I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 74 Gu Chenglin Reveals His Family's Financial Situation

Judging from this, Gu Chenglin's biological parents' family must be a wealthy one. Given Gu's wife's temperament, switching children? It's certainly something she's capable of doing.

No wonder she abused Gu Chenglin from a young age, even his name wasn't the same as the family's other children.

They wouldn't even let him read a book for a single day. This Gu family... tsk tsk... that student still wants to become the top scholar?

Given that his own mother was capable of stealing a child, the chances of him becoming the top scholar were slim.

No matter how well you study or how intelligent you are, it all comes to nothing if you have a mother who holds you back, even if she's your own mother.

Hehe... I'm waiting for the show to start!

However... didn't Gu Chenglin's own family notice anything amiss?

"Hmm... I don't know why she stole from me, and I don't know whether the child she gave birth to is alive or dead."

All I know is that something seemed to have happened at my mother's house, and while rushing on the road, I collided with her oxcart, which caused both of them to have miscarriages..."

"Is that what Lin Lizheng was talking about?" Dongfang Jin suddenly remembered that Lin Lizheng said Gu Chenglin was born to his mother at the inn.

If that's the case, given Old Lady Gu's temperament, it's normal for her to take advantage of the chaos to switch children.

This is truly a case of arbitrarily beating, scolding, and abusing those who aren't one's own children, while treating one's own children like precious treasures.

Thinking of that family of "pigs," I wonder if that scholar was also so fat and big-eared.

"Ah."

Gu Chenglin kept his head down the whole time he was saying these words. He was afraid that Dongfang Jin would discover something was amiss.

He didn't want to tell her the truth. He was afraid of losing her, and even more afraid that if she knew his identity, she would feel distant from him.

He enjoys his current life and cherishes this relationship; he doesn't want to ruin it.

I want to live like this forever, growing old together...

Thinking it over, he moved the stone blocking the small hole and opened the wooden box and the bundle.

"This is all my savings, I'm handing it all over."

Before Dongfang Jin could recover from the question, he saw a thick stack of silver notes placed in his hand.

Beside her feet was a box of gold, silver, and jade jewelry, including bracelets, hairpins, hair ornaments, and several fine jade pendants.

There are also more than a dozen gold and silver ingots, each weighing fifty taels, inside this box.

Dongfang Jin was surprised: "This is the military pay you were talking about?"

Wow, so much? If she remembered correctly, Gu Chenglin's monthly allowance for military service was three copper coins, right?

If these items were converted to RMB, they would be worth at least tens of millions.

Did this person just give it to her so easily?

Gu Chenglin shook his head and pointed to the items inside, saying, "These are jewelry pieces, and some of them I pawned for silver and banknotes when I left the border."

And I also had some things I was secretly keeping at the time...

I walked back with several of my comrades with me...

After I sent them home, in addition to their military pay and the pensions issued by the imperial court, I left some money for each of them.

The jewelry I kept were all pieces that I liked, and what's in this box is...

On the way back, he was fortunate to have been escorted by the four people, Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to bring all these things back in one go.

He kept those things privately because his superiors had said that as long as it wasn't excessive, it was acceptable.

Then Gu Chenglin recounted how he had encountered bandits killing each other after returning from his corvée labor years ago.

Dongfang Jin was at a loss for words. How could this person... wasn't he quite shrewd? How...

Alas! Filial piety is of paramount importance, and it's all because of this rigid rule.

But they don't know that when the father is kind, the mother is loving; when the mother is loving, the son is filial; and when the son is filial, the family is harmonious.

Children can only be filial if their parents are kind. How can you talk about filial piety if your parents are not kind?

Brotherly love and respect are essential for a harmonious family; otherwise, how can the family be peaceful?

The Gu family is full of scheming and they all act like fighting cocks. How can this family be any good?

They could only use the concept of "filial piety" to put pressure on Gu Chenglin.

"When you sent those people... you know, you also brought a lot of this?" Dongfang Jin asked, pointing to the jewelry.

Gu Chenglin shook his head: "Those people also have these things, but they... they are not allowed to bring those things home, for fear of bringing unnecessary disaster to their families."

The general ordered everyone to exchange their money for silver, but not too much; it was just ten taels more than the soldiers' previous pensions.

Hearing his somber and melancholic words, Dongfang Jin didn't continue the conversation.

Are you really going to give me everything? No regrets?

Gu Chenglin knelt on one knee, looking at her affectionately: "I don't regret it. I said I wouldn't give up on you. You're the head of the household now, and this is my surprise for you."

Xiao Jin, I have no other skills, I've been married before, and I have two children.

"I'm not good enough for you, and these are all I have to offer."

Dongfang Jin felt a tickle in her heart from what he said. This man was really handsome, and he was already handing over his family fortune?

She put her hands on his shoulders and joked, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away with the money?"

Gu Chenglin smiled at her and said, "No, your household registration is still in my hands."

Dongfang Jin: "..." I was too hasty, but this man is really, really handsome!

Thinking this, he gave Gu Chenglin a wicked smile, touched the wooden box and bundle, and with a thought, disappeared without a trace.

When Gu Chenglin saw this, he was only stunned and his body stiffened for a moment. Then, the next second, he hugged Dongfang Jin.

He whispered in her ear, "I know you're not Fang Jin, no matter what kind of deity you are."

Now that you've come into my life and married me, you're my wife. Please don't leave me, okay? I promise I'll treat you well.

A lifetime together, really, really…

At this moment, Dongfang Jin felt incredibly at ease. There was no more confusion, no more loneliness, and no more loss.

To be honest, she was afraid and terrified to be alone in ancient times.

Although this man was divorced, he made her feel incredibly secure and safe.

She decided to go for it; since fate had made this arrangement, she would accept it.

No matter how bad I am at studying, I still grew up under the five-star red flag.

With that golden finger, she's going to lead her family and Gu Chenglin's sworn brothers to the pinnacle of life.

Once her heart settled down, she no longer felt any resistance towards this man. Wasn't she a real man?

Since she's so obedient, how can I not give her a little nudge? I stretched out my hands: "Carry me to take a bath."

"it is good."

……

Dongfang Jin nestled in the man's strong arms. Gu Chenglin hadn't asked him about the missing items yet. This man was really patient, but it was quite cute.

Even so, she won't say anything for now.

Since he has such a broad mind, there's no need to hide anything from him; there are things she can openly and honestly reveal.

After the two went into the water, Dongfang Jin used her mind to take out a few apples from the refrigerator, placed them by the pool, and handed one to him: "Here, have this. The rest are for the two children."

Gu Chenglin held up a big, bright red apple: "Xiao Jin, is this a magic fruit?"

This fruit is not something they have in their country; it's probably not even as good as the fruit they offer as tribute.

Dongfang Jin was amused by what he said: "Haha, yes, this is a spiritual fruit from the celestial realm, it's called a Fuji apple, how about it? Juicy and delicious, isn't it?"

Haha... It's hilarious! This person's brain is really good at making things up; she's created a whole fairyland for her in no time.

"Hmm, they are indeed very fresh. But won't you make a mistake by giving them to us?" Gu Chenglin asked with a worried look on his face, holding the apple.

Dongfang Jin was amused by his serious expression and burst into laughter.

She laughed so hard her stomach hurt.