The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!

Chapter 693: Chapter 693: The Bold New Bride

Gu Xiaoxue expressed her thanks and swiftly put away the gift without any hesitation.

Her cousin-in-law’s gift was genuinely thoughtful for her, and it seemed pointless to decline it repeatedly.

She secretly resolved to diligently save up silver so that when Lu Zhaozhao and Jingzhe have a child, she, as the aunt, could give her nephew a longevity lock of substantial gold content.

Gu Honglian looked at the jewelry in Gu Xiaoxue’s hands, her eyes glowing with envy.

As an unmarried elder, she wasn’t expected to give gifts to Lu Zhaozhao, nor did Lu Zhaozhao need to give her one.

However, Lu Zhaozhao did not overlook Gu Honglian and gave her a golden hairpin.

Such a gift was not considered light in Qinghe Bay, especially since Gu Honglian was an elder. New brides were supposed to receive gifts from their elders, not the other way around.

She gave Gu Honglian the hairpin simply because they were about the same age, and it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Holding the golden hairpin, Gu Honglian would have been very happy if it was just this hairpin, but compared to Gu Xiaoxue’s entire set of gleaming jewelry, the gift seemed lightweight.

Gu Honglian’s envious and jealous gaze was noticed by Mr. Gu, and it made him feel uneasy.

He couldn’t help but blame Mrs. Gu in his mind for showing no discernment by embarrassing the granddaughter-in-law at the entrance.

Such a generous granddaughter-in-law should be supported and respected; if they please the granddaughter-in-law, is there any worry about the daughter’s dowry?

Recently, Mr. Gu had been worrying about Gu Honglian’s dowry.

After three rounds of marriage talks with the Fan Family, they wouldn’t relent, clearly stating that if Gu Honglian wanted to marry into the Family of the Scholar, she had to bring a dowry of no less than a hundred taels.

But there was no way to come up with that from the Gu family’s old house right now.

The silver borrowed during Gu Ruinian’s wedding had not been repaid, and thus borrowing more was impossible.

Gu Youtian suggested that Gu Honglian, like Gu Baishuang, marry an old widower as a second wife, which not only didn’t require a dowry but would also come with a bride price. Mr. Gu was hesitant, but under Gu Honglian’s tearful persuasion, he reluctantly agreed to try to gather a dowry so she could marry Fan Tong.

Mr. Gu now had his hopes on Lu Zhaozhao. With so much dowry from the granddaughter-in-law, even a small omission through her fingers was enough for Honglian.

With this idea, Mr. Gu smiled and said to Lu Zhaozhao, "Now that you are married into the Gu Family, you are one of our own. Here, it’s just like being at home. If ever Jingzhe lets you down, I’ll definitely do right by you."

Jingzhe’s mouth twitched, questioning this act played by his grandfather and grandmother.

One was playing the good cop and the other the bad cop?

With his understanding of Mr. Gu, Jingzhe instantly guessed that his grandfather was hoping to gain something from Lu Zhaozhao.

Afraid that the old man was making the wrong calculation.

Lu Zhaozhao obediently responded with a "Good".

But in her heart, she was unaffected.

What grievance could Jingzhe possibly give her? Even if he did, could she not simply learn from Pandie and divorce him? She didn’t need anyone to back her up.

Seeing Lu Zhaozhao’s obedient demeanor, Mr. Gu was very satisfied.

It seemed like his friendly attitude was having an effect.

He would have Gu Honglian please Lu Zhaozhao properly later. He didn’t need much, just two chests from Lu Zhaozhao’s dowry would suffice for Gu Honglian.

Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao went around offering tea, and as they were about to finish, Gu Ruinian and Wu Na came in.

Wu Na, yawning, sat boldly in a chair, which made Mrs. Gu glare at her.

Since Gu Ruinian was the eldest and already married, by the customs of Qinghe Bay, he and Wu Na were expected to drink Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao’s tea.

