The husband who forced her to marry her couldn't keep her warm, and she didn't want him to

Gu Jinchu changed her low-key style from the previous times and wore a butterfly-smoke-phoenix-tail brocade skirt today, which made her already beautiful face look even more beautiful.

On the head, ears and wrists, there is a complete set of sterling silver gilt head ornaments inlaid with coral and turquoise, which are dignified and luxurious.

She sat upright in the rose chair, meeting the looks from her two younger sisters.

Their appearance at this moment reminded her of their childhood. Every time they came back from Baodi, they would run excitedly to her Sui'an Hall.

Looking at the maids and old women holding the things she brought back, she felt so envious and greedy.

Gu Jinchu smiled imperceptibly and looked up at his great-aunt.

Gu Zhang also noticed that Zheng's mother and daughter were dressed up today. She suppressed her doubts and looked at her sister-in-law:

"Sister-in-law, this may not be pleasant to hear. It is true that Hui Ge'er passed the imperial examination, and it is a big event to open the ancestral hall and kowtow to the ancestors, but there is still the palace examination to come, and sister-in-law is a little anxious to hold this banquet..."

Gu Li had not left Cuihua Courtyard since she got up in the morning, and had no idea what the outer courtyard and the courtyard looked like. She just thought it was her sister-in-law's envy.

Hearing this, he looked disapproving and said in a high-handed manner, "After today's banquet, we will open the ancestral hall tomorrow morning to kowtow to our ancestors and tell them the good news."

Gu Zhang sighed. Over the years, her younger brother and sister-in-law have always been trying to make a name for themselves. From the moment she insisted on building a ancestral hall in Xianghe Mansion, it was clear that she was not simply a narrow-minded person.

After talking to his younger brother and sister-in-law, he looked at Zheng's mother and daughter and asked with a smile, "I remember that Chu Jie'er will be coming of age in two months. Have you thought about who to invite?"

Speaking of her daughter's coming-of-age ceremony, Zheng's smile became genuine, "The sponsor is the legitimate daughter of Lord Luo, the governor of Beizhen Prefecture."

Gu Zhang helped her husband to manage the clan school, and her horizons were broader than those of ordinary women. She nodded when she heard this: "The Northern Pacification Office is different from ordinary Beijing officials. My niece is thoughtful."

After saying that, she changed the subject and said something a little cryptic, "The coming-of-age ceremony is a big event. Chu Jie'er's maternal family will definitely come to watch the ceremony. We don't want people to think that our Gu family is neglecting Chu Jie'er."

This time, Zhou could hardly keep the smile on her face. Her family members were around her, and they followed her to pay their respects to the lady dowager.

I have been to the Gu family for banquets before, but this is the first time that I have felt the stinginess and shabbiness of a sixth-rank Beijing official.

Gu Li looked at the patient and thoughtful expressions of the women in the hall, frowned slightly and looked at the housekeeper beside her.

Guan's mother came over with lowered head and explained a few words quietly in her ear.

After hearing this, the arrogance on Gu Li's face gradually faded. She glanced at Zhou beside her, which made her shudder.

Zhou raised her hand to support her eyebrows, blocking the gaze of her mother-in-law.

Hui Ge'er is her eldest son. As a mother, doesn't she want to give her son a grand wedding?

To achieve what she has today, she has already used her own pocket money to fill the gap.

I still tried to make up for it, looked around at my mother's family and Gu's family and said:

"Aunt, you don't know that there are too many mosquitoes and flies in midsummer this year. In order not to affect the appearance of the courtyard, we have to be simple. The banquet is organized by Aunt Lian. She is the most reliable person."

After Zhou said this, everyone couldn't help but look at Zheng. How could such a big thing be handled by a concubine?

No wonder they not only didn't see Zheng after they entered the door, but she also came late with her daughter.

Zheng said calmly, "I have not been feeling well lately. My eldest sister-in-law and Aunt Lian are now in charge of the household."

One of the sisters-in-law from the side branches who was quick to speak blurted out, "Second cousin's wife doesn't take care of the family anymore? No wonder the courtyard is like that... Haha... It makes us feel like we're back home."

Some people also expressed disapproval, "The legitimate daughter's coming-of-age ceremony is only two months away. How can we let a concubine hold it? We must not let such a good banquet become a joke."

No matter what others said, whether they were right or not, Li Xianglian's concubine Gu Li felt that they were all questioning her, the Gu family's lady-in-waiting, on her turf!

"Xianglian grew up under my watch. She married into the Gu family and took care of an old lady like me diligently. She also gave birth to Yan Jie'er for Huanian. She is such a well-educated and well-mannered child. If there are any shortcomings, I will teach her slowly."

Speaking of knowing the rules and being well-educated, everyone has seen Gu Yan's performance since Zheng brought Gu Jinchu in.

Gu Yan blinked her eyes, stood up, walked to Zheng and bowed, saying softly, "Hello, mother. Hello, third sister."

Compared with Zheng and Gu Jinchu who were dressed in formal attire, Gu Yan's outfit was much simpler.

Gu Yan looked at the pearls on Gu Jinchu's shoes and clenched them tightly with her fingers under her sleeves. What she had was already the best that her biological mother could give her.

Not to mention comparing with Gu Jinchu, she can't even compare with Gu Jinyu.

Zheng raised her hand and looked at the woman as if she was looking at a stranger. "The mother that Yan Jie'er mentioned is Aunt Lian. Have you forgotten?"

"The Gu family is very particular about rules. Since you didn't come to take care of me when I was sick, and you openly called a concubine mother, I will no longer recognize you as my mother. From now on, you can call me Second Madam."

Gu Yan seemed to have suffered a great blow, her voice trembling:

"Mother, what happened today? Did Sister Yan make you angry? After the clan members leave the house, I will kowtow to you and apologize, okay?"

Gu Jinchu said mercilessly, "Bad luck!"

"Gu Yan, my mother and I have been sitting here for a cup of tea, and you just came over to say hello in a pretentious manner. If someone doesn't know, they would think you are the boss of this family!"

Gu Yan lowered her head deeply, "Third sister, you know that I am timid and don't know how to speak. If I say something wrong, please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me..."

"That's enough!" Zheng said coldly with a straight face:

"Since we were little, you always act like you're being bullied wherever my Chujie is."

"Everyone present here today has seen what Chu Jie'er and I said to you. Why did you risk ruining Hui Ge'er's big wedding and frame us?"

Mrs. Gu Li looked a little impatient, "Second daughter-in-law, why are you arguing with Yan Jie'er, she's just a child? You're making a fool of yourself for everyone."

In the past, Zheng treated her mother-in-law sincerely, otherwise she would not have used her dowry to support the family. This time she did not compromise.

"Child? My Chu Jie'er is also a child, but she is only a few months older than Gu Yan!"