Resplendent – Chapter 524

Chapter 524: The Invitation

Chu Bufan cast a tender glance at his youngest daughter and nodded. “Ye’er says my wrist can be restored through surgery. Truthfully, aside from being unable to wield swords, spears, or staffs, my wrist functions no differently from anyone else’s now. I’ve been diligently training with my left-handed sword these past years and have made considerable progress. In another couple of years, I’ll be perfectly capable of taking the battlefield!”

Every night, Gu Ye would enter her space to research an external ointment capable of restoring tendon elasticity. Once perfected, combined with reconstructive surgery, she was fully confident she could restore her father’s wrist to its pre-injury state. Her medicinal research had already made progress. Once she located the mutated Cyathula Root, she could begin formulating the remedy!

Old General Chu stroked Gu Ye’s jet-black hair, his voice tinged with emotion. “Truly, Ye’er is our Chu family’s little lucky star. Just look, three generations of our family have all benefited from her.”

Indeed! The recovery of Old General Chu’s old injury, the hope for the Duke’s tendon healing, the improvement in Lady Jun’s health, and even the very life of the Chu family’s most outstanding third-generation member—Chu Muhua—all bore her mark. Even before she was found, a profound connection had already been forged between them. Perhaps this was simply the hand of fate!

 Gu Ye snapped out of her reverie to find everyone from her Grandpa to her Sixth Brother smiling at her. She knew she had a habit. Once she focused on medicine, everything in the outside world was completely shut out, leaving her mind adrift in her own little world.

Her grandfather had just returned today, yet she was openly spacing out—utterly inappropriate. She touched her own cheek and quipped, “Why are you all staring at me like that? Could it be that I have crumbs on my face?”

Lady Jun  turned her daughter’s face to examine it closely, gently smoothing her hair at the temple before smiling. “Not at all! Our Bao’er has such a fair, clean, and beautiful little face. No one is prettier than Bao’er!”

Gu Ye put on a bashful expression, covering her little face with her hands, her bright eyes sparkling. “Mother, are you complimenting me, or yourself? I heard that when Mother was still a maiden, you were much prettier than me!”

Indeed, Gu Ye’s delicate face bore a striking resemblance to Lady Jun in her youth, seven or eight parts alike, though Gu Ye’s features were more delicate and pleasing to the eye. Lady Jun gently tapped the little girl’s forehead, her voice soft as if afraid of startling her. “Little imp! How mischievous of you to actually try to outdo your mother!”

Chu Bufan hurried forward to shield his daughter, laughing as he said, “How is that teasing? Our daughter just speaks nothing but the truth! In my heart, there’s no one in this world prettier than the two of you!”

Lady Jun’s cheeks flushed slightly as she scolded, “What nonsense are you spouting in front of your father and the children! You’re so old yet still so improper. Be careful you don’t corrupt the kids!”

Gu Ye nodded seriously, adding fuel to the fire, “Exactly, exactly! Father, really, saying such truthful nonsense! You’ve embarrassed Mother now!”

Lady Jun, ever the shy one, saw her sons struggling to stifle their laughter. Her face flushed crimson, like a cloud had settled upon it. Unable to sit still, she rose abruptly. “Father, Uncle Gu, please continue chatting. I’ll go and check on how dinner preparations are coming along in the kitchen!”

Chu Bufan was about to say that the kitchen staff could handle everything and that there was no need for her to go personally, but his mischievous daughter cut him off and whispered in his ear, “Father, just let Mother go. If she stays any longer, her face will catch fire. Mother gets embarrassed easily, and you teased her in front of so many people. You better watch out or she’ll settle accounts with you later.”

Hearing this, Chu Bufan felt a pang of regret. He gave his youngest daughter a tender look, as if to say: You’re quick to shift the blame, acting like you had nothing to do with the teasing. 

Well, since his wife would never blame their daughter, all the trouble would surely fall onto him. He’d better think fast about how to smooth things over and coax his wife!

Now that Old General Chu has returned home, Gu Ye specially borrowed Aunt Yan to help in the main kitchen, preparing a feast that was as visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious as any banquet at Qingfeng Pavilion. The wine was fine, the dishes were exquisite. 

The family gathered around the table for dinner, feasting in lively cheer until late into the night before reluctantly returning to their respective courtyards. The only regret was that the eldest brother, stationed at Junlang Pass, could not return to reunite with his family.

Defending the homeland was the duty and mission of soldiers. For the sacred motherland and people in their hearts, for the families they cherish most, they guard the frontiers year-round, unable to reunite with parents, wives, and children. Some even meet their end wrapped in horsehide, sacrificing their lives for the borders and nation they protect… They truly deserved to be called ‘the most beloved people’!

At the Chu family’s banquet, a place was reserved for Chu Muhua, who remained far away at the frontier. In the hearts of his family, it felt as though he too had traversed mountains and rivers to join them in their joyous gathering…

The next day, because the festivities had run so late, Gu Ye couldn’t get up in the morning. She clutched her quilt and slept soundly, enjoying a lazy lie-in. The autumn heat finally relented, shedding its sharp claws and becoming more docile. That evening, with the windows open, a hint of coolness crept in.

Yue Yuan opened the chest and covered the girl with the thin cloud-silk quilt. The quilt was warm and comforting, making one feel like they were nestling on a bed of clouds. Gu Ye slept so soundly she didn’t want to get up at all.

Hua Hao entered from outside and saw her young mistress sleeping soundly with her bottom sticking up. She felt reluctant to disturb her. However, glancing at the invitation in her hand, she steeled herself and woke the girl.

Gu Ye rubbed her eyes and sat up groggily. “Hua Hao, there’s no exam today. Can’t I sleep a little longer?”

“Miss, there is a breakthrough regarding the estate you’ve been eyeing!” Hua Hao knew her mistress’s heart best and understood exactly what would perk her up.

Sure enough, Gu Ye perked up like she’d been injected with adrenaline. Her drowsy eyes sharpened and brightened. “What? Did Sister Fei come? Did she bring good news?”

She scrambled out of bed in one swift motion and hurriedly summoned Liangchen and Meijing to assist with her ablutions. While brushing her teeth, she asked anxiously, “What did Sister Fei say? Is the Princess Consort of Rong willing to transfer that estate?”

Huahao hurriedly handed her the invitation. “Prince Tai’s consort didn’t come. Instead, Princess Consort Rong sent you an invitation, inviting you and Madam to pay a visit to Prince Rong’s residence.”

Gu Ye washed her face, applied her homemade moisturizing lotion, and took the honey water handed to her by Yue Yuan, gulping it down in one go before finally accepting the invitation. 

The invitation was crafted from the most fashionable multicolored paper of the era, hand-painted with exquisite floral and bird motifs. Even in later generations, such paper alone would be prized as a work of art.

She held it in her hands, examining it before unfolding the invitation. The characters were written in plum blossom small seal script, harmonizing beautifully with the bamboo and plum blossom patterns on the colored paper.