Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 167

The sky had only just begun to lighten when Yun Ke rode swiftly back to the prince’s palace.

At that moment, Gu Yu Qi was already up and seated at her dressing table in a daze. According to custom, today was the day when she visited her maiden home. The steward eunuch, Quan De, had delivered the ceremonial gift list for her to review the day before. In her previous life, there had been no such occasion. She had entered the household as a concubine, so for Gu Yu Qi, this was as new as a young lady’s first time in a bridal sedan.

Yet was there any significance in visiting home, given the current state of the Marquis’ residence?

Still, never mind, visiting was visiting. At the very least, she could see Gu Si Yang.

His legs were crippled, his movements severely limited, and his status had plummeted along with his mobility. It was only right that she go and offer some comfort.

Yun Ke entered just as Gu Yu Qi was finishing dressing.

He could not help but feel a twinge of regret, if only he had come in a little earlier.

The procession of carriages departed the prince’s palace, with the first carriage bearing Gu Yu Qi. Yun Ke rode alongside on horseback. Inside the carriage, the four maids sat accompanying Gu Yu Qi. Bai Fu stole a peek through a slightly lifted curtain at Yun Ke’s figure on horseback and blushed faintly again.

Dai Mei frowned and lightly slapped down the curtain Bai Fu had lifted. “No manners,” she scolded softly.

All four girls had been purchased together and had grown up at Gu Yu Qi’s side. As the eldest, Dai Mei had always looked after the others like younger sisters. But lately, Bai Fu was becoming more and more outrageous.

She dressed herself up more flamboyantly by the day, bearing not the slightest resemblance to a maid. Gu Yu Qi had always been generous with her maids and Liang Huai Yu was kind and gentle as well. Every year when new clothes were made, the maids were never left out. If she saw a nice accessory, she would even purchase one for each of them. As a result, the four of them were even more refined than the daughters of many noble households when they really dressed up.

Gu Yu Qi never said much, but Dai Mei could not stand to watch any longer.

“Dai Mei,” Bai Fu reluctantly let go of the curtain, “Miss didn’t say anything.” She grumbled with dissatisfaction, but then, realising she might have overstepped, she quickly offered a smile to Gu Yu Qi and said in a flattering tone, “Miss really is lucky. Just look at the return gifts His Highness prepared for Miss, it shows that he clearly holds Miss dearly in his heart.”

Gu Yu Qi gave her a light glance and replied mildly, “Whether it is lucky or not, only time will tell.”

All this splendour before her eyes were like fleeting clouds, they might vanish in an instant.

“The young miss of the Xia family isn’t here anymore. Now in the imperial prince’s palace, our Miss has the final say,” Bai Fu continued. “Who would dare say Miss isn’t blessed?”

Seeing the desire in Bai Fu’s gaze, Gu Yu Qi turned her face away. She had already said that Bai Fu was free to pursue what she desired, but that did not mean Gu Yu Qi would help her.

Whatever outcome Bai Fu met in the future, good or ill, it was the path she had chosen for herself. Gu Yu Qi had made it clear that it was no longer her concern.

Ever since Gu Yu Qi had spoken to Dai Mei about Bai Fu, the other three maids had gradually begun to keep certain matters from Bai Fu. Bai Fu had sensed this too. At first, it left her dejected and sad, but within a few days, she had come to terms with it on her own.

If she truly gained Yun Ke’s favour in the future and was promoted, then she would, in a sense, be at least half a mistress of the house. Naturally, she would need her own power and influence. Those who were short-sighted and willing to remain mere servants for life, without any ambition, let them. Her future was destined to be brighter than even Yan Zhi’s.

So what if she was a County Princess? If Yun Ke one day ascended the throne, then at the very least, she would be an Imperial Noble Consort at the very least. Then they will see how that simpleton Yan Zhi would dare compare herself to her.

Dai Mei frowned at Bai Fu’s flippant words. Ran Mo remained indifferent, while Run Ying glanced between Gu Yu Qi and Bai Fu, then shot a subtle look at Dai Mei, curling her lips ever so slightly.

She had also tried in private to persuade Bai Fu not to be so delusional. As the one managing the shops, Run Ying had more reason to travel and had heard a lot. Though she was younger than Bai Fu, she saw things more clearly. A man like Yun Ke was not someone ordinary women could hope to win over. Just one glance from him was enough to make a person’s heart tremble. Did Bai Fu truly believe she could handle a man like that?

Her warning was born of goodwill, but Bai Fu thought she was jealous. She had retorted sharply, accusing Run Ying of using her errands for their young miss as cover to secretly meet that scholar from Jiangxia. Did she really think others did not know? If anyone was a toad lusting after swan meat, the two of them were much the same, except at least she liked a real swan, whereas Run Ying’s might be a chicken, or at best, a crane. Bai Fu had always had a sharp tongue, and this barrage had left Run Ying so angry that she did not talk to her for a whole day.

From then on, Run Ying stopped discussing matters of the heart with Bai Fu entirely.

The carriage rocked gently as it arrived before the gates of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence.

Having received word that Imperial Prince An’s carriage was coming, the Marquis’ residence had long thrown open its gates and laid out a red carpet in welcome.

The Ding Yuan Marquis Gu Huai Zhong stood waiting at the gates with Liu Yue, Gu Si Yang, and Gu Si Yu. Upon seeing Imperial Prince An’s entourage, Gu Huai Zhong was the first to descend the steps.

