During the banquet, Gu Shan secretly told Gu Jiu, "Second Sister, does the second sister know who the girl who was born in front of you is?"
Gu Jiu shook her head, "I don't know. Could it be that the fourth sister knows?"
Gu Shan whispered: "That girl's surname is Zhou. I heard that she is from Chuzhou and has a marriage contract with the lobby brother Gu Rui."
ahem...
Gu Jiu coughed again and again, "Brother Hall has been married to Jia's sister-in-law for many years, how could he have an engagement with this girl surnamed Zhou? Did you hear clearly?"
Gu Shan said: "I'm also confused, but I heard Mrs. Zhu Guogong introduce with my own ears that she is Miss Zhou who has a marriage contract with Brother Datang."
"You just said Miss Zhou is from Chuzhou?"
Gu Shan nodded, "Is there a problem?"
Gu Jiu said: "Fourth younger sister, do you know the Zhou family of Chuzhou? The Yuan Empress of the Emperor Gaozu of this dynasty came from the Zhou family of Chuzhou. Zhou's children are all over the court. The power is huge. Even the patriarch of the Sun clan once said that the Sun clan is three points inferior to the Zhou clan."
Gu Shan was surprised, "What does Second Sister mean, Miss Zhou who came to visit with Mrs. Zhu Guogong as a guest today is from the Zhou family in Chuzhou?"
"I can't think of a girl surnamed Zhou who can make a marriage contract with the big hall brother, except for the Zhou family in Chuzhou. Unless there are two Zhou families in Chuzhou."
"Chuzhou naturally does not have two Zhou families."
Gu Qi came to Gu Jiu's table to toast, and sat down when she heard the two chatting.
"Does sister Qi know Miss Zhou?" Gu Jiu asked curiously.
Gu Qi shook her head, "I don't know, I only heard about Miss Zhou today."
"I heard that Miss Zhou has a marriage contract with the eldest brother. Is this true?"
Gu Qi put down her wine glass and said in a low voice: "This is true, I heard that the engagement was made twelve years ago.
However, the eldest brother was not married to Jia's sister-in-law, so the old Hou Ye found a way to call off the marriage.
It has been two years since Jia's sister-in-law passed away. Miss Zhou also delayed her wedding because of her filial piety.
The Zhou family wanted to renew the marriage contract when they learned that the elder brother was single and had no children.
Mrs. Zhu Guogong is related to the Zhou family, no, the Zhou family entrusted the matter to Mrs. Zhu Guogong.
So Ms. Zhou came over with Mrs. Zhu Guogong as a guest, and let the old lady and the eldest aunt look at each other.
If it works, maybe the two families really want to renew their marriage contract. If it doesn't work, the right should be recognized as a family, and the two families should be relatives. "
After listening to this, Gu Jiu said with emotion: "It's a coincidence that things in this world are really coincidental. Jia's sister-in-law is gone, and Miss Zhou has never been settled because of her filial piety. Going around, is it destined that Miss Zhou and Brother Datang will be together until old age? couple?"
Gu Shan asked, "How old is Miss Zhou? Maybe twenty."
Gu Qi said: "It should be less than twenty, maybe eighteen, or nineteen."
"Is this age a little older?" Gu Shan asked in a low voice.
Gu Jiu said, "But I think this age is just right."
Gu Qi pursed her lips and smiled, "It doesn't matter if we say it or not. The old lady, old master, uncle and aunt have the final say. In the end, it depends on the elder brother's wishes. The elder brother has guarded Jia's sister-in-law for so long. Time, I don’t know if it has come out.”
Gu Jiu said with emotion: "Brother Dao is a person who values love and righteousness. He has a deep affection for Jia's sister-in-law. It's a pity that the two of them have too little fate to grow old together."
"If the eldest brother agrees to this marriage, doesn't it mean that we can have a wedding wine this year?"
…
After the banquet, everyone gathered in the flower hall to talk.
Gu Mei dragged Gu Jiu to see Gu Rui.
Gu Rui was standing in the courtyard where he and Jia Shi lived, everything in the room was still the same as Jia Shi was alive.
