"Having children should follow the natural order. Let’s leave it up to the young people to decide," Old Madam Gu said with understanding.
"Don’t worry, great-grandmother. Ji Wei and I have it all planned out. I believe your wish will soon be realized," Gu Moqian softly said as he held the elderly woman’s hand.
"Really? That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful!" Old Madam Gu was overjoyed.
When Ji Wei saw the expectant look in Old Madam Gu’s eyes, she suddenly felt a mountain of pressure weighing on her.
If she failed to conceive within a year or two, wouldn’t that deeply disappoint the great-grandmother?
The atmosphere in the living room was harmonious, but sitting off to the side, Nan Huiru wore a sour expression and remained silent.
Everyone stayed for a while longer, but noticing signs of fatigue on Old Madam Gu’s face, aware of her advanced age and limited energy, they all got up and left.
Gu Moqian and Ji Wei also began walking out.
Just as they reached the door, Old Madam Gu’s voice called out from behind them, "Huiru, stay behind. I want to have a word with you."
Nan Huiru felt puzzled but didn’t dare go against Old Madam Gu’s wishes, so she reluctantly stepped back inside.
Gu Moqian and Ji Wei exchanged glances, understanding each other implicitly, and left without lingering.
The servant helped Old Madam Gu rise from her seat, and she began to speak with heartfelt earnestness, "Huiru, I know you’re dissatisfied with Wei, that girl. Tell me, what’s your reasoning?"
Nan Huiru’s face shifted slightly, realizing that Old Madam Gu was advocating for Ji Wei.
Ah, so after just one day, she had already won over the elder. Ji Wei sure was capable!
"Grandmother, she’s not the daughter-in-law I had envisioned," Nan Huiru said with displeasure etched on her face.
"You think I don’t know that you favor Miss Zhu, don’t you?"
Old Madam Gu had long seen through everything, her aged voice carrying an unmistakable authority. "That Miss Zhu has been scheming since childhood. I refuse to believe you haven’t noticed. That expensive Guanyin Statue she gifted me today was obviously an attempt to save the Zhu Family."
Seeing Nan Huiru’s expression grow increasingly grim, Old Madam Gu snorted softly and continued, "Don’t think that just because I live in a temple, I’m oblivious to everything outside. My mind is as clear as crystal."
Having been there since the inception of the Gu Family, Old Madam Gu had joined forces with her late husband to build the family’s business empire. Even as she aged, her former position as the matriarch of the Gu Family ensured she commanded respect.
Nan Huiru’s face turned pale, and a faint sense of unease rose in her heart.
Old Madam Gu observed Nan Huiru’s expression, taking in every detail, and continued, "You’d rather have a conniving, calculating woman by Moqian’s side who would make the household rife with turmoil than let him be with someone he truly loves, who also loves him back, a wife who’s affectionate and could give you a bright, intelligent, and adorable grandson? You think about that."
"But her background—"
Nan Huiru had deep reservations about Ji Wei’s status and could not shake the internal obstacle in her heart.
Yet before she could finish speaking, Old Madam Gu interrupted her, "What era are we living in now that you’re still caught up on someone’s background? Isn’t the status of being the daughter of the Ji Family enough? Do you truly want Moqian to wed a celestial goddess from the heavens before you’d be satisfied?"
The sharp remarks left Nan Huiru speechless, unable to respond for a long while.
"Back when you and Zhi Zhou got together, wasn’t there opposition as well? I recall you withstanding the rumors and living harmoniously with Zhi Zhou, even bringing me an excellent great-grandson. You’ve been through this yourself, so why are you making things hard for Wei?"
Nan Huiru bit her lip and said nothing.
"Moreover, I remember this marriage proposal was personally brought to the Ji Family by Zhi Zhou and Moqian themselves. Now, with your attitude toward Wei, where does that leave the Gu Family’s dignity?"