Chapter 146: Severing the Father-Daughter Relationship

“Huh? More visitors?” Mother Gu came out of the house and stuffed a red envelope into Su Wan’s hand, looking overwhelmed. “Wanwan, go back inside and rest. Huaizhi and I will take care of the guests.”

Gu Huaizhi had already noticed the newcomers at the entrance. He held Su Wan’s hand and said, “She is my wife; she should be with me to greet the guests.”

Su Wan was taken aback. Just moments ago, Gu Huaizhi had said to decline the guests, so why was he now insisting she stay? What was the reason?

Mother Gu was also puzzled. Previously, Gu Huaizhi had shown concern for Su Wan and urged her several times to rest, saying those visitors didn’t need her attention. Now, he was forcefully keeping her by his side. Could it be that someone important had arrived?

With this thought, Mother Gu glanced toward the entrance and saw a man in his forties or fifties leading the group. He was dressed in a dark green brocade robe, with a portly figure and a goatee. His narrow eyes shone with a shrewd glint.

Beside him was a pretty young girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old, wearing a green long dress. She looked graceful and gentle. There were also five or six servants accompanying them, indicating that they were from a well-off family.

But this didn’t seem right.

The previous guests appeared even wealthier than the ones who arrived today, yet Gu Huaizhi had treated them coldly, showing not a shred of humility. Why did he hold this particular visitor in such high regard today? Could they have significant influence?

Mother Gu couldn’t quite figure it out and stood behind Gu Huaizhi, ready to act according to the situation.

“Mr. Gu, your talent and learning are outstanding. Now, at the mere age of twenty, you are already the youngest Jieyuan in our county, truly impressive for someone so young. Our county has produced many successful candidates in the imperial examinations, but you are the first Jieyuan in decades.”

Old Master Qin entered with a loud voice and swagger, offering flattery, “Our county magistrate once predicted that you were no ordinary person, and it turns out he was right. If it weren’t for your weak health, you would have entered the capital early and become a high-ranking official.”

The steward, being quite perceptive, instructed the servants to bring in a large chest.

The chest was placed in front of Gu Huaizhi, and the servants opened it, revealing several wooden boxes inside. The intricate carvings on the boxes already hinted at the value of the contents within.

The servants opened the wooden boxes one by one. Inside the first box was a hundred-year-old ginseng, with every single root perfectly intact and of excellent quality.

The second box contained cordyceps.

The third box held deer antler velvet.

The fourth box was filled with pure white bird’s nest.

Each item was meticulously selected, clearly demonstrating the Qin family’s high regard for Gu Huaizhi and their urgent desire to forge a connection and gain favor.

Gu Huaizhi glanced at them indifferently, his eyes calm and unruffled, as if these rare treasures were nothing more than a pile of wood.

Old Master Qin furrowed his brow. The Gu family was poor, and several local gentry had visited earlier, likely offering many valuable items. Therefore, he spared no expense, believing this would surely impress Gu Huaizhi.

Contrary to his expectations, Gu Huaizhi remained cold and indifferent. Was it genuine disdain, or was he simply hiding his true feelings?

Old Master Qin leaned towards the latter and gave a subtle signal to the steward.

“Mr. Gu, this hundred-year-old ginseng was procured by my master specifically for you, to help nourish your health.”

The steward wore a broad smile and displayed a respectful demeanor as he introduced himself, “My master’s surname is Qin. He is the largest grain and shipping merchant in the county.”

He then introduced the young lady beside him, “This is the apple of my master’s eye, Third Miss Qin Yuan.”

Qin Yuan slightly bowed in greeting, “Master Gu.”

Gu Huaizhi didn’t spare her a single glance, his expression as calm as still water as he said, “Master Qin, take your things back.”

“These are just small items. Mr. Gu, please accept them without hesitation; we have plenty more at home,” Old Master Qin assumed that Gu Huaizhi found the gifts too valuable and felt unworthy, hence his refusal to accept them.

