Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and several female relatives of Lady Gao’s generation imdiately stood up and went to the second gate to welco them.
The older Gao brothers hurriedly instructed soone to go to the study and invite Laoliu.
By the ti Lady Gao, accompanied by Wang Yongzhu and followed by a group of maids, entered the main hall in a grand procession, Sixth Master Gao hadn’t arrived yet. The other Gao brothers hurriedly signaled their wives to step forward.
Several mistresses of the Gao family busily showed kind and concerned expressions, pulling Lady Gao to sit aside. One said, "Seventh Miss looks much thinner. Look at those red eyes. Did she secretly cry again yesterday?"
"Sigh, Seventh Miss, you may be sad, but you must take care of your health! If your mother knew you were neglecting yourself in the underworld, how could she rest in peace?"
"Poor dear, quickly bring a bowl of bird’s nest porridge for Seventh Aunt. Eat sothing at least, don’t neglect your health!"
"Seventh Miss, don’t worry, although your mother has passed away, we, your aunts, are still here. From now on, you are our dear child. With your aunts around, we will never let you suffer!"
So pulled Wang Yongzhu aside and said earnestly, "Chongjin’s family, you must take good care of our Seventh Aunt—"
Others were inquiring, "Why has Chongjin’s family accompanied us today? Where is Lord Duke? Why isn’t he here?"
...
They chattered around Lady Gao and Wang Yongzhu.
Lady Gao nodded indifferently, glanced around the room, and everyone was present except her father, Sixth Master Gao.
Instantly, her eyelids drooped.
A sharp-eyed mistress of the Gao family quickly diated, "Your father is also deeply saddened these days. After returning yesterday, he shut himself in the study. We’ve sent soone to bring him."
The people nearby also hurriedly put on forced smiles and echoed.
Lady Gao’s eyes flickered with a hint of coldness.
Wang Yongzhu also showed a trace of sarcasm, looking at the speaking mistress of the Gao family.
The Gao family mistress looked embarrassed but tried to maintain composure.
She couldn’t help but curse Sixth Master Gao bitterly in her heart. Laoliu is such a scoundrel, wreaking havoc, and leaving the family to clean up his ss!
Fortunately, the people sent by a few Gao brothers soon half-invited, half-pulled Sixth Master Gao over.
Sixth Master Gao looked full of displeasure, dressed in plain clothes, but the outfit seed haphazardly worn, revealing the inner lining of a dark red fox skin robe.
Even in such chilly weather, while everyone was wrapped warmly, Sixth Master Gao had a loose collar revealing red lipstick marks on his neck, half-concealed by his clothes.
Not only that, when Sixth Master Gao walked in, the strong sll of alcohol was evident, and his dazed eyes suggested he likely drank a lot.
This was Wang Yongzhu’s first ti seeing the legendary Sixth Master Gao, and he couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.
When Sixth Master Gao was young, he must have been quite handso. Even in his current age, with salt-and-pepper hair, his features remained striking, and his physique hadn’t changed much.
His years indulging in alcohol and pleasures still left him with such a look and figure, a rarity, further highlighting what a charming figure he must have been in his youth.
However, his eyes were now deeply dark, slightly muddled, seeming a bit indulgent to excess.
Wang Yongzhu sowhat understood why County Monarch Rongyi insisted on marrying Sixth Master Gao back then; after all, he was quite good-looking.
But his current appearance; is this the semblance of soone who was sad and locked in the study just yesterday? I’m afraid he was joking around with a little maid in the study, reluctant to co out!
Otherwise, what’s with the lipstick marks?
Moreover, County Monarch Rongyi has just been buried, and even several of the county’s brothers were dressed in plain garnts.
Yet, Sixth Master Gao, as the husband of County Monarch Rongyi, actually wore a dark red fox skin robe underneath, which is simply the highest disrespect to the deceased!
Forget being a couple, even a stranger wouldn’t act this way!
