Nangong Li: "..."
The next day.
In another courtyard of the Gu Mansion, a gathering of ladies created a lively scene.
"Have you heard about the Gu Mansion's eldest daughter returning the betrothal gifts personally sent by the Ninth Imperial Uncle?"
"I just heard about it. This eldest daughter of the Gu family must be out of her mind to return the Ninth Imperial Uncle's betrothal gifts? Is she crazy?"
"Heh, whether she's crazy or not, I don't know. I only know that Gu Qianying is simply ungrateful. To be favored by the Ninth Imperial Uncle is such great fortune, yet she refuses it. Truly a big fool!"
"Whether she's a fool or not, let's not discuss that for now. Just speaking of bringing good fortune to the family, this legitimate daughter of the Gu family is not as capable as the second daughter, Gu Mingyue. I heard that the second daughter is about to marry into the Eastern Palace, and what's more, she's already carrying the Crown Prince's child. If she were to bear the Crown Prince a precious son in the future, wouldn't the entire Gu Mansion be overjoyed?"
"You're right, people have their own destinies. Look at this eldest daughter of the Gu Mansion. It sounds good when they say she returned the Ninth Imperial Uncle's betrothal gifts, claiming she knew she wasn't worthy of him. But if you think about it, it's not that she felt unworthy. I suspect the Ninth Imperial Uncle simply lost his favor for Gu Qianying and grew tired of her. Gu Qianying must have seen this, and to preserve her status as a legitimate daughter, she insisted on publicly stating that she knew she wasn't worthy and voluntarily returned the betrothal gifts sent by the Ninth Imperial Uncle."
But look at this second daughter of the Gu Mansion. Although she had a difficult time a few days ago, she is now the most honored person in the entire Gu Mansion. The Crown Prince, to protect the child in the second daughter's womb, specifically sent a wet nurse from the palace to attend to her daily needs, Madam Lan.
Despite being a concubine's daughter, she enjoys a high status that the legitimate daughter has never experienced. Her fate is truly fortunate!"
"Indeed, I see the second daughter as a blessed person. Those without fortune can only hide in their rooms and cry."
"You know, when I arrived, I heard that the eldest daughter of the Gu Mansion had cried herself unconscious in her room. Now, the First Madam is quite busy."
"It's good that she's busy. Having such a troublesome daughter, it's better for her to be busy than to be angered to death, haha."
"What are you saying? This is the Gu Mansion. Speak softly and don't let others overhear."
"What did I say? Nothing, right? It's not early now, why hasn't the governess arrived yet?"
"Soon, perhaps soon. Let's wait a bit longer..."
At this moment, other young ladies from various households arrived uninvited, wanting to learn palace etiquette from the governess, Madam Lan, who had come from the palace.
Originally, these basic etiquettes were something that young ladies from some households had learned to some extent in their own homes.
Logically, they were not among the beauties selected to enter the palace, so they did not need to learn all these etiquettes.
However, who didn't know that Madam Lan was sent by the Crown Prince, Nan Rong Qi? Not only was she the Crown Prince's confidante, but having worked in the palace for many years, she was naturally familiar with the temperaments and preferences of the other princes.
If one could build a good relationship with Madam Lan, one could pave their own way by understanding the princes' preferences.
The princes were all handsome and distinguished, and their status was so noble. If one were fortunate enough to be chosen as a worthy consort by a prince, it would be an excellent outcome.
As everyone was discussing amongst themselves.
A woman in a light yellow cloud-patterned shirt trailing to the ground, a white silk skirt adorned with snow-white clouds, her hair styled in a Han Yan Fu Guan Rong bun, with lightly drawn eyebrows and a touch of powder on her face, slowly walked over.
The woman's belly was slightly rounded, and she was carefully supported by a wet nurse behind her as she walked.
Accompanying them were the third concubine, Madam Han, who had changed into the attire usually worn by the main wife, a deep red skirt embroidered with a hundred butterflies dancing among flowers, and the fourth daughter, Gu Yumei, dressed in a green pomegranate skirt.
Madam Han's jewelry today was also much more noble than usual.
As she walked over, Gu Ziran, who followed behind her, tried several times to dissuade her, urging her to be mindful of her concubine status and not to be too ostentatious.
