You’ve tried hard.
Despite her astonishment, she quickly sat down and wrote below that sentence, Who are you?
At a different time in the 7th year of Jianyuan, the thirty-year-old Gu Qiang was also shocked.
Followed by that was a burst of tears with joy.
She could communicate with her fifteen-year-old self! Then, everything could be changed.
She just needed to prevent herself from losing her memory that would happen unexpectedly a month later.
Then, all the tragedies would not happen.
Thinking of that, she quickly wrote to reply, I am you, you from fifteen years later.
The fifteen-year-old Gu Qiang was also overjoyed. She then continued to inquire, If you are me, do you know how Brother dies?
In the book, the thirty-year-old Gu Qiang replied, I don’t know. All I know is Brother went out to run some errands for the Ninth Prince and met with an accident. But there is one time when I overheard Shen Zhongbai’s adviser, Yi Cen, mentioning Brother’s name. However, when I ordered people to investigate the accident, all the people involved were killed.
When did Brother go out?
But this time, there was no reply.
It was only now that the fifteen-year-old Gu Qiang realized this page was already full and their conversation ended abruptly. Refusing to give up, she flipped to the next page and wrote down the same question, When did brother go out?
However, the writing vanished right after each stroke was made.
It seemed like there were some sort of rules which were controlling all of these, or some established settings.
She had no choice but to give up now and wait for the next day to try again.
At the same time, both the thirty-year-old and fifteen-year-old Gu Qiang thought of the same idea.
The next day was the Spring Feast.
The Spring Feast was held once a year, and it was Gu Family’s turn to host it this year. However, Old Master Gu had accompanied the Emperor to Shandong for prayers, and Madam Gu had a headache these few days, so Old Lady Gu had to manage all the affairs of the household.
“Is it true that the news says she had a headache?”
Since the day Gu Qiang returned to the mansion, she had enjoyed a few peaceful days. Therefore, when she heard of the Spring Feast, she could not help frowning as she had a hunch that something was about to happen.
Naturally, Chui Xue did not feel anything odd about it. She just gloated at Madam Gu’s misfortune and replied with a low voice, “They say it’s because of a headache, but I heard that Madam kneeled in Old Lady’s room for two days secretly. Only then, the Old Lady assigned her some petty matters of the Feast.”
Upon listening to that, Gu Qiang was sincerely impressed by Madam’s patience. She was already the wife of the Prime Minister, but she could still remain her equanimity and flexibility at times like this.
No wonder she was easily deceived by Madam in the past.
Nonetheless, although Chen Yun was dead now, the Old Lady still remembered his words. Therefore, Gu Qiang came up with an idea and smirked. “Go to check if Madam sent me anything else.”
Ting Feng and Chui Xue looked at each other in surprise upon receiving her command. Chui Xue, having a vivacious personality, shouted immediately, “My Lady, you are so smart! Madam has just ordered her maid, Aunt Zhang, to send you the garments and accessories to wear for this afternoon.”
Gu Qiang did not reply but just smiled. At this moment, Ting Feng had brought the clothes casket to her. Gu Qiang opened it casually and saw a delicately-sewn vermilion unlined garment, along with a set of gold-plated accessories adorning jades.
Floral patterns and peacocks were sewn on the unlined garment, while the pair of dangling hairpins were made into a peacock biting a pearl.
“This…”
Despite seeing all the precious things for many years since she served Gu Qiang, Ting Feng was still amazed by the things in the casket, “Madam gave you such precious things?”
She was not being narrow-minded to suspect there were underlying intentions from Madam. It was just that this set of garments was extraordinarily dazzling. Any noble maiden who wore it would certainly look outstanding at the feast. When did Madam suddenly become so kind to provide Gu Qiang this opportunity?
Gu Qiang gave Ting Feng a commending glance. “Not bad for you to think of this.”
Madam obviously bore no good intentions when she gave garments like this to her.
Instead, she intended to expose her to the public and make her the target.
“If that is the case, do you still want to wear this garment, My Lady?” Ting Xue asked carefully. But Gu Qiang just smiled and closed the casket while replying meaningfully, “Well, I am certainly not fit to wear this stunning garment. Why don’t we give it to Gu Zhihua? She will love it.”
