Xu Shaoqing looked at Gu Ting, who was holding a box containing the money Gu Ting had saved over the years.
Since he was willing to give her the money, does that mean Gu Ting really didn't know about the shop being swindled out of 10,000 taels?
"I'll ask you one more time, do you really not know what your father did?"
"My wife, I swear to God, I really didn't know. If I had known, why would I have cheated you out of your money?"
Even if I needed money, I could just ask my wife. Don't you think that makes sense?
Gui Xiang retorted, "That's not necessarily true. If you use our young lady's dowry, we will make sure the whole capital knows when you spend it."
A woman's dowry is her private property; if you spend it, you have to return it!
But if you use this method to deceive people, who will know that you used your wife's dowry?
Gu Ting's face turned red with anger. "I was secretly smoothing things over. How could your young lady let others know that I used her dowry?"
"You've been wrong from the start. I'm talking to your young lady, could you please shut up and let us have a heart-to-heart talk?"
The second wife had just stepped into Mo Yuan's courtyard when she heard these words coming from the main house.
"What heart-to-heart talk? Gu Ting, let me ask you something. When you went to the accounting office to withdraw two thousand taels of silver, didn't you say it was going to appreciate and you wanted to buy some gifts for your colleagues and new colleagues in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices?"
How come it's now turned into secretly smoothing things over? Smoothing what kind of connections? Buying official positions?
I remember you visiting the Hanlin Academician's house a few times! Could it be that you went to deliver gifts to him?
Upon hearing the Second Madam's words, which also involved her eldest sister, Xu Shaoqing hurriedly stood up.
"Madam, please be careful with your words! My elder sister's family is honest and upright, and they are incorruptible. How could they possibly do something like secretly accepting money to facilitate someone's travel expenses!"
The second wife scoffed, "That's why I say, don't let your parents and sister be disgraced!"
Xu Shaoqing then realized that Zheng Jin was hinting at her, wanting to explain to her that Gu Ting wanted to use her connections to climb the social ladder to the Hanlin Academy.
But Xu Shaoqing knew about this! Seeing no hope at the time, Gu Ting gave up.
Gu Ting is going to the Imperial Academy this time! Doesn't the Second Madam know that?
Zheng Jin was speechless at her words! Was this stupid? Was this stupid?
Is the point where Gu Ting wants to go? Isn't the point that Gu Ting wasn't satisfied with scheming against her once, and this is the second time he's scheming against her?
The second wife waved her sleeves, deciding to stop speaking up for this fool and simply state her purpose.
“Your father is currently defending himself at Ronghua Garden. If this is true, our branch of the family will have to separate from the Marquis’s mansion!”
However, after the family split up, I thought that you three brothers are not young anymore. Apart from Gu Yan, you two have already started your own families and careers.
It's time to divide the family property. Let's take this opportunity to separate our second branch as well.
Gu Jing also got married at the beginning of this year; his wife is the daughter of his superior at the training ground.
Because the place was far from the Marquis's residence, the Second Madam specially allocated the profits from her dowry shop and spent 10,000 taels of silver to buy a large house for Gu Jing and his wife.
Aside from holidays, Gu Jing spent most of his time training soldiers at the drill ground, rarely taking holidays and not returning to the Marquis's residence often.
Gu Ting was startled by these words. "Second Madam, what makes you say such a thing? Is Father aware of your remarks?"
Zheng Jin chuckled again, "There's a saying among the people: 'A large tree branches out, and grown children separate from the family.' I imagine your father would agree. You don't need to worry about that."
After saying that, he glanced at Xu Shaoqing again, then left with Zijing and Zijuan.
Gu Ting was in a state of turmoil. He knew that if his father could not win the argument with the old Marquis this time, he would definitely divide the family property. How much would he, as an illegitimate son, get?
Even Xu Shaoqing couldn't bother to coax her anymore; it was Guixiang who spoke up again in a cold voice.
"We hope that the Third Young Master will return all of our ten thousand taels."
"However, as our lord has said, we must make sure the entire capital knows how shameless and despicable the Second Master's actions are!"
Gu Ting couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward to slap Gui Xiang! The slap caught everyone off guard.
Gui Xiang was caught off guard and was hit so hard that she twisted her ankle and fell to the ground.
Granny Lin was furious. "What does the Gu family's son-in-law mean by this? You stole our young lady's money."
How could you be so shameless as to hit someone? Gui Xiang has grown up with our young lady since she was little. You hit her, and you've brought shame upon our young lady!
Gu Ting snorted coldly, his tone blunt and direct, "Comparing a dog servant to your young lady? You old servant deserve to be slapped twice!"
"Your young lady and I were discussing matters, what is this foul-mouthed brat doing, interrupting us every single time?"
