The Royal’s Little Lady

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For this banquet, Gu Sui’er had put in a lot of effort. But since she had no experience with it, she had to rely on Steward Zhuge. However, he was a man, after all. She was afraid that he might overlook some details so she decided to visit the Ruiding residence and seek help from the Old Madam.

 

When the old lady heard about it, she sent the second Young Madam to help her. 

 

Although the second Young Madam was heavily pregnant, she efficiently settled everything for Gu Sui’er. 

 

How to send invitations, how to write them, what dishes should be prepared for the women, how to welcome them, what to do if the weather got cold, whether umbrellas should be prepared in case of rain and so on- every detail was considered in advance. 

 

Ecstatic, Gu Sui’er quickly asked the second Young Madam about everything she didn’t understand and the latter patiently solved each of her doubts.

 

Finally, she smiled and said: “Managing a household requires extraordinary skills. Even the noble daughters of prestigious families, who have been learning from their elders since childhood, may not be able to handle it smoothly. As for me, I learned from my mother before marriage, and then from the Madam after entering the Marquis residence. But it was just the basics. Time and experience are both needed to truly master it, so don’t worry too much. You can say you have succeeded only when you have adequate experience and are able to manage the subordinates.”

 

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Upon hearing these words, Gu Sui’er couldn’t help but worry: “I don’t have anyone to teach or assist me, won’t it be difficult later on?”

 

The second Young Madam smiled and reassured: “You don’t need to worry about that. If you face any problems, just come to the Marquis residence and let us know. We will help you. You are actually very smart, and now that you have learned to read and write, you will be fine. Besides, look, you are already in charge of this large princely residence. Even if you make some mistakes, His Highness the fifth Prince will protect you. No one will blame you so just forget your worries and take care of things bravely!”

 

Gu Sui’er felt relieved hearing these words. “His Highness is a wonderful person. He has indeed never blamed me. But I am not smart at all, I barely learned a few characters because he taught me. If it weren’t for his constant encouragement, I wouldn’t have learned anything!”

 

The second Young Madam covered her mouth and chuckled, feeling a mix of emotions: “You ah. You’re sometimes so incredibly foolish and sometimes so very smart! Well, it seems that silly people have a fool’s blessings. The fifth Prince may appear cold and disinterested in women. And yet, once he had you, he wasn’t interested in anyone else. From now on, you will only have a life of happiness without any suffering!”

 

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As the second Young Madam spoke, there was a hint of envy in her tone.

 

When Gu Sui’er first entered the mansion, she was a timid young girl with a big pregnant belly and panic-stricken eyes. Clearly from the countryside, she was dressed plainly and was completely unfamiliar with the rules of the residence.

 

At that time, the second Young Madam inevitably felt some pity. She wondered how this girl would tread this path or face the cold and distant Xiao Heng.

 

Little did she know that step by step, Xiao Heng would start showing ‘extraordinary favor’ to this concubine who appeared out of the blue and even refused to marry a legal wife. Ultimately, he acknowledged his ancestry, and this former concubine transformed into a concubine consort.

 

Being a concubine consort with a rank, she did not need to worry even if Xiao Heng married a legal wife in the future.

 

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Moreover, she gave birth to such a clever and adorable little imperial grandson.

 

Thinking of this, the second Young Madam’s eyes were filled with envy that couldn’t be concealed. She touched her belly and sighed: “I don’t know if this child is a boy or a girl. If it’s another girl, the burden in my heart will be even heavier.”

 

Unable to understand her worries, Gu Sui’er consoled her: “Well, the eldest Young Master already has a son, and the madam hasn’t pressured you. You and the second Young Master are still young, you can take it easy.”

 

The second Young Madam forced a smile: “Yes, there hasn’t been any pressure, but I’m worried. If this continues, who knows what troubles will arise? I won’t be able to handle it then.”

 

Gu Sui’er didn’t understand. She always felt that since the couple had a good relationship, and she came from a good family, there shouldn’t be any trouble.

 

The second Young Madam just smiled bitterly. She changed the topic and talked about the banquet preparations.

 

While she helped with the preparations all day, Gu Sui’er, on the other hand, got an idea. When it was time to see off the second Young Madam, she specially picked out a jade qilin from the storage room with the intention of giving it to her future son.

 

The second Young Madam was a little surprised to receive the jade qilin. The quality of the jade was top-notch, probably not something that could be bought easily. A few years ago, her elder brother was overjoyed to receive a similar piece. He even had it carved for her maternal family’s eldest son to wear.

