Chapter 10

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“Grandmother.” The young girl approached Old Madam Gu with a beaming smile, her voice as melodious as a newly fledged oriole.

“Yao’er, why are you back so early?” Old Madam Gu’s expression shifted from grim to bright, her face lighting up with joy as she looked at Gu Yun Rong. Her entire demeanor softened.

When Gu Yun Rong was just a few months old, she had been sent to the capital by Su Niang. Old Madam Gu had personally named and raised her, watching her grow from a delicate baby into a graceful young lady with bright eyes and a charming smile. Their relationship over the years was genuine; Old Madam Gu doted on Gu Yun Rong, who in turn showed her utmost filial piety.

In contrast, that other girl was merely a stranger, with no emotional ties to the Dingyuan Marquisate. Her constant fussing was probably a sign of resentment towards the marquisate!

A flicker of coldness passed through Old Madam Gu’s eyes.

Gu Yun Rong walked over to Old Madam Gu, sitting beside her, and affectionately linked her arm with Old Madam Gu’s. “I missed you, Grandmother.”

Old Madam Gu felt as if she had been fed a spoonful of honey, her heart feeling exceedingly content. She asked with affection, “How was the flower banquet at the Jing Wang’s residence?”

As soon as the Jing Wang Residence was mentioned, Old Madam Gu’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

Since the eldest had passed away, the Dingyuan Marquisate’s position in the court had become somewhat awkward, with a lack of support from the previous emperor. The influential families of the capital had rarely extended invitations to the Gu family in recent years.

Half a month ago, when Gu Yun Rong mentioned that Princess Chang Qing of the Jing Wang’s residence had invited her to the Chrysanthemum Feast, Old Madam Gu was overjoyed. Princess Chang Qing’s Chrysanthemum Feast had been held for three consecutive years, and those qualified to attend were all from noble and influential families.

“It was delightful. My ‘Phoenix Wings’ chrysanthemum was ranked as the second best at today’s feast.” Gu Yun Rong said with a bright smile, her grin like a blooming flower. She extended her wrist to show Old Madam Gu the jade bracelet. “This bracelet is a gift from the Princess. Grandmother, am I impressive?”

“Impressive, indeed. Our Yao’er has an eye for gems,” Old Madam Gu said, reaching out to tap Gu Yun Rong’s nose with a smile that spread across her face. “Grandmother will reward you with a jade pendant.”

Old Madam Gu was aware of the origin of Gu Yun Rong’s ‘Phoenix Wings’ chrysanthemum. Gu Yun Rong had unexpectedly come across the flower from a distressed flower farmer in the outskirts last month.

Gu Yun Rong had always been kind-hearted and fortunate. When she was six, she saved the then Seventh Prince Kang Wang during the turmoil in Yangzhou, which also preserved the Gu family’s title. At nine, during a spring outing, she found a two-hundred-year-old ginseng and saved the ailing Old Madam Gu from the brink of death.

At thirteen, when the southwestern barbarians presented the rare treasure Nine-Turned Pearl and challenged the court with the “Nine-Turned Pearl Thread,” all the officials were at a loss. The late Emperor issued a decree, and finally, Gu Yun Rong solved the problem with the “Ant Threading the Nine-Turned Pearl,” impressing everyone.

Such incidents are too numerous to count.

Old Madam Gu once took Gu Yun Rong to Bai Long Temple to have her fate read by the Master, who said her destiny was of unparalleled nobility.

“I’m not asking for a reward, Grandmother,” Gu Yun Rong tilted her head with a sweet smile. “Next time when the chrysanthemums I cultivate win against Kang Wang, you can reward me then.”

“Kang Wang went too?” Old Madam Gu’s eyes lit up, and her smile deepened.

“Yes, it was the prince who sent me back,” Gu Yun Rong nodded, her eyes sparkling, radiant and charming. “Grandmother, the prince recently came across some top-grade Longjing tea. I heard you like tea, so he asked me to bring a can for you.”

