From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 694: Chapter 696: Paying a Visit

Jin Qianqian was just about to have someone send a reply declining the invitation when Mrs. Wu actually showed up at her door, requesting a meeting.

As soon as she was seated, Mrs. Wu said with a look of shame, "I’ve been so presumptuous in disturbing you today. Please, Mrs. Gu, I hope you can forgive me."

Jin Qianqian waited until a maid served tea before smiling and saying, "Mrs. Wu, you seemed to be in such a hurry to see me. Is there some important matter?"

"It’s about the children in my family," Mrs. Wu said, her face fraught with worry. "Yesterday, you met my niece. I wonder what your impression of her was?"

Jin Qianqian was a little surprised. ’This is far too blunt.’

"A very nice young lady," Jin Qianqian offered a noncommittal answer. After all, they had only met once. How could she have any real impression?

"Sigh, I’ve been worried sick about this niece of mine.

To be honest with you, Madam, this is all rather a private scandal.

But my late sister-in-law and I were so close. When she passed away, I gave her my word that I would help look after her child until she came of age.

But these past few years, with my husband serving his post away from home, my ability to truly help has been very limited.

Now that the girl is growing up and has reached a marriageable age, I wanted to do my part and help her find a good match."

At this, Mrs. Wu gave an apologetic smile. "I’m rambling a bit. I heard that your residence also has several young masters who are looking for marriage partners, which is what gave me the idea."

’These past two days must have been enough time for her to investigate.’

She must have felt that Gu Yi, in particular, was a suitable match in every way. Back then, she herself had also climbed the ladder step by step when she married Wu Haicong.

Even if her niece didn’t have her own good fortune, with a cousin like Mr. Gu looking out for her, her future would be secure.

’She had already sent an inquiry card today. Whether it was to be or not, she shouldn’t have been so forward as to come in person.’

It was just that her brother was too easily swayed. He had originally agreed to let her help with the matchmaking, but he had changed his mind in a very short time.

If that step-sister-in-law of hers was really so kind-hearted, she wouldn’t have ignored her niece for all these years.

Her maiden family was long since ruined, filled with wastrels who did nothing but eat, drink, and make merry. What kind of good marriage could possibly come from a family like that?

The reason she was proposing this marriage now, Mrs. Wu guessed, was that she must have her eye on her former sister-in-law’s substantial dowry.

Jin Qianqian said, "Mrs. Wu, while I am helping the children look for partners, many things still require their consent.

"As you can see, I’ve only just arrived. I’m not familiar with the place or the people, nor am I well-versed in the local customs and social nuances. This is the first time I’ve encountered a matchmaking situation like this, so please allow me some time to consider it."

Jin Qianqian didn’t shut the door completely, but she also didn’t want to condone Mrs. Wu’s methods.

’Even if she’s in a hurry, she still needs to follow the proper etiquette.’

’Rushing to the door like this, no matter how many reasons she has, is improper in every sense.’

Hearing this, Mrs. Wu’s expression became a little awkward.

She had only interacted with Jin Qianqian a few times at banquets. This time, she had indeed been rude first.

She stood up and curtsied. "I have been rude today. I hope you can forgive me, Mrs. Gu."

Jin Qianqian picked up her teacup. "I will consider what you have said, Mrs. Wu."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wu’s eyes brightened slightly. A non-outright rejection was the best news she could hope for.

With this alone, she could persuade her brother to wait a little longer.

As far as the Hou Family was concerned, the Ancient Inspection Commissioner was not someone they could afford to offend.

After the maid had shown her guest out, Jin Qianqian immediately summoned Xu Dawang and Minghai, telling them to go out and investigate more clearly.

She was especially interested in the Hou Family’s inner court. If they could bribe a few servants, the source of their information would be much more reliable.

&

When Gu Wenheng came back for lunch, Jin Qianqian brought the matter up with him. "The one who made inquiries with you before was Wu Qianshi, right?"

Gu Wenheng replied, "It was. Why?"

Jin Qianqian said, "His wife came to visit today. She wants to arrange a marriage for her niece..."

After Jin Qianqian finished explaining, Gu Wenheng pondered for a moment and said, "Wu Qianshi wants to marry off his daughter by a concubine."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. "...So Wu Qianshi doesn’t know about this."

Gu Wenheng understood. "This is just one of those things between wives and concubines. From the looks of it, the Wu family is really not a good match for us."

The official wife despises her, so one can’t expect the daughter of a concubine to secure a good marriage. How well-raised could she possibly be?

Jin Qianqian feared this was the case as well. She had paid special attention at the banquet that day. Some daughters of concubines were raised to be dull and meek, while others were arrogant and snobbish, treating people differently based on their status. It would probably be very difficult for such a person to manage a household.

They were all young ladies raised in the seclusion of the inner court, less capable of handling matters than a daughter from a common family.

"His two daughters by concubines are not suitable," Jin Qianqian’s first reaction was to shake her head in denial.

Mrs. Wu had also taken her to meet those two girls. Their attitude toward their official mother was very perfunctory, showing they hadn’t been raised under her guidance.

But that wasn’t the main reason she rejected them. It was their furtive, assessing gazes that made her extremely uncomfortable.

"If you feel it’s inappropriate, then turn it down." Gu Wenheng didn’t ask for details. "There’s no need to rush these things. We can take our time looking. If we find someone suitable, we’ll help arrange it. If not, we’ll just throw the responsibility back to their own parents to worry about."

Jin Qianqian felt the same way. After all, some of the boys weren’t that old yet, so they could take their time searching.

"However, I do think we can consider Miss Hou," Jin Qianqian said. After having some time to cool down and think, she had gained some clarity.

Gu Wenheng turned his head to look at her, an expression on his face that said he was all ears.

Jin Qianqian explained, "When I saw her, I found her to be quite steady. Despite growing up in a family like that, I didn’t see a trace of gloom in her eyes.

"Thinking about it selfishly, her upbringing actually makes her a more suitable match for Gu Yi than others might be."

Gu Wenheng’s interest was piqued. "How so?" he asked.

"It shows that besides her paternal grandmother, she isn’t close to anyone else in her maiden family. Gu Yi is destined to return to Fu County someday, and his ties here will gradually fade.

"To be selfish, it means this girl will definitely be more devoted to her own small family in the future."

Gu Wenheng said, "What if Gu Yi wrongs her in the future..."

Jin Qianqian snorted coldly. "Don’t forget the Gu family’s clan rules. You were the one who revised them with the Old Clan Leader."

Even if Gu Yi becomes wildly successful in the future, he wouldn’t dare violate the clan rules. Barring any accidents, he will likely be the next Clan Leader, which means he’ll have to set an even better example.

Gu Sanbu had previously schemed to have Gu Yuanshui take over his position as Clan Leader, but Gu Yuanshui refused, so he had to turn his attention to his eldest grandson.

After Gu Yi is fortunate enough to pass the exam and become a Scholar, he will probably teach at the village’s clan school for a while and take over the Old Clan Leader’s position at the same time.

Gu Wenheng said, "Then have someone investigate more thoroughly. Gu Yi’s wife must be chosen with great care. We can’t just settle."