Chapter 83 [VIP]

"I can also be a medical apprentice."

Xie Danling pouted. No wonder her little cousin hadn't come to the palace to play with her for so long; it turned out she had gone to study medicine.

"No, no," Gu Zhizhuo said seriously. "If Cousin Danling takes the needle, she'll kill someone."

"No way."

"You embroidered a purse, and A-Wu got pricked a few times by needles?"

Awu stood behind her, smiling. When their princesses embroidered, the needles would fly everywhere.

After her younger cousin exposed her shortcomings, Xie Danling grabbed her arm and acted coquettishly.

"I want to be a medical apprentice too."

"Sister Gu, I can repay you with my body."

"I can too!"

"Sister Gu".

The little girl smiled as brightly as a flower.

A-Man, who had just come in with Gu Liaoliao, saw this and, for some reason, ran over with her short legs and hugged Gu Liaoliao's other arm, acting coquettishly.

"Ah Man... I'll repay you with my body!"

Gu Zhizhuo: "..."

She's all alone; she can't make that many promises.

"Ninth Sister." The Prime Minister's wife's forehead twitched, she was almost too embarrassed to face anyone. "What kind of storybooks have you been reading lately?"

Song Jiuniang covered her mouth and smiled, placing her hands on her knees, looking very obedient.

Xie Danling linked arms with her younger cousin, raised her chin, and revealed a provocative smile.

Trying to steal my cousin? Don't even think about it!

Song Jiuniang's thick eyelashes fluttered, and she looked pitifully, cautiously, and furtively at Gu Zhizhuo. She was incredibly dramatic.

The Prime Minister's wife said awkwardly, "My daughter is spoiled rotten."

"I understand."

Madam Gu understood this feeling all too well.

After all these years of hard work, all I wanted was to raise a sweet and gentle granddaughter, but before I knew it, she was all twisted and turned.

The two looked at each other and suddenly realized how difficult their lives had been.

Fortunately, she still had Aman. The old lady beckoned to Aman, picked up her only son and placed him on her lap, showering him with affection.

A maidservant hurried down to the corridor and announced, "Madam, the Duke of Wei and his wife have arrived."

"Why is the Duke of Wei here?" The Grand Madam shot a dangerous look at Gu Zhizhuo. Had she accidentally saved someone again and then forgotten to mention it?

"No, no!"

Gu Zhizhuo quickly waved her hand, not daring to mention that the Duke of Wei was right beside her when she saved Chief Minister Song.

"Madam, Minister Mo and his wife have arrived!"

"Madam, Lord Sheng, the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has sent a congratulatory gift."

"..."

Why did everyone come here?

"Where is Bai'er?" the Grand Madam asked. "Has Bai'er gone to the front?"

Just now, Zhuo Yatou said that Bai'er accompanied A Yi to see Xu Ge'er, so only Can Can and Que Que were entertaining guests in front? After all, the two are juniors, which is really impolite.

The nanny who came to report hurriedly said, "Madam, Young Master Chen is helping the young master entertain guests at the front."

"Young Master is here?!" Gu Zhizhuo's eyes suddenly lit up; he hadn't said he would come today.

Xie Danling nudged her with her elbow, meaning, "Take her to see him!"

She still remembered that she had never seen what Xie Yingchen looked like.

Upon hearing that Xie Yingchen was also there, Madam Gu was relieved.

"Chen'er is reliable."

Not only is he reliable, but he also came so early, which clearly shows that he cares about the Gu family.

This means he's already considering himself a son-in-law of the Gu family. Excellent, excellent!

With Xie Yingchen present, the old lady felt much more at ease.

The Gu family hadn't had a happy occasion in many years. The matriarch had initially wanted to hold a grand celebration, but Gu Baibai objected, and she didn't insist. Now, seeing so many guests, her smile grew even more joyful.

Gu Zhizhuo instructed the head maid to fetch Gu Zhiwei and the others directly to the ceremonial gate, then rose and said, "Grandmother, I'll take my leave now."

As she spoke, she beckoned to Xie Danling with her finger.

Xie Danling understood immediately and replied, "Grandmother Gu, I will accompany my cousin. You can sit here comfortably; it won't be impolite of me to be here."

The Gu family has no matriarch.

