Outsmarting Oneself

Gu Wanning: How would I know!

I'm completely stunned by this unexpected bombshell.

"Madam, shouldn't you investigate this matter thoroughly? After all, it concerns your future happiness..."

Gu Wanning said "Oh," but in her heart she wondered, how was she going to investigate?

That's bullshit.

Whatever, whether Xu Weibei has an erection or not doesn't affect his image as a great hero and his silly, straightforward side in his own heart.

However, after hearing about this from her Third Concubine, Gu Wanning couldn't help but look at Xu Weibei's private parts for the next few days.

Unfortunately, it's hard to tell anything.

Gu Wanning, after being reminded by her Third Concubine, had somewhat sensed the change in Xu Weibei's attitude towards her.

Xu Weibei started bringing her snacks and would proactively talk to her about things outside, without hiding anything from her...

However, Xu Weibei didn't give her any money, and he even owed her his monthly allowance, which he only owed to her.

"My Marquis, is the manor in such dire straits now?" Gu Wanning couldn't help but ask.

"It is indeed difficult," Xu Weibei sighed. "The Marquis's Residence had some wealth before, but now that I've been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, I'm afraid I'll have to make up for the deficit out of my own pocket."

"Deficit?"

"Past deficits"

"But those weren't caused by the Marquis; the new official is ignoring the old ones."

"I don't want to get involved, but even a skilled cook can't cook without rice," Xu Weibei said. "Everything costs money; natural disasters and man-made calamities—you have to go to the Ministry of Revenue for everything..."

He won't give Gu Wanning a single penny.

Although he didn't know how to dissuade Gu Wanning from the idea of divorce, he knew that Gu Wanning was cautious and would feel uneasy without money.

Now Xu Weibei not only doesn't want to give her any money, but he also wants to squeeze all the money out of her.

Without money, you can't move an inch.

Gu Wanning: "Oh, but is it really just my meager monthly allowance that's the problem?"

"Mine doesn't have any either."

Gu Wanning: "How about we sell the Huahua?"

Fifty Thousand Taels!

"The price is too low right now; it'll hurt to sell it."

Gu Wanning: "..."

In short, her monthly allowance is gone.

Okay, okay.

If you don't give her money, she'll just have to find her own way to earn it.

"By the way, weren't you going to take them out for a day trip? I'll go with you," Xu Weibei added.

Gu Wanning muttered under her breath, "If you go with them, who will go?"

Don't you realize how disliked you are?

Xu Weibei: "Huh? What did you say?"

"I said yes," Gu Wanning said with a radiant smile.

She's penniless now; how can she go shopping without a wallet?

Xu Weibei is this wallet.

She didn't know if Xu Weibei was impotent; but she did know that he had started to be Xu Weibei.

Chapter 116 A Clever Move Backfires

However, although Xu Weibei was stingy, the Grand Princess's rewards to Gu Wanning remained as generous as before.

The Grand Princess rewarded her with a box of pearls, Xiaoxiao, round and plump, with the warm, lustrous sheen unique to pearls.

Gu Wanning grabbed a handful and played with it in her hand, generously stating that she could forgive the Grand Princess for spreading rumors about her outside.

Who makes money without getting criticized?

You can scold her even more harshly; she can handle it.

Once she saw through the Grand Princess's thoughts, she felt like an outsider watching the show, and it didn't stir any emotion in her whatsoever.

--The Grand Princess first spread rumors and slandered her reputation, then appeared as a tolerant and magnanimous elder, spending money like crazy to show her love and support...

Gu Wanning wanted to say that you really didn't need to go to so much trouble.

Give me more, and I'll even curse myself for it.

The Grand Princess wanted to solidify the marriage and let herself be consumed by love, but alas, her plans were destined to fail.

However, this did not prevent Gu Wanning from receiving gifts.

When Xu Weibei heard that she had acquired a box of pearls, but was too embarrassed to ask for them, he was furious.

My grandmother was always like that; she was useless at everything and always a hindrance; she was self-righteous and always ended up making things worse.

Gu Wanning could live comfortably for at least ten years with just a box of pearls.

Gu Wanning: No, I'm frugal and thrifty. I think I've had enough for a lifetime.

Xu Weibei thought to himself, "I must find a way to get the pearl out."

He also specifically instructed Gao Lan: "Give the order that from now on, any items sent from the Princess's Residence should be inspected by me first."

Food and drinks can be given to Gu Wanning, but valuables cannot be given to her.

No, Gu Wanning still has some money; we need to find a way to make her give it back.

So the day before Gu Wanning left, the general store started getting busy.

The warehouse was opened, and the workers went in and out, moving things and rearranging goods.

It's inevitable that some people will complain when things get too tiring, so the manager yells, "Anyone who doesn't want to work here, just say so! Do you think I'm making things difficult for you? This is what the boss requires!"

The shopkeeper also had complaints, but he dared not speak them.

He really didn't understand why they would leave so many rare and exotic items from overseas unsold and instead dig out those strange, unwanted crops that were sitting at the bottom of the warehouse.

The next day, Xu Weibei and went out with his wives and concubines, including a Jiaoniang named Jiao Niang.

This was something the First Concubine specifically asked Gu Wanning for, saying she wanted Jiaoniang to see the excitement outside.

Gu Wanning naturally wouldn't argue about such a thing and readily agreed.

However, Xu Weibei was already impatient with bringing so many people, and seeing the addition of a little kid made him even more annoyed, but he didn't know what to say.

"Where are we going?" Xu Weibei, accompanying Gu Wanning in the carriage.

Gu Wanning's usual carriage was actually quite spacious, but Xu Weibei was tall with long legs, so he always seemed a bit cramped and uncomfortable sitting there.

"Let's go see a play," Gu Wanning said. "My Marquis, you're not comfortable in the carriage, why don't you ride a horse?"