The whole court knew that something had happened to the Xia family’s daughter. She committed suicide by taking poison out of consideration for the imperial family’s reputation, so his daughter, Gu Yu Qi, had become the sole princess in Imperial Prince An’s residence. Gu Huai Zhong had already received plenty of envious glances from others in the imperial court. Though the Xia family was also there so he could not appear too pleased, his heart was already bursting with joy. It had been worth the thousands of miles to Kuizhou to retrieve his daughter. Just as her mother had said, this daughter was indeed blessed. Even the heavens were on her side.

Now, he had stepped into the ranks of kin to the imperial family from being a humble upstart. How could he not be overjoyed? Even his illegitimate daughter was set to become Prince Fu’s consort and the wedding was already arranged for early next spring. That was just a few months away. By then, he would have two daughters married to princes. Who in all of Qi dynasty could rival such glory?

Watching Gu Huai Zhong rush out with such enthusiasm, Gu Si Yu muttered quietly to Liu Yue, “She’s just a secondary consort. What’s all this fuss for?” She had once said her eldest sister would not live well even if she entered a prince’s palace, after all, there was still a primary consort above her. Who could have expected that fate would favour her sister and that without lifting a finger, the primary consort would meet her end? It really made her grit her teeth.

“In the future, your status will be higher than hers,” Liu Yue comforted, patting Gu Si Yu’s hand and speaking with a low chuckle.

Her daughter had returned home crying to her, saying that she refused to marry. Only after much probing did Liu Yue learn it was because Gu Si Yu had seen Prince Fu’s face and disliked it. Liu Yue had laughed aloud. What did appearance matter in a man? He was Prince Fu. How many princes resided in the capital, how many princess consorts existed? Apart from the consorts within the palace, after she married, she could walk with her head held high across the capital, unchallenged.

Liu Yue had tried her best to make Gu Si Yu understand. So what if the man had half his face ruined? Even if his whole face had been disfigured, what difference would it make? He was Emperor Jing’s favoured son. Just look at his title, “Fu” (Blessed), it was a clear sign the Emperor intended to protect him for life. Was being the princess consort of a prince who would live in peace not better than marrying into any other turbulent court faction? No matter how the political winds shifted, it would not touch a single hair on his head. Moreover, Prince Fu had always had a good reputation. Aside from his half-disfigured face and somewhat frail health, he was an ideal man.

What more could a concubine-born daughter possibly hope for? A man like that was a rarity.

Having been brainwashed by Liu Yue day after day, Gu Si Yu gradually let go of her misgivings about Prince Fu’s appearance.

After all, it was only half of his face and the other half remained flawless. She could just focus on that half, could she not?

As Yun Ke dismounted, the Ding Yuan Marquis and his household knelt to receive him, but Yun Ke quickly stepped forward to help them up.

Bai Fu and Ran Mo jumped down from the carriage, first laying down the step-stool, then assisting Gu Yu Qi, clad in full secondary consort attire, down from the vehicle.

Beneath the sunlight, the golden threads and gemstones on her dress glistened brilliantly. The mountain and sea motif embroidered into her skirt seemed to ripple with life as she walked, solemn, stately, and utterly magnificent.

“In the future, your clothes will be even grander than hers,” Liu Yue whispered as she tugged lightly on Gu Si Yu’s sleeve. “You’re going to be a primary consort.”

The moment Gu Yu Qi alighted from the carriage, Gu Si Yu had indeed felt a surge of envy and jealousy, but with her mother’s words in her ear, a faint sense of scorn also surfaced in her heart. That was right, she would one day surpass this sister of hers in splendour and rank.

With that thought, when Gu Si Yu bowed, her back was straighter than anyone else and even her gaze carried a hint of pride.

Standing behind Liu Yue and Gu Si Yu was Gu Si Yang. Ever since his leg injury, his status had declined rapidly and even his younger twin sister now ranked ahead of him. He had heard every word exchanged between his mother and sister, not missing a syllable. All he could do was sigh silently, he had no say in any of it.

On one side was his eldest sister, whom he both loved and respected. On the other side were his biological mother and twin sister. No matter what he said, it would be inappropriate.

When Gu Huai Zhong received the gift ledger from the prince’s palace, his jaw hung open. It was even more lavish than the dowry he had originally sent with his daughter. Being part of the imperial family truly was a different life. He had thought marrying off his daughter would be a loss, but with the betrothal gifts and now the return gifts, he had not only made up for the loss, he had gained far more.

Beaming from ear to ear, he welcomed Yun Ke inside and had servants offer tea, while Gu Yu Qi was led to the inner quarters.

Normally, a daughter returning to her maternal home would spend time bonding with her maternal family, but here in the Dan Xia Courtyard, neither Liu Yue nor Gu Si Yu could get close with Gu Yu Qi. Their smiles were stiff and hollow. Only Gu Si Yang was genuinely glad.

This was because Ran Mo had also returned with her.

He truly liked Ran Mo from the bottom of his heart. She was quiet, beautiful, and looked at him with eyes that saw things as they were, free from bias or judgement. When he was with Ran Mo, Gu Si Yang felt that he had become as clear-headed as Ran Mo.

He had already told his father that he did not wish to marry the Xia family’s illegitimate daughter. Though his father had scolded him again, Gu Huai Zhong’s tone this time was far less firm than it had been the last time.

He believed that if he persisted and resisted firmly enough, his father would likely relent and cancel the engagement.