novelraw Chapter 177 Think it through before answering
Chapter 177 Think it through before answering
Chapter 177 Think it through before you answer
Hearing the commotion outside, Gu Tang grabbed the clothes from the quilt, quickly put them on, combed her hair a few times, and hurriedly walked out.
Upon reaching the corridor, he bumped into Gu Ping'an, who was also just coming out of the house.
The siblings went to see the Zhu family members in the courtyard, and looked at each other in surprise.
Grandma Zhu and Grandpa Zhu haven't visited for many years, so it's quite a rare occasion for them to come today.
The siblings were incredibly curious and wanted to go over and take a look, but their third uncle, who was standing in the corridor of the main room, called them over.
The moment Uncle San spoke, he immediately attracted the attention of the Zhu family and Zhao Shi.
"Who is this...?" Zhao asked Old Lady Zhu quietly.
Old Mrs. Zhu had met her third uncle years ago, and although she hadn't seen him for many years, she could still recognize him.
"This is the father my son-in-law recognized after his adoption. He's very shrewd and not easily fooled!"
Zhao nodded, understanding the situation, and put on a smile, intending to go over and greet the person.
Just then, two young men and women suddenly entered their line of sight. Upon seeing the girl's face, Zhao's eyes lit up with astonishing brightness: "Is this girl also a daughter of the Gu family?"
Old Mrs. Zhu pursed her lips, her eyes filled with malice as she stared at Gu Tang. The words she whispered in Zhao's ear were utterly despicable.
"This girl is the daughter of my son-in-law's second wife, Zhang. Zhang has been divorced and left behind a son and a daughter. Don't let her pretty appearance fool you; she looks exactly like her mother!"
"She's vicious, petty, and vengeful. Even at such a young age, she's like her mother, learning to seduce men. She's no good! I wonder which unlucky guy will marry such a slut someday!"
Zhao glanced at Old Madam Zhu, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. She knew the meaning behind Old Madam Zhu's words but didn't expose her.
Straightening her clothes, Madam Zhao smiled and headed towards the main room: "Greetings to the old master!"
Over the years, Zhao has arranged many marriages, with people of all social classes, from the rich to the poor, and has also learned some etiquette from them.
Upon seeing his third uncle, he respectfully performed the junior's greeting, and no one could find fault with him.
Third Uncle had been out for a while. Knowing that Zhao was the matchmaker, he didn't embarrass her. He simply nodded to her in response.
Zhao didn't care whether her third uncle paid her any attention or not. Her eyes kept glancing at Gu Tang, and her smile deepened. She wanted to ask Gu Tang if he was engaged.
Old Mrs. Zhu realized that Zhao was considering arranging a marriage between her and Gu Tang, and she was extremely displeased.
Zhao was hired by the Zhu family to help arrange a marriage. Now that their own marriage hasn't been settled, they're already trying to arrange a marriage for someone else. This isn't how things are done! It's so unethical.
Old Mrs. Zhu, with a long face, reminded Zhao before she could speak, "Auntie, let's get down to business. We're not good with words, we're counting on you!"
Being abruptly interrupted from her thoughts, Zhao felt annoyed and wanted to turn around and yell at him!
But she was more rational than Old Lady Zhu, and knew that no matter how angry she was, she couldn't cause a scene at the Gu family's place.
After calming herself down, Madam Zhao's expression returned to normal, and she happily continued speaking to her third uncle: "I'd like to congratulate you in advance! Your family and the Zhu family are now becoming even closer through marriage!"
"Whether it will work out or not is still uncertain, it's a bit too early for you to offer your congratulations." Third Uncle's expression remained unchanged, his tone casual.
Zhao didn't take it to heart and wanted to say something more, but Old Lady Zhu behind her got upset and started yelling at Third Uncle, bypassing Zhao.
"Why not? Mei is sleeping with my grandson now! If she doesn't marry my grandson, who else can she marry? If word gets out, those two brats of yours will never be able to get married again!"
idiot!
Zhao was so angry that she couldn't help but glare at Old Madam Zhu, and regretted accepting the marriage.
Not only was Zhao angry, but Zhu Laosan and Yan were also angered by these words. Had their mother lost her mind?
These words will surely anger Gu Lianshan. When they get beaten up later, they shouldn't drag the couple down with them!
"If you can't speak properly, then shut up! Nobody told you to speak!" Old Master Zhu's face darkened, and he rarely showed such toughness as he scolded Old Madam Zhu: "What nonsense are you spouting here! Why can't you say things in private? Why do you have to shout them in front of the children?!"
Old Mrs. Zhu didn't take her husband's words to heart; she was more afraid of Zhao's gaze.
Under Zhao's terrifying gaze, Old Lady Zhu's face stiffened, and she forced herself to say something conciliatory.
