Chapter 269: Hit Hard

pale. The phrase "an old man about to be buried" echoed in his mind, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. He stiffened his face and said, "My sister still needs to improve her education of her ch...The next day was Gu Xiuling's return visit to her in-laws' house.

The Gu family members stayed home today, waiting for the second young lady and her brother-in-law to return to their mother's house.

Gu Xuanyi also came early, even earlier than Gu Xuiling. It wasn't because she cared much about this cousin or that their relationship was particularly good. She mainly wanted to see how her cousin, who had married someone worse off than herself, was doing. She could have married into a family of equal standing, but she insisted on marrying into a less reputable family.

Accompanying Gu Xuanyi back was the Prince of Wuan, and the young couple seemed very much in love.

When Zhang saw the couple's loving relationship, she felt much more at ease. Although her in-laws were difficult to deal with and her mother-in-law was hard to please, none of that was the most unbearable. The most unbearable thing was for a husband and wife to be at odds. As long as they got along well, she could always find some comfort in her heart.

Gu Xuanyi greeted the elders with pleasantries. Seeing that her cousin and brother-in-law hadn't arrived yet, she casually said, "Where are Second Sister and Brother-in-law"

No sooner had her words left her lips than a maidservant entered to report: "Madam, the second young lady and the second young master have arrived."

Mrs. Gu smiled and said, "Go quickly and invite the Second Miss and the Second Master in."

Gu Xuanyi looked towards the door, her eyes carrying a hint of amusement. She wanted to see how her cousin, who had married into a humble family, and her brother-in-law, who came from a similar background, were doing.

In a short while, Gu Xuanying and her husband Liu Zifang appeared before everyone.

Gu Xuanying's complexion was flushed, with a smile on her lips and joy in her eyes. She walked side by side with Liu Zifang, a hint of shyness on her face. At first glance, it was clear that she was doing well after marriage.

Upon seeing this, Gu Xuanyi's smile visibly stiffened. The feeling of not successfully making a joke made her mood subtle and gave her a rather unpleasant feeling.

Although Liu Zifang wasn't from a noble family, he faced the elders of the Gu family with no fear. He accompanied Gu Xuailing to greet everyone respectfully and courteously. The young couple looked very well-matched, handsome and beautiful together.

Mrs. Gu was quite satisfied with this son-in-law. As the only son in the family, Liu Zifang had not been spoiled and was an accomplished young man. Today, when Xuanying returned to her natal home, it could be seen that she hadn't suffered any grievances after marrying into the Liu family; she lived better than Xuan Yi who married Wu Anbo's son. Whether one marries or finds a wife, one cannot only look at their social standing. Xuan Yi was willful and disobedient, and the bitter consequences had to be borne by herself.

After a pleasant chat, the three Gu Jingxi brothers left one after another. As the eldest brother, Gu Xiuyuan stayed behind with his younger brothers to greet their two brothers-in-law and then took them to another place. After all, as men, there wasn't much to talk about when staying with the women.

After they left, Chen asked with concern, "Xuanling, how have you been at the Liu family Have you been treated poorly"

Gu Xuanying gently shook her head: "Mother, rest assured, I'm fine. I haven't been wronged at all. My father-in-law and mother-in-law treat me very kindly."

Then Mrs. Chen asked, "How does your uncle treat you"

Hearing this, Gu Xuanying shyly lowered her head, the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifting as she softly replied, "My husband treats me quite well."

“Does the Liu family have any rules for you”

It was Gu Xuanyi who asked this, her tone carrying a hint of urgency. Her eyes were fixed on Gu Xuailing, as if she wanted to see a dejected expression on her face, thus finding solace in her spiritual suffering.

Zhang also looked at Gu Xuanying. Her daughter had been set rules by her mother-in-law, with a fixed schedule for morning and evening, and she had cried to Zhang twice already. All Zhang could do was comfort her daughter, saying that new daughters-in-law basically all need to be set rules by their mothers-in-law. Now she even hoped that Xuanying would also be set rules, just like her daughter, with a fixed schedule for morning and evening, serving her mother-in-law diligently. This way, her daughter's mindset would be much more balanced.

