Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 173

Gu Yu Qi had no idea what nonsense Bai Fu was up to outside.

She happily pulled Ran Mo and Gu Si Yang into the room.

In front of the other maids, Gu Yu Qi asked Ran Mo again, “Ran Mo, have you truly thought this through?”

Though Gu Si Yang was seated, he still looked towards Ran Mo anxiously, terrified that she had only agreed earlier on impulse.

Ran Mo glanced at the utterly nervous Gu Si Yang, then broke into a bright smile and nodded. “Ran Mo has thought it through.”

“Even if one day he should become a common peddler or labourer, you won’t regret it?” Gu Yu Qi pressed further.

“Eldest Sister!” Gu Si Yang could not bear it. He would work hard, alright? Why must she speak of him as if he were bound to fall so low? After all, he had studied for so many years, he would still go to sit the imperial examinations. Without the title of Marquis’ son, perhaps he might cast off the burden, open his heart, and do his utmost to excel in the exam

“Stay quiet for now,” Gu Yu Qi shot him a look and spoke curtly.

“Yes.” Ran Mo nodded firmly. “No regrets.”

“Very well.” Gu Yu Qi’s face then blossomed into a smile. In truth, she had already prepared something, kept right here in this Dan Xia Courtyard. On her wedding day, she had not packed this box into the chest she took with her. Besides, she would be back to visit as per customs, so she had always intended to retrieve it when she returned home today.

She rose and walked to the wardrobe, opened it, and removed the shelf at the bottom. Beneath the shelf lay a stone floor tile, which could be pried up. Before everyone’s eyes, Gu Yu Qi prised it open and took out a box.

“Miss, you actually hid something here,” Dai Mei said with a laugh.

“But of course.” Gu Yu Qi arched an eyebrow. “If you knew everything, what use would I have left?”

At that, everyone burst out laughing.

“Miss, what have you put inside?” Run Ying asked eagerly, for she was always the most curious about boxes. Her instinct told her Gu Yu Qi must have hidden money inside.

“Your favourite thing.” As expected, Gu Yu Qi reached out and flicked Run Ying’s nose with a smile.

Run Ying clapped her hands in delight.

Without further ceremony, Gu Yu Qi opened the box. Inside lay four embroidered pouches.

“There were originally five pouches here.” Gu Yu Qi held an embroidered pouch, her eyes faintly stinging. “Yan Zhi’s has already been taken away.”

Everyone exchanged glances. In every maid’s mind, the same thought sprang up. Could it be that what lay inside these pouches were their slave contracts?

Sure enough, on closer inspection, each pouch had a small name delicately stitched on it. Gu Yu Qi took out Ran Mo’s and placed it into her hand.

“This is something I prepared long ago.” She held Ran Mo’s hand gently as she spoke, “I always thought, one day, when each of you find someone you truly love, when you wish to step out of this courtyard, away from my side, I would personally place it in your hands.”

Ran Mo felt her eyes redden, a warm current spreading through her heart.

She had never thought to ask for her slave contract, nor had she ever thought of leaving Gu Yu Qi, but after today, it seemed as though she was about to open a door, to cross a threshold and step into another world.

And this embroidered pouch was like the key to that door.

“Miss, this…” Ran Mo opened the pouch. Sure enough, inside was her slave contract, along with a deed to a small residence and two thousand taels of silver. At once, her eyes blurred with tears she could no longer hold back.

Large teardrops rolled down her cheeks, falling onto the pouch.

“Miss…” Unable to help herself, she sank to her knees before Gu Yu Qi, but halfway down, Gu Yu Qi caught and held her in a firm embrace.

“From today onwards, you are no longer my maid.” Gu Yu Qi, too, felt deeply moved, but she forced herself to hold back the tears. “You need not kneel to me again.” After saying this, she pulled Gu Si Yang over and solemnly placed Ran Mo’s hand into his. “Treat Ran Mo well. She’s a good girl. If you dare do her wrong, I will be the first to hold you accountable.”

As soon as Gu Yu Qi spoke, Ran Mo burst into uncontrollable tears. Gu Si Yang, solemn-faced, drew Ran Mo into his arms, gently patting her back. “Don’t worry, Eldest Sister.” He paused, then added, “I won’t fall so low as to become a common peddler. I’ll give Ran Mo a good life.”

“That’s good then,” Gu Yu Qi nodded, then reminded Ran Mo, “The house deed and money are your dowry. You must guard them well, don’t let my brother run off with them.” She said it half in jest, half in earnest.

Hearing that, Ran Mo really nodded. “Don’t worry, Miss. He cannot best me in a fight.”

At that, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

It was not only Ran Mo who was moved. Even Dai Mei and Run Ying had tears brimming in their eyes, deeply touched by what they had witnessed.

Their young miss truly treated them as family. Even something like this, she had prepared long in advance.

Today they rejoiced for Ran Mo, but one day, when it was their own turn to marry, their young miss would surely do the same for them.

The entire room was filled with a warm and joyful atmosphere.

