Chapter 662: Chapter 662: Official Business
Zhan Er, upon hearing this, hurriedly said: "Yes, nephew has taken the lesson, and from now on, I will cultivate my character and keep away from these scheming maids."
In reality, it was he himself who pulled Yue’er into bed.
Now it’s nothing more than being infatuated with the new and bored with the old, having seen Gu Jinxiu, who is even more beautiful, he then grew tired of Yue’er.
Gu Jin’an didn’t believe a word Zhan Er said, and bluntly remarked: "If the master himself conducts himself properly, how could the maids cling to him?"
Xiao Yu is still here, and Gu Jin’an doesn’t want to discuss these bedroom matters with Zhan Er anymore, so as not to sully Xiao Yu’s ears.
He pointed at Zhan Er and said: "Zhan Hengzhi, listen clearly, no matter what you do, no matter how fond you are of my eldest sister, she will not become engaged to you. When we came, my sister had already said she would rather die than marry a wall-climbing philanderer like you, and our parents also dislike a person with your temperament. Now that the beating is over, consider the affair between our two families done. Do not bother my sister anymore, or else don’t blame me for being rude!"
Zhan Er was so shocked he seemed as if he might die: "You, what did you say? Sister Xiu said she would rather die than marry me? She, she doesn’t like me? But I like her so much."
Bang!
Gu Jin’an, furious upon hearing this, punched Zhan Er again: "Do you even deserve to be called a noble son? Which noble son acts like you, constantly talking about likes and dislikes? You truly are a shameless lecher!"
Is this the so-called temper of a Madman? Gu Jin’an wanted to curse the Madman’s ancestors eighteen generations back.
He has met other noble sons, Zheng Ying, and Shangguan Zhuo are all courteous and well-mannered. Over the years, besides sending festival and yearly presents to his family, they have never stayed at his house. But whenever they come to Tianfu County, they would send servants to pay respects to his parents.
This is the conduct of a noble son; Zhan Er’s behavior is that of a frivolous playboy, without a shred of decency or manners. Gu Jin’an truly wanted to beat Zhan Er to death.
After hitting Zhan Er, Gu Jin’an was still not satisfied, and said to Master Xia: "If Master enjoys a reckless son-in-law like Zhan Er, you might as well have a daughter early on to marry him to Zhan Er and prevent such a rich prize from flowing into the hands of strangers."
Gu Jinli nodded in agreement, uh-huh, uh-huh, Brother is right, Zhan Er is a dung-heap of rich pickings, only a Madman like Master Xia could endure him.
Master Xia’s face turned very ugly after being berated by Gu Jin’an.
Lady Xia, who held her husband in the highest esteem, could not bear seeing Brother An scolding Master Xia and boldly said: "Brother An, you can’t blame us for this; it’s because your parents have been neglectful about Sister Xiu’s marriage that we overstepped and helped her consider potential suitors. Surely, you don’t want Sister Xiu to become an old maid, right?"
Gu Jin’an looked towards Lady Xia, remembering the first time he met her... back then, Lady Xia was as kind to him as a loving mother to her own son, making him believe she was good, that she wouldn’t harm him and his siblings, which is why he grew close to the Xia Family and spoke on their behalf. But now, looking at Lady Xia, he just found her repulsive, a nonsensical shrew.
"Lady Xia, please remember, my elder sister’s surname is Gu, she is my parents’ daughter. When she gets engaged or married is for my family to decide, it has nothing to do with your Xia Family."
After hearing this, Lady Xia’s body swayed unsteadily, and she looked at Gu Jin’an and cried, "Brother An, how can you say that? Over the years, my husband and I have sincerely cared for you and your siblings. Besides, we acted in good faith, not wanting Sister Xiu, such a fine lady, to be wasted."
Gu Jinli frowned and said: "Lady Xia, do you not understand human language? My elder brother has said that my sister’s marriage is none of your and your husband’s business, so stop justifying yourselves with your so-called good intentions. Your kind of ’good intentions’ are toxic, and our family cannot afford it."
She did not want to waste words with Lady Xia and turned to Gu Jin’an: "Elder brother, let’s talk about serious matters."
Last night, they, the siblings, had already agreed: if the Xia Family refuses to show respect, they can’t blame them for their heartlessness.
Master Xia felt a sudden thump in his heart, looking at Gu Jin’an: "Good Brother An..."
Gu Jin’an ignored Master Xia and instructed Brother Cheng, "Brother Cheng, kneel down."
Brother Cheng obediently did as told, with a thud, knelt before Master Xia.
Gu Jin’an also picked up the hem of his robe and knelt down before Master Xia, taking Brother Cheng with him, and kowtowed three loud times.
Bang, bang, bang~
Around them, the sound of foreheads hitting the ground made Master Xia’s heart flutter in panic. He hurried forward, trying to help them up, but Gu Jin’an dodged his efforts.
Lady Xia became anxious as well, saying, "Good Brother An, Brother Cheng, what are you doing? You mustn’t kneel."
They were considered half-servants of the Lu Family, how could they receive such a grand salute from the Good Brother An and his brother?
Gu Jin’an did not pay attention to Lady Xia, but said to Master Xia, "These three kowtows are to express our gratitude to Master Xia for his nurturing and teaching. From now on, we brothers will no longer study under Master Xia. We hope the master will take care in the future and accept more talented disciples."
Having said that, he was the first to rise.
Master Xia panicked, his face deathly pale as he looked at Gu Jin’an and then at Brother Cheng, who was still kneeling on the ground, and asked, "Brother Cheng, do you really intend to leave your teacher?"
Brother Cheng said, "Master, I’m sorry, but this time I have to follow my elder brother... Master is very important to me, and I’m very grateful to him. However, my family is even more important to me, and I will not stand by while others bully my own family."
Towards the end, Brother Cheng gave Master Xia another six kowtows, a total of nine deep bows. As he got up, his eyes were red with emotion. The little fellow had been with Master Xia for so long that he had grown fond of him.
But his elder brother and Second Sister said that no matter how close Master Xia was, he was still an outsider. They were family, and this time it was the Xia Family’s fault - he had to support his eldest sister.
Lady Xia had not expected things to turn out this way and was already in tears.
Master Xia, with tears in his eyes, looked at Gu Jin’an, "Good Brother An, why do this? I, Xia Gu, have always treated you four siblings with the utmost kindness, never once harming you."
"Why?" said Gu Jin’an. "Master Xia, three years ago, Xiao Yu and I told you and your wife that it was up to our family to decide when Brother Cheng would come to study or not. We thought Master Xia and his wife would understand. It appears you didn’t... So now, I have to spell it out. Our family’s affairs will be managed by our family. We will not become puppets for anyone. If Master Xia wishes to raise puppets, so be it, find someone else to raise. We four siblings have no desire to be puppets."
Xia Gu is very smart, but they, the siblings, aren’t fools either, having long perceived what Master Xia and his wife had in mind. Out of consideration for Mrs. Cui, they did not wish to be absolutely ruthless, thus they allowed Brother Cheng to study with Master Xia for three years.
Who would have known that the Xia Family would become more and more brazen? They could no longer tolerate it. If they gave in this time, the Xia Family would continue to meddle in the matrimonial affairs of all four siblings in the future.
Gu Jin’an certainly didn’t want to have to get approval from Master Xia and his wife for whoever he might marry in the future.