Chapter 459: Pawning the Satin
Jia was so embarrassed by the scolding from Old Lady Gu that she could not hold back her face.
The mother-in-law will favor her sister-in-law and ignore the life or death of her grandson.
In the past, Gu Honglian lived with them in the south and enjoyed a good life, eating and using the second wife's food and things. Why didn't her mother-in-law appreciate her efforts?
Jia said unhappily, "My last name is Jia, but I married into the Gu family, right? Since I married into the Gu family, I am a member of the Gu family. But who will my sister-in-law marry into in the future? When you heard that I wanted to pawn the satin, you thought I was scheming against my sister-in-law, but you know the situation in our family better than me. We harvested five acres of wheat, but we have to sell half to pay back Gu Daqiang. Now what can we use to buy oil, salt, sauce and vinegar? What can Ruinian use to buy pens, ink, paper and inkstone? Do you want me to lose face and borrow from my parents? You always let Ruinian continue to study hard to earn face for you, and let Ruinian kill the arrogance of the first wife, but can the money for studying be paid by just talking?"
"Ruinian's brush, ink, paper and inkstone have all been used up. These days, he has been using a brush dipped in water to write on the ground. Mother, can you bear to let your grandson study like this in the future? How can he win the first place in the case if he continues like this?"
When Jia talked about Gu Ruinian writing with a brush dipped in water, she felt uncomfortable and her eyes turned red.
"Now I'm just asking my sister to pawn her satin, not to exchange her for a dowry. In our village, which girl as old as my sister doesn't ask for a large dowry for the engagement of her brothers and nephews?"
There was something ulterior in Jia's words. She was dissatisfied with Gu Honglian's delay in getting engaged.
She eats and drinks for free for every day she stays at home.
In Jia's eyes, everything Gu Honglian ate belonged to her son and grandson.
If Old Madam and Old Man Gu hadn't stopped her, she would have wanted to exchange Gu Honglian for the betrothal gift that very day.
When Gu Ruinian stepped into the courtyard, he saw Jia and Old Madam Gu quarreling, and he lowered his head and remained silent.
He felt that Mrs. Gu had a very narrow vision and that investing in him would definitely be more cost-effective than investing in Gu Honglian.
What good can Gu Honglian, a daughter destined to be married off, bring to the Gu family? Can she earn an imperial decree for Old Lady Gu?
My aunt really doesn't care about the family and is reluctant to spend even a piece of satin.
Old Madam Gu angrily said to Jia: "Our family has not yet reached the point where we need to sell our daughter. Why don't you use Xiaoxue in exchange for the betrothal gift?"
Jia said, "How can it be reasonable for a niece who is younger than the aunt to get engaged when the aunt is not married yet?"
This is not the case when they return to Qinghe Bay. All the people who come to propose marriage are farmers who cannot afford a large sum of money as a betrothal gift, so Jia is unwilling to let the other party get away with it.
When Old Mrs. Gu suddenly mentioned Xiaoxue, Gu Ruinian couldn't help but look at Gu Xiaoxue who was sitting in the corner.
Gu Ruinian seldom cared about this sister who was as silent as a shadow.
After looking at Xiaoxue carefully, I found that my sister had big eyes, a high nose bridge and fair skin. She was a real beauty.
It's just that her beauty was concealed by her timid demeanor and shabby clothes.
If she were to dress up well, this girl would definitely become a hot commodity in the Qinghe Bay area.
In his previous life, the betrothal gifts from his three sisters supported him all the way to graduate school, and he used the remaining betrothal gifts to buy a house in the provincial capital before he graduated.
My sister in this life should also make a contribution to the family with the betrothal gift.
The difference is that he was transported to this hellish place before he had the chance to repay his three sisters in his previous life. If he becomes rich in this life, he swears that he will make up for the regrets of his three sisters to Xiaoxue.
It wasn't that he was selfish to exchange his sister for a dowry, but that girls of this era had no other way out except to get married.
If his sister could help him through marriage, it wouldn't be considered a sacrifice.
Anyway, when he becomes successful in the future, he will be a strong supporter for his sister's family.
Gu Ruinian stared at Xiaoxue.
I'm planning to find a good marriage for Xiaoxue.
The sound of the argument between Jia and Old Lady Gu echoed in my ears.
"Your sister won't pawn this piece of satin for nothing. When Ruinian becomes successful in the future, he can earn a lot of gold, silver and jewelry for his aunt, not to mention Ruinian will be his aunt's supporter. As a member of the Gu family, shouldn't your sister contribute to the prosperity of the Gu family?"
Compared with Mrs. Gu's emotional accusations and scolding, Jia broke down the reasoning into pieces.
Gu Honglian was holding the satin in her arms, her eyes were full of anger. She absolutely would not pawn it.
"father……"
Gu Honglian cried out in grievance when she saw Old Man Gu continuing to twist the hemp rope.
The yard was so small that Mr. Gu naturally heard the quarrel between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
He agreed with Jia's idea and pawned the satin for money.
But I also feel sorry for my little girl.
After all, the little girl has been pampered since birth.
Now that the family has no money, she has suffered a lot.
It's so hard to get a piece of satin, and I would be really sorry to her if I pawned it.
However, after much thought, my grandson's future is more important.
So he raised his head and said, "Honglian, your sister-in-law is right. As a member of the Gu family, you should contribute to the prosperity of the Gu family. Give this satin to your sister-in-law to pawn. Your nephew's studies are more important."
Gu Honglian hugged Duanzi tightly and refused in a hoarse voice: "I won't. Why?"
What Mrs. Gu wanted to say was forced back into her stomach under Mr. Gu's sharp gaze.
Grandpa Gu said calmly: "Honglian, you are not a child anymore, and our family is not as well-off as before. As Ruinian's elder, you should consider Ruinian. What you are handing over now is not a piece of satin, but Ruinian's future."
"This satin will become old and broken after one season of wearing. It is better to use it as money to help Ruinian to study. When Ruinian has a good future, he will also be filial to you, his aunt, and you will have more beautiful clothes to wear in the future."
Gu Honglian hugged Satin tightly, gritted her teeth, and tears fell down in strings.
Mr. Gu never interfered in the bickering between her and her sister-in-law, but once he did, there was no room for maneuver.
This piece of satin can't be kept today.
Seeing his little girl so sad, Mr. Gu felt very uncomfortable and he avoided Gu Honglian's gaze.
Mr. Gu said, "Honglian, give the satin to your second sister-in-law. There is nothing I can do about it. Don't worry, you don't have to wait until Ruinian becomes successful. I will buy you new clothes after I sell the corn this fall."
Gu Honglian threw the satin into Jia's arms and ran out crying.
Jia breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Mrs. Gu was about to chase Gu Honglian with her bound feet, but Old Man Gu hardened his heart to stop her.
"She is so petty because of you. She is in the village and cannot be abandoned. Let her think about it carefully."
"You are satisfied now."
Old Mrs. Gu pointed at Jia and gritted her teeth, then ran into the house and sat there sulking.
Old Man Gu said to Gu Ruinian who was standing beside him, "Ruinian, remember what your aunt has done today."
Gu Ruinian felt disdainful in his heart, thinking that a piece of satin was nothing.
He raised his head, pursed his lips, and said to Old Man Gu with a determined look: "Grandpa, I made my aunt sad today. The prosperity of a family always requires the sacrifice of some people's interests. My aunt doesn't understand you now, but she will understand you in the future. I swear that I will pass the exam next year, and when I pass, I will definitely compensate my aunt."
Old Man Gu looked at Gu Ruinian with satisfaction.
This grandson has a conscience.