Chapter 930: Chapter 766: What Exactly Are the Terms?

Not to mention, previously the Gu Mansion sent matchmakers three times, which made the Ding Family believe that Gu Wanfang had taken a liking to their daughter, and wouldn’t settle for anyone else, so of course, the Ding Family was being difficult.

"What do you think?" Two thousand taels of silver were nothing to Gu Chengyu, but he wanted to know Gu Wanfang’s attitude.

If Gu Wanfang wished for him to help him produce the silver, then Gu Chengyu wouldn’t give a single copper coin, nor would he continue to painstakingly mentor Gu Wanfang in the future.

At most, he’d give a little silver to send him off, and that would be considered doing his utmost.

"I don’t have this much silver at all. The bookshop has just opened and still owes Little Uncle money! The profit from the last two months is only a little over thirty taels, and I still want to save up to repay Little Uncle as soon as possible. Let’s call off this engagement! It’s just that Uncle-grandfather and Aunty-grandmother have been troubled, and that’s my fault as their grandnephew."

Gu Wanfang’s words were sincere and moving, and Gu Chengyu nodded. It seemed he wasn’t completely muddleheaded.

"If they sincerely wanted to form this marriage, they wouldn’t ask for such a large betrothal gift. And this is only a part of it, as we’d still need to give another as dowry in the future." At this moment, Mr. Gu inserted a comment.

If he were to say, after one or two unsuccessful attempts, they shouldn’t pursue it so eagerly.

But the Ding Family always had an unclear attitude. Just when they were thinking of giving up, it seemed like they’d loosen up, giving a sense of hope.

Moreover, the matchmaker constantly played the middleman, saying that it was normal for the Ding Family to have reservations, but they were on the verge of relenting.

Now he even suspected that the Ding Family had already made up their minds to refuse, but the matchmaker kept meddling, likely eyeing the wealth of both families to earn more matchmaking fees.

Gu Wanfang had only met the girl twice at most, which could only be described as a liking. Anyone clear-headed would not agree.

"Since you have made up your mind, we won’t say more, just don’t blame us for not helping you in the future."

Gu Chengyu nodded, feeling somewhat satisfied with Gu Wanfang’s performance.

It wasn’t that he was unwilling to part with two thousand taels of silver; the issue was where the money was to be spent.

The Ding Family was impossible, too greedy. Even if the marriage were forcibly arranged, it might lead to continuous troubles in the future.

"A real man need not worry about finding a wife, let alone having only seen her twice, it’s not as if there’s no alternative." Such a sum of silver, Gu Wanfang dared not even think about it.

The hat must match the head; you can’t rely on Little Uncle or Uncle-grandfather for everything.

In essence, the Ding Family was greedy, and the Gu Family wasn’t like those aristocratic families. Even though there was some silver, the family foundation wasn’t solid enough to go to such lengths for him.

Moreover, previously father had plotted against Little Uncle, and now for Little Uncle to still care for him as he does was already commendable; one shouldn’t be insatiable.

How would Gu Wanfang know how much family foundation Gu Chengyu had? He had no idea that two thousand taels meant little to Gu Chengyu.

"If that’s the case, then when the matchmaker comes tomorrow, your mother will refuse them? It’s unheard of for one family to always be fawning in a marriage agreement between two families."

Gu Chengyu made the final decision, and this matter had dragged on for so long, hindering Gu Wanfang from seeking another good match, which was indeed a losing proposition.

"Since you’ve said this yourself, then when the matchmaker comes tomorrow, I’ll just refuse them for you!"

Mrs. Lv saw that Gu Wanfang was sensible, and her expression softened.

If this brat dared to shamelessly ask them to provide this sum of silver, he shouldn’t blame her for turning her back.

No matter if Xiao Bao said that once Fang passed the advanced scholar exam and became an official, it would be good to have mutual support at the court.

But Mrs. Lv never quite believed this; in her view, her son didn’t need anyone else’s help. With someone like Gu Wanfang, it would be good enough if he didn’t hold them back.

However, as Xiao Bao’s foundation was shallow, having no allies in officialdom wouldn’t do, so she tolerated Gu Wanfang taking some advantage of Xiao Bao.

Looking at Gu Wanfang, who seemed different in temperament from his grandfather Gu Changbai, and appeared to be someone who knew gratitude and reciprocation, Mrs. Lv didn’t act too harshly towards him.

"I noticed that you have been busy with the bookshop recently, and your studies have fallen behind. You need to understand that these are trivial gains; you still need to focus your energy on your scholarly pursuits. Just find a shopkeeper to oversee the bookshop."

Gu Chengyu was somewhat dissatisfied with Gu Wanfang’s recent academic progress, as he wasn’t the most insightful. Without putting forth several times the effort of others, how could he possibly achieve anything in his scholarly pursuits?

Gu Wanfang’s expression immediately became somewhat embarrassed, and he hurriedly stood up and respectfully replied, "Yes! These days, I’ve been looking for a shopkeeper. Rest assured, Little Uncle, once I find someone suitable, I’ll devote myself to my studies."

Gu Chengyu nodded; in fact, doing business wasn’t entirely unbeneficial. If a scholar didn’t know how to work with his hands or recognize grain, how could book knowledge alone be sufficient?

He observed that Gu Wanfang recently had become more cheerful with his busy involvement in the bookshop. Even in interpersonal relations, he seemed more discerning.

Gu Chengyu then pulled a thin sheet of paper from his pocket, placing it on the table in front of Gu Wanfang.

"I originally planned to give this to you when you got married, but your marriage is yet to be settled. Your shop is still rented. Once there’s a shopkeeper, having that small courtyard as a bridal chamber wouldn’t be suitable — surely we can’t have you renting the Ding family’s courtyard, right?"

Amidst the bewildered looks from those in the room, Gu Chengyu voiced his plan.

Although there weren’t any complaints from Gu Wanfang about prior matters, giving a slap and then a sweet date was Gu Chengyu’s consistent approach.

"Here’s a property deed. It’s a small courtyard in the South City, a bit further from our mansion. I bought it for you as a wedding gift."

The small courtyard was at some distance from the Gu Mansion, costing Gu Chengyu five hundred taels of silver. It was a very small one-entry courtyard. It would suffice for Gu Wanfang once he got married and had children.

Though small, the surrounding environment was tranquil, and the neighbors were all well-off families without any unsavory people.

Mrs. Lv gave her son a glare and was the first to pick up the property deed. Then, realizing she was illiterate, she sullenly replaced it on the table.

"How much silver did it cost?" Mrs. Lv looked at her precious son with frustration, considering this was all silver!

Properties and shops in the capital were exceedingly expensive, something she knew very well from her daughter’s frequent chats. She wouldn’t be unaware.

The three-entry courtyard at Xiao Bao’s house wouldn’t go for less than three to four thousand taels.

Could it be that Xiao Bao generously bought a courtyard just as large? Her daughter had just switched to a two-entry one!

"It’s just a one-entry courtyard, and the location isn’t as convenient as ours. It only cost three hundred taels." Gu Chengyu deliberately understated, or else his mother might explode.

Just as he finished, Mrs. Lv laughed in exasperation.

"How dare you attempt to hide it from me? Even the smallest one-entry courtyard would cost five to six hundred taels." She glared intensely at her son before fixing her gaze on Gu Wanfang.