It's just that some of the decorations have been changed. The Jia family had already withdrawn Jia's dowry as early as last year.
"Brother!"
Gu Mei called softly.
Gu Rui turned around, "Why are you here? You have such a big belly, why are you running around, be careful."
"I'm fine."
The maid brought a chair and asked Gu Mei to sit down.
Gu Mei sat down and asked, "Brother, are you missing sister-in-law again?"
Gu Rui remained silent, looking a little lonely.
"I met Ms. Zhou. I didn't even know that elder brother and Ms. Zhou had an engagement in the past."
Gu Rui said softly: "It was a long time ago. The marriage was decided by the Lord Hou. Today is also the first time I see Miss Zhou."
Gu Mei tried to ask: "Brother, do you regret canceling the Zhou family's marriage?"
"How could I regret it. The only thing I regret is that I shouldn't let Mingyue have a baby. She hasn't recovered well yet, and risking pregnancy will lead to a big mistake."
Gu Rui sighed, feeling more and more heavy.
"What about now? Miss Zhou is here, and the Zhou family wants to renew their marriage. Brother, what do you think?"
Gu Mei's questions became sharper and more direct.
Gu Rui was a little at a loss, "I haven't figured it out yet."
He looked back at the two of them, "Did I kill two women? Mingyue died because of me, and Miss Zhou delayed her wedding because of me."
Gu Mei felt sorry for her elder brother. He was really hurt by Jia Mingyue.
Gu Jiu listened for a long time, then stood up and said: "Brother Hall, this is the case, you should come out and start looking forward.
The Zhou family wants to renew their engagement, whether you agree or not, I think you should make a quick decision.
If you don't agree, refuse it decisively, the Zhou family still has time to find another marriage for Miss Zhou.
If you agree, the Zhou family can hurry up and buy a dowry for Miss Zhou.
Because you sympathized with Miss Zhou, you hesitated to delay this matter. You are not kind, but cruel, even shameless.
A girl's youth can't be delayed, if you don't want to, you should simply point it out and reject it today. If you are willing, please give Zhou Jiada an answer as soon as possible.
To put it bluntly, big brother, you are good at everything, but you are not decisive enough to do things, so many things happen. "
Gu Mei was anxious and pulled Gu Jiu. Why don't you say anything, what if you irritate someone.
Gu Rui's expression changed, a little embarrassed, a little self-blaming, and also thoughtful.
"Is compassion cruel?"
He looked at Gu Jiu, "Sister Xiao Jiu, is sympathy cruel to a girl's family?"
Gu Jiu said loudly: "If her misfortune comes from you, and you can't change her misfortune, then your sympathy is cruel."
Gu Rui laughed miserably, "You're right, I'm not qualified to sympathize with anyone."
Gu Jiu pursed her lips and asked, "Have you made a decision now?"
Gu Mei was very nervous. She kind of hoped that her elder brother would accept Miss Zhou, but also hoped that she would not accept it. Very contradictory.
Gu Rui said solemnly: "I will go to Miss Zhou for an interview now, thank you two sisters."
It seems that Gu Rui still hasn't made up his mind.
The two watched him leave.
Gu Mei sighed, "I don't know what elder brother and Miss Zhou will talk about."
Gu Jiu said: "Let's go, Brother Da Tang has his own destiny."
…
In Songhe Hall, the old lady Wei and her son and daughter-in-law are also discussing this marriage.
"Miss Zhou, you have all met her. You don't have to say about her talent and appearance. It's better to be the first one. Dalang has guarded the Jia family for two years. It's time to marry another one. What do you two think?"
Eldest Master Gu Zhiwen asked: "Madam is satisfied with Miss Zhou?"
The old lady Wei sighed, "Our family has owed others. What happened back then was unreasonable. I didn't expect that this girl's marriage has not been resolved until now. Since the Zhou family intends to renew the engagement, we might as well consider Think about it. And the advantage of being an older girl is that she at least knows how to love others."
