The Xu family has arrived.
Gu Zhen was so nervous that her hands trembled.
If this marriage did not work out, she would really be an old maid.
Gu Jiu squeezed Gu Zhen's hand, "Big sister, take a deep breath and relax. Think about how the nanny taught you, don't worry."
Gu Zhen nodded.
Back in the capital, she re-learned the rules from her mother, learned how to be a housekeeper from her aunt Zhang, and learned needlework from her aunt.
Gu Zhen felt that compared with the time in the Northwest, she had made great progress.
Apart from her status as a concubine, she thinks she is no worse than her sisters in other respects.
At the second gate, meet the Xu family.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, was cheerful, and the two sisters were very affectionate when they met.
After exchanging pleasantries, everyone went to the flower hall.
Mrs. Xu swept across the crowd, and her eyes caught Gu Zhen accurately.
Gu Zhen straightened her back in an instant, feeling very nervous.
When we arrived at the flower hall, the guests and the host sat down separately.
After a few pleasantries, the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, called the girls in the mansion to her and introduced them to Mrs. Xu. Emphatically introduced Gu Zhen.
"Girl Zhen is the eldest girl in the family. Rules, needlework, etc. are all first-rate. She has been studying housekeeping with me since last year, and she also goes to the Hou's Mansion to study and practice calligraphy with the lady."
"Oh, are you still going to study in the Hou Mansion?"
Mrs. Xu is interested.
Gu Zhen bowed slightly, and said: "Reporting to Aunt Xu, every afternoon, I will go to the Hou Mansion with my sisters to study and practice calligraphy with Mr. Luo."
"How did you learn?"
Gu Zhen was a little embarrassed, "I have poor foundation, I am stupid in study, and I have only finished two books until now."
When Mrs. Xu heard it, she was very satisfied. The daughter-in-law she is looking for does not need to be a good reader, as long as she can read and understand the truth.
Someone like Gu Zhen didn't get into the books wholeheartedly, and she didn't commit the faults of a scholar, so she was more suitable to be a daughter-in-law.
Mrs. Xu has been in contact with several girls from civil servants' families, and she is so absorbed in reading that her head is stupid. For such a girl, she is not sensitive.
Mrs. Xu took Gu Zhen's hand and said, "You know needlework, housekeeping, and reading, she is really a good girl. It's a pity that she matches with our family's Saburo."
Gu Zhen blushed instantly, and then became nervous again.
She wondered what Mrs. Xu's words meant. Whether it is satisfied with her or dissatisfied with her.
Mrs. Xu came here today with a gift, she glanced at the servant girl, who hurriedly gave her a gift, a pair of jasper bracelets.
Mrs. Xu said with a smile: "I like this child when I see it.
When Gu Zhen saw a pair of jasper bracelets, her heart beat wildly.
"How can I ask for such an expensive gift?"
"Take it. The elders can't refuse the gift, understand?" Mrs. Xu insisted on giving it away.
Gu Zhen looked at the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang.
The eldest wife Zhang laughed, "Girl Zhen, Aunt Xu really likes you, so you can accept this gift."
After hearing this, Gu Zhen accepted the gift, "Thank you, Aunt Xu."
"You're welcome."
Then he exchanged greetings with Mrs. Xie, "Second wife is very lucky. She has several daughters, all of whom are like flowers and jade. They are sensible, polite, good at housekeeping, and able to read and write."
Mrs. Xie was very pleased with herself, "Mrs. Xu's praise. In a family like ours, the girls' families are taught the same regardless of whether they are concubines or concubines. Girl Zhen's needlework is very good, and her writing is also very neat."
Mrs. Xu nodded secretly, but she was not in a hurry to make a decision. Have to look again.
The elders chatted in the flower hall, and the girls took the girls from the Xu family to the wing room for tea and snacks.
Miss Xu Er also came here today with a mission, she has to watch over for her mother, and pay attention to Gu Zhen's personal behavior in private.
Gu Jiu led everyone and deliberately created a good atmosphere for Gu Zhen, so that Gu Zhen could show her strengths as much as possible.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yue kept a stern face, looking unhappy.