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“You’re giving this to me? I’ll gladly accept it then! It’s a great item!” She smiled.

 

“Second sister-in-law, you can keep it. There are several pieces of this jade in the storage room. I was planning on taking them out and dividing them.” Gu Sui’er had even asked Xiao Heng about it. He told her to do as she pleased. So she simply presented the Buddha with borrowed flowers1Presented the Buddha with borrowed flowers [借花献佛] – It means to win favor or influence using somebody else’s property. and gave a piece to the second Young Madam.

 

Hearing Gu Sui’er’s tone and looking at the jade, the second Young Madam couldn’t help but feel even more rueful.

 

Things had changed now. The timid and confused little concubine from before truly flew up the branches.

 

For a moment, she couldn’t help but think further into the future. In the past, she felt pity for Gu Sui’er, but now Gu Sui’er was on an equal footing with her. As for what would happen later, no one knew.

 

After seeing off the second Young Madam, Gu Sui’er was busy looking at the account books when she heard a report from outside. Hu Tie had returned and there was even a fellow villager of Gu Sui’er accompanying him.

 

Upon hearing this, she quickly called for him and invited that person in.

 

It was strange because that person was none other than Bao Gu.

 

When Bao Gu saw Gu Sui’er, her eyes were filled with tears. She rushed over and hugged Gu Sui’er: “You’re so fortunate, Sui’er. I’m so miserable, I, I…”

 

She couldn’t continue and burst into tears.

 

Gu Sui’er hadn’t seen her good friend for a long time so she also missed her. Seeing her cry like this, she naturally tried to comfort her with kind words.

 

After a while, Bao Gu stopped wailing and looked at Gu Sui’er with tears on her face.

 

After a good look, she slowly started feeling envious.

 

“Sui’er, you’re so lucky. You’re dressed so luxuriously, you must have married into a good family.”

 

Gu Sui’er briefly explained her experience, skipping over some unpleasant details.

 

Upon hearing this, Bao Gu lowered her head and thought for a moment. “I wonder what the fifth Prince you married looks like.”

 

Gu Sui’er replied: “He’s good-looking, but very cold. He rarely smiles, but I’ve gotten used to it. That’s just how he is. I think it’s fine.”

 

Bao Gu nodded and asked Gu Sui’er about other things which she answered one by one.

 

However, Bao Gu seemed to have something on her mind and kept changing her words.

 

Gu Sui’er asked doubtfully: “Bao Gu, why did you come to Yanjing City?”

 

Bao Gu wiped her tears: “No reason. My family didn’t want to let me stay any longer and forced me to get married. But I couldn’t stand the person they found for me and left. When I had nowhere to go, I coincidentally heard that Uncle and Aunt were being escorted back to the village, so I thought about following the guards and looking for you. I didn’t expect to actually succeed.”

 

Gu Sui’er had a good relationship with Bao Gu in the past, so she naturally felt sorry for the latter’s current situation. “If you have nowhere else to go, you can stay in this residence. Although I cannot make decisions for other matters, I can at least provide you with good meals. When you’ve figured things out, whether you want to go back or find another way, you are free to do it.”

 

Bao Gu was grateful upon hearing this: “Sui’er, you’re really kind.”

 

Gu Sui’er was also happy to have her stay.

 

In Yanjing City, apart from a few madams and young ladies, she only knew the maids and other servants. However, they all spoke in a different way than her village. When she saw Bao Gu, who spoke in their village’s local accent, she naturally felt very close to her.

 

Having an old friend staying in the residence and chatting occasionally to relieve boredom was a good thing for her.

 

She immediately had someone arrange a place for Bao Gu and prepare some clothes for her. Bao Gu was a girl from the countryside so naturally, she had never seen such luxurious clothing before. Amazed, she kept mentioning how fortunate Gu Sui’er was.

 

Looking at her, Gu Sui’er was reminded of the time when she had just come here. She was just like her back then.

 

After settling Bao Gu, Gu Sui’er called Hu Tie and asked him about the journey.

 

Hu Tie reported in detail about how they escorted her parents back to Xushan, and then to the village from there, the admiration and envy of the villagers, and how they rushed back after staying in the Gujia Village for two days.

 

Gu Sui’er was relieved to know that her parents had safely returned home and thanked Hu Tie sincerely.

