According to the old custom, whenever the parents of a concubine enter the Marquis residence, they would, at best, be able to go pay their respects to the eldest lady of the house before being made to leave at once.
For example, even though Concubine Zhou gave birth to a son and daughter for Marquis Ruiding, she was yet unlikely to so much as see the Old Madam even during the time her father was alive.
However, Gu Sui’er’s parents were brought directly to her this time. Not only did they meet, they were also entertained thoroughly as guests.
The Old Madam had already ordered the servants to prepare lunch, which was served on two tables, one inside and one outside. Xiao Heng, the second Young Master and Gu Bao’er were seated outside while Gu Sui’er, her mother and two Young Madams were inside.
Gu Sui’er was not unaware of the rules anymore. Watching the scene, she understood that her parents were being treated generously and felt a little embarrassed: “Just a simple ordinary meal would have sufficed for my parents. It must have taken quite the effort to prepare so many things.”
The Old Madam chuckled lightly: “It’s not every day that they come over; now your whole family is together.”
While talking, she asked Gu Sui’er’s mother: “How was the journey? Are you tired?”
Not knowing the rules of the Marquis residence, but making out that this Old Madam’s stature was unusual, Gu Sui’er’s mother smiled cautiously and replied: “Good, it was quite good. I do not feel tired despite the unbearable bumps on the road.”
When she said this, everyone couldn’t help but laugh.
This is certainly a major truth.
The Old Madam also laughed and asked about their days, such as how the harvest was this year and what the in-laws were busy with.
Seeing that this affluent and honorable elderly lady was so good-natured, Gu Sui’er’s mother described how the crops grew well this year, how the hens laid three eggs per day and the like in detail.
When it came to the hens laying eggs, she specially added: “I had saved up all the chicken eggs and brought them to make some supplementary tonics for my grandson, and also as a gift to the elderly madam.”
The Old Madam heard her words and beamed: “You brought along the eggs from a thousand li away. Alright, alright, you can leave a few for me. I am rather fond of home-reared chicken eggs.”
Observing from the side, Gu Sui’er comprehended inwardly that the Old Madam had given herself a great deal of face in engaging with her parents as such.
She was just a concubine of Xiao Heng’s; her parents were not qualified to be called ‘in-laws’ by the old lady. And as for the eggs brought back by her parents, although she was touched because those embodied her father and mother’s goodwill, how could the others of the residence possibly understand it? In their eyes, those were mere chicken eggs.
Sitting at the side and watching her parents being treated so well by the Old Madam, her heart was filled with gratitude.
But she didn’t realize that it was because of Xiao Heng’s recent change of identity. Now, he had become a prince, an Imperial descendant. Although Gu Sui’er was Xiao Heng’s concubine only, she was a prince’s concubine. Moreover, she gave birth to his eldest son. Hence, there were a lot of possibilities that might arise in the future.
But of course, this was tacitly understood by everyone and wouldn’t be easily spoken out aloud.
Besides, she was Xiao Heng’s only and most favored concubine. The Old Madam was a kind person and had always liked her. So naturally, she attended to them graciously.
In addition to the Old Madam, the two Young Madams also treated Gu Sui’er’s mother warmly. They also asked about Gu Sui’er’s younger brother and hearing that Gu Bao’er was learning martial arts, the eldest Young Madam laughed, “So he’s thirteen years old. He is eligible to follow my Brother to the army.”
When Gu Sui’er’s mother heard this, she didn’t understand and looked at Gu Sui’er doubtfully.
However, Gu Sui’er knew that the older brother of the eldest Young Madam was now the deputy general of the army. If her younger brother followed him, there would naturally be a bright future awaiting him.
“Thank you for the offer, eldest Young Madam. But he is still young and I fear that he is not cut out for that.” Gu Sui’er smiled gratefully.
“It doesn’t matter. As long as someone is directed properly, they gradually get used to it. Moreover, isn’t my Elder Brother still there?”
The Old Madam also felt that this was a reasonable suggestion.
“I think it’s alright to let Sui’er’s brother join the army. Perhaps he would be appointed as a general someday!”
Hearing this, everyone laughed and agreed.
Gu Sui’er’s mother was perplexed.
General? Was… her family’s Bao’er suited for that?
After the meal, Gu Sui’er escorted her parents back to Tingzhu Courtyard. Xiao Heng was still talking to the second Young Master, so it allowed the family of four to reunite properly.
Gu Sui’er’s father, mother and younger brother first followed her to meet little Ah Chen.
Little Ah Chen was already awake. Presently, he was kicking his legs and making a fuss but he stopped the moment he saw Gu Sui’er. He put his little head on Gu Sui’er’s chest and snuggled up to her, looking both satisfied and clingy.
Gu Sui’er’s parents gazed at their little grandson with endless affection. Gu Sui’er’s mother wiped her tears with her sleeves: “To think how much the neighbors laughed at you and how your dad and I were worried when you were carrying this child. You suffered so much hardship but now it can be considered a good thing, a blessing in disguise to receive so much riches and honor.”
