novelraw Chapter 1256: 1255: Isn't This Bullying?
Chapter 1256: 1255: Isn't This Bullying?
Chapter 1256: Chapter 1255: Isn’t This Bullying?
Groups of women were gathered in clusters, gossiping and speculating, seeing the grand occasion at the Gu Family today, it was evident they held this Auntie in high regard.
Those well-informed had already heard from the Gu family clan members that the Gu Family had opened the ancestral hall early in the morning to recognize and record her in the family genealogy.
That would have been enough, but the most explosive news was that back then, Old Master Gu had left a thick dowry for this newly recognized Auntie. Today, in front of all the Gu family clan members, it was returned to her.
They said the list of the dowry was a thick stack, probably not less than ten thousand gold.
Many people’s eyes turned red, each feeling as bitter as having swallowed seventeen or eighteen lemons.
Some quick-witted ones rushed directly to ask Lady of the Gu Family, is this true?
Lady of the Gu Family openly admitted it, leaving others embarrassed to inquire further.
Seeing no further information could be extracted from Lady of the Gu Family, some shifted their attention to Lady Jin, whose face was as gloomy as if it were pouring rain, and quickly approached her.
Lady Jin felt her heart aching. She hadn’t expected that Old Master would leave such arrangements!
Forget the saying that a married daughter is like water poured out; who would keep a dowry for a daughter lost for decades?
Wouldn’t you divide it among the sons and grandsons?
Upon being questioned, she couldn’t hold back and wanted to confide grievances, complaining about Old Master Gu’s muddle-headedness.
Just as she was about to speak, a servant, instructed by Lady of the Gu Family to keep watch, made an excuse and half-forcefully dragged Lady Jin to face Old Lady Gu in the back courtyard.
Old Lady Gu didn’t need to ask to know Lady Jin was up to something and only said one thing: “Today is my Niuniu’s big day, if any of you act up and cause a scene, spoiling Niuniu’s happy day, I will go to the Capital Prefecture tomorrow and beat the drum to lodge a complaint, saying you and Laosan are defying me and being unfilial—”
Even if Lady Jin was not smart, she knew if Old Lady Gu really did this, not only would her and her husband’s reputation be ruined, but Gu Zidong’s life would also be over.
This was her second time facing Old Lady Gu’s wrath. The first time, Old Lady Gu gave her a slap to make her realize her status, a memory that was still vivid.
These years, Old Lady Gu had softened due to age, gradually making her forget how formidable she used to be.
She couldn’t help but shiver and obediently promised.
Wang Yongzhu, seeing Old Lady Gu’s stance toward the third branch, figured she must have come to her senses, and felt relieved.
Old Granny Zhang was still holding the dowry box, not yet recovered from the surprise.
After dismissing Lady Jin, Old Lady Gu looked at Old Granny Zhang, understanding her state, and patted her hand: “Don’t overthink, this is rightfully yours! At least your father wasn’t completely senseless, he finally did something right!”
This remark left people without words to continue, but Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but laugh. Indeed, Old Master Gu was muddle-headed, persistently giving way until his family broke apart. Even in his old age, he still left the third branch as a mess for the first and second branches to clean up. Yet, through this matter, a bit of a father’s love could still be seen.
Only, that fatherly love came way too late!
Hearing this, Old Granny Zhang relaxed a bit, placing the box aside, and was about to say something when Lady of the Gu Family sent someone to invite them to be seated.
Everyone stood up and proceeded to the banquet area.
The banquet was held in the garden, where the womenfolk had waited a long time to finally see the star of the day.
Old Lady Gu came holding onto Old Granny Zhang’s hand, with the Heir’s Wife of Duke of Weiguo a step behind, and the three walked elegantly. The resemblance among the three generations was striking, almost as if time were out of joint, leaving everyone momentarily dazed.
People couldn’t help but murmur to themselves, seeing their expressions and appearances, it was evident they were one family.
Today, Old Lady Gu was the hostess. She walked to the center and said in a clear voice: “Thank you to all the ladies for bearing witness today. This is the daughter I lost for decades, mercifully found today, reuniting mother and daughter. My daughter, after wandering for so many years, endured hardships in the countryside as you all may know. Now that she’s finally back, I naturally treat her as my sweetheart.”
“In the future, I ask all the ladies, on account of my old face, if my daughter has any impolite moments, please be tolerant. If she does anything wrong, I shall personally apologize, just don’t give my dear daughter a hard time—”
Once these words were spoken, the ladies’ expressions changed, realizing how dearly the Gu Family loved this newly recognized Auntie. But wasn’t this manner of doting a bit excessive?
In Old Lady Gu’s words, since her daughter had suffered for so many years, if anything were overlooked in the future, everyone should understand and forgive, even if her daughter made mistakes, she shouldn’t be troubled!
Wasn’t this unfair?
Several ladies glanced at Lady of the Gu Family.
Lady of the Gu Family smiled brightly and said: “What my old lady said is correct. This sister of mine is straightforward, with no ill intentions, just has a sharp tongue, but she means no harm, it’s just being outspoken! If she says anything offensive, I hope you all can forgive—”
…
Meanwhile, the front courtyard was bustling as well.
The men weren’t as gossipy as the womenfolk. Those who were on good terms joked with Gu Changqing, saying indeed, people are spirited when joyous events happen. His youngest son was a Tanhua Lang, his niece’s husband was not only Heir of Duke of Weiguo but also a Second Class Imperial Graduate, and he’d even found his long-lost sister, truly threefold happiness!
Song Hong was also present today; even without Gu Family sending an invitation, he had to attend given the two families’ current relation, right?
Those friendly with Song Hong winked at him enviously: “I say Brother Song, you really are fortunate! You got such a big son so easily, without parenting or worrying, yet he grew up so accomplished, recognized back as a Graduate, and in less than two months, a Second Class Imperial Graduate. And his wife is remarkable too, turned out to be the Gu family’s niece! Tell me, did you secretly pray to Buddha? Otherwise, how did all these good things fall on your lap?”
Isn’t it so, who isn’t secretly envious of Song Hong these days?
Song Hong felt quite pleased inside, politely responding, while his eyes instinctively searched for Song Chongjin.
Upon a quick glance, he saw Song Chongjin standing beside Gu Changqing, engaged in conversation with Qin Bohan.
Qin Bohan’s attendance surprised Gu Changqing to some extent, even though the two served as officials in the same court and had some acquaintance, Qin Bohan was generally aloof and seldom mingled.
Though he had sent him an invitation, he hadn’t really expected him to come.
Seeing Qin Bohan, Gu Changqing was briefly surprised, then led his children forward to pay their respects.
Qin Bohan was fairly normal, not his usual aloof self, particularly mentioning to Song Chongjin, “I’ve seen your papers, the rest are alright, but there’s one thought that is quite interesting.”
“I have a day off tomorrow, come to my house and explain it to me thoroughly.”
Song Chongjin was stunned, not understanding what Qin Bohan meant, but promptly agreed.