Xu was widowed, and Lu was still in her postpartum period.

Gu Liaoliao and Da Gui are both divorced and are only aunts, so it is not appropriate for them to go to the second gate to greet guests. Having only a few granddaughters present would be somewhat impolite.

But things are different when the princess is around.

The old lady was deeply moved by the little princess, but in reality, the little princess just wanted to see if Xie Yingchen looked good. She happily ran away with Gu Zhizhuo, and the wind made Gu Zhizhuo's veil flutter.

Upon arriving at the ceremonial gate, Gu Zhizhuo summoned the head maid and instructed her that if the main kitchen did not have enough food, they should first go to Tianxi Tower to reserve a few tables of high-class food.

After giving the instructions, his two cousins ​​arrived. The head maid was busy but not chaotic. Gu Zhizhuo greeted Gu Zhiwei and then took Xie Danling to the front.

They navigated the path with practiced ease and arrived near the outer gate.

“The young master is over there.”

Gu Zhizhuo pointed to the figure from behind and showed it to her.

Xie Yingchen wore a black, narrow-waisted brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist, and his back was tall and straight.

He was entertaining a guest, and the guest was... Xie Jing?

Why is Xie Jing here?

Xie Danling stroked her chin and looked around for a while, then pulled Gu Zhizhuo out a little further.

Now I've seen it!

His profile was like jade, his eyebrows and eyes were clear and bright, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow, making his skin appear slightly pale.

Xie Yingchen also saw them. The polite smile on his lips disappeared, replaced by a gentle smile that made people feel warm.

Xie Jing followed the gaze and saw Xie Yingchen subtly shift his position, blocking his way.

“Cousin Jing, please.”

Xie Jing, with a cold face, stepped inside, only revealing a glimpse of a crimson dress and veil. "Hmph, fine, I won't look then."

"Not bad." Xie Danling was satisfied, her wish fulfilled.

"What's good?"

Gu Yican appeared behind them, startling Xie Danling. She turned around and exclaimed happily, "Cousin!"

"I mean, my cousin Chen is good-looking."

"And what about me?"

"Not bad!"

When Gu Zhizhuo saw his third uncle looking in their direction, his heart skipped a beat. He grabbed Xie Danling's hand and smiled as he went to greet a lady who had just gotten off the carriage.

"Please go ahead."

After this initial wave, fewer and fewer people arrived.

The auspicious time for the baby's third-day celebration was set at 1:15 noon, a time specially chosen by Wuweizi.

Gu Zhizhuo told her two younger sisters and Xie Danling to go back first. After waiting for a while and seeing that no one came, she asked the head maid to bring over the gift list and started looking through it.

Qingmei, who had disappeared somewhere, hurried back and whispered, "Miss, the old lady of the Gong family is here today as well. The master has given you a gift; please enjoy the show."

The old lady of the Gong family? Gong Hai, the one who competed with Princess Zhaoyang for a man?

I think I saw him at the Xiangxi Tower last time, but he disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Gu Zhizhuo glanced at the gift list and, sure enough, saw the name of the Left Admiral's Office.

Below the Left Admiral's Mansion was the Xu Mansion.

The Xu family is Xu Shi's maternal family. Regardless of the relationship, they have come as in-laws on this joyous occasion. To drive them away in front of so many guests would be a slap in the face to Xu Shi. Therefore, even though Gu Zhizhuo had given instructions, they could only welcome them in.

Gu Zhizhuo took the gift list again. The Gong family had given the most ordinary four gifts, neither good nor bad.

Gu Zhizhuo gently tapped the gift book with his fingertip. Gift? What gift?

Qingmei looked at her with an innocent expression.

Gu Zhizhuo read it all through and understood it perfectly.

The highest honors were bestowed upon Song, the chief minister, followed by Sheng Jiang.

Xie Jing's etiquette was quite proper; he arrived dressed in riding attire with a short sword at his waist, suggesting it was a last-minute decision.

She returned the gift register and gift list to the nanny, gave her some instructions, and then returned to Ronghe Hall.

The huge Ronghe Hall was almost full of people. Gu Zhiwei and her friends were playing in the garden with some young ladies. As the auspicious time was approaching, Gu Zhizhuo instructed someone to remind them.