To her surprise, when Gu Xuanying heard this, she first looked at her cousin sister with a puzzled expression, not understanding why she would ask such a question. Then, she replied truthfully: "No, after I offered tea yesterday, my mother-in-law told me that the Gu family didn't have such rules. Grandmother never made any regulations for three daughters-in-law, and the Liu family naturally didn't either.

Gu Xuanyi: “”

She stared at her cousin in disbelief. Seeing that her cousin wasn't lying, she was instantly struck hard. She had been given strict rules by her in-laws to serve her mother-in-law every morning, rain or shine, helping her get dressed, wash up, and have breakfast. But her cousin didn't have to Why

When Zhang heard this, she was also surprised. She looked at her own daughter with concern in her eyes, and felt sorry for what her daughter had gone through. Other people's daughters were pampered by their in-laws after they got married, but her daughter was mistreated when she went to her husband's family.

Seeing her daughter's face turn pale and silent, Zhang took over the conversation to ease the awkwardness: "I thought Mrs. Liu was very pleasant last time I saw her, and it turns out she is even more so in person. Xuanying is a lucky girl."

Gu Xuyan lowered her head shyly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks as she gave a blushing smile.

She also felt fortunate. She had been worried about the mother-in-law relationship, but her mother-in-law was gentle and loving, her father-in-law was an enlightened elder, and her husband was very loving to her.

She is actually happier than many other families' concubine daughters. Her stepmother has never mistreated her, and her marriage was carefully selected by her stepmother, considering everything for her. She chose a suitable in-law family for her. Whether before or after she got married, she was happy.

The only bad thing is that she's been bullied by her cousin for the past decade. Her father didn't care about domestic affairs, and though her stepmother hasn't mistreated her, she wasn't her biological mother, so she wouldn't complain to her about these little sisterly issues. But now that she's married and living in a different household, her cousin can't bully her anymore.

Chen's lips curved into a smile as she said gently, "Everyone here is fortunate. Your Xiaoyi is also a blessed child. Lady Wu'an is very kind, and I believe she will treat Xiaoyi very well. Besides, your elder brother-in-law is a talented man who is very well-suited for Xiaoyi. They are a perfect match, like a golden boy and a jade girl. Just looking at them brings joy to the heart."

Zhang was speechless.

If her daughter were fortunate, she wouldn't complain to her.

Gu Xuanyi was speechless.

Suddenly, she felt like someone who had swallowed a bitter gourd but couldn't speak of the pain. Her mother-in-law wasn't kind to begin with; besides setting strict rules, she also found ways to make her life difficult. For example, if she wanted to eat walnuts, she would be forced to shell them herself, even though there were maidservants available. They wouldn't ask the maidservants to do it, but instead made her do it. She peeled walnuts until her fingertips became red and swollen, painful.

Chen glanced at Zhang and her daughter, seeing them dejected. Her smile widened. She knew exactly what they were thinking – they wanted to see how Xuan Ling was doing poorly, then find some psychological comfort. Xuan Ling's answer clearly hit this mother-daughter duo hard.

She should just say it. Zhang and her daughter really aren't very smart, even with their toes they could figure this out. Although Xuan Ling is a concubine's child, she comes from the Changxing Hou Mansion, making her more than suitable for Liu Zi Fang, whose position as an eighth-rank Guozijian Censor. Plus, with the Changxing Hou Mansion as a backing, how dare Liu Zi Fang's parents act superior to Xuan Ling

Even if they split the family, their Second House still has the Second Master. The Second Master is a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites, and he is also higher in social standing than the Liu family. If next spring's imperial examinations are successful and Xiu Hong passes the jinshi exam, then the Second House will be even more prosperous.

She was displeased with those petty thoughts she had about the Zhang family mother and daughter, so she subtly shifted the topic, saying something else to continue stimulating the pair: "Xuanling, is Zifang ready to take the Chunwei exam next year"g to attend to."Then I'll go out first and not disturb my husband's busy work.Meng Jinyao, having finished speaking, took the wooden box out of the study and returned to her bedroom. She opened the bo...