Gu Qingci has always been an unattainable existence in the eyes of the two sisters of the Li family.
Li Zhi always knew that his sister-in-law was different from them.
Gu Qingci is a real noble girl, she grew up in a heap of gold and jade since she was a child, she was raised in rich clothes and fine food, and she was full of arrogance and nobility.
Others can't learn it.
Even after marrying into the Li family, she is still full of pride.
She raised her chin and straightened her back when she saw everyone, as if most people were not noticed by her.
On the contrary, because Li Zhi and Li Chan are girls, they have no sense of existence since they were young.
The grandmother didn't care much, and the father occasionally asked a few questions. The mother has always disliked daughters, and has always focused on her elder brother. She is especially strict with the two sisters.
But even so, Li Zhi didn't feel too much dissatisfaction and resentment when he grew up.
Just because everyone in the world is like this, daughters are worthless.
The Li family didn't abuse them either.
And she looked at some girls from other people's families, it's nothing to do more work. If many people's families are short of money, they may directly sell their daughters for a sum of money. Or the daughter was sent to another family as a child bride-in-law when she was young.
This kind of thing is very common.
Li Zhi was well fed and warmly dressed at Li's house, she thought it was pretty good.
It wasn't until Gu Qingci married into the Li family that Li Zhi realized the difference between people.
People like their sister-in-law can only make people envious and jealous.
In the past, the two sisters thought that the old lady who said nothing at home was the most powerful, and their mother was soft-faced and strict in the inside.
But Gu Qingci is different. With Gu Qingci, the old lady is just an old lady, and she is not afraid of Mrs. Bai.
On the second day after they got married, Gu Qingci dared to show embarrassment to his mother when serving tea, not only contradicting her, but also ran away.
At that time Li Zhi was really dumbfounded.
She never expected that a daughter-in-law who married into another family could be so powerful.
At first, he was even a little worried for Gu Qingci, thinking that she would suffer in the future.
Because Li Zhi knew his mother very well, and looked soft on the surface, but in fact he was not a good-natured person.
But she ignored the reality of the Gu family, and Gu Qingci's tyranny.
Gu Qingci is different from herself, she has the support of the entire Gu family behind her, and that second wife loves her daughter like her life, and protects her calf very well.
As soon as they heard that their daughter had been wronged, many people soon came to the Hou's mansion, this mother and that nanny, one by one came to beat the old lady and Mrs. Bai.
These are not counted, the most important thing is that his brother is protecting his sister-in-law.
This is what makes Li Zhi envious.
In the past, she was not close to her elder brother, who had to go to school every day and rarely met the sisters.
What's more, Mrs. Bai always stares at them and sternly warns them not to disturb his brother's study.
It was only later that Li Zhi gradually realized that his elder brother looked serious, but he was actually very nice. Later, he asked Gu Qingci to teach the two sisters how to read and write.
Gu Qingci has an arrogant personality, and loves to be petty, but her elder brother seldom quarrels with her, nor is she indifferent to her, but is very pampering and indulgent.
So in Li Zhi's eyes, on the one hand, he respected his elder brother, but on the other hand, he felt that Gu Qingci was powerful.
In the past, I occasionally thought that if she was married, how would she dare to make such a fuss, and she was afraid that she would have to respect her parents-in-law and serve her husband every day.
Up to now, Li Zhi's thoughts have not changed.
Now that she herself is married to a good family, she knows that she still has to rely on her elder brother and sister-in-law, so she is very grateful in her heart.
A married woman is a spoiled guest when she returns home, so in terms of etiquette, it is natural to treat her well, because in the eyes of everyone, she is already from another family.
The old lady's face was just smiling, and Li Zhi greeted her grandmother and mother, and sat down to talk.
She has the best relationship with her younger sister Li Chan, and the two sisters talk and laugh at Yan Yan.
Gu Qingci came over a little later, and the two also greeted each other.
Li Zhi gave birth to a son, so Man Yue naturally slept in the house at this moment, and did not carry him out.
The old lady asked a few words, envious and regretful in her heart, wishing that Gu Qingci would be pregnant with her precious great-grandson immediately, no matter how good the great-great-grandson is, it would not belong to the Li family.
The eldest sister was followed by the servant girl.
She is almost one year old, lively and active, cute and chubby.
Recently, I learned to speak individual words, and occasionally one or two syllables popped out of my mouth.
When the old lady raised her head and saw her, she beckoned to be hugged in front of her. After teasing for a while, wrinkles appeared on her face.
