Chapter Thirty: Teaching Women

  After the crowd dispersed, they came out of Shen's house one after another.

  Qingjin followed Junshi out together. After bidding farewell to San Shu and Su Shi at the gate of Chaoyaxuan, they parted ways.

  Only after Su and Gu Qingyao's figures had walked far away did Junshi turn to face Gu Qingjin and say: "This third aunt of yours is really not simple, I thought that accompanying your third uncle in the wilderness for many years would make her out of touch with news from the capital, but it turns out she can keep up with what I'm saying...and her daughter, originally I thought was a timid and weak little homebody, but it turns out she's been taught pretty well too..."

  Qing Jin had always thought that Jun Shi was rough and unrefined, but she didn't expect him to say something like this. Thinking back to what Jun Shi said in the room to his mother, Shen Shi, a hint of understanding flashed across her eyes. Indeed, in such a large family, no one is truly foolish. Jun Shi is absolutely not as ignorant as he appears on the surface, but since he is her mother, it's more beneficial for him to be intelligent.

  Third Uncle has been away for many years, and Third Aunt has been in charge of all the affairs in the Third Uncle's mansion. Now that they have returned to the Anji Marquis' residence, Mother Junshi is in charge of the household. Just now, when Mother Junshi went to Grandmother's side to ask about preparing dinner, she saw a flash of discomfort and restraint in Su Shi's eyes. Indeed, as the woman who had been in charge of all Third Uncle's affairs outside, she suddenly lost her power and from now on would have to be under Mother Junshi's control at every turn. Su Shi must be very unhappy!

  Upon hearing Junshi's evaluation of San Shu, Qingjin put down the worries in her heart, it seems that Junshi is completely not worth worrying about. She then lifted her head to look at Junshi, "Mother thinks what about Fourth Sister?"

  "She's delicate and refined, but of course can't compare to my Jin'er's beauty and talent. Who can be like my Jin'er, able to manage the Flowing Cloud Pavilion that supports our marquis' daily expenses at such a young age..."

  When Qingjin heard Junshi's boasting, she felt a bit embarrassed and couldn't help but think that it was no wonder people said that in parents' eyes, their children were perfect. All mothers thought their own children were the best. Seeing Junshi like this, Qingjin realized that she had truly seen it before, staring blankly at the person she used to dislike the most, Junshi's self-satisfied expression.

  Only those who have lost know its preciousness.

  "...you are my born, in my eyes you are of course the best, and you have been clever and elegant since childhood...now the one who inherits the title of Anji Houfu is your father, you are the legitimate daughter of the Marquis, and in the future you will definitely not be comparable to your third aunt's family's Yao Yatou..."

  "How can Mother be certain that Third Uncle will not achieve great military success in the future and secure a good marriage for Fourth Sister?" Gu Qingchen's tone was tinged with unspoken self-mockery and coldness. How could Junshi know that it was precisely because of Third Uncle that she and Gu Qingyao had obtained their precious good fortune in the previous life, yet in the end Gu Qingyao became the emperor's principal wife, while she was merely a lowly concubine without a name, and ultimately died in the flames?

  "Jing'er, you——" Jun's face was terrified as she stared at the unfamiliar Gu Qingjing in front of her, who was emitting a cold and bleak aura. This Gu Qingjing was a stranger to Jun; her Jing'er had always been proud, arrogant, and even overbearing, but this daughter who emitted a cold and bleak aura with a hint of sadness was someone she had never seen before.

  In the midst of Jun's frightened cries, Gu Qingjin came to her senses and realized that she had just made a big scene. Thinking of Jun's previous suspicions about her being possessed by an evil spirit when she changed, she quickly smiled at Jun, "Mother, I was just a bit out of sorts."

  Upon hearing Qingjin's words, Junshi let out a sigh of relief and didn't suspect anything. "That's good, but what you just said about your third uncle achieving some great military merit, no matter what merits your third uncle achieved, Jing'er, don't forget that your third uncle is still a member of the Gu family, and it was your father who inherited the title. There's absolutely no way for an illegitimate son to surpass the legitimate eldest son, so even if your third uncle achieves some great merit, the ones who will ultimately benefit are the entire Hou Manor, your father, and you. It definitely won't be your third uncle or someone like Gu Qingjiao. Do you understand?" Junshi's expression was rarely serious and solemn.

  Upon hearing Jun's solemn tone, Gu Qingjin couldn't help but nod in agreement. After all, wasn't it true? In her past life, the Emperor had arranged a marriage for her, and she was supposed to be the official wife of the Sixth Prince, while Gu Qingyao was only the concubine of the Third Prince. It was her own foolishness that led her to relinquish her rightful position as the official wife, choosing instead to become a concubine. She had willingly given up her status and sought to marry Long Hanshan as his concubine. Thinking back on these events, Qingjin's gaze turned towards Jun.

  Jun saw Qingjin's enlightened expression and nodded in satisfaction, "Alright, you understand now. So, do you know how to get along with your fourth sister?"

  Qingjin's puzzled gaze at Junshi suddenly cleared up, "I will get along well with Fourth Sister."

  When she heard this, Jun nodded, "Mother doesn't know why you don't like your fourth sister, but you must remember that the old lady is still around, and most importantly, you all share the same surname Gu. One stroke can't write two 'Gu' characters. No matter how your third uncle is, as long as you don't do anything wrong, your future will definitely be better than your fourth sister's. For someone who is in a lower position than you and has no conflicting interests with you, you should get along well, especially since she is also your sister. If you handle the relationship well, it might even become an invaluable help to you, do you understand?

  Gu Qingjin nodded seriously at Jun Shi.

  "Alright, I'll head back first. You should too. Aren't you supposed to go back to school tomorrow as promised to your grandmother? Go back to your room and sleep early!"

  "Yes, mother."

  After the mother and daughter said their goodbyes, Jun Shi lifted her foot and left. The maid who had been retreating to a distance since Jun Shi started talking watched as she walked away, then quickly followed in her footsteps from afar.

  Besides, after Su sent away the concubine's daughter, she and her daughter Gu Qingyao returned to the room. Seeing Gu Qingyao looking unhappy, she asked: "Qingyao, what's wrong?"

  Upon hearing Su's words, Gu Qingyao lifted her head with a dejected expression, "Mother, doesn't Grandmother like me? Her attitude towards Second Sister is much more affectionate than mine."

  Su looked at her daughter's clear eyes and asked in a low voice, "Is Yao'er jealous of your second sister?"

  Gu Qingyao heard Su's words, lowered her head, and a muffled voice came out, "Second sister is so dazzling, so beautiful, even the clothes on her body are so good-looking, Yaoke can't compare to second sister in anything."

  Su pulled Gu Qingyao into her arms, smiling and embracing her, poking at her forehead: "You are Mother's own daughter, Mother can only spoil Yaoke, how could she spoil others?"