I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 328 Duke Ningguo Causes Trouble

His facial expression was no longer as cold as when they first met; instead, his smile made him look like a friendly neighbor.

"Greetings, elder brother," Dongfang Jin greeted Gu Yunxiao respectfully.

Gu Yunxiao asked with a smile, "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. Chenglin, would you like to come home with your older brother?"

Gu Chenglin looked at Dongfang Jin, his meaning clear: he was seeking his wife's opinion.

Dongfang Jin...

Why are you looking at her?

Didn't you see your uncle, the Duke, looking at her with disdain?

He looked at Cang Lingyuan, who was watching the spectacle with great interest, and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Cang Lingyuan...

My cousin is really good at soccer.

Oh well, he probably hopes his uncle's two sons can get along well.

Looking at Gu Chenglin, she smiled: "How many more days until rice planting?"

Gu Chenglin, now much more sober, knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, the number of people is now in place, and we planned to start transplanting rice seedlings tomorrow."

It means, now that you're back, we'll do as you say.

Cang Lingyuan stepped forward and helped Gu Chenglin up: "How long will it take to finish?"

Gu Chenglin stood up: "It will probably take five to seven days. If there are more people, it will take even less time."

Cang Lingyuan pondered for a moment: "Then let's set it for the day after tomorrow. I'll have all the officials come and visit then."

I'll also bring some people over to help you; we'd like to finish transplanting the rice seedlings as quickly as possible.

Gu Chenglin nodded: "Yes."

Cang Lingyuan looked at Dongfang Jin and presented her with another choice: "Would you like to come to the palace with me, or to the Rongguo Duke's mansion?"

Gu Chenglin...

He doesn't want his wife to go anywhere right now.

He has been away from his wife for more than forty days.

He bowed and clasped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, Xiao Jin is staying at home. This humble subject has already prepared the house."

The meaning is clear: they're not going to the Duke of Rongguo's residence or the imperial palace.

Cang Lingyuan smiled and asked, "Where is the old Minister?"

Gu Chenglin shook his head and pointed to the south side of the royal estate: "It's the estate not far from here."

Cang Lingyuan understood. That was the estate that his mother and aunt had acquired before their deaths. He had already given his mother's estate to his cousin.

"Alright, then I'll head back to the palace now. See you the day after tomorrow."

Dongfang Jin nodded, and the others were about to kneel, but Cang Lingyuan told them to just go through the motions.

After saying that, he left with his men.

Once the emperor was out of sight, the Duke of Ningguo flicked his sleeves, adopted the airs of a duke, and looked at them.

Dongfang Jin disliked this person very much.

Ruyi: [Jin-jie, this old man is up to something.]

[Go ahead and do it, who's afraid to talk about it?]

【opinionated.】

Elders, after all, can't always show off their supposed superiority.

I just don't like the way he looks at you.

See for yourself, it won't make you lose weight.

The Duke of Ningguo frowned, disliking Dongfang Jin's lack of manners.

A village woman is just a village woman; she has no manners.

He said earnestly, "Chenglin, you should stay here. As for the estate, don't go there."

He looked like a father scolding his son.

As you wish, [Haha, how about it?]

Dongfang Jin glanced at the old man, [Just arrogant and self-righteous.]

[It seems like they've come with ill intentions.]

Afraid of him? What a joke.

When Gu Chenglin heard his uncle say this, he frowned: "Uncle..." That estate was a gift from his cousin, the emperor, to his wife.

With his hands behind his back, the Duke of Ningguo looked at Gu Chenglin with a serious expression and interrupted him: "Alright, I'll say it again, now that you've returned to the capital, it's time to put the marriage on the agenda."

After you finish transplanting the rice seedlings here, I'll have your aunt throw you a banquet.

"Invite the ladies of prominent families in the capital; you can then choose one who is a suitable match."

After saying that, he deliberately looked at Dongfang Jin and sneered.

Ruyi, [Haha, so that's what you were waiting for!]

[That's really annoying.]

[Aren't some of them disrespectful to their elders?]

Indeed, self-righteous.

