Gu Qinlan smiled dismissively: "I am indeed in a higher position than you now, that's an indisputable fact, I don't need to boast about it. As for your husband's future achievements, I wish him a meteoric rise to the top. As for the so-called revenge, I'm not afraid. After all, it's really hard to predict who will suffer the consequences. Alright, can you two step aside now? If you don't move aside, I'll have to get serious."
As the families of high-ranking officials, they naturally enjoyed certain privileges. Ordinary people who dared to obstruct or harass them could be handed over to the government for processing.
Ji Yinli was timid and cowardly to begin with. When he heard that Gu Qinlan was going to get serious, he immediately turned pale with fright and hurriedly ran to the side of the road.
Gu Qinlian trembled with rage and angrily rebuked Ji Yinli: "Why are you so afraid of her! You are someone who is destined to pass the imperial examination with flying colors!"
Ji Yinli dared not make a sound and could only follow Gu Qinlian tremblingly.
Gu Qinlan listened to Gu Qinlian's words, unable to suppress a smile. She stepped into the carriage, deftly removing her muddy wooden clogs and putting on a pair of soft, dry embroidered shoes. Gently lifting the curtain, she said with a teasing tone, "Sister, what you're saying is truly amusing. Why do you keep asserting that my brother-in-law can only achieve second place? Don't you secretly hope he can win first place and become the top scholar? Or do you secretly believe he lacks the talent of a top scholar, is inferior to others, and is destined to be second?"
Ji Yinli, who was always humble yet arrogant, turned around abruptly upon hearing this, his gaze sharp as a knife as he stared intently at Gu Qinlian.
Gu Qinlian was startled by the sudden gaze and felt uneasy. She wanted to explain, but couldn't find the right words.
The reason she firmly believed that Ji Yinli would be the second-highest scorer in the imperial examination was because he had indeed achieved the same result in his previous life.
However, after Gu Qinlan's teasing, these words seemed to have taken on a different meaning.
Gu Qinlan was already laughing heartily inside, but she still deliberately fanned the flames: "My sister has always been filial, so she will surely go to great lengths to personally carry her mother-in-law to seek medical treatment, right? After all, she is the mother of the second-ranked scholar, the mother of the future pillar of the nation, how can you neglect her?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qinlan signaled Hongye to drive away.
Enraged and with a livid face, Gu Qinlian spat repeatedly at the back of the carriage, her heart filled with indignation. How could Gu Qinlian, this vicious woman, have become so hateful!
She used to be timid and submissive, barely daring to breathe, but now she's completely different!
She must have felt she had a strong backing after marrying into the prestigious Prince Duan's mansion.
Just wait, when Ji Lang passes the imperial examination with flying colors, she will repay today's humiliation a hundredfold or a thousandfold!
Gu Qinlian made a silent vow in her heart and turned to leave, but Ji Yinli tightly grasped her wrist.
"My lord, what brings you here?" she asked, puzzled.
Ji Yinli said firmly, "I think what you say makes sense. A woman as filial as you would definitely be willing to take on the responsibility of carrying your mother to seek medical treatment."
Gu Qinlian's eyes widened in astonishment: "Are you kidding me? How could I possibly carry her? Besides, if you sons aren't willing to take on this responsibility, why should I bear it?"
Ji Yinli, however, said seriously, "As a man and a scholar, how can I do something so unbecoming? As my wife, you should help me share my worries."
"Miss, you really should have stayed a little longer. The sight of the Second Miss carrying the Old Madam of the Ji family, slipping and falling with every step, was utterly hilarious and made everyone burst into laughter..."
Fuyu's extremely unrestrained laughter echoed in the courtyard for a long time, almost lifting the roof off.
Gu Qinlan's ears were aching from the continuous noise, and she couldn't help but whisper to stop them: "Alright, alright, I understand now. Please shut up. If you keep laughing like this, I'm afraid I'll have to use medication to soothe my ears tomorrow."
Fuyu cupped her cheeks, which ached from laughing, and said with a hint of grievance, "This servant doesn't want to do this either, but I just can't help it."
Whenever she recalls Gu Qinlian's absurd and embarrassed expression, her laughter bursts forth like a flood, which is really not her fault.
Gu Qinlan looked both amused and exasperated: "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have let you stay and watch the game in the first place."
Not long after they drove away, Fuyu couldn't wait to stay and watch the show. Gu Qinlan thought there was nothing urgent at home, so she agreed to let her stay.
Who knew this girl had such weak self-control? Almost half an hour had passed since she came back, and her laughter still hadn't subsided.
Unwilling to endure the tormenting sounds any longer, Gu Qinlan signaled Hongye to pull Fuyu out.
As night fell, Jiang Ye came over to report to Gu Qinlan: "The damage caused by this heavy rain is quite severe. Most of the farmland around Jindu has been affected. Fortunately, the water level in the canal is not out of control and will not cause a greater disaster."
"As for the downstream areas, the situation is not optimistic. With the rain continuing to spread southward, I'm afraid the south will suffer a huge disaster."
Gu Qinlan had long heard of Jiang Ye's ability to observe celestial phenomena, so she was not surprised. "As soon as the sky clears up, we will immediately go and stock up on food, the more the better."
Jiang Ye asked curiously, "Are you planning to get involved in the rice business? Although it's not impossible, you must proceed with caution. The current emperor doesn't like those who try to profit from such opportunities."
Their family was originally in business and had experienced many hardships, so they had a good understanding of the emperor's likes and dislikes.
He worried that Gu Qinlan might take advantage of the flood to make a profit.
Gu Qinlan gently shook her head: "I will never profit from a disaster. I asked you to stockpile food for another reason."
Upon hearing her say this, Jiang Ye replied, "Okay, then I'll get started on the arrangements. I need to carefully plan how much food we need to stockpile."
Gu Qinlan replied, "There is no upper limit."
Jiang Ye was somewhat surprised: "So many reserves? Do you have enough funds on hand?"
Gu Qinlan took out Zheng Dinglian's personal seal and said calmly, "I have no intention of using my money."
At dawn the next day, Gu Qinlan took Jiang Ye to Zheng Dinglian's study.
Upon seeing Gu Qinlan arrive, Shuangjiang immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Madam."
This time, Shuangjiang's attitude was much better than before, but her brows still revealed a hint of reluctance, which attracted Jiang Ye's frequent attention.
Gu Qinlan's expression was calm, but her tone revealed an unquestionable authority: "Go to the private vault to withdraw some silver."
This time, Shuangjiang didn't dare to hesitate at all. He respectfully took the key and slowly opened the heavy iron door of the private vault.
Gu Qinlan gestured for Jiang Ye and Fuyu to wait outside the door, and then went alone into the depths of the private vault with Hongye in her arms, taking out an exquisite box.
Upon seeing the box, Shuangjiang looked somewhat flustered. Mustering her courage, she boldly said, "Madam, this box contains all of the young master's cash. It would be inappropriate for you to take it away privately."
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