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Bishui Alley.
Marquis Gu, feeling a bit awkward after being ignored by his youngest son, cleared his throat and gently placed the sleeping child back into Yao shi's arms.
Apart from visiting Yao shi and his son today, Marquis Gu actually had another matter at hand—- Gu Jinyu's marriage.
Gu Jinyu and An Junwang were supposed to marry before the end of the year.
However, an unexpected war arose, and while the common folk's weddings weren't restricted, An Junwang being an official of the imperial court and Gu Jinyu being from a Marquis Estate couldn't proceed with the marriage during a national crisis.
That being the case, their wedding was postponed until after the new year.
"It's next month." Marquis Gu said to Yao shi, "Jinyu is your daughter. Where is it heard of that a mother isn't present when her daughter gets married? Why don't you come back to the estate with me for a few days and wait until Jinyu is married?"
The conflict between Yao shi and the Marquis Ding’an Estate mainly stemmed from the unwelcoming atmosphere from top to bottom at the Marquis Estate. Old Madame Gu led this attitude, followed by Gu Changqing and his two younger brothers. As for the servants, their opinions didn't matter much, as they wouldn't dare create a real fuss in front of Yao shi.
Now that all the misunderstandings had been resolved, and the three Gu brothers no longer harbored resentment towards Yao shi, Marquis Gu felt it was time to bring Yao shi back to the Marquis Estate.
Yao shi hesitated.
She knew that Old Madame Gu still refused to see her, this daughter-in-law who appeared out of the blue, and there was no possibility of them ever reconciling their differences.
Furthermore, even if she returned, Gu Yan and Gu Jiao wouldn't go back with her.
She couldn't bear to leave her two children, nor the whole family at Bishui Alley.
But Lord Marquis was right. Jinyu was also her daughter.
Back then, the Third Gu couple treated JiaoJiao like a treasure. What reason did she have to treat Jinyu badly?
"Recently, Mother hasn't been in good health, and the estate's affairs have been too much for her to handle." Marquis Gu looked at her and said.
Yao shi looked at Gu Jiao, who was repairing a cuju goalpost in the backyard, and said to Marquis Gu, “You've been here for so long, but haven't spoken to JiaoJiao yet?”
"It's her who doesn't speak to me! I've been here for so long, have you heard her call me 'father' even once?" Marquis Gu grumbled.
Yao shi said, "JiaoJiao is just not used to it. Besides, have you ever acted like a father to JiaoJiao?"
"I..." Marquis Gu hesitated.
Yao shi continued, "You even whipped her."
"That was..." Marquis Gu coughed lightly, feeling guilty. "How long ago was that? I didn't know she was our daughter then. I thought she was trying to harm you!"
Whenever this incident was mentioned, Marquis Gu felt angry. He only gave the girl a whipping, but she held a grudge and had been opposing him at every turn! She even abducted his wife and son!
Make that two sons!
Was it that he didn't act like a father?
Clearly, it was her who didn't act like a daughter!
Why couldn't she learn from Jinyu, gentle and graceful, charming and lovely? That was how a Marquis Estate's daughter should be!
Marquis Gu rolled his eyes and said, "If that girl had even half of Jinyu's understanding, I wouldn't be so indifferent to her!"
Yao shi, holding the sleeping Gu Xiaobao, stood up and frowned at him, "So, you’re admitting you don't care for JiaoJiao?"
"No... I..." Marquis Gu was dumbfounded. Why did his mouth move so fast? And how did his wife grasp the situation so precisely?!
Yao shi trembled with anger, "So, you've been lying to me all along when you said you cared about JiaoJiao!"
Marquis Gu was completely flustered and hurriedly said, “I didn't lie to you! I’m telling the truth! I care about JiaoJiao! I care about her the most!”
Yao shi didn't want to wake her sleeping son, so she suppressed her anger and asked, "Then let me ask you, what's JiaoJiao's favorite food?"
Marquis Gu opened his mouth.
But how could he know what that girl's favorite food was!
"You can't even answer this, yet you claim to care about JiaoJiao!" Yao shi said, then hugged Gu Xiaobao's head and walked away without looking back!
Marquis Gu: "..."
Alas!
Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun went to the residence of Lady Nan Xiang and Master Lu and were not at home. Yao shi was also ignoring him. Marquis Gu touched his nose in frustration, and every strand of hair on his body spoke of the embarrassment he felt inside.
He was hesitating whether to return first, when suddenly, Little Jing Kong walked over.
Little Jing Kong was Gu Jiao's little tail. Wherever Gu Jiao went, he followed. But now, surprisingly, he wasn't sticking around Gu Jiao.
Marquis Gu was quite surprised.
He looked at this little fellow who seemed to remain small no matter how much time passed, and for once, he spoke with a pleasant tone, "Why have you come over here?"
Little Jing Kong didn't speak, but adorably walked to the front yard's gate. He stood on the threshold, put his hands behind his back, and blinked while looking at him.
Marquis Gu felt the corner of his lips twitch, "Are you giving me an eviction order?"
Little Jing Kong shook his head and said, "JiaoJiao mentioned that we should be polite children, treating visitors as guests. We shouldn't issue orders for them to leave just because we don't welcome them. That's the responsibility of the adults. We, as children, should just focus on being well-behaved."
Marquis Gu: "..."
Marquis Gu, who felt constantly rebuffed, eventually left with a dispirited look.
Gu Jiao fixed Little Jing Kong's damaged cuju goalpost, allowing him to happily play cuju once more.
"Thank you, JiaoJiao!" Little Jing Kong stood beneath the cuju goalpost, looking adorable.
Gu Jiao smiled faintly and handed him the cuju ball from the stone table, "Want to play?"
"Will JiaoJiao play with me?" Little Jing Kong asked.
"Okay." Gu Jiao nodded.
Gu Jiao accompanied Little Jing Kong to play for a while, all the way until Old Chief came to check Little Jing Kong's homework. He left reluctantly.
Gu Jiao then went to the medical hall.
She brought some candied fruits and hawthorn cakes made by her Granduncle.
When she entered, Mo Qianxue was leaning against the head of the bed, sulking. Seeing her approaching, she coldly snorted, rolled her eyes, turned aside, and flicked the back of his head at Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao always favored individuals over their actions. Those she accepted, she could indulge them to do anything. In her eyes, Mo Qianxue's somewhat temperamental behavior was like a light drizzle that wouldn't wet her clothes.
"How are you feeling today? Any discomfort?" Physician Gu asked routinely.
Mo Qianxue, clutching her handkerchief, grumpily replied, "Not good. I feel uncomfortable everywhere!"
Gu Jiao placed the treats on the bedside table and reached out to check her pulse, "Really? Let me see."
Mo Qianxue pulled her hand away, "I won't let you, you little swindler!"
She seemed lively, so the afternoon was probably uneventful.
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