[It's a habit.]

Dongfang Jin laughed. She knew it; the old man was looking at her with disdain.

Thinking of Gu Chenglin's older brother and sister, it seems that their marriages were all arranged by the Hua family, truly a powerful family tradition passed down from father to son.

"This Duke really knows how to meddle in other people's business."

The Duke of Ningguo snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, so ignorant of etiquette, I really don't know what Cheng Lin sees in you."

Dongfang Jin was not to be outdone, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips: "The Duke is probably meddling too much. My affairs with Gu Chenglin are none of other people's business."

The Duke of Ningguo's face darkened, and the twisted emotions in his heart intensified.

In his eyes, Gu Chenglin was the chosen one born of his beloved woman.

This kind of person needs to be controlled.

Dongfang Jin was just a lowly peasant woman; how could she be worthy of Huihui's son?

Seeing that his uncle was quite angry, Gu Chenglin quickly said, "Uncle, there's no need. I'm already married to Xiaojin, and Xiaojin is my wife for life."

I told you, please don't bring up your suggestion again. I won't leave Xiaojin.

Ruyi, [Your man is good.]

Let's see what this old man is up to.

[Let's cause trouble.]

"Heh, it's probably not that simple. Remember when we went to his house last time? We didn't find anything."

[Hmm, the biggest problem is that there's no problem. It seems to be related to Gu Chenglin's birthmark.]

You thought of that too?

This is as obvious as a monk having lice on his head.

【hehe. 】

Upon hearing that he was still so stubborn, the Duke of Ningguo's face immediately darkened: "Chenglin, don't be confused."

This Dongfang Jin comes from a humble background, how could he be worthy of you?

With your status, you could choose any noblewoman in the capital, and none of them would be inferior to her.

At this moment, Dongfang Jin looked at him with the same disdain and sneered: "This Duke, marriage is a matter of mutual consent."

Gu Chenglin and I are already married, and we are very happy together.

Why do you have to meddle in our business?

The Duke of Ningguo was so angry that his beard stood on end: "Hmph, you peasant woman, how dare you talk back to this old man like that."

In the capital, which of the young masters' marriages wasn't arranged by their elders?

Your marriage is completely invalid. I advise you to have some self-awareness.

If Cheng Lin succeeds in his multi-season rice experiment this time, he will be a great hero to my Donglin Kingdom.

His status will rise accordingly, while you're just a penniless orphan.

Feng and Lei stood in the shadows: "Master, the lady is the daughter of Prince Dun, and she is a princess."

Dongfang Jin sneered. Gu Chenglin's rise in status was also thanks to her.

Showing this true colors, if it weren't for your age, I'd really like to punch you and teach you a lesson.

"Lord Duke, that's someone else's business."

We just want to live according to our own wishes. If you truly care about Gu Chenglin, then respect his choice.

"You're so fond of meddling in other people's business; that's not a good habit. After all, you're not their parent, are you?"

Gu Chenglin chimed in, "Uncle, Xiao Jin and I are very happy together, so please don't make things difficult for us anymore."

Moreover, my two children adore Xiaojin, and I am well aware of my own status; I cannot possibly befriend those wealthy young ladies.

"Chenglin, don't be fooled by this woman. She is of low status and can be of no help to you."

Gu Chenglin held Dongfang Jin's hand tightly and said, "Uncle, I love her very much, nothing else matters."

"What you've mentioned, I don't want. What I want is a stable life."

He was somewhat displeased by his uncle's unusual behavior and stubbornness today.

The Duke of Ningguo's eyes widened, and he was furious with embarrassment: "This is disobeying your elders!"

We can't keep Dongfang Jin around. If things continue like this, he'll ruin his plans sooner or later.

But he was still unwilling to give up. His eyes were filled with venom as he looked at Dongfang Jin. He snorted, turned his sleeves and stood aside, muttering things like "the world is going to the dogs."

Seeing his uncle so angered by his sister-in-law, Gu Yunxiao felt incredibly pleased.

"Uncle, let's talk about my brother later, he..."