Chapter 473 A Responsible Man
The condition of Lady Gao and Mr. Zou is different from that of Shen Lizhu and Gong Huaifeng, who had previously come to see Li Sanniang for treatment.
(Plot summary of chapters 432-434 and 439-441)
Although Gao Niangzi's family situation was not as good as Shen Lizhu's, the man Gao Niangzi chose was obviously much better than Shen Lizhu's.
Moreover, although Zou Langjun and Gao Niangzi did not have the same childhood sweetheart relationship as Shen Lizhu and Gong Huaifeng, their feelings for each other were more genuine than those between Shen Lizhu and Gong Huaifeng.
Or perhaps it could be said that Zou Langjun himself was more responsible.
So, upon returning home, after discussing it briefly with Lady Gao, Mr. Zou instructed the servants to inform each branch of the Zou family that they would be hosting a dinner party that evening, and that there would be an announcement to be made after the meal.
Seeing that the servant was about to leave after hearing the order, Lady Gao hesitated for a moment. She turned to Zou Langjun and said nervously, "Seventh Brother, is it alright to speak so frankly?"
I know you are good, but the other heads of the household will inevitably laugh at us behind our backs.
I'm fine with it. As a woman, I don't interact much with those young men. Even when I'm with other women, they wouldn't dare to gossip about me.
Or, we could just say I'm not feeling well."
Lady Gao was considerate of Mr. Zou's pride in social interactions, but Mr. Zou knew all too well what kind of treatment women who couldn't have children would receive.
How could Zou Langjun, by his very nature, bear to let Gao Niangzi suffer those sarcastic remarks alone?
Zou Langjun pulled Gao Niangzi back, gently smoothed the furrowed brows of her brows caused by worry, and said to her with a smile, "Shan'er, my standing in the family has never depended on whether I have children or not."
"I, Zou Pingbo, rely on this," Zou Pingbo pointed to his head.
"If I were to make you take the lead and bear the blame for me, how could I face the promise I made to my father-in-law and brother-in-law?"
I promised my father-in-law and brother-in-law I would treat you well, and I will definitely treat you well for the rest of my life.
"Shichiro!"
Lady Gao was deeply moved, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Zou Pingbo gently embraced Gao Niangzi, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Shan'er, if those women treat you rudely in the future, just curse them back."
If their father and brother Lang Xu want to stand up for them, then I can teach them a lesson for you.”
Madam Gao was initially moved, but after hearing Zou Pingbo's provocative words, she was both amused and exasperated, gently tapping Zou Pingbo's chest with her small fists.
This seemingly weak, gentle punch made Zou Pingbo pretend as if he had been hit with a heavy blow.
"Ah, my wife, why are you beating your husband?"
Before Gao Niangzi, who was about to speak with her almond-shaped eyes wide open, could react, Zou Pingbo grabbed the hand that Gao Niangzi had used to hit someone and kissed it. "Hey, let me see, did it hurt?"
The intimate relationship between Zou Pingbo and Gao Niangzi was unknown to the other branches of the Zou family. However, because Zou Pingbo and his wife had so solemnly and suddenly invited everyone to dinner, the other branches of the family were very respectful. They all changed their clothes and prepared their attire, waiting to visit Zou Pingbo and Gao Niangzi's courtyard at the appointed time.
As for why the various branches of the Zou family were so accommodating, it was naturally because Zou Pingbo had already dealt with them.
To be honest, Zou Pingbo was quite an extraordinary person at that time.
Everyone knows the story of Zhong Yong, and Zou Pingbo was also a person who was very intelligent from a young age. However, he was good-looking and never became an ordinary person even after he came of age.
On the contrary, it becomes even more powerful with age as one grows into adulthood.
If Zou Pingbo hadn't disliked being an official and having to obey orders, he himself would probably be the highest-ranking official in the Zou family right now.
However, although the highest-ranking officials in the Zou family at this time were Zou Dalang from the eldest branch and Zou Silang from the second branch, no one in the Zou family was unaware that Zou Dalang and Zou Silang had both been able to reach their current official positions thanks to the advice and planning of Zou Pingbo, the seventh son of the third branch of the Zou family.
Furthermore, whenever Zou Dalang and Zou Silang encountered any problems, they would always consult Zou Pingbo before making a decision.
Not to mention, Zou Pingbo holds the largest share of the Zou family's assets. Of course, apart from some inheritance from his deceased mother, most of it was earned by Zou Pingbo himself over the years through his own abilities.
According to Zou Sansao from the second wife, "Everyone laughs at me for flattering Shanniang. Humph, I'm good to Shanniang. Not only does Shanniang remember my kindness, but Qilang also knows it. A little bit of Qilang's kindness is enough for our whole family in the second wife's household to eat and drink. Why wouldn't I be good to Shanniang?"
As dusk fell, the servants lit lamps, and Zou Pingbo and Madam Gao were already waiting at the gate of their courtyard for the other members of the Zou family.
The rest of the Zou family didn't arrive early, because Zou Dalang and Zou Silang, who were officials in the imperial court, would be home late after their shifts, so the banquet started a little later.
After Zou Dalang and Zou Silang took their seats, Zou Pingbo first asked Zou Dalang to say a few polite words before he himself stood up, holding a wine cup, and said, "After today's feast, brothers from all the households, don't rush to leave. My wife and I have something to say."
Alright, let's get straight to the point. Today's meal has quite a few new dishes. Let me start by toasting everyone.
Zou Pingbo revealed the bottom of his cup, and the others accepted the gesture and drank the wine, then began to eat.
However, everyone was thinking to themselves, "This seventh brother is always up to something, I wonder what he's going to say today."
This banquet looks more like a trap than a trap.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they sat together in the main hall, each with a cup of tea in hand, more than an hour had passed.
Zou Pingbo and Gao Niangzi exchanged a glance. Zou Pingbo coughed twice to attract everyone's attention, and then dropped a bombshell: "My wife and I have been married for seven years, but we have been unable to conceive because I am ill and cannot have children. Therefore, I am thinking of adopting a son from among my brothers' children."
It was like a drop of water falling into a pot of extremely hot oil, with a "sizzle" followed by a "bang, bang, pop" sound.
From the eldest son to the fourth son, from Zou Dalang to Zou Jiulang, everyone looked at Zou Pingbo with surprise as he smiled.
The women were no less impressive; in fact, it could be said that the women's emotions were more outwardly expressed, and their reactions were more intense than the men's.
Zou Sansao stood up abruptly, staring at Zou Pingbo and Gao Niangzi with her mouth agape, speechless and looking rather comical.
"Qilang, what are you saying!"
If, if, if there is an illness, just treat the illness first, why bring up adoption or anything like that!
These were the words spoken by the composed Zou Dalang after he had been initially shocked and tried to calm himself down.
The others present chimed in with platitudes about treatment, not giving up, and having a biological child—all sorts of high-sounding platitudes.
Whether they were actually eyeing Zou Pingbo's coveted business or genuinely felt sorry for him, we don't know.
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