Chapter 422: Chapter 423, Ye Xiaobei, Are You Jealous?
Sheng Ruolan turned red with anger, shivering all over, “You can’t do this! You promised my grandfather to take care of me, you can’t go back on your word!” Senior Master Gu frowned, “I promised your grandfather to take good care of you, but I never promised him that you would be treated like a lady of leisure in my house, or that you would be married into a wealthy family!”
Senior Master Gu grew angrier as he spoke, banging the table, “This is the best we can offer. If you think servant quarters aren’t good enough, then you can seek something better elsewhere. Go wherever you think is best!”
Sheng Ruolan shuddered in fear, tears streaming down her face.
Where else could she seek something better?
Before her family went bankrupt, she had borrowed money from all her relatives and friends to save her company.
After the bankruptcy, the money was not repaid.
They had fallen out with all their relatives and friends over the money.
Besides the Gu Family, where else could she go?
She felt that the Gu Family were bullying her too much. Her heart was in pieces from the grievance, but she had nowhere else to go.
Swallowing her pride, she choked on her apologies, “I’m sorry, Grandpa Gu, I was mistaken, I’m young and naive, please don’t hold it against me. I’m willing to live in the servant quarters, please don’t be angry, I will behave and study hard, find a good job in the future, and repay your kindness when I start earning.”
Senior Master Gu’s expression eased somewhat.
After all, she was just a nineteen-year-old girl, and since her grandfather had passed away, it was his responsibility to help educate her properly.
“Alright, stop crying, sit down and eat,” Senior Master Gu waved his hand, urging Gu Junzhu and Ye Xingbei to get on with their meal.
Seeing Sheng Ruolan drying her tears, picking up her chopsticks again to eat, he felt a pang of pity at how pitiful she looked.
Senior Master Gu decided to give her some advice, “Lanlan, remember my words, whether you’re noble or humble is not decided by where you live, but by your character and morals.”
“Work hard to improve yourself, be a good, talented, beautiful and cultured young lady. Whether you live in the master’s room or the servant’s room, you remain noble.”
“If you can’t develop your own qualities, even I can’t help you marry into a wealthy family. On the contrary, if you are truly outstanding, those high-born young men will be knocking on your doors themselves.”
“You are still young, don’t think too much. Just focus on your studies, strive to improve yourself, shine bright like a diamond, and naturally, you will attract those talented young men.”
Sheng Ruolan obediently nodded her head, looking like she had learned her lesson, “Grandpa Gu, I understand, don’t worry. From now on, I will study hard and not let you down!”
After receiving this scolding, Sheng Ruolan seemed to have learned her lesson. After the meal, she followed Aunt Zhao, the cook, to the servant quarters.
Senior Master Gu excused himself as he had other matters to attend to. He left after making sure Sheng Ruolan was settled.
Before leaving, he said to Gu Junzhu and Ye Xingbei, “Just as jade needs to be polished to become a gem, so the girl needs to be educated. If Lanlan behaves foolishly, don’t hesitate to teach her a good lesson.”
Only after Senior Master Gu had left, did Ye Xingbei say to Gu Junzhu, “I think Sheng Ruolan was highly offended at being asked to live in servant quarters.”
His words seemed ordinary, but there was something off about his tone.
Gu Junzhu paused and looked Ye Xingbei up and down before raising an eyebrow,”… Ye Xiaobei, you’re not…are you jealous?”