Chapter 226: No Brains

win-win situation.After passing through the Yue Dong Gate and the Chaoshou Corridor, two young girls' voices arguing suddenly reached Meng Jin Yao's ears. Meng Jin Yao stopped in her tracks and follow...The autumn palace examinations are over, it is already the 17th of August.

August 25th was Gu Xuyan's wedding day. As the eldest granddaughter of the Hou Mansion, she married the son of the Duke of Wuan. Even though the elders disapproved of this marriage, they still attached great importance to it.

The whole Fu family was busy, all three sisters-in-law were preparing for the wedding. Meng Jinyang followed her two elder sisters-in-law and learned a lot.

The Zhang family had already prepared a list of dowry items. As they hadn't divided their property yet, when the daughters got married, the dowry came from the family's shared funds. If parents wanted to add anything else, they would do so separately.

Grandfather Gu Jing Sheng had a small amount of property, but it wasn't much. The Zhang family didn't have much dowry either. Although her father was a top scholar, he came from a poor family. When her father won the top exam, she was eleven years old.

After her father became a high-ranking official, she entered the Hanlin Academy. This seemingly simple government office still required her family to continue educating their brothers. Her grandmother taught her the proper etiquette expected of a noblewoman so that she could marry well. Their family was struggling financially, so when she got married, she didn't have much dowry. She only managed to marry into the Changxing Hou Mansion because Gu Jingheng found her attractive.

Now that her daughter is about to get married, Zhang shi doesn't have much good stuff to give her daughter as dowry. However, her husband is generous and gave her a shop that belongs to his private property.

However, fortunately, Changxing Houfu's family fortune was abundant, and the dowry given by Chungong was also remarkable. It wouldn't be shabby.

Zhang Shi took the dowry list to Shou'an Hall and presented it to her mother-in-law, saying in a respectful voice, "Mother, this is Xuanyi's dowry list. Please have a look."

Madam Gu took the list and only glanced at it briefly. With her second daughter-in-law assisting and keeping an eye on things, the eldest daughter-in-law did not dare to act selfishly, whether in terms of managing household affairs or preparing dowry for her daughter. Therefore, the proposed dowry list was standard and moderate.

Thinking of Gu Xuanyi's temperament, marrying into the complicated and intricate Wu Anbo's mansion, life would probably be difficult in the future. Gu Lao Madam said softly: "Let's add some more money, silk and satin."

Zhang was astonished, but she dared not act on her own. She consulted, "Mother loves Xuanyi so much, I, as her daughter-in-law, will first apologize to Mother on Xuanyi's behalf. How much should we add"

Madame Gu pondered for a moment before replying, "Add another two thousand taels. As for the silk, you can handle it as you see fit."

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "Thank you, Mother."

Lady Gu instructed, "Before Xuanyi gets married, you should have a good talk with her and tell her to control her temper. When she goes to her husband's house, she must be careful and measured in her words and actions. Don't suffer losses the day after she arrives. The Wu'an Marquis's Mansion has many people, and with many people come many thoughts."

Zhang's smile faltered, and bitterness rose in her heart. The four branches of the Wu Anbo family had seven children in total: two sons and one daughter from his legitimate wife, and two sons and two daughters from concubines.

The second and third rooms also had many children. The second master had two sons and three daughters, while the third master had three sons.

Si Ye is the son of Old Master's concubine. He is still young, only twenty-two or three years old. Currently, he has two sons and one daughter. In the future, it is estimated that he will have more children.

This way of calculation, her husband, Hsuan-yi's, has eleven brothers. Hsuan-yi needs to get along with ten sisters-in-law. In addition, there are seven aunts and cousins altogether. Such a large family environment is very complex, with many people and naturally more conflicts.

Living until the old lady passed away and dividing the family property would be difficult, after all, as the second wife, she wasn't actually that old. She seemed to be no older than forty, just a few years older than me. She was also in good health, so living for another ten or twenty years wouldn't be unusual.

