Gu Ting smirked, "Xiang'er, you know that Aunt Yang didn't want you chosen back then, right?"
Liu Xiang'er replied in alarm, "I know."
"Then do you know why I chose you?"
"No, I don't know, but I know that it is my greatest fortune to be favored by the young master."
Gu Ting ignored her flattering words, "Because you are ruthless enough to be eligible to choose a concubine in order to be promoted one level."
"You're capable of harming your own childhood friend from the same neighborhood—I like that about you!"
Liu Xiang'er didn't understand what he meant, and was about to retort.
Gu Ting raised his hand to stop her, "Don't panic, no need to say more. I'm saying this because I think highly of you!"
You know the country village we're going to this time; it's under Aunt Yang's management.
Liu Xiang'er thought to herself, "What does Aunt Yang have to do with this? Isn't that just being sent there?"
Gu Ting paused, then continued, "I heard from your young mistress yesterday that once we get there, she'll send you to serve Concubine Yang!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiang'er's expression immediately changed.
If she falls into the hands of Aunt Yang, what good will she have?
How could Xu Shaoqing be so heartless? Knowing full well that Aunt Yang despises her, she's just too inhuman!
Xiang'er immediately looked at Gu Ting with a pitiful expression, her face full of grievance.
"Young master, please save me! I'm not popular to begin with, and Aunt Yang doesn't like to see me. Please don't send me to Aunt Yang's place and make her even more upset."
Gu Ting glanced coldly at the frightened and uneasy Liu Xiang'er, "Alright."
…………………………………………………………
After leaving Xiang'er's side room, Gu Ting went to Xu Shaoqing's place.
"Didn't Granny Lu from Father's place say that you don't have to go to the countryside? Why don't you stay in the capital?"
Life in the countryside is much harder; even buying clothes and jewelry is a struggle.
Xu Shaoqing shook her head. "No, I'll go with you. Husband and wife should share joys and sorrows."
Gu Ting smiled gently, "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"
Xu Shaoqing was pleased to hear this.
Gu Ting then asked, "By the way, why haven't I seen Gui Xiang all day? Is she slacking off?"
If you ask me, I would say you've been too lenient with your servants, which is why they've become so unruly.
"This is exactly the time when we need manpower, where did she disappear to in the blink of an eye?"
Mentioning Gui Xiang, Xu Shaoqing pursed her lips uncomfortably. "She broke one of my cups. I was angry and don't want to see her now. I kicked her out and won't let her come near me to serve me."
"I see."
After asking that question, Gu Ting felt a surge of hatred. He was 40% certain that his misfortune this time was related to the Anbo Mansion.
I wonder what bad things that bitch Guixiang spread back about him!
Xu Shaoqing's attitude was too unusual. He guessed that the Anbo Mansion was behind his misfortune.
However, he did not guess that it was the Anbo Mansion that was in control; he only felt that it was possible that Lord Xu had also stepped on his heels behind the scenes.
This speculation chilled Gu Ting to the bone, but he felt even more furious.
The date for their trip to the countryside has been set: ten days from now.
Gu Ting was furious, and Gui Xiang and Gui Lan would definitely have to go to the countryside with him.
Once they arrived in the countryside, they were left with Aunt Yang, who would torture them to death!
As for Granny Lin, Gu Ting pondered for a moment, "Shaoqing, I was thinking that since we're going to the countryside this time, Granny is so old, and the journey will be bumpy for several days."
"Or how about we leave Granny Lin here at the old house and have her watch over the yard for us?"
Xu Shaoqing felt guilty towards Gu Ting these past two days, so naturally she would do whatever he said.
Moreover, Gu Ting's words made sense, so Xu Shaoqing thought about it and agreed.
Guilan was serving tea in the room when she heard Gu Ting and Xu Shaoqing say this. Her heart sank and she frowned.
That day, after Guilan finished her shift at noon, she went to Guixiang's room.
Gui Xiang was packing her things to go back to the back street of the Earl's Mansion; she was also going back to visit her relatives.
Xu Shaoqing insisted on going to the countryside, didn't she? They were all given time off to rest in turn.
After Granny Lin returns this afternoon, she can go back to the Marquis's residence.
She was in a good mood when Guilan came over and told her all about it.
Gui Xiang sighed again after hearing this, "Miss is definitely not willing to listen to my advice now, but Granny Lin can't leave."
Granny Lin absolutely cannot leave. She is Xu Shaoqing's wet nurse, and everyone should give her some respect.
With her in charge and Gui Xiang running errands, the two of them working together made it much easier to deal with Gu Ting.
Otherwise, Xu Shaoqing's dowry money would probably have been swindled out of more than 10,000 taels.
It should be noted that when Aunt Yang was still in the mansion, she had considered it and came to Xu Shaoqing twice to complain about being poor.
It was Lin Mama who, relying on being the master's wet nurse, had a voice and retorted to Yang Yiniang twice, neither too softly nor too harshly.
Aunt Yang herself was also a half-servant, so she didn't dare to go too far with this old nanny who had been around for many years.
Otherwise, even if it were Guixiang, Aunt Yang could still use that as an excuse to throw a tantrum.
Gui Xiang may be quick-witted, but she is young and her status doesn't allow her to be authoritative, unlike Granny Lin.
