Chương 10: Destiny
Biên tập viên: Atlas Studios
"Grandmother." The young girl walked towards Madam Gu with a smile. Her voice was like the first cry of a black-naped oriole, melodious and pleasing to the ear.
"Rong'er, why are you back so early?" Madam Gu's expression turned from gloomy to bright. She looked at Gu Yunrong with a warm smile, and her aura softened.
Gu Yunrong was sent to the capital by Mother Su when she was only a few months old. Madam Gu personally named and raised her. She watched her grow from a delicate baby to a beautiful young girl.
They had been close for more than ten years. She loved Gu Yunrong, and she was also the most filial to her.
In comparison, that girl was just a stranger and had no relationship with the Marquis Household at all. She probably had a grudge against the Marquis Household!
A sinister look flashed across Madam Gu's eyes.
Gu Yunrong walked over to Madam Gu and sat down. She intimately held her arm and said coquettishly, "I missed you, Grandma."
Madam Gu felt as if she had been fed a mouthful of honey. She felt extremely at ease and asked lovingly, "Was the flower banquet at Prince Jing's Manor fun?"
At the mention of Prince Jing's Manor, Madam Gu smiled until wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes.
Ever since the death of her eldest son, the Dingyuan Marquis Household's position in the imperial court had been a little awkward. The old emperor had been a little cold to the Gu family and the powerful imperial family in the capital rarely sent letters to the Gu family over the years.
Half a month ago, when Gu Yunrong said that Princess Changqing of Prince Jing's Manor had invited her to attend the chrysanthemum viewing banquet, Madam Gu was overjoyed. Princess Changqing's chrysanthemum viewing banquet had been held for three consecutive years. All the young masters and young ladies who were qualified to attend were from noble families.
"Yes, it was fun. My pot of 'Ruffling Phoenix Feathers' was chosen as the runner-up of today's flower banquet." Gu Yunrong nodded with a smile. Her smile was like a flower as she stretched out her hand to let Madam Gu see the jade bracelet on her wrist. "This bracelet was given by the consort. Grandma, am I impressive?"
"Impressive, impressive. Our Rong'er has a discerning eye. Grandma will reward you with an emerald jade pendant." Madam Gu reached out and adoringly tapped Gu Yunrong's nose, smiling from ear to ear.
Madam Gu also knew the origin of Gu Yunrong's 'Ruffling Phoenix Feathers'. This pot of chrysanthemums was accidentally picked up by Gu Yunrong last month when she met a flower farmer in the suburbs.
Gu Yunrong had been kind since she was young and had good luck.
When she was six years old, she saved Kang Wang, who was still the seventh prince at that time, in the chaotic Yangzhou. As a result, she saved the Gu family's title.
When she was nine years old, she dug up a 200-year-old ginseng when she was hiking and pulled the sick Madam Gu back from the gates of hell.
When she was 13 years old, it just so happened that a rare treasure, the Nine-Curved Pearl, had been presented to the southwest. The envoy had provoked the imperial court with the stringing of the 'Nine-Curved Pearl', but the civil and military officials had been helpless. The previous emperor had no choice but to announce it. In the end, it was Gu Yunrong who shocked everyone by handling the matter with her wits.
There were countless such incidents.
Madam Gu had once brought Gu Yunrong to the White Dragon Temple to seek the abbot's help to tell her future. The abbot said that her fate was indescribably precious.
"I'm not here to ask for a reward from you, Grandma." Gu Yunrong tilted her head and smiled sweetly. "You can reward me the next time my chrysanthemum wins against His Highness Kang Wang."
"His Highness Kang Wang also went?" Madam Gu's eyebrows moved and the smile on her face deepened.
"Yes, His Highness sent me back." Gu Yunrong nodded. Her eyes were bright and moving. "Grandma, His Highness has recently obtained a few jars of high-grade Longjing tea. He heard that you like tea and asked me to bring one back for you."
Gu Yunrong's maidservant quickly handed over a silk enamel tea pot.
"His Highness is so thoughtful." Madam Gu sighed happily as her thoughts raced. There was no doubt that Kang Wang was sincere to Gu Yunrong. The problem was the Empress Dowager.
If she wanted to get past the Empress Dowager, Gu Yunrong had to cut ties with Fang Mingfeng as soon as possible.
"Granny Xu, you're back." Gu Yunrong looked at Granny Xu, who was kneeling on the ground, as if she had just noticed her existence. She said with surprise and concern, "Then is my Second Sister also back?"
Only then did Granny Xu raise her head and answer respectfully, "Third Lady, the Second Lady is still in Danyang City."
