Resplendent – Chapter 525

Chapter 525 — The Visit

The invitation was straightforward in its wording, essentially expressing gratitude for the medicine gifted by the daughter of the Duke, extending an invitation to the Duchess and the Young Miss to a banquet in their honor, hoping for their gracious attendance. Naturally, the wording was phrased more elegantly than this.

Lady Jun had already changed into her outing attire: a grape-purple brocade robe, trimmed with bright satin and embroidered with golden peonies. Her hair was arranged in a high chignon and adorned with an exquisite gold-and-jade hair ornament that swayed gently. Her entire demeanor radiated an air of regal elegance. Her complexion, which had been slightly pale, now glowed faintly after a touch of rouge, making her already striking features appear even more dazzling.

Gu Ye stared in secret delight. Her beauty had followed her mother’s lineage; even at her mother’s age, she would still be as stunningly beautiful as a woman in her early thirties. It had to be said, Lady Jun was one of those favored by time.

“Bao’er, what are you spacing out for? Hurry up and change your clothes! If you’re late, I will leave you at home and go out to play by myself!” Lady Jun’s slender jade-like finger gently tapped her daughter’s forehead, pulling her back to reality.

Gu Ye feigned a complaint. “Mother, why must you be so stunning? You’ve left your daughter speechless!”

Lady Jun smiled, recalling her daughter’s words from yesterday and putting them to immediate use. “Are you complimenting your mother, or yourself? Our Bao’er, when dressed up, is absolutely more beautiful than her mother.”

Originally, Gu Ye hadn’t planned to accompany her mother on social visits during the Great Pharmacists Convention, but this time was different. After all, she had her eyes on that estate. 

An invitation personally extended by the Princess Consort of Rong meant the matter was promising. No matter how much she disliked social engagements, she had to make this trip to show her sincerity.

Lady Jun had long been eager to introduce her daughter to everyone in the entire capital, wanting to let the whole world know she had such a beautiful and accomplished daughter. This was the first time she was formally taking her daughter out, so naturally she wanted to dress her up properly. She entered the side room of the embroidery building, an entire room dedicated to storing Gu Ye’s clothes and jewelry.

She selected outfit after outfit, and Gu Ye felt like a doll being dressed by her mother again and again. Honestly, every ensemble looked stunning on her. 

What could she do? She was simply born with the perfect frame! Clothes looked fabulous on her no matter what. Yet her mother remained unsatisfied with each choice.

Trying on clothes felt more exhausting to Gu Ye than pulling all-nighters brewing potions. Finally, she couldn’t hold back: “Mother, if we don’t leave soon, it’ll be past noon. Won’t Princess Consort Rong think we’ve got our heads in the clouds and don’t hold Prince Rong’s family in any regard?”

“Don’t rush! There’s still plenty of time!” Lady Jun coordinated another ensemble. “Go, change into this one and let me see.”

The cherry-pink plain water-cloud muslin skirt revealed a faint white underskirt beneath. A two-palm-wide plain pink satin sash cinched her waist, accentuating her slender, delicate figure. Attached to the sash hung a carved jade amulet in the shape of two fish, flanked by two dangling tassels—one white, one pink—that swayed gently. Though devoid of excessive adornment, it radiated a natural, unadorned purity and beauty.

Lady Jun nodded in satisfaction and had Meijing style her daughter’s hair into a delicate, charming hanging bun, adorned with the pink diamond flower hairpin gifted by the Empress. The diamond shimmered enchantingly in the morning sun, yet its brilliance paled beside the girl’s eyes, bright as the morning star, radiant and dazzling.

The delicate pink gown, the delicate pink accessories, paired with the little girl’s rosy cheeks and cherry-red lips—Lady Jun could never get enough of the sight.

“Mother, can we leave now? If we delay any longer, it will truly be rude.” Gu Ye glanced helplessly at the sun outside, wondering if they could still make it out today.

Lady Jun added another pair of jade bracelets to the girl’s slender wrists. They seemed slightly too large for her delicate frame. She sighed. “Once the pharmacist exams are over, I’ll make sure you get properly nourished. Look how thin you are. Your little arms look like they could snap if pinched.”

“Mother, this is called perfectly proportioned. No need for tonics. Otherwise, I might end up needing to diet. What a hassle!” The mere mention of ‘tonics’ made Gu Ye’s scalp tingle.

Lady Jun laughed helplessly. “Oh, you! You really can think of any tricks to avoid tonics. With your little frame, you’re a million miles away from needing to diet!”

“Mother—” Gu Ye drew out the syllable, clinging to her mother’s arm and rubbing against her like a kitten begging for its owner’s affection.

Lady Jun relished her daughter’s affectionate gestures. However, with their departure imminent, she gently pushed the little girl away, smoothed the wrinkles from her dress, and teased, “Stop fussing about or you’ll only wrinkle your clothes. Then I’ll have to pick out a new outfit for you all over again.”

The moment Gu Ye heard that, she immediately straightened her posture and stood ramrod straight, almost like a soldier standing on attention. 

Lady Jun tapped her daughter’s nose, amused. “You little imp, always up to mischief.”

Chu Xiaoliu volunteered to escort his mother and sister out. As they stepped through the courtyard gate, the carriage was already waiting. He approached, half-complaining, half-joking, “What took you so long? I thought you went back to sleep again and are just waking up now!”

Gu Ye shot him a glare, but for once didn’t argue back. She stepped onto the footstool and climbed into the carriage. The Duchess’s carriage looked quite grand, but its comfort paled in comparison to the one Brother Chen had given her. At least in terms of shock absorption, it was nowhere near as good!

Huh? Why wasn’t that Ice Cube hovering around her today? Could it be that he finally backed down? The thought left Gu Ye feeling inexplicably stifled. Did that guy actually think she couldn’t live without him? With her peerless beauty and unmatched talent, she had plenty of options!

Hmm… Mother had mentioned some young master from such-and-such family… He sounded promising. It might be worth getting to know him. Why hang herself on a crooked tree that could freeze her to death?

Seeing her daughter had been quiet throughout the journey, Lady Jun assumed she was simply sleep-deprived and drowsy. She spoke gently, “Rest your head on my shoulder and doze a little longer. I’ll wake you when we’re nearly there.”

“It’s alright, Mother. I’m not sleepy. Did you tire yourself picking out my clothes all morning? Shall I massage your shoulders for you?” Gu Ye had Lady Jun turn sideways and pressed several acupoints on her shoulder. Lady Jun immediately felt her shoulders relax considerably.

Throughout the journey, she enjoyed her daughter’s filial devotion, yet feared her hands might grow sore. Every fifteen minutes, she urged her daughter to rest.

The Prince Rong’s residence was also in the West District, and they arrived shortly. Prince Tai had been waiting at the gate, opening the side entrance to welcome the carriage of the Defender Duke’s household inside.

Privately, Prince Tai had hoped to follow Gu Ye into the inner courtyard, eager for any chance to impress her. However, with Chu Mushan present as a male guest today, he had no choice but to remain in the outer courtyard to keep him company.