"The younger sister-in-law is really generous. Earlier, I saw Yao Family carrying ink and paper outside, saying it was a gift from his third aunt." Wu Na said after drinking tea and rubbing her raised belly, "The child in my belly will also call you ’Third Aunt’."

Mrs. Jia was almost furious.

Tong Huaqiong’s daughter-in-law was already outshining her own daughter-in-law in every way, and now her own daughter-in-law was shamelessly asking Tong Huaqiong’s daughter-in-law for gifts, making her lose face.

The rest of the aunts in the Gu family frowned. Wu Na, as the sister-in-law, was supposed to give gifts to Lu Zhaozhao. Not only did she not bring any gifts, but she also used her position as the elder sister-in-law to ask her cousin’s wife for gifts, disgracing all the daughters-in-law of the Gu family.

Lu Zhaozhao calmly responded, "Sister-in-law, when the child is born, of course, there won’t be a lack of gifts."

The daughters-in-law of the Gu family thought that although Lu Zhaozhao seemed soft, she was not someone to be bullied easily.

Jingzhe, however, was not polite at all, and said, "Sister Feng Nian gave Zhao Zhao socks, what did you give after drinking Zhao Zhao’s tea?"

Nobody expected Jingzhe to bluntly ask Wu Na for a gift in return.

Wu Na said awkwardly, "She has so much money, would she ever lack socks?"

"It’s getting late; let’s proceed to the ancestral hall to pay respects." Uncle Gu stepped in to alleviate the awkward situation.

So under the lead of the clan leader and Mr. Gu, Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao went to the ancestral hall.

Watching the couple walk away, Gu Ruinian had mixed feelings.

The first time he saw Lu Zhaozhao, he fantasized that marrying such a girl would not make his life here in vain.

He really thought at the time that marrying Lu Zhaozhao wouldn’t be a difficult thing.

He knew a lot, could recite romantic words and poems unfamiliar to men in this time, what did Jingzhe have, besides being a bookworm?

He couldn’t understand how Lu Zhaozhao could fall for Jingzhe.

Was it just for that fair face of his?

In this era, women were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall except on their wedding and death days, so after the newlyweds left, Mrs. Gu and the women of the clan stayed at the house to chat.

Before everyone, Mrs. Gu spoke cautiously, but once alone with her own family and Mrs. Jia, she spoke without reserve.

"Jingzhe has no backbone at all as a scholar, letting his wife completely control him, and this is just after getting married. What will happen after?" Mrs. Gu fumed, recalling how Jingzhe stood up for Lu Zhaozhao.

Wu Na said, "Because his wife has money, who wouldn’t try to ingratiate and respect someone with so much dowry? It would have made you and your mother kneel for her if it was brought to our home."

Mrs. Wei couldn’t help laughing.

Though she didn’t like Wu Na, Wu Na’s words precisely captured the thoughts of the great-grandmother and mother-in-law.

Mrs. Jia angrily said, "I’m not that shameless to let my son, a top scholar, marry a merchant’s daughter just for money."

Wu Na rolled her eyes and said, "Sounds like you’re so noble. Weren’t you scheming against me for a dowry of five hundred taels?"

Mrs. Jia had no reply.

Mrs. Gu reprimanded, "What’s all the noise for? In this day and age, who doesn’t want a dowry for their son’s bride?"

Speaking of dowries, Mrs. Gu thought of Gu Honglian’s marriage.

Thinking about it made Mrs. Gu worry.

Mrs. Gu smiled warmly at Gu Xiaoxue, "Xiaoxue, you grew up with your aunt. Your aunt is currently discussing marriage with Fan Xiucai. Marrying him means she’ll be the wife of a scholar. A scholar’s family isn’t easy to marry into. Our entire Yan Guan Town only has a few scholars. So the family wants to prepare a dowry for your aunt, but given the situation at home, you know very well there’s nowhere to squeeze silver from. Can you let your aunt have the jewelry you have, to ensure she can get married first?"