The Emperor borrowed the seal and appointed Guo Wan as De Fei, and heavily rewarded Guo Yanwang.

  He was enfeoffed as Marquis Ping of Xi, not only with a noble title that would be passed down for generations, but also awarded 500 taels of gold, 3,000 qing of good land, and a fief of 1,000 households.

  Since the founding of this dynasty, such rewards have always been given to famous generals with great military achievements.

  The previous emperor also only enfeoffed five people.

  The emperor's accession was young, and the real Hou, Guo Yan is the first.

  The capital is in an uproar.

  The emperor also bestowed upon him a large and beautiful garden.

  Zhu Zhongjun said to Gu Jinzhi, "...... If he can understand the refusal of that garden, there is still a chance for him. Otherwise, your family should really plan for the future."

  Does Gu Jin know nothing about it?

  But Eldest Uncle was overbearing and ruthless, and except for Eldest Aunt, everyone in the family didn't believe him, what could they do?

  It's hard to advise him, and even if I did, he wouldn't listen anyway.

  Could only watch as he jumped into the fire pit, and brought his brothers and relatives along with him.

  As a result, on the second day, Guo Yanwei presented a memorial, declining the garden but accepting the reward.

  Zhu Zhongjun smiled and said: "It's still salvageable! You can put your mind at ease for now."

  Gu Jin smiled slightly.

  In the Gongguo mansion, Gu Quan returned to the inner courtyard and spoke with Madame: "Mr. Luo had me decline that garden, I was also reluctant to part with it at first. But the Emperor is really delighted. Mr. Luo has a good eye for things!"

  Mr. Luo's name is Quan, he was a guest of Guo Yanwang.

  Luo Quan was a Xiucai at the age of fifteen.

  My family is poor and I have an old mother at home.

  Afterwards, he never went back to school, but instead taught in the countryside, earning a meager income to support himself and his mother.

  Because of his filial piety, he was well-known throughout the village and was recommended to work as a instructor in the county. The position of instructor was originally intended for the county magistrate's brother-in-law. But Luo Quan took the place of the county magistrate's brother-in-law. The county magistrate was unhappy about this and secretly hid Luo Quan's academic seal.

  The county government has lost its official seal, which is a very serious matter and punishable by imprisonment.

  Luo Quan didn't want to go to jail, he still had his mother to support, so he escaped from Jiangnan to the capital and met Guo Yanwang.

  Gu Yanwu treated his political enemies with great cruelty and ruthlessness, but he liked to nurture scholars. Whoever had good learning, he would like to raise under his door.

  Raising scholars costs a lot of money, which is also one of the reasons why he is always short of money.

  Nor does he know whether he really admires learning or just wants to show off.

  Luo Quan had been on the run for seven or eight years before meeting Guo Yanwang.

  Actually, no one is after him anymore. He's just a low-ranking official who doesn't have any real power. Who would bother to put him in jail? If he runs away, then so be it.

  Luo Quan spent his days wandering around, loved reading books and gained different experiences, his experience was far beyond what those bookworms could compare.

  And his writing is solid and elegant.

  He has a deep understanding and can analyze things thoroughly when speaking. He is also well-read in poetry and literature, often quoting classics and allusions in his speech.

  Gu Yanwu believed in Luo Quan's words.

  The lady also smiled and said, "I think Mr. Luo is right too. I haven't read the books of the sages, so I don't know much about principles. It's just that a tall tree attracts wind, and when the moon is full, it will wane. Whatever you do, if you go too far, there will always be suffering in the end."

  Gu Yanwu nodded.

  He thought that this must be Ye Shi from the second house and Song Shi from the third house. I'm afraid they don't have such insight. Seeing the courtyard being let out, they will definitely be jealous.

  The madam is indeed the most virtuous and kind-hearted one.

  Gu Yanwu was more and more satisfied.

  The elder branch of the family had both noble titles and a harmonious marriage, it was indeed a perfect time. But the younger branch of the family was struck by disaster out of the blue.

  The Second Master had originally not expected much from Liu Gu Niang entering the palace, after all, Liu Gu Niang's appearance was indeed unremarkable. Being able to become a Fourth-Rank Noble Lady was already thanks to her ancestors' accumulated virtues.

