Chapter 328 - 329: Brotherly Reunion
Chapter 328: Chapter 329: Brotherly Reunion
Ancient Wen Heng finally arrived home just before sunset. When he heard the housekeeper’s report at the gate, he remembered that he had invited his second brother and his entire family over today.
"Have Madam and our guests eaten yet?"
Housekeeper Fu shook his head. "Madam suggested serving the meal first, but Second Master said that they must wait for you, sir."
Ancient Wen Heng could only head straight for the side hall. Before he even stepped inside, he heard his second sister-in-law’s distinctively loud voice, "I’m telling you, Seventh Sister-in-law, in a house this big, you can’t possibly not have room for the four of us?
We’re all one family, your husband and mine are blood brothers. You’re not going to make us stay in that dark, narrow thatched cottage, are you?"
Jin Qianqian was speechless.
’Listen to Second Sister-in-law,’ Ancient Wen Heng thought as he walked in. ’Even if it is a thatched cottage, they’ve lived there for so long. Would a few more days really matter?
If she had just asked nicely, I wouldn’t have minded clearing out a side courtyard for them to stay temporarily. But who gave her the right to act so entitled?’
Seeing Ancient Wen Heng enter in his official robes, Gu Lehuan, who had already seen him yesterday, was not that surprised.
Gu Yuanmu and Wang Caiyue, on the other hand, almost fell to their knees. He was a far cry from the Seventh they remembered.
Looking at the familiar facial features but completely different aura, Gu Yuanmu tentatively called out, "Seventh Brother?"
"Second Brother, sorry to keep you waiting." After greeting Gu Yuanmu, Ancient Wen Heng didn’t even spare Wang Caiyue a glance.
"No, we didn’t have anything to do anyway." Gu Yuanmu swallowed hard. His seventh brother felt like a complete stranger.
Jin Qianqian walked over and brushed the dust from his shoulders. "You’re home now. You should go change into some casual clothes. Why don’t you head back to our room and freshen up a bit? We’ll start dinner as soon as you’re ready. Second Brother and his family have been waiting for a long time; they must be starving."
Ancient Wen Heng knew his attire made them uncomfortable, but now that he had made his point, he was also eager to change into something more comfortable.
"Then, Second Brother, I’ll have to trouble you to wait a little longer. I’ll be right back."
"Go on, it’s no trouble for us to wait a bit longer." Gu Yuanmu’s voice lacked conviction. The gap between the brothers was just too vast now; how could he dare to put on the airs of an older brother anymore?
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Gu Yuanmu stood up to take his leave.
Wang Caiyue, however, was reluctant. ’But my husband’s own brother is right here! Why should we go back to that miserable life?’
Gu Yuanmu shot a look at his two sons, and the three of them surrounded her, slowly shuffling her towards the exit.
Ancient Wen Heng saw them to the door. "Second Brother, conditions in Gaoling Village are quite good now. If you want to go back, I can arrange a carriage to take you."
Gu Yuanmu nodded excitedly. He had been too embarrassed to ask. "Of course I want to go see Mom and Dad! I haven’t been by their side to fulfill my filial duties these past two years. I’ve let them down."
Ancient Wen Heng said, "...Whenever is convenient for you. When..."
"Seventh, I want to go back tomorrow." Gu Yuanmu was sick and tired of this life without friends, relatives, or kinsmen.
Although they could manage to keep their bellies full here, only they themselves knew the scorn and humiliation they had to endure.
Ancient Wen Heng hadn’t expected him to be in such a hurry and was about to agree, but Gu Lehuan grabbed Gu Yuanmu’s arm. "Dad, I know we’re going back to see Grandpa and Grandma, but there’s no need to be in such a rush, is there? We still need to say goodbye to the people we’ve gotten to know here. Otherwise, if our whole family just vanishes, people will worry."
Gu Yuanmu gave Ancient Wen Heng an embarrassed smile. "Look at me, getting so impatient. It’s true, we have received help from some people here, and we need time to say our goodbyes. How about this, Second Brother will come find you again in a few days?"
It made no difference to Ancient Wen Heng. "Second Brother, if you need help with anything, just ask. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do my best to help you.
I will inform my housekeeper. From now on, if you need anything, just go to him."
"What, can’t we just go directly to Seventh Sister-in-law?" Wang Caiyue asked, glancing at Jin Qianqian. ’Why should we have to go to a housekeeper? Isn’t she the mistress of the house?’
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "She receives endless invitations every day and is very busy. I’m afraid that sometimes when you come over, she might be out at a banquet, and you’ll miss her."
Wang Caiyue felt a sour taste in her mouth after hearing that. The day had been full of one blow after another; she realized she shouldn’t have opened her mouth.
Once they were a good distance away, Gu Yuanmu finally asked Gu Lehuan, puzzled, "Even if we need to say goodbye to a few families, it shouldn’t take several days. What friends do you need all this time to say goodbye to?"
Gu Lehuan lowered his head shyly. "Mr. Xu’s business is really busy right now. He’s been so good to me, I can’t just abandon him at a time like this, can I?"
"It’s that Xu Nuo again," Wang Caiyue said, now completely looking down on the orphan girl. "It’s a good thing you didn’t marry into her family. In the future, your mother will find you a virtuous and gentle wife, and we won’t have to live under someone else’s roof and walk on eggshells."
Gu Yuanmu fell silent. He couldn’t help but think, ’And who was it that tried to push for that match in the first place?’
Gu Lehuan ignored her and simply walked ahead. In the past, he felt he wasn’t good enough for Mr. Xu, and he still felt that way now.
’I’m just a boy from a mountain village, practically illiterate. I’m not even worthy of standing by Mr. Xu’s side, so what right do I have to look down on anyone?’
"Look at this son of yours! You can’t say a thing to him anymore," Wang Caiyue complained to Gu Yuanmu, then turned to Gu Lexi. "You’d better not be like your older brother. I’m your mother; I don’t owe you two anything. Why should I have to put up with your moods?"
Gu Yuanmu took a deep breath, quickened his pace to catch up with Gu Lehuan, and asked, "Do you have feelings for that Mr. Xu?"
Gu Lehuan’s steps faltered for a moment, but he quickly started walking forward again. "Dad, I know my own worth. Don’t say such things, you’ll ruin her reputation.
But you should really have a talk with Mom. She’s old enough to know better. She needs to think before she speaks.
Otherwise, even if Seventh Uncle is willing to help us, Mom’s big mouth will ruin everything."
If Jin Qianqian had been there, she would have given him a thumbs-up. The boy was the voice of reason.
She and Ancient Wen Heng were, in fact, discussing this very family at that moment. After talking it over, they both agreed it was best to send them back to Gaoling Village.
Otherwise, with a personality like her second sister-in-law’s, she would cause some kind of trouble sooner or later.
"In that case, I should write a letter to my other sisters-in-law," Jin Qianqian said. "I imagine there will be quite a commotion at home when they return." She had no doubt that the family’s matriarch and her other sisters-in-law had what it took to keep a single Wang Caiyue in line.
As for Gu Yuanmu’s sudden return, and whether his brothers would be willing to share the secret tofu recipe with him? That was a matter for the brothers to decide. Jin Qianqian certainly had no intention of meddling in their affairs.
Ancient Wen Heng, however, didn’t think any of it would be a problem. With how smart his brothers were, whether for their own sake or to stay on his good side, they would surely settle Old Gu the Second’s family in properly.