C39 (2/2)

”I remember that when you left home that year, you were only this tall. It must have been hard on you all these years, as your father and I had always been worried about you, but the road was not easy to walk on, and it wasn't easy to communicate with you. Now that you've returned safely, your father doesn't know how happy he must be.”

As Lady Yao spoke, she used a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes. The woman beside her immediately laughed crisply, ”Eldest sister-in-law, you should be happy that Zhu'er is back. Your appearance really makes Zhu'er restrained.”

Mrs Yao's hand that was holding the handkerchief froze, then a smile appeared on her face. ”Sister-in-law is right. Look at how happy I am. Zhu Er, quickly come and see your second aunt and a few other girls.”

Lady Yao introduced the people beside her one by one. The one who spoke was Gu Jinzhu's second uncle's wife, Lady Li. She wore blue brocade weasels and a blue horse mask dress.

Gu Jinzhu came forward to pay her respects, but before she could bend over, Madame Li pulled her over and said affectionately, ”That year, she was just a little girl, but now she's this big in the blink of an eye. Look at her appearance, she's even better than our Bi Tong, don't you think so, Sister-in-law?”

As she spoke, she smiled and looked at Lady Yao. Lady Yao's eyes flashed, but on her face was a look of love. She smiled and said, ”That's right. Tong'er is still a child. How can she be compared to her elder sister …”

Before she finished speaking, Madame Li said, ”People always say that our Duke Gu's estate has a beautiful peony, but they've never seen Zhu'er before. From what I've said, with Zhu'er's appearance, she really deserves to be called a peony …”

Madame Li smiled, and took down a golden silk floating lotus flower bracelet from her arm, directly putting it on Gu Jinzhu's wrist, ”Zhu'er, Second Aunt doesn't have anything good for you, so I'll give this bracelet to you as a present. It's not something good, so don't mind it.”

Gu Jinzhu looked at the bright yellow gold bracelet on her wrist and was speechless. This was not a good thing at all …

She had long seen that Lady Li and Lady Yao were at loggerheads. Two of her sentences were aimed at the Yao family. The moment they met, she even took out such a heavy gold bracelet, clearly showing that she wanted to suppress the Yao family.

As expected, Lady Yao's expression turned unsightly. As a direct mother, she had yet to give anything to the Second Branch, but it was Second Wife who snatched it away first.

He almost couldn't maintain the love he put on his face as he forced a smile and said, ”Her second aunt, Zhu'er's little family isn't to be praised. Moreover, her young daughter is quite old in wearing this gold. I just prepared a pair of good white jade bracelets for her, so you should keep this for yourself.”

As she said this, she waved her hand and called for the little girl to bring over a jewelry box. Inside was indeed a pair of pure white jade bracelets. Yao Shi personally put them on Gu Jinzhu and indicated for her to return the gold bracelet to Madame Li.

Lady Li covered her mouth and laughed, ”Since you've already given it away, how can it be taken back? It's also good to leave this bracelet to Zhu'er.”

There was no way for Lady Yao to do so, so she could only let Gu Jinzhu put it away.

Next to Madame Li was a woman wearing a turmeric jacket. Her face was a goose egg-shaped, and her figure was plump. Although she wasn't as dignified as Lady Yao, she had the charm of a mature woman. Without waiting for Gu Jinzhu to speak, she smiled and greeted her.

However, it turned out to be Gu Qingyuan's concubine. Her status couldn't compare with Gu Jinzhu's, so she naturally came to greet him.

Lady Yao and Lady Li both gave their gifts, so it wasn't good for her to be empty-handed. She pulled out an embroidered, silver lotus hairpin from her head and said, ”I don't have anything good to give Eldest Miss. Just keep this hairpin to reward her.”

Gu Jinlong ordered Yun Xiang to put the items away before thanking the crowd one by one.