From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 697: Chapter 699: Hou Tian’er

In Mrs. Hou Li’s eyes, it was better for Hou Tian’er to marry into the Li Family and help her own maiden family than to be let go to live a good life elsewhere.

She deeply resented Hou Yunniang for meddling. ’A daughter who has already married out is still trying to run her maiden family’s affairs. She really thinks too highly of herself.’

"’Tian’er has such a quiet personality. If she marries into the Gu family and can’t manage things, we might not form an alliance, but an enmity.’"

Hou Cunjin said, "This is what I wanted to discuss with you today. I’ll need you to keep her by your side for a while and teach her how to manage a household.

"When she marries out, she’ll be representing the honor of our Hou Family. It will affect her younger brothers and sisters down the line."

Hou Cunjin knew what his wife was thinking, but he couldn’t indulge her this time. His tone hardened.

"See to it that this is handled properly. I need to go out and make some more inquiries. Inform everyone in the manor that if anyone dares to sabotage this, I will make them regret it."

With that, he stood and walked out. If he wanted to make this marriage happen, he truly had a lot to arrange.

Mrs. Hou Li clenched her fists. ’Such a huge shift in just half a day. And now he’s warning me, all for Hou Tian’er’s sake.’

Before leaving the house, Gu Yi had been told repeatedly that he was to follow Brother Gu Qi for guidance, and Wenheng would make all other decisions for him.

After hearing this long spiel, Gu Yi showed no hint of shyness. He even asked calmly, "Before anything is decided, could I meet her?"

Housekeeper Xu and the others were stunned. "We’ll have to ask the master and the Madam about that."

"Please trouble Housekeeper Xu to ask for me. If it’s not possible, I’ll leave everything to Brother Qi and the others."

Housekeeper Xu was speechless. ’If I couldn’t see how red your ears are, I’d almost believe you were that calm.’

He didn’t call him out on it, smiling as he said, "Young Master Yi, the Madam said you can state your conditions. The match has to be to your satisfaction; otherwise, she won’t make the final decision for you."

The implication, of course, was that they could meet beforehand, but the Madam would arrange it all.

Gu Yi cupped his fist in a salute. "Then I will have to trouble you, Housekeeper Xu."

Hearing this, Housekeeper Xu knew the match had a good chance of success. It meant their efforts in sending out so many people to gather information hadn’t been in vain.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before he headed to the rear courtyard.

Seeing that the other prominent families had already held their banquets, Jin Qianqian decided to take the opportunity to host a flower-viewing party of her own.

This time, Lady Wu again brought along Hou Tian’er and two of the Wu Mansion’s daughters by concubines.

The Hou Tian’er of today was dressed more vibrantly than when they’d last met at the banquet, making her entire presence seem brighter.

Jin Qianqian said to Lady Wu, "Seeing these young ladies looking so fresh and lovely is enough to brighten anyone’s day."

Lady Wu covered her mouth with her hand as she chuckled. "I feel the same way. If I were a decade or so younger, I would want to wear such vibrant, youthful colors too."

Jin Qianqian beckoned Hou Tian’er over, using the chance to get a good look at her. "She’s your niece from your maiden family, if I recall correctly?

She certainly resembles you, her aunt."

Lady Wu replied, "I think so as well. It’s just that the child is even more beautiful than I was at her age."

"You’re quite good at complimenting yourself," Jin Qianqian said with a smile before turning to Hou Tian’er. "What do you do with your days at home?"

Hou Tian’er curtsied. "In reply to Madam, when I have nothing to do at home, I do some needlework and copy Buddhist Scripture."

Beside her, Lady Wu grew anxious. ’How could the girl forget what I told her on the way here?

’Needlework and copying Buddhist Scripture... those are things for old women! How could she bring that up now?’

She interjected with a strained smile, "The child is very filial. She spends her free time with the old matriarch, occasionally copying a few pages of Buddhist Scripture with her.

She also helps the old matriarch manage the affairs of her courtyard."

Lady Wu wasn’t actually lying. It was just that the old matriarch’s courtyard only had a couple of matters to attend to, so it neither required much effort nor offered much to learn.

This, however, made Jin Qianqian even more pleased. ’She’s not boastful or full of empty talk. She seems to have a very honest character.’

She smiled and patted Hou Tian’er’s hand. "A truly filial child. You should come visit my estate more often. As it happens, I only have a partial understanding of Buddhist Scripture and would like to find someone to discuss it with."

Hou Tian’er glanced uncertainly at Lady Wu, but it was Lady Wu who eagerly accepted on her behalf. "To earn Mrs. Gu’s esteem is a blessing for our Tian’er."

The two daughters of concubines standing behind Lady Wu were twisting their handkerchiefs so hard they looked ready to snap.

’When our primary mother brought Miss Hou along before, we thought she was just being looked over along with us.

’We never thought the ideal suitor our father found for us would be snatched away by her!

’Damn it all, who knows when she got in with Mrs. Gu. We have to ask Father to step in when we get back!’

Lady Wu felt the scorching gazes on the back of her head but was unconcerned. ’If I dare to make this move, it’s because I’m fully confident I can withstand my husband’s fury.’

Jin Qianqian chatted with them for a few more minutes. Guests were now arriving in a steady stream, so she had Lichun lead the ladies into the rear courtyard.

There was eating and drinking, talking and laughing. A few other madams at the party took a liking to suitable young women and left with them in tow as the festivities wound down.

Jin Qianqian, however, asked Lady Wu to stay behind. "No need to make you travel back and forth another day. As it happens, there is a Buddhist phrase I don’t quite understand, and I was hoping Miss Tian’er could enlighten me."

Lady Wu replied with a smile, "Madam is so considerate. Our Tian’er has read some Buddhist Scripture with the old matriarch, but the texts are profound. Please forgive her if she is unable to resolve your question."

Although she knew this was just a pretext, Lady Wu didn’t dare over-promise.

Jin Qianqian replied, "No matter. I just happened upon it. If worst comes to worst, we can all go to the temple and seek guidance from a high-ranking monk."

With that, she led them into a side hall and summoned the housekeeper. "Go find Young Master Yi and bring me the copy of the Buddhist Scripture that I left in the study."

Housekeeper Xu quickly assented and departed. In less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea, he returned with Gu Yi in tow.

"Seventh Sister-in-law, is this the one?" Gu Yi asked, holding the Buddhist Scripture. Seeing so many strangers in the side hall, he quickly lowered his head, not daring to let his gaze wander.

Jin Qianqian fixed her gaze on Housekeeper Xu. "I only asked you to bring the Buddhist Scripture. Why did you have Young Master Yi make the trip himself?"

Housekeeper Xu slapped his forehead. "Forgive me, Madam. I was in the outer courtyard with the master at noon and had a couple of drinks with the other gentlemen’s retainers. I mistakenly thought you wanted Young Master Yi to deliver the book."

Jin Qianqian chided him with a laugh, "Drinking really does cause trouble. I’ll be docking a month of your monthly silver for this. You may go now. Don’t be rude to our distinguished guests."

Housekeeper Xu agreed profusely and quickly vanished from the side hall.

Only then did Jin Qianqian turn to Lady Wu with a helpless sigh. "We’ve only just arrived, so we’re still quite shorthanded. Our one housekeeper is doing the work of three men.

Mistakes are bound to happen in the rush. I hope you can forgive the oversight."

By now, Lady Wu understood Jin Qianqian’s intentions perfectly. She smiled as she sized up Gu Yi.