Chapter 6: Grounded for a Month!

“At the beginning of the Great Ancestor's reign, he practiced frugality and left instructions for posterity: funeral rites must not be extravagant, lest they exhaust the people's resources. Now, the old Marquis of Yongchang has passed away, and My heart is filled with grief. However, the custom of lavish funerals must not be encouraged! I expect the Marquis's manor to be cautious!”

After finishing the imperial decree, the eunuch delivering it hurriedly helped Gu Nanxi up. “Madam, His Majesty understands the true circumstances. These words were not meant for you; please do not take them to heart.”

With a subtle glance from Gu Nanxi, Lv Mei produced a small sachet and inconspicuously pressed it into the eunuch's hand.

The smile on the eunuch's face deepened. “The capital is prosperous, and the nobility usually indulge in their extravagances, which is one thing. But this matter of funeral rites has gradually evolved from the original practice of cremation into these lavish burials.”

Gu Nanxi invited the eunuch to sit, offering him tea and suggesting he rest his feet before departing.

The eunuch took a sip of tea and whispered, “His Majesty is diligent and thrifty; he even mends his own worn-out socks. A few days ago, when Consort Tong's paternal uncle passed away, they nearly spent half the wealth of a Duke's manor on the funeral. His Majesty intended to issue a decree of reprimand, but the Consort stopped him, and the two had quite a heated argument.”

Gu Nanxi understood. His Majesty had intended to curb the trend of lavish funerals, but Consort Tong had blocked him.

And so, the Yongchang Marquis Manor had run straight into the line of fire, becoming the "chicken killed to warn the monkeys."

Lv Mei silently handed over another small sachet.

The eunuch beamed like a blooming flower and continued, “The matters regarding the Madam have been the talk of the capital, and His Majesty has heard of them. He knows full well that the issues at the Yongchang Marquis Manor were entirely the work of merchants.

“Before setting out, he specifically instructed this old servant to explain things clearly to you, so that you would not feel aggrieved.”

In the face of imperial power, Gu Nanxi had no choice but to perform her role.

Facing the direction of the Imperial Palace, Gu Nanxi spoke with feigned, tearful gratitude, “I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's concern. This is entirely my fault for failing to educate my children properly! I dare not fail His Majesty's grace, and I humbly request to be grounded for three months.”

*Hehe, three months without having to work. How wonderful!*

Hearing this, the eunuch sighed inwardly. *As expected of the Madam, truly sensible!*

“Madam, three months is too long. Your offense does not warrant such a penalty! Half a month will suffice.”

“No, no, no. If there is no heavy punishment, how can it serve as a deterrent to others?”

The eunuch’s eyes grew misty. “This old servant will certainly report your virtuous conduct to His Majesty. However, a three-month confinement would make His Majesty appear overly harsh.”

Gu Nanxi frowned deeply. “Then two months.”

“Madam, do not be too hard on yourself. In my view, one month at most. Any longer, and this old servant will face His Majesty's reprimand upon returning.”

Left with no choice, Gu Nanxi could only reluctantly agree to one month.

After seeing the eunuch off properly, Gu Nanxi was about to return to her courtyard when she saw Su Xuanming kneeling on the path, with servants standing by with heads bowed.

“Mother, it is my filial impiety that has caused you to be reprimanded by His Majesty. I am willing to be grounded for a month alongside you.”

Gu Nanxi was startled. If Su Xuanming was grounded, wouldn't all the affairs in the front courtyard fall back into her hands?! Absolutely not!

She had worked so hard to push them away!

Gu Nanxi helped Su Xuanming up, but since he was so tall, her neck grew sore from looking up to speak to him.

Thus, Gu Nanxi signaled for Su Xuanming to kneel again.

Su Xuanming was bewildered, but he obeyed obediently.

Gu Nanxi took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. “Silly child, since I am the only one being punished, why involve yourself? Besides, after tomorrow, you must return to the academy.”

“But to watch Mother suffer punishment helplessly... how can I bear it?” Su Xuanming said, his eyes reddening.

