From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 797: Chapter 799: Things Have Changed

Liu Liu looked thoroughly resentful. "Isn’t it because Chun Ya is of age now? The He family originally said they would take Chun Ya back and have her marry from their house.

"They said since there are two daughters, each family would take care of one.

"Once the child was taken away, it wouldn’t be our place to intervene anymore, but Mother just couldn’t let it go."

Liu Liu only dared to bring this up seeing the old lady engrossed in chatting with her young grandson over there.

"Then Gu Yuanfeng came back to her maiden home and convinced the old lady to step in, which at least scared off the He family.

"But look at what she did instead! Rather than finding a good family for Chun Ya, she actually betrothed her to a nephew from the Shi family branch.

"If that nephew of the Shi family were a decent person, we would have happily sent the girl off to marry him.

"But that boy is up to no good at all. Brother-in-law Shi pleaded for him back then, letting him study in the clan school for a few years. Later, he was expelled by the teacher over some incidents and has been idling at home ever since.

"I heard he doesn’t even do farm work. He just loafs around all day. It’s simply not a good match for her.

"Our family went over to persuade her, but what did she say? She said the daughter is hers, so naturally, she calls the shots. Tell me, what else could we aunts possibly say?"

Jin Qianqian was utterly speechless. Why did Gu Yuanfeng’s mind work in such a bizarre way?

Even if she disliked her daughter, she shouldn’t have degraded her like this.

"Is the child’s marriage finalized?"

Xie Ruyi also spoke with an angry expression, "Gu Yuanfeng was afraid we would continue meddling in her business, so she directly accepted the betrothal gifts and registered it at the government office.

"She really has some nerve. Now that Chun Ya is preparing to marry, she even came to our door to invite us, saying we aunts should add to the dowry."

Every year, Jin Qianqian would leave a sum of silver with Li Cuicui for social niceties. For things like customary gifts and adding to dowries, Li Cuicui would arrange them all together.

Wang Caiyue chimed in, "The old lady was so furious at the time that she grabbed a broom right then and there to chase her out. She only stopped when the old man spoke up."

Jin Qianqian fell silent.

"It’s a good thing she’s a married-out daughter," Hong Daya, who had previously taken this matter to the Clan Leader, interjected. "Grandpa Sanbu even said that if Gu Yuanfeng continues to act so recklessly, he will have Mother and Father sever ties with her."

"Shouldn’t you guys go talk to Stone Son-in-law about this? She is his wife; it’s impossible that he knows nothing about this," Jin Qianqian pointed out the crux of the matter.

Liu Liu and the others fell silent. It was Xie Ruyi who spoke up. "Your eldest brother and the rest went to talk to Shi Dayong about this, but he brushed it off, claiming he couldn’t do anything and that his wife was in charge of everything inside and outside the house.

"Hmph, he just assumes we haven’t caught him red-handed and wouldn’t want a falling out. All that nonsense about him not knowing or being helpless is pure bullshit. With every single incident, the Shi family is the one reaping the benefits!

"Only Gu Yuanfeng is foolish enough. Over the years, she’s been jumping around making a fuss, offending almost everyone. Yet she hasn’t even raised her own son well. Even so, they still delusionally covet our family’s girls."

At this point, Xie Ruyi cast a sympathetic glance at Hong Daya opposite her. "Doesn’t she realize she’s a daughter of the Gu family? What good does it do her to ruin her own nieces’ reputations?"

Jin Qianqian already had a very poor impression of Gu Yuanfeng, and a wave of disgust surged in her heart.

Over the years, she had seen all sorts of people out in the world with Gu Wenheng, but she never expected the most troublesome ones to be right beside her.

"Qianqian, you have to be careful," Liu Liu warned her in a hushed voice. "Previously, Gu Yuanfeng wanted you to take that boy of hers out into the world. She’s come home a few times over the past few years to bring it up again, but she was rejected by the clan, as well as Father and Mother.

"The main issue is that the child is truly quite unruly. If he were really sent over to you, he might end up causing you trouble. Just be on your guard these next few days; she’ll probably bring it up again."

Ever since the young men who went out with Gu Wenheng and the others had all secured good futures and marriages, Gu Yuanfeng had been running over even more frequently for this matter.

Jin Qianqian had already guessed as much. There really was trouble everywhere you went; even in this small village, every family had their own schemes.

Seeing that Jin Qianqian didn’t take the bait, everyone shifted to other trivial matters, which inevitably led to questions about her children’s marriages.

Gu Benluo had also long reached the age of marriage, and everyone was even more curious about his future partner.

Now that Gu Wenheng’s official rank was so high, and Luo Luo himself was quite capable—having already become a scholar at such a young age—they figured he would be matched with ladies from prestigious families.

Jin Qianqian used her usual excuse, "That boy has a strong mind of his own. He said he’s entirely focused on the imperial examinations, so his marriage will only be considered after this upcoming special exam.

"As for potential matches, we truly haven’t thought about it. When the time comes, if we find someone suitable and Luo Luo is also willing, we’ll settle it then."

Having been asked by so many people over the years, Jin Qianqian’s prepared reasons rolled off her tongue naturally.

"You really have it good, Qianqian," the sisters-in-law of the Gu family looked at Jin Qianqian with a hint of envy. Not only was her husband capable, but even the son she bore was so impressive.

Even Gu Ben Can, whom they had only met today, was exceptionally endearing with his sweet words, although it was too early to tell if he had any real talents. Li Cuicui had been reluctant to let go of his hand, the smile never leaving her face.

"Not really, everyone is living a good life now," Jin Qianqian took the opportunity to compliment them in return. "Our nephews and nieces are all doing quite well, too. Look at you all, you already have grandchildren to hold, while my two will still take a while."

As her two children grew older, Jin Qianqian was becoming more and more accepting of her own gradual aging.

At first, she had felt a bit uncomfortable at the mention of becoming a grandmother, but now she even looked forward to it a little.

Speaking of children, everyone began talking about their own grandchildren.

Seeing the topic shift away, Jin Qianqian quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After a brief rest, Gu Wenheng, accompanied by his brothers, brought incense and candles to the ancestral hall.

Gu Wenheng hadn’t been able to return to pay his respects to his ancestors during his past few promotions, leaving his brothers and nephews to do it in his stead. Coming back this time, he naturally had to visit the ancestral hall to offer his respects.

As if knowing they would arrive, the clan members were already waiting there.

Gu Wenheng was the pride of the Gu family, as well as the village. Knowing that his return over the years was a rare occurrence and that he needed time to catch up with the elders at home, everyone had refrained from visiting to disturb him, opting instead to wait quietly here.

Seeing so many people waiting here, Gu Wenheng shed his imposing aura and instantly transformed into a friendly neighbor, greeting everyone he saw.

Seeing that he could still recognize them and call out their names after all these years, everyone stood there, smiling with excitement.

Upon seeing a few elders, Gu Wenheng bowed in greeting. This startled Gu Sanbu and the others so much that they hurriedly supported him, repeatedly saying, "Please, there’s no need, there’s no need..."

After the ancestral sacrifices were completed, these people didn’t dare to hold him back for too long to catch up. They straightforwardly mentioned that his journey back must have been exhausting, urging him to get a good rest first and talk another day.

This level of consideration was even more profound than in previous years; Gu Wenheng even noticed that quite a few people didn’t dare to look him directly in the eye.

"Things have still changed," Gu Wenheng whispered softly to Jin Qianqian upon returning home, a hint of bitterness in his tone.