The husband who forced her to marry her couldn't keep her warm, and she didn't want him to

When Gu Huanian married Zheng, Zheng Kaiji had already completed the enlightenment ceremony and was sent to Jiuhua Academy by his mother-in-law to study.

Apart from the Imperial College, Jiuhua Academy is one of the top universities.

At that time, he felt that the child had good qualifications and did not want him to give up literature and go into business after passing the imperial examination.

Like his brother-in-law who manages shipping, he dislikes the glory of officialdom and instead prefers the smell of money.

He didn't understand and felt that his father-in-law and mother-in-law didn't have the long-term vision of his mother.

Among the workers, farmers, scholars and merchants, merchants are at the bottom of the social class. Only by studying hard and gaining fame can one bring honor to the family.

Hearing that Gu Huanian was going to accompany them to his aunt's Moxiangju, Zheng Kaiji smiled happily, "Uncle is always so polite and considerate."

When Chu Jie'er came back from Baodi, she said that her mother-in-law had handed over the family restaurant business to her eldest grandson, Zheng Kaiji.

Gu Huanian decided to accompany them entirely because of Qin Lang, a fifth-rank general.

The two outsiders had no rules, and the Gu family couldn't let anyone gossip about them, so they asked casually, "The happy event that Brother Ji was talking about, is it that the restaurant in Shengjing is going to expand its business?"

Even though he was not good at business, he knew that Qianweilou was the restaurant with the best business in Shengjing.

It's so good that it's hard to get a seat. You need to make a reservation in advance to enjoy the delicious food there.

Zheng Kaiji shook his head and cupped his hands above his head, "No, no, I came to Shuntian Mansion today to clean up the courtyard, and I want to ask my aunt to come over and help."

Thinking about the large manor of Yue family in Baodi and their comfortable living there, why would the Zheng family buy a house in Shuntian Prefecture?

Gu Huanian thinks more and in the long term.

It was not until several years after his marriage that he realized that the real boss of the Zheng family's huge business was his mother-in-law.

Zheng Liu is the real person in power in the Zheng family. If the Zheng family comes to Shuntian, it will be more beneficial for him in his career.

"I don't know where the mansion is located. If you are short of manpower, just tell your aunt. If you need help, your uncle will definitely help you behind the scenes."

After Gu Huanian finished speaking, he noticed Qin Lang's gaze towards him and felt that there were too many incomprehensible emotions in his eyes.

She slowed down her pace, passed by him, and used Zheng Kaiji's body to block her sight.

Gu Huanian thought he had heard wrongly, "Gu'an?"

Gu'an is known as "the foot of the emperor", and the Mansion of Duke Dingguo and the Mansion of Marquis Zhongyong are located there.

It's either rich or noble, and it's not a place that the Zheng family is worthy of just because they are rich.

Zheng Kaiji smiled and didn't explain any further. When he saw Bai Zhi passing by the Chuihua Gate, he raised his hand and called her to stop.

Bai Zhi's calm face flashed with surprise, and she bowed, "Young Master, why are you here? Do the Third Miss and the Second Madam know?"

Seeing Gu Huanian standing aside, he greeted him respectfully.

Zheng Kaiji pointed at the thing in her hand and asked, "What is that? Go back and tell Chu Jieer to wait at Moxiangju. I have good news for her!"

Bai Zhi was holding a bamboo basket in her hand and replied, "The fourth young lady will be married next year. The third young lady asked the small kitchen to cook a small meal to entertain her. I just went to the front yard to borrow some charcoal."

Zheng Kaiji turned his head and looked at Gu Huanian, "I heard from grandma that Chu Jieer has her own small kitchen, so I'll let my nephew go and have a look today..."

Gu Huanian changed his mind and decided it was a good idea. Since there was such a mess at the kitchen today because of the banquet, it would be better to use Chu Jie's small kitchen to prepare a meal.

Since they are in-laws as well as cousins, it is reasonable and polite to do so.

