Chapter 5: The Pitiful Marchioness of Yongchang

The young noblewoman looked as if she had suffered a massive blow, unable to help but cry out, "Madam Marquis, you're just surrendering like this?!"

The old woman also shook her head repeatedly in lamentation. "What else can she do? Between her dignity and her son, she chose her son."

The young noblewoman wiped her tears in anger. "Such a major matter, and she actually yields to an unbetrothed merchant's daughter. Madam Marquis has suffered an injustice!"

The old lady took out a handkerchief to help the noblewoman wipe her tears. "In the future, you must teach Liang'er well. If our family produces someone like Su Dalang, I would rather drown him at birth!"

Their entire conversation fell into Su Xuanming's ears.

Only then did Su Xuanming vaguely feel that his actions might have truly wounded his mother's heart.

"Su Lang, this is my first time handling such a large matter and I have no experience. Can you help me?" Jingniang noticed the flash of guilt on Su Xuanming's face and immediately interrupted his contemplation.

Su Xuanming nodded repeatedly. "Of course."

Jingniang gave him a sweet smile. "My father said that since Madam Marquis values us so much, we must not bring shame to her. Therefore, all the expenses for the ceremonial canopy, the stewards, and the furnishings will be covered by my family."

Su Xuanming waved his hand in refusal. "How can that be done?"

Jingniang took his hand, her eyes full of gratitude and admiration. "My heart for you, Su Lang, is the same as your heart for me. It is merely a bit of silver; as long as we can be together, what does it matter if we squander our entire family fortune?"

Su Xuanming was deeply moved, feeling as though he were blessed in three lifetimes to have both a mother who doted on him and a devoted Jingniang.

The funeral procession was of high specification, though the preparations had been somewhat rushed.

The guests were either sulking in pique or laughing heartily, but no one was willing to stay behind to converse further with the organizers.

By the time the sun began to tilt toward the west, Gu Nanxi ordered people to move the food into the courtyard for a barbecue. Only then did the Su family, dragging their heavy and exhausted steps, finally return.

"Mother, I heard you were ill. Are you feeling any better?"

Ever since learning that her biological mother was actually a hidden master of household intrigue, Su Yunyan had wanted nothing more than to cling to Gu Nanxi's side to learn a few tricks.

Gu Nanxi lay on a lounge chair. In the distance, the setting sun was as red as blood, and wisps of cooking smoke curled in the courtyard. The aroma of grilled skewers filled her nose—a scene of perfect tranquility.

Unfortunately, this tranquility was shattered by the intrusion of the Su family.

Seeing Su Yunyan rushing over, Gu Nanxi abruptly pulled her arm away.

Su Yunyan pouted, forced to grab the handle of the lounge chair instead.

Gu Nanxi could faintly hear the creaking of the handle and secretly felt relieved that her arm was still intact!

"I'm much better. Why have you all come?"

The Old Madam Marquis stomped her cane heavily on the ground and rebuked, "As the mistress of the Marquis of Yongchang, you actually left the late Marquis's funeral to an outsider! Where is the dignity of the Marquis of Yongchang supposed to reside!"

Gu Nanxi clutched her chest. "Lümei, Lümei, go call the doctor quickly! My head hurts, my chest hurts, everything hurts. Sigh, this body of mine is truly unreliable. Perhaps... I should leave the management of the household to you?"

The Old Madam's face stiffened, and she turned to leave. "I am already so old, do you have the heart to make me toil? I am too exhausted today; I shall return to my courtyard to rest."

Gu Nanxi turned toward the charming Concubine Duan. "Concubine Duan, perhaps you could..."

Concubine Duan's gait was no longer that of a frail willow in the wind; she hurried after the Old Madam. "Madam, I must go serve the Old Madam. Old Madam, please walk slowly!"

Gu Nanxi watched their retreating backs as they fled in panic, utterly speechless.

What was wrong with the Marquis of Yongchang's household?

In other families, people fought tooth and nail over household management rights—between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, or wives and concubines.

But the Marquis of Yongchang's household was different; the management rights had become a hot potato, yet they couldn't seem to pass it off?!

Gu Nanxi took a large bite of a grilled mushroom. The fresh juice burst in her mouth, so delicious it was almost overwhelming.

She had originally intended to use feigned illness to dodge the funeral arrangements.

Doing so would certainly go against protocol, ensuring the Old Madam would come to confront her, allowing her to use the opportunity to push the household management onto her. Ideally, she would even receive a punishment of house arrest.

What a perfect plan to kill two birds with one stone!

Unfortunately, while everything had gone according to plan up until now, she had hit a dead end when it came to the management rights!

No, for the sake of her "slacker" lifestyle, she had to find another way.

"Mother, what a brilliant move! Retreating to advance! You are a master!" Su Yunyan's eyes sparkled, her heart racing with excitement.

So this was how masters clashed?!

No wonder Mother's control over the household was as steady as an old dog; it turned out that in the subtle details, the masters had already exchanged several moves.

Gu Nanxi affectionately patted Su Yunyan's head. "Good girl. Once the mourning period is over, I'll have the kitchen make more brain florets for you. During the mourning period, just eat more bean curd."

They say one should eat parts that resemble the organ one wishes to nourish; surely bean curd could nourish the brain?

Moved, Su Yunyan rubbed her head against Gu Nanxi's chest. "Only Mother dotes on me."

Gu Nanxi felt as if a heavy hammer had pressed against her chest, nearly making her unable to breathe.

*Damn, I was careless!*

Gu Nanxi tried to push Su Yunyan's head away, but she couldn't move it!

Seeing Gu Nanxi's discomfort, Su Xuanming quickly put down the skewers he was grilling and stepped forward to pry Su Yunyan's head off.

Su Yunyan turned her head away, dissatisfied. "Big Brother, what are you doing?! Are you perhaps jealous that I am closer to Mother?"

After saying this, Su Yunyan even intentionally rubbed harder.

Su Xuanming looked sympathetically at the flushed Gu Nanxi. Whether he was jealous or not was a secondary matter; if his little sister continued this up, he feared he might lose his biological mother!

Gu Nanxi slumped on the lounge chair like a dead fish, mouth agape to breathe.

Forget it, no use struggling. It was a waste of energy.

This little girl, Su Yunyan, possessed immense strength at only twelve years old. In a few more years, she would likely be able to lift a thousand-pound cauldron.

If her physical constitution were swapped with the second brother's, the second brother could easily become the leader of the martial arts world.

"Little Sister, the skewers are ready. Come eat." Su Xuanming brought out the food, successfully rescuing his mother.

Because of the mourning period, they were only grilling vegetables, but even so, it was much tastier than boiled vegetables.

Su Yunyan ate with her head down and eyes closed, yet she still couldn't shut her mouth that offended people.

"On the way back, I heard many people saying that the Madam of Yongchang is a coward, actually being suppressed by a merchant's daughter with no status."

With one sentence, she had offended the two people present. Truly impressive.

"If you ask me, this matter really did wrong Mother. How will you go out in public in the future? Once you step out, won't those noble ladies laugh you to death? Their words are hidden with knives; they are quite vicious."

Su Yunyan patted her chest, feeling a sense of shared grievance.

Su Xuanming lowered his head in silence.

Gu Nanxi smiled and handed Su Yunyan a skewer of grilled leeks. "Mother simply won't go out."

What a thoughtful daughter, she had even found an excuse for her not to go out! Eat more!

Thanks to Su Yunyan, Gu Nanxi spent two quiet days lying in her courtyard.

On the third day, she was forced to leave her beloved bed and lounge chair.

(End of Chapter)