Resplendent – Chapter 417

Chapter 417 – The Handsome Brothers

“Of course, go for it! I will have people make the changes exactly as you want!” Since it was the first request his daughter made after returning home, Chu Bufan naturally took it very seriously.

“Dad, in the future I probably won’t be able to behave like those noble young ladies who never step outside the inner courtyard. Will that bring shame to the Duke’s manor?” Gu Ye had no desire to be trapped in the confines of the inner residence; her aspirations were for a sky broader, wider, and farther than that!

“We’re a military family, and we don’t have all those useless rules. Don’t worry! Daughter, whatever you want to do, just do it. Don’t concern yourself with what others think or say! Your dad will always support you!” 

The Duke had already transformed into the perfect doting father; how could he bear to restrict the daughter he had finally recovered after so much loss? 

His guiding principle: As long as his daughter is happy, everything is good!

Gu Ye remembered how, in the novels of her previous life, the daughters of noble families had to be taught rigid rules by strict palace matrons: their nature suppressed, their freedom limited. A little fear stirred in her heart.

“Dad, will you hire some formidable matrons to teach me rules, make me read The Four Books for Women and Biographies of Exemplary Women, and punish me by copying The Admonitions for Women?”

“How could I possibly?! How could I ever bear to punish you? Anything you don’t like, I will never force on you! Don’t be afraid. Even if you poked a hole in the sky, your dad would find a way to patch it up for you!” Seeing the hesitation and anxiety in his daughter’s eyes, the Duke hurried to comfort her.

Gu Ye’s lips blossomed into a sweet smile. She leaned close to the Duke, hugged his arm, and gently rested her head against it. “Thank you, Dad. You truly are the best father in the whole world — absolutely number one! Don’t worry, Dad. I’m short; I can’t reach the sky, so I won’t poke any holes in it.”

His soft, adorable daughter relied on him with those bright eyes. Calling him Dad again and again in that sweet voice made him feel as though he might float away. Daughters truly were the most precious! 

Those stinky boys of his were a headache if they weren’t causing trouble — but a daughter? She was obedient, gentle, and even knew how to act spoiled! He no longer had to envy other families for having daughters. He had one of his own now!

“Good girl! If anyone bullies you, just tell Dad. I’ll make it right for you! Whatever you need, just say the word. Even if it’s the moon in the sky, your dad will find a way to get it for you!” The Duke wished he could present the best things in the world to his daughter with both hands.

Gu Ye, ever skilled at acting cute, said, “Dad, I don’t want stars or the moon. How could I ever ask you to do something difficult?”

“Good girl—my daughter is truly sensible!” The Duke was so moved his eyes nearly filled with tears. If she weren’t grown, he would have hugged her like his wife did, holding her tight and spoiling her to death.

“Sister! Where’s our little sister?” A burst of hurried footsteps cut off the mushy father–daughter exchange. Three tall, strapping young men strode across the courtyard and rushed into the small flower hall.

Gu Ye hadn’t even figured out who was who when an exceptionally handsome young man ran straight up to her, grinning foolishly. She had just begun to smile back when he was shoved aside.

Another young man — identical to him, but with an even bigger smile — took his place.

Before Gu Ye could react, she felt herself lifted clean off the ground. Her sides were suddenly gripped, and her feet left the floor — just like a little child — as the unfamiliar young man hoisted her up. She had no idea what expression she was supposed to make. 

How embarrassing!

“Fifth, take it easy, don’t scare your sister!” The Duke frowned, clearly displeased. 

That action of holding his daughter was exactly what he had longed to do but had been unable to for thirteen years. He had been absent from his daughter’s side for thirteen years. Now that she had grown, there was so much emotional catching up to do between father and daughter.

All these years, whenever he saw someone else carrying his little daughter in their arms or hoisting her onto their shoulders, he felt a faint pang of loss. He often wondered if there would ever be a father figure by her side to love and protect her…

“Fifth Brother?” Gu Ye looked down at the energetic, handsome young man, her expression tinged with exasperation. “Is it really okay to treat a young lady so recklessly?”

Another young man — identical to the first — quickly grabbed her, setting her down so she could stand steadily. He ruffled the hair on her head and smiled warmly: “Little Sister, I’m your Fourth Brother. Fifth Brother is too annoying, we won’t bother with him!” 

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiaowu instantly became displeased: “Fourth Brother, what do you mean by that? All my life, you’ve always had to one-up me, and now you’re making me look bad in front of our sister. I’m not done with you yet! Little Sister, don’t listen to him, Fourth Brother is the worst. Little Sister, say ‘Fifth Brother’ so I can hear it…” 

“Go away! Can’t you see that Sister doesn’t even want to pay attention to you? Sister, call Fourth Brother… Who! Who’s pulling me?” Chu Xiaosi (Fourth Brother) and Chu Xiaowu (Fifth Brother) were grabbed by the back of their collars and tossed backward. 

One did a backflip and landed on a single knee. Looking closely, they realized it was their Third Brother. The two pouted and obediently stood behind him.

At home, no matter what, they feared nothing except this cunning, sly Third Brother. Though he looked like a delicate scholar, he had absolute physical dominance over them, and if angered, he would make them suffer in the most insidious ways.

‘Gentleman as jade, soft and polished’ aptly described someone like their Third Brother. 

Seeing a group of strikingly handsome brothers, each with their own charm, Gu Ye’s eyes practically sparkled. Especially the Chu family’s third son in front of her. He was flawless, nearly rivaling her Brother Chen in handsomeness.

“I’m your Third Brother!” Chu Mutong lowered his head, quietly studying his newly recovered little sister. Her gaze was clear, her smile bright, her personality pure… truly the Chu bloodline. Even after living among commoners, she retained her honest and optimistic spirit.

Gu Ye’s eyes twinkled like stars, her smile wide: “Third Brother, you’re so handsome!”

Chu Mutong froze for a moment, caught somewhere between amusement and embarrassment. He reached out and lightly flicked the little girl’s forehead, smiling in a way that felt like a gentle spring breeze: “Silly girl! Can’t you give your compliments a little more subtlety?” 

Gu Ye obediently nodded and recited a line from Guofeng · Qin Feng · Xiao Rong: “Thoughts of My Lord, gentle as jade.”

*Guofeng, Qinfeng, Xiao Rong, Pre-Qin period)

*Xiao Rong – is a four-character ancient poem

But it still didn’t feel enough, so she added another line: “A man on the road is like jade; the gentleman is unmatched in the world! Third Brother, is that subtle enough now?” 

 “Little Sister, don’t do that! You can’t just judge someone by their face!” Chu Musong and Chu Mubai, the twin brothers, were silently seething. 

Why didn’t their parents give them better looks? That way, they could attract more of their sister’s attention. With six brothers, their sister’s affection would be divided into six shares. They were greedy and wanted more than their fair share. 

“Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother are handsome too! In our Chu family, from Father and Mother to the six brothers, there’s no one ugly. I guess I’m the only one holding you all back…” Gu Ye pretended to lament, touching her little face with a sigh. 

“No, no!” 

“Little sister is the prettiest!” 

“Yes, yes, you look like Mother, so you must be the most beautiful among us!”

Seeing their sister frown, the brothers’ hearts nearly shattered as they all spoke at once, trying to comfort her.