"Big Sister should leave early and return early, Brother Cheng is preparing New Year goods at ho, waiting for Big Sister to co back for the celebration," Brother Cheng clung to the mule cart’s window, speaking to Gu Jinxiu inside. "Big Sister, don’t be sad, Brother Cheng likes you the most and will always stay by your side. When I grow up, I will strive for an official position to support you."
No longer liking Brother Luo Wu, this scum that hurts Big Sister.
Gu Jinxiu smiled and said, "Alright, Brother Cheng, be obedient at ho. I will return before the New Year and bring you so special products from Linhe Prefecture."
The headquarters of Huaiyu Embroidery Shop is in Linhe Prefecture, and the Winter Embroidery eting is held there every year, a eting in Linhe Prefecture City that rivals the scholars’ gatherings.
"Alright, Big Sister, you must keep your word, Brother Cheng is waiting for your return." Brother Cheng clung to the window and talked a lot with Gu Jinxiu, until Gu Jinli pulled him away.
Gu Jinli said to Gu Jinxiu, "Big Sister, take good care of yourself, we are waiting for you to co back."
Luo Huiniang seized the opportunity to squeeze in, saying, "Sister Xiu, you must co back."
Even though the affairs between the two families had caused a lot of trouble, Luo Huiniang still hoped Sister Xiu could be her elder sister-in-law, as she knew her brother was very fond of Sister Xiu.
Gu Jinxiu looked at Luo Huiniang, seeing her eyes reddening, almost ready to cry, she smiled, "Hui Niang, don’t worry, I will co back. When you’ve grown up, you need to take good care of your parents at ho and not do anything foolish again."
At the ti Brother Luo Wu disappeared, Hui Niang was extrely anxious, thinking that Brother Luo Wu had hidden in Dafeng Mountain and went into Dafeng Mountain alone to look for him, causing both families great anxiety, with Grandpa Qin personally leading Ah Jiang and others into the mountain to find her.
"Alright, I will behave and not cause trouble for everyone," Luo Huiniang nodded solemnly, she would listen to Sister Xiu, only asking that Sister Xiu and the Xiao Yu family wouldn’t be angry with her brother, giving him another chance.
Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui also talked a lot with Gu Jinxiu, instructing her to always have Sister Li, Xiaoxue, and Nanny Tao accompany her wherever she went, never to act alone, and to sleep in one room with four people at night.
Gu Jinli, worried about Gu Jinxiu’s first long journey, thus had Nanny Tao accompany her. Nanny Tao had served Aunt Wu, was very savvy with various scheming, and having Nanny Tao accompany Gu Jinxiu gave him much more peace of mind.
Several families upon knowing that Gu Jinxiu was going to attend the Winter Embroidery eting also ca to see her off, talking a lot until the sun rose high before letting Gu Jinxiu leave.
Father Luo supported Ms. Chu as they followed the mule cart for a distance, only stopping when the mule cart disappeared from view.
The couple was both angry and sad, wishing they could find Luo Wu and give him a thorough beating, but Brother Wu had disappeared without a trace, and they could not find him anywhere.
Mrs. Chen was cunning, seeing the sorrowful look on the Luo family couple’s faces, she leaned on Gu Dagui’s arm and whispered, "Why hasn’t Brother Wu returned? Could it be that Brother Wu and Sister Xiu’s marriage engagent has fallen through again?"
Although both the Luo Family and Xiao Yu Family tightly sealed the news, with their explanation to Mrs. Chen being Luo Wu had again gone away for business, but could Mrs. Chen believe it?
"Just a few days ago he returned from a business trip, and now he’s gone again so soon; is there a major incident happening every day out there? I am sure sothing has happened to Brother Wu. Seeing the guilty looks on Brother Luo and Sister-in-law Luo’s faces, Brother Wu must have found soone else out there, probably already with child, which angered the Xiao Yu family... tsk tsk tsk, Sister Xiu is heartbroken, and is leaving ho to recover."
