Free Web NovelChapter 627: Chapter 627: Explosive News
In the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Ruinian and Wu Na got married.
The old residence of the Gu Family was decorated with lanterns and festoons, and the word "喜" (happiness) was plastered all over the gate and fences.
Qinghe Bay had just witnessed a snowfall, making the word "喜" appear especially jubilant against the white backdrop.
This was the first joyous event since Mr. Gu, Gu Youtian, and others returned to Qinghe Bay.
The grandson, once full of promise but fallen to the bottom, was getting married, which rarely brought a smile to Mr. Gu’s face. He happily invited the whole village to the banquet, even notifying Xu Xinghua’s family.
Whether they would come or not was not something Mr. Gu was concerned about; the main goal was to annoy the Xu Family.
This wedding was grand and impressive.
To regain reputation in front of the villagers, Gu Youtian decided to throw a lively and sumptuous wedding for his son, thinking that they could use the five hundred taels of silver brought by his daughter-in-law as a supplement.
They hired a chef from Fengle Building well in advance to take charge of the cooking at home.
Meats and dishes were transported like flowing water into the old residence courtyard; tables, chairs, and benches borrowed from the whole village were set up row after row in the yard, and even along the halls and outside doors.
Besides the villagers of Qinghe Bay, relatives from Mrs. Jia’s and the Old Mrs. Gu’s families also came.
When Tong Huaqiong arrived with Gu Taohua and others, they saw a lot of unfamiliar relatives chattering away.
As the eldest sister-in-law, Tong Huaqiong was naturally invited to the couple’s wedding.
For this wedding, she gifted the newlyweds with a quilt cover from her family’s Weaving Workshop and a silver tael as a monetary gift.
Children like Man Er, Xiao Long, and Yaozu came along to the old house to join the feast, determined to eat back the silver tael gift.
The old house was bustling with excitement; in moments of joy people often feel spirited, and Mr. Gu and the others were wearing new clothes, their faces beaming with happiness.
The happiest was Mrs. Jia, who had her hair slicked and oiled, busy without a moment to rest, smiling at everyone she met.
Perhaps because her son had made a good match, she warmly called Tong Huaqiong ’sister-in-law’ and asked why Jingzhe did not come along.
Tong Huaqiong explained that Jingzhe was studying diligently at Wanliu Academy, preparing for the upcoming provincial exam, to which Mrs. Jia’s expression froze.
Tong Huaqiong thought, "If he doesn’t come, you ask, and when asked, you’re not happy."
Really hard to please!
"Auntie, you came."
Mrs. Wei and Gu Xiaoxue, having changed into new clothes, greeted the guests.
Tong Huaqiong was warmly invited inside by Mrs. Wei, and Gu Xiaoxue handed her a hand warmer, smiling as she said, "Only Auntie has this."
Old Mrs. Gu was enthusiastically telling her family about this good match for Gu Ruinian with her arms waving.
But when she saw Tong Huaqiong enter, she immediately stopped.
Old Mrs. Gu’s sister, Old Mrs. Yang, looked over Tong Huaqiong; her nephew was getting married, and yet Tong Huaqiong dressed up more youthful and beautiful than Mrs. Jia, which annoyed her. So she scoffed, "The eldest niece has arrived, so dressed up I barely recognized her. Your mother-in-law is here enduring hard days, and your grandson’s marriage doesn’t even bring respectable jewelry, yet you are decked out so completely."
Tong Huaqiong glared sideways, unable to resist asking, "Who are you? Old lady, are you living by the sea, meddling so widely?"
Old Mrs. Yang choked on her words, trying to say something, but was interrupted by an elderly lady with silvery hair, "I think the eldest niece-in-law looks just fine like this. She is the head of the family, after all. Isn’t it fitting to be dressed like this? Should she appear shabby and let people gossip that the head of the family isn’t earning enough?"
The silvery-haired elderly lady was Old Mrs. Gu’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Ding. Tong Huaqiong gave her a friendly smile and said, "Hello, Aunt."
Old Mrs. Gu didn’t dare overstep before her sister-in-law, continuing to talk about Gu Ruinian and Wu Na’s marriage.
