Chapter 574 Favoritism
When the Gu family went to the Ouyang family to propose marriage, the betrothal gifts they gave were exactly sixty-six taels.
Now, the Ji family is actually saying that they want to match the Meng family's betrothal gifts, meaning they want to give Meng Wei a betrothal gift of ninety-nine taels. Isn't this telling others that the Gu family values this eldest daughter-in-law more?
"Brother, don't worry, I'll go and explain things to Mother right away."
Gu Shuyan said she didn't even have time to eat breakfast, so she hurriedly entered the Marquis's mansion with several maids.
Ji, the head of the Hou family mansion, was busy checking the gift list when she saw her daughter hurrying in from outside. She quickly put down the list and went to greet her personally.
"Why are you here so early? Have you had breakfast?"
With a joyful expression, Madam Ji pulled Gu Shuyan to sit at the round table inside the room.
"Not yet!" Gu Shuyan answered truthfully, her gaze already fixed on the thick stack of gift lists.
“I haven’t eaten either,” said Madam Ji, glancing back at Mama Wu before immediately instructing, “Have the kitchen prepare breakfast.”
Upon hearing this, Wu's mother accepted the order and left, and Gu Shuyan did not refuse.
Reaching out to pick up the gift list not far away, Gu Shuyan flipped through a few pages before asking, seemingly casually, "Why did Mother decide to take these things out of the storeroom to look at?"
Gu Shuyan did not directly ask about the Ji family's preparation of betrothal gifts, but instead brought up the topic indirectly.
Upon hearing this, Madam Ji smiled and took out the gift list, saying, "I had arranged to have tea with Madam Meng yesterday, and I sensed that she values your elder brother. So I started preparing these things last night. Shu'er, could you help me see if these things are presentable?"
It's so impressive, it's simply too impressive to be proud of. Just look at the jadeite, it's all top-quality, and the pearl necklace is priceless.
Such a fine item would be considered the best in an ordinary household, but the Ji family had it all, not one less.
"How much dowry is Mother planning to give? This list seems to be much more than what Second Brother gave!"
Gu Shuyan mentioned it unintentionally, but Ji Shi didn't find it inappropriate; on the contrary, her smile grew even wider.
"That's right, I've already thought it through. This time, the betrothal gift to the Meng family will be eighty-eight taels to make it an auspicious number."
Ji originally intended to set ninety-nine units, but Wu Mama reminded her that this might not be appropriate. So Ji changed her mind and set eighty-eight units directly.
"Eighty-eight units? Isn't eighty-eight units a bit too many?" Gu Shuyan couldn't help but smile wryly.
This mother of hers really does come up with whatever comes to mind. Eighty-eight TVs isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the key point is that she didn't even catch the implication in her own words.
"Not too many, not too few, eighty-eight is just right."
Madam Ji neither suspected that her daughter would be unhappy because of the large dowry, nor did she suspect that Gu Shuyan had come to her to discuss the betrothal.
Seeing that Ji Shi hadn't responded to anything she'd said, Gu Shuyan had no choice but to change the subject: "Mother, do you still remember how much dowry our family gave to Ouyang Fu when Second Brother got married?"
"Sixty-six channels! No, Shu'er, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Lady Ji finally realized that something was off about her daughter's words.
"Mother, you gave my second brother a dowry of sixty-six taels of silver. Do you think it's appropriate to give my eldest brother eighty-eight taels?"
Both are sons of the Gu family, both are legitimate sons, so it's too obvious that the mother is showing favoritism towards Peter.
Besides, the Meng family is only a fifth-rank family. Although they have a title, Master Meng has not yet inherited it, so their status cannot be compared with that of an earl's family.
Although the Ouyang family did not hold any noble titles, Ouyang Biao was a true third-rank official, a pillar of the court.
Even if Ouyang Jing had no complaints about the betrothal gifts offered by the Ji family, it was hard to guarantee that the Ouyang family wouldn't have any thoughts about it. They might think that the Gu family looked down on the Ouyang family for offering such high betrothal gifts to a fifth-rank official's family who was inferior to them.
Some might even speculate that the Gu family harbored resentment towards Madam Ouyang for her past actions and deliberately humiliated the Ouyang family.
"It's perfect, absolutely perfect! I even think it's too little for your older brother!"
Gu Shuyan was extremely worried, but Madam Ji nodded nonchalantly.
In her mind, since Yun Yichen used ninety-nine taels of silver for his betrothal, Gu Renjie, as his brother, should also use ninety-nine taels.
Now that they have no choice but to reduce it to eighty-eight units, Ji feels that this is already the biggest concession he can make.
Seeing her mother acting as if it were the proper thing to do, Gu Shuyan showed a serious expression towards her mother for the first time.
“Mother, I know you prefer my eldest brother, and you think he is more promising and capable than my second brother. But in my eyes, my eldest and second brothers are the same, both are the pride of our Gu family. In order to prevent the brothers from falling out, this number must be reduced to sixty-six.”
Gu Shuyan wasn't reluctant to part with the extra twenty-two tables of betrothal gifts; rather, she feared that these extra twenty-two tables might sow the seeds of a future problem within the Gu family.
"Shu'er!"
Lady Ji never expected that her daughter would think of her this way. Could it be that she had been showing too much favoritism towards her eldest son?
But what's wrong with her favoring Renjie a little? Because he's not her biological son, Ji Shi is even more careful in trying to protect him and give him more love. Is that wrong too?
Most importantly, given Gu Renjie's status, he was more than worthy of the eighty-eight betrothal gifts.
Ji's face instantly darkened. Gu Shuyan felt a pang of anxiety as she looked at him, regretting her earlier words.
“Mother, no matter what you think, I hope you will listen to me on this matter, and my eldest brother also thinks so.”
Gu Shuyan softened her tone, hoping it would make Ji feel better.
"Does your elder brother think so too?" Madam Ji looked up at Gu Shuyan and saw that Gu Shuyan nodded firmly. Madam Ji couldn't help but sigh.
"Fine, if that's how it is, then so be it!"
After finishing her sentence, Madam Ji did not stop there. Instead, she looked at Gu Shuyan helplessly and said, "Shu'er, do you really think your mother is biased towards your eldest brother?"
Gu Shuyan remained noncommittal regarding Ji's question.
Seeing her reaction, Madam Ji already knew the answer. She raised her hand, signaling the servants around her to leave.
Madam Ji then slowly said, "Shu'er, your mother really doesn't favor your eldest brother. If I had to say which of my children I owe the most and love the most, it would be you. As for your eldest and second brothers, they are equally important in my heart. It's just that because of your eldest brother's birth, I've shown him more concern."
Ji was afraid that her daughter would misunderstand her, so she wanted to explain to her, but Gu Shuyan narrowed her eyes when she heard it.
"My elder brother's background? Mother, what do you mean by that?"
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