CHAPTER 763: CHAPTER 763: ARE YOU HERE TO PAY RESPECTS TO THE DEAD?

Gu Chengzhi, upon hearing this, finally calmed down. Yet, he snatched the pastries from Gu Rong’s hands and stuffed them into his mouth, finishing them in two or three bites.

Seeing Gu Rong staring at him in a daze, he got angry and glowered at her, spat out: "What are you looking at, you money-losing wretch."

Gu Rong was very upset but dared not talk back, only able to sit in silence with her head bowed.

When Gu Chengli saw his sister bullied, he wanted to shout and scold Gu Chengzhi, but Gu Youlu stopped him and said, "Hold your tongues, we’re here to give New Year’s greetings to Lord Lai. If we make a scene here and anger Lord Lai, none of us will benefit."

Gu Chengli came today specifically to curry favor with Lord Lai. Hearing this, he had no choice but to quiet down and dared not cause any more disturbances.

Lord Lai had slept until late morning before waking up. Learning that Gu Youwen and his siblings had come with their children and grandchildren to offer New Year’s greetings, he was delighted, and while letting the maids help him change, he sighed and said, "Youwen and Youlu have really put in effort, everyone had late nights yesterday, and they came early in the morning to meet me, this is truly..." filial.

Seeing Lord Lai speak with such satisfaction, Lai Zhuang didn’t want to dampen his spirits and so cheerfully agreed, "Indeed, the brothers do hold a great respect for Lord Lai, and they are grateful for Lord Lai’s good treatment of their family."

Lord Lai was very pleased with these words. After changing clothes, he first went to the inner room to check on Lai Yan, and seeing that his fever had subsided, he finally felt relieved, "Take good care of brother Yan’er, I will go meet Youwen and the others."

"Yes," responded Lai Zhuang, respectfully seeing Lord Lai out.

When Lord Lai, accompanied by two servants, arrived at the right wing room, Gu Youwen and the others stood up in unison, then knelt down, and kowtowed to offer New Year’s greetings: "Youwen, on behalf of brothers Youlu’s family and Youfu’s family, wishes Uncle Lai smooth official career and continued blessings for the people."

After these words, he first kowtowed to Lord Lai, and upon seeing this, the others followed suit with the sound of kowtowing echoing suddenly as if setting off firecrackers.

The servant next to Lord Lai saw this and felt disdainful inside, thinking how interesting these Old Gu Family people were, their New Year’s greetings were like visiting a grave.

But Lord Lai was very happy, and quickly offered a hand gesture for them to get up, saying, "Your intentions are well noted, please rise."

Then he said to another servant, "The red envelopes? Bring them here."

Another servant quickly presented a box, opened it, and stood aside with a bow, "My lord, the red envelopes are all ready."

Lord Lai then took the red envelopes and distributed them one by one.

When it came to Gu Youfu’s family, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, a wave of disgust rising in his heart, he quickly handed over the red envelopes to their family without saying much.

Nevertheless, Gu Chengli was not satisfied, and loudly said to Lord Lai, "Grandpa Lai, I am Chengli from the second branch of the Gu Family, fifteen years old this year, also studying. There are many things I do not understand and would like to seek advice from Grandpa Lai, please help Chengli to clear his doubts."

Lord Lai glanced at him and said indifferently, "I have just taken office and will be very busy this year. If you have questions, you can ask the teachers at the official school."

What’s going on with Pan Shuangniang? How could she let Gu Youfu’s family come to offer me New Year’s greetings? Is she deliberately trying to disgust me?

Gu Chengli was somewhat disappointed, but he was already very happy that Lord Lai had spoken to him. Hearing this, he smiled and kowtowed again, "Thank you, Grandpa Lai. Rest assured, Chengli will study hard and not disappoint you."

Inside, Gu Chengxian sneered coldly, you, a lame person, belong to those with an incomplete Five Elements, no amount of studying will be of any use.

