Chapter 1961: The Situation of the Gan Family

Chapter 1961: The Situation of the Gan Family

In the end, Shu Yu couldn't resist and had Jiang Fengshou come to her study.

Once he was seated, she cut to the chase, "Tell me about the situation of the Gan family."

Jiang Fengshou glanced at Shu Yu, guessing what was going on.

He was quite familiar with many prominent families in the prefectural city. After Gan Rui had visited a few times, he had taken a particular interest and made inquiries.

So, when Shu Yu asked, he gave an honest account.

"The Gan family is in the liquor business, known for their inherited brewing techniques, which have been passed down for decades in Changjin Prefecture. They have branches in other places, but in Changjin Prefecture, they are considered one of the top players."

"Gan Rui is the fourth child in the family, with two older brothers and one sister. The eldest brother and the third sister share the same mother, while the second brother is from a concubine, making him an illegitimate child. The Gan family's estate seems to be in good order."

Gan Rui's eldest brother was over ten years older than him, and the age difference was quite significant. Especially since their mother had passed away when Gan Rui was only seven or eight years old, he was somewhat doted upon by his older brother. Most of the family's businesses had now been handed over to this elder brother, and Gan Rui had some properties and a store under his name, all managed by appointed overseers. He didn't need to worry about them, and he received dividends each year, allowing him to live comfortably without financial constraints.

Gan Rui was not suited for business, but he was known for his sense of justice and had many friends. Additionally, his siblings and their spouses took good care of him, making his life comfortable.

Shu Yu squinted her eyes, "So, you could say that Gan Rui's eldest brother and sister-in-law are in charge of the Gan family now?"

"You could say that. In fact, Gan Rui's father was never cut out for business either, which is somewhat similar to Gan Rui."

However, at least Gan Rui was decently educated, and his father was educated too. The elder Gan had even attempted the imperial examinations but hadn't succeeded. When he was younger, with the old master still around and his business thriving, he didn't have to worry about anything. Later, when the old master grew old, his eldest son took over, relieving him of the responsibility.

In essence, Elder Gan was more of a wealthy idle gentleman. He enjoyed not having to deal with anything and preferred to delegate all responsibilities. It had been eight or nine years since his primary wife had passed away, and he hadn't considered taking a concubine. He spent his days looking at flowers, walking birds, discussing poetry and literature with others, and going on outings. He wasn't much of a scholar, but he had the airs of a literary-minded person.

Although he didn't have much money, he would ask his eldest son for it. Luckily, the requests weren't excessive, despite appearances. Many years ago, someone unfamiliar with him thought he was generous and tried to take advantage of him by deliberately not bringing any money, hoping that Elder Gan, who appeared dignified, would offer to pay.

They assumed that, as a scholar, he would want to maintain his dignity.

To their surprise, Elder Gan didn't care at all. No money for transportation? Walk. No money for food? Go hungry. No money to buy things? Don't buy. He only paid for himself and refused to let others take advantage of him.

Shu Yu sighed, "This father and son in the Gan family are quite different from each other, aren't they? They have completely distinct personalities."

"But I must say, neither of them is a cause for concern," Shu Yu continued, "What else can you tell me? What's the relationship like between Gan Rui's sister-in-law and him? What's her personality like?"

"Gan Rui's sister-in-law, Liao Shi, has a gentle and amiable personality. She's a typical well-bred lady of a respectable family. She manages all household affairs with precision, and the servants in the Gan family speak highly of her, saying that she handles everything smoothly. In terms of social etiquette with relatives, she is very considerate, and she has a son and a daughter. Her status is quite secure."