Only now did Shen Menglan understand what Gu Jiangyue had meant. She stamped her feet in remorse, but there was nothing she could do to change it. After all, she had just echoed Gu Jiangyue's words.
The Grand Elder also looked at Shen Menglan. Sensing the Grand Elder's gaze, Shen Menglan had no idea what the Grand Elder would choose. She could only wait restlessly, stealing glances at the Grand Elder from time to time.
It was okay not to look, but when she did, Shen Menglan noticed that the Grand Elder's brows had furrowed at some point. She thought something was wrong in her heart. Sure enough, the Grand Elder spoke up the next moment.
"Our Gu Mansion is a large and prosperous family. It's really too much of a burden to let Menglan manage everything alone. Let Yan Qin arrange the matter of buying rouge from the Huayan Building. There have been quite a few changes in your Third Branch recently. You should adjust yourself quickly, right?"
Although the Grand Elder's voice was old, her words carried great authority, making it hard for anyone to refuse.
Chen Yanqin had been standing aside, watching the confrontation between Gu Jiangyue and Shen Menglan. She was caught off guard when the Grand Elder suddenly mentioned her. She was stunned for a moment but quickly came to her senses. The Grand Elder's decision was beneficial to their Third Branch. She quickly said,
"The Grand Elder is right. It's time to help Second Sister."
Most of the affairs in the Gu Mansion, especially those related to finance, were managed by Shen Menglan. She was straightforward and resourceful, so the Grand Elder had never replaced her.
The Third Branch relied mostly on Gu Zhengwan. Gu Zhengwan still had to strive to please the Grand Elder, and Chen Yanqin was not one to seek the limelight. As for the former First Branch, there was only the easily bullied Gu Jiangyue. That was why Shen Menglan had taken advantage.
But now things were different. Gu Zhengwan of the Third Branch had suffered setbacks. If the management power were left with the Third Branch as before, it would be truly unbalanced. Now giving some power to Chen Yanqin just filled the gap in their branch, but it was not good news for Shen Menglan.
Shen Menglan clearly realized how bad this was for her. Her hand hidden in her sleeve tightly grasped the handkerchief, and her sharp fingernails seemed to dig a hole in it. But she had no way to refute.
Chen Yanqin's expression on the side was completely opposite to hers. Although the Grand Elder had only given Chen Yanqin the task of buying rouge for now, it was obvious that this was a test of her ability. As long as she did this to the Grand Elder's satisfaction, Shen Menglan's power would be gradually taken away by the Grand Elder for various reasons.
Shen Menglan glared angrily at Chen Yanqin, apparently forgetting Gu Jiangyue, the real culprit who had started this whole thing.
This was exactly what Gu Jiangyue wanted to see. As long as the conflict between the Third and Second Branches deepened, she could sit back and watch the tigers fight, remaining carefree.
Thinking of this, Gu Jiangyue curled her lips into a bright smile and began to massage the Grand Elder's shoulders.
"Grandmother is really thoughtful. I still have a lot to learn from you. Third Aunt is favored by you. I'm sure Sister Zhengwan will be very happy."
When everyone heard Gu Jiangyue mention Gu Zhengwan, their expressions froze.
The Grand Elder's smile also froze for a moment, but she was quite pleased with Gu Jiangyue's praise. Her face didn't look so unpleasant. Instead, she looked kind, seemingly very satisfied with this granddaughter of hers.
"You're the most considerate of your sisters. There have been too many things happening in the Gu Mansion recently. I've specially invited a master. In a few days, we'll go to the Green Hill Temple to pray. It's just that Liu Ru is there. You sisters can have a good get - together."
The Grand Elder patted Gu Jiangyue's hand and smiled.
Hearing what the Grand Elder said, Gu Jiangyue slightly frowned. In her previous life, none of these things had happened during her coming - of - age ceremony, and the Gu Mansion had never gone to the Green Hill Temple to pray. So she had no memory of this event.
Gu Jiangyue didn't know what would happen during this trip, but it seemed that the Grand Elder was determined to go. Even if Gu Jiangyue refused, it would only ruin the good impression she had built with the Grand Elder over the past few days.
"Sure."
Gu Jiangyue smiled brightly and quickly agreed.
"It's been a long time since I saw Liu Ru. I wonder how her health is now."
When the Grand Elder mentioned Gu Liuru, worry flashed in her eyes.
Gu Liuru, the third miss of the Third Branch and the younger sister of Gu Zhengwan, ranked fourth among the misses of the Gu Mansion and was also Gu Jiangyue's fourth younger sister.
Gu Jiangyue didn't have many memories of Gu Liuru. If the Grand Elder hadn't mentioned her, she might have forgotten about this person. Gu Jiangyue remembered that there was an elder half - sister in the Third Branch who was already married. The remaining two were the legitimate miss, Gu Zhengwan and Gu Liuru.
Gu Zhengwan was an old rival of Gu Jiangyue. Gu Jiangyue's memory of Gu Liuru only remained in the event that she had been sent elsewhere to recuperate due to health problems in the early years. Judging from the Grand Elder's words, it seemed that the place where Gu Liuru had been recuperating was the Green Hill Temple.
No wonder the Grand Elder was so concerned about Gu Liuru. Gu Jiangyue remembered that before Gu Liuru's health problems, she was the only one among the many misses of the Gu Mansion who could rival Gu Zhengwan. But after being separated for so long, Gu Jiangyue didn't know how much she had changed.
Regarding her, Gu Jiangyue could only silently remember her in her heart and pay attention later. After all, someone who could be on par with Gu Zhengwan in the Grand Elder's heart was probably not an easy person.
"How is Zhengwan's health recently? She should take good care of her injuries and not delay her marriage to the Second Prince. Will she come for this prayer?"
The Grand Elder looked at Chen Yanqin, seemingly asking for her opinion, but there was a warning in her tone. Don't delay the marriage with Xie Chengrui. It was a reminder to Chen Yanqin that Gu Zhengwan should know when to stop.
"Thank you for your concern, Grand Elder. Zhengwan's body has almost recovered. After all, it's for the sake of the Gu Mansion's prayer. Zhengwan is always reasonable. She will go."
Although Chen Yanqin had just gained the Grand Elder's approval, she was not the kind of person who would be carried away by success. She understood the Grand Elder's implication. One of the main characters of this prayer was Gu Zhengwan. If Gu Zhengwan didn't go, the Grand Elder would surely be dissatisfied.
After all, the Grand Elder didn't value Gu Zhengwan as much as before. If Gu Zhengwan didn't show up in front of the Grand Elder, her position might really be replaced by Gu Jiangyue.
The Grand Elder got the answer she was satisfied with. She waved her hand at everyone contentedly and said,
"Alright, all of you can go."
Everyone bowed slightly to the Grand Elder and then retreated.
As soon as Gu Jiangyue stepped out of the door, before she could adjust her smile, she heard Shen Menglan beside her speak faintly with a hidden meaning.
"Some people get carried away when they're favored. Don't forget that the higher you fly, the harder you fall."