Chapter 83 Chapter 83 is the only authentic version...
"I can also be a doctor."
Xie Danling pouted. No wonder her little cousin hadn't come to the palace to play with her for so long. It turned out that she went to study medicine.
"No, no," Gu Zhizhuo said seriously, "If Cousin Danling takes the needle, she'll kill someone."
"No way."
"How many stitches did Awu get when you embroidered a purse?"
Awu stood behind her and smiled. When princesses embroider, the needles will fly everywhere.
After being exposed by her little cousin, Xie Danling pulled her arm and acted coquettishly.
"I want to be a doctor too."
"Sister Gu, I can pledge my love to you."
"I can do that too!"
"Sister Gu."
The little girl's smile was as beautiful as a flower.
Ah Man, who had just come in with Gu Liuliao, saw it. She didn't know what was going on, so she ran over with her short legs and hugged her other arm and acted coquettishly.
"Ah Man... I pledge my love to you!"
Gu Zhizhuo: “…”
She is just one person and can't promise so much.
"Nineth Lady." The Prime Minister's wife's forehead twitched, and she was almost ashamed to face people. "What kind of storybook are you reading recently?"
Song Jiuniang covered her mouth with her hands and smiled, putting her hands on her knees, looking very well-behaved.
Xie Danling took her little cousin's arm, raised her chin and gave a provocative smile.
You want to compete with me for my cousin? Don't even think about it!
Song Jiuniang's thick eyelashes fluttered pitifully as she glanced at Gu Zhizhuo cautiously and furtively. There was so much drama.
The Prime Minister's wife said awkwardly, "This girl of mine is spoiled."
"I understand."
Madam Gu understands this feeling too well.
After working so hard for so many years, I just wanted to raise a well-behaved and gentle granddaughter, but I ended up not paying close attention to her and she became crooked.
The two looked at each other and suddenly felt that their lives were not easy.
Fortunately, she still had Ah Man. The lady beckoned to Ah Man, lifted her only child onto her lap, and gave him a shower of kisses.
A maid hurried to the corridor and reported, "Madam, the Duke of Wei and his wife have arrived."
"Why is the Duke of Wei here?" The lady cast a dangerous look at Gu Zhizhuo. Did she accidentally save someone again and then forget to tell him?
“No, no!”
Gu Zhizhuo quickly waved her hands and did not dare to say that when she rescued Prime Minister Song, Duke Weiguo was right next to her.
"Madam, Minister Mo and his wife are here!"
"Madam, the commander of the Imperial Guard, Lord Sheng, has sent a gift."
“…”
Why are you all here?
"Where's Bai'er?" the lady asked. "Has Bai'er gone ahead?"
Just now, Miss Zhuo said that Bai'er had gone with Ayi to visit Xu'er. So, only Cancan and Yinyin were entertaining the guests upstairs? They were juniors after all, so it was really rude of them.
The nanny who came to report hurriedly said, "Madam, Master Chen is in the front helping the Crown Prince entertain the guests."
The 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 it!
She still remembered that she had never seen what Xie Yingchen looked like.
When Mrs. Gu heard that Xie Yingchen was there too, she felt relieved.
"Chen'er is reliable."
Not only is he reliable, but coming here so early clearly shows that he cares about the Gu family's affairs.
This means he already considers himself the son-in-law of the Gu family. Very good, very good!
With Xie Yingchen around, the lady felt much more relieved.
The Gu family hadn't held a wedding in years, and the old lady had wanted a grand ceremony from the beginning, and she hadn't insisted when Gu Baibai refused. Now that there were so many guests, she smiled even more happily.
Gu Zhizhuo instructed the housekeeper to tell Gu Zhiwei and the others to go directly to the ceremonial gate. She also stood up and said, "Grandma, I will take my leave now."
As she spoke, she hooked her finger at Xie Danling.
Xie Danling understood and followed suit, "Grandma Gu, I'll be accompanying my cousin. Just sit back and relax. It's not considered rude with me here."
The Gu family has no mistress.
Mrs. Xu is a widow, and Mrs. Lu is still in confinement after giving birth.