“You shouldn’t feel any pressure. The important thing is for you to recover your health. If you achieve the top ranking in the imperial exams, it will be an honor for all of Guangling Prefecture.”

Gu Huaizhi said coldly, “I am too weak to handle such supplements. If I were to take this hundred-year-old ginseng, I fear I wouldn’t live to see next spring’s imperial exams.”

Old Master Qin’s smile froze, and his expression immediately turned sour.

Qin Yuan quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Master Gu, this is my father’s goodwill, congratulating you on passing the imperial provincial-level exam. If you cannot consume the ginseng, you could use it to honor your mother.”

Old Master Qin’s expression softened as he looked at Qin Yuan with eyes full of affection. “Mr. Gu, with your talent and virtue, you are sure to achieve top honors. In the future, as you navigate the ups and downs of officialdom, you will need a capable and resourceful partner at your side.”

He glanced at Su Wan, hinting at his intentions. “Mrs. Gu comes from a prestigious family but lost her mother at a young age, so she likely doesn’t understand the nuances of social etiquette. Otherwise, how could she be so discourteous as not to even serve tea when guests arrive?”

“I greatly admire you, and perhaps you could let Yuan stay to teach Mrs. Gu some proper manners.”

Old Master Qin wanted to offer Qin Yuan to Gu Huaizhi, but such intentions could not be stated outright. By saying this much, Gu Huaizhi, as a man, could not possibly misunderstand.

Mother Gu was instantly furious, and before she could lash out and drive them away, Gu Huaizhi spoke up.

“My family matters are none of your concern, Master Qin. You came uninvited; what kind of guest does that make you? You’ve disturbed our peace, and my wife did not shut the door in your face, showing you some courtesy.”

Gu Huaizhi cast a cold glance at Qin Yuan, a mocking smile appearing at the corners of his lips. “My wife was taught by the Empress herself. Are you suggesting, Master Qin, that the Empress did not teach her well?”

Old Master Qin’s expression changed dramatically, cold sweat breaking out as he quickly corrected himself, “I… Mr. Gu, you misunderstood. I absolutely did not mean that. It’s just that my daughter greatly admires Mrs. Gu and wishes to learn the etiquette of the capital from her.”

Qin Yuan spoke in a soft voice, “Master Gu, my father did not mean to belittle Sister Su in any way. He said that I am of poor aptitude and hoped that I could learn manners from Sister, so as not to cause embarrassment when I enter the capital in the future.”

“My mother-in-law has only one daughter, my wife. Miss Qin, please have some self-respect,” Gu Huaizhi said, his expression showing impatience as he dismissed them. “She cannot teach those who are dull-witted. Please leave.”

Qin Yuan’s face turned pale and then flushed red, feeling humiliated. Her almond-shaped eyes filled with tears, looking pitiful.

“Gu Huaizhi, I respected you because you are a ‘juren’ (a successful candidate in the imperial exams), so I was elevating you. Don’t be ungrateful!” 

Old Master Qin’s heart was boiling with anger, hating that Gu Huaizhi did not leave him any face. In his eyes, Gu Huaizhi was just a son of a poor family who passed the juren exam, yet he was so arrogant, as if he had been overly flattered and inflated beyond reason!

He let out a cold laugh, pointing at Su Wan as he said, “Do you think that by marrying the eldest daughter of the Dingyuan Marquis’s household, you’ve climbed high and will now soar smoothly? Dream on! The Dingyuan Marquis has already announced publicly that he has severed the father-daughter relationship with Su Wan! I offered you respect, but if you don’t want it, don’t come to regret it later!”

Old Master Qin’s gaze swept coldly over Gu Huaizhi, Su Wan, and Mother Gu, and with a flick of his sleeve, he said, “We’re leaving!”

“Wait!” Su Wan called out to Old Master Qin.

Old Master Qin felt a sense of satisfaction; he knew that once this news was revealed, the Gu family would regret it.

Su Wan asked, “You said that the Dingyuan Marquis has severed the father-daughter relationship with me? Does everyone in the capital know about this?”