Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 135

Within two days, Emperor Jing issued three imperial decrees, all concerning marriage arrangements for his children. On the surface, it seemed as though the An Le Marquis’ household had won. However, upon closer examination, it was clear that the Ding Yuan Marquis’ household had reaped some benefits. Interestingly, the Ding Yuan Marquis’ legitimate daughter was being married off as a concubine, but she was bestowed with an honorary title, while the illegitimate daughter was becoming the principal consort of Prince Fu.

When the Virtuous Consort received the news in the palace, she was so enraged that she stomped her foot.

She had originally planned for Ying’er to marry into the family to suppress that wretched girl and later find an opportunity to have her killed. But now, that girl had been given a title by the Emperor. Even though she remained a concubine, she was an honoured concubine with a title. Any action against her would now require careful planning in the long-term, not reckless moves. The Virtuous Consort sighed. Gu Yu Qi’s luck seemed unreasonably good.

Nevertheless, having Ying’er marry into Prince An’s household was not a loss. At least she would have an extra spy on Yun Ke’s side.

She had watched Xia Ying grow up, and although she had been raised in the An Le Marquis’ household, she had not picked up her brother’s bad habits.

The imperial decree arrived at the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence that very day. The entire household came out to kneel and receive it. In contrast to Gu Huai Zhong and Liu Yue’s obvious joy, Gu Si Yang appeared a bit dazed, Gu Si Yu somewhat bewildered, and as for Gu Yu Qi, she acted as if she could not care less.

It was as if the title of “Concubine Rou” was given to someone else, not her.

In her previous life, she had spent her entire life as a concubine. In this life, even with a title, she was still just a concubine. Gu Yu Qi found no reason to be happy about it.

She had lost all hope towards Yun Ke. In fact, she no longer cared who she married in this life. Love and affection were not things she could control. All she cared about was protecting her mother.

After all, was there any man in this world who could protect her mother as well as Yun Ke did? Who would not hesitate to allow her to bring her mother into the palace?

She had made it clear from the start. She and Yun Ke were allies in a cooperative relationship. What did it matter to her who he married as his primary consort?

After receiving the decree, Liu Yue was so ecstatic that she was practically speechless.

Her son’s marriage might not have turned out as well as hoped, but her daughter’s match was excellent.

“Eldest Sister,” the bewildered Gu Si Yu tugged carefully at Gu Yu Qi’s sleeve. “Am I getting married too?” she asked confusedly.

Gu Yu Qi sighed inwardly and replied softly, “Yes.” Gu Si Yu was different from her. Gu Yu Qi had lived for three lifetimes, almost becoming something of an old spirit, while Gu Si Yu was still just a young girl. Although Liu Yue was not a good person, she cherished this daughter dearly. However, Gu Si Yu had been overly protected, to the point where she still did not harbour any other thoughts.

“Eldest Sister, I’m scared,” Gu Si Yu said with some fear, “They say that His Highness Prince Fu’s health is not good.”

Yes, Prince Fu’s health was indeed poor, but Gu Yu Qi remembered that when she died in her previous life, Prince Fu was still alive… Such things were unpredictable. It was ironic, really. In her past life, she had been the one betrothed to Prince Fu, not Gu Si Yu. Unexpectedly in this new life, many things were changing quietly. Gu Si Yu was more fortunate than her, marrying into good families in both lives. In her previous life, by this time, Liu Yue was already the Marquis’ main wife, and Gu Si Yu was the legitimate daughter, naturally marrying someone of high status.

If in her past life, she had not been so proud and stubborn, insistent on marrying Yun Ke and rejecting a proper match as a legitimate wife and choosing instead to be a concubine, perhaps many things would not have happened as they did.

Gu Yu Qi sighed softly with a touch of emotion.

“It’s okay. Prince Fu is blessed,” Gu Yu Qi could only offer this comfort to Gu Si Yu, speaking gently.

“What are you whispering about?” Liu Yue suddenly scolded, pulling Gu Si Yu away from Gu Yu Qi’s side and placing her beside herself. She smiled and gently stroked her daughter’s long hair, “Our Si Yu is going to become a princess consort. You have no idea how happy I am as a mother. Our Si Yu is truly blessed.” After speaking, she shot a slightly provocative glance at Gu Yu Qi, as if to say that after all your struggles, you are still only Prince An’s concubine. So what if you have a title? You are still just a concubine, are you not?

Gu Yu Qi ignored Liu Yue’s look and merely smiled faintly before turning towards Danxia Courtyard.

Xia Ying marrying Yun Ke? In her previous life, there had indeed been someone from the An Le Marquis’ household in Yun Ke’s harem, but that was only an illegitimate daughter. After Yun Ke ascended the throne, her status was not low because she was backed by the An Le Marquis’ household. At the very least, it was higher than hers. Gu Yu Qi had only been a ‘Lady of Talent’, while that woman had been among the three Consorts.

Gu Yu Qi and that woman had never had much interaction. She seemed to keep a low profile, but even Zhang Wan Yi, who was favoured at the time, did not dare to touch that consort from the Xia family.