Gu Liaoliao and Li Dagui were only aunts, so it was not appropriate for them to go to the second gate to welcome guests. It was somewhat impolite for only a few granddaughters to be there.
But it’s different when the princess is around.
The lady was deeply moved by the little princess, but in fact the little princess just wanted to see if Xie Yingchen looked good, so she ran away happily with Gu Zhizhuo, and the wind blew Gu Zhizhuo's veil.
When they arrived at the ceremonial gate, Gu Zhizhuo called the housekeeper and told her that if the main kitchen was not well stocked, they should first go to Tianxi Tower and reserve a few tables for the best meal.
After giving the instructions, the two cousins also came. The housekeeper came and went busy but not chaotic. Gu Zhizhuo and Gu Zhiwei said hello and took Xie Danling to the front.
They walked around the path as if they were familiar with it and arrived near the Outer Ceremonial Gate.
"The young master is there."
Gu Zhizhuo pointed at the back and showed it to her.
Xie Yingchen was wearing a dark narrow-waisted brocade robe and a jade belt around his waist, and his back looked tall and straight.
He was entertaining a guest, and the guest he was entertaining was... Xie Jing?
Why is Xie Jing here?
Xie Danling touched his chin and looked for a while, then pulled Gu Zhizhuo out a little further.
Now, I see it!
His profile was as pretty as jade, his eyebrows and eyes were clear, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow, making his skin look slightly pale.
Xie Yingchen also saw them, and the polite smile on his lips disappeared, replaced by a faint and elegant smile, which made people feel gentle.
Xie Jing followed his gaze and saw Xie Yingchen moving inconspicuously to stand in front of him.
"Cousin Jing, please."
Xie Jing, who only saw a hint of crimson skirt and veil, walked in with a cold face. Humph, then don't look.
"Not bad." Xie Danling's wish was fulfilled and she was satisfied.
"What's good?"
Gu Yican appeared behind them, startling Xie Danling. She turned around and called out happily, "Cousin!"
"I mean, cousin Chen is good-looking."
"What about me?"
“Not bad!”
When Gu Zhizhuo saw his third uncle looking over here, his heart skipped a beat. He grabbed Xie Danling's hand and smiled as he walked towards a lady who had just gotten off the carriage.
"Please."
After this wave, fewer and fewer people came.
The auspicious time for the third day bath was set at 1:00 noon, which was the time specially chosen by Wuweizi.
Gu Zhizhuo asked her two sisters and Xie Danling to go back first. She waited for a while and saw that no one came, so she asked the housekeeper to bring the gift book and look through it.
Qingmei, who had been running off somewhere, hurried back and leaned over to whisper, "Young lady, the old lady of the Gong family is here today. The master has given you a gift, so just watch the show."
The old lady of the Gong family? The Gong Hai who competed with Princess Zhaoyang for a man?
I seemed to have seen him at the Xiang Opera House last time, but in the blink of an eye, he disappeared.
Gu Zhizhuo glanced at the gift book and saw the name of the Left Admiral's Office.
Below the Left Admiral's Mansion is the Xu Mansion.
The Xu family was Xu's natal family. Regardless of their relationship, they had come as in-laws on such a happy occasion. To turn them away in front of so many guests would be a slap in the face of the Xu family. Therefore, even though Gu Zhizhuo had ordered them to come, they had no choice but to welcome them in.
Gu Zhizhuo took the gift list again. The gifts from the Gong family were the four most common ones, neither good nor bad.
Gu Zhizhuo tapped the gift slip lightly with his fingertips. Gift? What gift?
Qingmei looked at her innocently.
Gu Zhizhuo read it all and understood it clearly.
The most important gift was presented by Prime Minister Song, followed by Sheng Jiang.
Xie Jing's etiquette was very formal. He came in riding clothes and had a short knife on his waist, which seemed more like a spur-of-the-moment decision.
She returned the gift book 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 at this moment. Gu Zhiwei and some other girls were playing in the garden with some young ladies. Seeing that the auspicious time was approaching, Gu Zhizhuo ordered someone to remind them.
As soon as I stepped into the hanging flower gate, a shrill voice pierced my ears.
