12dz Chapter 162 The Guo Family's Plans
Chapter 162 The Guo Family's Plans
Guo Mansion.
Because Guo Yong was given an important position, the whole family was overjoyed. However, since they were still in mourning, they did not dare to celebrate in a lively manner. Instead, the whole family sat together and offered a small congratulatory drink with water instead of wine.
"Your luck has turned around. My husband has only just arrived in the capital and he already has such an important mission. I'm sure his future career path will be smooth sailing."
"It all comes down to the good house the lady bought. Since we moved in, everything seems to be going smoothly!"
Guo Yong praised Xia Shi, and Xia Shi was happy to accept it. After all, she had spent a lot of money and even went to the Daxiangguo Temple to pray again and again, offering a lot of incense money, just hoping for peace for the whole family and a smooth career for her husband.
Now that it's all come true, she naturally feels a sense of satisfaction that her efforts have been rewarded.
"Now we just need to settle Xiao'an's matter, and then I'll look for a way to find a nanny from a wealthy family to personally teach Ke'er some etiquette. That would be perfect."
Xia also made careful arrangements for her two children.
A son should have a bright future, and so should a daughter. I've heard that the new empress who is about to ascend the throne only has the crown princess in her palace, and she's not that old. By the time the daughter grows up to be a beautiful young woman, the imperial power will be stable.
If they could get the chance to enter the palace, that would be the gamble for the Guo family to turn their fortunes around.
Therefore, when he looked at his charming and lovely daughter, his eyes were full of hope.
Xia's idea was also the idea of the rest of the Guo family. Now that life was peaceful, it was time to visit the Vice Minister's mansion and establish a relationship with the "brother-in-law". So, they listened to the arrangements made by Old Madam Guo.
"Now that Old Madam Chi is gone, we shouldn't come empty-handed on our first visit. Let's use the excuse of burning incense for your sister to ask him to bring his two children back. If they can't fit in at home, they can stay at our house for a while, so that the cousins can get to know each other better."
"Mother is right, but I think it's better to go back to the Vice Minister's residence, especially for Zhao'er, who is now the only son in the Vice Minister's residence!"
Xia was not unwilling for Chi Guiying and her brother to visit, but of course, it was more meaningful for them to stay at the Vice Minister's residence than at home.
After hearing her words, the Guo family father and son also thought so, so Old Madam Guo naturally had nothing to say.
She left heartbroken at the time, but after all, the two children were her grandchildren, and she really couldn't just ignore them. Now that the old lady in the backyard is gone and there is no lady in charge, and the concubine has lost her son, the two children shouldn't suffer too much injustice in the short term. Therefore, thinking about this, she felt that Xia's words were not excessive.
After packing up, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law took some things and headed straight for the Vice Minister's residence after the meal.
When they arrived, the Vice Minister's residence was deserted, and the pale white lanterns were still hanging high, indicating that the family was still in mourning.
In Linglong Courtyard, Aunt Zhao has regained favor with the emperor.
Because she was young and had a good constitution, she started taking care of Chi Yunjing again not long after her confinement period. However, this time, Chi Yunjing used the excuse of letting her take good care of her body and touched her much less often. Even when he did touch her occasionally, he would have the steward arrange for medicine and watch her drink it before he would stop.
Over time, Aunt Zhao finally realized what was going on.
This was either because they didn't want her to get pregnant, or they didn't want her to get pregnant before the new wife entered the family. She was angry, but she had no other support, so she could only silently endure it.
Regardless, she was now the only one in charge in the courtyard, so she still maintained some dignity in the Vice Minister's residence. Therefore, she quickly learned of the arrival of the Guo family's mother and daughter-in-law.
He slammed his fist on the table, his expression becoming more repulsive.
"One wave after another, how come these people are like they can't be killed, shamelessly sticking on us!"
The maid Xueshang beside her looked anxious, and then she made a statement.
"Aunt, you'll have to think of something. I heard that the Guo family has already settled in the capital and even moved into their house. If they are allowed to make a comeback, given what you did to Madam Guo back then, I'm afraid the Guo family won't tolerate it!"
"Do you think I'm not worried? If the child were still here, I wouldn't be afraid even if ten members of the Guo family came, but now he's gone, isn't he?"
In his confusion, after thinking for a moment, he still spoke to Xue Chang.
"Go and have someone listen carefully to see why the Guo family has come to our door this time. If they're here to settle old scores, we can prepare accordingly!"
"Yes, aunt."
In the main courtyard, Chi Yunjing, who hadn't appeared in public for quite some time, sat at the head of the table. He looked much thinner than before, but because he was free from the troubles of politics and spent his days practicing calligraphy in his study to calm his mind, he was quite relaxed and didn't look too bad.
Upon seeing the Guo family arrive, he did not wish to confront them at this juncture, so he addressed them as "Mother-in-law." Madam Guo nodded, thus settling the previous grievances.
"We only arrived in the capital a few days ago and were quite shocked to hear of our in-laws' passing. It was also a time of great mourning, so we could only visit today. Please don't take offense, son-in-law."
“My mother passed away suddenly, and the funeral was held in a hurry, so I didn’t have time to inform my mother-in-law’s family. It was my oversight. I am very grateful that you came here today. How could I blame you?”
Upon seeing this, Xia immediately chimed in.
“Brother-in-law is right. No matter what, we are still family. Now that my husband has the opportunity to become an official in the capital, we should ask for your continued support. Let’s keep our family together in harmony.”
Although the position of Assistant Director of the Department of Transportation is not high, given Guo Yong's age, if he can get the position, he will have the opportunity to be promoted. Therefore, it is always better to have more friends than more enemies. So Chi Yunjing nodded and did not show any dislike for it.
"Since my son-in-law has said so, then I, this old woman, will also take the liberty of speaking. With one misfortune after another in the family, it's not good to let Ying'er and her brother stay in their hometown like this. If you ask me, we should have someone bring them back. No matter what, they are members of the Chi family. After the storm has passed, we can find them a suitable marriage. This way, the family will have some life again. As for Zhao'er, he is at the age where he should be studying hard. Xiao'an is here this time too. The two brothers can study under a famous teacher together and encourage each other. In the future, they will have the opportunity to serve Dalong as loyally as you and Xiao'an's father!"
Madam Guo explained her purpose in a few words, and only then did Chi Yunjing realize that this was the reason for his visit. He then expressed some regret.
“I wholeheartedly agree with what you say, Mother-in-law, but… the two children encountered an accident on their way back to their hometown before the New Year, and they have already been properly buried there. I’m afraid we won’t be able to bring them back.”
"what?"
Upon hearing the news that her two grandchildren had died, Old Madam Guo collapsed without being able to catch her breath, startling everyone in the main hall.