The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1535 - 1532: All Grown Up

Arriving alone, she became two people upon exiting the palace gates.

Wang Yongzhu left the palace gate, but found herself in a dilemma. Because of the timing, taking Bai Su to the Gu Family would be inconvenient.

If she sent Bai Su back to the Duke’s Mansion and then went to the Gu Family, she might be late.

But Bai Su, with her palace-honed awareness, noticed Wang Yongzhu’s expression and spoke gently: "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, please go about your own business. I can take the carriage to the Duke’s Mansion first."

Wang Yongzhu was still a bit uneasy.

Bai Su smiled first: "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, don’t worry. I have my waist token, and the mansion will not dare to neglect me. I can arrive at the mansion first, and when you return, the tea and everything can be arranged properly, isn’t that better?"

Thinking about it, Wang Yongzhu realized that someone who could become the chief aunt of Changchun Palace must be resourceful and agreeable, so she agreed.

Watching Bai Su’s carriage head straight to the Duke Weiguo Residence, Wang Yongzhu instructed the driver to go to the Gu Family.

The driver, overhearing bits and pieces, understood little else but that the palace’s chief aunt was assigned to serve the Wife of the Heir-Apparent at their mansion.

What an honor this was?

Thus, upon receiving Wang Yongzhu’s instructions, he swiftly drove towards the Gu Family.

Arriving at the Gu Family’s entrance, hearing that it was the Wife of the Heir-Apparent from the Duke’s Mansion visiting, the door attendant was first surprised, then overjoyed.

He hurriedly ran inside to announce the visit.

Soon, the Chief Butler of the Gu Family personally came out to greet her, while apologizing continuously: "Miss, please come inside quickly! I truly apologize; the head of the family and young masters are still at work. The Third Old Master left early this morning and hasn’t returned yet."

He added: "If we had known you were visiting today, the Third Old Master wouldn’t have gone out. I’ve already sent someone to fetch him back!"

Wang Yongzhu’s main intention today was to see Gu Changqing. Hearing Gu Changque wasn’t home, she asked more questions, and learned that he originally knew she had arrived in the Capital City and intended to visit the Gu Family within the next two days.

He hadn’t planned to leave but was informed by the servants that an important item for the bridal chamber was missing, requiring his personal attention.

Old Lady Gu insisted he should take care of it.

Wang Yongzhu swiftly asked not to bother looking for Gu Changque: "I suppose my third uncle will be back by evening, no need to specially summon him."

The Chief Butler agreed verbally, but didn’t dare to comply.

The entire Gu Family was well aware that the Third Old Master valued his niece the most in the family.

If he found out his niece had visited and no one summoned him, everyone might be in trouble.

The Chief Butler escorted Wang Yongzhu to the second gate, and Lady An was already smiling and waiting there.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu, they exchanged pleasantries and thanked her for the various gifts sent back each year.

After a few polite exchanges, she said: "Cousin, you must have had a tiring journey! How have you lost so much weight? When the elders see you, they’ll surely be distressed!"

Saying this, she led Wang Yongzhu towards the inner courtyard.

Along the way, Wang Yongzhu asked about the Gu Family’s well-being, engaged in small talk, and arrived at Old Lady Gu’s yard.

In such cold weather, Old Lady Gu wished to wait at the courtyard gate but was firmly persuaded otherwise by Lady Lou, leaving only a few maids and matrons to glance at the entrance.

Seeing Lady An and Wang Yongzhu’s figures from afar, they hurried in to inform her.

As Wang Yongzhu entered the courtyard, the maids lifted the curtains, and as she entered the room, Old Lady Gu embraced her tightly, calling her endearing terms.

Wang Yongzhu obediently let Old Lady Gu hold her tightly; after finally gathering everyone to persuade her, they managed to get the elders back to the bed.

Only then did they exchange formal greetings.

Old Lady Gu and the family members together examined Wang Yongzhu; her stature had grown considerably since three years ago, her features had developed, and she had lost some weight.

Not only was Old Lady Gu bothered, but even Lady Lou was shocked: "Yongzhu, what’s happened to you? Are you unwell? Or has something happened?"

Upon hearing that Wang Yongzhu had returned alone, they were both happy and worried.

You were supposed to return with Old Granny Zhang to attend Gu Changque’s wedding, weren’t you?

Sudden changes like these suggest something significant might have occurred?

The next day, having heard Wang Yongzhu had entered the palace, they were even more worried.

Today they finally saw her but realized she had lost weight, making everyone anxious.

Wang Yongzhu quickly reassured them: "It’s nothing, I hurried from Chicheng City to the Capital City, ate poorly and rested little, that’s why I’ve lost weight. A few days of rest will help."

Old Lady Gu, upon hearing this, repeatedly ordered the staff to prepare nourishing meals, saying they must help Wang Yongzhu recover that night.

However, Lady Lou knew the situation wasn’t quite that simple, though she did not show it outwardly, she silently pondered.

Meanwhile, Old Lady Gu was most concerned about Old Granny Zhang; now that she had seen Wang Yongzhu, she naturally inquired.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t want the women of the Gu Family to worry, so she avoided any troublesome topics, only conveying the happy times she and Old Granny Zhang had in Chicheng County.

This amused Old Lady Gu so much she couldn’t stop smiling, though she soon lamented: "Niuniu, that child, enjoying life in Chicheng County, forgets her old mom in the Capital City."

Wang Yongzhu replied with a smile: "Grandmother, don’t worry. After the Lantern Festival, my mother plans to depart. However, the waterways are blocked now, necessitating a detour along the official road, but she’ll reach the Capital City by late February and reunite with you."

Receiving this confirmation, Old Lady Gu didn’t bother with other matters.

But Wang Yongzhu, after appeasing Old Lady Gu, glanced around the room, feeling someone’s absence.

Unable to help, she asked: "Why haven’t I seen the fourth sister?"

As these words fell, others were indifferent, but Lady Lou’s face revealed embarrassment.

However, Lady Lou calmly replied: "The weather is cold, and it’s not a healthy season. Your fourth sister is physically weak, often having headaches and fevers, so she’s resting in her quarters until spring."

Had Wang Yongzhu been unaware of Gu Zimei’s situation, she might have been misled.

But she knew of Gu Zimei’s usual good health and saw the embarrassment on Lady Lou’s face, realizing there might be more beneath the surface.

Thus, she merely smiled and didn’t press further.

After exchanging a few more words, someone came forward to announce that the head of the house had returned, asking the young lady to go to the study.

Lady Lou inwardly felt a shiver of unease but didn’t show it outwardly, jesting: "It clearly shows this uncle cherishes his niece, hastily wanting to see her upon her return."

She also advised Old Lady Gu: "Mother, I will take the niece over and will also check with the kitchen to add dishes she likes."

Old Lady Gu waved her hand: "Go on, go on!"

Lady Lou instructed others to stay and chat with the elderly woman, personally escorting Wang Yongzhu to the study up front.

Indeed, Gu Changqing saw Lady Lou bringing her over and didn’t ask a single question, merely nodding at her.

Lady Lou felt assured, instructing Gu Changqing’s Chief Attendant to secure the courtyard and prevent anyone from entering, then she went to the kitchen to make arrangements.

Wang Yongzhu obediently followed Gu Changqing into the study.

Gu Changqing sat behind the desk, steadily gazing at Wang Yongzhu for quite a while, causing her to become flustered and guilty, lowering her head as if pretending to be unconscious.

After a long while, Gu Changqing coldly snorted: "Years have passed, and now you’ve become capable, haven’t you?"