Resplendent – Chapter 418

Chapter 418: The World Feels So Small

Gu Ye lowered her head, eyes sparkling with amusement, a mischievous smile hidden at the corners of her lips. She quietly stuck out her tongue in the direction of Gu Ming through the line of Chu family brothers But Third Brother, Chu Mutong, caught the little gesture, and they exchanged a knowing look.

Gu Ming, who had been feeling a bit left out, watched the Chu brothers being completely flustered by their sister’s little trick. Amused, he also felt a twinge of sympathy. He realized he, too, would willingly be one of the many to be teased by their mischievous sister. His sister was still as playful as ever!

“Enough, all of you!” The sons had surrounded Gu Ye, and the Duke felt ignored. He shouted at the boys, “Do you even have a shred of brotherly sense? You come back and immediately upset your sister! Step aside! If you scare my precious daughter, I’ll make sure you regret it!”

He scooped Gu Ye out from among her brothers and led her to a uniquely styled rose chair in the small flower hall. He pulled up a chair beside her, sat close, and gave the other boys a sharp look: Your sister just returned and is in a strange environment, so better behave yourselves around her!

Chu Musong and Chu Mubai quickly pulled up a chair and sat on the other side of their sister, grumbling, “Father, now that our little sister is back, we barely have any place in your heart! You can’t be so biased!”

“Look at you—such a grown man, and you dare compete for attention with your sister?” the Duke scowled at him, full of disapproval!

The Third Brother, Chu Mutong, grabbed Chu Xiaowu and tossed him aside. Ignoring his protests, he sat down himself and reminded their father, “Father, how could you say such harsh words in front of our sister? Aren’t you afraid of scaring her?”

The Duke realized the inappropriateness of his earlier words and quickly clarified, “Daughter, don’t be afraid. I was just scaring them! You don’t know. If I didn’t discipline these brothers of yours, they’d be causing trouble every three days! When they were little, all they did was get me into trouble! But you’re different. You’re my obedient, good daughter, and I care for you more than enough!”

“Dad, you’re clearly favoring daughters over sons. You’re biased!” The twins protested plaintively.

Chu Mushan looked at his two older brothers and, acting cute, said, “Sister has suffered so much all these years outside. It’s only right that we spoil her! Sister, later I’ll take you around my courtyard, and whatever you like, I’ll get it for you!” 

“Xiaoliu, you little rascal! You’re deliberately making us look bad in front of sister to make yourself shine. You’re getting more and more annoying—almost as sly as Third Brother, that old fox!” Chu Xiaosi and Chu Xiaowu were so angry they pointed at Xiaoliu, snorting through their nostrils.

“Who’s making you look bad? Everything I said is true. Sister, don’t you agree?” Chu Mushan thought to himself that since he was the one who found his sister, her feelings for him must be different.  

But that wasn’t enough!  He wanted his sister to know that among all her brothers, he cared for her the most!

“You’re all good brothers!” Gu Ye gave everyone an equal ‘good person card,’ showing no favoritism.

“See, see!” Chu Mubai leaned over and whispered in Gu Ye’s ear, “I know the capital territory the best among all of us brothers.” When you have time, I will take you out to play!  I promise you’ll eat to your heart’s content and have lots of fun!”

“Yay, yeah! It’s the perfect season for admiring chrysanthemums. Fifth Brother, can you take me to the Chrysanthemum Garden?” Gu Ye deliberately put on an innocent, wide-eyed, expectant look, turning to a flustered Chu Mubai, silently cracking up inside.

The Third Brother, Chu Mutong, smiled faintly—another seemingly harmless little bunny in the house, but inside a cunning little fox. What an interesting little girl! 

No one else seemed inclined to rescue Chu Mubai. Chu Musong, in particular, wore a purely amused expression.

Chu Mubai’s face turned bright red. After scratching his head and tugging at his ears, he awkwardly said, “Little Sister… if you want to see chrysanthemums, there’s a manor outside the city. On the hillside, they plant all sorts of rare chrysanthemums. But the Chrysanthemum Garden is not a place a little girl can enter…”

“Why not? Isn’t the Chrysanthemum Garden a place to see chrysanthemums? There’s no reason it should only be open to men!” Gu Ye made her expression even more innocent and adorable.

Chu Mubai, flustered and sweating, cast desperate glances at his older brothers for help. But the several unscrupulous older brothers just stood by, happily watching his predicament unfold.

Only the Duke was worried that his curious daughter might sneak off to the Chrysanthemum Garden to see ‘things,’ so he hurriedly explained, “Good daughter! There’s nothing like that in the Chrysanthemum Garden. That’s a place for men to amuse themselves. You absolutely cannot go there, little girl.” 

The sons shot their father horrified glances—Dad, did you really have to put it so bluntly? Won’t that embarrass or anger our little sister?

Their gazes shifted back to Gu Ye, only to see her still innocent and clueless, yet obediently nodding. “Father, I understand! I absolutely will not go there!” 

Ah… how obedient and adorable she is! The brothers’ hearts melted instantly.

The Duke couldn’t help but rub his daughter’s head. “Good child…”

“Your Grace, lunch is ready. Please, proceed to Rong’an Garden with the young masters and young miss.” Granny Ping, in charge of Rong’an Garden, truly hated to interrupt the heartwarming scene of fatherly affection and sibling camaraderie inside the hall. But if she delayed any longer, the food would get cold…

“And madam? Has she woken up?” The Duke’s greatest concern was still his frail wife. 

Back then, she had returned to Yan City heavily pregnant for her father’s funeral, right in the midst of the family disaster. She gave birth to their daughter early and was forced to be separated from her. The ten years of exile to the border had brought countless hardships, and her body had been worn down during that time.

Granny Ping smiled: “She’s awake. As soon as she woke, she asked about Young Miss. Has she been settled? Is she satisfied with Mingzhu Pavilion?” 

As she spoke, Steward Zhou from the outer courtyard entered to report that a certain Elder Master Gu requested an audience.

“It must be grandfather!” Gu Ye went over to Gu Ming and asked, “Brother, did you have Qing Feng fetch grandfather?” 

She realized then that her brother’s servant wasn’t by his side. Surely, when Chu Mushan took her onto the carriage, he had been worried, followed along and had even notified their grandfather. 

Hearing his daughter’s whisper, the Duke looked grateful: “Is it the elder who accompanied you to the capital? Quickly, have him come in. He is a great benefactor of our Chu family!” 

Gu Ye blinked, thinking of the connection between her grandfather and Grandpa Chu, and felt how small the world was. 

“Uncle Gu?” Not only did the Duke look surprised, but even her usually composed Second Brother and stoic Third Brother showed expressions of astonishment. Fourth and Fifth Brothers gaped even wider, their faces as dumbfounded as could be.