"Please don't take offense, in-laws. I was just too hasty. I was afraid you would break up the couple and ruin Mei's reputation."
That's absolutely shameless!
Third Uncle was also angered and called over Gu Lianshan, who was still disciplining his son in the east wing, telling him to deal with the immediate matter first, and then he could discipline his son later.
Gu Lianshan's complexion had improved considerably, and he no longer appeared as angry as before. However, he was still gloomy all over, which made people tremble with fear.
The arrogant old lady Zhu immediately retreated and hid behind Zhao, no longer daring to step forward.
Zhao was amused and annoyed by Old Madam Zhu's actions. She took a deep breath and held back!
Just wait, when we get back, she'll definitely fleece the Zhu family!
When passing by the Zhu family and the Zhao family, Gu Lianshan didn't say anything and went straight to the main room.
Upon seeing this, Zhao hurriedly led the Zhu family to follow.
The third uncle lagged behind, bowing his head to instruct Gu Tang and Gu Ping'an: "You two don't go in. Go back to your room and stay there. If you get hungry, go to the kitchen and cook for yourselves. Don't worry about what's happening here."
Uncle San had a premonition of what they would be discussing later; it was nothing more than some scheming and sordid matters, not something to taint the children's ears.
The siblings responded and watched as their third uncle lifted the curtain and entered the house.
"Are you really going back inside?" Gu Pingan asked Gu Tang quietly.
Gu Tang shook his head: "I'll go back later. I'll go to the east wing to find Gu Lai'an!"
The siblings tiptoed towards the east wing and, following the sound of crying, found Gu Lai'an in Gu Mei's room.
Hiding at the foot of the bed, feeling cold and aching all over, Gu Lai'an turned pale at the sound of footsteps. He looked up at the door in fear, thinking that his father had returned to beat him again.
Upon recognizing Gu Tang and her brother, Gu Lai'an felt a sense of relief and lowered her head to continue crying.
While crying, he shakily reached out, grabbed the edge of the bed, and sat down on the bed. He wrapped Gu Mei's blanket around himself, his whole body almost frozen.
"Shut up! Stop crying!" Gu Tang snapped impatiently, glaring at him and threatening him to stop crying.
Gu Lai'an was terrified of being beaten, and now he was afraid of everyone, let alone Gu Tang, who had been beating him up all along.
Upon hearing Gu Tang's reprimand, Gu Lai'an's skin tightened, he bit his lip, tears still falling, but his sobbing stopped.
"Explain this clearly! Explain it word for word! If you dare to play any tricks again, I'll say a few words to Father later, and you'll be kicked out of the house with nothing today and live on your own!"
At this moment, Gu Lai'an answered every question. When Gu Tang asked him to explain everything, he sobbed twice and told the whole story from beginning to end.
Gu Tang and her brother listened to the story in silence, and were stunned for a long time. They couldn't help but think of a saying: "It's not that we're afraid of fools doing foolish things, it's that we're afraid of fools having a sudden inspiration!"
Gu Mei and Gu Lai'an, those two idiots, didn't just have a flash of inspiration; they had a second and a third idea!
I will never call them stupid again, because that would be giving them too much credit. Even idiots are a hundred times better than them!
"The Zhu family is poor and lazy. How did you siblings come to the conclusion that this is a good marriage? From the empty promises the Zhu family made to you? Or from their sweet talk?" Gu Tang was very curious about what these two oddballs were thinking.
Gu Lai'an lowered his head and remained silent. He thought the Zhu family was good, and his sister also thought the Zhu family was good. Only his father and that brat Siya thought it was bad.
Sure enough, his grandmother was right. His father and Siya couldn't stand seeing the siblings doing well!
Not receiving a reply from Gu Lai'an, Gu Tang didn't care and continued, "Do you know that this 'brilliant idea' you came up with has given the Zhu family leverage over you? Whether it's true or not, the Zhu family will make it a fact, and your sister Gu Mei won't have a good time!"
After saying that, Gu Tang ignored him, tugged at Gu Ping'an, and the two siblings left one after the other.
Gu Lai'an glanced up, unmoved, and scoffed, thinking that Siya knew nothing and only knew how to talk nonsense.
After the siblings had gone far away, he wrapped himself in a blanket, enduring the pain, and limped back to his own room.
His sister's room was freezing cold, with no stove lit, and he was afraid he would catch a cold if he stayed any longer.
If he really catches a cold, his father will definitely not call a doctor or get medicine for him!
After leaving the east wing, Gu Tang and her brother went straight to the kitchen.
They lit the stove in the kitchen, boiled some water to wash up, and then went back to their rooms.
They couldn't interfere in what was going on inside the house. With their father around, even though the Gu family was at a disadvantage, they wouldn't suffer any real loss. The one who would truly suffer was Gu Mei.
