Resplendent – Chapter 556

Chapter 556: Born to Thwart Me

The Duke wanted to glare at her, yet feared frightening his precious daughter. He forced himself to hold back, letting out a heavy snort instead. “How could your eldest brother be compared to Prince Ning? Since he was a teenager, he’s been stationed at the frontier with your grandfather. He’s had little contact with young women, and he refuses to settle for less. That’s why it’s dragged on until now.”

Though he spoke thus, his heart harbored resentment toward his eldest son. That stubborn boy had refused to listen when urged to arrange a marriage during his year recuperating in the capital. Look at the mess he’d gotten himself into now!

Far away at Junlang Pass, Chu Muhua, who hadn’t relaxed his patrols even at dusk, let out a loud, hearty sneeze. Several cold winds had already swept across the northern frontier. In another half-month, snow would likely begin to fall.

“Boss, could it be that some young lady back in the capital is missing you?” Ding Maocai, his right-hand man, couldn’t resist teasing him when he saw his usually robust commander sneeze.

Chu Muhua shot him a glare. “Don’t be ridiculous! What young lady? It must be my sister missing me!” 

He pulled out a letter from home, detailing how his sister had performed surgery to extract a bamboo pole that had pierced a patient’s abdomen during the senior pharmacist examination. Touching the scar on his own chest, he had a strong feeling that it was his sister, not her master the Sage, who had performed the surgery to remove the arrow in that hazy moment.

Over a year had passed, and he had never heard of the Sage Apothecary performing surgery on anyone. Instead, stories of his sister’s exploits had spread far and wide. All signs pointed to his sister being the true master of Hua Tuo’s medical arts!

“Boss, why don’t we take the initiative and thoroughly intimidate that worthless general of Dirong? Then you could submit a memorial requesting to return to the capital for the New Year celebrations when you send a report. That way, you’d get to see our sister!” Ding Maocai was also filled with curiosity about the boss’s sister. 

The legendary Gu Pharmaceutical in Yan City was actually founded by a teenage girl. Even more astonishing, that girl was the younger sister their boss had searched for years to find. This story was more thrilling than any legendary tale!

Chu Muhua was deeply tempted by his suggestion. This year, his sister had finally been found. How could he be absent from the family reunion?

“Let’s go back and strategize properly. Le’ts drive Dirong’s troops back home!” Chu Muhua cast a deep glance northward before leading his soldiers galloping toward the camp…

Meanwhile, Gu Ye, though cowering like a wilted little quail, still murmured softly, “Father, how do you know Prince Ning hasn’t married for this very reason? Didn’t he also follow his grandfather into battle at just over ten years old, command troops independently at thirteen, and become a renowned war god before twenty? In his youth, he was too busy building his legacy to spare a thought for young girls!”

“You!” The Duke slammed his hand down, knocking the armrest of his chair loose.

Lady Jun quickly pulled her daughter into her arms, glaring at the Duke and scolding, “What are you doing? Take your anger out on Prince Ning! Don’t frighten the child.”

The Duke took several deep breaths, massaged his temples, and looked at his daughter with a weary expression. “You seem quite knowledgeable about Prince Ning’s exploits! My dear, when choosing a husband, one shouldn’t just look at his looks, nor should one fixate on his glorious deeds…”

“Then… what should one look at?” Gu Ye couldn’t resist asking.

“Of course, you should look at… whether he’s suitable for you!” The Duke nearly fell into the trap he’d dug for himself. If she weren’t his own daughter, he’d consider Prince Ning a rather decent choice for anyone else. Handsome, talented… His military achievements and abilities alone had earned him the unique title of a non-imperial prince.

“Then how do you know Prince Ning isn’t right for me?” Gu Ye widened her eyes, brimming with curiosity, unable to resist asking.

“Think about it. With his qualifications, why hasn’t he found a wife yet? He’s famed as the military’s Death God, the cold-faced War God, radiating a murderous aura, perpetually icy. No one wants to spend their days with a walking iceberg radiating coldness, right?” The Duke pleaded earnestly, determined to paint Prince Ning in a negative light before his daughter.

But to his surprise, his daughter deliberately contradicted him: “An iceberg has its advantages. At least in summer, you wouldn’t have to worry about the summer heat…”

The Duke was rendered speechless. Could she really twist it like that? 

Gu Ye continued, “Besides, being cold-hearted on the battlefield doesn’t mean he’ll be like that at home. Take you and grandfather, for example. On the battlefield, you’re both generals who strike fear into the hearts of enemies. But at home, grandfather is a kind elder, while you are a devoted husband to Mother, and a loving father to us children. So, Father, none of your reasons hold water!”

“You… you’re deliberately trying to drive me to my grave, aren’t you?” If it had been any of the other six brats, the Duke would have slapped them across the face long ago. But facing his delicate, soft-spoken daughter, he felt only a wave of helplessness wash over him.

Gu Ye continued to look at him innocently: “Father, since you can’t argue with me, you’re resorting to using your authority to intimidate me? Tell me, what exactly did I say that was wrong?”

