Master Gu sent an invitation to the Zhou family.
He hadn't reported his hopes at first, but he didn't expect the Zhou family to save face and come to congratulate him on his promotion with a gift.
Make Mr. Gu so happy.
The two major families in the court, the Sun family and the Zhou family, have stood in the court for hundreds of years.
The relationship between the two families is deeply intertwined in the officialdom, and they seem to be doing well on weekdays, and the family has no real power figures in recent years.
When things really happen, you will find that the energy of these two families in the court is astonishing.
For example, the first concubine, the current concubine Sun of Chu Palace, is from the Sun family.
If she committed a crime and was caught, the emperor would execute her, but the Sun family would not be moved. At most, Sun's father and brother were dismissed from office.
Both the Sun family and the Zhou family relied on the talents and learning abilities of their own children to gain a foothold in the court, rather than relying on their in-laws.
Not only do they not rely on in-laws, but they keep a distance from them.
The only people who can kill these two families are themselves. Unless there is internal strife in the family, it is difficult for outsiders to shake the two major families.
The Zhou family has always kept a low profile in life and work, so it was really unexpected to go to the Gu family to congratulate them today.
Mr. Gu settled the Zhou family well, and calmed down after getting excited. Ask Master Ma, "Is the Hou family going to marry the Zhou family?"
Master Ma nodded, "I heard it is."
"That Miss Zhou agreed?"
"I don't know too much about the lower officials. But the important matter of marriage, the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker, Zhou's parents agreed, and it is useless for Miss Zhou to object alone."
Master Gu nodded, "The girl from the Zhou family can be regarded as a clan wife. The Jia family who is the leader is too weak. For this reason alone, she shouldn't be married as a clan wife."
"Your Excellency is right. I don't know what the Marquis Mansion thought back then, but they lost their minds and withdrew from the marriage of the Zhou family and married a girl from the Jia family."
Mr. Gu said in the tone of someone who has experienced it: "Young people are greedy for money and lust. It is inevitable. After learning the lesson, they finally improved a little and knew how to marry a wife and a good man. If I was in the capital back then, I would definitely stop Gu Rui from marrying Miss Jia."
"It's still wise for adults."
Master Ma flattered Mr. Gu.
Mr. Gu is very proud. It's all about horseshoe disease.
In fact, he is purely talkative, just talking. When he really wanted to be in the capital, he had absolutely no courage to interfere with the affairs of the Hou Mansion, and would only blindly agree.
Master Ma also knew this, but he was smart enough not to expose Mr. Gu. Let Master Gu maintain a happy mood.
This is the duty of being a master.
The girls from the Hou Mansion accompanied Miss Zhou to the wing to drink tea.
"Sister Xiaojiu, I heard that Xie's family has come, is there a lot of trouble?"
"Fortunately, it's all resolved."
Gu Qi looked towards Gu Yue.
Gu Yue looked at Miss Zhou curiously.
She didn't go to the last time the Hou Mansion hosted a banquet. But she heard about the Zhou family's Tonghou Mansion.
This Zhou girl is very good-looking. She has her own merits and advantages from the first Jia family, Chunlan Qiuju.
However, Jia's temperament is weak, with a delicate and pitiful taste, which can arouse a man's desire to protect.
Gu Yue guessed viciously in her heart that Gu Rui must like weak women, not dignified women like Miss Zhou.
She bowed her head and smiled sarcastically. Men are a virtue.
If Miss Zhou really wanted to marry Gu Rui, she would have to suffer.
In short, in Gu Yue's mind, any married woman will not have a good life.
Even if the young couple is harmonious, there will definitely be difficulties for the sisters-in-law and aunts. Suffering from the idleness all day long, the good relationship between husband and wife will become a mess.
If the husband and wife are not harmonious, it will be even worse.
The housemaid, the aunt, the actor, the outer room, one after another. From the day of marriage, life is suffering.
Gu Yue thought to herself, if Miss Zhou married Gu Rui, she must be in the second category. The husband and wife are at odds, all kinds of concubines make things difficult, and the mother-in-law makes things difficult.
In short, everyone's married life is unfortunate, and Gu Yue's heart is balanced.
She looked at Miss Zhou with pity and regret.
