Chapter 12: 012 Aunt and Niece

Chapter 12 012. Aunt and Niece

Gu Antong thought reflectively, "Does Mother mean that Second Aunt will take action?"

"The Xu family is a fallen household. Back then, your grandfather refused to marry that Xu Yulan into the manor; it was your grandmother who insisted on her own way and decided on it herself.

At that time, your grandfather was merely from a landlord background with some modest assets, so marrying into your grandmother's family was considered a suitable match.

It is just that your grandmother's maternal family has become increasingly destitute over the years. Her branch is the only one that remains somewhat prominent, so naturally, whenever something happens, they come knocking on our door.

Ever since she married your Second Aunt, the two of them have worked together to become even more excessive.

If it weren't for your grandmother's heavy support, do you think the power to manage the household would have fallen into my hands?"

"But having the power to manage the household isn't necessarily a good thing," Gu Antong did not consider this a desirable position. If it weren't for her mother's capability, there was no telling how much she would have to pour into it.

"Why do you think I want this power?" Liu Yun stroked Gu Antong's head, her voice tinged with pride. "In this entire manor, besides me, who else could serve as the mistress of the house?

We are the eldest branch, and your father holds an official position; in the future, this entire Gu manor will belong to our branch.

Although managing the household is difficult, there are always some benefits. My dowry isn't like your Third Aunt's; I must plan long-term to secure more benefits for you and your younger brother.

Besides, if I don't manage the house, how can I teach you? This is an excellent opportunity for practice.

I was born of low status. Although I was born into a Marquis's household, I was ultimately a concubine's daughter; I only managed to learn the ropes by pleasing my legitimate elder sister.

In the future, my daughter will certainly have to be the mistress of a prominent clan, so these lessons are indispensable.

Now, the whole of Shangjing knows that the Gu family's legitimate granddaughter is already helping to manage the entire manor at such a young age. As long as there are suitable young talents in the manor, who wouldn't consider you the prime candidate?"

"Mother..." At the mention of her marriage prospects, Gu Antong lowered her head shyly and called out in a soft, reluctant voice.

"We cannot let the reputation we have built for so long be ruined by such a small matter.

Whether your Third Aunt is truly ill or just avoiding us, this matter ends here.

Since there are no matching hair ornaments for those clothes, we shall choose that Moonlight Skirt set. It is elegant and tranquil; it will please those old ladies."

If she couldn't stand out at first glance, she would have to take a different route. Liu Yun had already made the choice for her daughter.

Gu Antong thought calmly and finally followed Liu Yun's suggestion, changing into the Moonlight Skirt set.

"But will it be too plain?" She felt that wearing this might not be auspicious; would those old ladies truly like it?

"The whole of Shangjing knows, through unspoken understanding, that the banquet at the Princess's manor is specifically prepared for the princes to scout for brides. The young ladies from every household will certainly be competing to show off their beauty. In such a way, you will stand out by being the calm one in the middle."

Liu Yun gazed at Gu Antong's exquisite, pale face. "You look just like your maternal grandmother..."

Speaking of her own biological mother, Liu Yun sighed inwardly. With her mother's face, if it hadn't been for the family's fall from grace after a government official's crime, she wouldn't have ended up as a concubine in a Marquis's household; she might have even had a chance in the Imperial Palace.

She did not notice that upon hearing this, a flash of displeasure crossed Gu Antong's eyes. To compare her, the legitimate eldest granddaughter of a second-rank official, to a concubine—if such words were spread outside, what future would she have?

...

Xu Yulan returned to her maternal home and immediately went to the main courtyard upon entering the manor. "Aunt, you must stand up for me."

"What happened? Didn't you go home?" Seeing her niece in such a state, Xu Huizhen hurriedly pulled her over to sit down.

"I went back to tell them about repairing the ancestral hall and told them to find their own way, but Great Uncle scolded me."

"Why would my father scold you?" The Old Lady looked at Xu Yulan with suspicion. "Was there any disrespect on your part?"

"It is a complete injustice! How would I dare?" Xu Yulan wiped away non-existent tears with a handkerchief. "The game we brought back this time was shared between the two families. When Great Uncle asked about the ancestral hall, I repeated what you told me. Who knew Great Uncle would point his finger at my nose and scold me, saying that I was the one playing tricks behind the scenes and being unfilial?

Aunt, I am truly wronged. How did I not know that the Liang family is our only support? We think of the family first for everything good, yet I am the one bearing this blame for nothing."

After speaking, Xu Yulan looked up at Xu Huizhen. She felt she was shielding this old woman from disaster; instead of receiving a warm welcome upon her return, she had brought a scolding upon herself. It was truly a loss of face. How could she maintain her authority as an elder sister in front of her younger siblings in the future?

The household certainly wasn't lacking the silver to repair the ancestral hall, yet they insisted on making her the villain. It was because she had trusted her aunt too much; she had essentially taken the fall for her.

The Old Lady sighed. "I am also powerless now. The silver I worked so hard to save up has mostly been sent back to the Xu family over the last two years. Don't forget that your dowry was prepared by me privately.

If the family is truly in urgent need, do you have any on hand? Perhaps you could bring some back first?"

"How would I have any silver left?" Xu Yulan no longer dared to play the victim. She looked up with wide eyes and said, "Aunt, have you forgotten?

The betrothal gifts you sent back then, as well as the dowry you gave me privately—they were all taken to pay off my uncle's gambling debts.

What I have left are just some things that look good but are useless; even my only set of hair ornaments is just gilded."

The "uncle" she mentioned was the Old Lady's own younger brother. If it weren't to marry into the Gu family, Xu Yulan would never have been so generous.

She had originally thought that once she entered the Gu manor, her aunt would at least subsidize her. Who knew that after all this time, not only had she seen no good things, but now she was expected to pour her last bit of dowry into the family.

Besides, didn't her aunt have some sense? If they satisfied the Xu family's wish to repair the ancestral hall this time, what would she have left?

"Sigh," the Old Lady also thought of this. Yesterday, she had wanted to find the Old Master to see if she could regain control of the household management; if all else failed, she could at least have her second daughter-in-law share the burden. Who knew that old fellow hadn't returned again last night?

If she didn't know that he was a man who valued his reputation above all else, she would have thought he was keeping a mistress outside.

"Then let's set it aside for now and compensate them when there is an opportunity in the future."

"But Aunt, Great Uncle said that if we don't send it back within these few days, he will come here personally," Xu Yulan said, bracing herself. If the Xu family truly caused a scene at their doorstep, it would be the aunt and niece who would lose face.

"..."

"Go and call your sister-in-law here."

Xu Yulan was somewhat reluctant. "Couldn't we just send Nanny Zhou and the others?"

In the manor, she looked down on the Third Branch, and of course, she also looked down on the petty First Branch.

"You are currently asking for a favor; naturally, you must lower your attitude."

Xu Yulan: "..." Since when was she the one asking for a favor?

"Do as I say." The Old Lady also felt somewhat embarrassed; she couldn't exactly bow her head to her daughter-in-law herself.

"The Xu family is my husband's maternal family. Now that they are in difficulty, as in-laws, we must naturally lend a hand," the Old Lady muttered to herself, using this reason to persuade Xu Yulan, while also intending to use it to pressure Liu Yun.

(End of Chapter)