This is implying that Jia Shi will not hurt others, but only play petty temper.
The eldest lady Xiao Wei said: "This girl's mother died, and her father remarried. Such a family is not very good."
The old lady Wei said: "Dalang's original spouse died, and when he married, he became a house filler. Don't dislike anyone."
Eldest Master Gu Zhiwen said: "I don't know what kind of temperament this girl is? Don't be another Jia family."
The old lady Wei said: "This girl is very generous in her words and deeds. I think it is not bad. If you are worried, I will send someone to call her here."
The eldest wife, Xiao Wei, did not object.
The Zhou family's family background is there, there is no choice, it is a first-class family.
If Miss Zhou is really generous and decent, it is not impossible to renew the marriage contract.
The old lady Wei immediately arranged for someone to call Miss Zhou.
As a result, Gu Rui came to Songhetang together with Miss Zhou.
The eldest lady, Xiao Wei, was puzzled, "You two, why are you together?"
Gu Rui explained: "My son chatted with Ms. Zhou for a few words."
Oh!
The eldest lady Xiao Wei's expression was unclear, and she looked at Miss Zhou sharply.
Miss Zhou looked calm, neither humble nor overbearing, with an extraordinary bearing. As expected of Zhou's daughter.
The old lady Wei said cheerfully, "Dalang, what did you talk about with Miss Zhou?"
Gu Rui first glanced at Miss Zhou, and then said, "I asked her how she got here? Do you hate our Gu family?"
Everyone's expressions changed.
Miss Zhou blessed Fushen and said: "At first I hated it. Seeing that the wedding date is approaching, but suddenly divorced, I was so sad that I couldn't close my eyes for several days. People around said gossip, always thinking that the divorce was because I was not good. to be despised.”
Gu Rui immediately explained, "I've never disliked you. I didn't expect that what happened back then would cause you so much harm."
Miss Zhou smiled wryly, "Is it unexpected, or is it unwilling to think about it?"
Gu Rui was embarrassed for a moment. It's not that he doesn't know how the divorce will affect the reputation of the girl's family. As Miss Zhou said, he just didn't want to think about it.
Miss Zhou continued: "Later, my mother was seriously ill, and she served her soup and medicine every day, so she didn't have the heart to hate her.
Before my mother was alive, she was always thinking about my marriage, but in Chuzhou, everyone knew that I was divorced, and there would be no good marriage for a while.
When my mother passed away, my marriage was not settled.
The filial piety period passed at the end of last year, and my family began to arrange marriage for me again. Chuzhou was hopeless, so he went to Beijing with his uncle, intending to find a marriage in the capital.
It was only when I arrived in the capital that I learned that you were a widower and didn't even have a child under your knees. Mrs. Jingzhu Guogong reminded that the family wanted to renew the marriage contract. "
After hearing this, the old lady Wei sighed, "I've made things difficult for you all these years. It's all because of our family's fault, which delayed your youth."
Ms. Zhou shook her head, "Madam, don't say that. You can only say that Gu Rui and I have no destiny. This time my family's proposal to renew the engagement is really wishful thinking.
Don't be embarrassing, and don't sympathize with me just because my marriage has not been settled, so as to agree to my family's unreasonable demands.
It doesn't matter to me. With my family background and dowry, it is not difficult to find a suitable marriage. It's just a matter of time.
Quan should recognize a door today, and if there is an opportunity in the future, the two families can continue to communicate. "
The old lady Wei said with emotion: "What a good girl. If the old man said that we are not out of sympathy for you, but sincerely want to renew the engagement, would you be willing?"
Miss Zhou didn't answer this question, she looked at Gu Rui, "Madam, why don't you ask him if he is willing?"
Everyone looked at Gu Rui.
"I… "
Just as Gu Rui opened his mouth, Miss Zhou interrupted, "I said, don't agree to this marriage just because you sympathize with me.
If you don't want to marry me willingly in your heart, please don't agree to this marriage.
Although I am old, I am not worried about not getting married. I can find a suitable marriage, so don't feel guilty, and don't marry me because of guilt.