 

Hu Tie quickly bowed, saying that he didn’t deserve her gratitude, but then suddenly remembered something. “Oh, by the way, when we were staying there, some people seemed to have come to cause trouble and were driven away by us!”

 

“Trouble?” Gu Sui’er was puzzled. “Who was causing trouble for my dad?”

 

“They were surnamed Shi.” Hu Tie thought for a moment. “It seems like they came to demand for their son?”

 

Gu Sui’er was completely shocked by this.

 

If it was someone with the surname Shi, the only ones her family had some dispute with was Shi Lei’s family, that is, her Brother Shitou’s family.

 

But why would the Shi family members come to their house and demand for their son? Did something happen to Brother Shitou?

 

Hu Tie thought for a moment again. “That person said their son went missing and followed to Yanjing City. They believed that Master and Madam had deceived their son away, but when they have never even seen him ah. Those people got angry and demanded that they return their son!”

 

Hu Tie, with his large physique, repeated the incident frantically, making Gu Sui’er dizzy.

 

Just then, Bao Ya showed up and came over: “Young Mistress, let me explain this matter! I was there too so I know about it.”

 

She didn’t know that Gu Sui’er was already a concubine consort, so she still referred to her as ‘Young Mistress’.

 

Gu Sui’er didn’t mind this and hurriedly said, “Bao Ya, you’ve also worked hard on this journey. If you know something, please tell me what’s going on.”

 

Bao Ya stood beside Hu Tie and said respectfully: “Young Mistress, this Shi family seemed to have previously been promised your hand in marriage but later insisted on canceling the betrothal and had some unpleasant conflicts with your parents because of this. Later, I don’t know what happened, but when Master and Madam were about to leave for Yanjing City, Shi family’s son actually left home after saying that he wanted to find you. His parents had been waiting for their son to come back, but just when their son didn’t return with Master and Madam, they got anxious and made demands to get their son back.”

 

Gu Sui’er’s expression turned cold when she heard this. “Even if their son went missing, mom and dad have no idea where he went. How can they come and ask my parents for him?”

 

Hu Tie smacked his thigh. “Precisely, Young Mistress! I said the same thing! But they didn’t listen. They brought some people over to hit, throw and make an unreasonable scene, all while demanding for their son to be handed over!”

 

Gu Sui’er was worried about her parents. Her brows furrowed in thought. “And then?”

 

Hu Tie chuckled, showing his white teeth against his dark face. “Naturally, I couldn’t tolerate such outrageous behavior and took my brothers to give them a sound beating. Then we threw them into a cesspit and made them eat shit!”

 

Gu Sui’er was stunned. Could things really be resolved like this? But thinking about it again, they deserved it. It’s a very good way!

 

Bao Ya covered her mouth and looked at Hu Tie, who was standing complacently, and asked in a low voice: “Guard Hu, who caused the whole street to stink?”

 

Hu Tie let out a loud laugh and scratched his head.

 

Gu Sui’er tried to imagine how Hu Tie and his men caused havoc in Gujia Village and felt both amused and satisfied. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “What happened after that?”

 

This time, Bao Ya chuckled lightly and answered: “The people from the Shi family ran away wailing and howling like ghosts and wolves. Everyone in Gujia Village now shows utmost respect to Master and Madam. From now on, they are practically invincible in the village!”

 

Gu Sui’er: “……”

 

She silently thought for a moment and finally asked: “Do they know your identity?”

 

Bao Ya paused for a moment before replying: “I don’t know about that, but they were all scared out of their wits.”

 

Thinking about it, she suddenly couldn’t help but ask Hu Tie, “Hey, Guard Hu, why were they so afraid of us ah? They seemed to have seen ghosts whenever they saw us.”

 

Hu Tie: “How would I know? They all called me grandpa2T/N: Calling someone grandpa (or any other familial term like grandma, dad, mom, uncle, aunty) instead of their names is a way of showing respect to elders (usually) in Asian cultures.!”

 

Gu Sui’er: “……”

 

After a moment, she sighed and looked into the distance.

 

In the distant Gujia Village, did they mistake Hu Tie for a mountain bandit?

 

So… has she already been seen as the ‘abducted bandit chief’s wife’?

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1Presented the Buddha with borrowed flowers [借花献佛] – It means to win favor or influence using somebody else’s property.2T/N: Calling someone grandpa (or any other familial term like grandma, dad, mom, uncle, aunty) instead of their names is a way of showing respect to elders (usually) in Asian cultures.