Gu Yue didn't say a word, but just keeping a straight face made Miss Xu Er's heart skip a beat, and she was inevitably nervous.
"Is Miss Gu San unhappy?"
Gu Yue shook her head slightly, "You misunderstood. I didn't do a good job myself, and I was sulking. You don't need to pay attention to me."
This
Second Miss Xu looked at Gu Jiu and the others.
Gu Zhen twisted her handkerchief and glared at Gu Yue angrily.
What do you mean, do you want to ruin her marriage again
Gu Jiu secretly stopped Gu Zhen, not allowing Gu Zhen to be rude in front of the guests.
Gu Jiu stood up, "Third Sister, if you don't feel well, why don't you go back to your room and rest."
Gu Yue stood up abruptly, "Okay! I just want to go back to my room to rest. You talk, I'll leave first."
After speaking, Gu Yue left the room.
Gu Zhen secretly guessed in her heart, would Gu Yue repeat the old trick and use it on Xu Jiasanlang
She was worried, so she asked the servant girl Lvyi to find Aunt Hu, and Aunt Hu sent someone to stare at Gu Yue.
The green clothes lead the way and leave.
After Gu Yue left, with the efforts of Gu Jiu and Gu Shan, the atmosphere in the wing room became lively again.
Everyone drank tea, ate snacks, talked about boudoir interesting stories, and talked about poetry and songs, and they were also extremely happy.
At noon, the servant girl came to inform that the banquet was ready, and please move to the small flower hall.
When I arrived at Xiaohua Hall, I saw that Gu Yue was not there.
The eldest wife Zhang asked Xie in a low voice, "Sister and brother, what's the matter with the third girl?"
Mrs. Xie was embarrassed for a second, then said nonchalantly: "She is not feeling well and has gone back to her room to rest. I have ordered someone to call her, and she will be here soon. There is no need to wait for her."
"okay then."
In the Zizhu courtyard, the maid Putao walked into the bedroom, "Girl, Madam sent someone to call you, and told you to go to the small flower hall to have a banquet."
"No, no, no."
Gu Yue covered herself in the quilt, feeling hatred and anger in her heart.
She would never go to any banquet. Willing to starve to death.
Putao stomped anxiously, "Girl, what's the matter with you? Since yesterday, something has been wrong with you. Is there anything you can't tell your servant?"
"Shut up, it's very noisy."
Gu Yue scolded Putao angrily, "You answer for me, just say that I'm not feeling well, I don't have an appetite, and I won't eat at the banquet."
Putao asked again and again: "Young lady, you really don't want to go to the banquet?"
Gu Yue sat up from the bed, "Do you think I'm joking? Hurry up!"
Putao couldn't help it, stomped her feet, and hurried out to answer.
Gu Yue sat on the bedside, gritted her teeth, as if a fire was burning in her heart, which made her heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys ache.
Without Gu Yue at the banquet, the atmosphere was better.
If Gu Yue was here, she only needed to keep a straight face, which was enough to silence the whole table. A total atmosphere breaker.
After a banquet, the host and guest enjoyed themselves.
After the banquet and a short rest, Mrs. Xu bid farewell.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, repeatedly tried to persuade her to stay. They are sisters, and they spoke very casually.
"Your sister is dissatisfied with Miss Zhen?"
Mrs. Xu shook her head, "My sister misunderstood, I am very satisfied with Miss Zhen."
"Then why are you in such a hurry to leave? It's not too late to go back home after dinner."
Mrs. Xu waved her hands again and again, "That's not okay. The old lady at home is still waiting for me to go back to answer, I agreed, and I will go back after lunch. My sister understands my difficulties and changes your family to hold a wedding tomorrow. The sky is kept at the house."
Seeing that Mrs. Xu insisted on leaving, Mrs. Zhang couldn't force her to stay.
"My sister wants to rush back to the house, and I won't keep you. But you give me a word, what do you mean about the marriage between girl Zhen and Saburo of your family?"
Mrs. Xu thought about it, and said: "To tell you the truth, Miss Zhen is very good-looking and talented. It's a pity to match my Saburo. As you know, I haven't read many books, and I only know how to dance knives all day long." It's very vulgar to use a gun. I'm afraid I'll offend girl Zhen."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, laughed, "Sister is really good at joking. The Xu family is a family of military generals. Your family's Saburo doesn't wield knives and guns. Do you want to read a book every day?"