Who doesn't like such a smart and cute child, the feelings are all out of place, and I can't even hate him when I see him every day.
It was Li Zhi, because she was married and only visited when Gu Qingci was pregnant and her eldest sister was full moon.
At that time, even a small child could not see any difference, only knew that she was well-behaved and not troublesome.
Now the child is almost one year old, with a round head and a round brain, white and tender and cute, and you can tell that he is a beauty embryo at just a little bit, with a pair of watery eyes like her mother, long eyelashes like a row of small fans, fluttering.
When looking at people, it makes people unconsciously soften their hearts.
Li Zhi just became a mother, and her heart was full of maternal love, so she stretched out her arms and hugged the eldest sister for a while.
The elder sister didn't know Li Zhi, so although she didn't cry, she crawled towards the old lady with all her strength.
The old lady laughed loudly again.
Accompanying Li Zhi for a meal in the east courtyard, Gu Qingci saw that the old lady was exhausted, so he took the eldest sister over and hugged her, and invited Li Zhi to sit in his own courtyard.
Li Zhi happily complied.
She also brought a maid with her when she went out, but she didn't let her follow her now, she only asked her to take care of her son.
The rules in Gu Qingci's courtyard are much stricter, not serious, but giving people the feeling that there are rules everywhere, and the servants perform their own duties, so that they will not be disorganized and chaotic.
When Li Zhi came here for the first time, he was both amazed and longing in his heart.
After sitting in the west courtyard for a while, I went back there to rest at night.
She lived in the house she used to have when she was not married, and the inside was tidy.
Not long after returning to the house, Mrs. Bai came over.
It was rare for Li Zhi to go back to her natal family, even though the Bai family used to be harsh on them, she was still the mother who gave birth to her, and she didn't care about the trivial things in the past.
After all, no married woman wants to quarrel with her natal family.
So facing Bai Shi, Li Zhi also laughed at Yan Yan.
"Why did mother come here?"
Bai Shi also put on a smiling face, and said: "There are so many people just now, and mother didn't talk to you for a while, how are you doing at your husband's house, and how is your son-in-law treating you?"
Li Zhi took Bai's hand and led her to sit down.
Her face was full of shame, she lowered her head, and nodded lightly, "It's all good, father-in-law and mother-in-law are kind people. Although the husband doesn't talk much, he treats his daughter very well."
In fact, Bai's heart was a little displeased. She always thought that if she had married her eldest daughter to her natal nephew, her mother would not have to worry so much now.
Li Zhi has been used to doing housework since she was a child. Although she is introverted, she is a good hand inside and out. She is going to marry into the Bai family. With her to take care of her nephew, it is unlikely that the nephew will still be so successful. Yes, not even a marriage.
Whenever he thinks of this, Mrs. Bai always feels a little uncomfortable.
It's not a marriage, but the Bai family's high spirits are actually to blame.
The Bai family didn't have any ancestral property, and the men in the family were not very promising. They had a total of tens of acres of Susukida in the countryside. They collected some rent and the family barely survived starvation.
It's just that they are related to Li's family by marriage, and they always talk about it outside, and want to marry the daughter of a good family.
But no one is a fool. Although the Bai family is related to the Li family, but speaking of it, your surname is Bai and his surname is Li. It is clear that there are two families.
Moreover, they have been rich for so long, and they have not seen any kindness to your Bai family, which shows that the relationship is not very close.
That being the case, there is no benefit in being married to your Bai family, so why bother.
The Bai family was in dire straits.
The old lady Bai seized the opportunity to come to her daughter, and pulled Mrs. Bai to talk secretly.
She is clearly here to ask for help, but she has a stern face, saying that Mrs. Bai is married to a good family, and now that she is prosperous, she forgets that her mother and brother are suffering at home, and that her nephew has not married a wife, and she is not worried about seeing her as an aunt. .
Almost never directly denounced Bai's lack of filial piety and family affection.
But the Bai family is very fond of this kind of thing, she made the old lady Bai feel ashamed, thinking that the Li family has a lot of fish and meat all day long, and the Bai family lives in poverty, eating chaff and swallowing vegetables, I am afraid that they will not see each other at the dinner table for half a month Meaty.
Then look at the clothes his mother is wearing, they are still patched, the same clothes she wore last time when she came here. Her mother-in-law is also about the same age, but now she looks like a wealthy old lady, wearing brand-new clothes made of high-quality silk and satin materials, with a few big gold bracelets on her wrists, her face is ruddy, full of vigor, and her life is immeasurable How smooth it is.
