Chapter 48

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Old Madam Gu’s frown eased slightly as she listened.

She was well aware that the Murong family might not fully meet the Empress Dowager’s expectations, but they were at least a respectable match. Such a marriage would give the Empress Dowager reason to see the union as being of some benefit to Kang Wang, rather than entirely insignificant.

Steadying herself, Old Madam Gu ran her thumb over the smooth, waxy surface of her prayer beads and said, “Xin Wen, go and comfort Yun Rong later. Make sure she doesn’t overthink things. She’s still young and hasn’t been through much. I worry she’ll dwell on this matter and burden herself with unnecessary worries.”

As she spoke, a shadow passed over Old Madam Gu’s eyes, growing darker and more pronounced. Her thoughts turned toward Gu Yan Fei, that ungrateful girl who didn’t know how to appreciate kindness or show gratitude!

At this moment, Old Madam Gu deeply regretted her decision. She should never have softened her heart and brought that girl back, especially when it meant causing grievances to her beloved Yun Rong.

Wang Shi quickly nodded and agreed, “I’ll go to Cai Ling Courtyard shortly to check on Yun Rong.”

“This child has always been broad-minded, blessed with good fortune. Mother, there’s no need to worry too much,” Wang Shi said warmly. Her words perfectly aligned with Old Madam Gu’s thoughts, and the matriarch gave a slight nod, silently agreeing.

After encouraging Old Madam Gu to rest, Gu Jian and Wang Shi took their leave. Gu Jian quickly hurried off on other business, while Wang Shi, after leaving Cihe Hall, headed straight to Gu Yun Rong’s Cai Ling Courtyard. She also instructed the servants to send a formal note to the Murong family, ensuring everything was in order. Her busy schedule left her with barely a moment to breathe.

Gu Yun Zhen’s engagement had been set three years ago. This year, the Murong family had already approached the Gu household twice to request the formal wedding date. According to custom, the bride’s family would only give an official response on the third request. Now, with Murong Yong returning triumphant from his military campaign, the discussions around the wedding date carried an added layer of celebratory significance.

Both families showed great sincerity, and within just ten days, Gu Yun Zhen’s wedding date was officially set.

It had been years since the Gu family hosted a joyous occasion. As the eldest daughter and the first among her generation to enter into marriage, Gu Yun Zhen’s impending nuptials brought an air of festivity that spread throughout the household. The Marquis’s residence buzzed with excitement, from servants to family members, all preparing for the upcoming celebration.

When Gu Yan Fei heard the news, she made a special trip to Jia Hui Courtyard to contribute to Gu Yun Zhen’s bridal trousseau, honoring her cousin’s joyous occasion.

“Thank you, Second Sister,” Gu Yun Zhen said with a warm smile, accepting the box from Gu Yan Fei. There was a trace of girlish shyness in her demeanor.

She was dressed in a crimson dress embroidered with begonia flowers, the vibrant hue complementing her luminous, pearl-like complexion. Her soft, delicate features were enhanced by a pair of gentle, captivating eyes. The scar on her forehead had already scabbed over and was hidden beneath her thick bangs.

Seeing Gu Yun Zhen so radiant and full of life, Gu Yan Fei’s gaze softened.

This time around, Gu Yun Zhen’s wedding date had been set several months earlier than in their past life. Of course, it made sense. In her previous life, Gu Yun Zhen’s face had been severely injured, and the recovery process had delayed her marriage preparations. Naturally, there had been no urgency.

Over the past ten days, several bouts of rain had swept through, and the breeze blowing in through the window carried a hint of lingering dampness.

“Big Sister, take a look at the gift I prepared for you,” Gu Yan Fei said as she opened the wooden box on the tea table, revealing its contents.

Having only recently returned to the household, the jewelry in her possession consisted solely of the standard allotments provided by the family—ordinary items that wouldn’t be suitable for contributing to Gu Yun Zhen’s trousseau. As such, the gifts she prepared were entirely handmade by herself.

Pointing to the items in the box, Gu Yan Fei explained, “This is a set of incense I crafted myself. It helps calm the mind and replenish energy.”

Gu Yun Zhen held the delicate, intricately embroidered sachet in her hands, her cheeks blooming with a rosy hue reminiscent of peach blossoms. Shyly, she said, “I’ll take good care of it.”

Since the heartfelt conversation they had shared at Jing Wang Manor, Gu Yun Zhen felt as though they now shared a secret bond. Her interactions with Gu Yan Fei had grown noticeably warmer and more affectionate.

“Even after I marry, I’ll still be your sister. You can visit me at the Murong residence anytime,” she added, the blush on her face deepening as her brows softened with a hint of longing for her future.

