Resplendent – Chapter 445

Chapter 445 – Enemies in Past Life

“Miss, the carriage from Prince Qing’s Manor has been waiting outside since early morning.” A maid from the second gate came to deliver the message. Gu Ye nodded, indicating she understood.

Chu Xiaoliu frowned, puzzled. “Prince Qing’s Manor? Our family has no private dealings with them. Why would someone from there come to visit?”

Gu Ye briefly explained the agreement she made yesterday with Princess Anya. As for the willful, spoiled, and temperamental Princess Anya, Chu Mushan didn’t have a good impression of her and wasn’t too keen on his sister associating with her.  

First, he feared his sister might suffer losses. Second, it was naturally because he was worried Princess Anya’s bad habits would rub off on his obedient and sensible little sister.

“Sister, I’ll escort you to the Apothecary Guild.” Chu Mushan was only sixteen by nominal age and had yet to receive any official duties; among the whole family, he was practically the most idle one.

Originally, he was supposed to attend the extended lessons at Marquis Duan Ning’s family academy.  But now that his long-lost sister had finally been found, he felt responsible for staying by her side, to help her adapt as quickly as possible to life in the family and in the capital.

So, he pestered their father into giving him a half-month leave. This way, he could accompany his little sister through the entire convention!

Gu Ye looked at Gu Ming and noticed a trace of longing in his eyes, so she nodded in agreement. “Alright! Then I’ll trouble Sixth Brother. Brother, you should come along too!”

Gu Ming’s eyes lit up instantly. His little sister hadn’t distanced herself from him just because he wasn’t related to the Gu family by blood. He didn’t want to overthink it. Even if she now had plenty of brothers from the Chu family, no one could truly replace him. He had to treat his sister even better. He absolutely couldn’t let the Chu brothers outshine him!

On the way to the second gate, Gu Ye asked with concern, “Brother, are you getting used to living in the manor?”

“Very much so. I’m staying in the same courtyard as Grandfather. Many of Grandfather’s old comrades from the capital heard he arrived, so people invite him for drinks daily. The Chu brothers make me train with them every morning. The Duke personally instructs us, and Fifth and Sixth Brother exchange moves with me. I feel like I’ve improved a lot in just these past two days!”

Gu Ming’s slightly tanned face shone with excitement, like a person obsessed with riches stumbling upon a pile of priceless treasures. Who would have thought that her brother was a little martial arts fanatic!

“Martial arts training must progress step by step. Don’t rush it. Your goal is to become a martial champion, so you can’t focus only on martial arts. Sixth Brother, is there an academy in the capital that would suit my brother?” Gu Ye turned to ask Chu Mushan.

“So Brother Ming wants to take the martial exam? Ambitious! During next year’s martial exams, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, and I all plan to participate just for fun. How about you join us?” Chu Mushan patted Gu Ming’s shoulder with a grin.

Gu Ye shot him a glare. “My brother started his studies late. He’s only had two years of schooling and two years of martial training. If you throw him into the exams now, wouldn’t he just become a backdrop for you? My brother is still young. Waiting another three to five years will be perfect. Sixth Brother, don’t you go giving bad suggestions.”

Chu Mushan said sourly, “Sister, you grew up together after all, so your bond is special. You’re protecting Brother Ming, yet you scold me. I’m angry—hmph!”

“Sixth Brother, aren’t you being childish? I’m helping with reason, not with blood ties. I stand with whoever is right!” Gu Ye rolled her eyes at him. He even gets jealous. She really couldn’t deal with him!

Chu Mushan chuckled, “Sister, I’m not jealous, I’m just teasing you! Look, I’ve prepared the best carriage in the Duke’s Manor for you. This is the one Mother usually uses when she goes out.

But it’s been sitting unused for a long time.”

The Duchess had been ill for quite some time and hadn’t gone out. The men of the household mostly rode horses, so the carriage naturally remained idle.

Gu Ye knew that the carriages of dukes and marquises always bore the family seal. She was only going to a small gathering of pharmacists and didn’t want to make a fuss. After thinking for a moment, she said, “I’ll take my own carriage instead!”

“What do you mean your carriage, my carriage! Hurry up and get in, I’ve been waiting for you!” Princess Anya threw back the carriage curtain and jumped out, her face full of impatience.

“Princess? Why are you here?” Gu Ye’s surprise was genuine. She had thought that Princess Anya would only send the carriage, never expecting her to come in person. Clearly, the patient was very important to her.

Princess Anya replied in annoyance, “Why can’t I come here? After thinking it through, I decided that coming myself would better show my sincerity!”

Gu Ye pursed her lips. Sounds good, but she knew the truth: Princess Anya was probably worried she might change her mind and refuse to see the patient.  A petty mind, indeed. Gu Ye would never act so capriciously and go back on her word.

“Enough talk, get in!” Princess Anya didn’t give her a chance to speak and tried to push her into the carriage. This didn’t look like a polite invitation, but was outright abduction!

“Slow down, be careful not to hurt my sister!” Chu Mushan had never seen such a rough woman.  Fearing for his sister’s small frame, he quickly stepped forward to rescue her from the hands of this female bandit.

 “Sister? Who’s your sister? Her brother is right here, and you’re brazenly trying to snatch his sister. Aren’t you afraid the Gu family will come after you?” Princess Anya and Chu Xiaoliu were like old rivals from a past life; whenever they met, a few sharp words were sure to fly.

One accused the other of being rough and tomboyish; the other retorted that the first looked like a little girl, unworthy of being a man. From the moment they met, they went straight for each other’s sore spots, mercilessly.

Chu Xiaoliu looked smug. “Listen! Ye’er is the legitimate daughter of our Duke of Zhen’s Manor: my real little sister! If you want her to make medicine for you, show some respect!”

Seeing his self-satisfied expression, Princess Anya snorted coldly. “So what if Gu Ye is your biological sister? You, as her brother, are not even worth one finger compared to her. What’s there to be proud of?”

She then turned to Gu Ye, whose face bore a six-part resemblance to Chu Xiaoliu, and said with disdain, “Aren’t you surnamed Gu? Since when did you become Chu Xiaoliu’s sister?”

“That’s a long story—you’ll find out eventually. I’m rushing to attend the pharmacists’ gathering. If you two aren’t done quarreling, please continue!” Seeing her carriage arrive, Gu Ye tossed the two immature kids aside, jumped in, and drove off.

“Hey! Wait for me!” Princess Anya climbed into her own carriage and urged the driver to catch up. Chu Xiaoliu shrugged, mounted his horse, and galloped after his sister’s carriage.

The Apothecary Guild was in the East District, meaning they had to travel across most of the capital. For some reason, the streets were becoming increasingly crowded, and naturally, the carriage slowed down.

Gu Ye lifted the curtain, frowned, and asked, “Is there some sort of grand event today? Why is everyone gathering on the streets?”

In the carriage beside hers, Princess Anya’s beautiful face appeared at the window. “You don’t know? Today is the day the envoys from Yan Kingdom arrive in the capital. The entire Ministry of Rites has been mobilized. The Crown Prince personally went out of the city to welcome them. By now, he should be entering the city.”

TL Note: I made some changes to the translations. Previously: Pharmacists Association, to Apothecary Guild, moving forward.