Gu Shan bit her lip, "Third brother, please don't mention the money again. I don't expect anything in this life. I just hope that I will be safe and happy."
"Peace and joy?" Gu Zhan sneered: "Your happiness has nothing to do with me. Your happiness can only be created by me. But because you helped me once, I will remember this kindness. Wait. If you get married in the future, even for this reason, I will take care of you. As for whether you can live a smooth life, I can't guarantee it. I can only say that I will do my best."
Gu Shan's eyes flashed with joy, and she hurriedly said: "No need, third brother doesn't need to bother."
She doesn't need to rely on Gu Zhan's charity, she just needs to live a good life and not be disliked by her husband's family.
"Third brother, can you...can you lend me a hundred taels of silver? When I take out the silver, I...I am willing to pay it back."
"you still?"
Gu Zhan raised his wrist, revealing a jade bracelet worth a thousand taels, "What do you want to give me back? I'm not short of silver!"
Gu Shan: "..."
"Take this jade bracelet."
Gu Zhan pushed the bracelet to Gu Shan and said seriously: "My mother said that your mother is the best person in the world. She should not have to worry about money. I believe my mother will not harm you."
Gu Shan hesitated for a moment, but finally accepted the bracelet. She didn't know whether Gu Zhan's words were sincere.
Gu Shan is not a stupid person. She feels that Gu Zhan is not a simple person, and is even a bit mysterious.
"I heard my mother say that Third Brother is very good at reading. Even my husband praised Third Brother."
Gu Shan held the bracelet and looked more and more embarrassed, "My mother said that the third brother is a filial son."
Gu Yao secretly sighed that her mother really cheated her daughter to death without paying for it with her life. She would rather Gu Zhan became a dandy than be misunderstood as a scholar.
After all, in ancient times, scholars were often the noblest and most outstanding beings.
Gu Jin's name is widely circulated in the elite circles, and Gu Jin himself is also very outstanding.
The three brothers each have their own strengths. They are not the smartest, nor will they fall behind others.
After Gu Zhan encountered a setback in the imperial examination in his previous life, it was almost impossible to turn around again.
Seeing that Gu Zhan refused to borrow more money, Gu Shan's heart sank slightly, "Does Third Brother not like this bracelet?"
Gu Zhan smiled half-heartedly and said, "You are quite keen. This jade bracelet is enough for me to buy several houses. Do you think I look down on it?"
"I……"
"You don't have to worry about me selling the bracelet, I'll keep it for another use."
Gu Zhan stood up slowly and patted his sleeves, "Don't forget what you promised me just now. I will only give you one night to think about it."
"Third brother, walk slowly, I will consider it carefully."
Gu Shan stood respectfully behind Gu Zhan. Seeing Gu Zhan walk out of the room, she pursed her lips and asked, "How did you get this jade bracelet?"
"You don't care where I found it, I'm telling you, you'd better tell the truth."
"I didn't take it."
"Humph, you can't fool me. This jade bracelet was picked up by an old beggar. He is not a local, but occasionally passed by the Zhenguo Palace. He thought it was beautiful and looked good, so he secretly took it back. , he didn’t know how much the jade bracelet was worth, so he carved it casually, and finally disappeared after playing with it.”
Gu Shan clenched her fists and said with tears in her eyes: "This piece of jade was originally left to me by my grandmother. I... I originally planned to give this piece of jade to you."
"You gave it to me? Are you that good?"
Gu Zhan sneered: "I'm not a fool."
"I won't lie to Third Brother. This jade bracelet was left by my grandmother as a thought. I only wanted to give it to Third Brother, but I never thought of giving it to Gu Yao. Not only because of Grandma's advice, but also because I felt that it should be given to Gu Yao. Yao is too shabby."
Gu Shan choked up and said: "She doesn't deserve to have my grandmother's relics. Third brother, please accept this jade bracelet."
Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes and said, "I don't believe you unless you swear an oath. You swear a poisonous oath not to deceive me."
Gu Shan: "..."
"Third brother, I really want to give you the things my grandmother left behind, but I..."
"Okay, stop crying and pretending. You have achieved your goal and I am already irritated."
"...Thank you, third brother."
Gu Shan wiped the corners of her eyes and whispered: "I just want to live a stable life, and I don't expect wealth and glory. Third brother, don't worry about me coveting wealth. I would rather be with my mother. She is the only person I can't let go of."
Gu Zhan touched the tip of his nose and said, "What, I was teasing you just now."
He turned around and walked out the door, "I won't force you to pay off your debt, but your mother... can't be the same as before."
"I know."
Gu Shan took a deep breath and gently touched the jade bracelet on her wrist, "I will not wrong my mother anymore, I will not embarrass my father, nor will I make my third sister-in-law... No, I will not make my father and grandmother sad. "
She is no longer the innocent little girl she used to be, and she no longer trusts her relatives long ago.
