Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 11: No more marriage proposals?

Two hundred taels of gold, weighing over ten kilograms, could not possibly be packed in this bundle.

Xiaoyue, this naive little girl, is far too easy to fool.

Chen Qing hadn't even finished laughing when he saw the little girl crying so sadly that he stopped laughing and coughed.

"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore."

Xiaoyue was terrified. She buried her head in her arms and just kept crying. Chen Qing said a few words to her, but she ignored him and just wiped her tears.

Having no other choice, Young Master Chen moved a chair and sat down next to her, shaking his head.

“Little Yue, if you keep crying, the people outside will hear you and think I’m bullying you.”

Chen Qing said helplessly, "I didn't do anything."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoyue stopped crying. She looked up at Chen Qing and gritted her teeth, saying, "You bad person, didn't you bully me?"

Chen Qing said seriously, "This is not the same thing."

Although Xiaoyue was still young, most girls in this era were precocious. She had followed her mistress and read some books on the subject, so she naturally understood what Chen Qing was talking about. The girl snorted, stood up, patted the dust off her bottom, and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

"You are the son of an official, so naturally you can bully a servant like me at will."

She turned to leave, but when Young Master Chen saw that she was really angry, he quickly stood up and said with a wry smile, "I was just joking with you, why are you angry? I'll apologize to you, okay?"

Gu Xiaoyue stopped and looked back at Chen Qing's expression, a strange feeling rising in her heart.

Although she lived a good life in the Gu family, she was indeed a slave. The Gu family's sons and nephews didn't really respect her, and even if they angered her, they would never apologize.

And the future son-in-law of the Gu family…

He was even willing to apologize to this little maid.

Xiaoyue looked at Chen Qing, then wiped away her tears and said, "It's alright to apologize. Young master, just treat my young lady well from now on."

After saying that, she turned to leave.

Chen Qing walked to the door, called out to her, and said, "Miss Xiaoyue, don't rush off, I have something to tell you."

Gu Xiaoyue stopped, hesitated for a moment, then walked up to him, looking up at him: "What is it?"

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Is your young lady smart or not?"

"Then naturally they are intelligent."

Xiaoyue replied without hesitation, "My young lady is the smartest woman in the world."

"That's good. Then go back and talk to her."

Young Master Chen stroked his chin, pondered his words, and said, "Just tell her that the man named Gu Shouyi has been imprisoned, and who knows how things will turn out. Tell her to be careful in all aspects during this time."

Xiaoyue frowned and said, "Why are you speaking so incoherently, young master? What am I supposed to tell my young lady to be careful about?"

"be careful."

Left with no other choice, Chen Qing had to make his meaning clear.

Gu Shouyi was taken to prison by Master Gu and his men. Although he had only himself to blame, it also meant that Master Gu had made his own choice.

He chose his daughter over his nephew.

Those nephews and nieces of the Gu family are not very smart. If they are indignant because of Gu Shouyi's matter, they might do something stupid or do something wicked.

It should be noted that as the richest man in Deqing, if all of Master Gu's assets were converted into cash, it would be worth far more than a few thousand or tens of thousands of taels of silver.

It needs to be increased by another order of magnitude.

This level of wealth is enough to make those short-sighted Gu family scions do anything irrational.

A small amount of rice can foster gratitude, while a large amount can breed resentment.

Xiaoyue was confused, but she nodded nonetheless and left Chen Qing's courtyard, returning to the embroidery tower.

She repeated Chen Qing's words to her young mistress. Miss Gu listened and was stunned for a long time before she came to her senses and said softly, "Go and tell the guards at home that no strangers should be allowed to enter the house during this period."

"Also, if your father ever questions you, just tell him what Young Master Chen said."

“Tell Father as well.”

Xiaoyue nodded: "I understand."

…………

The following day, at Anrentang in Deqing County.

With his hands behind his back, Master Gu led Chen Qing into Anrentang in Deqing County. Inside Anrentang, a middle-aged man in his forties with a goatee saw Master Gu and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully: "Master."

