Chapter 72 Chapter 72 is the only genuine version...

The lady was so coaxed that she smiled happily.

At her age, most of the good things she had hidden were kept for the younger generations. Whenever the children started to act coquettishly, she would happily wave her hand and call Nanny Zhu to open the storeroom.

Gu Zhizhuo smiled and said, "Weiwei, send someone to call Ying'er as well."

The Madam was always generous. To her, daughters were to be pampered. She treated Xu Ying'er the same way as she had treated Ji Nan Ke in the past. She was very happy to see Xu Ying'er trying to "take advantage" of her good stuff: "Okay, call her over, go quickly."

Nanny Zhu and the maids went back and forth, moving all the newly acquired fashionable fabrics from the small storeroom and piling them all on the eight-immortals table.

There are not only gold-woven silks, but also cloud-smoke silks, soft fragrant forgings, etc., in various colors and patterns. A large eight-immortal table can hardly hold them all.

The gold-woven silk is embedded with gold threads, and it shines brightly under the sunlight, which is very dazzling.

Yunyanluo is extremely soft, light and thin, and it feels like floating clouds when you hold it in your hand.

The colors of the soft and fragrant satin were as gorgeous as the rosy clouds, especially the fiery red one. At first glance, it looked like a solid color, but as the angle changed, it showed a faint rainbow glow. It was so beautiful that Gu Zhizhuo fell in love with it at first sight.

Several people were dazzled by the choices.

Soft fragrant satin has been a tribute since the previous dynasty, with no more than fifty pieces produced each year.

The several pieces of silk that the Madam had were specially sent by the Jiang family last month and were newly woven this year.

The Jiang family was extremely wealthy. After the founding of the country and the conferring of titles, the old man of the Jiang family, who had a great vision, separated his youngest son Jiang Huai to inherit the family business.

The Madam was the youngest daughter in the family, and Jiang Huai was her full brother, born of the same mother. He was now over sixty years old. With the support of the Jiang family and the Zhenguo Mansion, Jiang Huai's business was doing very well, and he was one of the three great imperial merchants of the Great Qi Dynasty.

The goodies sent to the lady every year are even comparable to those sent to the palace.

Third Madam Lu was about to give birth, and her waist ached from sitting for so long, so she went back with Gu Baibai. Before leaving, she said, "Let Nannan pick it for me. Mother, your treasures are about to be lost."

The lady was very generous: "Give it to you, all to you."

She turned around and said to Nanny Zhu, "I remember there were two peacock ropes."

"Yes." Nanny Zhu smiled, "My uncle specially had someone bring it to you a few days ago."

"Go get it."

"Grandma, grandma." Gu Yiqun said eagerly, "I, I!"

"Make riding clothes for Kinder and Cancan."

As the name suggests, Peacock Brocade is made by weaving peacock feathers into brocade. It takes a weaver several years to weave a piece of cloth. The lady only got two pieces in total, one royal blue and the other dark green.

As soon as she got it, she showed it to her granddaughters. They thought the color was too ugly, but only Qinqin liked it.

Lin Lin has great taste!

Just as Xu was about to say it was too gorgeous, Gu Yiqun raised his arms and cheered.

“Yes, yes, yes!”

"Greetings, Miss Xu."

Amid the maid's crisp greetings, Xu Ying'er lifted the curtain and walked in.

Although Xu Ying'er lived in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, she seldom went out, and Gu Zhizhuo rarely saw her.

She used pearl flowers to pull up her heavy bangs, revealing her full forehead and a pair of bright eyes, and there was less timidity and cowardice between her eyebrows.

Xu Ying'er is two years older than Gu Zhiwei and half a head taller, but she is too thin. Gu Zhizhuo estimates that her weight is probably less than that of eleven-year-old Gu Zhiwei.

When she came in, she greeted everyone and felt a little uneasy.

"Cousin, come here quickly!" Gu Zhiwei said cheerfully, "Which one do you like? Big sister has asked the people from Jinxiufang to make new clothes for us."

"I?"

It turns out it wasn't about sending myself back.

Xu Ying'er's expression relaxed, and she quickly said, "I don't need to make new clothes. My aunt has already made clothes for me."

Everything she wore, from her inner garments to her outer garments, was specially made for her by her aunt in the sewing room after she moved into the Gu family.

Even Xia Shang, like her cousin, had her clothes custom-made at the sewing shop and was just delivered two days ago.

In the past, she couldn't buy a new set of clothes for a whole year at home.

