From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 696: Chapter 698: The Hou Family

Lady Wu’s words were half-truth, half-exaggeration. She described who had attended the banquet that day—all from circles that Hou Cunjin and his associates could normally never enter.

But as a merchant, Hou Cunjin had more to consider and still had his doubts. "Is Mr. Gu’s cousin really as good as you say?"

If it was truly as Yunniang said, then the Li Family clearly paled in comparison.

A teetering family versus a third-rank official in his prime—even a fool would know which to choose.

"If he weren’t that good, do you think Mr. Gu would keep him by his side? That would just ruin his own reputation.

Besides, I’m Tian’er’s paternal aunt. Would I dare introduce just any Tom, Dick, or Harry to her without investigating them thoroughly?"

Lady Wu shot her brother a sharp glare. Only someone like him, with his eyes seemingly glued shut, would still take the Li Family seriously.

’It’s one thing if you want to prop up a poor family on your own,’ she thought, ’but there’s no need to drag your own daughter down with you.’

"If it’s as you say, then he is indeed better than that boy from the Li Family." As a merchant, Hou Cunjin saw much more in this.

With such an in-law, his ventures outside would be much smoother. It would be far more useful than his brother-in-law’s calling card.

Moreover, with Mrs. Gu being a royally-appointed Imperial Merchant, if they could establish this connection, the Hou Family’s business would become much easier to conduct.

He rubbed his fingers together and finally made up his mind. "Yunniang, how certain are you about this marriage?"

Lady Wu replied, "I just came from the Gu Mansion. Mrs. Gu will likely want to investigate and consider it. This is our family’s chance. You had better make sure that dear sister-in-law of yours keeps her people under control. No spouting filthy nonsense."

Hou Cunjin said, "Your sister-in-law isn’t that kind of person. You misunderstand her too deeply.

Don’t come back and make a scene every time."

Old Mrs. Hou, who had been listening all this time, finally snapped, "If she were really so good, would she have treated Tian’er as if she didn’t exist for all these years?

In past years, I let it slide because you protected her, but now the family rules really need to be enforced.

For all these years, she has never paid her respects before the memorial tablet of my first daughter-in-law, as a succeeding wife should. It’s made her forget that she is merely the second wife.

Although our family is in decline, some old customs must be revived."

Old Mrs. Hou was also sending a warning. In the past, she only cared about keeping peace in the family, but now that there was a chance for the family to advance, she could no longer just smooth things over as she used to.

"There were always reasons in the past," Hou Cunjin muttered, but his words lacked conviction.

Mrs. Li always found some excuse to avoid the ancestral hall during festivals. He had his suspicions, but he thought it was a trivial matter and let her have her way.

Old Mrs. Hou’s face darkened. "I’m making this clear to you today. This year, no matter what, even if she breaks her legs, you will drag her there for me.

I don’t believe you haven’t heard the gossip over the years. People in the clan have been talking for a long time. Does she think that by avoiding it, she can deny the fact that she is the second wife?"

Hou Cunjin quickly changed the subject. "Mother, let’s not talk about this right now.

We should send people out immediately to inquire about Mr. Gu’s cousin’s character and family situation. If he’s suitable, we’ll settle this marriage."

"Now that’s what a father should say." Old Mrs. Hou’s expression softened. "You know many people out there. As her father, you should do something for your child. Remember to investigate thoroughly. If there’s anything unsuitable, we’ll have a reason to back out."

In the end, Old Mrs. Hou still doted on the granddaughter she had raised herself and wasn’t going to rush into settling the marriage.

* * *

Before they had even begun to act, Minghai and Xu Dawang had already dispatched a large number of men.

Whether it was the Hou Family’s in-laws or their own neighbors, people were subtly making inquiries everywhere.

When Ancient Wen Heng returned to the mansion, he saw the two of them reporting in a side hall. They lowered their hands and stood to the side when he entered.

Ancient Wen Heng gestured for them to continue, then walked over to sit beside Jin Qianqian and listen.

The two men relayed the consolidated information they had gathered, and Jin Qianqian got the general picture.

When Hou Tian’er was three, the Mrs. Hou of that time fell gravely ill and ultimately did not survive.

A year after her passing, Hou Cunjin remarried, taking the current Mrs. Li as his wife.

Old Mrs. Hou, pitying the young Hou Tian’er for losing her mother, took the girl to raise personally, not letting Mrs. Li have any part in it.

Perhaps for this reason, Mrs. Li grew to resent her and, in the following years, truly ignored her completely.

Even Mr. Hou, under her influence, gradually grew distant from his own daughter.

The reason Lady Wu was in such a hurry to find a husband for her was that Old Mrs. Hou had accidentally overheard some news: someone was arranging a match with Mrs. Hou Li.

Mrs. Hou Li’s two sons and one daughter were all still young, so it was obvious who the match was for.

This sent shockwaves through the Hou Family. Old Mrs. Hou, who doted on her granddaughter, could not sit still and immediately sought out her own daughter to come up with a plan.

Mrs. Wu had always been fond of her eldest niece. She had even gone so far as to intercept a marriage proposal that her own husband had intended for his daughter by a concubine, which led to this whole situation.

As for this Miss Hou’s character, there didn’t seem to be any issues.

She spent most of her time with the old lady, observing a vegetarian diet and chanting Buddhist scriptures, or doing needlework with the seamstresses. It seemed she had no particular hobbies.

Jin Qianqian turned to Ancient Wen Heng. "It sounds like there are no problems, but why does it sound like she’s living the life of an old woman?"

Ancient Wen Heng said to Xu Dawang, "Have your men investigate further. Besides being filial to the old lady, does she have any close friends? How does she get along with others?"

Jin Qianqian said, "Given the situation, why don’t we ask Gu Yi? It’s about his future, after all. We aren’t his parents, so it’s best to ask for his opinion."

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "We should. If he feels it’s not suitable, you can just refuse the proposal directly. There’s no need to rush."

Jin Qianqian nodded in agreement, unaware that while they were in no hurry, the Hou Family had grown anxious.

At that very moment, Mrs. Li was speaking to Hou Cunjin. "Master, I’ve already told my family. How am I supposed to explain it to them when you suddenly go back on your word?"

"I’ve already decided. You go and turn down the Li Family." Hou Cunjin could indulge her in other matters, but when the family’s future was at stake, he had to be more thoughtful.

"How can you just go back on your word like that?" Mrs. Li grew frantic. "My sister-in-law from my maiden family was already preparing to find a matchmaker! All the proper courtesies were being prepared..."

"Go back and explain it to them properly. Besides, we never agreed to anything, and no matchmaker has come to our door. Nothing is set in stone yet," Hou Cunjin explained patiently. "If Tian’er’s marriage truly succeeds, it will be a great help to Da’er and the others in the future."

’They weren’t born of the same mother,’ Mrs. Li scoffed inwardly. ’All these years, I’ve completely ignored Hou Tian’er. It’s a wonder I don’t resent her. How could she possibly help my children?’