69: Chapter 69: Meeting Gu Youyou
69 -69: Meeting Gu Youyou
A purely handcrafted bamboo basket was quickly taking shape.
The bamboo used for this basket had been chosen for its thinness and lack of yellowing, making it much lighter than ordinary baskets.
“All done, what do you think?”
Jin Zijin handed the bamboo basket to Gu Youyou, clapped his hands, and stood up.
Gu Youyou’s face beamed with joy as she nodded vigorously and said, “Yes, it’s simply perfect.”
This was just like the medicine-gathering basket she had used in her previous life!
She held it in her hands, reluctant to let it go.
With this, once spring arrived, she could go up the mountain to gather herbs.
Even if she couldn’t find any expensive herbs to sell, being able to gather the medicinal herbs she needed herself would save her the cost of buying them, wouldn’t it?
She didn’t have any more dowries to sell after all.
Gu Youyou attached the two straps she had braided from scrap cloth to the basket, so it could be carried on her back.
From a distance, Gu Youyou heard approaching voices, one of which was not strange to her—it was her grandfather, Gu Feng’s voice—the other she had not heard before.
Without a sound, she put the basket away and turned to lie down on her long bamboo chair and wrapped herself in the blanket.
Moments later, Jin Zijin also heard the voices.
He gave Gu Youyou a complex glance, then turned to walk outside.
“Oh, Zijin!” Gu Feng laughed heartily.
“Butler Qiu, look, this is the husband I’ve found for Youyou.
He’s a hunter from our village, a down-to-earth man, and he’s been good to Youyou.
Thanks to his care, Youyou’s illness has improved a lot!”
Jin Zijin stepped forward and greeted his grandfather, while on the other hand, Butler Qiu sized up Jin Zijin as if he were inspecting his family’s son-in-law.
This came unexpectedly.
When he returned to the Lin Family to report, it would be inevitable for the elder Madam to ask about this grandson-in-law.
Should he not scrutinize carefully to give a proper reply?
“Zijin, this is Butler Qiu, Youyou’s maternal family’s butler!”
“Butler Qiu, please!”
“Please, prospective son-in-law!”
It was cold outside, with a sharp wind.
Jin Zijin led the guest inside first.
He let himself be scrutinized with dignity, neither cringing nor arrogant, and his composure impressed Butler Qiu.
To know, in such remote and impoverished areas, especially amongst villagers inexperienced with sophisticated society, the common reaction towards well-dressed, wealthy individuals is often fear.
They would typically be uneasy, not knowing where to place their eyes, unlike Jin Zijin’s calm demeanor, which, although not unheard of, was rare.
Butler Qiu gave him a few more looks and felt somewhat reassured.
It appeared that Old Master Gu hadn’t randomly chosen someone in disdain of Youyou being a burden.
“Is Grandfather here?”
At the doorstep, Gu Youyou’s voice was heard from inside the house.
“Yes, Youyou, Grandfather has come to see how you are.
Have you been feeling better lately?” Gu Feng chuckled warmly.
“Much better, it’s just that it’s been cold recently, so I haven’t been up and about very much.”
Butler Qiu’s pleasure increased upon hearing Gu Youyou’s clear and bright voice.
It seemed she really had recovered quite a bit, and Old Master Gu hadn’t deceived him.
As he approached the entrance, he hesitated, “Can Miss Gu…
Gu Feng burst into hearty laughter, barely able to contain his joy, “Yes, Youyou can see visitors now.
Butler Qiu, please go ahead with confidence!”
Gu Youyou sat up from the lounge chair, and as she saw the guests, she made to get up, to which Butler Qiu hurriedly said, “No, no, Miss Gu, please don’t stand up on account of your health, it’s chilly outside.”
“How could this be proper?” Gu Youyou said, embarrassed, “You’ve seen me at a disadvantage!”
Youyou, you just lie there, Butler Qiu is not an outsider!”