Ms. Zhou was very strange. It was the first time she met Gu Yue, and she didn't even say a word. Why did the other party look at her with pity and pity.
Is she pitiful
Miss Zhou was a little unhappy.
She felt that she had nothing to be pitied. Gu Yue can't help but pretend to be affectionate.
She turned her head and ignored Gu Yue.
Gu Yue snorted coldly in her heart, so rude. The so-called dignified atmosphere is all deceiving.
Gu Jiu asked Gu Qi, "Sister Mei won't come today?"
"The Daihou's Mansion is visiting relatives for a banquet today, and Sister Mei asked someone to bring a gift to my uncle, so she won't come."
"Sister Mei has a heart. Is she okay?"
"It's okay. The last time sister Xiaojiu stood up for sister Mei, we all want to thank you. You don't know, the eldest aunt was very angry when she heard about it. She personally went to the Houfu to support sister Mei. On behalf of the old lady of the Houfu, It's hard to talk about it, so that the eldest aunt calmed down."
When Gu Jiu heard this, she frowned and laughed.
The eldest wife, Xiao Wei, loves Sister Mei the most. How can she not be angry when she learns that Sister Mei has been wronged in the Daihou Mansion.
Gu Qi said again: "It's just a pity that the Qu family still lives in the Daihou's Mansion. They live under the same roof, and they don't see each other when they look up. Sister Mei still needs to cheer up to deal with that family."
Gu Jiu said: "It's hard to deal with the Qu family, but sister Mei."
"makes sense."
Gu Qi was five months pregnant, and felt uncomfortable after sitting for a long time, so she asked the maid to help her out for a walk.
"Miss Zhou drinks tea."
Gu Jiu greeted her, "I'm sorry for the poor greeting, Miss Zhou."
"Madam Zhao is polite." Miss Zhou was very polite.
Gu Jiu sized her up, "Should I say congratulations?"
Miss Zhou froze for a moment, then shook her head and smiled, "Madam Zhao was joking."
Gu Jiu nodded, "I understand. But I'm really surprised that you will come to visit me."
Miss Zhou said casually: "I will come with my uncle as a guest, so I should recognize him."
Gu Jiu didn't get to the bottom of it.
When she was free, Gu Zhen pulled Gu Jiu and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong with Miss Zhou? Is she going to marry Gu Rui's cousin?"
Gu Jiu said, "I'm not too sure."
Seeing Gu Qin looking at them, she waved her hand and called them over.
Gu Qin moved closer to Gu Jiu's side.
Gu Jiu asked her: "What's going on with Miss Zhou and Gu Rui's big brother? Is this marriage going to be done?"
Gu Qin said in a low voice: "The Zhou family and our Hou's family are all trying their best to facilitate this marriage. The elder brother is also working hard to get it. It's just Miss Zhou who still hasn't let go. I heard that Miss Zhou's mother will go to Beijing to preside over the marriage. Guess, wait for Zhou After the girl's mother arrives in the capital, the marriage will be settled."
Gu Zhen said with a strange face: "Since sooner or later you will marry Brother Gu Rui, what will Miss Zhou insist on?"
Gu Jiu can understand Miss Zhou's insistence, she said: "Naturally, we must insist on what we should insist on. Some things, although the outcome is already doomed, we still have to show the proper attitude. Especially in the marriage of men and women, the attitude is very important."
Gu Qin laughed, "Sister Xiaojiu said almost the same meaning as my mother. My mother also said that Miss Zhou was just posturing, and she should use this method to correct my brother's attitude. My brother used to be too casual about marriage. , If you say divorce, you will divorce, if you say get married, you will get married. This time, we can't be as casual as last time."
Gu Zhen suddenly realized, "So, Miss Zhou is still willing to marry Brother Gu Rui?"
Gu Jiu glanced at Miss Zhou and said, "Maybe. Some people are destined to be husband and wife, and they will get together no matter what."
"In this way, we will soon be able to have the wedding wine of Gu Rui's big brother."
Gu Qin smiled and said, "Maybe we have to eat Gu Cheng's wedding wine first."
Gu Teng and Miss Hu are already engaged, and the wedding date is set for March next year, the season when spring is warm and flowers are blooming.