The Gu family took her in, provided her with fine clothes and delicious food, and did not let her parents take her away. She was very content.

Being too greedy will bring punishment from God.

"Just pick what I told you to. Come here and pick two first." Gu Zhizhuo pulled the man over forcefully, picked up a rose-purple brocade, compared it, and decided, "This one looks good, this one is it."

Xu Ying'er's skin color is slightly darker, not as fair as Gu Zhiwei's, but her eyebrows and eyes are very beautiful, with a kind of gorgeousness that has not yet fully bloomed, which is particularly suitable for more atmospheric colors.

Xu Ying'er wanted to refuse, but Cousin Zhuo meant well. If she refused directly, Cousin Zhuo would probably be unhappy. In the moment she was stunned, Gu Zhizhuo had already picked out two horses for her and put them aside.

Gu Zhinan raised her head and said, "Big sister, please ask Jin Yufang to come again tomorrow. I want a new gold collar."

Gu Zhizhuo agreed readily and immediately instructed Qiongfang to ask the housekeeper to do it.

"Big sister, I want pearls, flowers, and birds." Ah Man also made a wish.

"Bird Pearl Flower?"

Ah Man smiled sweetly, and Gu Zhizhuo immediately agreed, saying, "After the ceremony of entering the pavilion is over, we will go to the hot spring villa to stay for a few days. There are many beautiful birds in the woods near the villa."

“Okay, okay!”

Gu Zhiwei raised his hands high and cheered.

Her favorite thing is to go to her elder sister's hot spring resort.

"Cousin Ying'er, you should come with us. My eldest sister's hot spring resort is really fun. It's very big, and we can even go up in the mountains and catch pheasants to eat."

"There's a really big hot spring." Gu Zhiwei said, then paused, "But your shoulder injury hasn't healed yet, I'm not sure if you can soak in the hot spring."

"Is Ying'er injured?"

"I got burned by a candle flame a couple of days ago and got a big blister, but Cousin Ying'er didn't even mention it." Gu Zhiwei disagreed, "If I hadn't discovered it last night, I'm afraid it would have rotted!"

Cousin Ying'er is always afraid of bothering her, she is so distant!

Xu frowned when she heard this: "Where are you hurt? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's on the shoulder." Gu Zhiwei pointed to her shoulder, "It seems to be here... Oh, you'll know when you take a look later."

As they were talking, people from Jinxiufang arrived.

The lady was in a very good mood and said, "Call him in quickly."

The shopkeeper of Jinxiufang is surnamed Jiang. People outside either call her Shopkeeper Jiang or Madam Jiang.

She brought seven or eight embroiderers and several maids, and brought the rarest and most fashionable materials in Jinxiufang.

Originally, she was proud of being able to get these most fashionable materials, but when she stepped into the hall and saw these materials on the Eight Immortals Table, Jiang Niang couldn't help but be speechless.

These valuable materials were just casually piled together. She only knew the names of the better ones and had never touched them.

After taking the measurements, each person ordered at least five or six outfits. The material on the Madam's Eight Immortals table was suddenly reduced by nearly 70%, and the materials brought by Jinxiufang were also picked over. Even Gu Yiqun got the orange cape she had hoped for. It was this color, Xu couldn't help but frown. She couldn't understand why her son loved to dress like a peacock.

Gu Zhizhuo called a housekeeper over and took them down to pay the deposit. This was a big deal, and Jiang Niang was beaming with joy. She said, "Don't worry, young lady, I will pay it on time."

After sending Jinxiufang away, Gu Zhizhuo stood up, brushed off the hem of his skirt and said, "Ying'er, come here, let me take a look at the wound on your shoulder."

Xu Ying'er obediently followed her into the gauze cabinet and took off her clothes.

When Gu Zhizhuo lifted up the black hair that was scattered on his shoulders, he suddenly saw a large blister. The edges of the blister had begun to fester, and at least half the size of his palm's skin on his shoulder was red and swollen.

Gu Zhizhuo frowned and asked, "How did it get so hot?"

"careless……"

"How could you be so careless?"

Her voice was a little stern, and Xu Ying'er, fearing she would be upset, said honestly, "Cousin Zhuo, it was really my fault. I... a few days ago, when Nanny Sun came to see me, I was doing needlework. Nanny Sun said it was too dark and would hurt my eyes, so she helped me change the lamp. I happened to stand up to get something and bumped into her, and the kerosene dripped onto my clothes."

Xu Ying'er quickly added, "I've applied the ointment."

Nanny Sun was very scared at the time, so she promised her that she would not tell anyone.