As soon as I stepped through the hanging flower gate, a shrill voice pierced my ears.

"You've worked hard, young lady."

"Where is Ying'er? That girl is getting lazier and lazier. You're the only one running around doing things, and she doesn't even know how to help you out."

Standing in the courtyard was Madam Xu, who, like the master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, arrogantly ordered the head maid to bring out some jade bowls.

This is a type of ice bowl. The recipe was brought from the Wang family when Wang got married. It's not even July yet, so Gu Zhizhuo hasn't had anyone prepare it.

"My dear in-laws," Gu Zhizhuo curtsied, displaying impeccable manners.

Mrs. Xu covered her mouth and laughed, "It's because our eldest daughter has a good temper, and we always spoil her. Others wouldn't have such a good temper."

Gu Zhizhu smiled without saying a word, and instructed the head maid, "My in-laws want a jade bowl, go and prepare it."

Mrs. Xu laughed even more heartily and said, "Our eldest daughter is becoming more and more capable, managing the household perfectly. If Ying'er can learn even a little bit of what you have, I will be at ease if she marries into the governor's mansion in the future."

"Please, madam."

Gu Zhizhuo led the people inside, his gaze falling on an old woman with a stern face.

It must be the uninvited Madam Gong.

Gu Zhizhuo didn't recognize everyone, but when they came in, Xu Shi's first glance was at the old lady, her face showing flattery and ingratiation.

The old lady was about seventy years old and was holding a longevity cane in her hand.

Her white hair was combed back, adorned with a gold hairpin. The hairpin looked ordinary, but the jadeite inlaid on the head was of exceptional quality, clearly an extraordinary piece. The longevity brocade she wore was also of considerable value.

Qingmei leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Miss, it's Old Madam Gong."

Inside the main room, everyone was talking about the Gu family's newborn child, showering Madam Gu with flattery. Only she was sipping her tea, not at all like someone who had come to offer congratulations.

Gu Zhizhu greeted them respectfully and said with a smile, "Grandmother, the auspicious time is almost here."

"Very good." Madam Gu said smugly, "The auspicious time for Xu'er's third-day celebration was personally chosen by an old immortal. He's incredibly powerful, just like the Three Pure Ones descending to earth. He was even radiating light. He just clapped his hand, and my third daughter-in-law gave birth to Xu'er..."

Granny Sun quietly entered carrying a small bamboo basket. She approached Madam Xu and whispered, "I've brought it."

She presented the small bamboo basket to Madam Xu, which contained several pairs of tiger-head shoes and tiger-head aprons. These were sent by Madam Xu, the second wife, to the third household. Madam Xu lowered her eyes and tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand.

"These tiger-head shoes are embroidered beautifully."

Sitting not far from Madam Xu, the Duchess of Wei's gaze inadvertently fell on the tiger-head shoes. She couldn't help but praise them and said, "Second Madam Gu, may I take a look?"

Madam Xu gestured for Granny Sun to take it.

The Duchess of Wei took a tiger-head shoe from the bamboo basket. Its size clearly indicated it was made for a newborn child; it was a soft-soled shoe. Despite its small size, the stitching was extremely fine, and the tiger head on it was brightly colored, round, and adorable. It felt light and soft in her hand, suggesting considerable care had been taken in its making.

"Did the Second Madam embroider this?"

"no……"

Before Madam Xu could finish speaking, Mrs. Xu interrupted her.

She said in a shrill voice, "Is this definitely made by my Ying'er? I recognized it at a glance! My Ying'er has been good at needlework since she was little. Madam Gong, after Ying'er gets married, you can give her your shoes, socks and headband."

"The engagement gifts have been given, but we haven't even met the person yet. I can't accept such filial piety."

Madam Gong's voice was somewhat cold, which seemed particularly abrupt in the otherwise harmonious main room.

Many people had no idea who "Ying'er" was and looked at each other in confusion.

“No way,” Mrs. Xu replied in kind. “My aunt only let Ying’er stay a few more days because she saw that Ying’er was happy with her.”

“Young lady, look, Ying’er’s future mother-in-law has come. You should let Ying’er come out and greet her.”

Gu Zhizhuo leaned back, a faint smile appearing on her lips, and ignored him.

Madam Xu said calmly, "Granny Sun, you may leave."

