Wuyou walked in carrying a long box in her arms.
At this moment, the city lord's wife also took the opportunity to say, "Master Song, since you're all going to look at Huai Zhi's gifts, why don't you take a look at ours as well?"
After saying this, before Master Song could object further, he waved his hand and gave an order. A maid from outside came in carrying a square box.
Sun Chan remained silent for a long time before speaking up: "Master Song, after Wuyou, we may still be able to get your help. Huaisong and I have also prepared some things for you. Since we're going to accept them anyway, why don't we accept them together?"
In the time it takes to talk, the three of them stood in front of Master Song, each holding something in their hands.
Master Song was taken aback, and smiled awkwardly.
Wuyou stepped forward and said, "Master Song, my mother said that we are simply fulfilling our duty as hosts. No matter what you take from the City Lord's Mansion, outsiders will not know. After all, this is an internal matter of our City Lord's Mansion."
The anticipation in Wuyou's eyes was almost overflowing; a child really can't hide his feelings.
However, in Master Song's eyes, this expectation was nothing more than a sincere desire for him to accept the gift.
"Alright, since you've all gone to such lengths, it would be too impolite of me to refuse now."
The city lord's wife immediately smiled broadly, took the square box from the maid's hand, and happily handed it to Master Song before carefully opening it.
The moment the box was opened, a flash of golden light illuminated Master Song's face, making it glow.
“Master Song, this is a golden statue of you that I commissioned to be made. The craftsman made it according to your portrait, and it is made entirely of gold, with agate and pearls inlaid on the outer garment. Please accept it.”
Gu Jiangli couldn't help but laugh.
I thought the city lord's wife was so eager to send something nice, but it turns out it's just the same old gold.
This gift is indeed precious, both expensive and heavy.
The city lord's wife was probably thinking of using expensive gifts to win over Master Song.
This gift would certainly be very effective if given to an ordinary person, since it is made of pure gold and is enough for an ordinary person to live on for a lifetime.
But Master Song was no ordinary person; he came from the capital and was a teacher at the best academy in the land.
The thing he has in abundance is money.
The city lord's wife is something that brings no benefit whatsoever to the city lord's mansion except for causing it to lose a large sum of money.
Sure enough, Master Song quickly closed the box after seeing it.
Although he still wore a polite smile, the word "tacky" was practically written all over his eyes.
"Thank you very much, Lady City Lord. You're too kind."
Although the gift was valuable, it did not suit his taste.
The city lord's wife was still chattering on, "Master Song, I'm glad you like it. If Wuyou has the opportunity to enter Baiwen Academy next year, I'll need you to take good care of him."
She was quite satisfied with the gift and sat back down in her seat with a smug look in her eyes as she glanced at Gu Jiangli and Jiang Huaizhi.
Master Song smiled politely but did not reply, his eyes looking in the direction of Gu Jiangli and Jiang Huaizhi.
According to rank, the next ones should be the eldest son and his wife.
Upon hearing Jiang Huai's meaning, Wuyou immediately stepped forward.
“Master Song, we know that you are in a noble position in the capital and do not lack these material possessions, so the things I have prepared are not expensive. I hope you will like them.”
As Jiang Huaizhi spoke, Gu Jiangli kept a close eye on Wuyou's reaction.
Wuyou's eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets; he was more nervous than anyone else present.
Sun Chan, standing behind him, was also nervously watching in Wuyou's direction.
It is clear that she was aware of Wuyou's replacement of the gifts.
Neither mother nor son had good intentions.
Wuyou stared longingly and asked, "I also want to know what good things Uncle has prepared for my cousin. Let us see quickly!"
Jiang Huai ignored him.
With a hint of curiosity, Master Song asked, "I wonder what the eldest son has prepared?"
"I hope you won't be disappointed, Master Song. Jiang Li and I heard that you had an old friend who unfortunately passed away in an accident while painting in the mountains. You are searching everywhere for his paintings. It just so happens that I have a painting by Wu Daoyun. I'd like to take this opportunity to give it to you."
"What? Really?" Master Song stood up excitedly from his chair, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Huaiyu placed her hand on the box, unbuttoned it, and slowly lifted it upwards.
Wuyou and Sun Chan held their breath, staring intently in Huaiyu's direction, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
They all eagerly anticipated that something would spring out of the box the moment it was opened, followed by the sight of Master Song's pale face, his terrified scream, his head covered in cold sweat, and then his wrath directed at Yu of Jiangnan.
As the lid slowly opened, the two men stretched their necks longer and longer, almost touching Huaiyu's body.
Surprise, excitement, nervousness, anticipation... a complex mix of emotions caused beads of sweat to appear on their foreheads.
But even after the box lid was fully opened, they did not see the scene they had imagined.
Master Song was very emotional, and his eyes even began to redden.
He moved slowly and carefully, taking the painting out of the box.
Master Song's gesture of holding the painting surprised both Wuyou and Sun Chan.
"This is impossible..." Wuyou whispered, but Sun Chan covered her mouth the next moment.
Their eyes were filled with disbelief, especially Wuyou's.
He personally took the scroll out and threw it away, then put something else inside!
How could there be no change?
How come the painting was still the same when it was delivered to Master Song?
How is that possible?
Wuyou forcefully pulled Sun Chan's hand away.
Of course he knew this wasn't the time to speak; he wasn't stupid!
He looked up, trying to tell his mother not to make any unnecessary movements that might arouse suspicion, but he met Gu Jiangli's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling.
It's her!
Wuyou felt a jolt in his heart, and that chilling fear crept up his spine once again.
The last time he felt this way was when that woman threatened to throw him into the pond and drown him.
He could always sense the woman's malice towards him; she seemed to want to kill him.
She always saw through all his plans against them and stopped them.
This time, it must have been her doing again, causing the gift intended for Master Song to be returned!
Gu Jiangli met his gaze, making no attempt to hide her disgust for him.
Seeing him get his comeuppance made me feel quite pleased.
This little devil, his whole heart is filled with despicable scheming.
If she hadn't guessed his trick early on and deliberately exposed her weaknesses so he could seize the opportunity to strike, we wouldn't be seeing that ugly expression on his face now.
That's good. I hope to see that shocked and bewildered expression on his face more often.
Master Song was so engrossed in looking at the painting that he didn't notice the clash of weapons in their eyes.
"Yes, yes, this is indeed Daoyun's painting, his original work... Young Master, you are truly kind, thank you."
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