I heard that Mrs. Xie prepared a dowry gift of 10,000 taels for Gu Teng, obviously he attaches great importance to his future daughter-in-law.
At noon, the table starts on time.
Everyone eats and drinks, so happy.
After the banquet, Mrs. Xie called Gu Yue, and the two sisters Gu Shan went to the Furong Courtyard to talk.
They also sent someone to call Gu Gong over.
Gu Gong was still a little guilty.
"Mother!"
Xie glanced at Gu Gong coldly, "What's the matter with you and Xie Yuan? Don't tell me, you've taken a fancy to her."
Gu Gong quickly waved his hand, "It's nothing, my son didn't like Cousin Xie Yuan. She's older than me, how could I fall in love with her."
Gu Yue snorted, "Female junior, holding a gold brick. Eighth brother, haven't you heard of it?"
Gu Gong blushed, "Third sister, don't talk nonsense. And she is not three years older than me."
"Mother, look at the eighth brother. I think there must be something about him and that Xie Yuan that we don't know about." Gu Yue was afraid that the world would not be chaotic.
Gu Gong stomped anxiously, "Third Sister, I always stood by your side for whatever matter you had in the past. Now you are embarrassing me everywhere, what's the reason?"
Gu Yue smiled softly, "I will remember the kindness that the eighth brother treats me. I also remember the bad things that the eighth brother treats me."
Gu Gong's face changed, "When will I be sorry for you, please speak clearly."
Gu Yue looked at Gu Gong with a half-smile, "I was joking with you, look at your nervousness, what about it?"
"Okay, don't say a few words."
Mrs. Xie spoke to stop the argument between the siblings, and she asked Gu Gong, "Are you and Xie Yuan really okay?"
Gu Gong swears to the sky that he and Xie Yuan have absolutely no relationship beyond blood.
Mrs. Xie breathed a sigh of relief, "It's best not to have one. If there is one, stop it quickly. You have seen your father's attitude towards the Xie family with your own eyes.
Because your eldest uncle passed away, your father no longer pursued the Xie family. But it doesn't mean you can marry a girl from the Xie family.
If you think about Xie Yuan that you shouldn't have, be careful that your father will break your leg. "
Gu Gong shrank his neck, and said weakly: "I will listen to my mother, and I will definitely not mess around. I will avoid Xie's house when I go out in the future."
Xie waved his hand and told him to go down.
Gu Gong seemed to have received an amnesty.
Xie took a sip of tea, thinking about how to speak.
She looked at Gu Yue, "Did your mother-in-law make things difficult for you these days?"
Gu Yue shook her head, "I never made things difficult for my daughter."
Mrs. Xie complained slightly, "At the beginning, I should have directly brought back the dowry according to my intention, and you didn't have to suffer for a year in Haixibo Mansion. I see that you have lost weight, and Haicibo Mansion must have been harsh on your diet. "
Gu Yue defended in a low voice: "Because of keeping filial piety and being a vegetarian every day, it will be clear."
"You are young and still growing, how can you be a vegetarian every day. Today I asked the kitchen to cook the chicken soup for you, have you drank it?"
Gu Yue was moved, "My daughter drank the chicken soup and it was delicious. Thank you mother for your concern."
Mrs. Xie waved her hand, "When the one-year period comes next year, you should hurry back with your dowry. Is your dowry still there?"
Gu Yue clutched the handkerchief, "Most of the items are still there, but there is nothing left of the dowry money."
"How did the thousands of taels of dowry money run out so quickly? Where did it go?"
Gu Yue's tears rolled down in an instant, and she sobbed, "It's not that I was ruined by Xun Erlang. He robbed my money and went out to spend time and wine. I was afraid that my mother would worry, so I didn't dare to talk about it."
"Too much deceit!" Mrs. Xie patted the table, furious.
If Mrs. Heisibo was present, she would definitely argue with the other party.
"Mother, calm down. Fortunately, the other items were put away by the daughter and were not ruined."
Gu Yue turned her head and began to comfort Xie again.
Gu Shan looked suddenly enlightened, "No wonder when my brother-in-law passed away, I went to my sister's room, and the room was empty without any good things. It turned out that they were all put away. Third sister, such a big thing happened, but you kept it a secret At home, it really shouldn't be. After such a long time, the money can't be recovered now, what a pity."