I would rather not have such a marriage. If I want to marry, I will marry a man who will marry me sincerely and is willing to live with me for the rest of my life.
Instead of thinking about other women in my heart, marrying my man only because of guilt. "
These words made Gu Rui feel ashamed.
He is not even as good as a woman.
He said to Miss Zhou: "I'm sorry, I can't forget Mingyue. But I promise, if I marry you, I will treat you well and live with you forever."
Miss Zhou raised her eyebrows and smiled mockingly, "Sorry, I don't want to marry you like this."
The sentence of not wanting to marry made everyone embarrassed.
Miss Zhou's request is not too much.
Gu Rui was really disappointed.
The eldest wife, Xiao Wei, feels that Miss Zhou is very good, and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Hou Mansion should be a woman with strong opinions and ideas like Miss Zhou. Much stronger than the previous Jiashi.
However, his son was not up to his expectations, it was not enough to be harmed by Jia Shi for so many years, and now he has to miss this marriage because of Jia Shi.
She glared fiercely at the old master Gu Zhiwen, it's all your fault.
Gu Zhiwen was stunned, it was all my fault.
The eldest lady Xiao Wei lowered her voice and said viciously: "If she hadn't divorced at the beginning, Miss Zhou would have been our daughter-in-law long ago. It's all your fault."
Gu Zhiwen pointed at Gu Rui, and blamed this stubborn son if he wanted to.
snort!
Seeing that her good daughter-in-law was about to fly away, the eldest wife, Xiao Wei, couldn't care less about anything else, she hurriedly said: "Miss Zhou, don't rush to make a decision. My family is honest, speaks out everything, and never fools people." .
He treats you sincerely, that's why he admits that he can't forget Jia Shi. Moreover, he and Jia have been in love for so many years, and they are so easily forgotten, and they are so fortunate, I am afraid you will not dare to marry.
When you get along with him, you know that he is really a good person. Although he can't forget Jia Shi, he will also give affection to you. "
Miss Zhou was a little confused, she looked at Gu Rui.
Gu Rui is affectionate, she can see it.
It's a pity that Gu Rui's affection was given to someone else, not her.
She smiled wryly, "Maybe Gu Rui and I are destined to have no fate. If you bother me today, I will explain where my family is. You don't have to make trouble."
"No embarrassment, no embarrassment. We are very happy to renew our engagement." The eldest wife Xiao Wei said anxiously.
She also glared at Gu Rui, stupid son, hurry up and say something.
Gu Rui hesitated for a moment before saying to Ms. Zhou: "I betrayed you, I am sorry for you. I want to marry you, not all because of guilt. When I heard you speak for the first time, I had a feeling that we should Together."
Miss Zhou smiled sarcastically, "I didn't expect Mr. Gu to be so good at coaxing the girl's family. Before the divorce, if we had a chance to meet, would you change your mind and not divorce? Can you give up on Jia Mingyue?"
Gu Rui looked embarrassed, "Things that have passed can't be repeated. I think we should focus on the present."
Miss Zhou looked at him with a half-smile, "Mr. Gu is right, people should focus on the eyes. What about you? Do you have eyes in the eyes? Can you put Jia Mingyue in the deepest part of your heart, and open your heart to accept another one?" A woman? If you can't do it, you have no right to persuade others to focus on the present."
Gu Rui's face was solemn, and he said heavily: "I can!"
One sentence, I can, is earth-shattering.
The old lady Wei, the elder lady and the little Wei were really pleasantly surprised.
For more than a year, they tried their best to persuade Gu Rui to start again, but Gu Rui refused to listen. As long as he is in the mansion, he must be holding Jia's relics in memory, and he has never thought of going out.
Unexpectedly, Miss Zhou's words made Gu Rui decide to start over.
Miss Zhou is capable.
The key point is that Miss Zhou has a good complexion, she looks very healthy at first glance, and she will definitely have a good childbirth in the future.
They were really frightened by Jia Shi.
The eldest daughter-in-law, who was sickly, had their hearts broken because of Jia Shi in those years.