
Gu Mei smiled and said, "Sister Xiaojiu, do you think this place is good too? The old lady has bad teeth and can't chew meat, so she usually eats vegetarian food.
It’s just that there are few fresh fruits and vegetables in winter, and the old lady always feels uncomfortable every winter.
Later, my third uncle came up with a plan to build a greenhouse. He had traveled a lot and heard that there were glass workshops in the south that had produced transparent glass, but they couldn't mass-produce it.
My third uncle used his connections and personally sent someone south. He brought back transparent colored glass and the technology to build a greenhouse. So, there's now a greenhouse in the mansion garden."
After hearing this, Gu Jiu was truly impressed and said, "Third uncle is truly amazing."
Gu Mei said: "My father also said that my third uncle is the smartest person in the family."
Gu Jiu was fascinated and really wanted to meet this smartest third uncle.
After visiting the greenhouse, everyone prepared to go back to the flower hall to rest.
Although it is not cold to grow flowers and vegetables in the greenhouse, it is not a suitable place for playing.
Gu Mei said to Gu Jiu, "Little Jiu, if there's anything you want to eat, tell me. I'll have someone bring it to you."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Mei. My aunt and my wife are the ones who take care of the food at home."
Gu Mei understood and did not mention the matter again.
Back in the flower hall, a maid came to Gu Shan and whispered, "Fourth Miss, Third Miss is crying in the side room. Madam can't leave right now, so let Fourth Miss go look after Third Miss."
Gu Shan was surprised, "Third sister can cry?"
The sun rises from the west.
Why is Gu Yue crying for no reason?
The maid said solemnly: "The third lady is really crying. I don't know why she is crying."
Hearing this, Gu Shan said, "I'll be there right away."
Gu Zhen noticed the commotion here, walked over and asked, "Fourth sister, are you going to visit third sister? I'll go with you."
Gu Shan hesitated.
Gu Zhen added, "I'm also worried about Third Sister. I saw she drank so much before, I'm afraid she's feeling miserable right now. I'll go with Fourth Sister and lend a hand, sharing her worries."
Gu Shan nodded, "Okay. Big sister, come with me."
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