"It's best if you can think of it. I don't want to fall out with your sister. You are also my cousin. We will still be a family in the future, but..."
Gu Zhan turned around and said, "If you dare to do anything wrong to me, don't blame me for not respecting blood ties and dealing with you cruelly!"
Gu Shan's face turned pale and she managed to maintain a smile, "Third brother, don't worry, I will abide by the rules and will never do anything to embarrass third brother, nor will I..."
"You'd better remember clearly. If I know that you have violated the agreement and severed ties with the Gu clan, I will destroy you. Not only you, Gu Silang, but also your mother will be kicked out of the house by me. I Gu Zhan is not afraid of getting into trouble, and he is not afraid of people from his own clan turning against him."
Gu Zhan's threat made Gu Shan tremble all over, as if she could predict Gu Zhan's madness.
"Gu Yao is not your biological sister. You should not target her. She is smarter than you and does not bother to scheme against you. She has her own pride and dignity."
"Does she have her own pride and dignity? Haha, I've never seen her have any dignity at all!"
Gu Shan said mockingly: "She took the position of my eldest daughter. It's not that she doesn't understand dignity, but she deliberately puts me down. My mother loves her, and my grandmother dotes on her. She always wants everything from me. Now that I am no longer a concubine, she still stares at my jewelry and wants to snatch them all away."
"Her ambition will never be satisfied. She wants to be a wife, an aunt, and even...she wants to be the matron of the Gu family!"
"My mother said that Gu Yao has no intention of admitting her mistakes and repenting. She only regards us as enemies. Even if her grandmother is left alone on her deathbed, Gu Yao will not be grateful."
"Not only is she ungrateful, but she obstructs my mother at every turn. She...she even teamed up with the prince to frame me!"
The more Gu Shan talked, the more she became more and more sad and angry. She shrugged her shoulders and cried, "She doesn't deserve to be the eldest daughter. She doesn't deserve to continue to live. She shouldn't enjoy this honor!"
"Snapped!"
Gu Shan was suddenly slapped on the head. She staggered back two steps, her forehead hit the table leg, she moaned in pain, and five bright red fingerprints appeared on her forehead.
"If you keep talking nonsense, I will tear your mouth apart!"
Gu Zhan gritted his teeth and said viciously: "It's not that Gu Yao doesn't deserve to be a legitimate daughter, but she doesn't need you to teach her a lesson! You don't deserve to mention her, let alone insult my daughter!"
"You...you actually hit me?"
"Yeah, so what if I hit you?"
Gu Zhan picked up Gu Shan and said without any pity, "You are also my cousin. I have always treated you as my cousin, but what about you? Not only did you not appreciate me, but you slandered my daughter everywhere and even slandered her. You... ...You disappoint me so much, Gu Shan, I'm warning you, don't say anything bad about Gu Yao again! Otherwise...otherwise don't blame me for being rude, I will kill you!"
He let go of Gu Shan and walked away, "Remember to pay back the money as agreed, otherwise your mother won't be able to protect you!"
With a bang, the door slammed shut.
Gu Shan fell down on the bed and was stunned for a moment. She covered her forehead with tears and murmured: "I don't want this either, but I... I can't control my jealousy. I don't want to lose to her. Why should she?" Can everyone like her? Why should I endure it? She is obviously far worse than me."
She is not willing to give in!
*****
Gu Shan's abnormality attracted the attention of Gu Yan and others, and Gu Yao asked, "Did she do anything wrong?"
Gu Yan frowned and shook his head, "I don't know, but she has always been a taciturn child. Unlike Girl Shan, who has an outgoing personality, she rarely interacts with us."
"Has she been busy recently?"
"Um."
Gu Yan nodded, "I heard someone said that she went to the silver house to get a lot of silver and bought some weird jewelry. Every time she bought something, she would hide it. No one would reveal what she bought. She Her clothes, shoes and socks have also been replaced with new ones, and they look more decent and refined than before, but her clothes also cost more, and I watched her buy a lot of rouge and gouache."
Gu Yao pursed her lips. Gu Shan changed very quickly, "Did you send someone to follow her?"
"How could I do such a thing?"
Gu Yan patted his chest and promised: "I have done good deeds all my life and have never done bad things. I can't even curse people, let alone spy on others. I sent people to protect Shan Yatou secretly. She is my niece after all. I can't let her It’s a shame, I...although I don’t care about her life or death, but I...oh, I won’t say anything anymore.”
Ms. Li smiled and said, "I know even if you don't tell me, you are worried about Girl Shan being bullied outside."
"I just don't want Shan Yatou to be tricked. When I'm not in the capital, if someone uses Shan Yatou to scheme against Yaoyao, wouldn't you be very passive?"
Gu Yan looked like he loves his daughter the most, "Yao Yao, I think your father is right. Your study housekeeper must not only guard against the disaster of Gu Lu, but also guard against others. After all, your father..."
