However, after hearing what Song said, Gu Dingli angrily slapped her across the face: "You fool! You actually made up such a ridiculous story just to get my attention!"
Stunned by the blow, Song covered her swollen cheek and stammered, "Master, I wasn't lying, she really..."
"Shut up!"
Gu Dingli loudly stopped her, warning, "It's one thing to say such absurd things to me, but if it gets out, not only will people laugh at us, but it could also bring disaster to the Gu family! You'd better keep your mouth shut, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
After saying that, he turned and glared at Gu Qinlian, coldly saying, "You're already married, so don't go back to your parents' home so often!"
He didn't believe a single word they had just said.
He firmly believed that they were fabricating absurd claims to regain control of the household.
In the tense atmosphere, Gu Qinlian and Madam Song both felt a sense of panic. They had overlooked a crucial detail: if the news of her rebirth were to leak out, Gu Qinlian would likely be seen as a jinx and be consumed by flames.
This fear not only threatens her personally, but will also bring disaster to the entire Gu family.
After realizing what had happened, the mother and daughter were drenched in cold sweat and had no choice but to leave in dejection.
However, Gu Qinlian was not at peace; she was unwilling to give up.
So, after some discussion, the two decided to take the risk themselves. Even if Gu Dingli had doubts, they were determined to try it on their own. Once the business succeeded, they would see what Gu Dingli had to say then.
Gu Qinlian looked worried: "But how exactly should we start this business? I have limited funds at my disposal. Mother, how much can you provide?"
Madam Song gritted her teeth and said resolutely, "I will take out all the savings I prepared for my brother, as well as all my treasured jewelry. Find someone to pawn them and exchange them all for silver. Since we've decided to do this business, let's go all out and make it bigger!"
She believed Gu Qinlian's words without a doubt, thinking it was a highly profitable business opportunity and there was no need to worry too much.
After careful calculation, the mother and daughter were able to raise a huge sum of more than 10,000 taels of silver.
This is all their possessions.
With the funds secured, the next challenge was finding suitable personnel to purchase the grain.
Gu Qinlian had no one else to rely on, so she had to depend on the Song family.
After pondering for a moment, Song said, "I have a reliable steward named Chao. He once helped me manage Jiang's dowry. Although he is not particularly capable, he is steady and reliable."
After careful consideration, Gu Qinlian said, "To be on the safe side, we should find another person to supervise him, just in case he absconds with the money."
Song thought it made sense, but she was troubled by the choice of personnel. She could not rely on her family members; they came from poor backgrounds and had been spoiled by Song to the point of being extremely greedy. Letting them supervise her would be like letting a tiger go back to the mountains.
After much deliberation, Gu Qinlian made a suggestion: "Mother, why don't we let my younger brother go?"
Gu Qinlian's younger brother, Gu Boming, is only fifteen years old and is Song's only son.
Song rejected the suggestion almost without hesitation: "He's so young, how could he possibly shoulder such a heavy responsibility? Besides, didn't you say there was an impending natural disaster? What if something happens to him on the way?"
Gu Qinlian said firmly, "Mother, he is not young anymore. Besides, he won't be alone. With so many servants accompanying him, what could possibly go wrong? As for natural disasters, we are harvesting grain upstream, which we have avoided. There will be no problem."
“Mother, you must never again show such womanly compassion. That boy born to Aunt Yao is only a year older than my brother, yet he is already closely following Father, becoming his right-hand man. In the previous life, it was because you were always soft-hearted towards him, worried that he would suffer, that he was suppressed in every way by that lowly son. If it weren't for Ji Lang speaking well of him, Father would have even intended to entrust the entire family business to him. Do you still want him to repeat the same mistake in this life?” Madam’s expression changed drastically, clearly finding this reality difficult to accept. After hesitating for a moment, she finally gritted her teeth and asked, “Are you sure the journey north will be safe?”
Gu Qinlian replied confidently, "I guarantee everything will be foolproof. If you are still worried, you might as well hire a few martial arts masters to accompany us. Compared to other supervisors, Bo Ming's reliability is undoubtedly superior. If this business is a great success, not only will we be able to improve our status in front of Father, but Bo Ming will also win Father's admiration."
Upon hearing this, Song's last trace of doubt vanished.
"Okay, then we'll do it your way."
The mother and daughter quickly agreed on a plan to travel north to collect grain. On the third day, Gu Boming, carrying silver notes, embarked on the journey with the grain collection team.
As Gu Qinlan's carriage entered Jindu City, it passed by the Gu family's grain collection team.
After catching a glimpse of Gu Boming, Hongye quietly informed Gu Qinlan.
Gu Qinlan gently lifted the carriage curtain, watching Gu Boming drive away, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Clearly, Gu Qinlian was unwilling to miss this golden opportunity to make money, but she seemed to have forgotten one thing—making money is not an easy task.
"Sister-in-law, you're finally back."
As soon as Gu Qinlan stepped out of the carriage, Zheng Huiyi rushed over like a gust of wind and enthusiastically took her hand, leaving Gu Qinlan somewhat taken aback.
Zheng Huiyi noticed her confusion, and somewhat embarrassedly let go of her hand, took two steps back, and then bowed to her very solemnly: "Thank you for saving my life, sister-in-law. In the past, Huiyi was stubborn and ignorant, and failed to live up to your good intentions. I apologize to you here. Sister-in-law, can you forgive my mistake?"
Gu Qinlan was indeed stunned by Zheng Huiyi's actions. She couldn't help but wonder: Is this still the Zheng Huiyi we knew? Has she been replaced by someone else?
Seeing her silent, Zheng Huiyi felt anxious: "Sister-in-law, I sincerely apologize to you. I am deeply aware of my mistake."
Princess Duan, who rushed to the scene, also hurriedly stepped forward to plead for her: "Qinlan, Huiyi has indeed repented, please forgive her this time."
Gu Qinlan came to her senses and gently helped Zheng Huiyi up: "I have felt your sincerity, and I accept your apology. In fact, I have never held any resentment towards you, so why should I talk about forgiveness?"
She truly didn't mind Zheng Huiyi's actions, not only Zheng Huiyi, but the entire Duanwang Mansion; she didn't care about any of them. Her diligence was simply a matter of fulfilling her duties.
How can someone who has never truly touched her heart hurt her soul?
Zheng Huiyi mistakenly believed that Gu Qinlan was magnanimous and wouldn't hold it against her, so she enthusiastically hugged her arm.
“Sister-in-law, you are truly kind. I was foolish and ignorant before, unable to distinguish right from wrong. From now on, I am willing to obey you. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west.”
Princess Duan chimed in, "Qinlan, Huiyi has truly matured this time. She has sincerely repented. From now on, you should put more effort into guiding her. If she can learn even half of your wisdom, I will no longer worry no matter which family she marries into."
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