What was wrong? Precisely because he couldn’t find fault, he felt so frustrated! He desperately wanted to smash a few teacups to vent the fire raging inside him.

“Daughter, tell your father honestly. You always speak up for Prince Ning, have you lost your mind over him?” This was the Duke’s greatest fear. He’d thought Prince Ning was a lone, fierce wolf, but it turned out he was a sly fox, one who preyed on young girls!

“Truth be told, Prince Ning isn’t all bad. First, he’s handsome. There’s a saying: ‘His looks are enough to make one’s mouth water.’ With his face as a side dish, one could easily polish off two extra bowls of rice. Second, his household is simple, there’s just his grandfather. No worries about mother-in-law or sister-in-law conflicts. Plus, he doesn’t have a single concubine, nor any scandalous gossip. That shows he keeps himself pure. He won’t be bringing home mistresses or female confidantes every other day.” Gu Ye counted on her fingers, earnestly trying to clear her Brother Chen’s name.

Lady Jun listened, sinking into deep thought. Indeed, the points her daughter raised—save for the first being a bit far-fetched—were all top priorities for a lady seeking a husband. Hadn’t she herself valued these qualities when selecting suitors for her daughter? Alas! If only Prince Ning weren’t from the Yan Kingdom…

“As for Father saying I’m bewitched by Prince Ning, do you really think your daughter is so irrational?”

The Duke paused to reflect. Though his daughter had spoken at length about Prince Ning, each point seemed objectively analyzed, quite rational…

“Be honest with me. Do you… feel a little… fondness for Prince Ning?” The Duke stammered, his heart racing.

Gu Ye thought carefully before nodding. “Fondness? Of course I feel it. But it hasn’t reached the point where I’d marry no one else!”

She couldn’t reveal her true feelings to her parents now—that would only cause chaos. She didn’t want to see her father storming off to confront Brother Chen in a rage, nor did she want to see her mother spending her days with a sorrowful frown, her face wet with tears. Besides, she still had several years before her marriage. 

Brother Chen, you’d better step up your game!

The Duke’s expression stiffened. He drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly before saying, “Daughter, let’s not rush into any decisions. You young ladies in the inner quarters see so few young men that you’re easily captivated by someone who seems outstanding. In our Dongling Kingdom, exceptional young men are everywhere. In time, you’ll meet the one you truly love.”

Originally, the Duke had been extremely resistant to the idea of arranging matches for his daughter. But now, such reservations couldn’t be spared. It was time to put the booklet his wife had compiled to use.

Wait! Didn’t Jun Qicheng mention meeting several like-minded young scholars at the literary gathering? What if they invited them all over? He could personally take a look at them first, couldn’t he?

Whatever the couple discussed that night, the next day, Lady Jun hesitantly informed her daughter that she had arranged for a retired palace matron to teach her basic etiquette and deportment.

Gu Ye’s face instantly turned pale with horror. She stammered, “M-Mother… Please don’t do this to me…”

Lady Jun knew she had a soft heart. Whenever her daughter acted coy or played cute, she’d be easily charmed. She didn’t intend to raise her daughter into a stiff, prim young lady either, only requiring her to learn the most basic etiquette and manners.

Hearing this, she replied softly, “I am doing this for your own good. How could it be harming you?”

Gu Ye looked utterly horrified. “Mother, you… you don’t understand. When we were in Yan City, Grandfather also hired a matron from the palace to teach me. Ever since she arrived, I’ve been sick every other day, headaches, fevers, and once I even fainted.”

“Rest assured, this matron has a gentle disposition and won’t be overly strict.” Lady Jun held firm to her own convictions.

“No way! Mother, I’m traumatized… Those matrons are my natural nemesis. You wouldn’t want me sickly all the time, would you? Please have mercy on your daughter. Don’t let the palace matron come here!“ Gu Ye twisted logic into a convincing argument. Back in Yan City, whenever she was asked to learn etiquette, she’d ‘fall ill’—all feigned!

“Nonsense. I’ve only heard of incompatible birth charts causing harm, not social status itself bringing misfortune!” Lady Jun refused to believe it. Perhaps her daughter’s claims were mere coincidence?

“Mother, think about it. Which of those matrons who survived the palace were simple? Why do most of them end up alone and forgotten after leaving the palace? They must carry a curse in their fate. My constitution is weak; I can’t withstand the malevolent energy they carry. No wonder I get sick!” Gu Ye stubbornly insisted, her ultimate goal being to escape this misery and avoid learning etiquette.

“Then… perhaps we shouldn’t hire a palace matron. I know a lady named Dong. In her youth, she was a renowned beauty who captivated the capital. She excelled in poetry, literature, music, and painting. Even the Empress Dowager praised her etiquette. What if… we invite her to teach you for a few days?” Lady Jun still refused to give up.

Gu Ye wore a mournful expression on her little face, feigning tears as she whimpered, “Waaah… Mother doesn’t love her Bao’er anymore. You promised you wouldn’t force me to do things I dislike.”