When all the n of the Gu Family had arrived, the Sister next to Old Lady Gu ordered tea and snacks to be served and then took all the attendants away.
The trusted Sister beside the Lady of the Gu Family stood like guardians at the door, one on each side.
Firstly to prevent anyone from listening in, and secondly to monitor the situation inside, so they might quickly respond if the master needed anything.
When everyone was seated.
Gu Changqing spoke straightforwardly, since everything had been settled yesterday, there was no need for further polite talk today.
He simply asked the Gu Family brothers if they had any suggestions about revising the house rules.
At the sa ti, he instructed Gu Zikai to take notes and transcribe the house rules they would discuss later.
The brothers in the Gu Family said they would listen to their elders and dared not make any suggestions.
Gu Changqing did not waste ti and proposed a few items.
First, it was decided that in the future, the Younger Generations of the Gu Family, as long as both parents are alive, should divide the family once their children are married.
Of course, if the parents are no longer, the eldest brother and sister-in-law who have raised the younger siblings should divide the family after helping them marry, rewarding their contribution with an extra ten percent of the family property.
Additionally, regarding the education of children, it should in the future be the responsibility of the biological parents. A mother-in-law should not find excuses to raise grandchildren, leading to estrangent between mother and child. If the parents are assigned to external duties, children should ideally accompany them unless special circumstances require otherwise. They should not be handed over to grandparents or any of the parents’ other siblings for upbringing.
Furthermore, the Younger Generations of the Gu Family should not be excessively luxurious. Clothing each season should not exceed four sets, with daily expenses limited to a specified amount of silver, and there are quotas for girls’ jewelry, headgear, and costics, which must not be excessive.
For the marriage of the Younger Generations of the Gu Family, there are established protocols. The dowries for girls getting married are also established, and these expenses are covered by the Public Institution.
If the parents wish to provide additional support privately, this is not restricted.
As for the marriage arrangents for the Younger Generations of the Gu Family in the future, parental orders and matchmaking should be the priority, but consideration should also be given to the children’s own wishes.
Of course, if a child insists on marrying soone whom the parents disapprove of, they may do so. However, from the day of the wedding, they will voluntarily forfeit their rights and benefits as a legitimate branch and will beco a secondary branch, no longer enjoying any preferential treatnt.
There were various other provisions.
Gu Zikai listened intently and wrote vigorously, without ti for deep thought.
The other individuals showed expressions of deep contemplation on their faces.
At first, they thought revising the house rules was rely to correct the unclear accounts with the second household.
The more they listened, the more shocked they beca, as it seed to have underlying implications.
Especially Gu Zihang, who couldn’t help but wonder if there was discontent with his mother, Lady Quan?
Otherwise, it seed, piece by piece, that his parents were implicated?
He couldn’t help but break out in a sweat, soaking through his back.
Old Lady Gu, hearing this, couldn’t help but show a change in expression and glanced at Gu Changqing.
Gu Changqing remained composed and continued reading the house rules as if these had long been engraved in his mind.
Once Gu Zikai had transcribed the newly revised house rules entirely, his wrist was sore.
He dared not think too much and respectfully handed the copied house rules to Gu Changqing for review.
Gu Changqing scanned over it and, confirming there were no issues, tossed it to the nearest Gu Zihuan, saying, "All of you take a good look, each of you copy one out, take it back to your own room, explain it thoroughly to your wives and children, and make sure they rember it well, don’t forget!"
The Gu Family brothers respectfully agreed.
After the house rules were revised, the Lady of the Gu Family slowly stood up.
"Since we’ve established the house rules, I’ve also drafted so rules concerning the servants in the household, which will also be distributed. First, take a look, then find a literate maid to teach these rules to the old won, give them a month to morize them, and I will naturally have people do spot checks. If they can’t recite them, they will imdiately pack up and leave."
Saying this, she clapped her hands, and the Eldest Lady’s Personal Maidservant at the door respectfully walked into the room, took out a few booklets from her bosom, and presented them to the Eldest Lady.
