Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Sisters

After Gu Yifeng returned to the Capital, he immediately encountered the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth month. He first went to the palace to express his gratitude, and was then kept for a banquet before returning home.

Mrs. Dong was waiting at the inner gate with two concubines. Aunt Lv’s eyes showed undisguised pleasure as she glanced slyly at Aunt He beside her, her face growing smug.

Although the Marquis had not been in the mansion for seven years, he sent gifts every year, so Aunt Lv was considered favored, having been pregnant twice; however, unfortunately, both were daughters.

As she grew older, Aunt Lv thought she should conceive again while she was still favored, hoping to give birth to a son.

Last night, after the Marquis returned home, he stayed in the main courtyard. Tonight, it was almost certain he would come to her quarters.

Aunt Lv wore a tender yellow straight gown with a white under-skirt, her hair coiled high with a large hibiscus freshly picked from the conservatory adorning it.

Already strikingly beautiful, she now looked more delicate than a flower.

From afar, seeing the Marquis dismount and walk in, her beauty seemed to enhance Mrs. Dong’s smile.

As the Marquis approached, everyone bowed down.

Gu Yifeng did not pause. With a steady voice that carried the composure of someone in power, he said, “Rise, all of you.”

After speaking, he strode away, but not towards Yingshui Courtyard.

Mrs. Dong paused slightly, seeing that he was heading towards the corner gate, she knew he was going to Shi’an Garden.

Though she was displeased in her heart, Mrs. Dong generously waved her hand, “Disperse. The Marquis has just returned home, and it’s proper for him to chat with Mrs. Gu Sr. Your intentions are understood by the Marquis.”

Ms. Lv, being a distant cousin of Mrs. Dong, naturally respected her, and left with her maid after a respectful bow. Aunt He, being neither contentious nor competitive, seemed almost nonexistent.

Mrs. Dong, holding Jingfu’s hand, walked towards Yinghe Courtyard, “Any movement in Jinghe Courtyard?”

When two families live together, problems arise.

Although Mrs. Kong didn’t manage the inner quarters’ affairs, she seemed to want to intervene, planning to separate residences in the future, which Mrs. Dong wouldn’t agree with.

“Because of the affair in the Minister Mansion, Mrs. Gu Sr. sent an old nanny to reprimand the Second Madam. After the nanny left, I heard she smashed things in the room, later having them replaced from the backup storage,” Jingfu, ever composed, served consistently by Mrs. Dong’s side after marrying into the household.

Mrs. Dong’s expression remained indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger, her face unmarked by time, her demeanor as composed and elegant as ever, “Ultimately unable to remain calm.”

But thinking of the cloak the Marquis draped around Sister Lin last night, Mrs. Dong felt annoyed. Knowing she shouldn’t feel this way, she couldn’t help but feel unsettled by Sister Lin’s beauty that even women admired.

“The Marquis’s cloak is somewhat old. Have someone find that piece of cyan brocade with dark cloud patterns from my dowry, and I’ll make a new one for him.”

Jingfu paused slightly, then heard Madam continue, “Let’s forget it, the Marquis is sentimental and prefers worn items unchanged. Just have the laundry room wash it carefully.”

Jingfu lowered her gaze and respectfully complied.

At Shi’an Garden, Mrs. Gu Sr.’s voice brimmed with undisguised pleasure upon seeing her son, “Today, the Emperor kept you for dinner at the palace. When those from various noble families come to you, have you thought about how to deal with it, given the uncertain palace situation?”

“I informed the Emperor that I have not been in the mansion for years, and with my recurring back ailment, I would need to rest more. The Emperor granted leave, only having me oversee the affairs of the Nine Gates Commander of the Capital, not requiring daily presence,” Gu Yifeng peeled an orange for Mrs. Gu Sr., “You’ve always mentioned wanting to spend a few days at the estate. Once it’s ready, I’ll accompany you.”

“You have significant responsibilities; the Emperor entrusts you with the Capital’s safety, which you must handle dutifully. There’s no urgency in going to the estate,” Mrs. Gu Sr. said with satisfaction at her son’s attentiveness, “That little fox you gave to Ning has kept her busy these days, barely leaving her time to accompany me.”

Though she criticized her son playfully, Mrs. Gu Sr. was evidently pleased, “I haven’t seen her this happy in years.”

Thinking of that delicate figure, Gu Yifeng shook his head, dividing the orange and placing it on a plate, taking a cloth from a servant to clean his hands, “I noticed little sister looks frail, did the Imperial Physician see her?”

“Yes, over the years she’s regained her health. The girl eats well, always experimenting with recipes in the small kitchen and inviting me to taste them. I think she’s naturally thin despite her appetite,” Mrs. Gu Sr. laughed with eyes narrowed into slits, “However, she’s grown now, she can’t always be secluded from the outside world.”

“Mother need not worry. When Mrs. Dong leaves the residence, she’ll take little sister with her,” Gu Yifeng wasn’t concerned about this.

Yet, recalling what the girl from Wu Mansion said, his stern face involuntarily frowned slightly.