Master Gu nodded and introduced to Chen Qing, "This is Lu Qing, the head manager of our Anrentang. Over the years, he has been the one managing the store for me."

After saying that, he pointed to Chen Qing and said to Lu Qing with a smile, "This is my future son-in-law, Chen Qing. You two should get to know each other."

Lu Qing quickly cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Young Master Chen."

Chen Qing also looked at him and said with a smile, "Greetings, Manager Lu."

Master Gu led Chen Qing around Anrentang in Deqing for about an hour before taking him to the back hall to rest. After sitting down, Master Gu took a sip of tea, shook his head and said, "In recent years, after the business grew, I no longer directly managed most things, but I still often come to inspect Anrentang. Do you know why, my dear nephew?"

Chen Qing thought for a moment and replied, "Because it will kill people."

"Ah."

Master Gu nodded in satisfaction: "In other businesses, if you don't do well, at most you'll lose money. But in the medicinal herb business, if you're not careful, you can ruin your reputation."

He looked at Chen Qing and continued, "For the next six months, my dear nephew, please visit Anrentang often. After six months, if you and my daughter are truly in love and can manage this business well, you can also take care of your family..."

Master Gu sighed and continued, "Whether or not you take in a son-in-law when you get married is not so important."

Chen Qing was taken aback by these words, then looked up at Master Gu and frowned, asking, "What do you mean by that, Uncle?"

“My dear nephew is very intelligent, and he will naturally understand what I mean.”

Master Gu got up, walked to the door, closed the door, and then sat down next to Chen Qing. He first took a sip of tea before continuing, "In the next six months, I want to see what kind of character my nephew has. If my nephew can take good care of the Gu family and my good daughter for me..."

Master Gu said quietly, "At that time, your marriage will be a formal one, not a marriage where the groom takes the bride into his family."

He looked at Chen Qing and continued, "If you have a son in the future, choose one to take the mother's surname, and I will be completely satisfied."

Chen Qing was stunned for a moment after hearing this.

Before coming to the Gu family, he never imagined that Mr. Gu would have such thoughts.

In this era, logically speaking, Master Gu would not have such thoughts.

Could it be that... he had a private conversation with his father?
He quickly dismissed this possibility himself.

In his memory, he hadn't seen his father for a long time, and clearly, his father wouldn't bother with this for him.

Chen Qing looked up at Master Gu, and suddenly a thought struck him, and he understood something.

Mr. Gu's statement can only mean one thing...

Old Master Gu was no longer able to manage this mess.

Chen Qing hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is Uncle going out?"

Master Gu's eyes revealed an appreciation. He looked at Chen Qing and his mood improved: "From the first day my nephew came to my house, I could tell that he was quite intelligent."

He looked at Chen Qing and said, "After you two get married and my family affairs are settled, I will take the cash from my home and go to the capital."

This confirmed Chen Qing's suspicions, and he said with a wry smile, "Is Uncle really that temperamental?"

"One must repay the kindness received."

Master Gu said solemnly, “My sworn brother’s family is trapped in the capital. Besides him, there is also his sister-in-law and several nephews and nieces.”

At this point, he lowered his head to drink his tea and said, "In recent years, I haven't been in Deqing often, so... that's why my home has become like this."

He didn't continue speaking, but just looked at Chen Qing.

Chen Qing said quietly, "Since Uncle has this plan, why bother taking in a son-in-law?"

"You've seen the reason, it's my nephews."

He shook his head helplessly and said, "No one can inherit my family business. Even if they do, I'm afraid they might not treat Pan'er well."

Chen Qing rubbed his temples and said with a wry smile, "I'm a little confused right now."

He thought for a moment and asked, "What if it's not me who comes, but one of my two younger brothers?"

"The reason for arranging this marriage three years ago was to use the Chen family's name to prevent the Gu family from being coveted by others. At that time, my consideration was my nephew's younger brother."

Master Gu said quietly, "If he doesn't have any ability, let him help contact the Chen family and assist my daughter in managing the household."

"If he is as intelligent as my nephew, my daughter will most likely not be able to control him after I go there."

“Back then, I would have said the same thing.”

(End of this chapter)