Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 267 - 103 Sun’s Mother’s Doubt

Sun Xian felt the pocket was quite light and didn’t pay much attention, thinking that Gu Wan had sewn him another pocket. He happily placed it in his chest.

"No, I’m not going. My mother is alone at home, and I’m not comfortable leaving her."

Seeing this, Gu Chengyu had to take his leave. Sun Xian didn’t stand on ceremony either; he took two jars of homemade pickled vegetables for Ming Mo, escorted them out of the courtyard, and only returned after watching the carriage disappear into the distance.

Returning to his room, he took out the pocket from his chest, gently rubbed it a couple of times, and noticed it was light purple. Gu Wan had never made this color for him before. Somewhat puzzled, he prepared to put the pocket under his pillow but suddenly discovered something seemed to be inside the pocket.

He opened the pocket and found a small jade ring inside. Although the jade ring wasn’t large, it looked quite exquisite. Beside the jade ring, there seemed to be a piece of paper. Sun Xian opened the paper and discovered it was actually a silver note, stating fifty taels.

Sun Xian suddenly realized, perhaps this pocket wasn’t embroidered for him? He remembered Gu Chengyu had a robe of such color. Sun Xian’s complexion was dark, and Gu Wan wouldn’t make him something so conspicuous.

So the items inside must have been from Gu Chengyu, using Gu Wan’s name to save face and fearing Sun Xian might not accept otherwise.

Sun Xian felt deeply moved at this moment. Since Gu Chengyu gave it, he wouldn’t return it. Returning it would hurt the friendship between them; he could only keep this kindness in his heart and find a chance to repay him in the future.

"Ah! Why did you let the fifth Gu leave? Why not invite him to stay for a meal?" Sun’s mother hurried over upon hearing the carriage, still carrying a basket. She had just gone to the village meat stall, planning to cook lunch for the fifth Gu!

"Why should I stand on ceremony with him? You aren’t well; how could he stay for a meal?"

Sun’s mother put down the basket, panting slightly due to the rush.

"Brother Xian, why do you think the Gu Family takes an interest in us? Our days are simple, aren’t we putting their girl in a difficult position? You see, they’re always bringing things, and we have nothing decent to return as gifts. It’s quite embarrassing."

Initially, when the Gu Family hinted at wanting to become in-laws with the Sun Family, Sun’s mother was utterly shocked. Although she believed her son was the best young man under the sun, surely others didn’t think so!

The actions of the Gu Family baffled the entire Sun clan; initially, no one believed it. Later, the Gu Family visited often, and they believed it, sighing at the Sun Family’s unexpected good fortune.

On hearing this, Sun Xian became serious. "Mother, don’t think that way. The Gu Family takes an interest because I’m close to their fifth son. They’re impressed by your son’s character, and besides, although I can’t compare to Gu Chengyu, I at least passed the scholar’s exam; that’s not bad either."

Sun Xian wasn’t boasting; he said this because he didn’t want his mother to feel inferior or leave a knot in her heart. He wished to ensure that when Gu Wan married into the family, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would get along well. He had long noticed his mother’s demeanor seemed lowly when facing the Gu Family, always feeling a step below, which wasn’t acceptable.

"Of course! My son is already a scholar. But they always bring gifts, and we only return some homemade pickled vegetables; wouldn’t that seem stingy?" Sun’s mother’s pickled vegetables were excellent. Sun Xian always used these along with other homemade foods for return gifts.

"The Gu Family knows our circumstances; as long as the gesture is made, it’s fine." Though he said this, he kept these friendships in his heart, planning to reciprocate in the future when possible.

Sun’s mother was comforted by Sun Xian and relaxed, preparing to take the meat into the kitchen. But she suddenly noticed a pair of gifts on the table hadn’t been put away, which the Gu Family had sent — food and cloth, all practical.

Sun Xian also noticed a gift box among the items. Curious, he casually opened it, discovering it was a small ginseng.

"Isn’t this too precious?" Sun’s mother came closer, noticing the ginseng. She had seen such things at the medicine shop, and the doctor who treated her had advised regular consumption. When Sun Xian had some extra money, he would buy a couple of slices from the doctor. But the stuff’s expensive, and she rarely indulged. Yet there was a whole piece here.

Sun Xian took a deep breath, okay! The debt keeps growing.

"Ming Yan! Tomorrow, go to Dalincun in Huaihe Town to send an invitation, inviting my aunt’s family for the gathering on the eighteenth," Gu Chengyu ordered as he looked at the increasingly distant Xiasang Village.

After Ming Yan acknowledged, Gu Chengyu remembered the house in the prefecture. "Ming Yan, also keep an eye on the mansion in the prefecture. I’ll write a letter when I return. Tomorrow, when you go to the town, have Steward Yu go with Manager Niu to the prefecture and check with the brokerage. If they find something suitable, they can purchase it."

Gu Chengyu silently calculated his savings. Juxiang Building in the prefecture earned the most over the three months, at least over six thousand taels, though that was because it was newly opened, attracting curiosity. Business would likely quiet down after a while.

Plus, the profits from First-class House should comfortably cover buying a three-courtyard mansion in the prefecture, which costs at most a little over two thousand taels.

Now that Sun Xian was a scholar, he could be exempt from taxes on eighty mu of land and receive gifts from village landlords, but those would need repaying later. Exemption was fine, but without land, what’s the use? Sun Xian wasn’t birthright, unable to provide guarantees, thus lacking that income.

The silver note and jade ring were deliberately given by Gu Chengyu; Gu Wan wasn’t so meticulous. Now a scholar, many expenses would arise in the future.

Furthermore, Gu Wan had made Sun Xian several sets of clothes, but he had no accessories. Giving the jade ring was to enhance Sun Xian’s presence, especially given the many people on the eighteenth, to prevent unmindful ones from looking down on him, essentially giving Gu Wan face!

The carriage returned to the village, and upon entering the courtyard, Gu Chengyu heard the noise inside.

"Oh my! Changqing’s family, you’ve truly turned your fortunes around! Life is good, with your little treasure passing as a scholar; you’d rather live as an immortal than trade it!"

Before entering the inner courtyard, Gu Chengyu recognized the hearty, friendly voice as no other than Aunt Wang. Entering the main room, he saw not only Aunt Wang there but two other village women who regularly interacted with the Gu Family.

His mother, speaking modestly, couldn’t hide her wide smile.

Gu Chengyu chuckled, greeted everyone, then returned to his room. It was good for his mother to have a couple of companions to chat with and avoid being brooding on the bed all day.

After some conversation, the two women stood up to leave.

"Oh! I wanted Wan girl to draw a pattern for me! I completely forgot; you go first." Aunt Wang slapped her thigh, as if just remembering their errand with the Gu Family.

The two women exchanged glances, their smiles not reaching their eyes, and left.

Aunt Wang truly just needed an excuse; her embroidery was coarse and didn’t require any pattern!