Chapter 140 The Wicked Stepmother and the Poor Child 33
He softened his tone and went over to coax Shen Ci, just like when the couple had a good relationship before.
"Madam, I was confused the other day and misunderstood you."
The housekeeper, Zhou, is truly unruly. If she continues to manage things, the Gu family's foundation may be destroyed.
Look, you're feeling much better now. I can only feel at ease if you take charge of this household.
Only you and I are truly husband and wife, husband and wife are one.
A hundred years from now, the only people we can be buried together are you and me.
He spoke with feigned deep affection, but Shen Ci was looking through the account books without even looking up. The thought of being buried with him after death made her feel unlucky.
"That's absolutely impossible," she said detachedly.
"My husband is joking."
My serious illness has damaged my health; I'm barely managing to stay alive and only look somewhat energetic now.
The imperial physicians have said that I need to rest quietly for a long time and avoid mental strain.
The task of managing a household is trivial and complicated, and I am willing but unable to do so. I might pass away at any time, so I really dare not take on this heavy responsibility. My husband, you should find someone more capable.
After all, my husband wouldn't want me to work myself to death, would he?
No, he actually really wanted to.
Shen Ci decisively rejected Gu Hongjian's heartfelt proposal, citing her incomplete recovery. No matter how much Gu Hongjian pleaded, she simply said that she was not in good health and could not overwork herself.
Gu Hongjian's initial attempt backfired, leaving him humiliated and forced to leave dejectedly.
There was nothing he could do. He tried everything, from threats to bribes, but nothing worked. It was like talking to a brick wall.
As soon as he left, Shen Ci gave Dan Gui a wink.
Dan Gui understood, walked into the courtyard, and deliberately raised her voice to another maid.
"Alas, our lady is so kind-hearted. Even in her health, the master still wants her to take care of the household management."
Don't they realize who nearly squandered their family fortune before, and now they're begging the madam for help?
"What a pity, Madam's health can't take any more strain! She's not going to clean up other people's messes!"
Inside the main courtyard were all Shen Ci's people, but outside the main courtyard were many people who followed Zhou Jingxuan because they saw that she was in power. Dan Gui's words were overheard by a nearby maid, who hurriedly went to Shuyuxuan to report to Zhou Jingxuan.
Zhou Jingxuan was already angry. She had carefully selected all her items, but now she was forced to return them. She was seething with anger and had nowhere to vent it.
Now, upon hearing that Gu Hongjian actually wanted to take away her power as housekeeper and hand it over to Shen Ci, she was furious!
Men, they really can't be trusted!
It's one thing to take back the silver, but now they want to take back even this little bit of power. Gu Hongjian is getting worse every day; his health is unreliable, and he doesn't even have any money! This Gu family is also getting worse every day.
Zhou Jingxuan felt that she had been deceived and tricked into joining the Gu family by Gu Hongjian, and that she would have to have his child.
Meanwhile, Gu Hongjian returned to his study and pondered the matter. He felt that the family really couldn't be without a reliable mistress, otherwise the family would be ruined. But Zhou was incompetent and Shen refused to help. What should he do?
It's really no good to not have a capable person to manage the household. It's a pity that Zhou Jingxuan doesn't have that ability. The only value Zhou Jingxuan has left is to have children and maintain the relationship with the Zhou family.
Seeing this, his attendant, with keen insight, offered a suggestion.
“Master, since Aunt Zhou is not good at managing the household and Madam needs to rest, the mansion really needs a lady who can keep things in order and who is genuinely concerned for you to manage the household affairs.”
In my humble opinion, it would be better to bring the old lady from her hometown in Yizhou.
The old lady raised you with great care and skill, so she must be an excellent housekeeper. With her in charge, the household will be well-organized, and the madam and Aunt Zhou will certainly be obedient.
No one dared to cause any more trouble.
Upon hearing this, Gu Hongjian's eyes lit up! Yes, how could he have forgotten he had a mother! How could he have forgotten something so important? He must have been too busy lately!
My mother was a widow back then, but she managed to protect the family business amidst the help of relatives, raise him, and support him to achieve academic success. Her methods and abilities were truly extraordinary.
When he was newly married, he was eager to establish himself in the capital with the help of his wife's family. However, because Shen Ci did not get along well with his mother, he left her in his hometown of Yizhou.
Looking back now, I feel truly ashamed.
Once a man becomes independent, he starts to feel guilty towards his mother and wants to make amends.
Gu Hongjian made up his mind that it was time to bring his mother to the capital to enjoy her retirement and help him manage his family, which was on the verge of falling apart. He immediately wrote a letter.
Gu Hongjian kept this matter very secret. He didn't tell anyone that he was going to bring his elderly mother to the capital. He simply wrote a letter and sent a trusted confidant with money and a letter to his hometown in Yizhou at top speed.
He went to fetch his hardworking elderly mother to the capital to enjoy a comfortable life. In the letter, he did not mention the current situation of his household, but only said that he missed his mother and asked her to come to the capital to live out her old age.
During the period of waiting for the old lady's arrival, the Gu family maintained a rare period of superficial peace.
Zhou Jingxuan had just made such a huge mess, and Gu Hongjian had returned her like a worthless object, which was a huge blow to her pride. But she knew she was in the wrong, and she didn't dare to provoke Shen Ci, because Shen Ci's beatings were too painful. So for the time being, she kept a low profile and didn't dare to cause any trouble.
As for Gu Hongjian, he didn't dare keep the money in the mansion after he got it back. He kept most of it himself and only left a small amount for daily expenses with the steward. He was busy with official affairs and was overwhelmed with problems, so he had no time to care about anything else.
This gave Shen Ci a good opportunity and time, with no one watching her.
The system's task requires spending 100,000 taels of silver within ten days, which is no small sum; an ordinary family couldn't earn that much in several lifetimes.
After thinking about it, she realized that the best solution was to purchase real estate, which would not only allow her to complete the system's tasks but also leave her two children a tangible legacy that could be passed down through generations.
She simply took the children along while inspecting the shop and handling matters, treating it as a trip. As long as they could be with their mother, the two children were happy to do anything.
Driving the carriage slowly, they toured all the bustling areas of the capital, experiencing them all. Then, Shen Ci asked them which area they liked best, and which they thought was the most fun, lively, and interesting.
Gu Mingzhu and Gu Mingzhang are much more cheerful than before. Whenever they are with Shen Ci, the two of them chatter away.
Ultimately, the west side of the city was chosen. The environment was quiet and the location was convenient. It was close to the academy, making it easy to go to school. The academic atmosphere was thriving, and it was not far from the market, so it also had a lively atmosphere.
School district housing.
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