The Spring Feast was often held to pray for favorable weathers throughout the year and prosperous yield in the following year. In the afternoon, the entrance of Gu Mansion was already packed with continuous carriages. Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, all the noble maidens were following their mothers to greet Ye politely and reservedly, “Greetings to you, Madam Gu.”
Ye was also meticulously dressed up today. There was not a trace of awkwardness from a few days ago on her face, only the usual gentleness remained. When the noble maiden in front of her raised her head after her salute, Ye smiled gleefully and praised, “How lovely. The daughter of Minister Yao has grown into a stunning lady!”
“You’re too flattering, Madam Gu.”
Madam Yao was proud and delighted that her daughter was praised by the Prime Minister’s wife. Despite her elation, she did not forget to return the courtesy. “Speaking of daughters, no one can outshine your two daughters, especially your younger daughter. She’s beautiful, and her personality takes after you too.”
“You’re flattering me.”
Ye broke into a hearty laughter upon hearing her compliments. However, she sighed right after that and said, “My younger daughter is still young, but my eldest daughter is almost of age this year.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Yao lowered her voice and whispered close to Ye’s ears, “I heard that the people from the palace came here today to look for suitable maidens. I even heard that Princess Changning came. This—”
Madam Yao stopped mid-sentence without saying further. But Ye was not taken aback by her words. Instead, she patted dearly on Madam Yao’s arm and said, “Princess Changning is a kind and gentle person.” Madam Yao understood her underlying meaning immediately. So she smiled and echoed, “You’re absolutely right. Princess Changning is the kindest.” Ye smiled faintly, while Madam Yao sensibly brought her daughter away to find a seat. When most of the attendees had arrived, Ye glanced at the empty main seat which was reserved for the Princess and then rested her hand on Aunt Zhang’s hand while speaking in an airy tone, “Alright, let’s go. It’s time to call the two girls out to meet the guests.” “Yes, Madam.” Aunt Zhang heeded the command at once and sent people to inform the Young Ladies. Both of the Young Ladies stayed a stone’s throw away from the banquet hall, so it did not take long for Gu Qiang and Gu Zhihua to come into everyon
Gu Zhihua was dumbfounded, so she answered intuitively with her muddled mind. As soon as she answered, Changning’s senior maid, Granny Chen, slapped her mercilessly and reproached, “How dare you stand while answering the Princess’s question?” “I…” Gu Zhihua was stunned and stumbled to the floor after receiving that blow. After a moment of shock, panic overwhelmed her. She wanted to explain herself, but Gu Qiang took a step forward and forestalled her with a polite bow and replied, “Your Highness, she is my younger sister.” “Younger sister?” Although Changning seldom met people, she recognized the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister. She then frowned and asked in displeasure, “I remember that your mother passed away not long after you were born.” “Yes, Your Highness.” Gu Qiang’s voice was light yet polite as she added reverently, “Zhihua is my stepmother’s daughter.” Ye, who was sta
She made sure that Aunt Zhang sent that garment to Gu Qiang.Why did it end up being worn by Gu Zhihua? Recalling Princess Changning’s words, Ye got even infuriated at Gu Qiang and was dying to rip her apart. “Yes. Didn’t you know that, Madam?” Gu Qiang smirked, eyes filled with amusement. “Normally, the Princess would only be unhappy when someone violated her peacock taboo. Do you know why she was extremely enraged today?” She leaned closer to Ye’s ear before continuing her sentence in a whisper, “Because yesterday, the Princess heard someone mentioning that servant from her memory. Thus, she became raving mad when she saw a peacock today.” “You! you!” Ye’s eyes were filled with disbelief and resentment. However, she could not vent her anger as the Princess’s maid was still waiting aside. She could only swallow all her displeasure and threatened, “We’ll see who will have the last laug
