Resplendent – Chapter 498

Chapter 498 – Taking Shelter at the Estate

“What about over there?” Gu Ye pointed to the neighboring estate, the one built with exquisite craftsmanship.

“Oh, that one? That’s the estate of Marchioness Dongping. She lives there all year round, so she probably has no intention of selling it.” Chu Mubai’s mouth curved into a gossip-filled smile.

Gu Ye raised an eyebrow. A Marchioness living year-round on an estate—there was definitely some hidden story there. She wasn’t particularly interested in other people’s secrets, though; it was simply a pity that it meant one less chance to buy land.

The Chu brothers took their little sister around the area for a while. 

Among all the estates, only the ones belonging to Princess Consort Rong and the Marquis of Dongping suited her taste. When it was approaching noon, Chu Mubai and Chu Mushan went up the mountain and caught two pheasants and three rabbits, planning to find a shady spot at the foot of the hill to roast them.

Unexpectedly, a patch of dark clouds drifted in from who-knows-where. The clouds didn’t look thick—just a light gray layer—but once they passed overhead, they unleashed a surprising downpour that drenched them completely.

The teenage boys were fine—they were strong and sturdy—but their biggest concern was their little sister, who was soaked as well. If she didn’t change her clothes soon, she might catch a chill. With no other choice, they knocked on the gate of the Marquis Dongping’s estate.

“Well now! What’s this… caught in the rain while hunting?” A crisp, straightforward female voice sounded from behind the Chu siblings. 

Gu Ye turned with her brothers to look. A woman around twenty-six or twenty-seven, dressed neatly in riding clothes, stood there with a bamboo hat on her head and a fishing rod in hand. Behind her, a boy around eight years old peeked out curiously, studying these unexpected guests.

Chu Musong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “We are from the Defender Duke’s residence. Today we brought our little sister out to the countryside for some fresh air. Unexpectedly, we were caught in the rain. We’ve come to ask if we may take shelter in Madam’s estate.”

“Oh! From the Defender Duke’s residence, are you? You two look almost identical. You must be Xiaosi and Xiaowu, right? And this fair and delicate, scholarly-looking one, who resembles your mother a bit—you must be Xiaoliu!” The Marchioness of Dongping laughed heartily, clearly in very good spirits. She didn’t look at all like someone who had been banished to an estate.

“And this little girl—how fresh and lovely! Such refined features, such a charming little face. This must be the young miss your family recently found again?” The Marchioness examined Gu Ye closely, praising her nonstop.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Gu Ye bent her knees to give a polite curtsy, but the Marchioness immediately supported her by the arm. The firm strength in her grip showed that she was someone trained in martial arts. 

The Marchioness said with a cheerful smile, “No need for so many formalities here. Come inside—I’ll find some clothes for you to change into, or you’ll catch a chill. Bixi, go to the kitchen and tell them to make some ginger soup to warm our guests.”

Bixi was the maid standing behind the Marchioness, carrying a water bucket. 

The siblings hurriedly thanked the Marchioness for the trouble. 

The Marchioness smiled again and said, “My family and your Chu family have been close for generations. There’s no need to be so polite. And today you’re in for a treat; Fei’er and I caught two big fish while fishing.”

Food-loving Gu Ye leaned forward to take a look. Sure enough, they were two large black carp. She couldn’t help saying, “These are perfect. Whether made into fish filets in hot chili oil or pickled-cabbage fish, they’d taste amazing.”

“Oh? Aren’t those two dishes the signature dishes of Qingfeng Pavilion? The cook here at my manor wouldn’t be able to make them.” The Marchioness noticed how the girl’s eyes lit up the moment she mentioned food, and her smile deepened. 

She had no daughter of her own and was especially fond of this kind of pretty, unaffected young girl.

“I know the recipes. Madam, if you don’t mind, I can go to the kitchen and help your cook prepare them,” Gu Ye said. She hadn’t eaten those two dishes in quite a while, and she couldn’t help feeling eager.

“Oh? Is Miss Chu skilled in cooking?” The Marchioness was a bit puzzled. 

What was the background of this little girl that was recently brought back by the Defender Duke’s that she even knew the recipes for Qingfeng Pavilion’s signature dishes?

Gu Ye shook her head with a smile and said, “I only have a tongue that’s more sensitive than most. For the majority of delicious dishes, after tasting them once, I can identify eight or nine out of ten ingredients. As for the level of heat and timing, that’s up to the cook.”

What she said was true. However, she would never casually mention that most of Qingfeng Pavilion’s recipes came from her.

“Oh? That’s wonderful! You know how it is. Qingfeng Pavilion’s food is excellent, but their tables are impossible to book. Sometimes even booking ten days in advance isn’t enough. It’s rare to get a chance to eat there. For today’s lunch, thanks to Miss Chu, I’ll finally get to try their signature dishes!” The Marchioness, born into a military family, was straightforward and forthright. Gu Ye found herself liking her quite a bit.

Hearing this, Gu Ye smiled slightly and said, “Madam, you may just call me Ye’er.”

“Alright. Calling you Miss Chu does feel too distant.” The Marchioness brought the girl into her own room and found a dress she had never worn, letting Gu Ye change into it.

But the little girl hadn’t fully grown yet; the hem of the dress dragged along the ground, and the sleeves hung past her hands, swaying like those of an opera costume. 

After changing, Gu Ye stepped on the long hem and nearly fell flat on her face. The Marchioness laughed and said, “You look about the same size as my younger son. I just finished making him a set of clothes the day before yesterday. If you don’t mind wearing them, Ye’er, go ahead.”

Of course, Gu Ye didn’t care about such trivial matters. 

After changing into the boy’s sky-blue outfit, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail, she really did look a bit like a handsome young lad. The clothes fit perfectly, yet Gu Ye couldn’t feel happy about it. 

She was actually the same size as an eight-year-old brat!

The Marchioness seemed to sense her thoughts and smiled. “Both my sons take after their maternal grandfather and uncles. They shoot up in height quickly! Don’t be fooled by Fei’er being only eight. Many children of civil officials who are eleven or twelve can’t match his height.”

Hearing this, Gu Ye felt slightly reassured. But then the Marchioness added, “Your father and brothers are tall as well. You seem to take after your mother…”

Gu Ye immediately felt gloomy again. 

Lady Jun, despite being born in the north, wasn’t tall for a woman at all. The Marchioness standing before her was half a head taller than her mother! 

Sigh… She wondered whether her wish to grow past 1.6 meters could ever be fulfilled in this lifetime.

The Marchioness found the little girl truly amusing. Her emotions were written all over her face. How worried she must be about not growing taller!

The Marchioness couldn’t help but comfort her, “You’re still young! Many girls grow several more inches after reaching maturity. Eat well, sleep well, run and jump around. Our families come from a line of warriors. Don’t be like those weak, bookish girls who speak in a whisper and can’t even crush an ant underfoot…”

Gu Ye snorted and laughed. This Marchioness was really entertaining! She liked her!

After changing her clothes, she went to the front courtyard’s living room. Her brothers saw her dressed in boys’ attire and couldn’t help teasing, “Eh! Since when did we get a Seventh Brother?”