Chapter 1423: Sending People
Chapter 1423: Chapter 1423: Sending People
Gu Jinli smiled and greeted her, "Greetings to the Old Madam, wishing the Old Madam well. Responding to the Old Madam, I am indeed the Qin Family Woman, Gu."
"Not bad, she’s well-mannered." Old Lady Fan was slightly surprised, having heard that the Gu Family were refugees from the famine, yet their etiquette and mannerism seemed quite dignified and not crude.
Old Lady Fan lifted her hand, intending to treat Gu Jinli as she would others, inviting her to sit nearby for conversation, but the foul scent filling the tent made her reconsider, quickly lowering her hand.
Gu Jinli knew the Old Lady Fan was unimpressed with her, but didn’t get upset, instead smiled and said, "Old Madam, today the servants in the family found some snake ointment grass roots, which can relieve itchiness when applied to frostbite after being ground into juice. I’ve brought some for you; I hope the Old Madam won’t disdain it, and will accept my small gift."
Having spoken, she looked at Erqing and Xiao Ji, who promptly handed the two bags of snake ointment grass roots to the maid beside Old Lady Fan.
Seeing this, Old Lady Fan nodded in satisfaction.
This Gu is quite good, practical and generous, sending snake ointment grass in sacks, full two large bags, enough for the servants and soldiers on her side to divide.
But...
Old Lady Fan looked at Gu Jinli, then at Erqing and Xiao Ji, and asked, "Are these two maidens the concubine maids of Company Commander Qin?"
The three of Gu Jinli were stunned, Xiao Ji hurriedly said, "No, no, the slave is just the maid of Madam!"
Oh God, the husband is so terrifying, just one extra glance at him is enough to give you nightmares, why would this Old Lady Fan think they were the husband’s concubine maids?
Moreover, the husband wouldn’t agree either.
The husband is quite fond of Young Master, and would never accept a concubine or keep maidens; the Gu Family also wouldn’t allow the husband to keep them; if the husband dared have a second thought, they would poison him!
Not to mention Erqing, they are trained by the master to serve Madam.
During training, the master said that if they dared to develop a second thought towards Madam or any untoward ideas, they’d die suffering a brutal punishment.
"Not?" Old Lady Fan furrowed her brow, reproachfully said to Gu Jinli, "You as a wife really aren’t diligent enough... You are alone; each month there are days you can’t serve, and your appearance is not appealing; you should find two people to serve Company Commander Qin, so he doesn’t go out looking, bringing back illness, which wouldn’t be good for you."
Gu Jinli chuckled, "I thank your ancestors greatly."
I kindly bring you herbs, and you want to disrupt our marital bond, living in the ocean or in heaven, you’re meddling too much.
However, there’s more meddling yet.
Old Lady Fan saw she was silent, knowing she was displeased, but continued speaking with a benevolent tone: "I too have been through this, understanding you young wives are reluctant to share a husband with other women, yet as the main wife, you should possess the dignity of a great wife, not be petty."
Then pointed at Chunzhi and another younger maid, saying: "Since your maid isn’t a concubine maid, and I don’t see many other maids around you, it’s just right I have two well-looking and good-tempered maids here for you to take back for Company Commander Qin, no need to be polite with me."
No need to be polite?
Hearing this, Gu Jinli almost sneered, "Old Madam, you certainly are impolite."
"Chunzhi and Dongzhi, go pay respects to your sister, from now on listen to Sister Gu, serve Company Commander Qin, and bear some boys for the Qin family to continue the lineage." Old Lady Fan ignored Gu Jinli’s scornful face, directing Chunzhi and Dongzhi to pay respects to Gu Jinli and have them call her sister.
"Yes." Chunzhi and Dongzhi obediently approached to pay respects to Gu Jinli but were held back by Erqing and Xiao Ji, who grabbed their arms to prevent it.
"Sister Gu?"
"Sister Gu?"
Chunzhi and Dongzhi looked at Gu Jinli with tears in their eyes, then turned back to Old Lady Fan, choking up, "Old Madam."
Appearing as though Gu Jinli was bullying them, seeking Old Lady Fan to intervene.
Old Lady Fan’s face darkened, staring at Gu Jinli, asking, "Gu, what do you mean? Do you think they aren’t worthy to be your sisters?"
Gu Jinli unceremoniously replied, "Old Madam, you’re right; they have slave registers, and definitely aren’t fit to be sisters to a person of good register like me."
First meeting presenting my husband with concubines, why, do you think I’m a quail, must follow whatever you, the old hen, decree?
Old Lady Fan wasn’t expecting Gu Jinli to say such words, nearly fainting from anger, pointed at Gu Jinli, saying, "I know you’re upset, but I’m doing this for your own good. You aren’t attractive, any man wouldn’t want to touch you, and if you don’t hurry to find someone to serve Company Commander Qin, he will go out searching."
Gu Jinli’s expression remained unchanged, retorted, "Then let him go out searching, and if he does, I will divorce."
"Divorce?!" Old Lady Fan was shocked, "Gu, are you crazy? How can you utter such rebellious words!"
Gu Jinli replied, "Old Madam can reach so far, why can’t I say such words? Moreover, what’s rebellious about this? Divorce, separation, or living harmoniously together are solely matters between us as spouses, we can decide whatever we like."
No need for outsiders to meddle.
"You shut up!" Old Lady Fan was about to explode with fury, never thought Gu, a refugee, would dare speak to her, a fourth-rank imperial decree madam, like this.
No wonder she was a refugee, truly crude and without family upbringing!
"Old body asks you one last time, do Chunzhi and Dongzhi have the qualification to call you sister?" Old Lady Fan displayed the airs of an official’s mother, threatening and stating: "Think carefully, this concerns Company Commander Qin’s career."
Gu Jinli laughed, "If Qin San Lang’s career needs to rely on two maids to sustain, then he can resign and return home to farm."
Then looked at Chunzhi and Dongzhi, addressed Old Lady Fan, "If the Old Madam wants to present concubines to Qin San Lang, then speak directly to him; if he is willing to accept, let it be, but I won’t accept."
After speaking, she left with Erqing and Xiao Ji.
Erqing and Xiao Ji were exceptional, taking the two bags of snake ointment grass roots back with them, leaving not a single root for the Fan Family.
Old Lady Fan saw this, nearly fainted from anger, cursed at their backs, "Truly the master determines the maid, all a bunch of uncultured wretches, cough cough cough!"
Getting choked by anger, she broke into a fierce coughing fit.
Chunzhi and Dongzhi quickly went over to help Old Lady Fan catch her breath, "Old Madam calm down, don’t harm your body over a refugee wretch."
Old Lady Fan, after coughing for a while, finally caught her breath and patted Chunzhi and Dongzhi’s hands, saying, "You’ll understand the etiquette, unlike Gu, such a wicked woman!"
Upon hearing this, Chunzhi knelt down, shedding tears in penitence, "It’s all the slave’s fault, causing the Old Madam to be insulted by a refugee, slave deserves a thousand deaths."
These words stirred up Old Lady Fan’s anger once more, saying, "Get up quickly, this isn’t your fault. Rest assured, old body will ensure you won’t suffer grievance; will definitely have Company Commander Qin accept you!"
To let Gu, that pernicious woman, regret everything done today.