"Thank you for your hard work, big girl."
"Why don't you see Ying'er? This girl is getting more and more lazy. She left you running around all by yourself and didn't even bother to help out."
Standing in the courtyard was Madam Xu. Like the master of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, she was arrogantly ordering the housekeeper to bring some emerald and white jade bowls.
This is an ice bowl. The recipe was brought from the Wang family when Wang got married. It is not yet July yet, so Gu Zhizhuo did not ask anyone to prepare it.
"Madam in-law." Gu Zhizhuo bowed and was very polite.
Mrs. Xu covered her mouth and laughed, "It's because our eldest daughter has a good temper. We always spoil her. If others don't have such a good temper."
Gu Zhizhuo smiled without saying anything, and instructed the housekeeper, "My wife wants a jadeite and white jade bowl. Go prepare it."
Mrs. Xu smiled even more cheerfully and said, "Our eldest daughter is becoming more and more capable and is managing the mansion very well. If Ying'er can learn even a little bit from you and marry into the governor's mansion in the future, I will be relieved."
"Madam, please."
Gu Zhizhuo led the person in and his eyes fell on an old lady with a stern face.
It must be Mrs. Gong who came uninvited.
Gu Zhizhuo didn't recognize everyone, but after they came in, the first thing Xu did was look at the old lady, with a flattering and fawning look on her face.
The old lady was about seventy years old and held a longevity stick in her hand.
She had her white hair combed back and a gold hairpin on it. The hairpin looked ordinary, but the jadeite inlaid on the head was of excellent color, and it was obviously an extraordinary item. The longevity gold-woven brocade on her body was even more priceless.
Qingmei leaned over and whispered in her ear: "Miss, it's Old Madam Gong."
In the main hall, everyone was talking about the Gu family's new baby and surrounding Madam Gu to flatter her. Only she was sipping her tea, not looking like she was there to congratulate them at all.
Gu Zhizhuo greeted the crowd with greetings and said with a smile, "Grandmother, the auspicious time is almost here."
"Very good." Madam Gu said proudly again, "The time for Xu'er's third bath was personally chosen by an old immortal. He is so magical, just like the Three Pure Ones descended to earth, his body glowing. He just clapped his hands, and my third daughter-in-law gave birth to Xu'er..."
Nanny Sun quietly came in carrying a small bamboo basket. She came to Xu and whispered, "I've brought it."
She showed the small bamboo basket to Xu. Inside were several pairs of tiger-head shoes and bibs. This was something Second Madam Xu had asked her to deliver to the Third House. Xu lowered her eyes and tightly grasped the handkerchief in her hand.
"These tiger-head shoes are so beautifully embroidered."
The wife of the Duke of Wei, who was sitting not far from Mrs. Xu, accidentally fell on the tiger-head shoes and couldn't help but praise them. She said, "Second Madam Gu, can I take a look?"
Xu gestured to Nanny Sun to take it.
The wife of the Duke of Weiguo lifted a pair of tiger-head shoes from the bamboo basket. The size was clearly meant for a newborn, a soft-soled shoe. Despite its small size, the stitching was incredibly fine, and the tiger head, vibrantly colored and plump, was incredibly adorable. It felt so light and soft in her hand, a testament to the craftsmanship that must have taken considerable thought.
"Was this embroidered by the Second Madam?"
"no……"
Before Xu could finish her words, she was interrupted by Mrs. Xu.
She said in a shrill voice, "Are you sure my Ying'er did it? I recognized it at once! My Ying'er has been doing needlework since she was little. Madam Gong, when Ying'er gets married, you can give her your shoes, socks, and headband."
"The betrothal gifts have been made, but I haven't even met the person yet. I don't deserve this kind of filial respect."
Mrs. Gong's voice was a little cold, which seemed particularly abrupt in the cheerful hall.
Many people had no idea who "Ying'er" was and looked at each other in confusion.
"How could that be possible?" Mrs. Xu echoed her, "My aunt only let Ying'er stay a few more days because she saw that she was happy."
"Look, young lady, Ying'er's future mother-in-law is here. You have to let Ying'er come out to greet her."