  As a father, Second Master can be appointed as a General of a Town or something, which is also the greatest kindness.

  He was originally calm in his heart and didn't have many desires, but the second lady's constant muttering and fantasies also stirred up the second master's lust.

  He will be enfeoffed as a noble, and in the future he will have dignity when he walks around.

  Now the reward has been granted, and there is no such thing as a second house. The second master also feels quite embarrassed.

  He awkwardly hid in the outer study room and then went out to drink flower wine.

  The second lady did not have as good a temperament as the second master.

  She got angry.

  She had a bandage wrapped around her forehead and was so weak that she couldn't even swear.

  "...raised her for nothing, it was all just a waste of effort! With the hardships and bitterness she's endured, does she still have any conscience left?" The second wife cried out, "This shameless girl who only knows how to curry favor with those in power, her parents are ashamed, what glory does she have?"

  In the palace, others will not ask about the concubine's parents, but only about her family.

  The emperor's reward to the head of the Gu family is what truly elevates Gu Man.

  Does the second lady understand this principle?

  Since Liu Gongzhu entered the palace, she began to have beautiful dreams, repeatedly fantasizing about her future success, going in front of Song Dang'er and showing off, looking at Song Dang'er's angry but speechless face, feeling extremely pleased.

  The greater the expectation, the more severe the disappointment, and the second lady seemed to have fallen heavily from a high place.

  She was completely shattered.

  The most devastated is not the second wife, but Wu Gu Niang Gu Po Zhi.

  The news of Gu Wan's being conferred as the second-rank De Fei came back, and she was so angry that she spat out a mouthful of blood.

  At his age, spitting blood means his life won't last long. The servants in the house were all frightened, but they didn't dare to tell the second mistress, who was still fuming with anger.

  All the more, she didn't dare to tell Madame. The fifth girl was secretly brought back by the second master, and Madame turned a blind eye, delighted to show her favor. Now if she went to tell her, wouldn't it be asking for Madame to enforce domestic law again?

  The fifth daughter choked with sobs, crying all night long.

  The Jingyuan and Xiangfang Pavilion are nearby, the second lady herself is still not in a good mood, and then she hears the second young lady crying, immediately orders someone to tell her to shut up.

  The fifth daughter-in-law scolded the second lady for being useless and not fighting for her rights, allowing the sixth daughter-in-law to take what was rightfully hers.

  The mother and daughter also fell out with each other.

  The fourth sister then hid at the third brother and his wife's place.

  Third Master Gu Qingzi was also the biological son of Second Master. Although he disliked his stepmother Ye Shi and Second Master, he was very fond of his fourth sister who was loyal, kind-hearted and pure.

  San Nainai Xia Shi is the granddaughter of Xia Shoufu, brought up in a noble family, with a few points of aristocratic elegance. She is close to her husband and younger sister-in-law, and also very affectionate towards Fourth Sister.

  The fourth daughter then spent her days keeping company with Third Granny.

  Two people are doing needlework together, and occasionally they go to see Big Nainai's daughter Xizijie.

  The noise from the other room, they also turned a deaf ear to it.

  The madam pretended not to hear it.

  Took advantage of someone else's daughter, and yet don't allow her to cry?

  What's the use of crying?

  Marquis, imperial edict. It wasn't the old master who went to ask for it, but was directly given by the emperor. Although Madame was tolerant of the noise made by the second room in her heart, she didn't think she owed them anything either.

  The madam just strictly forbade anyone in the house from spreading it out.

  Song Paner knew there must be some joke.

  However, she was pregnant and had no time to gossip about the first wife and second wife's affairs.

  It's just that Dafang is so stingy with his accommodation, and he even refused the emperor's reward of a garden. This surprised Song Tian'er quite a bit.

  She said to Gu Jin: "Your uncle was ill for a while, has he changed his temper?"

  Changing one's nature is difficult, but having a mentor beside you can make it real.

  By May 10th, Song Pan'er received a letter from Madame Song of Yanling Fu, saying that the entrusted matter had been handled.

  The Song family sent several strong men to escort thirty or so servants from the Gu family to Beijing, and they would arrive in the capital by the end of May at the latest.