Young Lady Gu, didn’t you realize that you have poured the wrong tea? The tea you served for my master is Red Dates Jade Flower Tea which is prepared for the women! Master can’t have sweet food. The tea he drinks is the West Lake Dragon Well Tea which is beside the women’s tea! As expected, Shen Qianshan’s hand stopped mid-air while reaching for the cup when he noticed the floating Jade Flower in the tea. Naturally, Gu Qiang who was staring attentively at him saw his action. When she saw that Shen Qianshan was not reaching for the cup, she tucked her lips nervously and asked, “Is there something wrong, You Highness? You don’t like this tea?”Of course he doesn’t like it! Young Lady Gu, please quickly replace the tea for His Highness before he splashes the tea! An Ye shouted in his thoughts. After all, not only His Highness doesn't like sweet food, he actually can’t have it! However, no outsiders knew
Especially Jiang Min, the eldest daughter of Jiang Family, refused to marry into Gu Family before and finally married a duke’s son after careful selection. Unexpectedly, he died young of illness. Her title as the wife of a duke’s son was gone, while her half-sister born of a concubine became a mistress. Jiang Min was extremely indignant and often pulled a face before. Afterwards, Jiang Rou died of illness. Unexpectedly, she got on well with Ye, the second wife of Jiang Rou’s husband, and had more contact with her than with her own sister.While Jiang Rou was at her last gasp, none of Jiang Family members came to visit her.When Gu Huaian was thrown out of Gu Family, none of Jiang Family members came, either.However, Jiang Min came with her family for a spring feast held by Ye. Gu Qiang sneered and her eyes were full of derision.Changning returned after changing her clothes. She was used to her brother’s French leave. Seeing Gu Qi
Changning was surprised. If it were true, the imperial household couldn’t destroy Gu Qiang’s arranged marriage even if they had an eye on her.Changning glanced at Song Yu. She was standing behind Jiang Min and pretended to be shy, though male visitors couldn’t enter to salute and all stayed outside. Together with Jiang Min’s arrogant manner, it made Changning think such a family couldn’t have a great son. She shook her head and looked at Gu Qiang with sympathy.“Well, if so, I won’t disturb you. Gu Qiang, go ahead.”The princess’s remark meant the imperial household was going to remove Gu Qiang from the candidate list.Others didn’t know, while Ye was clear about that, so she saluted with a bigger smile immediately, “Then please allow me to take my daughter…”“Madam, what are you talking about?”Suddenly, Gu Qiang broke her silence with a cold smile. She stared straight at Ye and kept still.
While speaking, Ye nudged nearby Jiang Min secretly. Then Jiang Min said drily, “Yes, I will continue doting on you.”But Gu Qiang just shook her head and stared at Ye compellingly, “Mother, what does my father think about it?”Before Ye answered, she kneeled down before Changning and bowed heavily, “Princess, my father hasn’t returned. It’s unfilial to prepare for marriage without the permission of both my parents. Besides, my elder brother hasn’t married. If I marry before him, I will be thought disrespectful for him. Princess, please help me out. Though I’m a girl, I don’t want to be a person unfilial to my parents and disrespectful for my siblings!”What she said was powerful, but Changning looked at Gu Qiang with complicated eyes. Gu Qiang’s remark seemed to bring her back to the past. Back then, though she was a princess, her Mother only loved her brother and hardly cared for her. Later, her Father ordered her to marry. She
“…Yes, I do! What can you do?” Jiang Min asked fiercely through clenched teeth. Ye didn’t look back. She still stared forward but smiled, “Then let’s see if Yun can make it tonight.”“My Lady, you scared me today.”After returning to Qingshui House, Chui Xue heaved a long sigh and felt lucky as if they had escaped from death, “But for the princess’s lady-in-waiting helped, I’m really afraid Madam Song would have slapped you.”“How could it happen?”Gu Qiang took the tea from Chui Xue and said casually, “The ladies-in-waiting of Princess Changning were all secret guards before. How could Jiang Min have the chance to slap me?”“They were secret guards?”Chui Xue shouted in surprise, “My Lady, you even know it!”It was not strange that she knew it.Among the imperial household, including princesses, princes and dukes, who didn’t have secret guards?Thinking of it, Gu Qia