Chapter 697 - 533 Decree

Chapter 697: Chapter 533 Decree

Mrs. Lv listened, understanding everyone’s thoughts, quickly waved her hand with a smile and said, "Didn’t Xiao Bao already have a tutor? His tutor has already talked to us about arranging a marriage for Xiao Bao in the Capital, we should just follow his tutor’s wishes, shouldn’t we?"

This was something Mrs. Lv and Mr. Gu had discussed beforehand so that if the neighbors came to propose a marriage, outright refusal wouldn’t harm their relations, so they decided to bring up Xiao Bao’s tutor as a reason.

Actually, if it were up to Mrs. Lv, she wouldn’t even want to give any reason. Her Xiao Bao is an official, and he is flawless in appearance. How could these daughters of farmers match up to her son? They are all just dreaming, it’s absolutely impossible.

Mrs. Huang, the wife from next door, also came over to join the fun. When she heard what Mrs. Lv said, she pursed her lips.

"Oh my! Those scholars often say things like, ’the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers.’ You as his parents are still alive! How could it be his tutor’s place to decide for him!"

Over the past few years, Mrs. Huang had watched the Gu Family prosper, yet, being a close neighbor, she didn’t benefit at all, so how could she feel at ease?

Aunt Wang looked down on Mrs. Huang quite a bit; Mrs. Huang was shallow, and since she hadn’t gained any advantage from the Gu Family before, she would often talk about them behind their backs in the village. Most of the gossip about the Gu Family had come from her spreading it.

"I’ve heard it said, ’Once a teacher, forever a father!’ Respect for teachers and their teachings is fundamental. Xiao Bao’s tutor was a high-ranking official in the Capital. Xiao Bao became the top scholar and was appointed a Sixth-rank Official. Surely in the future, he would marry a girl from a prominent family."

Aunt Wang retorted to Mrs. Huang, still feeling unsatisfied, and continued, "Our village girls are straightforward and simple-hearted, but they can’t even recognize a single character. It’s said that official wives often have to socialize. How could the girls from our village understand the intricate thoughts of those official wives?"

Aunt Wang ultimately held back, thinking these people truly have no sense. Their family has official status now, how could they consider rustic village girls?

"Oh my! Let Xiao Bao’s marriage be left for his tutor to worry about!" Aunt Gu, Yang, came forward to cut the conversation short, fearing any further talk might lead to a quarrel.

Aunt Wang was not one to overstep; today was a joyous day, there was no need to seek displeasure through such matters.

Beside her, Aunt Wang’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Xiao Huang, tugged at her sleeve, signaling to her mother-in-law to restrain herself.

Aunt Wang glanced at Mrs. Xiao Huang’s slightly swollen belly and immediately stopped speaking. Her daughter-in-law was pregnant, and if Mrs. Huang was provoked to the point of causing a scene and involved her daughter-in-law, it would be regrettable.

This pregnancy had not come easily; they had lost a child before and it took a while to conceive again. After taking medicine, she finally became pregnant, and now that the pregnancy was stable, how could she not treasure it?

Gu Chengyi entered the courtyard with a stern face, hearing the lively commotion in the main room, and he sneered to himself.

He passed by his own room and went straight to the main hall.

"Are you all having a good time?" Gu Chengyi stood at the doorway of the main hall with his back to the light outside, making it hard for the others to see his expression.

Mrs. Lv’s joyful face suddenly turned grim, remembering what had been deliberately forgotten earlier, she felt a painful stabbing in her heart.

"Congratulations to Mother on receiving the imperial decree of ennoblement!" Gu Chengyi stepped into the room, surveying the people inside.

Mr. Gu frowned, a bit helpless. He knew what the second son wanted, merely to humiliate Mrs. Lv!

Mrs. Lv kept her face stern, not responding. The decree was already placed on the altar.

"Father! My real mother’s decree should be properly revered, it is the honor of our Gu Family! Thanks to the fifth son, if it weren’t for him, how could my real mother have such good fortune? It is indeed the fifth son’s accomplishment."

Gu Chengyi smiled, speaking words of gratitude, yet his eyes were icy cold.

Mrs. Lv’s chest heaved violently, grasping the bedding on the kang tightly, her heart burning with rage.

Earlier, when the county magistrate came to announce the decree, he announced another decree. That one was posthumous for Da He, of the same rank as hers. At first, she didn’t understand, but she heard Da He’s name clearly.

Finally, the County Magistrate gave the other decree to Uncle Gu, without mentioning it to her, only speaking of her being honored as Anren.

Even though she understood, she didn’t want to know about it now. She just wanted to enjoy the glory her son brought her, yet that glory had to be shared with Gu Changqing’s primary wife.

Mrs. Lv was extremely furious but helpless. The decree her son requested for her was first conferred to that woman.

Gu Chengyi felt truly satisfied at this moment, no matter how hard Gu Chengyu tried, he had to first honor his own mother.

"Hmph! Your mother relies on my son. None of you biological sons could earn her this honor. As her stepdaughter, I have to be generous. My son is capable after all! Besides, I’m living to enjoy my son’s blessings!"

Mrs. Lv’s words were somewhat cutting, emphasizing that she was alive while the primary wife was dead. She was the one left to enjoy the blessings, so what if there’s a posthumous honor? There’s no life to enjoy it!

Sure enough, Gu Chengyi’s face turned ashen immediately. He clenched his fists, veins on his forehead bulging, making his face appear somewhat fierce.

Suddenly, he let out a cold laugh and continued, "Indeed, my real mother had no blessings, so Mother, please take care of yourself. The fifth son is becoming more accomplished, you must wait to enjoy your life of ease!"

After speaking, Gu Chengyi swept aside the curtain and strode towards the outside.

Mr. Gu suddenly smashed his pipe toward the doorway, but unfortunately, Gu Chengyi had already walked out.

Mrs. Lv almost exploded upon hearing it. What did he mean by that? Cursing her to die early? That heartless creature.

The others who were silent were astounded, not expecting Gu Chengyi to completely break off with Mrs. Lv. Good heavens! This is a big deal!

Today’s show from the Gu Family was truly spectacular!

Mrs. Huang was waiting eagerly for more gossip, ready to spread it by word of mouth after today, picking up speed as she went.

Who would have thought that the deceased Da He would have been posthumously honored? Tsk tsk! A second wife is indeed just a second wife!

No wonder on the second day after marrying in, she had to perform the ritual for Da He’s memorial plaque, there were so many subtleties in this matter!

The remaining people saw that Mrs. Lv’s face was unpleasant, so they all began to take their leave one after another.

Aunt Wang glanced at Mrs. Lv, saying nothing further. At this time, even comforting words would be unwelcome.

Mr. Gu was also quite helpless. What was supposed to be a happy occasion had unexpectedly turned out like this.

"Jin Niang!" Mr. Gu, worried that Mrs. Lv would hurt herself in anger, quickly came forward to comfort her.

Mrs. Lv looked up at Mr. Gu with a cold smile, "He just can’t see me happy. Now that the family is divided, he still comes to disgust me from time to time. I don’t think he even sees you as his father. Fortunately, you still have other sons. If you relied on him, you’d starve at home, would you believe that?"