  Song Pan'er likes it.

  She said to Mu Qing, Shaoyao and Nianlu: "Wait until Song Mama and Haitang arrive. You will have less work to do."

  Peony and Nianlu hurriedly said yes, with joy on their faces.

  They also miss those sisters in Yanling Fu.

  Mu Qing also smiled along with him.

  Peony glanced at her.

  Ever since Mu Qing arrived at the mansion, she immediately gained favor and was pampered. Peony felt uneasy in her heart and often whispered to Nian Lu: "She must be sent by the first wife. Whatever we do, she will surely tell the first wife about it. We should be careful with our actions, lest that woman mocks us."

  Nian Lu didn't think much of it and smiled, saying yes, nor did she dare contradict Yu Ru.

  Now Haitang, Song Mama and Ao Fu are all coming, Mu Qing's position will definitely be squeezed out.

  The peony is blooming happily.

  It doesn't matter what others think.

  After dinner in the evening, Gu Jinzhi returned to her courtyard. Zhu Zhongjun followed closely behind her.

  Gu Jing asked him what he was doing, and he said: "I'm an idiot. If I don't follow you, I'll get lost."

  Made Gu Jing so angry she almost died.

  He seems to enjoy being a fool. The more he pretends, the more energetic he becomes.

  Gu Jin was unable to dissuade him, and had no choice but to take him back to her own courtyard.

  She told Zhu's mother and Wei Ruo, You He: "Yanling Fu came with a letter saying that the family members will arrive this month. More than 30 people were sent up. At that time, I specifically instructed to bring Niushuang and Zhirui."

  Wishing mom and everyone else happiness.

  Young lotus let out a sigh and said, "Mei Xiang loves to take charge and is very capable. Now that she's here, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. These new little maids in the house are impossible for us or mother to manage, each one more mischievous than the last. We can't even scold them or beat them. Let's just wait for Mei Xiang to come and deal with them."

  Then a little servant girl who was serving tea next to him smiled and said, "Your good days are over."

  That little girl was not afraid of Youhe, chuckled and went out again, without putting Youhe's words in her heart.

  Wish mom and Wei Rou a smile.

  Zhu Zhongjun also foolishly followed with a smile.

  The people in their courtyard still treated him as if he were the foolish prince and didn't see him as an outsider.

  Zhu Zhongjun sat for a while, and then Gu Jin let Wei Ruo escort him out of the corner gate to sleep in the outer courtyard house.

  Wei Ru led a few young maids and a coarse servant woman, carrying the bright palace lanterns, to see Zhu Zhongjun off.

  On her way back, she saw that the sky was still early and remembered to ask Mrs. Nianlu for a pattern last time, which would be used to make a small garment for Gu Jinzhi to sit on.

  Nian Lu has been busy all day and may have forgotten, so she hasn't sent it yet.

  It suddenly occurred to him, if he didn't go get it, he might forget again.

  She was originally bold, holding a bright lamp and heading to the main courtyard. She told the other maidservants following her: "If my mother asks later, just say I went to Nianlu sister's place to borrow some flower patterns."

  "I'll go with sister," said a clever little maid.

  The yard is very large, with artificial mountains and clusters of trees everywhere. At night, the shadows of the trees are swaying, a bit frightening.

  The lotus flower says it's unnecessary.

  She took a shortcut alone and entered from a corner door, then rushed towards Madame's place.

  Just after passing by the fake hill, I saw Nianlu hiding behind another rock.

  She was bewildered in her heart.

  Nian Lu is usually quiet, who is she playing hide-and-seek with?

  She asked one more question, but saw Nianlu dodging forward again.

  Wei Rou Station is located in a relatively high place. Looking far away, Mu Qing was alone and looked around, then went to the corner door on the second gate side.

  She hastily turned around and left.

  Nianlu is following Muqing, and Muqing has gone out of the courtyard again, don't know what he's doing.

  Wei hurried back to Gu Jinzhi's side and told him what had just happened. She didn't dare cause any trouble.

  Gu Jin's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

  ——*——*——

  Thanks for the reward from 熱戀^^ and Sunfloer889.