In Gu Sui’er’s eyes before, Xiao Heng was a noble young master; someone so distinguished that he would be completely different from the likes of her. At that time, she didn’t even dare to look up at him.
By some chance, she conceived his child, which connected them forcefully, thus creating this fate.
Initially, she was quite fearful of him. She felt that he was cold and incomprehensible.
Especially his pair of eyes, which were as cold as the deep pool behind the mountain, sending shivers down one’s spine.
But as time passed and she became more familiar with him, she realized that Xiao Heng was just Xiao Heng. He wasn’t cold, nor was he a bad person. He just didn’t like to talk, always remained expressionless and never smiled. Asa result, the others thought he was indifferent and got afraid of him.
In reality, that was his inherent temperament.
However, after listening to Xiao Heng’s recounts of his past, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. From then on, she would inadvertently hold his hand and ask him to speak more.
At night, after little Ah Chen fell asleep and the two had fooled around on the bed, she would nestle in his embrace and caress his firm chest while insisting that she wanted to hear him talk of his past.
He was reluctant to do so at the beginning, so she would act dumb and even pinch him a few times lightly.
In the end, he would fail to resist and grab her hand to stop her movements. Then he would hug her tightly and tell her about his mom, himself, his father, and matters about the Zuo family.
As a result, Gu Sui’er gradually came to know and understand why he was initially so tolerant toward Zuo girl, and why he couldn’t take his eyes off her when he first saw her.
“I thought…” she pressed her face against his arm, so her voice was somewhat muffled, “I thought you were interested in Zuo girl and wanted to make her your wife.”
She recalled the rising pain and embarrassment she felt that day.
Xiao Heng just stared at Zuo girl after coming to the pavilion.
She followed the others and left but when she raised her head, she accidentally ended up hitting a tree.
When the others asked if she was alright, she said she was fine.
However, her heart, as if it had been soaked in iced water, was actually numb and unable to feel anything.
Now looking back, she really wanted to laugh.
He looked at Zuo girl only because he thought she vaguely resembled his mom.
He did not think of marrying Zuo girl at all.
From beginning to end, he only had her.
And in the future, it would continue to be just her.
This thought turned the chilly days into the third month’s warm season of spring. All the pain transformed into a sweetness that soothed her heart.
Gu Sui’er pursed her lips and tilted her face up to look at him with a smile.
This man, who was once an unfamiliar and dignified person, descended to the mortal world and became the one closest to her.
As soon as their eyes met, she wrapped her arms around his neck and said softly, “Third Master, I want…”
Xiao Heng’s gaze deepened: “En?”
She climbed above him, lowered her head to his ear, and whispered something.
Xiao Heng’s face immediately turned red. “No.”
Gu Sui’er insisted, “I want!”
Xiao Heng pursed his lips, his handsome face revealing a hint of determination.
Gu Sui’er tugged at his arm and let out a soft snort.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Heng conceded, “Alright.”
He stared at the dainty and delicate girl in his arms and suddenly had a feeling that she seemed to understand him better than himself.
She was no longer afraid of him.
Gu Sui’er and Xiao Heng were getting closer even though he still appeared cold and expressionless in front of others. Outsiders naturally couldn’t make it out.
But it was not difficult for an experienced person like Gu Sui’er’s mother, who could naturally see it because it concerned her own daughter after all. Whenever her daughter saw the dignified third Master, a soft smile would appear in her eyes; precisely the one that a woman would have when she sees the man she admires.
As for this third Master, although he was not much expressive, he spoiled her daughter in every way and never did anything bad. Even their son, Bao’er, benefited from it and got ahead in life.
As for themselves, this elderly couple, during their time in the Marquis residence, had enjoyed the food fortune of eating delicious food and drinks and living in luxury.
Gu Sui’er’s mother finally felt at ease.
Looking at the spacious courtyard and the servants working in and out, she couldn’t help but smile: “Sui’er, you are living a good life now. I finally don’t have to worry anymore! After you left home, I wept every night. I couldn’t bear to imagine how your life had turned out to be. It pained me to no end.”
Gu Sui’er looked at little Ah Chen, who was playing at the side and couldn’t help but reminisce: “Mom, when I left home, I thought I would never see you again. And yet, not only have I seen you, but my life has also improved a lot. Lately, I have been thinking that you should stay back in Yanjing City. That way, when Bao’er grows up and becomes successful, you can rent a courtyard for yourselves and no longer have to live a hard life in the countryside. Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy a comfortable life?”
Gu Sui’er wanted to let them stay; she still couldn’t bear to let her parents leave.