While talking, she took little Ah Chen from Gu Sui’er’s arms. The more he looked at him, the more she waited to continue looking at him: “Sui’er’s dad, look, he looks just like Sui’er when she was little.”
Gu Sui’er’s father also thought so: “Yes, but this child is more blessed than Sui’er.”
Just as Gu Bao’er looked at the baby curiously, the baby also happened to look at himself with his big bright eyes. He couldn’t help reaching out and touching his little cheeks lightly with a smile.
“His cheeks are too soft!” Gu Bao’er spoke uncontrollably.
Unexpectedly, little Ah Chen seemed to be quite fond of him, waving his little hands at Gu Bao’er and babbling loudly.
Gu Sui’er’s mother laughed and said, “This child has hit it off with Bao’er ah!”
As she spoke, she put little Ah Chen into Gu Bao’er’s arms.
Holding this little person, Gu Bao’er only felt that he was too delicate and adorable. He asked in a daze: “Was this baby inside Sister’s belly before?”
These childish words made the others present there laugh: “Yes, that’s right.”
Little Ah Chen was not at all well-behaved when he was placed in Gu Bao’er’s arms. He babbled excitedly and grabbed Gu Bao’er’s ears with his chubby little hands.
When Gu Sui’er saw this scene, she was also surprised: “Ah Chen and Bao’er are indeed kindred spirits.”
Gu Bao’er also liked the little person in his arms: “Sister, when he grows up, I will teach him martial arts!”
Gu Sui’er’s mother smiled: “Your little nephew is the Young Master of a Marquis residence. He was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Why would he need you to train him?”
Gu Sui’er said: “Bao’er must learn properly. After all, you need to teach Ah Chen martial arts in the future.”
Little Ah Chen tossed around a lot in Gu Bao’er’s arms, almost sticking his little head to Gu Bao’er’s face. It was unknown what he was looking for.
A while later, he went on to grab Gu Bao’er’s clothes again.
After doing this for a long time, he was finally tired and stretched his arms toward Gu Sui’er.
After she held him, he yawned a few times dazedly before drinking some milk and falling asleep.
Putting him to sleep, Gu Sui’er left to chat with her parents and younger brother.
They naturally had a lot to discuss. When Gu Sui’er’s mother brought the eggs back, she discovered that there were no less than 200 eggs, all wiped clean and painted red.
Gu Sui’er’s mother took out the few broken ones distressedly: “I wrapped them in hay, why did these still break ah!”
Gu Sui’er hastily comforted: “There’s a lot of eggs here, it doesn’t matter if a few of them break. It’s inevitable given the long journey.”
Gu Sui’er’s mother thought about it, and said, “I don’t understand the rules of this Marquis residence, but according to the rules of our Gujia Village, since you gave birth to a child, we, as the mother’s side of the family, must prepare red eggs. I think there are a lot of people here. You should divide the eggs among everyone, even the servants of this yard.”
Gu Sui’er agreed promptly, saving some for herself and letting Guizhi keep the rest to be shared with everyone tomorrow.
Ever since Gu Bao’er came here, he had been looking around with curiosity. He looked around everywhere, feeling that many things of this Marquis residence in Yanjing City and their village couldn’t actually be compared.
He asked his sister: “Sister, no one bullies you after you came here, right?”
Gu Sui’er pulled Gu Bao’er over and patted his hand.
The thirteen-year-old boy had now grown up and was no smaller than her. She could touch his hair before, but now, it was not easy.
“Bao’er has grown a lot taller and stronger!”
“Sister, I am a person martial arts practitioner now. I have been learning in the town for more than half a year.”
After hearing this, Gu Sui’er’s parents only laughed, “He made fast progress. His master said that he is cut out for it so he often teaches him in private.”
“Did you write the letter you sent last time yourself?”
“Yes, Sister, I have also learned how to write, but the characters are not exactly beautiful. Teacher said I still need to practice because they are all crooked.”
Gu Sui’er smiled and showed Gu Bao’er what she had written. For a while, the siblings compared whose writing was better.
After the family of four had chatted for a long time, Nanny An came in quietly and announced: “The third Young Master is back.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Sui’er’s mother quickly said: “Then we’ll go to our room and take some rest.”
Gu Sui’er led her parents to the room that had been prepared for them before returning.
By the time she stepped into the room, Xiao Heng had already freshened up and was leaning on the bed, skimming through a book.
Gu Sui’er’s heart warmed at the thought of all the things he had done for her parents today. She went and snuggled up to him, saying softly: “Third Master, thank you.”
With the soft and jade-like woman at his side, Xiao Heng raised his eyes from the book and looked at her.
“Then how are you going to thank me?”
“En?” Gu Sui’er blinked, a little surprised that he was still waiting for her to thank him.
How should she thank him?
Xiao Heng raised his hand and gently squeezed her tender cheek.
Before he only felt that she was delicate but now that she gave birth to Ah Chen, whenever he held his son and embraced her, he realized that her skin was as smooth and delicate as a baby’s.
At night, he was the fondest of her delicate body.
His gaze gradually darkened as he looked at her: “Get on the bed first.”
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