Resplendent – Chapter 537

Chapter 537: Flattering Superiors, Bullying Inferiors

She then turned to Gu Ye, her smile perfectly calibrated—neither too warm nor too cool. “Congratulations to Miss Chu on attaining the qualification of Senior Pharmacist. I’ve long wished to offer my congratulations but never found the chance. How delightful to encounter you here today.”

Seeing another noble lady approach her daughter, Lady Jun’s dimples deepened. “When did Bao’er become acquainted with Miss Wang?”

Wang Liluo curtsied gracefully, smiling as she replied, “Last autumn, during the hunting grounds event, I had the honor of meeting Miss Chu briefly. By the way, I haven’t congratulated you yet on finding your daughter.”

“Miss Wang, that’s thoughtful of you. You and our Bao’er are about the same age. Please visit often…” Lady Jun had never interacted with the eldest legitimate daughter of the Minister of Ceremonies before. Seeing her today, she found her gentle, courteous, and truly a lovely young lady.

Yuan Haiqing, however, hadn’t forgotten how Wang Liluo had looked down on Ye at the hunting grounds, mocking her relentlessly. She curled her lip. “Sister Ye is busy preparing for the pharmacist exam. She has no time for people who don’t want to be here…”

“Qing’er!” The Marchioness scolded her for her discourtesy.

Lady Jun glanced at her daughter, noting her detached expression and knowing there must be a reason. She quickly interjected, “Let the girls sort out their own matters. Yingnan, remember when we first met? You couldn’t stand me either!”

The Marchioness recalled that ‘grudge,’ and a smile crept back onto her face: “You’re one to talk. Haven’t you constantly called me ill-mannered and rude?”

One was a woman of military lineage, the other a lady from a century-old scholarly family. From mutual dislike to becoming inseparable friends—it was a long story…

Wang Liluo, however, seemed oblivious to Yuan Haiqing’s words, her face still adorned with a gentle smile. “Miss Chu must be exhausted after completing this round of exams. Please rest well. Once the convention concludes, I will personally deliver your invitation. Excuse me now!”

Gu Ye’s expression remained impassive as she gave a slight bow. From start to finish, she had not exchanged a single word with Wang Liluo. Compared to her warmth and delight toward Yuan Haiqing, her attitude was indeed rather cold. However, Lady Jun knew well that her daughter was not one to be haughty or arrogant; there must be a reason for this.

Yuan Haiqing curled her lips at Wang Liluo’s retreating figure and said, “Don’t mind her, Sister Ye. She’s always like this. When it comes to those of higher status, she practically wants to crawl up and lick their shoes. But when she meets someone of lower status, she looks down on them with her eyes perched on top of her head. Remember back at the hunting grounds? She fawned over Princess Anya like a sycophant…”

“Qing’er!” The Marchioness shot her daughter a stern glance. Her daughter just speaks her mind without filter, often offending others.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiaowu and Chu Mubai leaned closer, frowning. “What? Did that girl bully our sister?”

Seeing this, Lady Jun scolded with a laugh, “Xiaowu, step back! Why are you crowding around while the young ladies speak?”

Chu Mubai stubbornly insisted, “If someone bullies my little sister, I must stand up for her!”

“How exactly are you going to stand up for your little sister? What, are you planning to beat up the young lady?” Chu Musong slung an arm over his brother’s shoulder and asked with a half-smile.

Chu Mubai choked on his words, huffing, “We Chu family members have never laid a hand on a girl. But the Minister of Ceremonies has sons! To discipline a few bookish weaklings, this young master needn’t lift a finger.”

“You said it yourself—they’re defenseless scholars. How could you bring yourself to do it?” Chu Musong chuckled.

Chu Mubai’s thick brows shot up, his fierce eyes narrowing. “His sister bullied my little sister. I’m just returning the favor. What’s there to be ashamed of?”

“Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother,” Gu Ye interrupted their exchange with a smile. “I know you cherish your sister, but there’s no real grudge between me and Miss Wang. She simply looked down on my background back then.”

“Bah! Who does she think she is? How dare she look down on my little sister! The Minister of Ceremonies is merely a third-rank official in a low-level government office. What right does she have to despise others? How dare she treat the daughter of a first-rank noble family with such contempt?” Chu Mubai exploded like a lit firecracker, leaping to his feet.

Gu Ye noticed onlookers gathering and quickly tugged his arm. “Back then, I wasn’t the daughter of the Defender Duke yet. I was just a commoner running a pharmacy who happened to mingle among the daughters of powerful officials. It’s understandable they didn’t want to associate with me.”

Fire still flared from Chu Mubai’s nostrils. “Flattering superiors while bullying inferiors; what a fine daughter the Wang family has raised!”

“Fifth Brother, it’s just a petty quarrel between young girls. It’s not worth getting angry over…” Gu Ye didn’t want to escalate a minor conflict between two girls into a feud between their families. She was over forty years old combined across her two lifetimes. Could she really stoop to arguing with a little brat? If you dislike someone, simply ignore them.

He, however, wore a grim expression and snorted coldly. “Just as expected of a daughter raised by Wang Lihe—fawning on the powerful while trampling the weak, lacking all propriety. Daughter, minimize your association with such people henceforth. Otherwise, they’ll smile at your face and stab you in the back.”

That bastard Wang Lihe! Back when the Chu family was in power, he was always trailing behind them, calling him ‘Brother Chu’ this and ‘Brother Chu’ that. But when the Chu family fell from grace, he cut and ran faster than anyone. Wang Lihe got the guts of a mouse. He wouldn’t stoop to kicking someone when they’re down, but still, seeing human kindness grow so thin was enough to chill the blood.

Gu Ye shrugged upon hearing this. It seemed the two families weren’t exactly on good terms either. That was fine by her. It saved her the trouble of dealing with Miss Wang. Still, the girl’s nerve was surprisingly bold, showing up today to try and cozy up to her…

Marchioness Dongping motioned for her daughter to leave. 

Yuan Haiqing clutched Gu Ye’s hand, reluctant to part. “After the convention ends, I’ll send you an invitation, and to Lin Ruohan as well to join us for autumn hunting at Xiang Mountain. Our family has an estate filled with ginkgo trees. At this time of year, the whole place looks like it’s been decorated with golden leaves. It’s quite enchanting.”

Gu Ye’s eyes lit up. Gripping Yuan Haiqing’s hand, she asked, “For the Level 9 exam, we need to bring our own medicinal ingredients. I require a large quantity of ginkgo leaves to prepare ginkgo leaf paste. Sister Qing, could I borrow some from your estate to tide me over?”

At the Level 9 pharmacist exam level, competitors typically showcase their unique formula. To prevent others from observing proprietary recipes, candidates traditionally supply their own herbs, a practice that has become customary over time. Ginkgo leaves improve cardiovascular function and reduce myocardial infarction risk. They would be perfectly suited for the formula Gu Ye planned to present at his next Level 9 exam.