Gu Dagui’s face darkened as he heard this and whispered harshly to her, "You wretched woman, can’t you think of anything positive? It’s not the first ti Brother Wu has gone on a business trip, and Huaiyu Embroidery Shop has also invited Sister Xiu before, she never attended before and it wasn’t good, so what if she attends this ti to give Huaiyu Embroidery Shop so face?"
"Heh, you said it yourself that Sister Xiu never attended the Winter Embroidery eting before, so why this year? Isn’t it because of the Luo family?" She looked around, seeing no one was paying attention to them, she continued in a lower voice, "Just a while ago, Sister-in-law Luo was happily preparing for engagent talks, but now she looks as if she has lost a daughter-in-law. If you say there’s nothing happened between Brother Wu and Sister Xiu, I’ll twist my head off to serve you as a bucket."
Sister Xiu is honest, usually doesn’t go out, only Brother Wu often runs around. It must be that boy growing older, too fiery, probably slept with so cheap maid outside and got her pregnant, thus ssing up the marriage plans between the two families.
Gu Dagui really put up with Mrs. Chen’s words, afraid that the Luo Family and Brother Dashan’s family would hear them, hurriedly greeted Third Grandma, "Third Aunt, we’ll be leaving first, we still need to rush to open the shop."
Having said that, he pulled Mrs. Chen to leave.
Mrs. Chen quickly called to Gu Dexing: "Brother Xing, Brother An is not at ho recently, take good care of Brother Cheng, accompany him to visit Ouyang Xu, don’t just hide at ho and study all day. Brother Wang and Brother Fa should go too."
She has heard that the old man nad Ouyang Xu wants to take Brother Cheng as his apprentice. It’s said that the chubby old man is very knowledgeable, cos from a noble family that resides in the Capital, and even has a close older brother who holds so official position. With such a noble, why hesitate to build connections?
Gu Dexing was really troubled. His aunt always wants them to climb up socially, but Master Ouyang is taking Brother Cheng, not him. It would be shaless for him to just tag along.
The county examination is in a few months, he should seize the mont to study hard now, otherwise, if he fails, his aunt will definitely scold him for being useless again.
To help him pass the examination and beco a scholar, his aunt has been bringing him tasty food from the shop every day lately. He fears if he fails, his aunt might make him regurgitate all the food he ate.
Gu Dewang and Gu Defa felt sympathy for their big cousin, thankfully they don’t have to take the exam this year, otherwise, they’d also be pressured by their mother and not want to return to the village.
After sending off Gu Jinxiu, the families went ho separately.
Luo Huiniang was worried Gu Jinli might be upset, so she took the initiative to offer to help him with work.
Gu Jinli didn’t stop her, letting her follow him to the pharmaceutical workshop.
And Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui, worried about Luo Wu, still spoke to Gu Jinli, asking Ah Jiang and others to keep searching quietly for Luo Wu, he must be found, he can’t just disappear like this.
Gu Jinli said, "Yes, mom and dad, rest assured, Ah Jiang and others are continuously searching."
Once she finds Luo Wu, she won’t let him off easily, she vowed not to be called Gu Jinli if she doesn’t cripple him!
...
In a guest room of an inn in Yujiang County, Luo Wu collapsed inside... He had insomnia again last night, only falling asleep from exhaustion just now, but his sleep was very uncomfortable, filled with nurous nightmares.
These nightmares, though scattered, felt very real.
In the dreams, everything was dim... he saw Sister Xiu faint after he left ho, and then saw her leaving ho to participate in the Winter Embroidery eting in Linhe Prefecture.
She is the youngest embroidery master in Jianghuai, with excellent skills and outstanding appearance, imdiately becoming the highlight of the Winter Embroidery eting, much to the delight of the wealthy ladies attending.
However, being outstanding has its drawbacks, inevitably attracting envy from others. An embroidery master sched against her, trying to lure her into a secluded courtyard to ruin her reputation.
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