How can her daughter cope with such a large family

Grandmother Gu glanced at her and shook her head imperceptibly. At this point, it wasn't time to blame anyone. She could only offer a couple of pointers: "As for the matter of managing the household, Xu Yi won't be able to handle it. Have her temporarily refrain from taking charge herself and let her mother-in-law manage things for now. Let her learn earnestly by her mother-in-law's side. Also, as for the dowry maidservants, choose two who are intelligent, composed, and capable of advising her to curb her temperament so that she can grow up quickly. Otherwise, her mother-in-law will likely have reservations about her."

Zhang nodded in agreement: "Daughter-in-law will speak to Xuan Yi well."

Old Mrs. Gu comforted them again: “Just relax, as long as the Changxing Hou Mansion doesn’t fall, they wouldn’t dare to do anything to Xuanyi. At most, she would suffer some losses. If they go too far, our Gu family won’t let them off either. Bullying the daughter of the Gu family is like slapping the face of the Gu family.”

Zhang listened to these words and felt as if she had eaten a reassurance pill. The uneasiness in her heart decreased considerably. After leaving Shou'an Hall, she went to her daughter's courtyard.

Feng Mama said, "Madam, although the eldest son isn't your biological child, you have been exceptionally kind to the big family and even added extra dowry for the eldest daughter."

Mrs. Gu said faintly, "Zhang has been managing the household for many years, she has both merits and demerits. Two thousand taels of silver is not much for the Hou Mansion, but it's also a considerable sum for a married daughter. At least she will have more financial ease. Our family has only had two daughters in three generations, so giving her a little more is also appropriate. Now we're giving Xianyì a bit more, and when Xailing gets married, we'll add a bit more too. Xailing married into a lower-ranked family, so adding a bit more is considered an extra subsidy."

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The entire household was bustling with activity, leaving only Gu Xuanyiy with her carefree joy, completely oblivious to the fact that she was about to fall into a pit.

Gu Xiwen, who was studying at Ling Shan Academy, also came back on leave to attend his sister's wedding feast. He saw his sister resting her chin in her hand, watching the butterflies dancing gracefully in the garden, laughing happily and carefree. He heard that this marriage was obtained by his sister secretly communicating with the son of Marquis Wu'an.

He frowned, couldn't help but poke his sister's forehead, and said: "Xuan Yi, marrying the son of Duke Wu An, you can still smile"

Gu Xuanyi's smile froze, her eyes glared unpleasantly at her older brother: "Fourth Brother, what do you mean by that"

Gu Xiwen glared at him, frustrated. "We're from the same mother, born on the same day! Did your brain get mixed up with mine while we were in the womb"

Is this saying she's not smart

Gu Xuyan, after hearing this, was completely enraged and blurted out, "Fourth brother, what's wrong with you Did going to Ling Shan Academy make you so arrogant Now that you're back home, you bully your own little sister. Do you really think you're smart You got into Ling Shan Academy only because of Third Uncle!"

Gu Xiwen snarled, "… You foolish idiot! There will be a time when you regret this!"

At this time, Gu Xiuming's disapproving voice came: "Fourth brother, tomorrow is the wedding day of our eldest sister. As your closest elder brother, you don't offer congratulations, and you even say such things"

Gu Xiwen's face was tight. "She found such a husband for herself, I really can't say congratulations."

Although he used to be a wastrel son, who didn't study seriously and was lazy, he wasn't a complete fool. He also understood that the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion wouldn't be suitable for his sister. With her personality, she would definitely have a hard time there.

Gu Xiuming glanced at Gu Xuanyi, who was fuming beside him, and then at Gu Xiwen. He smiled and said, "Fourth brother, you are wrong! The son of Marquis Wu'an comes from a noble family, handsome and talented. It is difficult to find such a good husband even with a lantern. The eldest sister is the granddaughter of the Marquis, beautiful as a flower. She is very well-matched with the son of Marquis Wu'an. They are a perfect match made in heaven." he definitely wouldn't do anything to her. But she was afraid of being falsely accused of spending time alone with her husband's friend.Qi Yunwen looked surprised and exclaimed, “Sister-in-law, why i...