"...The girl from the village chief’s family at Black Dragon Pond, once you meet her you’ll see she’s sure to bear sons. Married in winter, by this time next year, the family will be adding to its members."
"The girl from the village chief’s family grew up pampered; she does have a bit of a temper but is thoroughly kind to Rui Nian, not asking for a single penny of dowry yet bringing ten acres of good farmland and five hundred taels of silver as a bridal gift. I don’t know what luck Rui Nian stepped in to have the village chief’s daughter willing to marry into the Gu Family."
...
Old Mrs. Gu repeated these words countless times to the villagers.
Taking the chance while her own family and Mrs. Jia’s family were here, she recounted it again.
The tone was full of boastful pride.
Mrs. Ding, upon hearing that the bride was the daughter of Black Dragon Pond’s village chief and didn’t ask for any dowry, couldn’t help but speculate, asking, "A girl who doesn’t ask for a dowry, perhaps she has some hidden ailment?"
She had just seen Gu Ruinian; he was good-looking, but one leg was lame. Which girl would be willing to pay in such a situation?
Unless she was blind.
Old Mrs. Gu clapped her hands and said, "Sister, don’t overthink it, there’s no hidden ailment. If there is a shortcoming, it’s that her skin is darker, which isn’t a big deal."
Mrs. Jia was displeased hearing Mrs. Ding’s words; her family’s Rui Nian was a child student, why couldn’t he match with the village chief’s daughter?
If not for the lame leg, someone like Lu Zhaozhao, Jingzhe’s fiancée, would be suitable.
"Aunt, you’ll see soon enough that my daughter-in-law has no faults," Mrs. Jia emphasized with a tone of displeasure, "My Rui Nian is very capable, enough to have charmed the village chief’s daughter into marrying over."
Mrs. Ding was still unconvinced.
She never liked Gu Youtian and his wife, preferring Mr. Gu and Tong Dajiao, and had repeatedly advised Old Mrs. Gu to treat the eldest son’s family better, but she wouldn’t listen. Everyone said the eldest niece-in-law had prospered now, and she didn’t believe it until she saw it for herself upon visiting the village.
The eldest son’s Weaving Workshop was dazzlingly successful, and she’s heard their pastry and general stores were opening even in the market towns.
Yet when looking at Gu Youtian and his wife, their son was marrying without even a newly built house or proper furniture; it all seemed unacceptable to her.
Therefore, she did not appreciate Mrs. Jia’s words, responding in a half-taunting tone, "I just saw Rui Nian, and I don’t see where his great abilities lie. Don’t think I’m overthinking; your family didn’t even build a new house for the wedding, nor is there any furniture, so why would the village chief’s daughter willingly marry into your family? Don’t be fooling the girl."
Mrs. Jia was almost furious to death.
This troublesome aunt-in-law, wielding her seniority and age, had been jabbing at people’s hearts since she was young.
What, she looks down on their family Rui Nian, right? But he’s still become the village chief’s son-in-law.
Provoked by Mrs. Ding, Mrs. Jia said, "My Rui Nian is capable enough to have charmed the village chief’s daughter so much that she’s already pregnant before even marrying. Aunt, aren’t you envious that my family’s Rui Nian, without spending a penny, not only gained a bride but also received ten acres of land and five hundred taels of silver? Perhaps your grandson is also looking for such a good match? But look to see if your grandson has such fortune."
Before Mrs. Jia finished speaking, the room suddenly fell into complete silence.
Such explosive news was spoken so nakedly.
Mrs. Ding was so surprised that her eyes were wide open. Good heavens, she guessed right, Gu Ruinian had indeed fooled the girl.
The villagers exchanged glances.
Old Mrs. Gu had been flaunting around the village about the village chief’s daughter marrying into Gu Ruinian’s family, and people suspected there was something fishy. Many doubted that Gu Ruinian had gotten Wu Na pregnant.
But there was no solid proof.
Now, Mrs. Jia thoroughly confirmed that the daughter-in-law, who hadn’t even married yet, was pregnant.
