“Madam Gu, you are too kind. I thought that as an elder, and with your household always being well-informed, you should already know about this matter. But rest assured, Madam, most of the people serving me in my household were carefully arranged by Qinghuai. They take very good care of me.”
Although Lin Xihe had a perfectly timed smile on her lips, her tone revealed an undeniable sense of detachment.
Gu Zhou was actually prepared for this situation, after all, her relationship with Lin Xihe was already delicate.
Therefore, even though she noticed Lin Xihe's cold attitude, the forced smile on her face did not diminish at all, and her tone was full of excessive enthusiasm: "The maids in your mansion are all young and inexperienced girls. Although they are dedicated and hardworking, they are still inexperienced."
"Yesterday I selected a few elderly women who have served me for many years. They are all experienced veterans. I brought them here specifically for you to use. Try them out for a while. If you like them, you can keep them for a long time. If you feel there is anything you don't like, just tell me."
Lin Xihe listened quietly to Gu Zhoushi's long speech. When she heard Gu Zhoushi mention sending the old servant over, an expression of disbelief flashed across her face, as if she had heard something absurd.
"Are you trying to plant spies around me? Otherwise, why would you suddenly be so enthusiastic, sending so many people over, all of whom are your trusted confidants who have served you for many years?"
Upon hearing this, the warm smile that had been on Gu Zhou's face froze instantly, as if a scene had been suddenly frozen in time.
She instinctively opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but her throat felt like it was choked by something, and after a long while she managed to squeeze out a sentence: "What... what are you saying? Miss Lin, please don't misunderstand, I'm just trying to be kind."
In Gu Zhoushi's mind, Lin Xihe used to be lively and cheerful, and she was gentle and polite in her dealings with others. No matter what the situation, she could always act with propriety and never lose her composure.
But she never expected that Lin Xihe would be so straightforward and bold today, showing no mercy to her whatsoever.
She thought to herself, if Lin Xihe really saw through her intentions, she could have refused tactfully. Why ask so bluntly and make herself look so embarrassed in front of everyone?
"Isn't that the case? If that's not your intention, you can just deny it openly. I just really don't understand why you're suddenly being so kind."
At this moment, Gu Zhou felt as if she had punched a soft cotton ball. Her carefully planned scheme had fallen apart so easily.
But she knew very well that if she did nothing now, given Gu Qinghuai's cold attitude towards his stepmother and two younger brothers, she had no hope that he would promote her son next year.
She was truly driven to the brink, with no other choice but to take a desperate gamble, hoping to find a breakthrough to her goal through Lin Xihe.
So, forcing a smile, he said, "Of course not. You are the future daughter-in-law I've chosen, and you're carrying the flesh and blood of the Gu family, the future hope of the Gu family. I'm too busy cherishing you to have such thoughts."
“Only those who have experienced pregnancy and childbirth can truly understand the hardships and difficulties a woman goes through. I've been through that time myself, and I know how difficult it is. That's why I thought of sending you a few people to help you, so that you can have an easier time and give birth to your child smoothly.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe's lips curled up slightly, forcing a fake smile that was clearly perfunctory: "Okay, but there's no need."
Gu Zhoushi was rebuffed, but she still refused to give up.
She turned to the servants standing behind her with their hands at their sides, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, and ordered somewhat hastily, "Quickly, bring up the gift prepared for Miss Lin. What kind of behavior is this, dawdling like this!"
The servants carefully placed the meticulously prepared and beautifully packaged gift boxes neatly on the table.
Seeing this, Madam Gu immediately stretched out her hand and pointed to one of the exquisitely carved wooden boxes: "Miss Lin, look at this. This thousand-year-old ginseng was part of my dowry that I brought from my family. When you give birth, just cut a thin slice and hold it in your mouth, and your strength will not diminish. And this box of Tian Shan snow lotus, I also went to great lengths to find it..."
Gu Zhoushi spoke at length, emphasizing the rarity and practical value of these gifts, as if she wanted to tell Lin Xihe the origin and function of each gift in detail.
Lin Xihe simply sat quietly to the side, her posture still elegant, but her eyes revealed a strong sense of perfunctoriness.
She nodded from time to time, occasionally making "hmm" or "oh" sounds in response, but in reality, her thoughts had already drifted far away.
After Gu Zhoushi finished speaking, she only replied, "Take it away, you don't need it."
Lin Xihe had no intention of accepting these gifts from the beginning, but when Gu Zhoushi saw that she remained unmoved, she tried to appeal to her emotions.
“Miss Lin, I would feel really bad if you didn’t accept these gifts. How about this, you come with me to Gu’s home. There I can take care of you personally, from your food to your daily life, and I can personally oversee every detail so that I can truly do my best to show my love and care.”
Lin Xihe sighed inwardly upon hearing this.
Left with no other choice, she reluctantly agreed to accept the gifts.
When Gu Zhou finally ran out of words and was speechless for a moment, she coughed lightly to cover up her embarrassment, while her gaze intentionally or unintentionally drifted toward Jiang Huairou, who had been quiet for a long time.
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