Mrs. Xu thought for a while and asked, "Does your second wife dislike my Saburo?"
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, said in a low voice: "You also know that the second wife is a concubine to support the righteousness, and she doesn't care about the concubine's marriage. The key is the opinion of the second master."
Mrs. Xu asked: "I don't know if the second master of the family has taken a fancy to my Saburo?"
"I'll ask someone to bring you a message later on. I don't know now. I won't know until I see my master."
Mrs. Zhang didn't hide anything, she couldn't explain clearly.
Mrs. Xu nodded, "If the second master of the family has no objection, I agree with this marriage."
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, suddenly laughed, "That's a good relationship. Our two families are in-laws, so we can come and go often."
Mrs. Xu nodded happily, got up and left.
After sending off the Xu family, Gu Zhen looked at the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, eagerly.
Mrs. Zhang said to her, "Don't worry, there will be news within a day or two."
Gu Zhen nodded, "Thank you, Auntie. I will make a set of shoes and socks for Auntie tomorrow. Don't be disgusted by Auntie."
"Good boy, I won't dislike what you did."
Gu Zhen didn't ask any further questions, and turned back to her room, thinking wildly.
In the evening, Mrs. Zhang saw Master Gu.
Mr. Gu said directly: "Although Xu Jiasanlang is not good at learning, fortunately, he has a good character, and taking the career of a military general can be regarded as a way out."
Mrs. Zhang asked him, "Does the second brother agree to this marriage?"
Mrs. Gu nodded straightforwardly, "Please tell the Xu family to pick an auspicious day to come to propose marriage."
Mrs. Zhang laughed loudly, "That's great. This marriage is finally done, and my hard work was not in vain."
Master Gu bowed and bowed, "Thank you, sister-in-law."
"Second brother, you are welcome."
Mrs. Zhang thought to herself, Mr. Gu has good manners. However, when he was young, he was greedy for flowers and lust, so he even set up Xie's concubine. I hope this will not affect his official career.
Three days later, the auspicious day of the zodiac.
The Xu family invited a matchmaker to go to Gu's mansion to propose marriage.
For this reason, Master Gu deliberately took half a day off and waited in the mansion for the matchmaker to come to his door.
The two families exchange notes and write a marriage letter, and the marriage is considered settled.
The matchmaker also said: "The Xu family hopes to get married as soon as possible, and wants to set the wedding date in July, what do you think Mr. Gu wants?"
Master Gu frowned, "July this year? Will you be too anxious? Calculating the time, there are only more than two months to prepare, which is too hasty."
The matchmaker hurriedly said: "No haste, no haste. The Xu family has already prepared everything. If the dowry of the eldest daughter of your mansion is also prepared, it is not too hasty to get married in July."
Master Gu coughed lightly, he was embarrassed to say that there was not even a shadow of Gu Zhen's dowry, and everything had to be prepared improvised.
It is inevitable to feel resentment towards Mrs. Xie in my heart.
As the mistress of the second bedroom, Mrs. Xie is really incompetent.
Gu Zhen is very old, and her dowry has no trace, so it would be embarrassing to say it.
Master Gu said to the matchmaker: "Let me consider the matter of the wedding date. Please also tell the Xu family that it's best not to be so hasty. It doesn't matter if it's delayed for a few months."
The matchmaker hastily explained: "Your Majesty Gu doesn't know something. Saburo Xu, after this year, will go to the north to change his defense, so let's not talk about two years. If you don't get married as soon as possible, you will be wronged by the eldest lady of your family."
Master Gu was stunned, "Is there anything else?"
The matchmaker nodded, "Exactly."
Master Gu also understood why the Xu family was in such a hurry to get married.
After a young couple gets married, it always takes a while to get pregnant.
Get married in July and leave Beijing after the next year, so there will be half a year. If all goes well, she should be able to conceive a child within six months.
In this way, even though Xu Sanlang had to leave Beijing for two years, Gu Zhen would not feel wronged. At least with the child by his side, he had confidence.