With that in mind, Gui Xiang stopped dawdling, quickly packed her things, and went to ask Xu Shaoqing for leave.
Gui Xiang told Xu Shaoqing that she wanted to go back half a day earlier. Gui Xiang's purpose was to go to the Earl's Mansion as soon as possible to stop Granny Lin so that the two of them could discuss a plan.
But when they arrived at the main room, Xu Shaoqing glanced at her after hearing that she wanted to ask for leave, and gave her a lukewarm reply.
"It's only half a day, why are you in such a hurry to go back? What are you panicking about?"
I'll say it again, whose servant are you anyway? You're in such a rush to rush back after just a short vacation. Get out, and don't annoy me!
Gui Xiang had no choice but to go back and wait. But Granny Lin arrived late today, so she stayed home a little longer.
It wasn't until 7 PM that Granny Lin finally arrived.
As soon as Guixiang saw her arrive, she pretended to make an excuse to help Granny Lin pack her things and followed Granny Lin back to her room.
Then, she quickly told the nanny about Xu Shaoqing's plan. The nanny was also puzzled.
"What is the Gu family's son-in-law up to now? I'm just an old woman, what's the point of kicking me out?"
Gui Xiang then shared her earlier speculations, which startled Lin Mama. "No way! This matter has escalated to such a great extent. Would the second master and son-in-law really scheme to take advantage of Miss's money?"
Didn't you relay our Lord's words to Miss? Now that Miss knows what the Lord has done...
Now you must realize something's wrong with your son-in-law, right? Do you believe that Gu Ting also played a part in that ten thousand taels of silver incident last time?
No sooner had she asked than Lin Mama slapped her forehead, before Guixiang could answer.
"You little rascal, you've got me all confused. Didn't our master send a message to the Marquis's mansion?"
"Our young lady doesn't need to come down there. You're going around in circles saying you'd leave me behind alone. We can both stay here. Why go to that desolate, impoverished place to suffer!"
Gui Xiang couldn't get a word in edgewise until she finished speaking, at which point she finally had a chance to reply.
"After hearing what I said, the young lady slapped me and said that we were all sorry to Gu Ting!"
She felt that the Earl and his wife were harming people based on prejudice.
She also said that she would never acknowledge the Earl and his wife again, and told me that if I were to become a treacherous servant, I would be one to the very end.
Tell me to go back and tell the master and mistress not to come and harm her again!
Granny Lin: "..."
Lin Mama was now hit hard. She had been enjoying her vacation at home these past few days, knowing that she was definitely not going to the countryside.
Xu Shaoqing gave her two extra days off because of her work in the countryside, so she could go back home for an extra day and stay there comfortably.
The news I heard this time was absolutely shocking!
Don't think that it's a good thing that the young lady left her in the capital. If she doesn't go with her, the young lady will be swindled out of her money and other things again.
Or perhaps Aunt Yang will cause some trouble, making the young lady so angry that she gets seriously ill.
They angered the madam (Jiang Shiyi), who blamed them for not taking good care of the young lady!
She'll be a little better off here, but what about her family at the Earl's mansion?
Granny Lin was furious! Originally, she didn't want to go to the countryside, but now not only did she have to go, she had to beg and plead for the chance to go with her.
"Alright, alright, I know. What time is it? You should go back now."
After saying that, Granny Lin put down the things and saw Guixiang out.
Upon reaching the outside, they saw Gu Ting and Xu Shaoqing sitting in the courtyard, making tea.
Xu Shaoqing noticed that the two of them had drawn long faces, and Gu Ting chuckled, "What's wrong, Granny...?"
Lin Mama sighed inwardly, "Replying to the young master and young mistress, I brought a lot of things from home, and Guixiang is helping me pack them."
"We're going to the countryside now, and my daughter-in-law made me a lot of insoles and clothes."
"Hmm. But Granny, Shaoqing and I have discussed it. You're getting on in years, so why don't you stay here and look after the house for us?"
Lin Mama chuckled inwardly, but feigned surprise on her face.
"What do you mean by that, young master?"
………………………………………………………………
Gui Xiang had already turned and left the moment they started talking.
When she returned home, her mother was unable to come back because she was working in the inner courtyard, but her grandmother was very happy to see her return.
I'm busy preparing some delicious food for her; the snack stalls outside are still open at this hour.
He sent his grandson to buy some stir-fried lungs, some fake clams, and a whole basket of crab meat buns.
She then went to the kitchen to make a rice wine and egg soup for her granddaughter.
My granddaughter loves drinking homemade rice wine, which is always readily available at home.
Find a small earthenware pot, fill it halfway with water, add a spoonful of rice wine and half a bowl of cornstarch slurry. After the water boils, crack in an egg and add some sugar.
After turning off the heat, cover the pot and let it simmer for a while before serving in a bowl.
It tastes sweet and fragrant, with a hint of alcohol but not overpowering. After the soup was made, her younger brother brought back the snacks he had bought.
But Gui Xiang had no appetite at all and asked her grandmother, "Grandmother, is my mother likely to come back tomorrow?"
"Sure, tomorrow is her day off, and besides, now that you're back, she'll definitely be coming back."
"That's fine," Gui Xiang said, finally relaxing a little. She picked up her spoon and began eating, her mind preoccupied.
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