Resplendent – Chapter 550

Chapter 550: Dodging the Busy Season

The next morning, Gu Ye awoke to the familiar crisp scent lingering in the room. Clutching her quilt, she rolled around in bed. The bedding seemed to carry that person’s clean fragrance too. Could it be… that Brother Chen had done something to her while she slept? She couldn’t help but secretly indulge in her imagination.

“Miss, the daughters of the Minister of Rites, the Assistant Minister of Rites, Earl Yuandong, the Grand Counsellor, and General Guangwei have all sent calling cards. What do you say…” Meijing entered cheerfully, holding a stack of cards.

Gu Ye had finished washing up and was patting skincare products onto her face. Hearing this, she gave the stack a cursory glance and frowned. “There’s so many again? I’ve met Xiao Lihua (Wang Liluo) and that vixen (Hu Mingmei) before, but who are the rest? Take them away! Tell them I’m deeply focused on preparing for my final promotion to Grand Pharmacist and have no time for them!”

Yue Yuan quickly relayed with her usual sharp tongue, “From now on, don’t bring any more calling cards or invitations to Miss. She’s too busy to waste her energy on those girls!”

Meijing’s smile froze momentarily. She whispered, “Madam said Miss should mingle more with girls her age and make good sisters… Besides, the more invitations she receives, the more it shows how popular she is! “

“Don’t you know what those unfamiliar young ladies are after? Are you going to welcome their ulterior motives? Who needs them! Those who genuinely treat Miss as a sister wouldn’t bother visiting during the final stages of the Great Pharmacists Convention!”

Yue Yuan curled her lip. Ever since Gu Ye’s status as a Level 9 Pharmacist was confirmed, everyone from acquaintances to strangers alike had swarmed her like bees to honey. They just want to get something out of her!

Seeing Meijing’s slightly displeased expression, Gu Ye smiled and said, “Yue Yuan’s words might be a bit harsh, but she’s mostly right. From now on, if we receive more of these invitation cards, just have Mother handle the replies on my behalf, all right? You know I’ve never been fond of such social gatherings.”

Meijing was about to say something else when Liangchen silenced her with a glance. Liangchen said smilingly, “Miss, you may not know this, but the invitations and calling cards received by Madam far outnumber yours. She’s so distressed she can scarcely eat.”

Gu Ye frowned, clutching the few visiting cards as she descended the embroidered courtyard and entered her mother’s chamber. Sure enough, the huanghuali wood table was piled high with assorted cards. Seeing her daughter enter, Lady Jun’s face lit up with a smile. She pulled her to sit beside her. “Did you look at the list I had placed on your desk?”

“The list? Oh, that… I looked through half of it, then misplaced it somewhere.” Earlier that morning, Gu Ye had searched both her study and bedroom but found no trace of the small booklet. She suspected her jealous Brother Chen had taken it away to destroy all evidence.

“What? Did you not find anyone to your liking?” Lady Jun had recently become quite enthusiastic about arranging matches for her daughter. Although the Emperor had abandoned the idea of marrying her precious daughter to Prince Ning of Yan Kingdom, that prince still lurked nearby, eyes fixed on her. She certainly didn’t want her long-lost daughter to be sent far away in marriage…

Gu Ye sighed helplessly. “Mother, that booklet is just a bunch of cold characters. Who knows what ‘fine features,’ ‘handsome face,‘ or ‘dashing appearance’ actually look like? I’m still young. It’s far too early to discuss marriage.”

“I’m not saying you should marry immediately. Just take your time meeting suitors. If someone suitable comes along, we can arrange an engagement. Your father said he wants to keep you until you’re eighteen before marrying you off…“ Lady Jun smiled and shook her head, fiddling with the invitation in her hand. ”I’ve met the ladies of these families a few times, and they have gentle dispositions. Their households are simple, so there won’t be much trouble… And this one says they can split off and live separately after marriage… And another…”

Gu Ye’s hand suddenly took hold of Lady Jun’s pulse. Her expression turned stern as she declared, “Mother, you’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately. You need rest! What are you waiting for? Take these notes away! How are you attending to her? Don’t you know that she mustn’t strain herself?”

Lady Jun stole a glance at her daughter’s expression. Bao’er seemed a bit displeased. She timidly replied, “But… I don’t feel any discomfort in my body?”

“Mother, are you the doctor, or am I?” Gu Ye struggled to maintain the icy sternness on her face. “I say you shouldn’t overexert yourself and need to recuperate at the estate. Will you listen?”

“Of course…” Her daughter was usually cheerful and affectionate. Seeing her with such a stern expression for the first time made Lady Jun feel uneasy. Naturally, she would do whatever her daughter said.

“Didn’t you hear me? What are you standing there like a piece of wood for? Hurry up and pack up… Don’t we have a hot spring estate at the foot of Xiang Mountain? Let’s go there! Immediately, right now!” 

Nanny Qin and several senior maidservants attending Lady Jun dared not breathe a word and obediently began to bustle about.

Lady Jun tentatively tugged her daughter’s hand. Seeing her not pull away, she felt a slight relief. She whispered softly, “Why suddenly to the estate? My health… is it…”

“Mother, don’t worry. You’ve been overexerting yourself lately, and your emotions have been a bit unstable. A period of quiet rest will see you through. Rest assured, your daughter will accompany you!” Gu Ye had long been itching to visit their Xiang Mountain estate, drawn by its hot springs, fruit trees, and hunting grounds.

Nearly half a month lay between now and the final advancement assessment at the convention. Rather than staying home with a stiff expression and dealing with unfamiliar young ladies, she’d much rather escape to the estate for some peace and relaxation.

Hearing her daughter was willing to accompany her to the estate, Lady Jun felt her heart ease a little. She thought for a moment, then voiced her concern, “But aren’t you supposed to take the Grand Pharmacist advancement exam? Won’t accompanying me to the estate for recuperation delay your important matters?”

“Not at all! Pharmaceutical work requires not only exceptional skill but also deep concentration and tranquility. Mother, look at the chaos at home now. How could anyone find peace of mind with all this noise? The estate offers far greater serenity, which will benefit my next assessment,” Gu Ye spoke her tall tales with utmost seriousness.

Upon hearing that staying home would be detrimental to her daughter’s assessment, Lady Jun immediately ordered preparations for carriages and horses, packing luggage and essential items. Her attitude was even more earnest than Gu Ye’s. She had always regarded her daughter’s affairs as paramount above all else.

The Chu brothers—Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth—had been holed up at home these past days, diligently practicing martial arts, fearful of being ‘accidentally encountered’ if they ventured out. Hearing their mother had arranged carriages for convalescence at the estate, they were taken aback. Such a sudden decision, with not a whisper the day before! Could it be that their Mother’s health had taken a turn?

Without even changing their clothes, three brothers burst into their mother’s courtyard, still drenched in sweat.