Gu Rong accepted the red envelope very politely, not saying much. When she received the red envelope, she slightly lifted her head to glance at Lord Lai, her lips curling into a faint smile, then immediately stood back to the side.

Her obedient demeanor actually won some favorable impression from Lord Lai.

Compared to the indifference shown towards Gu Youfu’s family, Lord Lai was quite fond of Gu Youwen’s and Gu Youlu’s families, especially towards Gu Chengxian and Gu Chengzhi, engaging in many conversations with them, and knowing that Gu Youlu was a big spender, he gave his family the most generous red envelope.

Gu Youlu was very happy, and with Gu Chengzhi, said many pleasant words to Lord Lai, making him even more delighted.

The only dissatisfaction for Lord Lai was Ms. Zheng, this crude farm woman who really didn’t match Youlu. If it weren’t for the fact that she had given birth to Brother Zhi, he would have long asked Pan Shuangniang to divorce her and find Youlu a more refined bride.

Lord Lai looked at Gu Youwen and said, "After Lantern Festival, you will be taking up a post at the Prefecture School. You must dedicate yourself to teaching and nurturing students. Once the exam this year is over, you will certainly be recognized for your achievements. After a few years, a promotion is inevitable."

After speaking, he pulled out a jade pendant and handed it to Gu Youwen, "This is specially for you, to congratulate you on becoming a teacher."

Gu Youwen was truly elated, his eyes reddening with emotion: "Youwen thanks Uncle Lai immensely. It is all thanks to Uncle Lai’s care that Youwen has achieved what he has today. Youwen is deeply grateful from the bottom of his heart."

Lord Lai laughed and waved his hand, then called Gu Chengxian over and gave him a jade seal, "This year, you will be entering the exam. If you pass and earn an official position, you will need to attend many scholarly gatherings, and having a jade seal will be more respectable."

Gu Chengxian suppressed his excitement and firmly received the jade seal: "Cheng Xian really likes this jade seal, thank you for the generous gift, Grandpa Lai."

Seeing this, Lord Lai was even more pleased, praising Gu Chengxian, "Composed and restrained, neither arrogant nor impetuous, a great future lies ahead of you."

It was just bad luck that he hadn’t passed in the previous two attempts, but that was because Cheng Xian had been ill. If he had been in good health, surely he would have achieved high marks.

Aside from Gu Youwen and Gu Chengxian receiving the jade pendant and jade seal, Gu Ya also received a piece of jade, "Learn from the nanny and master the proper conduct, and you will surely have a great future."

Gu Ya had grown into a beautiful woman; Lord Lai intended to use her in a marriage alliance, hence he was exceptionally kind to Gu Ya.

Gu Ya smiled coolly, took the small box containing the jade, and said, "Yes, Sister Ya will remember."

As for Mrs. Gu, who was Gu Youwen’s wife, Lord Lai only gave her a red envelope, as he didn’t think highly of Mrs. Gu at all. Being a Scholar’s daughter and becoming Youwen’s official wife, it was truly to Youwen’s detriment.

Mrs. Gu, who was clever, did not mind Lord Lai’s attitude. After all, the Old Gu Family would not dare to divorce her.

There were many in the Old Gu Family, and after Lord Lai finished handing out red envelopes, an hour had passed and he was somewhat tired. He left Gu Youwen and his son, and Gu Youlu and his son behind, and sent the others away.

Mrs. Gu Zhang was so angry she was gnashing her teeth. Once back in her courtyard, she immediately cried to Gu Youfu, "Lord Lai is obviously looking down on our household. We are all grandchildren of Grandma and Grandpa, all descendants of the lifesaving benefactors. Why does he single out our household for poor treatment?"

Gu Youfu was also unhappy, but what could he do? He couldn’t force Lord Lai to like their household with a knife to his throat.

Seeing him silent, Mrs. Gu Zhang started crying again, "Will you not say something? If things go on like this, all the benefits will be snatched by the other two households. What will be left for our household? You bear such humiliations with silence, are you still a man?"