EBE Chapter 436: The Second Brother is in Charge of the Family
Chapter 436: The Second Brother is in Charge of the Family
Chapter 436 The Second Brother Becomes the Head of the Family
However, Shen Wantang quickly rejected this idea in his mind.
There is no rush to practice calligraphy at this moment. She has been living an especially comfortable life recently and is very relaxed. She is practicing calligraphy more casually, so it is normal that there is no progress.
Xiao Qingxi stayed in bed to recuperate and did not come out to make any noise. Xiao Qingyuan also recited poems and painted with the maids every day. He also had to worry about the baby in Huayi's belly from time to time, so he had no time to go to Wutong Garden.
The Ning Prince's Mansion was filled with a rare atmosphere of harmony, so Shen Wantang certainly would not seek trouble for himself.
It just so happened that Gu Qianning wrote her a letter, asking her to go out for an outing. She happily agreed, picked out a glutinous pink spring shirt that she had just made, and went out.
The two set out early in the morning and arrived at their destination, Yunqi Temple, an hour later.
Yunqi Temple is a small temple with not much worship, but there are large peach and apricot groves in front and behind the temple. Every spring when the peach and apricot blossoms are in full bloom, it becomes an excellent place for an outing.
After Shen Wantang and Xiao Qingxi arrived at Yunqi Temple, they followed custom and burned incense first, donated some incense money, and then went to the peach forest for fun.
As spring arrives and flowers bloom, tourists flock in. On a long path in the peach forest, there are stalls selling peach cakes, apricot cakes, kites, bamboo dragonflies, etc., creating a lively and bustling scene.
Shen Wantang was in a good mood looking at the beautiful peach blossoms and the lively scene, but Gu Qianning beside her was worried.
"Aning, what's wrong with you? Don't you like it here? If you think there are too many people, let's go to a place with fewer people."
Gu Qianning shook her head: "It's great here. I'm not bothered by the crowds, but by the things at home."
"Why, did something happen at home?"
"My family has recently... become run by my second brother."
Shen Wantang was a little surprised: "Your second brother is in charge? Then your father and your eldest brother listen to him?"
"You have to listen even if you don't want to. My second brother has plenty of tricks. Father and eldest brother's men have all been taken down by my second brother's men."
Gu Qianning sighed, "My eldest brother is okay. He has always been good-tempered and very considerate of his younger brothers and sisters. When my second brother wanted to take power, my eldest brother didn't fight with him. But my father didn't like my second brother's aggressive attempt to seize power. He was very angry and has been sick for several days."
"Plus, my second brother... redeemed the courtesan from Wanhua Tower and kept her away from home. Mother was very angry and fell ill."
"My second brother didn't allow me to see the prince or go out. I asked him to come out to see you, and he reluctantly nodded in agreement."
"Ah Tang, why did my second brother suddenly become like this? He wasn't like this before!"
However, Shen Wantang felt a hint of oppression and tension from Gu Qianning's words. The power that Gu Qianhan wanted to seize was not only from the Gu family, but also from the royal family.
Caring for the family is just the beginning.
At this moment, she was finally certain that Gu Qianhan must have other purposes in redeeming Xue Luo. He definitely didn't like Xue Luo, and he definitely didn't do it to compete with Xiao Qingyuan. Everything he did now was in preparation for seizing power.
Shen Wantang's previous relaxation disappeared. She thought that Gu Qianning must have also sensed the unusual aura, so she felt a little panicked.
She asked Gu Qianning softly: "Have you told anyone about these things?"
Gu Qianning shook her head: "I can't even go out now, who can I tell? Besides, family disgrace should not be made public. I have never told others about family matters, but I feel uncomfortable if I don't tell them. I can only talk to you."
Shen Wantang patted her hands: "You are right not to say anything."
"And one more thing."
"what's up?"
"My second brother planned to marry me off to Jiangnan. He gave me a booklet and told me to pick my own husband, but I looked around and couldn't find anyone I liked. I still think my cousin, the Crown Prince, is the best."
Gu Qianning said as she took out a booklet and handed it to Shen Wantang.
Shen Wantang opened it and saw that each page was an introduction to a young man, with a portrait attached.
Shen Wantang read it all from beginning to end and found that all the young men listed were successful candidates in their previous lives with excellent character, bright official careers, and profound family background.
Of course, compared with the prince, they are naturally inferior. Not to mention anything else, the prince's appearance and demeanor are not comparable to those of ordinary young men. It is normal for Gu Qianning to look down on them.
However, as long as Gu Qianning did not marry the prince, no matter who she married on the list, no matter whether anything happened to the Duke's Mansion in the future, she could live her life in peace.
Gu Qianning might not know how important this booklet is, but Shen Wantang knows very well that it is the greatest protection that Gu Qianhan, as a brother, can give to his sister.
Shen Wantang returned the booklet to Gu Qianning and said solemnly, "Listen to your second brother. He won't harm you."
Gu Qianning was in low spirits: "In fact, it is not my turn to decide my marriage. It used to be my father who made the decision, and now it is my second brother. Anyway, no one listens to my opinion, so I can only follow the path they have arranged."
As she spoke, she began to cry: "I don't want to marry in Jiangnan, I want to be in Beijing, my home is here, my friends are here too, I feel so sad when I think about never seeing my father, mother, elder brother, second brother, and you, Atang, again."
"But I cried and made a scene, but my second brother was so heartless that he didn't care about my feelings at all. He forced me to choose a man I didn't know, marry him in a place I wasn't familiar with, and live a life I had never imagined."
Shen Wantang took a handkerchief to wipe her tears and whispered to comfort her: "I think that the people your second brother picked for you are very thoughtful. It is not a bad thing to marry to Jiangnan. I heard that the climate there is humid, which is good for beauty and health, and the food is also very rich. If you marry to Jiangnan, I will definitely come to visit you. When the time comes, you must receive me well."
Gu Qianning looked at her with tears in her eyes: "Atang, will you really go to Jiangnan to play with me? The journey is long, will your mother-in-law let you go?"
Shen Wantang smiled at her: "It's not too far, actually. My cousin goes to Jiangnan twice a year. The materials in my shop are all imported by him from Jiangnan. Every time I hear him talk about the local customs and prosperous trade there, I am fascinated and want to go and see it."
"If you get married, I will definitely go there to see you and the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan. Oh, you'd better write to me as soon as you give birth to a child. I also want to go to see your baby and hold a hundred-day banquet for him, so that the child can recognize me as his godmother."
"As for my mother-in-law, she will let me go. I am quite good at coaxing her."
Gu Qianning heard her speak so easily and confidently, she burst into laughter: "Atang, you are very good at coaxing me! Now I feel that going to Jiangnan is not bad! Jiangnan doesn't seem so scary anymore."