How long has it been, she always dreamed of Gu Min standing in front of her soaked, trying to choke her and make her pay for her life.
She couldn't eat or sleep well, and still had to deal with Gu Ying.
Now, she just hoped to be able to sleep soundly.
Mrs. Liu stayed at Yongshou Hall for a while before coming out. From afar she saw her daughter standing blankly on the aisle blowing cold wind.
She frowned and walked over, helping her tie up her cloak, "You girl, what are you doing standing here?"
Gu Jia came back to her senses, her mind chaotic, "Mother, how did you... how did you get here?"
Mrs. Liu stroked her messy hair strangely, "Mother saw you standing here in a daze so I came to take a look. What's wrong with you, child? Were you scared by Gu Ying's dream?"
Gu Jia panicked, and quickly shook her head, "No! I...I just missed my sister."
Mrs. Liu sighed, "Don't stand in the wind, be careful of catching a cold."
She was originally sad, but when she thought that her daughter was about to get married, she cheered up again, "You're about to get married, what's with the long face? Come, let mother show you something good. That thing, mother plans to use it to make your wedding dress. Even Gu Ying doesn't have one. When you wear the dress made of this once in a hundred years golden phoenix brocade, you can surely overwhelm Gu Ying."
Gu Jia was absent-minded, and let Mrs. Liu pull her back to the residence.
It wasn't until she saw the dazzling golden phoenix brocade that the lifelessness in her eyes gradually gathered. "Mother, this...this is really going to be used to make my wedding dress?"
Mrs. Liu proudly said, "Of course, who else is worthy of such good material?"
Gu Jia couldn't stop stroking the exquisitely patterned fabric. Such a good thing was probably a palace tribute. Even if the Earl's residence worked hard for a lifetime, they wouldn't be able to see or touch it. Even the Imperial Concubine in the palace might not be able to wear this golden phoenix brocade that was hard to come by once in a hundred years.
"Mother, there's been no movement about Gu Ying's wedding dress until now?"
Mrs. Liu sneered, "I don't know what she's busy with every day, and I haven't seen her embroidering. If her wedding dress doesn't look good, it will be her loss, and has nothing to do with us."
Gu Jia wrapped the golden phoenix brocade around herself, and sneered, "She thinks she can be above me by marrying the Heir Apparent. After all, Grandmother never cultivated her. With her kind of woman who can't even recognize words, there will be bitter days waiting for her when she enters the Duke's Residence."
Mrs. Liu smiled and said lovingly, "Jia'er is right. Mother doesn't want to think of anything else now, just wants you to live your days well. When Jiang Yin's official post comes, Mother will help support him more, and when he gets promoted and gains fame, Mother will be satisfied when you get a title of Lady."
Hearing this, Gu Jia rushed into Mrs. Liu's arms, and after a long while, said sullenly, "Mother, if...if sister Min were still alive...would you treat her as well as me?"
Mrs. Liu stroked her daughter's hair as a matter of course, "Of course, you and Min'er are twin sisters, both borne by your mother after hard work. Mother will of course love her well and treat her well. You two are flesh fallen off mother's body."
Gu Jia leaned against Mrs. Liu, silently clenching her fists, while her heart ached.
Mother lied, sister Min's body was weaker than hers, mother clearly favored sister Min more. It was so even when they were young, whenever there was anything good to eat or fun, mother always thought of sister Min first.
If she were still alive, she would surely rob her affection.
Her eyes turned sour, and she felt more and more that she had done the right thing back then...
"Mother, I'm about to get married..."
Although the one she was marrying was not ideal, she was still somewhat delighted, after all Jiang Yin was talented and handsome, and could satisfy her in that aspect.
Mrs. Liu also patted Gu Jia on the back, gratified, "Good, mother's Jia'er is getting married. Mother will have to bring kids for Jia'er in the future..."
"Remember what you promised, mother, treat me well, cherish me, pamper me for a lifetime."
"Mm, mother promises you."
...
At noon, Jiang Yin came back.
Mrs. Liu specially sent someone to use the Gu family carriage to pick up the future master back to the residence.
Today, Gu Ying specially went to Yongshou Hall to wait for lunch, and also to see Jiang Yin's miserable defeated state.
As expected, she didn't get to eat lunch after all.
When Gu Boyan heard that Jiang Yin only got the position of Minister of Rites and came back, he smashed a good inkstone worth a lot of money in the study in anger.
"A sixth-rank Minister of Rites! Just a false title without any real job! Nothing but an idle officer! What use is he? How do you still have the nerve to come back to my Gu family?!"
"Hm? Why aren't you talking? How exactly did you meet the Emperor? Among the five recommending officials, four wanted to impeach you!"
"Jiang Yin oh Jiang Yin, I didn't ask you to be admitted to the Hanlin Academy, even a proofreading official or idle official would be good, but you just had to get the most useless official post—you really disappoint me too much!"
Jiang Yin retorted, "Father-in-law, please calm down. Son-in-law...although only a Minister of Rites, this position is not low. It is generally used to transfer military officers...With son-in-law's abilities, I will surely be promoted again in the future."
"Bullshit! Do you know who the Minister of Rites is subordinate to?"
Jiang Yin hesitated, "Son-in-law—"
Gu Boyan was furious beyond control, and slammed the table, "Your direct superior is the Palace Front Chief Commander Zhao Changdu!"
Jiang Yin didn't speak anymore. He couldn't bring himself to ask the fiancé of Gu Ying.
Gu Boyan sneered coldly, "What, not speaking anymore? That Zhao Heir Apparent is his second room's son-in-law. What now, do you still want me, the esteemed Dongping Earl, to seek favors from the second room in the future?!"
"Son-in-law doesn't dare..."
"I don't have a son-in-law like you! Get lost!"
Gu Boyan's fiery anger could be heard loud and clear even through two doors by the women sitting in the side hall.
Gu Jia's expression was gloomy, like the calm before a storm.
"Oh, poor Eldest Young Master. But it's fine, we'll be in-laws with the Duke's Residence soon. The Heir Apparent can still promote his own people. Big sister, don't be upset."
Gu Wan enjoyed watching the lively scene, and her gaze kept falling on Gu Ying's arms. Wearing such thick clothes, it was a pity she couldn't see the sand she put on her arms.
But she believed her mother didn't make a mistake, feeling proud inside.
Gu Jia's face was ashen, and glared fiercely at Gu Wan. "Third younger sister, be quiet if you can't speak properly!"
"Wan'er, don't talk nonsense. Your big sister is annoyed now. Don't upset your big sister." Wang pulled Gu Wan's sleeve, stopping her from saying more.
Gu Wan pouted and kept silent.