Qin Lang thought they were walking too slowly, so he followed Bai Zhi.

Gu Huanian and Zheng Kaiji lagged behind slightly and saw servants tidying up the courtyard along the way.

Gu Huanian didn't want to mention the banquet that took place during the day. Since he hadn't sent an invitation to the Zheng family, it was best not to know.

I believe that Zheng and Chu Jie'er would not bring it up in front of him.

After all, they are a family, and letting the Zheng family misunderstand the Gu family is not what they want to see.

"Chu Jie'er, the cook in the small kitchen, you were invited back by my aunt from Qianweilou. You have excellent skills and the dishes you make are exquisite."

Hearing his uncle say this, Zheng Kaiji became even more interested. "I have been to Qianweilou twice, but I don't know how good the cooking skills of this cook are."

Gu Huanian had been observing Zheng Kaiji and found that he looked fine, so he finally put his mind at ease.

Asking about the health of my father-in-law and mother-in-law is just some casual chat.

When they arrived at Sui'an Hall, they saw Bai Zhi and Qin Lang standing by the gate. Gu Huanian was about to ask something when he saw Qin Lang pointing at him with a frown.

In the setting sun, the man was tall and strong, and looked so ferocious that he almost fainted.

Qin Lang put his finger on his lips and whispered, "Listen!"

After recovering from his shock, Gu Huanian frowned. How could a father be so sneaky when visiting his daughter's yard?

How can eavesdropping be done by a scholar?

Until he heard voices inside, which made him prick up his ears and listen carefully.

"...The dishes cooked in the small kitchen are all your favorites. I won't even go to accompany my mother. How could you misunderstand me like this..."

"Fourth sister, although you and I are not from the same mother, when we were little, you would take a nap with me every time you came to Antang, and I have always been sincere to you. I didn't expect that you would miss me so much?"

Gu Jinchu was standing with her back to the light, but Gu Yan disagreed with what she said. She took a deep breath and her voice became sharp:

"Gu Jinchu, there are only you and me here, so stop pretending! You did it on purpose today. You knew that my mother was going to be promoted to a concubine, and you couldn't bear to see me become a legitimate daughter, so you deliberately made my mother look bad, right? I'm telling you, neither you nor the Zheng family has the final say in this family!"

"True to me? Then do you still want to talk about affection with me? There is no affection between us, not before, and not in the future. What you did to me and my mother today, I will pay you back sooner or later!"

Gu Jinchu looked at Gu Yan quietly, "What Aunt Lian did has nothing to do with me and my mother. Your anger is a bit far-fetched."

Gu Yan stared at Gu Jinchu coldly: "How can there be no relationship? Father and mother have been in love since childhood. If your mother had not relied on her family's wealth, how could she have married father and become his principal wife, and how could I have become a concubine's daughter?"

"Since I was little, you have always been the one to pick the best things in the house. You say you are generous, but those are things you don't like and look down upon. You give them to me like you are giving alms to a beggar! Just because you are the daughter of the first wife, I have to tolerate your arrogance and domineering behavior? Why?"

When Zheng Kaiji heard what Gu Yan said, he turned to look at Gu Huanian.

There was more anger than disappointment in Gu Huanian's eyes. The concubine grew up in front of her biological mother, and both mother and daughter served her mother.

He always thought that Sister Yan was a gentle, kind, sensible and tactful child. Yet, she actually said such words in a place where no one could see.

It was like slapping him in the face in front of the Zheng family!

Gu Yan continued to speak: "But my grandmother loves me the most, and my father is most satisfied with me. In terms of talent and character, you are not as good as me in every aspect. What did the outsiders say about you wrongly? They don't even know that you shamelessly let the maid deliver things to the man..."

Gu Huanian took a deep breath. She could actually say such slanderous words. If outsiders knew about this, how would Chu Jie get married?

How could he explain to the Zheng family? He stepped over the wall into the yard and shouted coldly, "Gu Yan, shut up!"