Meeting Gu Yunrong's puzzled gaze, Granny Xu continued to explain, "Third Lady, you don't know. The Second Miss is really too outrageous…"
Granny Xu chattered on as she criticized Gu Yanfei again.
Madam Gu's expression darkened. Anyone could tell that she was very unhappy about this.
"Grandma, Second Sister has had a hard time since she was young. She came all the way from Huaibei to an unfamiliar place. It's inevitable that she'll feel uneasy." Gu Yunrong comforted Madam Gu kindly and leaned on her shoulder affectionately. "Grandma, you've always been loving to us juniors. Don't be calculative with my Second Sister."
"Tell you what, Grandma. Why don't I go to Danyang City and pick up my Second Sister?"
Gu Yunrong considerately suggested. Be it her tone or her sweet and obedient smile, they were indescribably comforting.
Madam Gu's expression softened slightly after being coaxed by Gu Yunrong's few words. She patted the back of her hand benevolently, but she still shook her head and rejected it. "No. Aren't you going to the Huangjue Temple with Princess Changqing to offer incense in two days?"
Madam Gu weighed the pros and cons and quickly made a decision.
She sighed and said in a low voice, "Forget it. I think your Second Sister is full of grievances. My descendants are all my debts. It's better for me to make a trip personally."
"Grandma…" Gu Yunrong wanted to say something, but Madam Gu raised her hand and interrupted her.
"Rong'er, I know you're filial." Madam Gu stroked her head. "Alright, do as I say. Stay in the capital obediently. I'll get your elder sister to accompany me."
"…" Granny Xu was dumbfounded. She pinched her thigh. The pain told her that this was not a dream. Madam had actually agreed to the Second Lady's rude request!
Madam Gu naturally would not be careless when she went out. The servants of the Benevolent Harmony Hall hurriedly packed up and busied themselves for the entire night.
The next morning, the horse carriage of the Dingyuan Marquis Household drove out of the capital and headed south along the official road.
It took them four days to reach Danyang City.
"Knock, knock, knock…"
"Old Li, open the door. Madam is here!"
A gruff old woman banged on the front door, rattling the bronze knocker nonstop.
Old Li ran to open the door. At the same time, he sent a maidservant to the inner courtyard to inform Gu Yanfei.
In the carriage, Madam Gu closed her eyes and slowly twisted the prayer beads in her hand.
The carriage was silent, and the street outside the carriage was quite lively. Apart from the hawkers setting up stalls on the street, there were also passersby passing by from time to time.
"The guards are here to patrol again. Let's go another way," a rough, mature male voice shouted from nearby. His tone was filled with resentment.
Immediately after, another younger male voice said, "For some reason, the guards have been patrolling everywhere for the past two days. Even the city gate has been checked layer by layer. I was stuck at the city gate for almost two hours before I came in."
Their voices were especially loud, and Madam Gu, who was in the carriage, heard them clearly.
She waved for Granny Xu and instructed, "Find out what's happening in the city."
Granny Xu quickly nodded.
Chương 11: Qing Guang
Biên tập viên: Atlas Studios
After the carriage entered the Gu residence, the vermilion door closed heavily.
The entire Gu residence was in an uproar with the arrival of Madam Gu. The servants in the residence had been guarding Danyang City for many years, but they had never seen this old matriarch of the Marquis Mansion. They were more or less in fear and respect.
Surrounded by everyone, Madam Gu sat down in the main hall. The maidservant quickly served her tea and snacks.
Madam Gu slowly drank her tea. When she was halfway through the pot of tea, a slender figure appeared outside the hall and walked over.
Gu Yanfei was wearing a casual sky-blue dress. Her waist was slender, and her black hair was casually tied into a bun. Other than the ribbon that tied her hair, there was no jewelry on her body.
When the beautiful girl walked over leisurely, her every move carried a leisurely and valiant elegance.
Madam Gu nodded secretly. She thought to herself, 'Granny Xu has been teaching her for three months and has some results. Although this girl is an idiot on the inside, her manners are not as unbearable as I imagined.'
"Second Lady Gu" was going to marry into the British Monarchy. If her behavior was too vulgar, the British Monarchy would probably not be willing to have such a daughter-in-law. Then, the two families would become enemies.
However, this girl was too wild. He had to teach her a lesson.
Gu Yanfei lifted her skirt and stepped into the main hall.
After 200 years, Gu Yanfei was very calm to see her biological grandmother again.
In the past, she had looked forward to this biological grandmother of hers. After repeated disappointments, she finally understood a cruel truth. In Madam Gu's heart, she would never be able to compare to Gu Yunrong.