Granny Lin was unfazed by his stubbornness. "What are you interrupting for? My mistress, Miss Yan Ming's, estates and shops are all managed by the two of us."
"Guixiang, both morally and logically, could stand here and question those..." Granny Lin quickly composed herself, retracting her earlier insults, "They could all stand here and ask questions. We have a duty to investigate and clarify the matter before reporting back to our mistress!"
Gu Ting then looked at Xu Shaoqing, "Weren't you adopted by Madam Anbo's family to your third uncle?"
You're married now? And you're still eyeing your dowry?
"The Earl's mansion hasn't given you a single penny, yet they're constantly monitoring your properties. Why is that?"
Xu Shaoqing was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Before she could even question him about why he hit Guixiang, he was bombarded with questions.
Xu Shaoqing frowned and said to Gu Ting, "Husband, you mustn't speak ill of my mother behind her back like that! My mother meant well."
Gu Ting smiled again, "I know exactly what Mother is thinking, but don't you find it strange?"
Why is it that even though you've been married for so long, the Earl's mansion still doesn't accept you? They don't even see you when they visit during holidays!
Why does the Earl's family have such a bad impression of me? I have invited my father to drink and have tea several times, but he has rejected the invitations each time, and even embarrassed me in front of everyone.
When you couldn't go back, was it this girl who relayed your message and pleaded your case?
Is your daughter truly devoted to you? Has she ever said anything good about you?
Even if she doesn't say anything nice, it's not a big deal. I'm just afraid that when she goes to the Earl's mansion, she'll exaggerate and spread bad things about the two of us!
I didn't want to explain this to my wife, for fear that your maids and servants would think I was instigating things.
But if the lady thought about it carefully, if this girl really did plead for you, it's been almost two years now, why can't you return to the Earl's mansion? Why can't you see your mother?
"Hmph! Now that we've laid our cards on the table, let me add one more thing: in my opinion, a maid as disloyal as her would be beaten to death in our Marquis's manor!"
Xu Shaoqing was confused again, and she felt that what Gu Ting said made some sense.
Gui Xiang had become increasingly impatient with her ever since she married into the Marquis's household, and she could sense it.
Guilan and Granny Lin, watching from the side, were alarmed to see Xu Shaoqing actually deep in thought.
"Miss, you mustn't! Gui Xiang has grown up with you since childhood, learning poetry, literature and etiquette together. How could she do something to betray you?"
Miss, you must not listen to the flattering words of others who don't know much about you!
Gu Tingli straightened his robes, sat down in a chair, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of tea.
"See! What did I tell you? Are you slandering me, saying I'm instigating and flattering?"
Gui Xiang lay on the ground, only just recovering a little.
“Miss, weren’t we talking about the ten thousand taels of silver notes? How did it all turn into this questioning of whether or not we betrayed our master just because I asked a few questions?”
Even if you really intend to kill me, let's first clarify the details of this ten thousand taels of silver, shall we?
"Madam Bo and our young master Chen are concerned about Miss and are afraid she might have been taken advantage of, so they specifically sent me to inquire before rushing back to deliver the message."
Gu Ting gritted his teeth. This guy was quick-witted and clever! He managed to bring the topic back to the present.
No, we have to deal with this girl today no matter what. If she stays next to Xu Shaoqing, she might incite Xu Shaoqing to drift apart from him, which would be terrible!
She dragged Madam Bo and Xu Chen into this as shields? Humph! Even if we can't kill her today, we'll get rid of this menace!
Xu Shaoqing glanced at Guixiang and gestured for Guilan to help her up.
"Guixiang, I, of course I believe you. But what Mother and my brother did today really crossed the line."
However, I know that they misunderstood because they were concerned about me. This matter has nothing to do with my husband; it's all the fault of the second master!
I will have my husband and second master return the ten thousand taels of silver. When you go back, do not embellish the story; just tell Mother the truth, okay?”
She turned and glared at Gu Ting, "No matter what, Gui Xiang grew up with me! Husband, how can you slander and beat her without even knowing the facts?"
If you act like this again, I will not tolerate it!
Gu Ting quickly smiled apologetically, "I was wrong, I misunderstood. But has Madam noticed how much hostility your maidservant has towards me?"
Xu Shaoqing glanced at Guixiang again, "Let Guilan accompany you back to the Marquis's mansion first to reply to your mother's instructions. Remember to tell the whole story truthfully, without embellishing or taking things out of context."
Then Guixiang, you should go home and rest for a while, let your injuries heal and clear your head. I'll have Guilan pick you up myself after some time, okay?"
Then she turned to Lin Mama and instructed, "It was wrong of my husband to hit Guixiang. Mama, go and get Guixiang two gold ingots, each worth five taels."
Gui Xiang prostrated herself on the ground, tears streaming down her face, to express her gratitude. Then, she was helped back to the Anbo Mansion by Gui Lan.
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