"Cousin, please don't tell my aunt. Aunt Sun didn't do it on purpose."

Nanny Sun said that the rules in the mansion were strict and if anyone knew that she had hurt the master, she would be beaten. Nanny Sun was old and could not bear the beating, so Xu Ying'er did not tell anyone.

Gu Zhizhuo remained silent and observed her wound carefully.

There were indeed traces of something on her skin. Gu Zhizhuo first washed his hands, smeared some with his fingertips, put it under his nose and smelled it, then rubbed it gently with his fingertips, staring at the black powder left on his fingertips, frowning.

"Who applied this ointment to you?"

"Madame Sun."

Gu Zhizhuo almost laughed. This was not an ointment at all, it was just some oil mixed with incense ash.

There is indeed a folk remedy that uses incense ash to treat burns, but the Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion can afford to hire a doctor, so why does it need to use this folk remedy?

No wonder his shoulder is almost broken.

"Qingmei, go get a basin of warm water."

After suffering a setback, Gu Zhizhuo always carried some commonly used medicines with her. She first wiped the incense ash from Xu Ying'er's wound with clean water, then carefully observed the condition of her skin and said, "It will be a little painful, just bear with it."

Xu Ying'er responded obediently, her shoulders tense.

"Relax, it will be fine soon."

Gu Zhizhuo took out a silver needle, pricked the blister deftly, and applied the ointment she made with her finger.

The ointment is very light and milky white. After being gently applied, it is quickly absorbed by the wound.

Xu Ying'er only felt a slight pain, and then the wound on her shoulder felt cool and comfortable.

My cousin is so awesome.

"No need to wrap it up, it will be fine in three to five days."

Gu Zhizhuo gave her the ointment and said, "Just wipe it clean with clean water and apply it once a day."

"By the way, I remember you have a birthmark here?"

The last time Xu Ying'er fell into the water, Gu Zhizhuo had caught a glimpse of her. It was a small, plum blossom-shaped fetus. But now, with her skin so red, it was hard to tell.

Xu Ying'er pursed her lips and smiled: "Yes."

Gu Zhizhuo pinched her cheek. "Living here, you'll be no different from Wei Wei. The Zhenguo Mansion doesn't have so many rules, and the Madam is easy to get along with. Don't always be so cautious. You look better when you smile."

"yes."

Xu Ying'er looked at her admiringly, without blinking.

"alright."

Gu Zhizhuo pulled her clothes up and took her pulse.

There was a slight fever in the pulse, but nothing serious. Fortunately, if it hadn't been discovered in time, if the wound had festered more severely in two days, I would have had a high fever.

Gu Zhizhuo resisted the urge to touch her cheek. She could not forget the excruciating pain like having bones and flesh dug out and the recurring high fever even now.

At this time in her previous life, the Gu family had already been convicted, so she didn't know what would have happened to Xu Ying'er without the protection of the Gu family.

Thinking of this, Gu Zhizhuo was about to feel her Taisu pulse again when there was a knock on the door. Gu Zhiwei poked her head in and asked, "Big sister, is my cousin okay?"

"Grandma asked me to call you out for dinner."

"It's okay." Gu Zhizhuo stood up and said, "Let's go out first. Your cousin's injury will heal in three to five days. When she recovers, we will go to the village to play."

"good!"

Gu Zhiwei cheered.

She held Gu Zhizhuo's arm and walked happily.

There was some envy in Xu Ying'er's eyes, and she carefully touched Gu Zhizhuo's crimson sleeve with her fingertips.

Gu Zhizhuo turned his head to take a look and stretched out his hand: "If you want to pull it, pull it."

Xu Ying'er's mouth curled up into a well-behaved smile, and she tightly grasped her sleeve.

It was only about ten steps from the gauze cabinet to the main hall, and when they came out, dinner was already served.

The lady likes to be lively.

The whole family sat at a round table and had dinner with her, and Gu Zhizhuo and Gu Yican left together.

The evening breeze brought a little coolness.

Gu Yican's high ponytail swung back and forth. They had ordered clothes of the same color today, so anyone who saw them would know they were brother and sister. He was in a very good mood and said happily, "Sister, can we go horse racing tomorrow?"

"Gu Cancan, you are grounded."

Even if you install it, it will take ten days or half a month.

Gu Yican drooped his head, but quickly perked up again: "Then shall we run around the mansion?"

"I'm going out tomorrow."

Gu Yican immediately became alert and asked, "Alone?"

Gu Zhizhuo smiled and said without hiding anything: "With Master Xie."