Xie Shi also felt it was a pity.
But after getting angry for a while, she thought about it again.
"Fortunately, Zhao Erlang is dead, and he can no longer do evil."
Gu Yue wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, "Since she married into Haixibo Mansion, the days when her husband passed away turned out to be the most peaceful and peaceful time for my daughter. My daughter regretted that she didn't listen to her parents' previous persuasion, and insisted on marrying Zhao Erlang The daughter was really blind back then."
Gu Shan looked sideways, which is really rare.
Gu Yue actually admitted that he was blind, and really changed his temper.
Xie felt emotional and distressed, "It's still too late to repent. You are still young and have no children. Next year, I will drag the Marquis Mansion to arrange a marriage for you. I will let you get married in a good manner."
Gu Yue stood up and bowed deeply, "Thank you mother. My daughter is not filial. These years, my mother has been worrying."
"What are you talking about, sit down."
Gu Yue hummed and sat down softly.
Mrs. Xie went on to say: "After finishing Gu Cheng's betrothal gift, it's time to work on Shan'er's dowry. Fortunately, the wood has been prepared, and I can invite a carpenter to come to make furniture in the spring. The needlework and cloth are ready when the wedding is approaching." It's not too late. But the jewelry has to be prepared earlier."
Gu Yue grabbed the handkerchief tightly.
In a blink of an eye, she let go of her hand again, she pursed her lips, and said: "I heard that there is a new Jumbo Store in the capital, and the jewelry in it is novel and unique.
And each style, there are only ten sets at most. If you are willing to pay a high price, you can also customize your own unique jewelry.
Sister Shan has an outstanding appearance, good talent and learning, and she will definitely be married to a high-class family.
I think it's time to prepare a set of unique head and face jewelry for Sister Shan, so that she can marry off in a grand manner. "
Gu Shan laughed, "Thank you, Third Sister, for your concern. I've heard of Zhenbaozhai, but the jewelry inside is too expensive, so you don't have to spend so much money on it for the dowry."
Gu Yue pursed her lips and smiled, "How can the fourth sister say that? It is precisely because of the preparation of the dowry that she is willing to spend money and buy more valuable items. Besides, your mother has already made a budget for you. Are you still worried about not having enough money? ?”
Gu Shan looked at Mrs. Xie.
Xie coughed lightly, "Yue'er, I will worry about your fourth sister's dowry for her. You should spend more time thinking about your own affairs."
Gu Yue nodded, "My daughter understands. There are still a few months left, and my daughter will definitely keep her own place and not cause trouble to her mother."
"You really have grown up. After such a toss, it can be regarded as a little gain." Xie was very pleased.
Gu Yue glanced at Gu Shan quickly, her eyes were gloomy.
Gu Shan didn't notice Gu Yue's eyes, she was thinking about her dowry.
She had already received news that Mrs. Xie had prepared a dowry of 40,000 taels for her.
She never dared to ask, afraid of being disappointed, and also embarrassed to ask.
Moreover, her marriage has not yet been settled, so it is inappropriate to ask about the dowry at this time.
But judging from Gu Yue's reaction, it is very likely that the rumor of 40,000 taels is true.
Xie was tired and sent the two sisters out.
Gu Yue didn't linger, bid farewell to Mrs. Xie and Mr. Gu, then got into the carriage and set off back to Haixibo Mansion.
The carriage moved slowly on the street.
Suddenly she knocked on the wall of the car and told the driver, "Go to the cloth shop, I want to bring some bolts of cloth back."
The coachman obeyed his orders, turned around and headed for Fangshi.
When they arrived at Buzhuang, Gu Yue got out of the car and told the driver to wait at the door, it might take her a long time.
The coachman takes command.
Gu Yue walked into the cloth village with her maid Putao.
"Shopkeeper, do you have cotton cloth?"
"Yes, yes, please come to the distinguished guests."
The shopkeeper invited Gu Yue into the backyard.
The backyard is unique.
Gu Yue suppressed the excitement in her heart, and ordered Putao to wait in the yard, and she walked into the guest room alone.
Inside there was a man waiting for her.