If the wedding date is postponed and Xu Sanlang rushes out of Beijing before Gu Zhen is pregnant, then Gu Zhen's situation in Xu's family will be a bit embarrassing.
Master Gu nodded, "I know about this matter, and the wedding date is set in July."
The matchmaker was overjoyed, "Thank you, Master Gu, for your understanding. I'll go see Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu right away, and set a date for the ceremony as soon as possible."
After sending the matchmaker away, Master Gu came to Furong Courtyard to meet Mrs. Xie.
At this time, the news of Gu Zhen's marriage has already spread throughout the whole house, as if she had grown wings.
Gu Zhen blushed and went to see Aunt Hu.
"Auntie, I'm so happy. My marriage is finally settled."
Aunt Hu also laughed and stroked Gu Zhen's cheek, "I've wronged you."
Gu Zhen shook her head, "My daughter is not wronged. Although the Xu family is not as good as the Xibo Mansion in Shanghai, my daughter is full of confidence when facing Xu Sanlang and is not afraid of him."
Aunt Hu smiled and said: "In this way, this marriage is better than Haixibo Mansion."
Gu Zhen nodded again and again, "My daughter is very grateful to my aunt. I made a set of shoes and socks for my aunt. After a few days, I will send it to my aunt."
"It should be so."
Gu Zhen bit her lip, as if she had something to hide.
Aunt Hu smiled and said: "In front of Auntie, what can't be said."
Gu Zhen was a little nervous, "Auntie, my dowry, how much dowry will my wife prepare for me?"
Aunt Hu thought for a while, "I'm going to see my wife. Don't worry, the dowry will definitely be indispensable."
Gu Zhen nodded again and again, "Thank you, Auntie."
"Thank you, silly boy."
In the Furong Courtyard, when Master Gu saw Mrs. Xie, he had a stern face and a displeased expression on his face.
"Girl Zhen's dowry is being prepared quickly, and the wedding date is set for July."
"July? Why are you in such a hurry? Where is the time? Didn't the master tell the matchmaker?"
Master Gu stared at Mrs. Xie with dissatisfaction, "If you had prepared the dowry for Zhen girl early, why would it be too late?"
Xie was aggrieved, "After returning to the capital, one thing followed another, and I had to prepare a dowry for Yue'er. How could I have time to prepare a dowry for Zhen girl?"
Master Gu snorted coldly, very dissatisfied, "If you have the heart, no matter how busy you are, the dowry of Zhen girl should also be prepared. Why is there no sign of it until now."
Mrs. Xie opened her mouth, "Is the master blaming my concubine?"
Mr. Gu said with a straight face: "I am reminding you to be more considerate in the future."
Mrs. Xie was annoyed, "It's obviously a difficult situation for the Xu family, why do we have to get married in July? Can't we get married at the end of the year?"
Mr. Gu said: "Because after the new year, Xu Sanlang will go to the north to change his defense. Let's not talk about two years. If we don't get married soon, are we going to let Zhen girl marry and become a widow?"
Mrs. Xie was stunned, "Switch defense? Isn't that very dangerous. How can such a marriage be agreed to. Master, hurry up and push this marriage."
"Nonsense."
Mrs. Gu was very upset, "You pushed this marriage, do you want Zhen girl to be an old lady? Do you really forget what the third girl did? I remember it clearly."
Xie's face turned pale, with guilty eyes, "I'm confused. The master is right, this marriage cannot be withdrawn. Two months is a bit short, hurry up, it's not impossible to prepare a decent dowry. Don't You can buy ready-made items, but the furniture is more troublesome. But I thought of a way to repaint the furniture in Miss Zhen’s room, and give her a dowry to the Xu family.”
Master Gu frowned, and there was an evil fire in his heart, which gradually became stronger.
"Are you going to fool around like this?"
"It's not because of time constraints, it's also because there's no other way. Don't worry, master, the furniture in Miss Zhen's room are all made of high-quality wood and painted. They will never disgrace our Gu family."
Master Gu sneered, "It's really rare, and you also know that face is important."
Xie was stunned. Master is angry, why is this