Gu Mei had already squandered her two taels of silver dowry, and now with this latest incident, her father might not even be able to arrange the marriage.
The atmosphere in the main room was hard to describe, but it wasn't bad either.
The Zhu family and Zhao were prepared to be scolded, and there was even a possibility that Gu Lianshan would physically assault them.
But when they came in, Gu Lianshan only said one thing: "Bring Gu Mei back! I want to hear her say this marriage in person. If she admits that this marriage is her own choice, I'll send her away tomorrow!"
The Zhu family was overjoyed and readily agreed, "Alright! We'll do as you say!"
Then he sent Zhu Laosan back to pick up Gu Mei.
Zhao interjected, "Zhu Laosan, bring your son over too, so his father-in-law can see him!"
If the father-in-law takes a look and Gu Mei adds a few words, the marriage will be settled.
Old Mrs. Zhu thought it was a good idea and told Zhu Laosan to do as Zhao said.
But Madam Yan disagreed: "My son, Shou, is frail and can't stand the cold wind! If he comes here by oxcart, I'm afraid he'll get sick..."
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Old Master Zhu interrupted sharply, glaring at Madam Yan with a dark face: "You Shou has always been very healthy, and he is good at everything, from fetching water and chopping wood to planting and harvesting!"
Madam Yan belatedly realized her mistake and hurriedly tried to smooth things over with a forced smile: "It's been cold these past few days, and I was worried about the child getting cold, so I talked nonsense. Please don't take it to heart, in-law..."
Hearing this, Third Uncle's eyelids twitched. He subconsciously glanced at Gu Lianshan, only to see that the man remained calm, showing no sign of anger.
Something's wrong!
Something is very wrong!
Uncle San's heart tightened; he had a feeling that his son was going to do something big.
……
Zhu Laosan was very fast. In about half an hour, he returned to the Gu family home with Gu Mei and his son Zhu Youshou.
Zhu Youshou, wrapped in two layers of cotton quilts, got off the oxcart somewhat disheveled and stood aside waiting for Gu Mei.
Gu Mei hesitated for a while before getting off the bus, her whole body trembling with fear.
According to my third uncle, her younger brother was beaten half to death by her father, but fortunately, her father eventually relented.
As long as she tells her father in front of him that she is willing to marry into the Zhu family, he will agree to the marriage.
Thinking of all this, Gu Mei regained some courage and, steeling herself, followed behind Zhu Laosan and Zhu Youshou, lifted the curtain at the entrance of the main room, and stepped into the main room.
Ever since Zhu Laosan left, no matter how much Zhao Shi flattered them, Gu Lianshan and his third uncle remained silent, as if they didn't exist.
During this half hour, the Zhu family and Zhao Shi were so embarrassed that they dug their toes into the ground, feeling extremely annoyed.
Seeing Zhu Laosan return, the group breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing a hint of joy.
Yan was the first to step forward, pulling her son to her side and asking him if he was cold on the way.
Because of his weak health, Zhu Youshou rarely saw outsiders, let alone visited other people's homes.
Upon arriving at the Gu family's house and seeing outsiders present, a sense of fear arose in her heart. She lowered her head and whispered in a barely audible voice, "N-not cold..."
Yan touched his hand with concern; it was slightly cool as usual, and she finally felt relieved.
"Don't worry, I've wrapped him in two blankets, he won't get cold." Zhu Laosan cared even more about this only son than Yan Shi, so he took good care of him.
Gu Mei stood not far from Zhu Youshou, her head bowed, not daring to look at her father. Neither Yan Shi nor Zhu Laosan beside her asked her anything.
Gu Lianshan saw all of this but did not call out to her.
Seeing that things were not going well, Old Lady Zhu hurriedly went over and pushed Gu Mei in front of Gu Lianshan: "Mei girl, quickly tell your father that this marriage is your own choice!"
Gu Mei was like a puppet on a string, terrified and confused. After hearing what Old Lady Zhu said, she began to speak woodenly.
"Father, I am doing this marriage of my own free will."
Gu Lianshan stared at her intently, and surprisingly, there wasn't a trace of annoyance on his face; he was frighteningly calm.
After staring at Gu Mei for a long time, just as Gu Mei was about to give in, Gu Lianshan finally spoke: "Listen carefully, I'll only ask you one question today, and I won't ask you again! Do you really want to marry into the Zhu family?"
Gu Mei instinctively wanted to say yes.
"Think it over carefully!" Gu Lianshan gave her one last chance before she could speak.
"If you regret your decision and are unwilling to marry into the Zhu family, I promise you today that I will find you a good family and marry you off far away. I will not let you be unable to marry because of gossip!"
But if you insist on marrying into the Zhu family, your father agrees to the marriage. However, I also assure you that once you leave this house, the bond between us will be completely severed!