Chapter 142 Wicked Stepmother, Poor Child 35
When faced with self-interest, people's choices become clearer.
When Zhou Jingxuan entered the mansion, she quickly seized the power of the steward, causing countless sycophantic servants to flock to her.
After all these events, those who had already pledged allegiance to Zhou Jingxuan, and those who were still observing, now all feel that the main courtyard is the better place to go.
The main courtyard was spacious and comfortable, but Aunt Zhou's housekeeping was a complete mess.
The main courtyard servants received double the monthly pay and had easier duties. The mistress, Shen Ci, never mistreated the servants without reason. But what about Aunt Zhou?
Working under Aunt Zhou was not only tiring, but Aunt Zhou was also often nitpicky. Most importantly, Aunt Zhou didn't have much dowry and little money, so she would cut back on the servants' expenses to subsidize herself!
If they're unhappy, they'll take it out on others. They don't give you any money and they have a bad temper. Who would want to serve them?
Many servants in the mansion began to curry favor with the master, and would even take the initiative to send messages. If given a little benefit, they would voluntarily work for the master.
On the surface, the main courtyard was still isolated. The madam did not manage the household affairs, did not handle matters, and did not even leave the courtyard. She ate, drank, and relieved herself in the main courtyard. Aunt Zhou was still the one who held the winning hand and enjoyed endless glory.
But this is only on the surface. In reality, almost everything in the mansion, big or small, can be heard by Shen Ci. Aunt Zhou's role as steward is dispensable. She has no real benefits to gain and has to deal with all sorts of trivial matters.
It's exhausting and there's no pay.
After what happened last time, Gu Hongjian now values money extremely highly, and every expenditure of Aunt Zhou needs to go through layers of checks.
If you want to use silver, it's currently kept by the steward, and there's a fixed amount you can use each day. The steward won't give you any more than that. If you want to use more, you must get Gu Hongjian's personal consent.
Zhou Jingxuan was restricted from high-end consumption and had to deal with all sorts of big and small matters in the mansion every day. She was so angry that her teeth almost broke. She hadn't enjoyed any blessings after marrying into the family, but instead, she was exhausted.
She's here to be the master, not to do the work for others.
Shen Ci simply watched all of this with indifference, letting them do whatever they wanted.
She had already made her plans; she was determined to sever ties with the Gu family. What happened to the people in the Gu household was none of her business.
However, this house was one she had carefully chosen and bought with a considerable sum of money. Even if it were burned down, she wouldn't leave it to that despicable couple.
"Dan Gui, find the property deeds for the houses in the mansion."
Shen Ci instructed Dan Gui to fetch the house deed. This house held too many memories for them, from the joy of marrying into the Gu family to their current despair. They had been through so much, and their two children had grown up in this house.
Dan Gui was a trusted confidante she brought from her maternal home. Dan Gui was in the prime of her youth, radiant, beautiful, and young, and was also a witness to her life.
In the originally planned course of her life, Dan Gui was later forced by Zhou Jingxuan to marry a servant in the mansion. She eventually died in childbirth. If Dan Gui had not agreed, she would have been sold off.
In order to stay with her young master for a few more years, Dan Gui had no choice but to agree to marry the lame servant in the mansion, who was also Zhou Jingxuan's man. Dan Gui suffered for most of her life.
Having a child was not what Dan Gui wanted.
History is written by the victors, while the unfortunate are defined as villains. Thinking of this, Shen Ci's heart grew even colder.
"Dan Gui, spread the word that this house is going to be sold."
The price can be slightly below market value, but it must be stated that delivery will take time, and the buyer must be willing to wait.
Although Dan Gui was somewhat surprised, seeing that the lady's expression was very firm and she didn't seem to be joking, she immediately understood what she meant.
This is to completely sever ties with the Gu family. She nodded in agreement and turned to make the arrangements. This is a good thing.
They were afraid that if they arrived late, the lady would regret it. After all, they had seen very clearly how much the lady had admired the master in the past, to the point that she had practically chased after him. They absolutely could not let the lady's hard work benefit an outsider.
Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye, half a month of hard work and perseverance.
The Gu family finally welcomed their distinguished guest from afar: Gu Hongjian's mother, Old Madam Gu.
Madam Gu wore a dark brown floral jacket, and her hair was neatly combed.
Life was tough in the past, and Madam Gu still looked quite thin. When people are thin, they tend to look a bit fierce.
Life has gotten better in the last two years. We have more food and clothing, and we've become more plump and look kinder. People tend to be easier to get along with when they're a little chubby.
Madam Gu wore a gentle smile, exuding an air of refined manners.
She was helped down from the carriage by her maid. Her gaze seemed to casually sweep across the gate of the mansion, but in reality, she was frantically gathering information. She was cunning and shrewd.
Gu Hongjian's biological father died early, and she raised her child alone. She was able to protect the mother and son safely and send her son to school to take the imperial examinations. The cost of education was considerable. Where did a widow like her get the money?
However, she did it, which shows that Madam Gu could not possibly be a simple person.
When his mother arrived, Gu Hongjian rushed out to greet her. Overjoyed at the long-awaited reunion, he was almost in tears. But after all these years, he had only now thought of bringing his mother to enjoy a better life.
Zhou Jingxuan also received the news. After dressing up carefully, she accompanied Gu Hongjian early in the morning, hoping to leave a good impression on her mother-in-law.
However, as soon as the old lady stepped into the main hall and sat down at the head of the table, her gaze swept around the room, and her brows furrowed deeply.
She was waiting for her daughter-in-law, Shen Ci, to come and pay her respects, to serve her tea, and to establish proper etiquette. She hadn't seen her spoiled daughter-in-law at the gate earlier.
Unexpectedly, after waiting for a while, only Zhou Jingxuan and Gu Hongjian arrived.
Seeing his mother's expression, Gu Hongjian quickly stepped forward to explain.
"Mother, you must be tired from the journey, please rest first."
"Mrs. Shen is seriously ill and still bedridden, so she is unable to come to greet me. I hope Mother will forgive her."
Before she finished speaking, Dan Gui stepped forward at the opportune moment, bowed respectfully, and spoke with concern and apology in her tone.
"May the old lady be well."
Our wife is so ill that she can hardly get up, and I feel extremely guilty for not being able to greet her in person.
The lady often says that the old lady is the kindest and most reasonable person, and would certainly not hold such formalities against someone who is terminally ill. Once the lady is feeling better, she will personally apologize to the old lady.
These words first praised the old lady as kind and reasonable, thus blocking any possible reason for her to lash out. Having lived with her mother-in-law for so many years, Shen Ci knew her well; she was an old woman who cared about her reputation and face.
Besides, Shen Ci's illness has been going on for more than a day or two. Even if she was faking it, she couldn't have been faking it for more than a year. Everyone knows that she is terminally ill and doesn't have long to live.
Old Madam Gu's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and the kind smile on her face almost faltered.
A surge of anger welled up inside her. That Shen woman! How dare she use illness as an excuse not to see her! What terminal illness? In her eyes, she was clearly just relying on her family's wealth to look down on her, her mother-in-law!
She had long been dissatisfied with her daughter-in-law, who came from a merchant family. She felt that now that her son was a top scholar, he was worthy of even a princess. How could this Shen woman be worthy of her son?
They actually dare to try and intimidate her now!
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