Chapter 15: 015 Gu Baijiang

Chapter 15: 015. Gu Baijiang

Bai Suihe enjoyed two days of peace. There had been some movement from the main courtyard during this time, but she had managed to dodge it all by feigning illness.

Dongmei and the others hadn't been idle either, inquiring extensively about the affairs within the manor.

They heard that yesterday, Gu Antong had attended the Princess's Flower Viewing Banquet. Her pure white attire had stolen the spotlight, but it had also drawn some gossip.

Word was that the young ladies of the noble families were whispering behind her back, saying that in her attempt to stand out, Gu Antong had disregarded social taboos. While everyone else was dressed in festive finery, her outfit made her look as if she were in mourning.

Hearing this rumor, Bai Suihe almost burst out laughing. Even as a transmigrator, she knew that subtle, plain colors were not well-received in ancient times; they were often seen as unlucky.

However, she did hear that several elderly ladies who practiced vegetarianism had taken a liking to her, finding her quite pleasing to the eye.

Bai Suihe didn't doubt this. Gu Antong had that face, after all; otherwise, she wouldn't have earned the title of the number one beauty in the capital.

Coupled with the fact that the mother and daughter were skilled at managing their public image, their reputation had always been excellent. Bai Suihe had heard of them even before she married into the household.

If not for the events that followed, she too would have thought Gu Antong was a pure and reserved lady of high standing.

"I heard that several princes attended this flower viewing banquet. I wonder if our eldest young lady will catch any of their eyes," Dongmei couldn't help but sigh, her gossiping nature getting the better of her.

"Who can say for sure? I heard the banquet was organized for them. If our eldest young lady suddenly rises to prominence, it won't be a good thing for us," Chunxiang said, looking at Bai Suihe with concern.

The Young Mistress's life in the manor was already difficult enough. If the First Branch gained more power, she would likely face even more harassment in the future.

"Don't worry. Even if they do take an interest, there will be plenty of obstacles to overcome," Bai Suihe murmured. In the novel, the male and female protagonists had to endure various setbacks, simply because their journey of love was built upon a mountain of cannon fodder. "We won't meddle in their affairs. Did any news from outside come in today?"

"It did. Nanny Wu has already started making arrangements. Madam will enter the manor tomorrow. Miss, do you want to prepare something in advance?" Chunxiang reminded her.

Actually, Madam Bai had sent her calling card the day before yesterday and should have entered the manor yesterday, but the Eldest Young Madam had delayed it by two days, citing family matters.

They claimed there were matters to attend to, but it was clearly because her daughter was attending the flower viewing banquet. What did that have to do with the Third Branch?

"Go to the front courtyard early tomorrow to wait, and tell the kitchen to prepare extra pastries," Bai Suihe said. She wasn't sure how to host them, so she could only start with this.

"I remember Chef Huang in the main kitchen makes some quite good pastries. Take some silver to reward her later and ask her to make a bit more tomorrow, and send some to the other branches as well." Bai Suihe knew the manor's rules were strict, but if she wanted special treatment, she had to be willing to pay for it.

Normally, hosting in-laws should have been the responsibility of the Gu family, but according to Bai Suihe's memory, that was clearly not the case.

The Xu family received the highest level of reception upon entering the manor. As for the First Branch, since the Eldest Young Madam was a concubine's daughter from a Marquis's household, her maternal family rarely interacted with them, meaning the true target of their hostility was only her side.

Because of all these factors, Bai Suihe couldn't understand where the Gu family's good reputation actually came from.

Dongmei and Chunxiang worked quickly to relay the instructions. Just as they were about to close the courtyard gates, Nanny Zhou, whom they hadn't seen for a few days, appeared outside.

She said that Vice Minister Gu had returned and requested everyone from the various courtyards to come for a meal.

Bai Suihe felt a deep sense of reluctance; she always felt that there was no such thing as a good banquet.

With her belly protruding, she arrived at the main courtyard under the service of the two maids. This time it went smoothly; she wasn't even required to announce herself, as a maid led her straight in.

Upon entering, she realized that everyone except her had already arrived.

"Greetings, Father. Greetings, Mother. Your daughter-in-law is late; please punish me," Bai Suihe said. Regardless of whether she was actually at fault, she would admit it first to avoid criticism.

"So, Lady Bai has arrived," Gu Baijiang observed his third daughter-in-law. They had met few times, and he hadn't expected her to be so visibly pregnant. He looked at his wife again; she hadn't mentioned it before. "Sit down since you are pregnant."

"Thank you, Father!" After greeting the First and Second Branches, Bai Suihe found her seat.

This was also her first time meeting the two young masters of the Gu family.

The eldest son, Gu Kaiping, had passed the imperial examinations as a *jinshi* the year before last. Through Gu Baijiang's influence, despite his low ranking, he had entered the Hanlin Academy as a *shujishi*. This year, he was promoted to a seventh-rank official responsible for compiling national history.

Logically, a Vice Minister of War held significant influence in court. As the eldest son of a Vice Minister, the fact that Gu Kaiping hadn't even managed to become a compiler in two years showed his mediocre talent.

Yet, even so, he was the Old Madam's precious treasure, and everything in the manor was prioritized for him.

The second son, Gu Kaichen, had been studying for many years and held only the rank of *tongsheng*. Originally, he was unremarkable in the household, but because he married his cousin, Xu Yulan, the Second Branch naturally received special care from the Old Madam.

Then there was the husband she had never met, Gu Kaiyuan, who was arguably the least valued member of the household.

It was said that he had been mischievous as a child and clashed with his schoolmaster, leading the Old Madam to declare him unfit for scholarly pursuits. A few years ago, he had been tasked with managing the household's trivial affairs.

Furthermore, because he had married a daughter of a merchant family like her, he had become even more marginalized.

However, Gu Kaiyuan seemed to welcome this. He spent most of his time traveling outside, managing the various affairs of the Gu estate.

"I have been away from the manor for some time. Lady Liu has done well; she has kept the household in perfect order." Seeing that everyone was present—except for his third son who was away—Gu Baijiang paused before continuing, "The court has been somewhat unsettled lately. Every branch must restrain their people and avoid unnecessary outings. Any unnecessary banquets should be declined."

As Gu Baijiang spoke, he cast a deliberate glance at his eldest granddaughter, making his meaning perfectly clear.

"What do the affairs of the court have to do with us, the women of the inner chambers?" the Old Madam said with indifference. "Besides, you are the Vice Minister of War. Even if there is true turmoil, who would dare cross our household?"

Aside from Xu Yulan nodding in agreement, everyone else lowered their heads in silence at this arrogant remark.

Only Gu Baijiang looked at his wife with a look of disdain. This Lady Xu was becoming increasingly short-sighted. If not for the fact that she had given birth to three fine sons, he would never have allowed her to remain the mistress of the Xu family.

This was also why, for all these years, he had kept Xu Huizhen confined to the back courtyard, using her poor health as an excuse to prevent her from attending banquets.

With such a temperament, going out would not only fail to assist the Gu family but might even bring disaster.

He could not allow the good reputation he had built over the years to be ruined by this foolish woman.

"You do not understand the affairs of the court, so stay in the manor and be at peace. If anything happens, discuss it properly with your daughters-in-law. If you do not understand, you can ask Kaiping."

Hearing his name, Gu Kaiping finally raised his head. He remained silent about his mother's behavior; regarding his biological mother's character, he felt quite helpless.