Gu Yu Qi could only shake her head in disbelief. Yun Ke had insulted Xia Shuang Cheng, yet the Xia family was still willing to marry one of their daughters to him.

This clearly showed that in the face of family honour and absolute imperial power, all familial affection and personal grudges could easily be diluted.

Although Gu Yu Qi herself remained indifferent, the people of Danxia Courtyard were all outraged on her behalf.

Each of them was filled with righteous indignation which amused Gu Yu Qi. Seeing them all so angry, Gu Yu Qi had to excuse herself by claiming she was tired and needed rest. Only then did she manage to dismiss them all, leaving herself in the peace and quiet of her room.

Bai Fu was also wrestling with her own thoughts, caught between joy and anxiety.

She was happy because when the young miss married, she would go with her as a dowry maid to Prince An. Yet, she was worried that if her young miss fell out of favour, she might not see Prince An much at all.

His Highness Prince An was so handsome. Just thinking about Yun Ke’s looks made Bai Fu’s heart skip a beat. Every maid in a prominent household had some level of self-awareness about her future. Dowry maids could be taken in by the household where their young miss married. If she… Oh dear, so embarrassing, Bai Fu suddenly covered her face. Through the gaps between her fingers, her cheeks were already flushed red.

If it was His Highness Prince An, she would be willing to help her young miss maintain favour. Young Miss was so kind to them all, surely she would not be harsh towards her in the future.

“What are you thinking about?” Run Ying asked as she returned from outside, holding today’s account book. When she opened the door, she saw Bai Fu sitting on the bed, covering her face with a shy expression, so she asked curiously.

“Nothing!” Bai Fu was startled, quickly lowering her head as she replied, trying to change the subject, “Did you go to the shop?”

“Mm,” Run Ying’s eyes lit up at the mention of money, “Yeah.. It’s a pity that Young Miss had the shop clear out all its stock, and for the past few days, a sign has been up saying no more business will be done.” She had gone to reconcile the accounts from the last few days. Run Ying could not understand why Gu Yu Qi had made that decision. Business had been booming, and there was nothing going on at home. Why close the shop and sell everything off?

But whatever Young Miss said, they would follow.

A few days ago, to clear out the stock, all three shops had drastically reduced their prices. She had followed the promotional plan her young miss had laid out, and it worked wonders. Everything sold out faster than they had expected, with all the stock gone a full day earlier than anticipated.

Although their profit margins were slimmer, they still made a considerable amount of money and even the leftover stock had been completely sold off, bringing in a substantial sum of cash. It was, in the end, a good outcome.

Run Ying had already checked the accounts at the shop and she had brought the account book back to calculate the profits so she could report them to her the young miss.

“Oh, I don’t have time to chat with you,” Run Ying said, slapping her forehead. “I’m busy, you go amuse yourself.”

She walked past Bai Fu, heading to her desk to sit and begin working on the numbers.

Bai Fu quietly let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was the money-obsessed Run Ying who had come in. She was only interested in financial matters and oblivious to everything else, and was naturally slow-witted. If Dai Mei had walked in instead, there would have been no escaping some detailed questioning.

With the maids busy elsewhere, Gu Yu Qi finally had some rare peace.

Her mother was safe and sound in Ximu Alley and Wang Yan would regularly report her mother’s medicine usage to her, which put Gu Yu Qi at ease.

After bathing, Gu Yu Qi sat, allowing her damp hair to dry while flipping through a newly delivered book on Rouran customs. Thanks to her relentless efforts over the past days, Gu Yu Qi’s Rouran language skills had improved rapidly. She could now understand some simple sentences without translation.

Hearing a faint sound by the window, Gu Yu Qi alertly raised her head. A gust of the chilly autumn night breeze swept in, sending a shiver through her. However, the window was soon gently closed by someone.

She met the gaze of a pair of eyes, as cold and distant as eternal ice and snow. He stood by the window, still clad in his armour, which he had not yet had time to remove. The dark armour gleamed faintly in the lamplight. His helmet was tucked under his arm, and his black hair was tied into a neat topknot, secured with a black hairpin. The dark armour made his complexion seem slightly pale, and the chill of late autumn clung to his figure.

“This civilian girl greets Your Highness,” Gu Yu Qi said as she calmly set down her book, rising to curtsey. “May I ask what urgent matter brings Your Highness here at this late hour?” Her tone was emotionless.

Yun Ke did not reply immediately, merely staring at Gu Yu Qi with those deep eyes.

He had been at the War Cavalry Camp when he received the news of the imperial edict regarding his primary consort. He had abandoned everything at once and rushed back to the capital without stopping. Instead of returning to the prince’s palace, he had come directly to see Gu Yu Qi, intending to comfort her. Yet just moments ago, as he watched her through the window, she seemed utterly at ease, as if the news of his primary consort had nothing to do with her at all.

Yun Ke’s heart sank slightly. He had thought about many things on his way back and had prepared many words to say to Gu Yu Qi, but seeing her like this now, all those words seemed ridiculous and unnecessary.

He had been concerned that she might overthink the situation, but she had not even spared him a thought.

Yun Ke had never felt this frustrated before.