Gu Yun Rong’s chief maid, with sharp eyes and quick hands, promptly offered up a cloisonné enamel tea caddy featuring the ‘Three Friends of Winter’ motif.

“The prince is very thoughtful,” Old Madam Gu sighed happily, her thoughts racing: Kang Wang’s feelings for Gu Yun Rong were sincere, that was undeniable, but the issue was the Empress Dowager. To pass Her Majesty’s scrutiny, Gu Yun Rong needed to distance herself from Fang Ming Feng as soon as possible.

“Xu Momo, you’ve returned!” Gu Yun Rong turned to Xu Momo kneeling on the ground, as if just noticing her, and said with surprise and concern, “Has Second Sister also returned?”

Xu Momo finally lifted her head and respectfully replied, “Replying to Third Miss, Second Miss is still in Dan Yang City.”

Meeting Gu Yun Rong’s puzzled gaze, Xu Momo continued to explain, “Third Miss, you don’t know, but Second Miss is really too unreasonable…”

Xu Momo went on and on, recounting all of Gu Yan Fei’s faults.

Old Madam Gu’s expression darkened further, and it was clear to everyone that she was quite displeased.

“Grandmother, Second Sister has had a hard time since she was young. Traveling a thousand miles from Huaibei to an unfamiliar place, it’s inevitable that she would be anxious,” Gu Yun Rong said soothingly to Old Madam Gu, leaning affectionately on her shoulder. “You’ve always been so kind to us younger ones, don’t hold it against Second Sister. How about this, Grandmother? I can go to Dan Yang City to bring Second Sister back,” Gu Yun Rong suggested warmly, with a comforting tone and a sweet, obedient smile.

Old Madam Gu’s expression softened a bit from Gu Yun Rong’s coaxing. She gently patted her hand but still shook her head in refusal. “No, you’re going to accompany Princess Chang Qing to Huang Jue Temple to offer incense in a few days, aren’t you?”

Old Madam Gu weighed the pros and cons and quickly made a decision in her mind. She sighed and said in a serious tone, “Fine, it seems Second Miss must be full of grievances. As descendants are a burden, I’ll take it upon myself to make the trip.”

“Grandmother…” Gu Yun Rong wanted to say more, but Old Madam Gu raised her hand to interrupt her.

“Yun Rong, I know you are filial,” Old Madam Gu said, patting her head. “Alright, we’ll do as I say. You stay in the capital, and I’ll take your elder sister with me.”

Xu Momo stared in shock, pinched her thigh, and the pain confirmed that this was not a dream: Old Madam Gu actually agreed to Second Miss’s unreasonable request!

Old Madam Gu was not one to be careless about her travels. The servants of Cihe Hall hurriedly packed up for the journey, working all night. Early the next morning, the carriage from the Dingyuan Marquisate left the capital and headed south along the official road.

After traveling and resting along the way, it took a full four days to reach Dan Yang City.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

“Old Li, open the door quickly, the Old Madam has arrived!”

A rough servant woman heavily knocked on the door, the bronze knocker causing it to shake with each thud. Old Li responded while running to open the door and sent a little maid to inform Gu Yan Fei in the inner courtyard.

Inside the carriage, Old Madam Gu closed her eyes in meditation, slowly turning the Buddhist beads in her hand. The carriage was quiet, while the street outside was lively, with vendors shouting from their stalls and passersby walking by from time to time.

“Yamen runners are patrolling again. Let’s take another route,” shouted a gruff, seasoned male voice from nearby, his tone full of grievance.

Then, a younger male voice added, “I don’t know what’s going on these days. The yamen runners are patrolling everywhere, even the city gate is being scrutinized. I was stuck at the gate for almost an hour before I got in.”

Their voices were particularly loud, and Old Madam Gu in the carriage could hear them clearly.

She waved to call Xu Momo over and instructed, “Go find out what’s happening in the city.”

Xu Momo quickly agreed.

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