Chapter 261 - 262: Small Talk

Chapter 261: Chapter 262: Small Talk

Housekeeper Fu watched Mudou in surprise. ’The boy isn’t as stoic as everyone thinks. He doesn’t lack for proper etiquette at all.’

Mudou shot him a cold glance, seeing right through his thoughts.

’I might not like to talk, but that doesn’t mean I’m an idiot. How could I possibly not understand basic courtesy?’

Housekeeper Fu immediately sensed his gaffe. He hurriedly took the box with both hands, his face wreathed in smiles. "We’re grateful for Young Master Ouyang’s thoughtfulness. Please, follow me inside for a hot cup of tea. It must have been a tiring journey."

While everyone’s attention was on Ouyang Bing and his servant as they alighted from the carriage, Chu Dongnan took the opportunity to quietly join their party with his attendant.

"It’s far too cold out here," Gu Wenheng said, taking Jin Qianqian by the hand and leading the way into the house. ’We can talk once we’re inside. Why is everyone just standing around foolishly in the cold wind? Aren’t they worried about getting sick?’

He had barely stepped inside and taken a sip of water when the Old Clan Leader sent someone over to summon him. Gu Wenheng had no choice but to repeatedly instruct Liu Qingmei and the others to look after Jin Qianqian carefully before he led Ouyang Bing and his party toward the new courtyard house Gu Yuanjin had built next door.

Staring at the courtyard house, a world away from the rustic farmstead he’d expected, Ouyang Bing couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration. "Mr. Gu, your family’s resources are truly substantial. Each of your residences is so distinctive."

Gu Wenheng turned to him with a smile. "You deserve some of the credit. My older brothers’ tofu business has thrived these past few years thanks to your patronage. But if you’re thinking of increasing your order size, you’ll have to share a few drinks with my brothers later."

The tofu workshop was a far cry from its early days of supplying only Tianfu Restaurant. Now, it directly supplied outlets in the surrounding prefectures and counties. While the brothers appeared to be working together, they had actually divided up the territories and were each running their own operations.

Of course, these unprecedented business philosophies and management techniques were the fruit of Gu Wenheng and Jin Qianqian’s patient guidance.

"Wenheng and his party are here," Gu Shulin said as he happened to look up and see them arriving, alerting his elderly father beside him.

Gu Sanbu muttered to himself, ’I thought he wasn’t going to come back today. It seems Li Cuicui is special to him after all.’

’Just a few months ago, it was Gu Dashishi’s birthday celebration. What did that boy say then?’

’Something about his wife just being diagnosed as pregnant, and that he was too busy with his studies to return for the celebration. He just sent a gift perfunctorily, and that was that.’

He glanced at Gu Dashishi, who was seated in a less prominent spot, and saw that his face was rigid, his eyes locked on Gu Wenheng. Gu Sanbu knew he was furious.

"Keep an eye on Gu Dashishi. Don’t let him cause a scene today. With so many guests present, we can’t have the entire clan become a laughingstock because of him," Gu Sanbu quietly instructed his son. All the prominent figures from the neighboring villages were here, as were some of the Gu Family Brothers’ business partners. Their reputation, inside and out, had to be maintained.

Gu Shulin glanced over, then walked to Gu Yuanshui and whispered a few words in his ear before going to sit beside Gu Dashishi.

Gu Wenheng entrusted Ouyang Bing and Chu Dongnan to Gu Yuanjin’s care before walking over to greet Gu Sanbu and the others.

Looking at the table filled with nearby clan leaders and village heads, Gu Wenheng remained perfectly composed, recognizing every single one.

As he addressed them all flawlessly by name and title, everyone felt immensely honored. This was a scholar, after all. Barring any surprises, he would have an official rank by next year. A future official was greeting them personally.

Not one of them dared to pull rank on account of their age; they all rose to their feet, their faces beaming.

Seeing the group of old men beaming with pleasure, Gu Sanbu straightened his back with pride and patted the seat beside him. "Wenheng, come. You’ll sit here."

Gu Wenheng nodded with a smile but walked directly to Gu Dashishi and bowed. "Father, I’m home."

Gu Dashishi, however, turned his head away, feigning deafness.

Unperturbed, Gu Wenheng asked, "Uncle Shulin, have you been well?"

"Very well," Gu Shulin replied with a smile. "Your father has been anticipating your arrival since yesterday. He’s just so overjoyed that he’s speechless."

Gu Wenheng knew he was playing the peacemaker. "This is my fault. I thought the weather would be warmer today, but I didn’t expect the roads to be covered in snow. That’s why we were delayed. My apologies for keeping you all waiting."

"Ah, so that’s what happened," said Gu Shulin. "This cold is certainly unsettling. We’ve been cooped up at home ourselves and haven’t been out in ages."

With the mood lightened, Gu Wenheng finally turned and sat down beside Gu Sanbu. "Third Grand-uncle, I trust you’ve been in good health?"

Gu Sanbu stroked his beard, laughing. "Everything is well. With our entire clan prospering more and more, I feel I can live for many more years."

"You’ll surely live to be a hundred, venerable elder. Our family relies on you as our pillar of stability," Gu Wenheng said. Seeing the healthy glow on the old man’s face, he believed him.

"Later, once the banquet is over, we have some clan business to discuss."

Gu Wenheng nodded. He could already guess what the Old Clan Leader wanted to discuss.

Meanwhile, Jin Qianqian was completely surrounded by the older women and young wives of the clan. They all chattered at once, eagerly asking about life in Dao City.

It had been a long time since Jin Qianqian had felt so relaxed. Chatting with her kinswomen wasn’t like dealing with the high-society ladies, where she always had to be on guard and feign sincerity.

"Goodness, you have quite the retinue now, with seven or eight people following you around. It can’t be cheap to support them all," Mrs. Tian said, clicking her tongue. "The entourage you and Seventh bring back gets bigger every time. Before, it was just a couple of maids. Now, Jin Qianqian alone has seven or eight attendants, and that’s not even counting the baby, who has several nannies as well."

Li Cuicui held her little grandson, a child as cherubic as one from a New Year’s portrait. She felt she could stare at him forever and never grow tired of the sight.

Jin Qianqian rested a hand on her belly and said with a laugh, "I brought them along hoping they could help out, but after the delay on the road, it seems we’ve just brought more people to enjoy the feast."

"That’s just because the roads are terrible. I wanted to go to the county seat to buy some fabric for New Year’s clothes, but I didn’t dare make the trip," Hong Daya added with a smile. "Besides, we’re all family. We don’t keep score."

Liu Liu, clutching a hand warmer, chimed in, "Even if you and Seventh hadn’t been able to come back, everyone would have understood.

"Just ask Mother, if you don’t believe me. She’s been fussing since yesterday, saying the roads are snowy and slick. Why would you go to all this trouble for an old woman like her when you’re so heavily pregnant?"

Ever since the family’s fortunes had improved, the personalities of the Gu family’s sisters-in-law had changed completely. The old bickering and jealousy seemed to have vanished. Now, they were as close as biological sisters, always presenting a united front to outsiders.

"My, my. I say just a few words, and all you sisters-in-law immediately gang up on me," Mrs. Tian joked cheerfully. "Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were actual sisters who came home to celebrate your own mother’s birthday."