Chapter 1400: Unwilling
Chapter 1400: Chapter 1400: Unwilling
Gu Jin’an frowned, looked at his brother for a moment, and asked, "Really unwilling?"
Brother Cheng put on a serious face and nodded heavily, "Unwilling."
He added, "Uncle Shang’s family has been kind to ours. I’m willing to take care of Yuanyuan for a lifetime, to back her up and support her, but only as a brother, not in any other capacity."
To be honest, Gu Jin’an was a bit shocked. He patted Brother Cheng’s head and sighed, "You’ve really grown up, already thinking like this."
Young Master Dou looked on with disdain: "Do you think he’s still young? When I was his age, I was already reading ’The Collection of Spring in the Inner Chambers of Female Scholars.’"
Brother Cheng asked, confused, "What’s that?"
Young Master Dou leaned in, grinning mischievously, "Wanna know? I can sell you a couple of volumes."
Gu Jin’an’s face darkened with anger, "Stop saying whatever comes to your mind, he’s not at that age yet."
Seeing Brother Cheng’s look of sudden realization, he promptly gave him a smack on the head and warned, "Don’t get any funny ideas, or I’ll beat you up."
Brother Cheng covered his head, feeling very wronged; he didn’t think of anything, it was Young Master Dou who mentioned it.
"Come on, let’s go help Dad entertain the guests, I’m going out to check if Master should be arriving soon." Last night, when he passed through Shang Family Village, he had visited the Shang family, but Master’s family had gone to the county. However, Ah Jiu said Master would come today for the wedding feast.
He warned Young Master Dou again, "Stop talking about Yuanyuan and Guo Qiang’s matter. Yuanyuan is a young girl, too much talk would harm her reputation."
Yuanyuan is dear to both Master and Mistress. He was very concerned and went to the entrance to wait for Scholar Shang right after speaking.
Fortunately, Scholar Shang and his wife arrived shortly after, accompanied by Madam Jiang and her daughters-in-law, even Shang Yuanyuan came along.
Seeing Shang Yuanyuan, Gu Jin’an’s joy was evident. He immediately went up, first greeting Scholar Shang and his family, "Greetings to Master and Mistress, greetings to Grandma Jiang, Second Aunt Jiang."
Gu Jinxiu’s blessed attendee was still Jiang Qi’s wife, Mrs. Lian, who had arrived early and was in Gu Jinxiu’s room at that moment.
Jiang Dahu, Jiang Qi, and Jiang Jiao were at the Luo family.
Shang Yuanyuan saluted Gu Jin’an, "Greetings, Brother Gu."
Gu Jin’an nodded with satisfaction, and said, "It’s good that you’re here. Brother always knew you had promise, wouldn’t be held back by worldly matters."
Upon hearing this, Shang Yuanyuan raised her head and smiled, "Rest assured, Brother Gu. Sister Xiao Yu has taught me that as long as one’s conscience is clear, there’s no need to care what others say. We’re living for ourselves, not others."
Gu Jin’an felt comforted hearing this, Yuanyuan is the only daughter, wanting to uphold the family business and protect her parents and herself requires such determination!
Ms. Jiang’s eyes reddened, she held Yuanyuan’s hand and said, "You girl, saying such things at the front door, aren’t you afraid of what others might say?"
Jiang Jiao’s wife, however, said, "Our Yuanyuan isn’t wrong at all, and it’s good that she said something so strong for others to hear."
Madam Jiang nodded, "Second daughter-in-law is right, you should be more assertive like Yuanyuan."
Ms. Jiang nodded, "Mom, Second Sister-in-law, I’ll be more assertive in the future, won’t let anyone bully us!"
If Yuanyuan can be strong, as her mother, she shouldn’t be weak either.
Afraid of embarrassing Scholar Shang, she turned back to him and said, "Husband, you’ve already done very well over the years, I have no intention to blame you."
Scholar Shang smiled, "We’ve been married a lifetime, of course I know you best, no need to say such things. In truth, I didn’t do well, causing you and Yuanyuan to suffer."
Scholar Shang cherished Ms. Jiang the most, his words full of partiality and self-reproach.
But Ms. Jiang shook her head, "No, husband did very well, it’s just me who’s lacking a bit."
Jiang Jiao’s wife was about to laugh to death, "You two are something else, everyone knows you have a good relationship, but you shouldn’t be so lovey-dovey here, hurry inside."
Everyone else laughed after hearing this.
Scholar Shang was a bit embarrassed, seeing Ms. Jiang blushing and lowering her head, he secretly squeezed her hand, comforted her, released it shortly after, and followed Gu Jin’an into the Gu family home.
Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui came out to greet Madam Jiang, "Greeting Aunt Jiang."
The two families were getting more familiar, not only did Gu Jin’an and his siblings call Madam Jiang "Grandma Jiang," but even Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui changed to calling her "Aunt Jiang."
Madam Jiang gently helped them up and asked, "Won the case?"
Mrs. Cui replied, "Won, won, both Manager Feng and Assistant Judge Jia were arrested."
Madam Jiang, hearing this, clasped her hands together and offered thanks to heaven, "God bless, finally won."
Jiang Jiao’s wife said, "The whole county was paying attention to this case. Now that news of your family’s win against the Lord Deputy Magistrate spreads, no one will dare to covet your family business anymore."
After San Lang and Xiao Yu left, many wanted to bully the Gu family again. Now that those who first acted gained nothing but lost their family and lives, no one dared to harbor such thoughts anymore.
Mrs. Cui smiled, "Thank you all for your concern."
As they spoke, Mrs. Cui led Madam Jiang and her party to Gu Jinxiu’s room, while Scholar Shang followed Gu Jin’an and the others to the guest hall for male guests.
...
An hour later, the joyful sounds of music and drums began, and the Luo family came to welcome the bride. After a series of intricate and ancient rituals, Gu Jinxiu donned the bridal veil, bid farewell to her parents and family, and was led out of the house by Brother Luo Wu.
Gu Jin’an watched Gu Jinxiu in her bright red wedding gown, his eyes reddening... He and his elder sister were dragon and phoenix twins; he was the one who understood her best and cared for her the most.
He stepped forward, pressing down on Luo Wu’s shoulder with a warning, "Don’t be foolish again, don’t do anything to make Sister sad again, this is your last chance."
To Big Sister, Brother Luo Wu was different, to him, also different. Many years were spent with Brother Luo Wu protecting him and Big Sister.
But he was fiercely protective, even Brother Luo Wu couldn’t compare to a sister born in the same womb. If Luo Wu dared to make Big Sister sad again, he would not give him another chance and would directly let them divorce, taking Big Sister back to live at home for a lifetime!
"Good Brother An..." Gu Jinxiu cried again, this younger brother was fiercely protective, yet still let her marry Brother Luo Wu, he truly had her best interests in mind, wanting her to have her wish fulfilled.
Luo Wu looked at Gu Jin’an and solemnly swore, "I, Luo Wu, do swear, should I be foolish again and make Sister Xiu sad, may I have a miserable end!"
"Pfft, pfft, pfft, on such a joyous day, how can you say such things?" The matchmaker stepped in to smooth things over, smiling, "Brother-in-law, rest assured, the groom is a good lad, he’ll surely treat the bride well."
Gu Jin’an said no more, nodded, smiled, and happily sent Gu Jinxiu out.
Watching the departing wedding procession, Gu Jin’an breathed a sigh of relief... finally, both pieces of Bai Cai had been married off!
...
Luo Wu and Gu Jinxiu’s wedding banquet was very lively, the guests attending were all prominent figures, and even Madam Guo sent gifts during their wedding ceremony.