Lady Gao’s face turned dark, she stood up abruptly, angrily staring at Sixth Master Gao, with an expression not like looking at a father but rather at an enemy!
The mistress who tried to diate earlier was extrely embarrassed; if not for the last bit of reason, she would have slapped Sixth Master Gao.
As his sister-in-law, she tried to make ands in front of the juniors, helping him hide things.
And yet, he showed up like this?
This didn’t just chill Lady Gao’s heart; it also disappointed so mbers of the Gao family.
If Laoliu behaved like this, it’s as if he didn’t care a bit about the Gao family!
The older brothers of Sixth Master Gao understood well enough to feel extrely uncomfortable.
The Clan Leader managed to stay composed, glaring at Sixth Master Gao and said, "Since everyone is here, the matters regarding County Monarch Rongyi’s aftermath should be dealt with."
He didn’t wait for Sixth Master Gao to speak, not expecting any sensible words from him anyway.
He straightforwardly said, "According to the rules, regarding County Monarch Rongyi’s clothes, accessories, and jewelry, each house chooses one piece for mory, and the rest, along with her dowry, goes to Seventh Aunt!"
This is customary, allowing each sister-in-law and concubine-born daughter-in-law to select an item from County Monarch Rongyi’s daily dress for rembrance.
Lady Gao had no objections; the valuable items, beloved by County Monarch Rongyi, had already been gathered, leaving the ordinary daily wear outside.
Seeing no objection from Lady Gao, the Clan Leader of the Gao family breathed a little easier and continued, "There are also so properties and estates that were gifted when County Monarch Rongyi married into the Gao family, by the old master and mistress at that ti—"
Lady Gao calmly interrupted the Clan Leader of the Gao family, "Although these things were gifted by the old master and mistress when my mother married into the Gao family, now that she’s gone, naturally they should be returned to the Gao family."
The Clan Leader was montarily stunned; indeed, that would be the case, as the estates and properties managed by County Monarch Rongyi generated significant inco over the years.
They intended to concede so of these profits to leave Lady Gao with a good feeling toward the Gao family.
Since Lady Gao was childless, even if more was given to her, upon her passing, a childless daughter’s dowry would naturally return to her maternal family.
In the end, the assets remain within the family, ensuring no loss!
Unexpectedly, Lady Gao rejected the offer.
The Clan Leader halted his next words in speechlessness, eventually coughing twice before saying, "Seventh Miss is sensible, but you are also a child of the Gao family. After all, this was your mother’s effort over the years. Your father can’t be counted on, so we as your elder uncles need to plan for you."
This hinted to Lady Gao that despite her unreliable father, her elders cared for her.
Lady Gao remained unmoved, shaking her head, "No need, I only want my mother’s dowry and the things she left behind. As for the rest, a few days ago, I’ve already instructed Sister beside my mother to sort out the account books. Let them hand it over now for the handover."
She nodded behind her, and imdiately two maids stepped forward, pulling out a few account books from their bosoms and respectfully placed them before the Clan Leader of the Gao family.
The eyes of other houses within the Gao family imdiately lit up.
It was known that the Gao family hadn’t divided households—why? Because Sixth Master Gao’s parents didn’t allow it, considering the discord between Sixth Master Gao and County Monarch Rongyi.
County Monarch Rongyi lived in the courtyard specifically prepared for their wedding, whereas Sixth Master Gao stayed in his old courtyard within the Gao estate.
His parents worried about Laoliu being naive in worldly matters, which would risk manipulation by County Monarch Rongyi after their deaths.
Thus, they firmly objected to dividing the households and even before their deaths advised against it, urging good treatnt of Sixth Master Gao.
Therefore, if Lady Gao relinquished these properties in exchange, it would benefit the entire Gao family.
Over the years, although the Gao family didn’t face financial strain, who complains about having too much money?
Even the older Gao brothers showed an expression that shifted subtly.
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