Gu Antong appeared thoughtful, "Mother means that second aunt will take action?"
"The Xu Family is a fallen household. Back then, your grandfather was against marrying Xu Yulan into the family, but your grandmother insisted and made the decision on her own.
At that time, your grandfather was merely a landlord with some wealth, so marrying your grandmother was considered a proper match.
However, your grandmother's family has become increasingly unrespectable over the years, and only her branch of the family holds some prestige, so whenever there's trouble, they come knocking for help.
Ever since marrying your second aunt, the aunt and niece have become even more outrageous together.
If it weren't for your grandmother's excessive support, do you think the power to manage this household would have fallen into my hands?"
"But having this managerial power isn't even that good," Gu Antong didn't think it was a great job. If it weren't for her mother's prowess, who knows how much more they might have had to sacrifice.
"What do you think I want this managerial power for?" Liu Yun stroked Gu Antong's head with a hint of pride in her voice, "In this entire mansion, aside from me, who else can serve as the master wife?
We are the main branch; your father holds an official position. In the future, this entire Gu Mansion will belong to our branch.
Though managing is challenging, there are some benefits, and your mother's dowry isn't like your third aunt's. Planning carefully ensures more benefits for you and your brother.
Besides, if I don't manage the household, how can I teach you to manage it? It's a great opportunity for practice.
Your mother, I, was born of humble origins. Although born into the Marquis Mansion, I was a daughter of a concubine, and only by pleasing my legitimate elder sister could I learn some insights.
In the future, my daughter must also become the matriarch of the family. These skills are essential.
Now the entire capital knows that the legitimate granddaughter of the Gu family has been helping manage the entire Gu Mansion at a young age. As long as there is a suitable young talent in the mansion, who wouldn't consider you the first choice?"
"Mother..." At the mention of her own marriage, Gu Antong shyly lowered her head and softly protested.
"We've worked hard to maintain our reputation for so long; it can't be ruined by one small incident.
No matter if your third aunt is truly ill or avoiding responsibility, this matter ends here.
Since the outfit doesn't have a matching headpiece, we'll select that moon dress. It's elegant and tranquil, sure to please those old madams."
If it can't catch the eye at once, then choose another route. Liu Yun had already made the decision for her daughter.
Gu Antong thought it over calmly and finally conformed to Liu Yun's wishes by changing into the moon dress.
"But won't it be too plain?" She felt that wearing such a dress wasn't very auspicious. Would those old madams really like it?
"The entire capital is well aware that this banquet at the Princess Mansion is deliberately arranged for a few princes to view potential matches, so the young ladies from each house will surely compete to outshine each other. In doing so, you'll stand out in the middle."
Liu Yun gazed at Gu Antong's delicate, fair face, "You take after your grandmother..."
Speaking of her own mother, Liu Yun sighed inwardly. With her aunt's looks, if it weren't for the disgrace of being associated with an official criminal, she might not have ended up as a concubine in the Marquis Mansion; she might even have had a chance in the palace.
However, she didn't notice that when Gu Antong heard her say this, a flash of displeasure crossed her eyes. Comparing her, the legitimate granddaughter of a second-rank official, to a concubine, if such words spread, what future would she have?
...
Xu Yulan returned to her maternal home and immediately headed to the main courtyard upon her return to the mansion, "Aunt, you must stand up for me."
"What happened? Didn't you just go home?" Xu Huizhen saw her niece in such a state and quickly pulled her over to sit down.
"I went back to discuss the construction of the ancestral hall and told them to figure it out on their own, but my eldest uncle scolded me for it."
"Why would my father scold you?" The old madam looked at Xu Yulan with suspicion, "Did you do something disrespectful?"
"I'm truly wronged. How could I dare?" Xu Yulan wiped away non-existent tears with a handkerchief, "The game I brought back this time was divided between the two families, and then my eldest uncle asked about the construction of the ancestral hall. I relayed what you said, and who knew he would point at me, accusing me of causing trouble and being unfilial.
Aunt, I'm truly wronged. How could I not know that the Liang Family is our support? Everything good that comes to mind first is sent to the family, yet I bear this undeserved blame."
After finishing her complaint, Xu Yulan glanced up at Xu Huizhen. She was taking the fall for this old lady, and instead of receiving a warm reception back home, she got scolded. It was utterly humiliating. How could she maintain her authority in front of her younger siblings after this?
It's not that the mansion couldn't afford the silver coin for the ancestral hall construction. It was just that she was made to play the villain, and she trusted her aunt too much, bearing the blame for her.
The old madam sighed, "I too am powerless now. The silver I painstakingly saved up before has mostly gone to the Xu Family in the past two years. Don't forget, your dowry was also secretly prepared by me.
If the family is really in urgent need, and if you have any, why don't you first bring it back?"
"Where would I have silver?" Xu Yulan dared not fake more misery now and glared with wide eyes, "Aunt, have you forgotten?
The betrothal gifts you sent, along with the dowry given to me secretly, were all used to pay off a gambling debt incurred by my uncle.
What I have left in my hands are just decorative items without practical use. Even the only complete set of jewelry is merely gold-plated."
The uncle she referred to was the old madam's own brother. If it weren't for the need to marry into the Gu Family, Xu Yulan would never have been so generous.
Originally, she thought that after entering the Gu Mansion, her aunt would compensate her in some way. But who knew that after all this time, no good things were seen, and now they wanted her to use up her last dowry?
Besides, doesn't her aunt have a bottom line? If they meet the wish of the Xu Family to build the ancestral hall this time, what would she have left?
"Sigh," the old madam also realized this. Yesterday, she thought of talking to the old master to see if she could regain control of the household management. Failing that, perhaps the second daughter-in-law could share some responsibilities. But who knew that the old man didn't come home last night.
If she didn't know how much he valued face above everything else, she might have thought he kept another woman outside.
"Let's set it aside for now and wait for a chance to make amends later."
"But aunt, the eldest uncle said that if we don't send the money back in a few days, he will come over personally." Xu Yulan gritted her teeth and said. If the Xu Family members really create a scene here, it would be her and her aunt who lose face.
"..."
"Go and call your eldest sister-in-law here."
Xu Yulan was somewhat unwilling, "Can't Nanny Zhou and the others do it?"
In the mansion, she looked down on the third house and, of course, also on the calculative main house.
"You are asking for a favor now, so you should lower your attitude."
Xu Yulan, "..." Why is it only she who has to ask for favors?
"Do as I say." The old madam couldn't hold her face anymore. She couldn't lower herself as the mother-in-law to the daughter-in-law.
"The Xu Family is your maternal family. Now that the Xu Family has a difficulty, as relatives by marriage, we should help." The old madam muttered, using this reason to convince Xu Yulan and also to bind Liu Yun.