SGEIRS -Chapter 226 No Brains

The autumn examinations had ended; it was already August 17th.

August 25th was the day Gu Xuanyi would be married. As the eldest granddaughter of the Hou family, she was marrying the heir of the Wu’an Bo estate. Even though the elders didn’t entirely approve of this union, they still treated it with great importance.

Everyone in the household was busy preparing. The three sisters-in-law were all involved in arranging the wedding, and Meng Jinyao, following along with the two elder sisters-in-law, had learned quite a bit.

Madam Zhang had long prepared a list of the dowry. Since the family had not yet divided property, dowries for daughters’ marriages were provided by the household treasury. Any additional gifts from the parents would be added separately.

Master Gu Jingcheng had prepared some modest personal property, though not much. Madam Zhang herself had very little dowry—her father had been a top scholar, but the family was originally poor. When he achieved the top scholar title, she was only eleven years old.

After her father became the top scholar and entered the Hanlin Academy, he still needed to ensure the education of his brothers and had a governess teach Madam Zhang the skills and knowledge a noble lady should know, so she could marry well. Life was frugal at home, so naturally, she had little dowry when she married. At the time, the only reason she could marry into the Changxing Hou estate was because of her beauty, which pleased Gu Jingcheng.

Now that her daughter was about to marry, Madam Zhang had little to offer for the dowry. Fortunately, her husband was generous and gave her a shop from his personal property.

Thankfully, the Changxing Hou estate was wealthy, so the dowry provided by the family treasury was ample and would not appear meager.

Madam Zhang brought the dowry list to Shou’an Hall and presented it to her mother-in-law with respect: “Mother, this is Xuanyi’s dowry list. Please take a look and let me know what you think.”

Old Madam Gu took the list and glanced over it briefly. The second daughter-in-law was standing by to assist and keep watch. The eldest daughter-in-law, whether managing household funds or preparing her own daughter’s dowry, did not dare act on personal whims, so the dowry list was standard and proper.

Considering Xuanyi’s temperament, being married into the complex environment of the Wu’an Bo household would make life difficult. Old Madam Gu spoke gently: “Add some more money and silk.”

Madam Zhang, feeling both honored and apprehensive, dared not make decisions herself. She asked, “Mother, you love Xuanyi so dearly. I will first thank you on her behalf. How much should I add?”

Old Madam Gu pondered for a moment and replied, “Add another two thousand taels. As for the silk, handle it as you see fit.”

Madam Zhang smiled: “Thank you, Mother.”

Old Madam Gu reminded her: “While Xuanyi hasn’t married yet, speak to her properly. She must learn to restrain her temper. Once she’s at her husband’s house, she must speak and act cautiously. Don’t let her suffer on the very first day. The Wu’an Bo household has many people, and many people have many thoughts.”

Madam Zhang’s smile faltered as she thought bitterly. In this generation of the Wu’an Bo family, the fourth branch had many members. Wu’an Bo had seven children: three legitimate—two sons and a daughter—and five children by concubines—two sons and three daughters.

The second and third branches also had many children. The second uncle had two sons and three daughters, and the third uncle had three sons.

The fourth uncle was born of the old uncle’s second wife, still young at twenty-two or twenty-three. He had two sons and one daughter, and likely more children in the future.

By this count, Xuanyi’s husband had eleven siblings. Xuanyi would have to interact with ten sisters-in-law. Including older and younger sisters, there were seven women in total. Such a large family was complex; the more people, the more friction.

Surviving until the old matriarch passed and the family divided property would be difficult. The step-grandmother wasn’t really old—she seemed not even forty, only a few years older than Madam Zhang, strong and healthy, likely to live another ten or twenty years.

How could her daughter manage in such a large household?

Old Madam Gu glanced at Madam Zhang and shook her head slightly, imperceptibly. At this stage, there was no one to blame—only advice could be given: “Regarding managing household affairs, Xuanyi can’t handle it alone. Let her stepmother-in-law take charge for now and have her learn diligently at her side. Also, choose two clever and composed maids to accompany her and advise her to restrain her temper, so she can mature quickly. Otherwise, her mother-in-law may criticize her.”

Madam Zhang nodded: “I will speak to Xuanyi carefully.”

Old Madam Gu offered further reassurance: “Don’t worry. As long as the Changxing Hou estate stands, they wouldn’t dare mistreat Xuanyi. At worst, she may suffer some minor disadvantages. If they go too far, our Gu family won’t let it slide. To bully a Gu girl is to shame the Gu family.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhang felt reassured. Her unease eased considerably. After leaving Shou’an Hall, she went to her daughter’s courtyard.

Nanny Feng said, “Madam, although the eldest son isn’t your own, you treat the first branch so well, even adding extra dowry for the eldest girl.”

Old Madam Gu said lightly, “Madam Zhang has managed the household for years. Even without great merit, she’s put in effort. Two thousand taels isn’t much for the estate, but for a bride, it’s substantial. In three generations, our family has had only two daughters marry out. Giving a little extra is fine. Now Xuanyi receives a little more. When it’s Xuanling’s turn, we’ll also add more. Since she’s marrying into a lower-ranking family, this can serve as extra support.”

While everyone in the household was busy, only Gu Xuanyi remained carefree, enjoying herself completely, without any awareness of the huge pit she was about to fall into.

Gu Xiuwen, studying at Lingshan Academy, had also taken leave to return home and attend his sister’s wedding banquet. He saw his sister resting her chin on her hand, watching butterflies flit through the garden, smiling innocently. He had heard that this marriage was arranged by Xuanyi secretly corresponding with the heir of Wu’an Bo.

Frowning, he couldn’t help poking his sister’s forehead. “Xuanyi, you’re marrying the Wu’an Bo heir, and you can still smile?”

Xuanyi’s smile froze, and she glared at her brother in displeasure: “Fourth Brother, what do you mean by that?”

Gu Xiuwen, frustrated, scolded: “We were born of the same mother on the same day! Did your brain somehow end up in my body in the womb?”

Was he calling her brainless?

Xuanyi was thoroughly angered. She spoke recklessly: “Fourth Brother, what’s your problem? Studying at Lingshan Academy makes you so mighty, huh? You come home and bully your own sister. You think you’re really smart? You got into Lingshan Academy thanks to Third Uncle, didn’t you?”

Gu Xiuwen was seething: “…You utterly foolish idiot! You’ll regret this someday!”

At that moment, Gu Xiuming’s dissenting voice came: “Fourth Brother, tomorrow is our eldest sister’s wedding. As her full brother, you might not offer congratulations, but why say such things?”

Gu Xiuwen stiffened his face: “She chose this husband for herself. I really can’t congratulate her.”

Though he had been a lazy noble, careless with studies, he wasn’t completely stupid. He understood that the Wu’an Bo household was unsuitable for his sister; with her temperament, she would not have a good life there.

Gu Xiuming glanced at the furious Xuanyi, then at Gu Xiuwen, smiling: “Fourth Brother, you’re mistaken. The Wu’an Bo heir comes from a distinguished family, handsome and talented—hard to find such a good husband even if you looked with a lantern. Our eldest sister, eldest granddaughter of the Hou family, is beautiful and matches him perfectly—a match made in heaven.”