At that moment, Su Yunyan ran over like a gust of wind, shielding Gu Nanxi. “If you knew this would happen, why did you act that way before? You repeatedly lost Mother's face for the sake of Jing Niang. What were you thinking then?”

Su Yunyan’s small mouth worked like a machine gun, chattering away: “I will be here to accompany Mother; I don't need your fake kindness!”

Having said her piece, Su Yunyan pulled Gu Nanxi toward the main courtyard, only stopping once Su Xuanming was out of sight.

“Mother! How was my performance just now? I know you wanted to use a 'bitter meat tactic' to make Big Brother feel guilty so he would turn back to the right path!”

Su Yunyan winked at Gu Nanxi. If she had a tail, it would likely be spinning like a propeller.

Gu Nanxi pondered for a moment. Su Yunyan's guess was logically consistent, yet it was worlds away from the truth.

“Yunyan, what books have you been reading lately? Why has your progress become so rapid?”

Excitedly, Su Yunyan pulled a copy of *The Thirty-Six Stratagems* from her collar. “It is the secret manual Mother gave me a few days ago!”

Gu Nanxi searched her memory and recalled that on that day, she had been in a daze, and Su Yunyan had come pestering her to learn about household intrigue.

She had simply plucked a random book from the "Newbie Gift Pack" provided by the Benevolent Mother System to get rid of her.

The Benevolent Mother System sneered in her mind: *Hah, there is no divine book called 'The Thirty-Six Stratagems' in this world! That was originally intended for your second child. In this entire manor, only the second one has a sharp mind.*

Gu Nanxi didn't care. Giving it to anyone was the same as giving it to the second child.

The way the System put it made it sound as if giving it to the second child would result in the execution of the entire clan.

Seeing the triumphant smile on Su Yunyan's face, Gu Nanxi couldn't bring herself to crush her spirit. “You have learned well. Keep up the good work.”

“Yes, Mother!” Su Yunyan carefully tucked the book back into her collar.

Having successfully achieved confinement, Gu Nanxi felt like a mouse that had fallen into a granary—she was absolutely thrilled!

In a twenty-four-hour day, she could sleep for twenty hours, leaving the remaining four for eating and bathing.

Her devoted daughter, Su Yunyan, visited the main courtyard three times a day. “Mother, the merchants we used for the funeral supplies have come to settle the accounts.”

Gu Nanxi rolled over. “I am grounded. Tell them to find Jing Niang.”

“Mother, the servants are cleaning up the funeral items and don't know how to dispose of them.”

“I am grounded. Find Jing Niang.”

“Mother, the gifts from the guests need to be recorded in the ledger.”

Gu Nanxi forced her eyes open.

Su Yunyan tucked the corners of the quilt around Gu Nanxi. “Mother, please continue sleeping. I have already handed all these matters over to Jing Niang.”

Gu Nanxi shrank back into the quilt, satisfied.

Su Yunyan held *The Thirty-Six Stratagems* in one hand to study intensely, while using the other to gently pat Gu Nanxi, helping her fall into a deep sleep.

“As expected of Mother. Without even showing her face, she has already made Jing Niang so busy she has no time to pester Big Brother.”

Thinking of Jing Niang's haggard appearance, Su Yunyan thought to herself, *I've learned so much!*

At this moment, Jing Niang was more than just haggard; she was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally!

Dealing with the chaotic trifles of the Marquis Manor was one thing, but the real challenge was facing the overwhelming tide of gossip!

“Have you heard? His Majesty personally issued a decree reprimanding the Yongchang Marquis Manor for their extravagant funeral!”

“The Madam has been grounded for a month!”

“If you ask me, the Madam is truly wronged. On the day of the funeral, I saw it clearly myself—the Marquis Manor didn't even set up a single ceremonial canopy.”

“Eh? That's not right. There was much drumming and music that day; it looked quite grand.”

“Hah, that was all the merchant girl Jing Niang's doing! The Madam is truly cursed for eight lifetimes to be implicated by her.”