However, Madam Han did not listen to Gu Ziran's advice. Moreover, today, besides her attire, she had also made slight changes to her makeup.
She used the finest pearl powder for her rouge, and a painted adornment was affixed to her brow, making her appear alluring yet elegant.
She exuded the demeanor of a mistress of the household.
As she approached, the young ladies from various households who were waiting did not rise.
Indeed, Madam Han was merely a concubine in the mansion, and it was not expected for these young ladies from outside households to pay their respects.
On the contrary, when Gu Mingyue walked over slowly, accompanied by Madam Lan, everyone rose and offered a slight bow to Madam Lan, saying, "Greetings, Madam Lan. I am the eldest daughter of the Qi family, Qi Xinlan."
"Greetings, Madam Lan. I am..."
After everyone had introduced themselves one by one, the governess spoke, "This old servant greets all the young ladies. It is my honor today to teach you ladies etiquette. Before this, my young mistress specially prepared some pastries for everyone. These pastries are made by mixing the finest glutinous rice with osmanthus powder, steaming them for half an incense stick's time, and then adding soaked red bean paste as filling. In addition, the tea that my young mistress had the maids serve to everyone is dew collected by my young mistress herself early this morning. The tea leaves were steeped in the morning dew for a moment before being brewed. Each step was taken with great care. Please taste them and see how they are?"
As she spoke, the mansion's maids brought forth tea and pastries.
The light and fragrant tea, along with the soft and delicious pastries, was a delightful treat in the crisp autumn breeze.
Madam Lan's frequent mentions of "my young mistress" clearly conveyed to everyone that the Crown Prince held Gu Mingyue in high regard.
Furthermore, Madam Lan's detailed explanation of how Gu Mingyue had so thoughtfully prepared tea and pastries for everyone clearly indicated the Gu Mansion's second daughter's friendly attitude towards everyone present.
With such clear and explicit words, was there anything the crowd did not understand?
"Mmm, the taste is indeed good. The second daughter has put in great effort."
"Second daughter, your craftsmanship is getting better and better. Come to my place another day, and try what I've made. How does it compare to yours?"
"Second daughter, you are not only beautiful, but your hands are also very skillful."
Among the crowd, some praised her, while others sought to curry favor.
For a moment, Gu Mingyue was the center of attention and also won the favor of many young ladies.
Beside them, Madam Han and Gu Yumei's eyes were red with jealousy.
However, Madam Han did not outwardly display her feelings, but Gu Yumei's jealousy was impossible to conceal.
"Second sister's skills are getting better and better. However, now that second sister is pregnant, you must not overexert yourself. The child in your womb should be the priority."
"Yes, don't overwork yourself. You must take good care of yourself."
Gu Mingyue, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke softly, "Mmm, thank you, sisters, for your concern. Mingyue has noted it. It is Mingyue's fortune, accumulated over eight lifetimes, to be blessed with the Crown Prince's child. These past few days, Mingyue can clearly feel the playfulness of the child in my womb. However, lately, Mingyue has been having dreams every night and cannot sleep peacefully, and my chest always feels blocked. Thus, when the third concubine heard that Mingyue was like this, she quickly invited a doctor to the mansion to diagnose Mingyue. But the doctor said that Mingyue is in good health. As for why she has dreams every night, cannot sleep peacefully, and feels a blockage in her chest, it might be because the room she is staying in is entangled with something unclean, which is why..."
As she spoke, Gu Mingyue began to shed tears gracefully.
After everyone had comforted her for a long time, Gu Mingyue continued, "Later, the third concubine, who pities me, helped me invite a Taoist priest. The Taoist priest pointed towards the southeast direction and told me that those unclean spirits come from there.
If the people living inside are driven out of the mansion, they will surely take those unclean things with them. However, Mingyue dares not do such a thing, for fear of offending grandfather."
Everyone followed the direction Gu Mingyue pointed. Among them, a few were suddenly startled.
"Isn't that courtyard in that direction the Garden Pavilion? That's where the eldest daughter of the Gu family lives!"
Among the young ladies present, a few had visited the Gu Mansion before and attended the Gu Mansion's previous flower appreciation banquets, so they had some understanding of where the ladies and daughters of the mansion lived.