From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 695: Chapter 697: Marriage

If Gu Yi were to become the Clan Leader, his wife would be the future Patriarch’s wife, which means the standards she’d have to meet would be even more stringent.

Jin Qianqian said, "I’ve already sent people to make inquiries, but it’s the matters deep within the inner courtyards that are hard to uncover. You know how it is—many of these grand households look magnificent on the outside but are rotten to the core."

From her dealings with these types of people, Jin Qianqian had long since realized that what they showed on the surface and what they were like in private were two completely different things.

She wasn’t foolish enough to trust a first impression. If they were to seriously consider this match, she would need to meet the young lady several more times before making a final decision.

Ancient Wen Heng added, "The Hou Family’s reputation among the aristocratic families is considered quite good.

At the very least, the current head, Mr. Hou, is known for being fair in his public and private dealings. Let’s have someone look into it first."

After leaving the Gu Mansion, Mrs. Wu didn’t return to her own home. Instead, she had the coachman take her directly to the Hou Family estate.

Before entering, she composed her features into a joyful expression and, supported by her maid’s hand, walked inside.

"Where is my eldest brother? Is he at the residence?"

Her face fell as she addressed the steward who came out to greet her.

This man had been promoted by Lady Hou, so she naturally found him disagreeable.

"In response, Madam, the Master is in the rear courtyard," the steward answered respectfully.

"Go and inform him that I have something to discuss. Tell him to come to Old Mrs. Hou’s courtyard shortly."

With that, she immediately headed for Old Mrs. Hou’s courtyard, leaving the steward standing there baffled. ’The madam never looks pleased when she visits,’ he thought, ’but today she seems to be in a rather good mood. I wonder what happy news she brings.’

He didn’t dare to delay and hurried off to deliver the message, lest the madam find some trivial reason to criticize him again.

Seeing her daughter enter, Old Mrs. Hou immediately stood up. "How did it go?" she asked.

Mrs. Wu smiled. "Fortunately, I didn’t fail my mission. Mrs. Gu didn’t refuse outright."

"But she didn’t agree, either," the old matriarch said, her age having made her sharp enough to see right to the heart of the matter.

Mrs. Wu replied, "Mother, given Mrs. Gu’s position, if she wasn’t even going to consider it, she would have rejected it on the spot. Your son-in-law still works for them; the Gu family has no reason to deceive us."

Old Mrs. Hou pressed her palms together, murmuring a prayer. "I hope the Bodhisattvas will grant us their blessing this time. Tian’er’s marriage all depends on this."

"Mother, you’re the only one who spoils my brother and his wife. If you didn’t approve, how would they dare to act this way?"

Old Mrs. Hou sighed. "He is the head of the family, and more importantly, he’s Tian’er’s father. I have no grounds to refuse him if he wishes to take a hand in her marriage."

"It’s just that you still favor my brother. Tian’er’s life has been hard enough. Since they’ve ignored her all these years, why must they interfere now?

I bet it’s all his wife’s pillow talk. And does she even stop to think if her Li Family is a good match?

I’m sure she’s just after my late sister-in-law’s dowry, planning to use it to plug that financial hole in the Li Family."

Old Mrs. Hou grasped her hand. "Don’t say any of this in front of your brother. He won’t want to hear it."

Mrs. Wu turned her head away. "So just because he doesn’t want to hear it, no one is allowed to speak the truth?

My brother rarely concerns himself with the affairs of the inner courtyard, and now his eyes have been completely blinded by her."

"Yun Niang, what trouble are you stirring up with Mother now?" Hou Cunjin strode in, his voice filled with authority.

Mrs. Wu retorted, "I’m not stirring up trouble, I’m stating the facts.

Brother, I’m telling you, I have a prospect for Tian’er’s marriage, so you can’t interfere."

Hou Cunjin’s eyes blazed. "Nonsense! Since time immemorial, a child’s marriage has been the parents’ decision to make. Her mother and I are right here, what right do you have to interfere?"

"And your ’decision’ is to marry Tian’er into the Li Family? Do you not know what their situation is, Brother?"

"Tian’er is my daughter. Of course I want what’s best for her." Hou Cunjin walked over and sat down opposite his mother and sister. "Don’t let your prejudice against the Li Family make you write them off completely. They have a promising young man in their family.

The young man your sister-in-law has proposed for Tian’er is the most promising of his generation. He passed the child student examination years ago and is preparing to test for the Scholar title next.

Back then, wasn’t it Father who looked out for you and found you Wu Haicong? Otherwise, would you be an official’s wife today?"

Mrs. Wu retorted, "Brother, do you really think passing the child student exam guarantees a smooth path to success? With all the years ahead, and that huge financial pit the Li Family is in, what good can come of our Tian’er jumping into that mess?

If you were truly thinking of her well-being, I refuse to believe that in all of Yongchang County, you can’t find someone better than that boy from the Li Family."

"I’ve already had people look into it. Marrying into the Li Family is the best option for Tian’er."

Mrs. Wu took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Well, that’s perfect. Your sister happens to have a suitable candidate as well, one who is countless times better than their Li boy. Perhaps you’d care to hear about him, Brother."

Hou Cunjin eyed her with suspicion. "I’ve never heard you mention this before. Bringing it up today of all days... you’re not just trying to stir up trouble, are you?"

Mrs. Wu felt the smile on her face about to crack. If this weren’t her own flesh-and-blood brother, she would have stormed out right then and there.

"Brother, just hear me out before you decide.

You’ve surely heard of the new Inspector General who just took up his post, Mr. Gu."

As someone who moved in public circles, Hou Cunjin was of course aware. "I’ve heard of him. Everyone has been talking about Mr. Gu’s accomplishments lately."

"And what is your opinion of him, Brother?"

"If the rumors aren’t exaggerated, he is by all accounts a fine official.

He’s said to be quite young and holds the Emperor’s favor. His future prospects are limitless.

But why are you bringing him up? I’ll have you know, a legitimate daughter of the Hou Family will never be a concubine."

Mrs. Wu felt that continuing this conversation with her brother would shorten her life by several years. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I’m the girl’s aunt! Would I ever do anything to harm her? Besides, even if you wanted to offer her as a concubine, he wouldn’t accept her."

Hou Cunjin slammed his hand on the table and barked, "What kind of talk is that? How dare you belittle your own family?"

Although he was not fond of his eldest daughter, he couldn’t stand for her to be disparaged so openly.

"I misspoke in the heat of the moment. The Gu family has a clan rule against taking concubines," Mrs. Wu said, realizing her words had been too harsh and softening her tone.

"The person I’m referring to is Mr. Gu’s younger cousin.

He also became a child student at a young age and has now come here with Mr. Gu. With Mr. Gu’s personal guidance, securing the title of Scholar will be well within his grasp.

Moreover, he is the perfect age for our Tian’er. If we can make this match, our family will be connected by marriage to the Inspector General, and Tian’er will have a wonderful future."

Hou Cunjin fell silent, his mind already calculating which marriage for his daughter would be more advantageous to him.

"And the Gu Family is willing?" He looked at Mrs. Wu skeptically. He didn’t want this to be a case of his sister’s wishful thinking, only to end in embarrassment.

Mrs. Wu replied, "Don’t you remember I took Tian’er to that banquet? Mrs. Gu was there, and when I brought it up, she took a particular interest, even looking over at Tian’er several times."