Resplendent – Chapter 471

Chapter 471 — A Shared Understanding

The day after returning from Anguo Temple, the Duke of Zhen’s Manor received generous rewards from the palace, given under the pretext of congratulating the family for finding their long-lost daughter.

Gold, silver, pearls, fine silks—those were nothing unusual. But there were more than a dozen thumb-sized South Sea pearls alone. And a full bolt of Divine Silkworm Silk, one of Dongling’s Three Treasures, was bestowed as well. 

It was said that when the eldest Princess Li’an—His Majesty’s most beloved daughter—married years ago, she had received only ten feet of it. There were also various rare and precious objects, treasures that the emperor had collected in his private vault for years, all sent directly to the Duke’s manor.

Very few people in the court knew about the assassination attempt at the hunting grounds, and only a handful were aware that Gu Ye had saved the emperor’s life. Unable to reward her openly, Emperor Zhao Rong took this opportunity to bestow lavish gifts. 

Others, however, believed that the Duke was simply in high imperial favor, and that the emperor rewarded the daughter for that reason. For a time, the Duke became the official whom every minister sought to befriend.

As for the Duke’s Manor, invitations addressed to the lady of the manor and the young miss arrived like falling snow. But with Gu Ye having only two days left before her apothecary assessment, Lady Jun feared these visits would distract her. She declined them all politely, claiming poor health and saying her daughter was staying at home to tend to her illness.

As the Great Pharmacists Convention drew near, Lady Jun became as anxious as a mother with a child preparing for the college entrance exam. Not only did she become even more attentive to her daughter’s food, clothing, and daily needs, but she also worried about her daughter’s mental pressure. Every day she tried different ways to comfort her, telling her to relax.

Gu Ye felt completely helpless. She was perfectly confident—I am not worried at all, okay? When Lady Jun once again gently urged her to rest early and not to overthink the assessment, Gu Ye couldn’t help sighing. “Mother, the more you say things like that, the more nervous I’ll get.”

Lady Jun widened her eyes—so similar to Gu Ye’s own—and asked helplessly, “Then… what should I do so you won’t be nervous?”

“You should just pretend nothing is happening. Be the same as usual. If you stay calm, I’ll stay calm!”

Seeing how her mother hadn’t been sleeping or eating well these past two days, Gu Ye felt distressed. She had worked so hard to restore her mother’s health: she didn’t want her falling ill again from worrying about her.

“Well… all right!” Lady Jun thought for a moment, then said, “Don’t stay cooped up at home. Have your brothers take turns accompanying you out to walk around the city. If you see something you like, just buy it—don’t worry about the money.”

Back when Lady Jun was still an unmarried maiden, whenever she felt upset, she would go out and shop to her heart’s content. After that, all her troubles vanished. Young girls should be interested in jewelry, dresses, and such, shouldn’t they? However, her own daughter didn’t seem interested in those things at all. Whenever she rarely went out, she bought only snacks to satisfy her cravings. What did she actually like? It was enough to drive one mad with worry!

Unable to refuse her mother, Gu Ye had no choice but to drag Gu Ming and Chu Mushan out shopping. After all, the two of them were the most idle people in the manor.

“Sister, where do you want to go?” Chu Mushan helped his sister into the carriage and then mounted his horse. He asked the question casually.

Without even thinking, Gu Ye answered, “Let’s go to Yinzhen Pavilion!”

“Wait—Yinzhen Pavilion? I should go back and bring some silver notes!” Before his little sister returned home, Chu Mushan had been the most pampered in the family. 

The red envelopes he received during festivals and holidays from his parents and brothers had accumulated into a generous stash of private money.

He had planned to treat his sister using his own savings this time. But the moment he heard she wanted to go to Yinzhen Pavilion, he knew his purse wouldn’t stand a chance. He couldn’t even afford the deposit required to enter the second floor.

“No need. I’m an old acquaintance of the pavilion’s owner. There’s no deposit required even to go up to the third floor!” Gu Ye quickly said with a laugh when she heard her sixth brother’s concern. 

Yinzhen Pavilion was one of the most profitable businesses under the Hidden Soul Palace. With the jade pendant Brother Chen had given her, she could take anything she wanted there without paying a single coin!

Thinking of the dazzling treasures in the Yan City branch of Yinzhen Pavilion, she felt certain the capital’s pavilion would be even more spectacular. The thought made Gu Ye smile until her eyes curved into crescents.

“The owner of Yinzhen Pavilion is also someone who benefited from your medical skills?” Chu Mushan immediately developed an unprecedented admiration and yearning for the profession of pharmacist. As expected of a profession respected by all; he was even starting to think about giving up martial arts to pursue medicine!

Gu Ye basked in her Sixth Brother’s admiring gaze and waved her hand as if it didn’t matter. “In the way of medicine, it’s our duty to heal and save people. It’s nothing!”

Yinzhen Pavilion was located in the most bustling part of the West District, surrounded by the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles. Only people of status could come and go freely. The decorations still followed a low-key luxury style. In the private chambers for guests, the tables and chairs were made of rosewood, the tea sets were crystal glass, and the calligraphy and paintings adorning the walls were all priceless works by famous artists and scholars.

As soon as Gu Ye stepped through the pavilion’s entrance, she saw a familiar figure. She blinked hard and couldn’t help exclaiming, “Xiao Ba, what are you doing here?”

Yin Ba, who was busy reconciling accounts with the manager, felt a sudden chill down her spine at being called ‘Xiao Ba.’ Come on now, even you came to Yinzhen Pavilion today? 

Sure enough, she was their future mistress. She and her master shared a tacit understanding that didn’t even need to be spoken!

It turned out that today, Ling Juechen, having nothing to do, had brought Yin Ba to inspect his various enterprises. At this moment, they happened to arrive at Yinzhen Pavilion, where he was currently enjoying tea in a private chamber on the third floor. Though it was called an inspection, all he needed to do was move his feet or speak a few words, and Yin Ba ran himself ragged carrying out his orders.

The pavilion manager and accountant, seeing the master arrive, were both excited and nervous. They insisted on dragging Yin Ba along to report the recent accounts. Unexpectedly, on the first floor, she was caught by the future mistress herself.

Xiao Ba was the future mistress’s exclusive nickname for him. Although it didn’t sound particularly flattering, it felt far better in his heart than being called Xiao Mei.

“Miss Ye, I’ve heard that you have reunited with your biological parents. Congratulations! If you see anything you like today, feel free to take it. Consider it a gift from me in celebration!” Yin Ba put on a beaming smile, stepped forward respectfully, and cupped his hands in a formal salute.

“Xiao Ba, stop giving away other people’s property! This Yinzhen Pavilion belongs to your master, so is this gift from you, or from your master?”

Gu Ye had first met Yin Ba at the Yan City branch of Yinzhen Pavilion.

The Four Great Shadow Guards were not only among the top in martial arts, but each had their own specialty. Yin Ba, for example, had exceptional talent in business. Almost all of the Hidden Soul Palace’s enterprises were managed by him. So seeing him here did not surprise Gu Ye in the least.

“Choose whatever you like. I’ll mark it in my accounts. It will count as a gift from me to you!” 

Ling Juechen treated his subordinates generously. As Yin Ba was his right-hand man, giving away a few treasures from Yinzhen Pavilion was no strain at all.

Gu Ye deliberately feigned delight. “A miser willing to part with his treasure—that’s rare! I’ll have to go up to the third floor and pick carefully.”

Yin Ba played along, making a mock pained face. “Miss, I’m having second thoughts now. Is it too late to take it back?”