Granny Sun smiled and agreed. As she was about to go downstairs with her bamboo basket, a handkerchief floated out of her sleeve as she turned around.

"Huh?"

Before the handkerchief even hit the ground, Mrs. Xu exclaimed in surprise.

"It's Ying'er's handkerchief. Ying'er's handkerchiefs all have forsythia flowers on them."

Before anyone could react, she bent down and picked it up. Sure enough, there was a forsythia embroidered on the handkerchief. The flower was extremely beautiful, about to bloom, and there were dewdrops on the flower.

She shook her handkerchief, pointed to the patterns on it, and laughed, "Look, Madam, Ying'er's needlework is so good."

Madam Gong nodded harshly: "It's passable..." As she spoke, her face suddenly turned cold, and she pointed at the handkerchief and questioned: "What does the word 'Can' on this mean? This is not Miss Xu's maiden name."

ah?

Mrs. Xu quickly took it back, and after turning it over and over, she was surprised to see a red embroidered character "灿" (can, meaning brilliant) on the lower right corner of the handkerchief.

She unfolded the handkerchief and pointed at it, exclaiming, "These stitches are clearly my Ying'er's, so why is there a '灿' character embroidered on it?"

"Where is Ying'er? Quickly call her out."

"Madam!"

With trembling legs, Granny Sun steeled herself and knelt before the Grand Madam.

The Dowager was talking with the Prime Minister's wife, listening to the Prime Minister's wife praise Gu Zhizhuo for the twenty-third time. She was beaming with joy and in a good mood when she was suddenly startled by the kneeling. She looked up in surprise and asked, "What's wrong?"

Granny Sun knelt down, finding it difficult to speak, and said, "Madam, the handkerchief was embroidered by my cousin."

“I saw the tiger-head shoes when I went to get them, and I felt they were not good, so I secretly put them away.”

“My cousin,” Granny Sun said, her face flushed, “has developed feelings for the young master that she shouldn’t have.”

Suddenly, all around became quiet.

Gu Yican, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, has the character "Can" in his name. Doesn't this imply that the Xu family's daughter, living in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, has fallen in love with the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo?

Madam Gu was stunned.

"I don't!"

The girl's clear voice was tinged with despair.

All eyes turned to the swaying girl, who stood frozen in the corridor, her face first flushed with anger, then turned deathly pale, devoid of any color.

He immediately realized that this was the "Ying'er" that Mrs. Xu and the others had been talking about.

Xu Ying'er felt a chill run through her body. Granny Sun went to her place to get the tiger-head shoes she had embroidered for her cousin and told her that her aunt had asked her to come over, so she came.

But why...?

Xu Ying'er shook her head vigorously and exclaimed, "I didn't!"

"Young lady," Granny Sun said, her face flushed, finding it difficult to speak, "I thought you were just momentarily bewitched and would just burn the handkerchief and be done with it. It's all my fault for being careless and letting the handkerchief fall out."

She slapped herself hard: "It's all my fault."

"Ying'er! Kneel down."

Mrs. Xu pointed at her and scolded, "Your aunt likes you and asked you to stay with her for a while. How could you do such a shameless thing? You've embarrassed me so much."

"I don't!"

“I embroidered this handkerchief,” Xu Ying’er said, pursing her lips. “But I have no improper thoughts about the prince…”

She was only thirteen years old and didn't know how to defend herself.

She was too ashamed to stay any longer.

But where could she go after leaving the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?

Fear made her tremble uncontrollably; she couldn't understand why Granny Sun would say such things to harm her.

Old Madam Gong scrutinized the timid and submissive Xu Ying'er, and in her heart she looked down on her a hundred times over.

This girl is only pretty in appearance; she's thin and small, just like the previous two, and looks like she wouldn't be able to bear children. I don't know what my son sees in her. Old Madam Gong was initially unwilling, but her son had already made his decision, so she couldn't do anything about it, especially since he had specifically urged her yesterday to set a wedding date and marry her. I don't know why he's in such a hurry.

She had no choice but to send someone to fetch Mrs. Xu. Mrs. Xu hesitated for a while before finally saying that the Gu family was holding her captive and wouldn't let her leave.

