Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Primary Wife
"Did I say something wrong?" Xu Yulan stared maliciously at Fan Meilin, her eyes shifting back and forth between Gu Kaiyuan and her, "You didn’t take a fancy to my eldest brother-in-law, could it be you’ve set your sights on Gu Kaiyuan instead?
But you better think it through. This kid Gu Kaiyuan is henpecked and relies on the Yue Family to make a living, probably wouldn’t dare provoke you."
She finished speaking and covered her mouth with a laugh, it was unclear if she was laughing at Gu Kaiyuan for being a kept man or at Fan Meilin for trying to attach herself.
"Enough," Gu Baijiang just wanted to quickly resolve the issue, hiding in the carriage anyway, he really didn’t want to stay outside these past few days.
"Second son, take good care of your wife, regardless of the inside story, the matter has already occurred.
Your Aunt Xu is a daughter of a reputable family, we need to give her an explanation."
"Dad, we didn’t say you couldn’t let her in the door..."
"What letting in," Xu Shuanghong looked startled, glancing at Gu Baijiang, "You said you would marry."
Previously, so many tactics were used inside the carriage, finally coaxing the old man, why change the tone now?
"Mrs. Xu," when it came to his own interests, Gu Kaiping made no concessions, "You know best what happened yesterday.
The matter has occurred, we won’t say much more, after all, between a man and a woman, it’s just that kind of thing. You and my dad are both of a certain age, if pursued further, who knows who would be embarrassed.
If you agreed with my dad previously and he was willing to formally marry you with all the rites, we as children and grandchildren would gladly recognize you as an elder.
But now that it’s a done deal and violates ethics and the social hierarchy, we certainly cannot proceed with a proper marriage.
Today, I as the eldest son agree that you can enter the family as a concubine and serve by my father’s side..."
"How can a son decide for his father..."
"Mrs. Xu, this isn’t me as a son wanting to make decisions for my father, it’s what us three brothers discussed." Gu Kaiping turned towards Gu Baijiang after speaking, "Dad, what do you think?"
Rather than feeling his authority was being challenged by his eldest son’s strong stance today, Gu Baijiang actually felt a surge of pride, seeing the eldest son rise up and carry himself like a true eldest son. "This matter indeed was improper between your Aunt Xu and me; I’m still unclear about yesterday, but let’s do as the eldest suggests, I would never shortchange you."
Xu Shuanghong almost cussed, how can this be the same?
If she isn’t the legitimate wife, how can she keep this family under control?
Seeing the escort who stood watching from afar, she settled in her mind, "I don’t have an issue with it..."
The Gu Family felt a sense of joy inwardly; if so, it wouldn’t be too bad, at least someone would be by the old man’s side to take care, saving them a lot of trouble.
Who knew Xu Shuanghong continued, "If I remember correctly, you are all convicted criminals now, you’re not allowed to take a concubine, are you?"
"..."
"Not allowed to take a concubine?" Xu Yulan immediately glared at Fan Meibao hatefully, "Then what’s her deal?"
"This too is a no-choice scenario, can’t exactly let the second son divorce you, right?" Xu Shuanghong’s tone was filled with malice, "My daughter is from a good family, and her status is commoner, even in marrying down, she’s lowering herself for him.
With consideration of your presence, we swallowed this down, you ought to be thankful."
Now that the goal was achieved, Xu Shuanghong no longer intended to pretend, even starting to put on airs as an elder, directly addressing Gu Kaichen as the second son.
The other members of the Gu Family hadn’t noticed, Gu Kaiyuan and Bai Suihe exchanged glances but remained silent.
"I bore a legitimate grandson for the Gu Family, yet you, a woman of unknown origin, who knows if you’re from some brothel?" Xu Yulan couldn’t hold back anymore. If Xu Shuanghong rose today, she and her son would suffer the most within the Gu Family.
Thus, her voice rose considerably, "If you were truly from a reputable family, who would be drinking and chatting with an old man in the middle of the night, let alone ending up together? If there isn’t some ulterior motive, nobody would believe it.
And don’t say my father-in-law forced you, this isn’t some big house, just shout and there’d be someone immediately to support you.
Everyone, please judge, isn’t it just like this?"
Bai Suihe couldn’t hold back and gave a thumbs up, "Second sister-in-law, only this is the normal logic, such a simple truth, no one seemed to notice."
"What has this to do with you?" Xu Shuanghong was already struggling dealing with the Gu Family, she couldn’t afford more getting involved, "Since you two say not to interfere with matters here, then keep your mouths shut."
"Without an established title, already putting airs like an elder," Bai Suihe hadn’t even had the chance to retort when Gu Kaiyuan took a step forward, coldly stating, "First see clearly who you are before opening your mouth.
If my father wants to hold you up, that’s his matter, wait till he really marries you in with a grand procession, then talk to us about titles."
"Third brother is right, wait till you enter with a grand procession, then come talk about this." Xu Yulan smugly said, evidently, not everyone is blind to tell good from bad.
Just now, Bai Suihe and third brother helped her, more loyally than the daily interactions with her older sister-in-law.
With that thought, Xu Yulan maliciously glanced at Liu Yun, "Sister-in-law, don’t you think third brother and them make sense?"
Liu Yun, "Indeed."
"Then that’s settled, everyone objects. I don’t think there should be any concubines, just let her serve by father’s side for now, when the Gu Family has a new mistress, then she’ll offer tea and that’s that.
But sister-in-law and third brother, you have to be careful, there’s still a Fan Meilin hanging around, who knows if she might set her sights on you?"
Bai Suihe wanted to retract the previous praise for Xu Yulan; the mess wasn’t resolved yet, and here she was, starting conflicts internally like a mad dog.
"Second sister-in-law, father hasn’t spoken yet." Liu Yun reminded coldly.
Everyone turned to Gu Baijiang, who sighed, "Currently indeed many things aren’t permitted, let’s go with what they said for now, and we’ll discuss properly once things settle down."
"What’s there to discuss?" Xu Shuanghong wasn’t about to hang around in confusion, having done the deed, she intended to reach her goal, "You’re a widower, I’m an abandoned woman, I’m not looking down on your status, why can’t I be your legitimate wife?
Given your status, still thinking about taking a concubine, believe it or not, I’ll report you?"
Fan Meibao looked incredulously at Xu Shuanghong, knowing the laws, why did mother let her suffer these wrongs.
She was beside Gu Kaichen now, without even the status of a lowly concubine, enduring Xu Yulan’s torment every day...