Such a comparison made him feel more and more distressed about his old mother, so he hurried back to his room and secretly took a few ingots of silver and gave them to Mrs. Bai.
The old lady Bai immediately took the silver and stuffed it into her bosom, only then did she have a smiling face.
After eating a few cups of tea and some pastries, I said I would go back.
Before leaving, as usual, Mrs. Bai went to the room to get a lot of things, a few pieces of cloth, and some food, seafood, bacon, cakes and so on.
Because of stuffing a lot of things for her natal family, Bai was afraid that people would see her and wouldn't think about it, and she didn't want others to talk about it, so she hired a woman to go. They called a bearer over, paid money, and sent his mother Go back to Bai's house.
Every time.
Fortunately, Old Madam Bai was able to control her daughter, but she also had the sense not to overdo it. Frequent visits to Li's house would displease Mrs. Sun, and that was not a good idea.
However, she is shrewd and understands her daughter's disposition. Even if the purpose is to cry for money every time, she never speaks flattering words, but reprimands her with a cold face, as if she is thinking of Bai's sake. Wearing shabby clothes, Mrs. Bai can always take the initiative to send the money to her, and she will return satisfied every time.
At this moment, Mrs. Bai and Li Zhi were talking, but in fact Li Zhi didn't care much about whether she was doing well in her husband's house, so what? I have already married and become a member of another family, so can I still bring benefits to my family
Let alone a bad life, she chose it herself, and she can't blame others.
But of course Bai would not say this, she just said: "You are lucky, you are pregnant with a man in one fell swoop, you can gain a firm foothold in your husband's family."
Then he sighed again, "Anyway, your elder brother is not young, but there is no boy under his knees. What's the use of a girl who loses money. Gu is mean and sharp, and you are not allowed to house someone in your elder brother's room. Pity us The Li family doesn't have any children and grandchildren yet, and looking at the scenery outside, maybe they are making jokes and calling us extinct behind the scenes!"
This was difficult for Li Zhi to talk about, so after a while, she just whispered: "Mother is not too worried, you see that the elder sister born by sister-in-law is so cute and cute, and she is almost one year old now, I think sister-in-law will meet again soon." Pregnant."
When Bai heard the words, she glanced at Li Zhi, and said quietly: "You have a son yourself, so the words you say are light and light. If you don't have a son, I'm afraid you will hide under the quilt and cry."
Li Zhi looked embarrassed, "Mom, why do you say that, I didn't mean that."
"Okay, they're all girls, mother, why don't you know what you think." Bai Shi snorted.
Li Zhi was embarrassed, she gave birth to a son in her first child, she was really relieved at that time, she was overjoyed, even her mother-in-law said that she was very competitive, and she treated her better after that.
Compared with her natal sister-in-law who gave birth to a daughter, she had to admit that Li Zhi felt a little proud in her heart.
Even if she couldn't compare to Gu Qingci, she gave birth to a son and the other gave birth to a daughter.
From this point alone, Li Zhi felt that nothing else mattered. After all, a woman would have confidence after giving birth to a son.
Although Gu Qingci has a strong temper and her natal family is strong, she can do whatever she wants to do very well. After all, she didn't have a son, and outsiders would always talk about it in private.
After Li Zhi got married, she had more ideas.
When she was in the west courtyard just now, she wanted to say a few more words to Gu Qingci, saying that a woman still has to give birth to a boy for her husband's family. yes.
Because she felt that Gu Qingci was kind to both of her sisters in the past, so she wanted to give something in return.
But in the end she moved her lips and still didn't say it, because she knew her sister-in-law's temperament, and she was afraid that she would be unhappy if she heard it.
If there is resentment towards oneself in the heart and the relationship is ruined, and the elder brother will no longer help the husband's family in the future, then the loss outweighs the gain.
After being silent for a long time, Li Zhi said again: "This matter depends on brother, brother and sister-in-law have a good relationship, mother knows."
It's okay if you don't say this, but once you say it, it arouses the disgust in Bai's heart towards Gu Qingci.
Some people just don't like to see their son and daughter-in-law getting along well.
Obviously Bai is this kind of person.
So I heard her curse: "That foxy son of the Gu family! Jiang Ze'er has been so bewildered, now he won't listen to a word I say!"
Li Zhi once again lamented that Gu Qingci is so powerful, her mother-in-law is not afraid, and she can win over her husband to be single-minded.