She came here today with only one purpose: to take Xu Ying'er away and get her son married as soon as possible. Perhaps if she's lucky, she can leave behind a child before she dies.

The household is full of useless bastards who can only eat and not lay eggs.

Oh.

Madam Gong let out a sneer.

"No wonder Madam Gu wouldn't let her leave. So she had such a shameful plan. What, you're a young widow and you're afraid that after the heir inherits the title, you, her distant aunt, will have a hard time? So you're just keeping Miss Xu in the manor and trying to give her to the heir."

"However, Miss Xu is engaged to my Gong family. If you have other intentions, you should break off the engagement as soon as possible, and not do such a disgraceful thing as marrying one woman to two families."

With a tap of her cane, Madam Gong spoke with a strong voice.

"Madam, please don't be angry," Mrs. Xu said disapprovingly. "How could our aunt have such thoughts? It must be a misunderstanding, right?"

The guests in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment. They had only come to celebrate the baby's third birthday and had no intention of hearing about the Gu family's private affairs. They were now eager to get away as quickly as possible.

Anyone with eyes that aren't completely blind can actually see it.

This girl named Xu Ying'er was framed.

Now that things have come to this, what can we do even if we know the truth?

Since Madam Gong has already said so much, even if Madam Gu the Second did not have such intentions, she cannot keep the person any longer. Otherwise, wouldn't that confirm that she wanted to give her niece to Prince Gu?

As a widowed aunt, how will she cope when the heir inherits the title and marries?

Madam Gu's gaze was deep, and she seemed lost in thought.

Xu Ying'er bit her lower lip tightly and repeated, "I...I didn't..."

It felt like a thin rope was constricting her throat, an invisible force was squeezing her, making it hard to breathe.

Her aunt had treated her so well; she couldn't let her aunt suffer.

Madam Gong snorted repeatedly: "Of all the young men in the manor, they insist on keeping a daughter of a different surname who is about to be married. What kind of rule is this in the world?"

Xu Ying'er's knees went weak, and she was about to kneel down in resignation when someone helped her up and made her stand up again.

"Don't be afraid," Gu Zhizhuo said with a smile. "Madam, this is the Gu family home."

Gu Zhizhuo said with a smile, "In the Gu family, of course, we follow the Gu family rules, and the Gu family rule is 'I'm in charge.'"

"Since Madam Gong is not here to offer congratulations, I will not keep you any longer according to my custom."

A glimmer of light appeared in Xu Ying'er's dark pupils, as if someone had pulled her out of the abyss of hell and brought her back to the human world.

Xu had already taken a step forward, allowing her niece to get ahead. She steadied herself, flicked her sleeves, and said in a clear, cold voice, "So what if it's just a handkerchief?"

"The handkerchief was embroidered by Ying'er."

"The character '灿' on top was also embroidered by Ying'er."

"It was embroidered by Ying'er for Can Can."

She spoke very slowly, which attracted countless stares.

What's the meaning!

Second Madam Xu stared at Granny Sun kneeling below and said slowly, "Ying'er is giving her ancestral rites to her own family..."

"Thump!"

Old Madam Gong slammed her longevity cane heavily on the ground.

At her age, and with her son Gong Hai holding a high position, everyone has to respect her wherever she goes. Yet now a junior dares to be so rude.

She said angrily, "Miss Xu is the daughter-in-law we hired. If the Gu family insists on taking her away, then they should give us a daughter in return. Otherwise, I, an old woman, will take advantage of my age and file a complaint with the emperor!"

"Madam."

An unfamiliar old nanny rushed in and knelt down in front of Madam Gong. Her panicked appearance made it seem as if she had just fallen.

"What a mess!" Old Madam Gong's face darkened even further.

Before she could reprimand her, the old nanny quickly said, "Madam, there is... there is an imperial edict."

"What's there to panic about with an imperial edict?"

Their household wasn't impoverished; they always received three to five imperial edicts of reward throughout the year.

"It's an imperial marriage! The Emperor has bestowed the eldest princess upon you, sir, as his wife."

The main room fell silent, save for Old Madam Gong's incredulous voice: "Who are you talking about..."

Whom did the emperor bestow upon Gong Hai?

The old nanny was almost in tears, but she still had to say it.

"Yes, it's the eldest princess... Princess Zhaoyang."

A note from the author: