Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 178

After waiting for a while longer, Gu Si Yu finally finished her embroidery, though her hands were trembling slightly.

When she was young, she had always been discouraged and suppressed by her eldest sister. No matter what she learnt, her sister was always faster, always better. Back then, she did not think much of it, she only felt deep admiration. The more it was like that, the more she wanted to become someone like her. So she worked even harder, but her eldest sister always stood on a peak she could never hope to reach, someone she could only look up to.

She got tired too. She felt envy and jealousy as well.

With her mother constantly whispering in her ear about her sister’s faults, over time, Gu Si Yu stopped seeing Gu Yu Qi as a role model and started seeing her as an obstacle. The more excellent Gu Yu Qi was, the more of an eyesore she became.

Why was it that she was inferior to her in everything? She had clearly put in painstaking effort into embroidery, yet Gu Yu Qi barely even picked up a needle.

How could she have known that it was not that Gu Yu Qi never picked up the needle, but rather that she had used it far too often.

In her previous life, Gu Yu Qi’s best years had been spent in endless waiting, day and night. Her only companion besides books had been embroidery.

So in this life, Gu Yu Qi simply did not want to pick up needles and thread again because the moment she did, those long, cold, lonely nights would come flooding back to her.

Gu Yu Qi lowered her eyes, no longer interested in looking at Gu Si Yu’s embroidery, because whether she won or not no longer held any real significance for her.

She had agreed earlier only for the sake of Prince Fu. She had not intended to embarrass Gu Si Yu. She only wanted to teach her that one should never underestimate others, because there was always someone greater and better than you.

Little did she know that this very attitude was, in Gu Si Yu’s eyes, no different from a loud slap across the face.

Was her eldest sister looking down on her? After all, how could her humble work ever compare with the double-sided embroidery praised by even Prince Fu?

It was truly laughable.

Gu Si Yu’s face was ashen. She had been the one to suggest the handkerchief exchange. Now before the entire Marquis’ household and especially before Prince Fu, she had made such a fool of herself. How was she supposed to face anyone after this? She had originally wanted to win back some dignity.

“Second Miss Gu’s embroidery is already quite good,” Prince Fu said, noticing that his fiancée had lost all spirit, and could not help but offer some words of comfort.

Who asked for your comfort?! Gu Si Yu found his words even more irritating.

She had been intent on competing wholeheartedly with her eldest sister, yet Prince Fu stood to one side marvelling at her sister’s needlework and technique. Where did that leave her dignity?! And now he came over pretending to console her, what was that supposed to be? A slap followed by a sweet date?

“I know full well that I am no match for Eldest Sister.” Gu Si Yu felt as though her chest was on fire from anger. She simply picked up the pair of scissors beside her and slashed her newly completed embroidery to pieces. Her face pale, she said, “Such shoddy work is not worth showing. I’d better wait until I can embroider something decent before exchanging with Eldest Sister.” With that, she ignored the scraps strewn all over the floor, gave Prince Fu a hasty curtsey, and rushed off. Liu Yue, seeing this scene unfold, quickly excused herself and ran after her daughter.

Her heart was still too narrow. Prince Fu looked at the beautiful embroidery now shredded to tatters and could not help but sigh quietly.

“Second Miss Gu…” Prince Fu looked at Gu Yu Qi with some embarrassment and cupped his hands. “Please do not take offence, sister-in-law.”

“Please, I hope Your Highness does not take offence instead,” Gu Yu Qi nodded to Prince Fu and said slowly, “Si Yu has a good heart. She is only the way she is because someone has been instigating her. If, in the future, she could receive some guidance from Your Highness and return to her true nature, she will be a good wife.”

“Sister-in-law gives me too much credit,” said Prince Fu with a sigh. Seventh Brother was truly blessed to have a wife like this. If he did not cherish her properly, even he would not be able to stand by and watch.

“Oh, I still have something to attend to, so I shall not keep disturbing Your Highness,” said Gu Yu Qi. “That handkerchief was originally meant for Si Yu. May I trouble Your Highness to pass it to her?”

“Of course.” Prince Fu nodded and tucked the silk handkerchief into his robe.

Only then did Gu Yu Qi pick up the scroll her husband had written and take her leave.

Gu Si Yu ran back to her room and flung herself onto the bed, bursting into tears uncontrollably.

Liu Yue rushed in behind her, doing her best to comfort her daughter.

“Mother, I refuse to accept this!” Gu Si Yu bit her lip and spoke through gritted teeth.

“Yes, yes, yes, I can’t accept it either!” Liu Yue’s own mood had been foul lately. She had already noticed Gu Huai Zhong growing increasingly distant from her and had a faint sense he might be scheming to marry someone else.

“Why should she get everything good? Why is it that she’s better than me in everything even though she doesn’t work hard?” Gu Si Yu said bitterly. “Even if I am the primary consort, Prince Fu is disfigured! Why should I be the one to marry a ruined person, while she marries an imperial prince?!”

“Exactly.” Liu Yue joined in with curses of her own. “That vixen only knows how to play tricks. She will suffer retribution from the heavens one day!”

“Retribution from the heavens?” Gu Si Yu suddenly let out a twisted, sinister laugh. “I can’t wait for heavenly retribution!”

“Daughter, you mean to say…” Liu Yue was startled and asked nervously.

“I want to ruin her completely!” Gu Si Yu shrieked like a madwoman.

“Yes, yes, of course. We’ll make sure she is utterly ruined,” Liu Yue hastened to soothe her daughter. “All right, calm down now.”

“Mother, think of a way!” Gu Si Yu grabbed Liu Yue’s hand tightly, her eyes bloodshot, like a demon crawling out of hell. “I want to make her lose face in front of everyone!”

“Alrght, Mother will think of a way,” Liu Yue quickly comforted her daughter in a gentle voice. “You mustn’t make yourself sick from anger. You’re going to be Prince Fu’s primary consort, after all.”

Let her think about it. The people around Gu Yu Qi were like an iron fortress, impervious to oil and water… But… was that Bai Fu not harbouring some other intentions?

“My daughter, if you want Gu Yu Qi to suffer a major loss, you must first reconcile with her,” Liu Yue’s eyes lit up as she soothed Gu Si Yu.

“Why?” Gu Si Yu asked in confusion.

“Only then can you get close to her,” Liu Yue said with a smile. “And only by getting close can you find the opportunity to bring her to ruin.”

Gu Si Yu gritted her teeth and thought it over. It made perfect sense.

“Just as well, she’s still at the Marquis’ residence and will need to stay another night. You should take this chance to pretend to reconcile with her. And keep an eye on that Bai Fu who is always at her side. In future, make sure to visit the prince’s residence more often too,” Liu Yue instructed.

“Mm. I will listen to you, Mother,” a glint of viciousness flashed in Gu Si Yu’s eyes.

That very night, Gu Si Yu brought several bolts of silk to Dan Xia Courtyard and very sincerely apologised for her earlier outburst.

Gu Yu Qi had never particularly hated Gu Si Yu. After all, in truth, she had always been the one suppressing her.

Especially when Gu Si Yu spoke of their childhood memories, how much she had admired Gu Yu Qi when they were young. It was all true, and it stirred a few memories in Gu Yu Qi. That younger sister had indeed been like a little shadow trailing after her once upon a time.

Since Gu Si Yu had already apologised, it would seem rather unreasonable for Gu Yu Qi to keep holding a grudge.

So not only was Gu Yu Qi polite, she even gave her a full set of ruby hair ornaments that Yun Ke had gifted her.

Gu Si Yu was about to be married, and Gu Yu Qi had nothing else suitable to gift her. This set of jewellery would do well enough as a wedding present.

After all, it had been bought with Yun Ke’s money. Gu Yu Qi did not feel the least bit of heartache.

Holding the exquisite ruby set in her hands, Gu Si Yu felt both delighted and envious.

Just from the materials alone, one could tell it was worth a fortune, and her eldest sister had given it away without even blinking. How extravagantly wealthy she appeared.

Come to think of it, she had really profited, trading a few bolts of silk she did not even care for in exchange for something so valuable. It seemed her mother had been absolutely right. She really should make more visits to Prince An’s residence. If she saw something she liked, she could simply speak up. Surely, out of courtesy, her sister would not refuse.

Gu Si Yu had arrived with heavy steps, but she left beaming, her face radiant with delight.

Everyone else simply assumed that it was because she had reconciled with Gu Yu Qi. Little did they know, it was because she was taking advantage of Gu Yu Qi.

Once the return visit was over, Gu Yu Qi set out for her journey back to the prince’s residence. Gu Si Yu personally saw Gu Yu Qi off at the gates of the Marquis’ residence. She held Gu Yu Qi’s hand reluctantly, “Now that Eldest Sister is leaving, who knows when we’ll see each other again,” she said with deep regret, “I’d hoped that Eldest Sister could teach me the double-sided embroidery technique.”

“It’s no trouble. If you’d like, you can just come to Imperial Prince An’s palace more often,” Gu Yu Qi said with a slight smile.

Ah, these were the exact words that she had been waiting for!

Gu Si Yu’s face lit up immediately with a bright smile. “That would be wonderful.” Then she glanced over at the expressionless Prince An standing beside them. “I wonder if Brother-in-law would welcome me as well?”

Prince An cast a quiet glance at Gu Si Yu and slowly nodded. “Since your sister has said so, naturally the prince’s residence welcomes you.”

“That’s just wonderful!” Gu Si Yu clapped her hands, her face full of innocent delight.

After Prince An Yun Ke helped Gu Yu Qi into the carriage, he could not help but give her a sideways glance.

“Don’t you think your younger sister changed a little too quickly?” Yun Ke could not help but voice his concern.

Gu Yu Qi did not respond.

Of course she had noticed something was off.

But she could not very well shut her out completely, could she? What if she truly did want to mend their relationship?

“Ah Nan,” Yun Ke called gently, seeing Gu Yu Qi’s indifferent expression. He sighed softly, reached out to take her hand, and said in a low voice, “I’m genuinely worried about you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Gu Yu Qi did not pull away or resist. She let him hold her hand and replied softly.

It was that same calm, distant manner. Yun Ke sighed inwardly once more and slowly leaned his head against her shoulder.

Even if she kept her distance, as long as he continued to hold on, he believed that one day she would come to see his sincerity.

“Your Highness, this is…” Gu Yu Qi’s body stiffened.

“Don’t move. Let me lean on you for a bit,” Yun Ke said with his eyes closed. “My head hurts a little.”

Yet, it was not his head that ached but rather his heart, Yun Ke thought silently.

“Yes.” Gu Yu Qi, true to her word, sat upright and motionless.

Her reaction made Yun Ke sigh deeply once again in his heart.