Gu Yan Fei looked at Gu Yun Zhen in a daze, her thoughts wandering. In a flash, she was reminded of the previous life. A month after Gu Yun Zhen’s wedding, she had returned to her maiden home. That version of Gu Yun Zhen had been a shadow of her current self, her face heavily scarred and unable to be concealed by layers of makeup. She had grown gaunt, her spirit utterly depleted—a far cry from the radiant beauty standing before her now.

“By the way,” Gu Yun Zhen suddenly remembered something, her face lighting up as she pulled out a small garment made of bright red fabric trimmed with a circle of white mink fur. Holding it up with a triumphant air, she asked, “Look at this! Isn’t it lovely?”

The small garment was obviously intended for Qing Guang.

Gu Yun Zhen examined the little outfit from every angle, her satisfaction growing as she admired it. Beaming, she said, “Winters in the capital are cold. With this, Qing Guang won’t feel the chill.”

“I even made matching bibs and collars…” She trailed off, her excitement interrupted by the sudden sound of a curtain being lifted.

Her chief maid entered with a bright smile and announced, “Miss, the Third Miss is here.”

Gu Yun Zhen smiled warmly and gestured for the maid to bring her cousin in.

Moments later, Gu Yun Rong stepped in gracefully, dressed in a lilac cross-collar long coat paired with a white embroidered skirt. Her clean, oval face was free of makeup, and her delicate smile carried its usual warmth, leaving one feeling as if they were basking in spring sunlight.

Gu Yun Rong’s gaze immediately fell on the wooden box between Gu Yun Zhen and Gu Yan Fei. Smiling, she remarked, “What a coincidence. Just like Second Sister, I’m also here to add to Big Sister’s bridal trousseau.”

As she spoke, Gu Yun Rong gave Gu Yan Fei a polite nod, her demeanor warm and composed, as though she had completely moved past the events at Jing Wang Manor.

Gu Yan Fei, however, was studying Gu Yun Rong intently, her gaze deep and contemplative.

A dense golden aura surrounded Gu Yun Rong, so vivid and radiant that it seemed almost tangible, as though droplets of gold were about to spill from her form. Nearby, the faint white light encircling Gu Yun Zhen appeared like delicate threads, each one entangled in the gold surrounding Gu Yun Rong.

The golden aura around Gu Yun Rong pulsed with vitality and energy, while the white light enveloping Gu Yun Zhen seemed dimmer, weaker, as if being consumed.

This extraordinary sight was invisible to mortal eyes—only Gu Yan Fei could see it.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

She knew that the white light represented Gu Yun Zhen’s fortune. The fortune of ordinary people typically fluctuated—sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker—but it rarely strayed too far from balance. The Heavenly Dao was impartial to most.

Gu Yan Fei’s thoughts drifted back to ten days earlier, after she had left Cihe Hall. Third Madam Yan Shi’s words echoed in her mind, recounting how Gu Yun Zhen had often suffered because of Gu Yun Rong since they were children.

And now, this scene seemed to confirm it.

Gu Yan Fei raised her right hand thoughtfully, intending to part the golden “aura” surrounding Gu Yun Rong. However, as her hand neared the energy, a searing heat flared against her palm. Undeterred, she carefully separated the white light from the entangling gold, freeing it with deliberate precision before silently withdrawing her hand.

Nearby, Gu Yun Zhen and Gu Yun Rong chatted and laughed, completely unaware of any changes or disruptions.

Gu Yan Fei arched a brow slightly, observing as the once-boiling and chaotic golden aura surrounding Gu Yun Rong gradually settled and calmed. It’s done.

Lingering a little longer to avoid suspicion, Gu Yan Fei eventually stood and announced her departure. “Big Sister, I have some errands to run, so I’ll be leaving for now. I’ll come visit you again when I have time.”

Gu Yun Zhen didn’t press her to stay and instead instructed her chief maid to see Gu Yan Fei out.

“Take care, Second Sister,” Gu Yun Rong said with a composed smile. She assumed Gu Yan Fei was deliberately avoiding her and paid it no mind.

Turning back to Gu Yun Zhen, Gu Yun Rong affectionately took her cousin’s arm and guided her to sit on the luohan bed. “Big Sister,” she said warmly, holding up a hairpin, “do you like this? I drew the design myself and had it custom-made…”

Gu Yan Fei didn’t hear the rest of the conversation.

Once outside, she glanced down at her right palm. The soft skin of her hand was reddened, faintly burned.

I was injured by Gu Yun Rong’s fortune.