Gu Zhizhuo leaned back, a faint smile on his lips, and ignored him.
Xu said calmly, "Madam Sun, please step back."
Nanny Sun agreed with a smile and was about to go downstairs with the bamboo basket. When she turned around, a handkerchief floated out from her sleeve pocket.
"Huh."
Before the handkerchief even hit the ground, Mrs. Xu cried out in surprise.
"It's Ying'er's handkerchief. There are winter jasmine flowers on Ying'er's handkerchief."
Without waiting for others to react, she bent down and picked it up. There was indeed a forsythia embroidered on the handkerchief. The flower was extremely beautiful, in bud, about to bloom, and there were dewdrops on the flower that seemed to be about to drip.
She shook her handkerchief, pointed at the patterns on it, and said with a smile, "Look, old lady, Ying'er's needlework is so beautiful."
Madam Gong nodded sternly, "It's quite acceptable..." As she spoke, her face suddenly turned cold. She pointed at the handkerchief and asked, "What does the 'Chan' on it mean? This isn't Miss Xu's maiden name."
ah?
Mrs. Xu quickly took it back, turned it over and over, and was surprised to see a word "Can" embroidered in red thread in the lower right corner of the handkerchief.
She spread the handkerchief out flat, pointed at it, and shouted, "This stitching is clearly my daughter Ying'er's, so why is there a word 'Can' embroidered on it?"
"Where is the girl who welcomes you? Call her out quickly."
"Madam!"
Nanny Sun's legs were shaking, and she hardened her heart and knelt down in front of the lady.
The Madam Dowager was talking to the Prime Minister's wife. She was beaming with joy as she listened to her wife praising Gu Zhizhuo for the 23rd time. Suddenly, she was startled by the kneeling and looked up in surprise, "What's wrong?"
Nanny Sun knelt down and said with difficulty, "Madam, this handkerchief was embroidered by my cousin."
"When I went to get the tiger-head shoes, I saw them and thought they were not good, so I secretly put them away."
"My cousin," Nanny Sun blushed and stammered, "She has feelings for the young master that she shouldn't have."
The surroundings suddenly became quiet.
The son of the Duke of Zhenguo, Gu Yican, has the character "Chan" in his name. Doesn't this mean that the girl from the Xu family, while staying at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, fell in love with the son of the Duke of Zhenguo?
Madam Gu was stunned.
"I don't!"
The girl's clear voice was filled with despair.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the staggering girl. She stood in a daze in the corridor. Her face first turned red, a red of anger, and the next moment turned pale, without a trace of blood.
I immediately realized that this was the "Ying'er" that Mrs. Xu and the others were talking about.
Xu Ying'er felt cold all over, so Nanny Sun went to her to get the tiger-head shoes she had embroidered for her cousin, and told her that her aunt asked her to come over, so she came.
But why did she...
Xu Ying'er shook her head vigorously and said in a lost voice, "I didn't."
"Cousin." Nanny Sun's face flushed red as she spoke with difficulty, "I thought you were just momentarily possessed by a demon and burned the handkerchief. It was all my fault for letting it fall out due to my carelessness."
She slapped herself hard and said, "It's all my fault."
"Ying'er! Kneel down."
Mrs. Xu pointed at her and scolded her, "Your aunt likes you and asked you to stay with her for a while. How could you do such a shameless thing? It's really embarrassing for me."
"I don't!"
"I embroidered this handkerchief," Xu Ying'er denied, pursing her lips tightly. "But I don't have any improper thoughts about the prince..."
She was only thirteen years old and didn't know how to defend herself.
She was too embarrassed to live there any longer.
But where could she go if she left the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?
Fear made her tremble uncontrollably. She didn't understand why Nanny Sun would say such words to harm her.
Old Madam Gong looked at the timid Xu Ying'er and looked down on her in her heart.
This girl only has a pretty face, but she's thin and small, just like the other two. It's obvious she won't have children. I don't know what my son likes about her. Old Madam Gong was initially reluctant, but since her son had already said so, there was nothing she could do, especially since he had specifically urged her yesterday to set a date and get married. I don't know why he's so anxious.
