Chapter 1419: Rejected
Chapter 1419: Chapter 1419: Rejected
The soldiers from southern prefectures are unfamiliar with the north, and the court fears they might not win battles. Thus, they dispatched a group of northern military generals to the Northwest to lead the southern troops, and Fan Tian was among them.
Old Lady Fan, being old, feared that separating from her son might mean meeting again only in hell. So she simply followed along, saying at least they could see each other one more time before her death.
Many were moved by Old Lady Fan’s motherly love, and some praised her nobility, writing petitions to the Capital, requesting the Emperor to confer honors upon Old Lady Fan.
When leaving Yongtai Prefecture, officials, wealthy families, and citizens of the whole city came out to bid farewell. It was grand and packed the large official road.
Gu Jinli and the others watched from afar for a while. Originally, they should have gone to visit at that time, but Old Lady Fan said not to delay the army’s journey. Only then did Mrs. Kuang come to call them over.
Gu Jinli and Ji Zhenniang nodded in agreement: "Old Lady Fan is Madam Imperial Decree and an elder, so naturally we must go visit her."
"Then let’s quickly take the visiting gifts and go. There are quite a few Company Commanders’ wives from various prefectures. If we don’t hurry, we might have to wait in line." Mrs. Kuang already had a carrying case ready and was ready to leave.
Erqing had already prepared the gifts, while Ji Zhenniang needed to go back to fetch hers. However, Xie Huaihua, efficient in her tasks, brought the gifts for Ji Zhenniang before she returned.
"Madam, the lord instructed the slave to bring the visiting gifts." Xie Huaihua came over from a distance, smiling and saluting Ji Zhenniang.
Ji Zhenniang glared at her and cursed, "Does Xie Cheng have no legs? Can’t he deliver them himself?!"
What does this mean by having you deliver them? Does he really want to take you as a concubine?!
Xie Huaihua hurriedly said, "Madam misunderstands, the lord feared madam might be in a hurry to visit Old Lady Fan, so he instructed me to first deliver the gifts."
"Hmph!" Ji Zhenniang was still displeased.
Mrs. Kuang, amused, said, "Lady Xie, are you jealous?"
Ji Zhenniang’s expression changed, she protested stubbornly, "Nonsense, how could a maid be worthy of my jealousy?!"
Mrs. Kuang chuckled, seeing that she was so angry she could almost devour the little maid.
Gu Jinli, tired of Ji Zhenniang’s antics, said, "Stop scolding, quickly pick up the gifts and visit Old Lady Fan. Some Company Commanders’ wives have already gone over."
As they spoke, Qin San Lang and Xie Cheng approached quickly.
Qin San Lang gazed at her with an involuntary tenderness in his eyes, saying to her, "Xiao Yu, we need to visit General Fan, and we might return late tonight. After visiting Old Lady Fan, go home and rest. If there’s anything, have someone call me. Don’t worry about me being too busy socializing to come out."
Tsk tsk tsk, Mrs. Kuang admired greatly, thinking that Company Commander Qin’s words, combined with his gaze, were so tender that they could squeeze water. Truly remarkable—despite Gu’s unattractive appearance, he could still show such deep affection—most people couldn’t do it.
However, Mrs. Kuang still inwardly called Qin San Lang a wolf pup.
Ji Zhenniang was less polite, openly cursing Qin San Lang, "Ugh, pretentious and deceiving scoundrel!"
Xie Cheng quickly intervened, "Zhenniang, stop! How can you say such things?"
Ji Zhenniang turned to glare at him, righteously saying, "That Qin eats soft food and cheats Gu Xiaoyu out of money, completely unscrupulous. Why should I not say it? Are you thinking of learning from him?!"
"..." Xie Cheng had a headache and could only pull her aside to soothe her.
Gu Jinli found it both amusing and pitiful, looking up at Qin San Lang, she said, "I’m sorry."
It was all because she had made herself look too ugly, that everyone thought he couldn’t possibly love her; all tenderness and affection seemed fake, just to mooch off the Gu Family.
