"Gu Rong, help your little aunt inside!" Lord Lai was so furious that his chest ached; today, he had to send a nanny to teach Little Sister Gu, or her life would be ruined.
Lord Lai deeply regretted; he shouldnât have come to Granny Guâs main courtyard to discuss matters, he should have gone to another courtyard. Even if the spies watching them might see, it wouldnât be as disgraceful as it is now.
Fortunately, there were no outsiders in the room, otherwise, if word spread, Little Sisterâs behavior would warrant a punishment of being drowned in a pig cage.
Gu Rong didnât stop Little Sister Gu, precisely to make her lose face. Hearing Lord Laiâs words, she shakily stepped out, supported Little Sister Gu, and led her back to the inner room.
She glanced back at Zhan San, whose pitiful appearance, thinly supported by his elders at home but not daring to resist, came into view, amusing Zhan San.
Did the girls of the Old Gu Family think of him, Zhan San, as a naive boy? When he was exploring lifeâs pleasures, the girls of the Old Gu Family hadnât even learned the difference between men and women. Trying to seduce him so openly, earning his respect for them would be difficult.
Gu Rong saw Zhan San smile at her, hurriedly turned her head, pulled Little Sister into the inner room, and whispered to her: "Little Aunt, you are being too impatient. Young Master Zhan San has only become engaged with Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli and is not marrying them immediately. As long as we take over Dashanâs family business, how could Young Master Zhan San marry those two paupers? He will definitely demand a change in the engagement, then Little Aunt can naturally marry Young Master Zhan San."
Little Sister Gu, hearing this, said joyfully, "Sister Rong, you are indeed clever, your words make perfect sense."
"Shh, Little Aunt, keep your voice down, donât let Young Master Zhan San hear, itâs unsightly, youâre supposed to be a beautiful young lady." Gu Rong lowered her voice to Little Sister Gu: "Little Aunt, I see that Young Master Zhan San is interested in you. You might as well ask Lord Lai to let them stay in the house for a few days, and during these days, be well-acquainted with Young Master Zhan San. Once you develop feelings, thereâs no fear that Young Master Zhan San wonât plead with Grandpa for a change in engagement."
Little Sister Gu was very tempted but said: "Isnât that too troublesome? Just have Father change the name on the marriage certificate to mine, wouldnât that be enough?"
Gu Rong replied, "Little Aunt, Old Master Zhan San is asking for the hand of Gu Jinxiuâs sisters. If you make a fuss asking Grandpa to change the names, youâll make Old Master Zhan San angry. He comes from a noble family, and has quite the temper. We need to take it slowly and not make a scene."
Little Sister Gu nodded fervently: "Yes, yes, Sister Rong, you are absolutely right, we mustnât make a scene, or itâll ruin the good match."
"Ah~ Sister~" Granny Gu, hearing their conversation, was very emotional. A noble familyâs son â she dreamed of marrying Little Sister and Sister Ya to noble familyâs sons, and hearing that a noble familyâs son came to propose, she shouted with all her might: "Stay, here!"
We canât let them leave; if they leave, where would Little Sister and Sister Ya find such noble familyâs sons?
Little Sister Gu understood Granny Gu very well, quickly came over, grasped Granny Guâs hand, flashed a coy smile, and whispered in Granny Guâs ear: "Mother, rest assured, your wishes are clear to me. I wonât miss the opportunity to marry into a noble family."
Granny Gu was very pleased to hear that, but as Little Sister had been married once before and was no longer a maiden, she worried she might therefore be unable to marry into a noble family. So Granny Gu schemed in her mind, thinking of ways to help Little Sister pull the wool over their eyes.
...
Outside, Elder Gu, though reluctant to let Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli secure such a good match with the Zhan Family, had to make his mark as Old Master Zhan San insisted on his preference for them.
Finally, he specifically said: "Old Master Zhan San, remember to find spouses for Little Sister and the others within the noble families, you must keep your word."
Old Master Zhan San sneered inwardly, did your familyâs shrew of a daughter and granddaughter prostitute really intend to marry into a noble family? Even for noble familiesâ children, theyâre seen as too improper even to be maids.
Nonetheless, Old Master Zhan San smiled and said, "Rest assured, Elder Gu, now that weâre in-laws, weâll certainly help your daughters and granddaughters find good husbands."
Saying this, he handed over two jade pendants to Elder Gu: "These are Zhan Familyâs tokens for Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli, please accept them and give us your familyâs tokens."
The jade pendants given by Old Master Zhan San were superb Mutton Fat Jade, one carved with a twin lotus, and one with a lovebird â auspicious signs indeed.
Elder Gu, at the sight of these pendants, knew they were rare treasures, promptly accepted them: "Old Master Zhan San, please wait a moment, Iâll fetch our tokens for you."
He took the Zhan Familyâs jade pendants to the inner room and was immediately seen by Granny Gu, who urgently exclaimed: "Give, to me!"
If only she got hold of these two engagement jade pendants, once the raw rice was cooked, she could force the Zhan Family to marry Little Sister and Sister Ya; this was a trick she applied exceptionally smoothly.
Elder Gu wasnât aware of Granny Guâs scheme and handed the jade pendants to her, going to the box to fetch two silver hairpins to give Old Master Zhan San.
Granny Gu stopped him again: "Leave, guests, stay!"
Elder Gu understood â she intended for the Zhan Family uncle and nephew to stay â but said: "This is not a tradition."
"Stay, stay!" Granny Gu glared at Elder Gu, looking as if she would bite him if he didnât comply.
Elder Gu had no choice but to agree.
Old Master Zhan San watched as Elder Gu handed over two silver hairpins, his face almost falling off. His family gave away valuable Mutton Fat Jade, and the Old Gu Family returned with two shabby silver hairpins? Was this a mark of disrespect?
Old Master Zhan San was infuriated but swallowed his pride, willing to complete the engagement and received the silver hairpins.
Elder Gu added, "Old Master Zhan San, since youâve come all this way, why not stay with the family while we properly host you?"
Old Master Zhan San was hesitant, but Zhan San quickly spoke out with a smile: "Then Iâd be honored "
Gu Rong and Little Sister Gu eagerly presented themselves; if he didnât sample them before leaving, could he call himself a man?
Old Master Zhan San saw his nephew had already spoken up and reluctantly agreed: "Then my nephew and I will impose."
Lord Lai saw that the marriage was settled and hurriedly told Elder Gu: "Time is running late. Quickly head to the government office."
"Aye." Elder Gu quickly rose, called over Gu Chengli, instructed him to properly host the Zhan Family uncle and nephew, and himself followed Lord Lai to the government office.
Old Master Zhan San was more than eager for Elder Gu to file a complaint against Dashan, because only when Dashanâs family faced difficulties could his family rescue them, thus enticing Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli to marry his two nephews out of gratitude.
Itâs worth noting, Gu Jinxiu previously refused to marry Xiaoâer.
...
Knock, knock, knock!
Outside the government office, Elder Gu, in tattered clothing, was pounding the large drum furiously, shouting: "I want to file a lawsuit against Gu Dashan of Tianfu County, accusing him of turning against his own father after achieving prosperity. I want to confront him in court!"
Elder Gu beat the drum, stirring the whole streetâs people into a frenzy, who quickly gathered and asked: "Old man, are you really suing your own son?"