She had no choice but to ask someone to call Mrs. Xu over. Mrs. Xu hesitated for a long time before saying that it was the Gu family who had detained the person and would not let her leave.
She came here today with only one purpose, which was to take Xu Ying'er away and quickly get her son married. Maybe she would be lucky enough to leave behind a child before she died.
There is a bunch of useless people in the house, they can only eat but can't lay eggs.
Oh.
Old Madam Gong sneered.
"No wonder Second Madam Gu refused to let her go. It turns out she had such a shameful idea. Why, since you are a young widow and you are afraid that your aunt will have a hard time after the Crown Prince inherits the title, you simply forced Miss Xu to stay in the mansion and wanted to give her to the Crown Prince."
"But Miss Xu is engaged to my Gong family. If you have other intentions, you should cancel the engagement early and not do something like marrying a girl to two families."
Mrs. Gong tapped her cane with full energy.
"Don't be angry, old lady." 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 third day of their marriage and had no intention of listening to the Gu family's private affairs. Now they wished they could get away from them as soon as possible.
Anyone who is not so blind can actually see it.
This girl named Xu Ying'er was plotted against.
At this point, what can we do even if we know it?
Madam Gong has said so much. Even if Madam Gu II does not have such thoughts, she cannot keep her anymore. Otherwise, wouldn't it be confirmed that she wants to give her niece to Prince Gu?
As a widowed aunt, how would she cope with the situation when the prince inherited the title and got married?
Madam Gu's eyes were heavy and her face looked thoughtful.
Xu Ying'er bit her lower lip tightly and repeated, "I, I didn't..."
Her throat felt like it was being strangled by a thin rope, and an invisible force was squeezing her, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Her aunt treated her so well, she couldn't harm her aunt.
Madam Gong snorted coldly: "Manfu's boy insisted on forcing a young girl from another family to stay with him. There is no such rule in the world."
When Xu Ying'er's knees became weak and she was about to kneel down in resignation, someone supported her arms and helped her stand again.
"Don't be afraid." Gu Zhizhuo sneered, "Old Madam, this is the Gu family."
Gu Zhizhuo said with a smile: "In the Gu family, of course we follow the rules of the Gu family. The rule of the Gu family is 'I have the final say'."
"Since Madam Gong is not here to congratulate you, according to my rules, I will not keep you here."
A little light appeared in Xu Ying'er's gray pupils, as if someone had pulled her from the abyss of hell and brought her back to the world.
Xu had already taken a step forward, making her niece a step faster. She stood firm, brushed her sleeves, and said in a cold voice: "What's wrong with a handkerchief?"
"The handkerchief was embroidered by Ying'er."
"The word 'Can' on top is also embroidered by Ying'er."
"Ying'er embroidered it for Cancan."
She spoke these words very slowly, attracting countless glances.
What's the meaning!
Second Madam Xu stared at Nanny Sun, who was kneeling below her, and said slowly, "Ying'er gave it to the legitimate cousin..."
"Bang!"
Madam Gong slammed the longevity staff in her hand heavily on the ground.
She is old now, and her son Gong Hai holds a high position. Everyone has to respect her wherever she goes. Now a junior dares to be so rude.
She said bitterly, "Miss Xu is the daughter-in-law of our Gong family. If the Gu family insists on snatching her away, then they should compensate us with a girl from the Gu family. Otherwise, I will take advantage of my age and file a complaint with the emperor!"
"Old lady."
A strange old lady rushed in hurriedly and knelt down in front of Madam Gong. She looked so panicked that it seemed as if she had fallen down.
What a mess! Madam Gong’s expression turned even worse.
Before she could scold him, the old nanny said quickly, "Madam, there is an imperial decree."
"What's there to be anxious about regarding the imperial edict?"
Their family is not poor, and there are always three or five imperial edicts of reward throughout the year.
"It's an arranged marriage! The Emperor has given the eldest princess to you as your wife."
In the main hall, there was a sudden silence, leaving only Madam Gong's incredulous voice: "Who are you talking about..."
Who did the emperor give to Gong Hai?
The old lady was almost crying, but she had to say it.
"Yes, it's the eldest princess...Princess Zhaoyang."
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