Qin San Lang shook his head with a smile, "It’s alright, it’s not Xiao Yu’s fault."
Receiving the thick cape handed over by Nanny Tao, he draped it over her and fastened it securely. After stroking her cheek with his finger, he smiled, "Go ahead."
Mrs. Kuang was stupefied; Qin Ruofan really was ruthless, desiring money over life, and especially good at pretending!
Thinking of Ji Zhenniang’s earlier words, she looked at Gu Jinli with sympathy, feeling Qin Ruofan might indeed kill her along the way.
Gu was still naively gazing at Qin Ruofan, smiling sweetly, saying, "Hmm, I’m leaving now. Feel free to socialize; don’t worry about me."
With that, she took Nanny Tao and Erqing, called to Ji Zhenniang and Mrs. Kuang, and headed toward the station together.
However, Mrs. Kuang knew that some wealthy families and high-ranking officials’ wives liked to give meeting gifts, so she brought along the younger Niu Sijin, Niu Wujin, Niu Liu Jin, and Niu Qijin, having them visit Old Lady Fan and rake in some meeting gifts!
"Mrs. Qin, Mrs. Xie!" The golds saluted Gu Jinli and Ji Zhenniang.
Gu Jinli smiled, "Oh, you’re here too."
Ji Zhenniang knew why Mrs. Kuang brought the golds to visit Old Lady Fan, feeling it was a disgrace to her face, she indignantly snorted without acknowledging the golds.
The golds didn’t mind, with Sijin holding Qijin, following behind them.
At the station’s entrance, they met Mrs. Cen holding her daughter’s hand.
Seeing her, Gu Jinli felt queasy inside; Daqing reported that Mrs. Cen and Ding Ge had slept together already, and not just once... Lu Chong indeed was despicable, but Ding Ge only used and humiliated Mrs. Cen. She didn’t understand why Mrs. Cen kept going back to be slept with repeatedly. Couldn’t she act tough and deal with those scumbags?
"Mrs. Qin, Mrs. Xie, Mrs. Niu, you’ve come; I was just waiting for you." Mrs. Cen said timidly, "I don’t dare to visit Old Lady Fan alone; could I ask you ladies to accompany me?"
Then she hurriedly had her daughter greet them.
Sister Tang, trained by Mrs. Cen, called in a baby voice, "Hello Aunt Qin, hello Aunt Xie, hello Aunt Niu~"
Since Mrs. Cen had even used her child as a wedge, they couldn’t show her a bad face. They smiled and nodded, and together entered the station to ask to see Old Lady Fan.
Old Lady Fan was a popular figure; many Company Commanders’ wives had come to visit her. Gu Jinli and the others were a bit late and had to queue.
After waiting for three-quarters of an hour, it was finally their turn. Unfortunately, they were met with disappointment as Gu Jinli was stopped by Old Lady Fan’s maid.
The maid Chunzhi stood at a distance, covering her nose and mouth, and said to Gu Jinli, "Mrs. Qin, my old madam sat in the carriage all day and was shaken to the point of nausea... Please be considerate."
The meaning was clear: Gu Family, have some shame, don’t you know your own appearance? Get lost, don’t come here to disgust our old madam!
Gu Jinli: "..."
Am I being despised?
Ji Zhenniang, still loyal, seeing Gu Jinli being stopped, angrily pointed at Chunzhi and said, "You little maid... Ah! Gu Xiaoyu stay away from me, don’t touch me!"
Gu Jinli quickly grasped Ji Zhenniang’s wrist, successfully making Ji Zhenniang swallow her words that could offend Old Lady Fan, glaring at her in horror, shaking as she said, "I warn you, don’t come near me again!"
Seeing this, Chunzhi scoffed, thinking that Ji was about to speak for Gu, but ended up being disgusted by Gu herself first, so it’s no wonder the old madam despises Gu—it’s only natural that anyone would.