But her mother had made up her mind long ago. She shook her head: “That won’t do. I can see that this Marquis family is wealthy and influential. They must not have had any poor relatives. If your dad and I stay here, we won’t be bringing any honor to you but dragging you down. People with discerning eyes will say that we came here to take advantage of a wealthy family and that would implicate you. Although we are not young anymore, we still have strength. Our family is now well-off; we do not lack food and are living a good life.”
Hearing her mother’s words, Gu Sui’er felt quite distressed: “Mom, I’m still worried that you will exhaust yourselves during work. Wouldn’t it be better for you to stay back and help me take care of little Ah Chen and look after Bao’er? That way, our family can stay together! Can you bear to leave Bao’er and our Ah Chen behind?”
Gu Sui’er’s mother felt a bit reluctant when she heard this. She felt even more heartache especially when she looked at her snow-white and adorable little grandson. But thinking about the current situation, she shook her head firmly: “Your dad and I have been working in the fields for most of our lives. Although we are now older, why would we not be able to continue farming? As for staying together, I have already discussed it with your dad. We wish to wait for Bao’er to establish himself in Yanjing City before coming to reside here fair and square.”
Gu Sui’er understood the meaning behind her parents’ choice.
Currently, she was just Xiao Heng’s concubine. And since he was cultivating their son Bao’er, her parents were already beyond grateful. They were afraid that if they kept on staying here, eating and drinking without doing anything, they would implicate herself.
Although she couldn’t help but appreciate her parents’ consideration, she also felt a bit helpless.
“Mom, you’re thinking too much. Actually…” She had originally wanted to convince her parents, but now, she realized that they would just feel uncomfortable if they continued staying any longer. So it would be much better to let them return to the countryside.
After Gu Bao’er grows up and establishes himself, he could buy a house and bring their parents to live in the capital. In that way, they wouldn’t have to rely on another’s charity and truly be able to live honorably.
Thinking this, she stopped trying to persuade them.
When the news of her parents’ decision to leave spread, the Old Madam did try to persuade them to stay. But of course, it was unsuccessful. In the end, seeing their determination, she instructed the servants to pack their belongings.
“You came from so far for the first time. It must have been difficult to bring so many eggs with you. I’ve already told my daughter-in-law to prepare some gifts. After you return, distribute them among the village folk. It is a token of our appreciation.”
Those items were ordered by the Old Madam and personally prepared by the Madam.
The Ruiding residence was managed by the Madam so the gifts she personally prepared were naturally astonishing.
Looking at the heaps of items, ranging from ginseng and medicinal herbs to various rare pastries, as well as silk and cloth, Gu Sui’er’s mother couldn’t help but sigh, “This is what it means to be wealthy. All these items can last us farmers a lifetime!”
Gu Sui’er took a look and immediately realized that the Madam had put a lot of effort into preparing the items. Grateful, she planned to go and thank the Old Madam and Madam in person.
Of course, she had also prepared something for her parents.
Since coming to the Marquis residence, she had been receiving a monthly allowance of two taels of silver, which had risen to ten taels after she gave birth to little Ah Chen.
Her daily expenses were covered by the residence. Moreover, Xiao Heng often gave her precious jewelry and also had clothes sewn for her. Thus, she basically had no use for the silver and saved it all.
She took out all the silver from the bottom of her trunk and handed it to her mother.
“Mom, keep this. This is all the money I’ve saved up. And these pearls… they’re excellent pearls. His Majesty rewarded them to the third Master. There is a whole chest full of them. I took out a few for you to take back. Maybe they’ll come in handy sometime in the future. If not, you can just keep them since they are uncommon.”
When Gu Sui’er’s mother saw the pile of shiny and white silver roughly amounting to a few tens of taels, her heart jumped in shock.
“Where did you get so much silver from ah?”
“This is all my monthly allowance. I cannot spend it so keep it, Mom. When our Bao’er grows up, you can use it to buy him a house.”
But Gu Sui’er’s mother refused adamantly. “I saw that the young misses and madams of this family are all impressive people. You didn’t bring even bring any silver with you, much less a dowry. Keep this for yourself. Your dad and I don’t lack anything.”
Gu Sui’er insisted on letting her mother take it, and after some back and forth between the two, she was able to finally stuff it into her mother’s arms.
When they were about to leave, Xiao Heng ordered the servants to prepare everything they needed for the journey and handed them some extra money. He also assigned his guard, Hu Tie, to escort the couple back.
Looking at the cart full of items and the grand escort, Gu Sui’er’s parents felt both gratified and apprehensive. Finally, they couldn’t help but sigh, “Our Sui’er is truly fortunate.”
Gu Sui’er had organized everything properly for her parents and was ready to send them off when an unexpected thing happened.
The beauty bestowed by the Emperor, Bao Ya, unexpectedly came and begged to attend to Gu Sui’er’s parents throughout the journey.
