CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 20: A LIFE OF WEALTH AND NOBILITY

EDITOR: INSCHAIN

Gu Yunjiao handed over the bundle to him without a second word.

Jiang Youzhi had previously heard from Gu Mei that inside was a family heirloom, so he took the bundle and held it carefully in his arms, as if afraid it might fall and get damaged.

Gu Yunjiao saw this and chuckled, "You might as well just carry it by the handle."

"There’s nothing particularly special inside, just a set of Golden Needles, a mortar, and a few books. It wouldn’t matter if they got jostled around."

"However, these Golden Needles were passed down from my ancestors; in truth, they’re not worth much money."

Jiang Youzhi breathed a sigh of relief and finally slung the bundle over his shoulder.

When they got home, it was still early.

Jiang Youzhi gave the bundle back to Gu Yunjiao at the doorway, worried that his family might misunderstand and think he had bought something valuable.

As they entered, Mrs. Zhou spotted the bundle in Gu Yunjiao’s hand from the courtyard, her eyes darting around.

At lunch, she heard that Gu Yunjiao had returned from her family’s house, presumably bringing something nice back with her.

When Doctor Gu was still around, he was a renowned physician in several nearby counties, and many people sought him out, so he probably earned quite a bit of silver.

Although the Gu Family has declined now, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. If they rummaged around, they might still find something valuable.

Mrs. Zhou thought about this and turned to enter the main room.

Only Mrs. Chen was inside the main room, stitching a shoe sole.

Mrs. Zhou leaned in, "Mother, did you tell Father about what happened yesterday?"

Mrs. Chen glanced at her and nodded.

Mrs. Zhou excitedly asked, "What did Father say—did he agree?"

Mrs. Chen snorted, "Of course, your father listens to me after all."

Mrs. Zhou smiled obsequiously, "Naturally, mother is the stabilizing pillar of our family."

"But mother, do you think that girl’s fate is really strong enough to bring bad luck to close relatives?"

Mrs. Chen rolled her eyes, "How could it be? When she entered the family, despite the rush, your sister-in-law had someone look at her birth chart, and the fortune teller said she was destined for wealth and prosperity."

Mrs. Zhou was overjoyed, "If that’s the case, she could even bring good fortune to our Erlang!"

Mrs. Chen sneered, "Words like these are just for listening, not to be believed."

"As long as there’s no harm in her birth chart."

Mrs. Zhou nodded, "So when will you tell big sister-in-law?"

Mrs. Chen paused her work for a moment, "During dinner this evening, when everyone is present, it’s easier to settle things once opened up."

"The autumn harvest is approaching; once we reap the grains, there’ll be more silver, a perfect time to handle Erlang’s marriage affair."

Mrs. Zhou was elated, "Okay then, I’ll go prepare the meal."

She left the main room full of merriment, glanced towards the east wing, and hummed a tune as she headed into the kitchen.

The three daughters-in-law of the Jiang Family cook in turns every day, and today it was Mrs. Zhou’s turn.

The east wing had five rooms, with the middle one used as the main hall. Jiang Youzhi and Liu Lang lived in the two rooms on the south side, Mrs. Chen in the north room, and Gu Yunjiao and San Ya in the north side chamber.

Gu Yunjiao entered with the bundle, placed it on the table, and opened it, revealing the rosewood box inside.

San Ya came over curiously and asked, "Big sister-in-law, what’s this?"

Gu Yunjiao opened the box, inside which on black silk were neatly pinned Golden Needles.

Gold doesn’t easily oxidize, but this set of Golden Needles was almost a hundred years old and hadn’t been used for a long time, so they had lost their luster.

San Ya tilted her head to look, "What is this?"

Gu Yunjiao softly said, "These are Golden Needles."

Though called Golden Needles, they’re not pure gold, because pure gold is soft and easily deformed; if too thin, it can’t be used, so other metals are mixed in.