Gu Yao smiled and said: "You are right, I should learn to be a housekeeper. It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that my father is too stupid. His IQ... you have also seen that he is not smart enough. I am worried that he will be I don't want you to be cheated or taken advantage of by Gu Lu, I don't want it to affect you or grandma."
"I also agree with the second brother and sister. I see that the second uncle has been very busy recently. He is either drinking or hanging out in gambling houses all day long. The second aunt is a woman with two young brothers, so her life may be difficult."
Mrs. Li sighed softly, "Your father is a stupid and honest man. How can he compete with the calculating Gu Jia? I think the second uncle is really confused. He can obviously separate the family and live alone, but he insists on relying on the Gu family. I really no solution anymore."
"You don't have to worry about us. Our family is living a good life. Gu Jia doesn't dare to do anything to us, and I'm not afraid of her either!"
Gu Silang waved his hand boldly, not taking Gu Jia seriously at all.
Their family is the safest, who dares to plot against Gu Jin?
Gu Silang told Gu Yao, "You study hard and prepare for the imperial examination. I will help you with the Gu family's affairs. After you pass the imperial examination, our father and daughter will join forces to kick Gu Jia out completely!"
"..."
Gu Yao shook her head helplessly. Fourth Master Gu's mind was full of energy. I wonder what was in his mind, how could he think of passing the imperial examination.
Could it be that Fourth Master Gu is illiterate?
"Yao Yao, don't underestimate me. Although I have never taken the exam, I have rich experience and am more powerful than the county magistrate. Especially when I was in Jiangnan, I heard about many famous cases. Those cases were compiled into classics and passed down to the world. I also I once read through it, although I just watched the excitement and did not participate in the cracking, but I also saw some connections."
Gu Silang talked about many cases eloquently.
Gu Yao nodded slightly, "You are indeed better than me. I am not as good as you. I...I will try my best."
"You don't have to be humble, I know you are not simple."
Gu Silang smiled and hugged Gu Yao, lowering his head to smell the fragrance on her body, "You and Third Brother are not like ordinary people."
"Ahem."
Gu Jue held the tea cup and hid his coughing in embarrassment, "Dad, can you restrain yourself and stop showing affection in front of us?"
"What do you know? You brothers and sisters put together, I haven't even shown off!"
Gu Silang snorted, "You brothers and sisters are not as close as me, and you are not as lucky as me. My daughter is my favorite daughter."
"..."
Gu Jin and Gu Yan looked at each other, stood up and walked away.
Gu Silang was left holding Gu Yao tightly, "My good daughter, you are the only one left, you have to help me!"
"Aren't you accompanied by my mother?"
"Your mother..."
"Don't let my mother down!"
"..."
Gu Silang's face turned red, as if he had been humiliated, "I will not let your mother down, she...she is just an orphan, with no family to rely on. It's my fault to marry me, and besides, I have promised to marry her as my wife." Sweet room."
"I'm a man, so I can't live without a wife for the rest of my life. Your mother is a good woman. I will cherish her and am willing to work hard for you. But now I only have you, and I can't wrong you..."
"No, I don't feel aggrieved at all."
Gu Yao gently stroked Gu Silang's hair, her eyes soft: "I don't lack the love of my parents and brothers, the only thing I lack is the love of my father!"
She nuzzled into Gu Silang's arms and said, "I will never forget how dad defended me and protected me. Even if you are a bastard again, I will never dislike you or hate you."
"You don't hate me?"
"Why do I hate you?"
Gu Yao said softly: "I have never done anything sorry for you. If I do something wrong, dad can teach me a lesson or even beat me and scold me, but... I will not blame you, let alone feel sad about it. I just tell myself that it’s all worth it.”
Gu Silang was moved and choked up, "Why are you so sensible?"
"Because my father is a good man, and I have always been a good boy. My mother is a good woman, and I am also a good boy!"
Gu Yao said softly: "I don't expect my mother's family to give me glory. All I can do is to make my mother live more comfortably, so that my father will not be tortured by his stepmother."
"What are you talking about?" Gu Silang's eyes widened, "Your mother is not happy, and I am also unhappy. I will never allow anyone to bully her!"
Gu Yao chuckled and said, "Don't make your stepmother angry, but I won't let her bully my mother."
Gu Silang nodded heavily, "Don't worry, your father and I are not a fool either."
"I believe in dad's ability." Gu Yao said softly: "You just need to take care of yourself."
"..."
Gu Silang sighed: "Yao Yao, you and your mother are becoming more and more alike."
His eyes were red and the tip of his nose was sore. Gu Yao stretched out her hand to wipe her tears, "Dad, why are you crying? It's not like I won't come back. I will send you a banknote every month. Don't be reluctant to leave my mother. She just passed away." It’s just a matter of enjoying the blessings in the capital. By the time she returns to her hometown, I will definitely be successful and famous. You can see me anytime you want. I bought a house in the capital and hired a special chef to serve you.
