The gleaming golden brocade box was filled to the brim with gold bars!
It turned out that the brocade box in Gu Qianying's hand had three layers: top, middle, and bottom. The first layer held one pill, the second layer also held pills, but many more.
The third layer contained gold bars.
While everyone was sneering, Gu Qianying directly opened the third layer of the brocade box.
She felt that in the matter of giving birthday gifts, only the word "edible" could express her filial piety.
A life-saving pill, to be taken when seriously injured, to preserve life.
Twenty-four health-preserving pills, to be taken to prolong life and for general well-being.
One pill was to be taken every half month, so twenty-four pills constituted a year's supply.
As for the gold bars, they naturally represented "ten thousand taels of gold."
With money, anything could be done conveniently, whether it was to reward the soldiers, purchase grain for military reserves, or buy things one liked.
In any case, giving money was much more practical than giving calligraphy, paintings, or clothes.
Although it might be considered "vulgar," these things were not important. The important thing was that she believed her grandfather would like it.
Upon seeing the box full of gold bars, everyone looked at Gu Qianying with a "disgustingly vulgar" gaze.
However, mixed within their "disgustingly vulgar" gazes were also looks of envy.
This naturally included Gu Mingyue, who harbored greed in her heart but outwardly displayed an air of aloofness.
She scoffed, "Eldest Sister, why would you gift Grandfather gold bars? Is it not embarrassing to be so crude and vulgar in front of others?"
Gu Yumei chimed in with a smile, "Second Sister, perhaps Eldest Sister was too rushed to prepare a proper gift, which is why she acted this way. Although it's a bit unsightly, it's still money spent, right, Eldest Sister?"
Gu Yumei emphasized the word "money" with a heavy tone, using it as a sarcastic jab to embarrass Gu Qianying.
After Gu Yumei finished speaking, Gu Qianying retorted, "What constitutes a proper gift? Calligraphy, paintings, robes, or embroidery? They are all just things that look good but are useless. But money is a tangible item. Is it inappropriate to give such a gift at a birthday banquet?"
Gu Yumei was silenced, her face turning somewhat displeased.
Gu Mingyue then interjected, "Eldest Sister, don't you know that giving gold bars publicly is considered accepting a bribe? With Grandfather's current official position, your actions are harming Grandfather!"
"When family members give gold bars to each other, it's not like giving them to outsiders. How can that be considered accepting a bribe?"
At this moment, Gu Ziran spoke up in Gu Qianying's defense, "Eldest Sister is clearly showing filial piety. Second Sister, Fourth Sister, today is Grandfather's birthday banquet. Have you considered the reputation of our Gu family with your behavior?"
Gu Yumei and Gu Mingyue's expressions froze, their faces showing varying emotions.
Gu Qianying glanced at Gu Ziran, and Gu Ziran returned her smile.
In her past life, she remembered Gu Ziran not taking her side, at most remaining neutral without favoring anyone.
In this life, Gu Ziran's actions were different from before.
It remained to be seen whether this was her genuine intention or if she was acting under the instigation of the third concubine.
The First Madam, who had intended to speak up for her own daughter, saw that the verbal dispute had subsided and did not speak for Gu Qianying, maintaining her dignified demeanor while conversing with other ladies from various households.
Meanwhile, Gu Yefeng, who was surrounded by the eldest sons of several court officials, saw that his sister was not being bullied. The hand that had been about to intervene for Gu Qianying was subtly withdrawn when no one was looking.
"Hahaha, gold bars! Grandfather lacks nothing except money. This gift of gold bars is excellent. Grandfather likes it very much."
Old General Gu took the brocade box from Gu Qianying's hand and praised it with great fondness.
For a military man, having money meant being able to reward his subordinates well.
Seeing that Old General Gu genuinely liked the gold bars gifted by Gu Qianying, everyone exchanged glances, their murmurs of discussion subsiding.
No one had expected Old General Gu to be so materialistic.
This made the former colleagues who had been rejected when they came to offer gifts appear dejected, their faces ashen.
So, the choice of gift recipient was also important?
Gu Mingyue and Gu Yumei, who had previously believed their birthday gifts were excellent, looked even more crestfallen than before.
The sting of being upstaged was truly unpleasant.
Gu Mingyue glared fiercely at Gu Qianying.
You wretched creature, don't celebrate too soon. You'll regret this later!
Although Gu Yumei's hatred was not overtly displayed, the way she clutched her handkerchief revealed her true feelings.
Old General Gu handed the gold bars gifted by Gu Qianying to the old steward, instructing him to keep them safe. He also specifically asked Gu Qianying about the effects of the pills in the brocade box.
Gu Qianying did not reveal to Old General Gu that the pills were her own creation.
She did not want anyone to know that she possessed medical and poisonous skills. Therefore, when Old General Gu inquired, she merely stated that she had sought out a highly skilled physician and obtained the pills at a great cost.
With Gu Qianying's current wealth, no one would doubt her words.
During the banquet, Old General Gu, in his joy, had a few more drinks and began to praise his beloved granddaughter to everyone.
He lauded Gu Qianying as an exceptional beauty, like a rare celestial maiden.
This caused Gu Mingyue and Gu Yumei, seated at the women's table, to feel both hatred and jealousy towards Gu Qianying.
Having received permission, the Third Concubine, Madam Han, who sat at the same table as the First Madam, found her smile faltering.
She secretly vowed to eliminate Gu Qianying, the troublemaker, and ensure her own daughter became Old General Gu's most favored granddaughter!
After praising Gu Qianying, Old General Gu also intentionally mentioned that if the opportunity arose, he might let his granddaughter Gu Qianying succeed him.
His statement, however, drew considerable opposition.
Allowing a woman to become a general was unprecedented, a feat never before seen in the dynasty's history.
Faced with everyone's opposition, Old General Gu handled it rather crudely.
He snatched the saber from the old steward's hand and slammed it heavily onto the table, gruffly declaring, "Anyone who dares to object, I'll cut them down!"
The crowd immediately fell silent, daring not to utter another word.
At this moment, Gu Qianying, who had witnessed this scene unfold, felt her eyes well up with tears.
It was almost identical to the scene in her past life, with the only difference being that in her past life, she had intentionally expressed her desire to become a female general in front of her grandfather.
In this life, she had not expressed it, yet her grandfather had the intention of promoting her.
Logically, the one destined to succeed his grandfather should have been her elder brother, Gu Yefeng.
However, in her past life, to pave the way for a scumbag, she had snatched her brother's opportunity.
In this life, she did not wish to tread the same path, nor did she want her brother Gu Yefeng to deliberately give up his chance for advancement out of affection for her, allowing her to snatch it.
Gu Qianying decided to have a proper talk with her grandfather alone after the banquet concluded.
Old General Gu was resolute in his decision, and no one dared to dissuade him.
Under his coercion, the court officials who were attending the banquet and sat at his table were forced to join in, imploring the Emperor to set a precedent for women serving as generals.
Just as everyone inwardly pleaded for the banquet to end quickly, a group of guards suddenly rushed into the main hall.
"Gu Qianying! You, princess, get out here!"