This shocked Gu Sui’er.
When she first came here, this Bao Ya girl was proud and arrogant. She even looked down upon her, so it was unimaginable that she wanted to serve her parents, who were also from the countryside.
Now she voluntarily offered to serve her parents?
Gu Sui’er couldn’t understand.
Fortunately, Nanny An reminded her from the side: “Young Mistress, I think she must have fallen for Hu Tie ah.”
With Nanny An’s reminder, realization dawned upon Gu Sui’er.
When Bao Ya was suspected of being a spy, Hu Tie interrogated her fiercely. It seemed that her temper had changed after returning.
She no longer liked to put on makeup and wear fancy dresses. Instead, she preferred simple and neat clothes, thus transforming from a glamorous beauty to a refined beauty.
Could it be that she had fallen for Hu Tie but he liked the simple yet elegant type?
“Young Mistress, think about it. This time, Hu Tie is escorting your parents back to the countryside, so Bao Ya’s wish to serve your parents must be because of Hu Tie. Otherwise, with her pampered and finicky personality, how could she possibly wish to experience such hardship?”
Finding her conclusion to be plausible, Gu Sui’er couldn’t help but feel amused yet helpless.
Hu Tie was of grand stature, towering at eight chi1Chi [尺] – It is called the ‘Chinese foot’. 8 chi is equal to 8.74 ft or 266.67 cm., much like a small mountain. He had skin as dark as wood charcoal. His voice was as loud as thunder. On the other hand, Bao Ya was a delicate and gorgeous beauty.
Can these two people really get together?
If they could, it might actually be a good thing.
Gu Sui’er called Bao Ya over: “Bao Ya, do you really wish to follow my parents back to the countryside?”
Bao Ya entered the room with a respectful attitude and spoke humbly: “Replying to Young Mistress, Bao Ya is the most willing to accompany and serve them all the way back to the countryside.”
Gu Sui’er blinked and spoke deliberately, “Are you willing to stay in the countryside then?”
Upon hearing this, Bao Ya panicked and quickly replied, “Bao Ya was thinking that after accompanying them, she will come back to continue serving Young Mistress and third Master!”
Seeing this, Gu Sui’er became even more convinced that Nanny An’s judgment was correct.
After all, Bao Ya was someone bestowed by the Emperor. Neither had she served Gu Sui’er before nor did Gu Sui’er dare to use her.
She spoke so nicely now. It seemed that she did indeed want to take this opportunity to interact more with Hu Tie.
Seeing Gu Sui’er lost in thought, Bao Ya spoke nervously, “Young Mistress, Bao Ya will definitely protect your parents with Hu Tie. Bao Ya felt that since the guards escorting them are all men, they might inevitably not be well taken care of.”
Gu Sui’er naturally didn’t mean to give Bao Ya a hard time. She didn’t expect Bao Ya to serve her parents, she just hoped that the latter wouldn’t cause any trouble.
“Since you are willing to go, then you can. But this matter still needs the third Master’s approval. It is not possible otherwise.”
Bao Ya nodded quickly, “Yes, it must be brought to the third Master’s knowledge.”
In the evening, after Xiao Heng returned, Gu Sui’er told him about it.
Xiao Heng frowned. He thought about Hu Tie, then thought about that Bao Ya and finally said, “It is not a bad idea. Have her accompany them then.”
Gu Sui’er looked at his somewhat reluctant expression and asked, unable to hold herself back, “Are you unwilling to let her leave?”
Xiao Heng thought for a moment and said, “I do feel a bit unwilling.”
Gu Sui’er didn’t expect him to say that.
She looked at him in disbelief. He had never once cared about Bao Ya before. But now that she fancied Hu Tie and wanted to be with him, he seemed unhappy.
After thinking for a moment, she suddenly figured out something and couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
So, he didn’t care before, but now that she wanted someone else, he was reluctant to let her go. Did he perhaps always feel that she was his woman?
Gu Sui’er couldn’t help but feel hurt as she thought of this.
Xiao Heng felt a bit confused when he saw her pouting lips and her stubborn, aggrieved and peeved expression. “What’s wrong?”
Gu Sui’er replied, “Nothing. I think it is better to forget about it. Since you’re unwilling to let Bao Ya go, then let her stay. Else it would be a convenient benefit for Hu Tie!”
This was clearly a remark made in an act of pique.
Hearing her words, Xiao Heng looked at her with a strange expression.
“Why would I be unwilling to let Bao Ya go?”
“Ah? Wasn’t that what you meant?”
Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow, “I feel sorry for Hu Tie. He is too good a man to end up with some Bao Ya.”
“……”
Gu Sui’er stared blankly at him for a long time, and finally decided that she would ignore this person.
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