It was Madam Gu who personally added fuel to the fire, making her a stepping stone for Gu Yunrong, helping her rise step by step.
In the end, Gu Yunrong became the mother of the world, and she, Gu Yanfei, died tragically when she was young.
The pain from back then seemed to still be engraved in her bones. Gu Yanfei looked at Madam Gu deeply, and a mocking glint flashed across her calm eyes.
Look, for the sake of her precious granddaughter's future, no matter how unwilling she was, she still came to Danyang City to lower herself to pick up this granddaughter she didn't want.
Gu Yanfei stopped a few steps away. Before she could speak, the other party ordered in an unquestionable tone, "Quickly pack up. We'll return to the capital immediately."
Madam Gu's expression was cold and distant, with a superior attitude.
Gu Yanfei did not care about the other party's coldness and stood there leisurely.
She would return to the capital, of course, but not now.
She couldn't leave yet.
Gu Yanfei said indifferently, "Madam must be tired from the long journey. There's no hurry to return to the capital today. Why don't we talk about it tomorrow?"
Instead of calling her grandmother, she called her "Madam".
Madam Gu raised her eyebrows without revealing anything. She felt that this girl was quite tactful. Before she acknowledged her ancestors, she did not shamelessly act close with her.
Madam Gu hesitated and glanced at the pot at the side.
It was almost midnight, and it was neither early nor late. Even if they set off within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, they might not be able to reach the courier station before nightfall.
Moreover, after traveling for a few days, Madam Gu was indeed tired.
The girl in blue below could see Madam Gu's fatigue and hesitation. She advised gently, "Grandma, my Second Sister is right. Why don't we rest for a night before leaving? We're not in a hurry."
The girl was wearing a light blue silk long-sleeved coat with a bamboo-green Mamianqun. Her thick black hair was tied into a droopy bun. She had long eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a fine nose, and pink lips. Her appearance was beautiful and gentle.
Gu Yanfei gave her a kind smile and her eyes curved like a moon.
Her eldest cousin, Gu Yunzhen, should have been like this, bright-eyed and charming, not that thin and pale appearance in her memory.
Madam Gu wanted to give Gu Yanfei the cold shoulder, so she followed Gu Yunzhen's steps and said, "Zhen'er, we still have to travel tomorrow. Rest early tonight."
What she meant was that she agreed to stay here for another night.
An old granny with a round face hurriedly said, "Madam, I've already asked someone to tidy up the room. Why don't you go to the room and rest first?"
Madam Gu rubbed her eyebrows tiredly and let the old granny lead the way.
Gu Yanfei was the only one left in the empty hall. It was as if she had been forgotten.
A thin cat purr outside the window slipped into her ear.
"Meow…"
The meow was faintly discernible and seemed to be from outside the window. There was no wind in the courtyard, and the trees were motionless.
"I think I heard a cat meowing…" Gu Yanfei raised her eyebrows.
"A cat?" Juan Bi craned her neck to look out the window, too.
As soon as she finished speaking, a fluffy, soft ball leapt through the window and landed steadily on the sill.
It was a small kitten no more than two months old.
The tip of its nose was pink and fluffy. Its long black, orange, and white fur was perfectly matched. Embedded in its small round face were round green eyes that resembled a pair of top-grade emeralds, sparkling in the sunlight.
Gu Yanfei and the kitten looked into each other's eyes. Its green pupils were bright and clear, giving Gu Yanfei an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"Meow!"
The little hairball let out a happy cry. It was soft and gentle, and its green eyes were filled with surprise, as if to say, 'I've found you!'
It suddenly kicked its legs and leapt in Gu Yanfei's direction, looking like a swallow returning to its nest.
The little guy was very fast, but if Gu Yanfei really wanted to dodge, it would be easy.
She didn't move, however. For some reason, the emerald-green cat's eyes looked familiar. The way it lunged at her gave her the same sense of familiarity.
"Kitty!"
Amidst Juan Bi's exclamation, the kitten threw itself into Gu Yanfei's arms enthusiastically. Gu Yanfei held its soft abdomen with one hand and touched its chin with the other, but it accidentally bit the tip of her index finger.
Bright red blood seeped out of her fingertips and formed a drop the size of a rice grain.
The kitten hurriedly licked away the drop of blood with its small, rough tongue, its fluffy tail swishing happily behind it.
Gu Yanfei narrowed her eyes and felt as if invisible heartstrings were connecting her to the little kitten in her arms.
She held the kitten higher, so that its green eyes met hers. "Qing Guang?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. "Why are you here?"
"Why have you… turned into a cat?"
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