“Since today is such a happy occasion, let’s set up a feast. No one leaves until we’re drunk!” Dai Mei pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eyes, wiping away her tears with a smile.

“Yes!” Run Ying clapped her hands and laughed first.

“But, the Marquis’ residence…” Ran Mo asked worriedly. “Shouldn’t we be attending the banquet at the Marquis’ residence’s front hall today?”

“It’s fine,” Gu Yu Qi dismissed it with a laugh. “In a while, Run Ying, go tell the Marquis that I’m feeling unwell and won’t be joining them for the meal. And say that Gu Si Yang is here keeping me company and won’t go either.”

“That will do nicely.” Run Ying smiled. “Then about His Highness…”

“His Highness…” Gu Yu Qi bit her lip, hesitating, then steeled herself. “I’ll go tell him.”

“Wonderful!” Another round of cheerful laughter followed. Dai Mei immediately went out. “I’ll go prepare the ingredients. Run Ying, once you’ve given word to the Marquis, come help me.”

“Got it,” Run Ying smiled.

The two of them walked out together. Gu Yu Qi turned to Gu Si Yang. “You two stay here and chat for a while. I’ll go and find the prince.”

“Okay.”

Gu Yu Qi then stepped out of the room and walked toward the outer courtyard of Dan Xia Courtyard just in time to see Yun Ke walking back with his hands clasped behind his back.

Gu Yu Qi explained everyone’s plan to Yun Ke and carefully asked for his opinion. “Your Highness, this concubine wishes to stay here in Dan Courtyard to talk with Ran Mo and Si Yang, would that be all right?”

“If you wish to stay, then stay. This prince will stay as well.” Yun Ke saw that it was rare for Gu Yu Qi to make a request, so how could he refuse?

Ah? The first part delighted Gu Yu Qi, but the second part made her quite unhappy.

They were planning to drink and celebrate together, why must Yun Ke come and join in?

Yun Ke did not fail to catch the flash of reluctance in Gu Yu Qi’s eyes, and his mood sank with it.

When, he wondered, would she finally open her heart to him?

Gu Yu Qi’s indifference struck Yun Ke hard. He began to doubt whether he was completely unattractive.

However, Bai Fu at least proved that he was not entirely without appeal.

As he walked back with Gu Yu Qi, Yun Ke had the urge to remind her of something several times. Yet the memory of her clear reluctance toward him just now made him swallow his words.

If Bai Fu no longer crossed the line in the future, then there was no need for a mere maid to become a source of conflict between him and Gu Yu Qi.

Run Ying soon returned after passing on the message to the Marquis, and the family banquet at the Marquis’s residence instantly lost its original flavour.

Fortunately, with Prince Fu still present and having been persuaded by the Marquis to stay for dinner and even to remain for a brief stay, the occasion was salvaged.

Heavens! Two princess consorts from one household, and now even two princes deigned to stay under his roof. Just the thought of it made Gu Huai Zhong grin from ear to ear. So long as tonight passed smoothly, everyone in the capital would know that he, Gu Huai Zhong, was the man closest to the imperial family.

As for the Xia family’s marriage proposal, he had to reject it.

And this Marquis’ residence was far too sparsely populated. He needed to extend the family line while he was still of decent age.

Previously, his entire heart had been with Liu Yue. He had even been willing to favour the concubine and kill his main wife for her sake, but the Liu Yue of today was no longer the gentle, submissive woman who had once lived solely for him.

The Marquis’ residence had to grow. Two daughters were not enough. Now that Gu Si Yang was crippled, he needed an heir!

So, he had to take a concubine.

As for whom to take, he would need to consider it carefully.

There had been no shortage of people trying to offer their daughters to him before, but he had turned them all down. Now, with the issue of lineage at hand, he would have to revisit those options.

His status was no longer the same. Both princess consorts had come from the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence, and his own position had risen accordingly.

Even if it was to be a concubine, she could not be just anyone.

He would have to choose a woman worthy of bearing the heir to the marquisate.

Meanwhile, Gu Si Yu was by Liu Yue’s side, consoling her mother while furiously scolding Gu Si Yang.

She had long since noticed that Gu Si Yang’s loyalties had drifted away from her. He was her own twin brother! Yet he still turned his back on her.

Had he not considered the consequences of turning away from them? He had ended up clinging to some maid and been cast out of the Marquis’ residence because of it. From now on, he would not only be a cripple, but a pauper as well.

She had no idea that Gu Yu Qi would never allow her maid to suffer.

All Gu Si Yu could think about was that Gu Si Yang, weak and helpless as he was, would not last three days after leaving the Marquis’ residence. He would soon be begging to return. When that happened, she could sneer at him and make him recognise who he ought to be following if he wanted a future.

After all, he was still her elder brother. She would surely help him once. When she became Prince Fu’s consort, she would have her husband petition His Majesty to bestow a minor official post on her brother. Then, her brother would truly break away from that enchantress of an eldest sister and stand firmly at her side.

Humans did not know pain until after suffering a loss.