“Concubine Yun has given birth, Concubine Yun has given birth! It’s a young master.”
A maid from the third household excitedly shouted at the courtyard entrance. Inside the room, Gu Qinghan impatiently rubbed her ears.
Since the last Qixi Festival, she hadn’t stepped outside.
The summer heat in the capital was truly unbearable. Gu Qinghan had always disliked the heat, and seeing the scorching sun outside made her reluctant to go out.
Every day, she sat in her room reading and painting with Gu Rongxin.
Of course, the reading and painting were all done by Gu Rongxin.
Gu Qinghan, meanwhile, had Rong Ming send people to the mansion so she could select clothes and jewelry.
Whenever a new dish appeared at a restaurant or a new chef arrived, Chun Tao would promptly invite them to the mansion so Gu Qinghan could taste something fresh.
Even so, Gu Qinghan was so idle she felt she might sprout roots.
The maid at the door wanted to announce the news loudly to Gu Qinghan again but was stopped by Chun Tao.
“Do not be so presumptuous in front of the young lady’s courtyard!”
The maid pouted, still somewhat indignant.
Their mistress had just given birth to a young master today. Everyone in the mansion had gone to offer congratulations—only Gu Qinghan hadn’t gone, not even sending a servant or maid to inquire.
Concubine Yun had specifically instructed her to inform Gu Qinghan, hoping to bring her over.
Most importantly, she wanted Gu Qinghan to bring a congratulatory gift.
“Our concubine has just given birth to a young master—the first boy in our mansion in nearly five years.”
“The concubine has been thinking of Miss Han and even asked about her as soon as she woke up.”
The maid raised her voice again, deliberately speaking for Gu Qinghan to hear.
Gu Qinghan nearly spat out the chilled melon in her mouth.
Concubine Yun thinking of her?
When the second household had been eyeing her covetously, Concubine Yun had stirred up plenty of trouble behind the scenes.
Her mind was deep and cunning, far more clever than the second household.
In her previous life, if Gu Qinghan hadn’t been wholly devoted to Gu Xu and Xiao Yinghuai, she might have been completely fooled by Concubine Yun.
Not only that, but Concubine Yun also treated Gu Rongxin with apparent kindness and affection on the surface, even refusing to be elevated to the status of a legitimate wife, claiming that Gu Rongxin was the rightful heir and she couldn’t possibly usurp the position of Gu Rongxin’s birth mother.
In reality, she was merely seeking a good reputation. She and her daughter enjoyed better food, clothing, and luxuries than Gu Rongxin.
Outwardly, she doted on Gu Rongxin, but secretly, she deducted her monthly allowance.
“Then let’s go take a look.”
Hearing this, the maid’s eyes gleamed with calculation.
Gu Qinghan was indeed as easily deceived as before. Last time, she dealt with the second household only because they had crossed her parents.
This time, she wondered what congratulatory gift Gu Qinghan would bring. If it were gold or silver, she might even get a share.
Unexpectedly, Gu Qinghan lazily said, “Rong Ming, hold an umbrella for me. Chun Tao and Wanzhu, stay in the side room and don’t come out. The weather is too hot.”
Rong Ming appeared, his mountain-like figure and broad, imposing build making the maid somewhat fearful.
But she still reminded, “All the young ladies and madams from each household have brought congratulatory gifts.”
Gu Qinghan paused, casually pointing at the leftover fruits on the table and instructing Rong Ming to take them.
The maid grew anxious. This wasn’t going as she had imagined!
She was about to say something more when Rong Ming stepped closer, blocking her way. He said gruffly, “Are we going or not? On such a hot day, you’re troubling our young lady to make a trip. If she gets even a little sunburned, I’ll tear down Concubine Yun’s entire room!”
Gu Qinghan had always described Rong Ming as simple and adorable, but in truth, he was a bit dense.
He cared nothing for anyone outside the main household and was quick to resort to threats of violence.
In his heart, only those from the main branch were considered family; everyone else was beneath his notice.
This led him to act arrogantly and domineeringly throughout the Gu residence. Not only did the maids and guards fear him, but even the masters from the collateral branches dared not oppose him.
The maid quickly fell silent and led the way ahead.
The main branch and the third branch were not far apart, and they arrived shortly after.
Upon entering the courtyard, the maid went to the inner room to announce their arrival.
Gu Rongxin was the first to come running out. Seeing it was her elder sister, she curtsied in greeting.
“It’s so hot today—what brings you here, sister?”
Before Gu Qinghan could reply, a sharp voice came from behind.
“Does the weather compare to the joy of my mother giving the Gu family a son? Gu Rongxin, what are you implying?”
Gu Lin walked out gracefully, her tone dripping with sarcasm, sounding almost like a village girl at first listen.
Gu Rongxin was taken aback and was about to apologize.
But Gu Qinghan took her hand, stopping her.
With a faint smile, she said, “Is a mere concubine-born child worth the attention of us, the legitimate daughters of the main house?”