“There’s still over a year left, Sister Ning is sensible, so I’m not concerned about her; it’s just that you’ve been away for seven years, and we only have Brother Xuan from a concubine. You should pay more attention to your heirs,” Mrs. Gu Sr. hesitated, “I heard the girl from the Zhang family is fertile, and they intend to offer a daughter to our mansion. What’s your opinion?”

“Vice Minister Zhang’s family?” Gu Yifeng contemplated, “We already have two concubines here, and matters of heirs are up to fate, not to be forced. Let’s leave it at that.”

Seeing her son’s indifference towards matters between men and women, Mrs. Gu Sr. knew questioning was futile, though she couldn’t help but voice it.

Now seeing her son reject it, she didn’t say much more.

The mother and son chatted for a while longer, and seeing that it was getting late, Gu Yifeng rose to take his leave. As he exited the courtyard gate of Shi’an Garden and entered Tingxue Hall, he heard laughter echoing in his ears.

Gu Yifeng, dressed in a black python robe, with his hands clasped behind his back, saw a figure amidst the chrysanthemums chasing a white ball of fluff, laughter continuously echoing.

Li Si, who was following behind, glanced up briefly before lowering his head again.

Gu Yifeng stood there for a while before striding away.

Lin Youning’s days passed more swiftly with the Snow Fox around, but she did not expect to receive an invitation to the Xu Mansion’s chrysanthemum appreciation event.

For years she rarely left the mansion, except for the last time she met Xu Yuxian. Now, seeing the invitation brought by Aunt from the front courtyard, she understood that Aunt wanted her to go.

With a sigh in her heart, Lin Youning understood her days of leisure were over, and she couldn’t hide forever.

With this in mind, she began considering how to approach the Marquis about not marrying Gu Er.

The chrysanthemum appreciation at the Xu Mansion was set for September 29th, five days away. When Mrs. Gu Sr. received the invitation, she immediately began preparing clothes and jewelry for Lin Youning, and the other young ladies in the mansion also received invitations.

Whenever the young ladies saw Lin Youning, they had to call her “Aunt,” though they lived in the same Marquis Mansion, they typically only met during holidays or when paying respects to Mrs. Gu Sr.

Sister Jian and Sister Ran were born from Aunt Lv, and the two sisters always appeared together; Sister Hui, being the legitimate daughter, was usually aloof. Though only twelve years old, she already bore much of Mrs. Dong’s demeanor.

Mrs. Gu Sr. did not like children who were too quiet; she favored Sister Yue, the twin sister from the second household.

Although she did not care for Mrs. Kong, her daughter Sister Yue looked very much like Gu Yixuan. Mrs. Gu Sr., having grown older, would see this resemblance and be reminded of her son in his younger days, naturally showing her a bit more affection.

Sister Yue, having a sweet tongue, often brought joy to Mrs. Gu Sr.

Sister Yue was respectful to Lin Youning, but privately, the servants in the mansion could see that the sisters were all rather distant from Miss Lin.

Lin Youning didn’t mind; with her status, it wasn’t easy for others to grow close to her.

It was rare that day, when selecting jewelry at Mrs. Gu Sr.’s place, that everyone gathered together, making Shi’an Garden exceptionally lively.

“Behave yourself, and don’t forget Aunt’s instructions,” Sister Jian gently tugged her younger sister’s sleeve.

The sisters sat close together, and her voice was low, so others couldn’t hear.

Over by Mrs. Gu Sr., Sister Yue and Sister Hui were selecting jewelry. With Sister Yue’s agreeable chatter, she often succeeded in making Mrs. Gu Sr. laugh heartily, so no one paid attention to this side.

Sister Ran smiled, looking upwards, and gave a soft hum in response.

Watching this, Sister Jian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Her younger sister had high aspirations, always wanting to compete with Sister Hui and Sister Yue, but they were born to Aunt, whereas the others were born to Madam.

“Elder Sister, you and Second Sister should come pick as well; we are all family sisters, there aren’t that many rules,” Sister Yue turned and waved to Sister Jian and Sister Ran, then turned back to Mrs. Gu Sr. coquettishly, “Isn’t that so, Grandmother?”

Her voice was clear and pleasant, and even though she was only ten, it was already apparent she would grow up beautifully.

Mrs. Gu Sr. raised her hand to tap her head gently, “Speaking nonsense, every mansion has its own rules. But since there are no outsiders today, sisters, you may join as well.”

Seeing her granddaughter happy, Mrs. Gu Sr. only lightly commented, yet it gave Sister Yue some grace, inviting Sister Jian and Sister Ran over.

Sister Jian, flustered, stood up, and upon seeing this, Sister Hui calmly said, “Grandmother’s love shouldn’t be refused, but as Grandmother said, we can’t lose decorum.”

Sister Ran, obediently, also stood up with a sweet smile, “Elder Sister is absolutely right.”

The two adhered to the rules, and Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded, though she did not praise Sister Hui for her understanding.

Sister Hui smiled at Sister Jian and Sister Ran, “Fourth Sister and I have finished choosing, Elder Sister and Second Sister, please do come over.”

Sister Yue, sitting on the step, glanced around mischievously, “Grandmother, shall we leave Miss Lin to pick as well?”

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