Chapter 383 - 333: Have You Argued Enough? (Part 2)
Chapter 383: Chapter 333: Have You Argued Enough? (Part 2)
Granny Gu was so angry she nearly fainted. Zhou Hui Lan rushed over just in time, supporting her and saying, "Mom, I was only gone for a moment... What on earth is going on?"
She had been in the dining room with Ai Wenli, overseeing the food being served and the table being set. At the same time, she was apologetically explaining to Ai Wenli why what was supposed to be a private gathering for the two families had suddenly expanded to include outside guests. Apparently, Gu Qiyuan and his wife had returned to Beijing without notice. Tian Xueqin had originally intended to take the other two mother-daughter pairs out for lunch, but when she heard a meal was already being prepared at home, she decided on the spot to bring her guests here instead.
The two of them had just finished arranging things in the dining room when they heard a commotion in the living room and hurried over. The two old matriarchs were arguing heatedly. Not only were the other women watching failing to mediate, they were listening with rapt attention. A glance at the men standing on the periphery revealed their grim, serious faces, yet none of them spoke up to stop the argument. Zhou Hui Lan was truly speechless. ’In the whole world, it’s probably only the matriarchs of the Gu and Tang Families who could argue so freely, without anyone daring to interfere, until they’ve had their fill.’
This was a rule set down by Mr. Gu and Mr. Tang years ago: once the two old ladies started fighting, no one was to intervene. Let them argue to their hearts’ content. Once they had said their piece and run out of energy, what else could they do?
In reality, Gu Qiming, Gu Qiyuan, and the other young men were getting anxious. Tang Haocheng and Gu Shaoqin had already rushed to Xiao Man’s side. Tang Haocheng, who was taller than his sister, wrapped an arm around her shoulder like an adult, offering silent support.
Xiao Man speechlessly patted Hao Hao’s arm and sighed. ’I wanted to get this over with quickly, settle things with Gu Shaoling, and leave. Who knew Grandma Tang would jump in so forcefully, take over the field, and start a bigger "war"? Her opponent is Granny Gu, and as a junior, I can’t go up against her. Just like that, I’ve lost my voice in the matter and somehow become the victim!’
Having such an overbearing grandmother, Xiao Man mused, was also a bit of a headache.
Grandpa Gu ignored his two sons’ meaningful looks and tugs on his sleeve. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his Brother Tang. When they were younger, Brother Tang had analyzed the situation for him, and he still believed it to be true. ’These two women are actually just jealous of us men. Our bond as brothers is so strong that they can’t drive a wedge between us. And when they realized they couldn’t compete with us, they started taking it out on each other... Over the years, they’ve argued countless times and even gotten into physical fights, but don’t they always make up in the end?’
Grandpa Gu had summarized it from experience: ’As long as the men stand firm as a rock, no matter how much the women act up, they can’t cause any real trouble!’
So, even as he heard hurtful words like "ending our friendship" and "going our separate ways," his ears merely twitched. He didn’t take any of it to heart.
’Still, this "bad luck charm" business that Shaoling started is a major problem. It must be thoroughly investigated! Decades ago, especially in a large family full of gossip and conflict, this was definitely a type of underhanded trick. No wonder Sister-in-law Tang is so angry. But I trust my old woman. With so many children and grandchildren in the family, she can’t help but play favorites sometimes, but overall, her actions can stand up to scrutiny. Besides, she’s not stupid. A granddaughter-in-law like Manman is one in a million. She would be busy trying to win her over and dote on her, so why would she resort to such a filthy tactic to ruin her own family’s good fortune?’
Tian Xueqin saw Zhou Hui Lan arrive. Then she watched as Tang Haocheng walked over to hug Xiao Man, followed by Gu Shaoqin, who actually took Xiao Man’s hand. They both glared coldly in her direction, and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. ’That Gu Shaoqin is such an ingrate! He was weak and sickly as a child, and I, his second aunt and a doctor, took care of him countless times. And his mother, Jiang Yuyan... if it weren’t for the excellent medicines and supplements I procured for her that she used for years, would she have been able to give birth to Gu Shaoying? Shaoling has always been good to Shaoqin, too. At a time like this, shouldn’t he be by his own cousin’s side? He eats the Gu family’s food but helps an outsider build momentum. How utterly absurd!’
Having married into the Gu family at eighteen, she hadn’t spent decades as the young mistress and a noble lady of a wealthy family for nothing. Tian Xueqin had excellent composure; no matter what she thought internally, she revealed nothing on the surface. She smiled and beckoned to Gu Shaoqin. "Shaoqin, come here. Help your sister Shaoling. Let your Second Aunt go check on your grandmother. She doesn’t look well. It wouldn’t be good if she fainted from anger!"
Gu Shaoqin, however, did not obey his second aunt. Instead, he looked at Xiao Man. When Xiao Man gave a slight shake of her head, he let out a breath of relief and walked directly to Granny Gu’s side, turning his back on Tian Xueqin and her daughter.
Tian Xueqin’s smile froze. Fortunately, the Jun and Zeng mother-daughter pairs were beside her making conversation, which saved her from complete embarrassment.
Out of the corner of her eye, she had already seen her father-in-law, older brother-in-law, and her husband. Tian Xueqin wasn’t flustered, nor did she expect the men to help. They never got involved when her mother-in-law and Old Mrs. Tang argued. ’As for this dispute between Shaoling, Sisi, and Manman,’ she thought, ’it’s a good thing that Old Mrs. Tang and my mother-in-law have gotten involved. This way, no one will say anything about Tian Sisi, and Shaoling will be even more in the clear! Old Mrs. Tang is fiercely protective, but my mother-in-law is no pushover either, and she dotes on Shaoling the most. This is a good chance to put Tang Manman in her place. Only today did I realize how brazen, domineering, and arrogant that little brat is!’
This time, however, Tian Xueqin had miscalculated.
Mr. Tang walked over to Old Mrs. Tang and said a few words. Then, the younger woman helped the old matriarch, and their family members went to sit down on the sofa.
Mr. Gu, meanwhile, walked over to Old Mrs. Gu with his hands behind his back. He looked at her and said, "What’s the point of this muddle-headed argument? Have you gotten to the bottom of things? Since you haven’t, then just stay put and cut the nonsense!"
After speaking, he paced over and looked at Gu Shaoling and Tian Sisi. He asked them very seriously how they were feeling. Did anywhere still hurt? Were they hungry? Although Gu Shaoling had been spoiled since childhood, she was always terrified of her grandfather when he put on a stern face. Right now, Mr. Gu’s eyes were especially frightening, his gaze so sharp it felt like it could pierce right through a person. Gu Shaoling didn’t dare say a word. For every question, she just shook her head. In the end, Mr. Gu said, "Very good. You’re not in pain, and you’re not hungry. That means you’re fine. In that case, here’s what we’ll do. Second son’s wife, you take our guests to the dining room to eat first. The rest of us won’t be eating. We’re all staying here. For what happened today, Manman wants an explanation and an accounting. Gu Shaoling, Tian Sisi, you were in the wrong, so you must do as she asks! We will all stay here with you. You can eat once this is all cleared up. Otherwise, you’ll all go hungry!"