The Gu family was thriving with descendants; counting Gu Mufeng, there were currently sixteen people in the household.
Not a single one of these sixteen members lived elsewhere—all resided together in one large family compound.
Grandpa Gu had once been a Red Army soldier. Having received an education, he was considered a cultured man. He had personally chosen the given names for Gu Mufeng and his brothers, which was why the brothers’ names all carried an air of elegance and refinement.
Old Master Gu had only one son: Gu Guoming.
Half a month prior, Old Master Gu had passed away. Before his death, he had spoken of a marriage alliance with the Lu family—that the Lu family’s daughter had reached a suitable age for wedlock—and had requested that Gu Mufeng, the only son yet unmarried, honor this commitment.
Presently, the Gu family was managed by Gu Mufeng’s father, Gu Guoming, and his mother, Huang Jinfeng.
Eldest Brother: Gu Muyuan, age 32
Eldest Sister-in-law: Niu Chunyan
Their two daughters: eldest daughter Gu Dongxue, age 10; second daughter Gu Qiuyue, age 7.
Second Brother: Gu Muzheng, age 30
Second Sister-in-law: Xu Zhenzhu
Their two sons: eldest son Gu Zhiqiang, age 10; second son Gu Zhigang, age 7.
Gu Mufeng — the male lead, third in birth order, age 28.
Fourth Brother: Gu Mutao, age 25
Fourth Sister-in-law: Chen Xiang
Their children: eldest son Gu Zhiwei, age 6; younger daughter Gu Chunmei, age 4.
Youngest Sister: Gu Muyan, age 19.
Lu Qiqi listened attentively as Gu Mufeng introduced his family, gaining an initial understanding of the relatives she was about to meet. As she finished listening, she truly sighed at what a large, flourishing household the Gu family was. Living together in such an extended family would surely be no easy matter. Fortunately, she would be accompanying Gu Mufeng to his military post after the wedding; otherwise, she really would have wondered whether she could ever fit in. She knew that as a new daughter-in-law, integrating into this family would take time and effort.
As the ox cart jolted along, they gradually left the bustle of the county seat behind and entered the quiet tranquility of the countryside. The scenery along the way filled Lu Qiqi with curiosity and delight; she observed everything around her eagerly, striving to adapt to this entirely new world.
After several hours of travel, they finally arrived at Xiangyang Village—the Gu family’s home. Surrounded on all sides by hills, the village was humble in appearance yet pervaded by simplicity and peace. Lu Qiqi drew a deep breath, drinking in the crisp country air and serene atmosphere.
The Gu family’s home stood at the very end of the village row, backed against the mountains. It was a typical rural courtyard, spacious and appearing to have been renovated—certainly one of the finer dwellings in the village.
The moment the ox cart halted before the gate, Gu Mufeng’s parents and siblings came pouring out to greet them. Lu Qiqi felt a touch of nervousness, yet she strove to maintain a warm smile. Everyone knew Gu Mufeng had traveled to Rongcheng to bring home a bride; all eyes turned toward Lu Qiqi, brimming with curiosity.
“Third Brother… is this Third Sister-in-law?” Gu Muyan stepped forward, gazing curiously at Lu Qiqi.
Gu Mufeng nodded, then turned to address his family. “Father, Mother, this is your daughter-in-law, Lu Qiqi. And this is her younger brother, Lu Xiao.”
Then he turned back to the newcomers. “Xiao Xiao, my dear… this is Father, this is Mother. This is Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Brother…” Gu Mufeng proceeded to introduce every member of the household in turn. Lu Qiqi and Lu Xiao greeted each person politely and respectfully.
Once they had stepped into the courtyard, Huang Jinfeng—Gu Mufeng’s mother—spoke directly. “Third son, Qiqi and Xiao Xiao have traveled far and must be weary. Show them to their quarters to rest first. The wedding is set for ten days from today. For now, they will stay in your younger sister’s room. Muyan, you will move to Eldest Brother’s place and share with Dongxue and Qiuyue. As for your old room… I’ve already asked Second Sister-in-law to clear it out. It will be prepared and readied as the nuptial chamber.”
At once, Xu Zhenzhu—the Second Sister-in-law—spoke up, making no effort to hide her reluctance. “Mother… Third Brother will only be home for ten days or so before returning to the army. Once he leaves, Third Sister-in-law will be here all alone—surely there is no need to waste an entire room on her? She could simply share with Muyan and make do. My Zhiqiang and Zhigang are growing into young men now; it really isn’t proper for them to keep sharing our room either. I see no need to go to all this trouble rearranging rooms…”
“Nonsense!” Huang Jinfeng shot a sharp glare at Xu Zhenzhu. “Second Daughter-in-law, have you forgotten what was agreed long ago? That room was merely assigned to your household temporarily, with the understanding it would be vacated when Third Son married. Now that the wedding is upon us, do you intend to cling to it and defy us?”
“Mother… I meant no such thing,” Xu Zhenzhu’s tone faltered under her mother-in-law’s stern gaze. “It is merely that the boys are growing, and the space is cramped—”
Huang Jinfeng gave a cold snort. “Oh? Is that truly all it is? Do not think I am unaware of what you have been plotting. Let me make this plain: each brother in this family is entitled to one room. If your quarters are insufficient, build more yourselves. While I still draw breath, this household is not yours to command! Do not forget whose hands built this home—your grandfather’s and your father’s! And whose funds paid for the recent renovations? Your Second Branch contributed neither copper nor labor; to have been granted a room at all was generosity enough.”
Xu Zhenzhu pursed her lips, unrepentant. “Mother… why speak so harshly? Did not Father and Grandfather build this house for all their sons? Eldest Brother has two daughters—they will marry one day, leaving their quarters more than ample. Third Brother is a capable man; he will scarcely care for what little property remains here. Fourth Brother has one son and one daughter—when the girl marries, the boy alone will remain, and one room shall serve them well enough. But we—we have two sons, and I intend to bear another! One room shall never suffice for our branch! That room of Third Brother’s… and once Muyan marries, hers too… those ought to pass to our household. Our branch bears the most sons. One day, it shall be we who uphold the Gu family name!”
“What did you say?” Gu Muyan, who had just returned carrying bedding, overheard Xu Zhenzhu laying claim to her room and flared up at once. “I have not even left home yet, and already you cast greedy eyes on my room? This room Grandfather gave to me! You shall never have it—do not even dream of it!”
The Gu family’s house was built such that each main room was partitioned into two smaller chambers—one for the adults, one for the children. The chamber Old Master Gu had occupied had been bequeathed to Gu Muyan upon his passing. At nineteen years of age, it was only fitting that she have a space of her own, rather than continuing to share with her parents. She had barely enjoyed this room for a handful of months, and already her Second Sister-in-law sought to seize it.
“Muyan, do not be so childish,” Xu Zhenzhu retorted airily. “You are a girl. One day you will marry and leave. A daughter wed is like water spilled from a basin—what need have you for a room here? In time, all these rooms shall belong to your brothers’ sons!”
“Xu Zhenzhu! Has my instruction not been clear enough?” Huang Jinfeng’s voice turned icy. “The arrangement stands: each branch shall hold one room. The chamber your father and I occupy shall remain ours until our passing, and then we shall see. But this chamber Muyan dwells in? It belongs to her—always. Whether she marries or remains single, a room shall ever be hers in her childhood home. This is our gift to her. If you fear your sons shall lack space for their brides, then let them build their own! At no time, and in no family, is it the duty of grandparents to build houses not only for their sons but for their grandsons as well! Such a custom has never existed, and never shall!”