She didn't realize that there was some sourness deep in her heart.
Although Li Zhi's husband is good, maybe because he is a warrior, he is a little reticent, so it is impossible to treat her with love and dote on her like his elder brother treats Gu Qingci, as if he treats her like a little girl.
Li Zhi once met for a while, when Gu Qingci lost her temper, her elder brother hugged someone to sit on his lap, hooked Gu Qingci's chin, kissed her face, and whispered those lingering words to coax her She is happy.
At that time, Li Zhi bumped into her by accident, and she was instantly ashamed, and immediately retreated quietly.
But she never forgot this scene.
The thoughts in his head are just a matter of a moment, Li Zhi stopped Bai Shi from talking about Li Chengze, and said: "Mother, don't always say that sister-in-law is wrong in front of your brother. How can such a person not feel a lump in his heart? Broken mother-child relationship."
Li Zhi didn't want her natal family to be uneasy, and she even pointed to her natal family, especially her elder brother, as her backer. People without a natal family and those with a natal family had different circumstances.
How can the Bai family not understand this truth, she knows how to restrain herself now, after all, there is a mother-in-law above who prefers to protect Gu Qingci, so she can't do anything.
Her son's official career is smooth and capable, so she naturally doesn't want to separate from him.
"No, how dare I care about Gu Qingci, saying that she is protected by someone!" Bai's words were full of resentment.
The two talked privately for a long time in the room.
After another half a day, Bai finally mentioned: "She asked you to go over and say something just now."
She was referring to Gu Qingci, of course.
Li Zhi shook his head, "It's nothing, just ordinary words, asking how I am at my husband's house."
Bai Shi didn't ask, but suddenly changed the subject and said, "What do you think of that big maid Yuzhu next to your sister-in-law?"
Li Zhi was stunned for a moment before returning to her senses, with surprise on her face, a little surprised that her mother asked what she was doing, but she still said: "Of course Yuzhu is a good person, her character and appearance are not bad, and she grew up in the Hou family. Mansion, being by Miss Dichu's side, it's no worse than those young daughters."
When Bai heard this, she laughed, "I said yes, the more I look at it, the more I think Yuzhu is pretty good."
"Mom, you are..."
Li Zhi was a little confused by Bai's reaction.
Mrs. Bai looked out of the window and saw that there was no one around, so she lowered her voice and said, "Your grandmother came over a while ago, and happened to see Yuzhu, so she took care of it, and then came again with your mother." Say, say you want to bring Yuzhuping home to your cousin."
Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat, he couldn't believe it, and immediately asked: "Grandmother saw Yuzhu? Let Yuzhu marry her cousin?"
Confused in her heart, she was silent for a while, then said hesitantly, "I'm afraid my sister-in-law won't agree?"
Bai's face was lowered, and she frowned in disdain: "Isn't she just a maid, with a low status, the Bai family can marry such a person, she doesn't say that she is grateful, but she is not willing? What's the reason for this?"
Li Zhi thought about it again, actually asked her to come and see, it is indeed a good way for a maid to marry a good family, but she had a gut feeling that Gu Qingci would not agree.
So he persuaded: "Mother, you know sister-in-law, she has a crush on Yuzhu, and she can't do without people, so why is she willing to marry Yuzhu to her cousin?"
Mrs. Bai said coldly: "Mother knows that Mrs. Gu likes to oppose her everywhere, so she didn't mention this matter. I'm afraid she will veto it if she mentions it. No, that's why I want to ask you for help."
Li Zhi immediately flinched in his heart, and carefully asked: "What does mother want me to help..."
Mrs. Bai said quickly: "It's not difficult to do. You don't want to stay at home for a month. When my uncle leaves tomorrow, if you find some free time in two days, just tell Mrs. Gu to borrow her maid, and then Leading people out and not letting you do anything, Mother arranged for your cousin to meet from a distance, if they both see each other, Gu can't stop it anymore, right?"
Li Zhi always felt that it was not good to do so, so he hesitated in his heart, and said: "Why don't you tell sister-in-law directly, it's good to say that sister-in-law may not agree."
Bai's face grew long, and his tone was harsh: "I didn't ask you to do something like go up the knife mountain and down the oil pan, but you didn't even want to help me with such a small favor, could it be that it's a waste of life to support you! If this is the case, don't come back in the future, the Li family will only treat you as a daughter!"
Li Zhi's complexion was very ugly, white and red.
After a while, he gritted his teeth and agreed.