Chapter 1406: Chapter 1406: Ill-Mannered

This Lin Guangtong was none other than his annoying brother-in-law.

Ever since his eldest sister, Shang Xiuyu, married Lin Guangtong, she hasn’t had a single good day. In five years, she had lost two pregnancies and became completely haggard.

But Lin Guangtong turned a blind eye and sought pleasure outside. Occasionally, when he returned home, he stayed in the concubine’s quarters and never went to see Xiuyu.

He even looked down on the Shang Family’s social status compared to his own, mocking Xiuyu with various sarcastic remarks.

This time, for some unknown reason, when he heard that the third sister, Shang Xiudan, was going to be betrothed to Gu Qingliang, he rushed over from Linhe Prefecture, and even his mother and sister came along.

Their excuse was that Xiuyu hadn’t been doing well in the Lin Family for the past few years, and since the third sister was getting engaged, they wanted to take her home to see her family and relax. Maybe she’d feel better and be able to conceive?

Shang Zixiang didn’t believe this, always feeling that the Lin Family was up to no good.

But the family was busy with Xiudan’s marriage, so they didn’t have time to deal with the Lin mother’s visit with her three children.

The betrothal ceremony between the Gu and Shang families took over an hour. After Shang Xiudan, following the customs, sent a set of clothes to Gu Qingliang and the two of them met, the matter was concluded.

"It’s done, it’s done! Congratulations to both families!" The matchmaker was grinning from ear to ear. The Gu Family and Shang Family were both very generous. For helping with the engagement, she received a red envelope of thirty taels of silver, another thirty taels reward from Gu Qingliang’s family, and matchmaker money from the Luo Family. She earned nearly two hundred taels of silver this trip, enough to last two years.

Village Chief Shang was also extremely happy, saying, "Matchmaker, you’ve worked hard. We’ve prepared a top-tier meal for you and your assistants to enjoy."

"Eh, thank you kindly." The matchmaker, having been busy for so long, was also hungry and led the maids, old women, and the musicians to the banquet.

Other guests also took their seats and began to eat.

As for the Qin, Gu, Luo, and Tian families, they were the honored guests, personally entertained by Village Chief Shang: "Damu, Dalin, Dashan, Dafu, let’s go eat. While the food here isn’t as exquisite as Yanfu Building, it’s plentiful, so we can eat our fill."

Gu Damu was rather quiet, but Gu Dalin smiled and said, "That’s great, we’re from the countryside and don’t like anything too refined, just hearty portions."

This remark made the families all laugh.

Lin Guangtong stifled a sneer: can’t even afford to book a restaurant for a banquet, such a bunch of paupers, this marriage alliance with the Shang Family was truly a losing deal!

If he had known the Shang Family was this poor, he would never have married Shang Xiuyu in the first place.

However, his mother had told him that since Yueyun failed to capture Magistrate Shi’s son and got into trouble, she couldn’t find a good match in Linhe Prefecture. Gu Jin’an seemed nice, being the Small Three-Yuan Scholar from Jianghuai, and knew many nobles. His family was engaged in profitable businesses, so if Yueyun married him, the family could gain considerable benefits.

Gu Jin’an felt disgusted by Lin Guangtong’s gaze but couldn’t show it. He had to suppress it and follow Village Chief Shang and Scholar Shang to eat.

Who knew that Lin Guangtong was so ill-mannered that, while eating, he asked Gu Jin’an, "Brother Gu, you’re twenty, right? Why aren’t you engaged yet?"

Sitting at the next table, Brother Cheng was speechless.

Seriously, here we go again. Why is everyone so focused on his elder brother’s marriage?

Gu Jin’an remained calm, glanced at Lin Guangtong, and said, "I have sworn that I will only discuss marriage after becoming a scholar. I’m merely a small scholar now and dare not speak of marriage."

When Gu Jin’an said this, his tone was very indifferent. Anyone could tell he was displeased.

However, Lin Guangtong said, "The imperial exams are challenging, not easy to pass. You’re already twenty, should think about marriage sooner."

Inside, he cursed Gu Jin’an, thinking, damn it, are you mocking me on purpose? You’ve become a scholar and you’re still not satisfied? While I’m not even a student!

Shang Laoer felt embarrassed hearing this and, suppressing his anger, told Lin Guangtong, "Brother Tong, that’s Brother An’s own matter; there’s nothing to ask. This dish of river-fresh tastes nice; we of Tianfu County all love it, give it a try."

Saying this, he offered Lin Guangtong a piece of river-fresh fish with his chopsticks.

But Lin Guangtong disdainfully looked at the river-fresh fish and rudely said, "These small fish caught from the river? Their bones could kill someone. We from Linhe Prefecture do not eat such low-class things."

With a slap on the table, Village Chief Shang was enraged, glaring at Lin Guangtong: "Xiuyu’s husband, will you eat or not? If not, go rest in your room."

Laoer was his father-in-law, and when the father-in-law personally served food, not eating was one thing, but to speak so insultingly, did the Lin Family have no manners?

Lin Guangtong looked down on the Shang Family from the bottom of his heart. Seeing Village Chief Shang angry didn’t scare him; he just perfunctorily said, "You don’t need to be angry, old man. I call this being genuine, the scholars and madmen from Jiangnan adore my temperament."

Village Chief Shang was so furious he was shaking.

Scholar Shang was speechless, genuine? Lack of manners is lack of manners, stop with the nonsense!

Gu Jin’an also thought Lin Guangtong was impossible, but since he was a guest today, he didn’t want to cause trouble, so he remained silent and ate his food.

But Lin Guangtong was truly ignorant; even after being scolded by Village Chief Shang, he didn’t feel remorse. He even pulled Gu Qingliang up, sat himself beside Gu Jin’an, put his arm around him, and pretended to be close: "Brother Gu, once you’re of age, you should get married. How about this, I feel quite connected to you; I have a younger sister of the right age. Pick a day and come propose, so we can become even closer."

That’s ridiculous!

The whole table was stunned, not expecting Lin Guangtong to say something so inappropriate in public.

Brother Cheng was completely dumbfounded, immediately standing up, glaring at Lin Guangtong.

Are you insane?

My elder brother already has Third Sister; he won’t marry your sister!

Gu Qingliang quickly stood up to stop Lin Guangtong, smiling as he said, "Brother-in-law, you’ve drunk too much. Let me and Second Brother take you back to your room to rest."

Second Brother was Shang Zixiang, the elder brother of Shang Xiuyu and Shang Xiudan.

Gu Qingliang’s intention was good; he didn’t want Lin Guangtong to embarrass himself further, but Lin Guangtong acted as if touched by something disgusting, punching Gu Qingliang and shouting, "Filthy refugee, don’t touch this young master!"

"Shut up, you bastard!" Village Chief Shang was losing his mind with rage, shouting to his grandsons: "Zifu, Zixiang, Zimao, Zisheng, haul that Lin scum away for me."

It was too much; with so many guests present, Lin Guangtong dared to act crazy openly, clearly showing no respect for the Shang Family.

But Lin Guangtong was fierce, grabbing a wine jug and pointing at the Shang Family’s grandsons: "What are you doing? I’m the young master of the Lin Family in Linhe Prefecture. If you dare touch me, kiss your business in Linhe goodbye!"

After scolding the Shang Family’s grandsons, he looked at the shocked Gu Dashan and asked, "You’re Gu Jin’an’s father, right? Since he’s not responding, as his father, you should decide. Do you want an alliance with our Lin Family?"

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