"When are you and Huaian planning to have the wedding?"
"Ah, this...I'm not sure."
Shen Tang had imagined walking down the aisle with her beloved, but after transmigrating she had gotten married directly, skipping that step. She didn't know if she would have the chance to have a wedding in the future.
But knowing Huaian's personality, there probably would be one.
Old Madam Gu smiled. "You're a good girl. I liked you from the first time I saw you." Her husband may have a sharp tongue, but he was actually quite satisfied with Shen Tang.
Shen Tang smiled awkwardly. She hadn't sensed that at all.
"I'm getting older and don't know how long I'll live. I just hope that you and Huaian can be together well." In a marriage there were always bumps, but anything short of a serious transgression was forgivable.
Old Madam Gu blinked. "Of course, doing something wrong warrants punishment. Like if Huaian's father annoys me, he has to sleep in the study and I confiscate his allowance."
Shen Tang was surprised she would share such private matters.
Moreover, her words hinted that she knew something.
"We're doing fine..."
Old Madam Gu didn't dwell on it. "Have you considered having children?"
Shen Tang suddenly tensed up.
Was this the legendary pressure to have kids? Fashionably late but still arriving?
"Not yet..."
"Don't worry, we won't interfere with you two or pressure you to have kids. As long as you're safe and healthy, it's up to you whether to have children. It's not like our family has a throne to inherit."
This wasn't what Shen Tang had imagined at all.
She couldn't help thinking Old Madam Gu was quite open-minded.
Wanting grandkids was one thing; pressuring them was another.
Plus, the Gu family had plenty of money.
Better to desire money than not care at all.
"We've already written up our wills. Aside from what Huaian and Qing'an inherit themselves, the Gu family assets will be split between you two and Qing'an's three children."
"You're still young. Why talk about this?"
Why? To tempt her with money, of course.
What if the daughter-in-law left? Her son had pined for so long before falling in love, she didn't want him dying alone.
That was what Old Madam Gu thought, though she didn't show it.
She didn't mind that Shen Tang cared about money. Everyone had their quirks!
Besides, who didn't like money? She wouldn't believe anyone was truly indifferent.
Especially since the Gu family was rich.
Wanting something was better than wanting nothing.
"Are you hungry, dear? Do you want to stay over tonight?"
Shen Tang felt awkward not knowing how to refuse. "I, uh..."
"It's fine if it's not convenient today. You can come another day."
Shen Tang relaxed. "Then I'll come see you in a couple days."
She had told Tao Sister to make dinner already and didn't want to waste her efforts.
And she looked forward to gossiping with Tao Sister tonight.
After talking, Shen Tang felt much closer to Old Madam Gu.
Old Madam Gu told many funny stories about Huaian's childhood and showed her lots of old photos too. Little Huaian was so cute it made Shen Tang want to have a child.
Of course that was just a thought; she had yet to learn to be a good mother.
Meanwhile, Old Master Gu and Huaian sat together silently downstairs.
After some time Old Master Gu couldn't bear it. "Don't you have anything to say?"
"No."
"Is that so!"
"I'm quite good, yes."
Old Master Gu: "..."
"Do you even know how to speak properly?"
"But isn't this how you taught me? Every time you meet Tangtang you talk to her like this. I thought you liked it."
Old Master Gu: "..."
"Now that you have a wife you've forgotten your father!"
"You don't want a daughter-in-law? I'll tell Mother."
Old Master Gu: "..."
Arguing further wouldn't benefit him, so Old Master Gu changed the subject. "When are you going to have the wedding?"
"I thought you didn't like her. Why ask about it?"
Old Master Gu looked disdainful. "Could it be you still haven't won her back?"
When Huaian didn't respond, he raised his chin in satisfaction. He had regained some ground.
But Huaian smiled. "Who said that? We've reconciled."
"Oh, then when's the wedding?"
Huaian: "..."
Like father like son, poking at each other's weak spots.
Footsteps sounded. The two men stood up together and looked upstairs in unison.
Old Madam Gu and Shen Tang walked down hand in hand, chatting merrily.
Huaian discreetly relaxed.
He knew both had amiable personalities and wouldn't clash, but mother- and daughter-in-law relations were awkward, so he had still worried.
"Mother is well, I trust?"
"She went to class. Did you need her for something?"
"I'll go pick her and Wuyang up from school and keep them overnight. I''ll bring them back tomorrow."
Old Master Gu wanted to say something but Old Madam Gu silenced him with a look.
She winked at Shen Tang. "Remember what I said!"
Shen Tang smiled and nodded.
In the car, Huaian still had to ask, "What did Mother say to you?"
"Nothing much."
To avoid exposing anything, Shen Tang didn't even think it over in her mind. Instead she started listing dish names.
"Steamed lamb, steamed bear paws, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted squab, roasted gosling, braised pork, braised duck, soy sauce chicken, cured meat, steamed pork stomach..."
Huaian: "..."
Who was it that had been too busy and still hadn't eaten?
Oh right, him.
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