Free Web NovelChapter 1135: Chapter 971: Gao Family
His gaze fell on Gu Chengyu, who was dressed in an official uniform. In the Jingyuan Prefecture, Gu Chengyu was indeed renowned. Seeing him today, he was exceptionally handsome.
And despite his young age, he had already become an official, and his authority was clearly substantial.
When Gu Chengyu’s indifferent gaze swept over him, the man immediately felt a chill in his heart. He had heard from the second son that this Little Uncle was not easy to fool and had a strong prejudice against the second son.
He was stirred and immediately knelt down, "Commoner Gao Dachuan pays respects to the lord!"
Gu Chengyu’s eyebrows raised slightly, indicating that this person was quite resourceful and ambitious.
Gao Dachuan’s wife and daughter, seeing this, were at a loss. They stood up, feeling a bit troubled. However, after a moment’s hesitation, they also knelt down.
"There’s no need for such formalities! Today is a family feast, a day of family reunion, no need for these empty formalities!"
Gu Chengyu deliberately emphasized the words "family reunion," signaling that if Gao Dachuan was sensible, he would immediately propose to take his leave.
They were all family, except the Gao Family, who were outsiders. The father-in-law of the second son and Gu Chengyu were not close, let alone the fact that the Gao Family had not yet become in-laws with the Gu Family!
Upon hearing this, Gao Dachuan’s face stiffened; indeed, this Little Uncle did not favor the second son! Whether choosing the second son as a son-in-law was right or wrong was uncertain.
Gao Dachuan’s daughter, Gao Yingying, secretly glanced at Gu Chengyu. She had previously heard that the Gu Family had a Little Uncle who was a high official. Later, when she became engaged to Gu Wanjiang, Gu Wanjiang often spoke ill of his Little Uncle when visiting her home.
But he would eventually say that as long as his grandfather was alive, even if the Little Uncle did not think highly of him, his grandfather would not abandon him.
Initially, her family agreed to the marriage because the Gu Family had an official. Their family was also fairly well-off; her parents had a general store in the town, and over the years, they had accumulated some savings.
If Gu Wanjiang were not a scholar and the Gu Family not prestigious and wealthy in Jingyuan Prefecture, her family would not have agreed to the marriage.
Gao Yingying was just amazed by Gu Chengyu’s appearance, quietly admiring how truly handsome he was. Nevertheless, since he was a court official, he was beyond her reach, so she dared not gaze upon him too much.
The second son, seeing his fiancée’s family kneel to Gu Chengyu under everyone’s watchful eyes, turned pale with anger.
Was this not disgracing him? If he had known, he would have sent the three of them back to the courtyard first, avoiding this embarrassing scene now!
"Uncle, Aunt, today is a family feast, as Little Uncle said, there’s no need for formalities, please rise quickly!"
The second son didn’t want the three to further embarrass him and thus planned for the three to leave first.
Seeing everyone in the room watching them, Gao Dachuan had to get up from the ground. Originally wanting to cozy up to Gu Chengyu to ease the tension between this uncle and nephew, hoping this uncle would look after the second son more in the officialdom later.
Who would have thought the relationship between the second son and his Little Uncle was worse than he had predicted?
Gao Dachuan’s wife, Gui Shi, upon entering the Gu Mansion, marveled at its splendor. Now, looking at Gu Chengyu, his official uniform nearly blinded her.
Not only was the Gu Mansion grand, but the second son’s Little Uncle looked incredibly imposing! It was the first time she had seen such a handsome young man.
If she could have such an official as a son-in-law, she would laugh even in her dreams. She had heard from the second son before that his Little Uncle was yet unmarried. Gui Shi’s eyes darted to her daughter, who was like a budding flower.
Seeing the host’s expressions were somewhat off, Gao Dachuan felt a bit panicked, with sweat beading on his forehead, the atmosphere immediately grew awkward.
The Gu Family was having a family reunion, and their outsider presence was indeed inappropriate. Not wanting the Gu Family to feel disdain towards them, Gao Dachuan decided it was best not to stay any longer,
He immediately clasped his hands, saying, "We followed the second son to the capital, causing much disturbance to the residence. After the journey, my wife and daughter and I wish to rest early. Old Master and Madam, everyone, we shall take our leave now."
Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow; although they were somewhat self-serving, they were not beyond redemption.
"Don’t speak of causing disturbance! Dinner will be served soon, why not stay for a meal?"
Mr. Gu also felt that Gao Dachuan was quite tactless; he already found their presence awkwardly peculiar. Now that they proposed leaving, he was naturally pleased.
However, since they were guests, with them wanting to leave, he should at least say some courteous words and try to retain them.
"No, let’s not cause any disturbance!" Gao Dachuan waved his hand, looking quite embarrassed.
Gui Shi and Gao Yingying were somewhat anxious—would missing a few mouths at the Gu Mansion’s rich table be of any consequence?
Their accommodation wasn’t bad either, with two courtyards, it wasn’t small.
Their previous room decor was unseen before, but clearly, the Gu Mansion was much wealthier!
Gui Shi glanced at Gao Dachuan, knowing he was aware of this old wife’s shallow outlook. Were it not to curry favor with Gu Chengyu, they wouldn’t have come.
Recognize when to quit, lest people perceive them as insatiable.
Gao Dachuan was the family pillar, Gui Shi usually obeyed her husband, so she kept her mouth shut.
Once Gao Dachuan’s family left, the room’s atmosphere suddenly became much livelier. Clearly, with outsiders present, everyone couldn’t be at ease.
Only it was unfortunate that Gu Chengchi’s family was absent; since yesterday, the Capital’s renowned doctor had been summoned to the Imperial Palace.
Gu Chengyu was thankful he let the Fourth brother avoid it first, otherwise, being dragged into the palace meant a tough time getting out soon.
He then glanced at his older sister’s attire, noting it was all silk, and her previously fretful face was now replaced with a flush, spirited, and even the fine lines on her face had faded, proving her family had been doing well these past two years.
This elder sister wasn’t particularly close to Gu Chengyu, but being family by blood, he didn’t wish for her to suffer.
"It’s just unfortunate Fourth Brother’s family isn’t here today, such poor timing," Gu Chengli sighed, as two brothers were missed during this family reunion.
The second brother was gone, and Gu Chengli was still unwilling to bring it up. No matter how flawed the second brother was, he was still his blood brother. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Sometimes thinking about the second brother, Gu Chengli couldn’t help but feel sorrow. He, the older brother, was still alive, yet the second brother had passed first.
The Gu Family’s situation improved today, yet the second brother had not enjoyed much of the blessings. But all of it was due to the second brother’s actions; no one else could be blamed.
"Indeed! He could have gone earlier or later, but chose now, leaving so hastily. So many years without visiting family, why suddenly such urgency?"
Mentioning this, Mrs. Lv also felt somewhat displeased.
Gu Chengyu and his siblings hadn’t disclosed the truth to their parents, merely saying Doctor Li went home to visit family, thus minimizing Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv’s worries.
"Isn’t it so? He could have accompanied Doctor Li on his own, but took along Fourth Brother’s wife and child?"