Lady Lou and Lady An were shocked in their hearts, realizing that within just one night, the Eldest Lady had co up with all these new rules, clearly not a day’s work, and she must have been planning this for a long ti.
They dared not even breathe heavily, simply stood up and bowed, acknowledging her words.
After addressing this, the Eldest Lady continued, "I discussed with the master yesterday. Since in a few days, it will be the wedding of the third brother, we will be unable to attend to this imdiately. It might be better to wait until after the third brother is married before we separate into two households. The division was clear back then, and there are no longer any entanglents today. However, the servants of each household will still belong to their respective houses, and monthly expenses will be accounted for separately."
"Regarding other matters, for the fourth Miss’s courtyard, you, as her sister-in-law, must take care to arrange it. Move everything from her forr courtyard to her new one, as she is used to living with those arrangents..."
Then the discussion pertained to so daily expense matters. Having co this far smoothly, the Lady of the Gu Family would naturally not let this last step fail.
Directly saying, this month due to Gu Changque’s joyous occasion, the household has already purchased most of the necessary items, originally buying for all three households together, so naturally, there was more; it is now a simple matter of dividing them among the households, requiring nothing more.
The second and third households need to set up separate accounts and stewards, which might take a few days to sort out.
Once they have straightened things out, it will not be too late to hand them over.
Each item and detail were assigned very clearly.
Gu Zihang and Lady Lou exchanged glances, about to speak, but Gu Changque agreed heartily first and even thanked the Eldest Lady.
Gu Zihang had no choice but to grit his teeth, and with Lady Lou, they rose, moving to the center of the gathering, and kneeled before Gu Changqing and the Eldest Lady with a thump.
They expressed gratitude, saying that over the years, it was thanks to the care of Gu Changqing and his wife that they were raised like their own children, such kindness as heavy as a mountain.
Now that they were to separate, they felt only gratitude. Additionally, they expressed how much supplentary support Gu Changqing and his wife had provided them and their siblings over these years, making them feel undeserving.
All of this should have been the responsibility of their parents but instead fell on the shoulders of their uncle and aunt.
Though unwilling to part with their uncle and aunt, if they were to stay and take advantage, it would truly be an act of ingratitude fitting for a Little Ren.
They even patted their chests, guaranteeing that in their hearts, Gu Changqing and his wife are their parents, and in the future, they would honor them like brothers.
Then they respectfully presented the box full of silver notes, claiming it to be a tribute from them and their siblings, asking their uncle and aunt to accept it.
The Lady of the Gu Family accepted the box, opened it and glanced inside, gauged the value of the silver notes, smiled, and pushed the box back. "Alright, we appreciate your filial piety! Take these silver notes back! I know yesterday you settled Fourth Miss’s debt to Yongzhu, today this is probably your entire fortune, possibly even covering the dowry for the second sister’s family, isn’t it?"
Lady Lou and Gu Zihang bowed their heads, not speaking.
The Lady of the Gu Family sighed, "If you regard us as parents, haven’t we taken you as our own children? Why should parents and children be petty with each other over this? Take these silver notes back, in the future, there will be countless expenses on your side. Giving us everything, do you plan to live on the northwest wind? Having you give us all you have would make us feel uneasy, don’t you think?"
"As long as you are well, we, as your elders, will be pleased!"
Gu Zihang still wanted to refuse, "But—"
"No buts. If you really want to settle accounts, your father sent two thousand silver ho before the New Year — it’s only March now, and we haven’t touched that silver. Shall I have the accounts office return it to you? That way, everyone can be completely settled?" the Lady of the Gu Family said, displeased.
Gu Changqing knew the Lady of the Gu Family, and her refusal ant a firm no.
He then spoke up, "Keep it with you! Your father isn’t in the Capital City, so the second household in the Capital City will depend on you in the future! Why act so indecisively?"
Gu Zihang had no choice but to retrieve the box, feeling it sowhat hot to the touch.
anwhile, the Lady of the Gu Family lightly smiled at the corners of her mouth, finally having awaited this day.
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