novelraw Chapter 1264 - 1263: Not Forsaking Righteousness for Profit
Chapter 1264 - 1263: Not Forsaking Righteousness for Profit
"Moreover, I have a bit of selfishness. In this life, the person I feel most sorry for is you, Zhuzhu. I initially thought about saving up a dowry for you, so you could marry with grandeur, becoming the girl with the most splendid dowry in Qilidun. But who would have thought that with everything happening in the family, you ended up holding everything together?"
"Your engagement with Chongjin and your subsequent marriage, all happened in a rush due to various matters, and it was an injustice to you! Even your dowry was earned by yourself! Not only did I not contribute a penny, but I also relied on you to support me."
"In my heart, I feel terrible! My Yongzhu is so good, so capable! Yet she had to rely on herself for her dowry! Ultimately, it’s because I, your mother, am incompetent, and I wronged you!"
"Therefore, after hearing the Gu family’s words, I thought, if I acknowledge this relationship, whether it turns out good or bad, maybe I could gain something, and in the future, it would all belong to you, as part of your dowry!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu’s eyes turned red, and she hugged Old Granny Zhang: "Mom, you are my best dowry! Having you is enough! I don’t want anything else!"
Old Granny Zhang, with red-rimmed eyes, patted Wang Yongzhu’s back: "Who would have thought that upon entering the Gu family, your grandmother, eldest aunt, and uncle would treat me so sincerely, and even your late grandfather left a dowry for me. Having these, I am content, and it’s enough to serve as your dowry."
"Therefore, I really don’t want the Old Grand Lady’s private property! Not to mention, aren’t there other offspring of the Gu family besides me? Let alone Laosan, your eldest uncle and second uncle are also descendants of the Gu family, so naturally, they have a share of the Old Grand Lady’s private property. How can I alone take it all?"
"Besides, living over half a lifetime, I understand that wealth can stir people’s hearts. Even getting a portion of the Gu family’s dowry made many envious. If I monopolized the Old Grand Lady’s private property, wouldn’t that put me on the spot? And looking at your grandmother’s demeanor, I fear even that private property would eventually be given to me."
"Even though your eldest aunt and second aunt are kind, I can’t shamelessly accept everything, can I? These years, the Gu family hasn’t nurtured me, nor have I been filial to my parents. Speaking of it, the Gu family owes me nothing, nor do I owe the Gu family anything. If truly all these things were given to me, who knows what rumors outsiders would fabricate, perhaps even falsely accusing your eldest uncle, eldest aunt, and a few cousins of being unfilial. Otherwise, why wouldn’t your grandmother and the Old Grand Lady give them even the private property?"
"Moreover, now that your son-in-law is an Imperial Court Official, I often hear your eldest uncle say how important reputation is when in office. If word gets out that the Gu family’s reputation is tarnished, wouldn’t your son-in-law and you also be subject to criticism?"
"And your eldest aunt, for so many years, she has served your grandmother more attentively than a real daughter, and is also kind and generous to the younger generation. We can’t let your eldest aunt feel unappreciated, right?"
"So I’m thinking, we shouldn’t take the private property of the Eldest Lady and your grandmother! Yongzhu, what do you think?"
Of course, Wang Yongzhu had no objections, smiling sweetly: "Mother is right, and really considerate. Grandmother, eldest uncle, and eldest aunt have been so kind to us, we can’t be ungrateful, right?"
"As long as you have no objections!" Old Granny Zhang breathed a sigh of relief.
Wang Yongzhu smiled: "Mom, don’t worry! Between the two of us, whatever I do, Mom doesn’t mind, and whatever Mom does, as your daughter, I also have no objections!"
Old Granny Zhang was moved, "You girl, I haven’t spoiled you in vain!"
Wang Yongzhu suggested: "Since Mom has already made up her mind, it would be best to mention it sooner rather than later to Grandmother, Eldest Uncle, and Eldest Aunt. Present our stance early to avoid misunderstandings."
Old Granny Zhang nodded promptly: "You’re right, I’ll find an opportunity to first discuss it with your grandmother."
While the mother and daughter were still discussing in the room, the conversation had already reached the ears of Old Lady Gu and Lady of the Gu Family.
Old Lady Gu wiped her tears and said to the maid serving by her side, "My Niuniu is indeed sensible, soft-hearted and grateful. This child, no matter how you look at it, makes one fond of her—"
The maid serving beside her also nodded, who wouldn’t agree, this young lady had lived in the countryside for decades, yet she could make such a decision, which speaks of her character.
If it were an ordinary person, they would have long been enticed by this substantial amount of Silver money.
Thus she said: "I agree with the young lady’s concerns, Old Madam should think it through too. If truly all the private property of the Old Madam and Old Grand Lady were given to the young lady, even if she has so much Silver Coin, she’d become estranged from her natal family, that’s trading profit for loss. The young lady now relies on the relationship with the cousin young lady and cousin son-in-law, if they are well, the young lady will be well too!"
"Might as well follow the young lady’s advice, and let Big Master and Madam hear it. When they understand the young lady’s gratitude, only then can the relationship last long, and in the future, they’ll support the cousin son-in-law even more, wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
Old Lady Gu also understood this reasoning and nodded: "That’s the only way. After all, I’m old and can only protect Niuniu for a few more years. In the future, she will have to rely on the Eldest Brother and Second Brother!"
After saying this, she thought for a moment: "Speaking of which, Niuniu is so sensible, Yongzhu is also a bright and filial child, not at all shallow in her thinking. If it were the daughter of another family hearing this, wouldn’t they instigate Niuniu to demand all those things? But this child, with so many things, still holds onto her principles, always considering Niuniu’s wellbeing. For Niuniu to have such a daughter in this life is her blessing. No wonder Niuniu cherishes her! Even I, as her grandmother, cherish her!"
As she thought about what her own Niuniu said, Yongzhu is indeed a pitiful child. In recent days, talking with Niuniu about her life in the countryside, the most frequently heard is about that child, making her restless upon thinking about it.
"Since my Niuniu doesn’t want those things, she’s indeed at a big disadvantage. As her mother, I must compensate her somehow. And that child Yongzhu, she’s a good child. I said before that I’d add to her dowry, get me my box, I must find a few good things to give to that child Yongzhu."
The personal maidservant hurriedly agreed and went.
In the main room of the Gu family.
The Lady of the Gu Family was resting on the couch, while a maid beside her was recounting the conversation between Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu.
After listening, the Lady of the Gu Family smiled and said to the maid beside her, "Maid, didn’t I say I wasn’t wrong? My sister-in-law is a clear and sensible person, and that child Yongzhu is also intelligent. You didn’t believe it, now do you?"
The maid, who was the confidante of the Lady of the Gu Family, couldn’t help but give herself a slap, smiling, "Indeed, this old servant overlooked it! It’s still Madam who sees people accurately! This sister-in-law and cousin are so sensible, it also saves Madam a lot of trouble."
The Lady of the Gu Family said with a smile, "Although that is true, I appreciate my sister-in-law and niece’s intentions, I can’t let them suffer. I must plan well so that they don’t suffer this loss in vain!"