Chapter 798 - 800: Demanding
Chapter 798: Chapter 800: Demanding
Jin Qianqian understood his disappointment. As his position climbed higher over the years, the number of people he could genuinely associate with had dwindled. When they returned this time, the elders in the clan and the Gu Family Brothers were no longer as easygoing as before; their words even carried a hint of flattery. This distant and formal interaction left a bad taste in not just Gu Wenheng’s mouth, but Jin Qianqian’s as well.
"It’s alright. Once we spend a few days together, everyone’s unfamiliarity will fade," Jin Qianqian comforted him. "Didn’t you mention before that you wanted to retire and spend your old age here? We’ll put in more effort these next few days, and I’m sure things will feel familiar again."
Gu Wenheng knew she was just consoling him. With the gap in their statuses now so vast, how could things ever return to the way they were? He quickly adjusted his mindset and smiled. "It doesn’t matter. My wife loves buying properties so much. By the time we travel around and visit them all, a long time will have passed before we even return here.
"Let’s see how the Holy Emperor arranges things this time. Once Luo Luo has grown up enough to take over, I can finally enjoy a few years of peace as his father."
"He’s still too young," Jin Qianqian replied. "I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while longer."
"Always telling the blunt truth. But regarding Cancan, have you really decided to let him take over your businesses?" Gu Wenheng asked again.
They had discussed this issue before. In this dynasty, the social status of merchants was not high. Even with his father and older brother to back him up, he would still be looked down upon when stepping out into society.
"The child likes it," Jin Qianqian said. "On the way here, I also told him that he must obtain at least a scholar degree."
Gu Ben Can’s temperament was not as steady as his older brother’s; he could never stay in one place for long.
"Besides, that boy is careless and free-spirited all day long. Do you really think he’s suited for the officialdom?" Jin Qianqian added.
"Let him be, then," Gu Wenheng said. "However, his personality is too erratic. You still need to rein him in a bit. You can’t let him do whatever he wants so quickly."
"His personality is only this erratic because of how much you two roughhouse together," Jin Qianqian said, shooting him a look. Outside, Gu Wenheng always maintained a strict and majestic facade, but the moment he returned home, he always teased the children until they squealed, ’AHHH!’
Gu Wenheng touched his nose. He only wanted to bond with his child; he never expected to actually lead his personality astray! "It’s better for boys to have an outgoing personality. Besides, look at Luo Luo. Didn’t I raise him the same way? He’s very steady."
Jin Qianqian looked at him with sheer suspicion. "Are you sure Luo Luo is steady?"
"They’re just minor pranks. Boys always have their own peculiar hobbies..." Under his wife’s scrutinizing gaze, Gu Wenheng couldn’t bring himself to continue. Their eldest son was exactly like him, having two completely different faces in public and in private. He truly couldn’t shift the blame for this one.
The people nearby received the news much faster than they had anticipated. After only one night had passed, numerous carriages arrived at the village entrance early the next morning. Gu Wenheng’s guards stood watch at the entrance, while the visitors gathered there to hand in their calling cards. Gu Wenheng naturally gave special treatment to the local parents official, who was the first to be allowed into the village. As for the rest, Gu Wenheng had his men accept their cards and politely turn them away. He had returned to rest and reunite with the elders of his family; he did not want to cause unnecessary complications.
However, several relatives and clan members rushed back, instantly livening up the otherwise quiet village. Gu Yuanfeng, whom Jin Qianqian and her husband had discussed earlier, also brought the Shi Family along in a grand procession to visit her maiden home.
Seeing her holding her head high, Jin Qianqian inexplicably thought of a rooster crowing at dawn. Liu Liu stood to the side, winking and grimacing at her. Even Li Cuicui, who always greeted people with a smiling face, darkened her expression.
"Mother, I’ve brought the children back to see you. I heard Old Seventh and his family returned, so I brought the kids to get acquainted with everyone." Gu Yuanfeng cast a sidelong glance at Jin Qianqian and spoke entirely of her own accord to Li Cuicui. No matter what a grand official’s wife Old Seventh’s spouse was out in the world, she still had to be filial to her mother-in-law at home.
"Then you’d better keep those children of yours in check," Li Cuicui said with a dark face. "Didn’t you say you brought them to get acquainted? Then have them come over and kowtow to their Seventh Aunt and Seventh Great-Aunt."
Gu Wenheng was entertaining the male guests on the other side, so the female guests and children were mostly gathered here. At this moment, Jin Qianqian also noticed Chuncao and Chun Ya following behind Gu Yuanfeng. The two sisters looked very similar, but Li Chuncao was visibly much thinner and weaker. Perhaps her life was unsatisfactory, for even her formerly delicate and charming appearance had completely vanished. She simply stood there with a sallow, wooden face and lifeless eyes. Beside her were two equally emaciated little girls, causing Jin Qianqian to frown involuntarily. Logically speaking, the Shi family’s current living conditions were quite good. Why had they raised the children to look like this?
On the other hand, Li Chunya kept casting curious glances her way, repeatedly looking as though she wanted to say something but stopping herself. She secretly reached out to tug at Li Chuncao’s sleeve, but Li Chuncao completely ignored her.
Gu Yuanfeng walked over and gave the two sisters a shove. "Why are you just standing there like idiots? Can’t you see your Seventh Aunt is here? Hurry up and take the children to kowtow.
"As long as you can curry favor with your Seventh Aunt, whatever scraps slip from her fingers will be enough to make you rich.
"You’re both born with such cheap lives, yet you don’t even know how to conduct yourselves. You’re an eyesore just to look at."
Li Chuncao pulled the two children down to kneel before Jin Qianqian and called out "Seventh Aunt" in a muffled voice. She then instructed the two children, "Hurry and kowtow to your Seventh Great-Aunt."
As for Chun Ya, who was still standing there, Li Chuncao did not even spare her a glance. Li Chunya only felt a wave of grievance. She had wanted to listen to her eldest sister and stay far away from the Shi Family, but who could have expected that their own mother hated the two sisters so much that she insisted on pushing them into that fire pit. Now that the marriage contract was signed, what else could she do? Reluctantly, she knelt behind her sister and two nieces, calling out, "Seventh Aunt."
Jin Qianqian had already signaled the waiting maids to help them up the moment they knelt. Her senior maid had already brought over the prepared gifts and was waiting to the side. Jin Qianqian casually picked up two beaded bracelets and slipped them onto He Chuncao and He Chunya’s wrists. As for the two little girls, they each received two gold ingots.
"Qianqian, why did you only give gifts to the two of them? Didn’t you prepare a share for me, your older sister? I can see the things on your tray are just meant to dismiss little servant girls. I am Old Seventh’s biological sister; you should give me a few sets of fine jewelry at the very least."
Li Cuicui slapped her directly on the back of the head. "You sure have the nerve to ask! Have you ever cared for your two nephews since they were born?
"Don’t you know that relationships require give and take? Yet you actually dare to ask for things?
"I’m putting my foot down today. From now on, your maiden family won’t give you a single cent. Aren’t you so capable? Since you can make your own decisions, then don’t ever come begging to your maiden family again."
Saying this, Li Cuicui cast a complicated look at her two granddaughters, a faint sense of regret rising in her heart.