"I'm going too!"

"Justice!"

Gu Yican: "..."

He is no longer her most important Gu Cancan, he is almost gone.

Gu Yican pretended to cry and lay on his sister's shoulder, secretly thinking about putting the sack on him, but was soon ruthlessly pushed away by his sister.

They are on different paths.

"I'm leaving first!"

Gu Zhizhuo waved at him.

Gu Yican watched his sister walk away, then continued walking along the waterfront corridor. He needed to pass through a small garden to reach the ceremonial gate.

As soon as he turned a corner, he saw Ji Nan Ke standing not far ahead, as if waiting for him?

His sister had already told him about Ji Nan Ke and Ji Shi.

My sister said, don’t provoke her, or you will be struck by lightning.

Gu Yican didn't understand why he was struck by lightning, but it didn't stop him from always listening to his sister.

He was about to pass by her when Ji Nanke quickly stepped in front of him and bowed: "Cousin!"

She was wearing a half-worn rouge-colored skirt, tied with a plain satin sash. In all the years she had lived in Zhenguogong, she had never worn old clothes, but this year she only had the usual two sets of summer clothes, whereas she used to have at least seven or eight sets every season. As a last resort, she dug out last year's clothes.

She heard that Ronghetang had invited Jinxiufang, but did not invite her.

He didn't call her, but called Xu Ying'er.

Ji Nanke hadn't been having a good time lately. Her allowance had been reduced, and her food, clothing, and daily expenses were a far cry from what they used to be. The servants in the mansion were indifferent to her, no longer pampered like they once were. She also lost her private carriage; if she wanted one, she had to request it a day in advance. And the only carriages she could use were the ones the housemaids used when they went out on business.

Not only in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, but even outside, Ji Nan Ke could clearly feel that other people's attitude towards her had deteriorated a lot. Except for Sun Nian and other particularly good friends, many noble ladies who were affectionate and attentive to her in the past now retreated away from her when they saw her, and were unwilling to talk to her for too long.

Ji Nanke naturally understood the difference. In the past, she was the niece of the Duke's wife and a legitimate cousin of the Duke's mansion. But now she was just the niece of a concubine.

She thought she could tolerate such poor treatment until another girl named Xu came to the mansion.

She had heard of the Xu family. In order to get close to Admiral Gong, the Xu family had often embarrassed themselves in public. Xu Ying'er was timid and acted like a poor relative of a ruined family. However, as soon as Xu Ying'er arrived, she took over her previous position.

Even when she went out to visit friends, some people asked about this "cousin Xu" and blamed her for not bringing cousin Xu out.

At that moment, she discovered a world of difference.

In this huge capital city, it turned out that without her identity as the cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, she could not even catch the eyes of those noble ladies.

All her identity, status, and honor were actually given by the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

This realization shattered all her beliefs.

She thought she was good enough and didn't need the icing on the cake from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, but in fact everyone was the same, just as superficial and hypocritical!

Ji Nanke felt very aggrieved: "Cousin!"

"Why do you have to take your anger out on me because of my aunt? I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Why are you all helping Gu Zhizhuo?"

In the past, Gu Yican didn't treat her like this.

Even if he wasn't as good as Gu Zhizhuo, at least he treated them almost the same as his cousins, and had never ignored them like this.

"Yaoyao is my sister. If I don't help her, how could I help you? You're so shameless." Gu Yican stopped and sneered, "If you stand in the way here, if you bark a few times, I might even give you a second glance."

"Cousin."

Ji Nanke's hands hung at his sides, his fingers tensed and fingertips white.

Her voice was filled with sobs, as if she was trying hard not to let the tears fall. She said, "Even if you ignore me, I will still treat you as my cousin. I came here specifically to remind you that the Ji family has betrothed Miss Xu to Admiral Gong. Admiral Gong is..."

Before Ji Nanke could finish her words, Gu Yican pushed himself over the railing of the corridor with his hands.

Ji Nanke was stunned for a moment. She stared at the sleeve that peeked out from the corner of the corridor, lowered her eyes slightly, and finished her words in one breath: "If Miss Xu doesn't want to get married, she must find a way out for herself. You are the prince and the future duke. You are the best way out for her."

Gu Yican had already left.

Ji Nanke sighed softly, as if muttering to herself: "However, if she really had such thoughts, she would definitely be driven away, right?"

"I'm overthinking it."

She was very depressed and walked slowly along the corridor.

Until she walked away, Nanny Sun walked out of the corner, looking thoughtful, her eyes flickering.