In the memories of her predecessor, the Grand Princess had been kind and approachable toward her.
As it turned out, those memories were accurate.
Although Gu Wanning had turned the Marquis Residence upside down and had been caught red-handed, the Grand Princess wasn't angry at all.
Not only was she not angry, but she also smiled as she pulled up the bowing Gu Wanning. Reaching out to pluck a piece of duck down from Gu Wanning’s hair, she chided with a smile, "You little monkey. In this sweltering heat, aren't you afraid of getting heatstroke?"
Gu Wanning stammered, "I—I just had nothing better to do. What brings you here?"
This was a powerful backer; she had to latch on!
Gu Wanning avoided looking at Xu Weibai's ashen face.
Gao Lan was already squatting down with a handkerchief to wipe duck droppings off him. The several concubines, however, didn't move an inch, standing there like four wooden logs.
"I haven't seen you in a long time," the Grand Princess said, giving her grandson some face by not mentioning his illness. "It just so happened that I had nothing to do, so I came out for a stroll."
Her tone shifted slightly, still smiling but taking on a more educational note. "You are the Marquise, after all. If there is something you want done, just order someone to do it. The residence supports so many people; are they all dead? Do you really need to do everything yourself? Your face is all flushed from the sun; it will sting terribly later."
"It's fine," Gu Wanning said sheepishly.
She had truly overestimated her ability to be a sycophant.
A little person inside her heart was waving a flag and shouting: Charge! This is your golden thigh!
But her lack of emotional intelligence was holding her back.
Compared to the Grand Princess's smooth, effortless ability to speak nonsense, she was truly clumsy and tongue-tied.
What should she say?
Waiting for an answer online; it’s really urgent.
"You—please come inside and sit. It’s too hot out here," she finally managed to say.
Mainly, this place was a mess and a complete eyesore.
"Mm." The Grand Princess nodded and extended her hand to Gu Wanning.
Gu Wanning hurriedly wiped her hands on her clothes before stepping forward to support her. She couldn't help but think that a big shot was truly a big shot.
When she wanted to guide you, she could make you feel as comfortable as a spring breeze.
But then, the Grand Princess extended her other hand.
Toward Xu Weibai.
Xu Weibai was clearly reluctant, the veins on his temples bulging as he gritted his teeth.
The Grand Princess didn't say a word. She simply stared at him with eyes that weren't exactly stern but carried the weight of someone who had seen all the world's affairs. Her lips were slightly curved, and she was even smiling.
In the end, Xu Weibai compromised and stepped forward to support her.
Gu Wanning whispered instructions to Er Ya, "Keep an eye on things here. Don't let anyone fish in troubled waters."
Mainly, all of this was money.
Er Ya nodded repeatedly.
Gu Wanning then said to the four concubines, "You all come along as well."
"Yes."
The group proceeded to the Main Courtyard together.
Gu Wanning went to briefly wash up and change her clothes. When she came out, Xu Weibai had also changed his shoes and was sitting below the Grand Princess, listening to her speak.
"Wanning, come sit."
The Grand Princess beckoned, indicating for her to sit on the other side.
Gu Wanning smiled and sat down.
She didn't know why the Grand Princess was so good to her, but she wasn't so foolish as to think it was because she was pretty or likable.
In the world of adults, there is no love without reason.
Especially for someone as noble as the Grand Princess; her favor would come with a corresponding price.
Gu Wanning didn't have the time to think too much, mostly because she didn't have the brainpower for it.
"Weibai was gone for three years; you've been wronged." The Grand Princess gently patted the back of Gu Wanning's hand. "Grandmother knows everything. I won't beat around the bush with you. He is twenty-two this year, and you are eighteen. The matter of a child should be put on the agenda."
Gu Wanning almost choked on her own spit.
How about you go back to beating around the bush?
My poor little heart is very fragile.
Xu Weibai's face remained cold. He didn't say a word, his icy gaze watching Gu Wanning's affectations.
"Grandmother, there's no rush, really no rush…" She looked toward the four concubines standing to the side, thinking to herself: You lot better step up and hurry up to lure Xu Weibai back to your own quarters.
Favoring a concubine and neglecting the wife—she would cut ties and walk her own path of glory. Isn't that how it always goes in novels?
However, the Grand Princess clearly misunderstood her meaning. She said coldly, "You are the Marquise of this residence, a woman of noble status. The Marquis Residence will have no Eldest Son by a Concubine! The eldest son must be born of the Principal Wife. If anyone dares to be restless, don't blame this Palace for being unkind!"
Three of the concubines immediately knelt.
The Fourth Concubine had been daydreaming somewhere, and by the time she snapped back to reality, she realized she was the only one still standing like an idiot. She froze on the spot.
Gu Wanning: No, this blockhead won't do.
She would have to rely on the other three.
This wasn't a place for the "clumsy darling" trope of a CEO novel.
Couldn't she see that Xu Weibai's furrowed brows were tight enough to crush a fly?
This man wanted women to follow the rules, to be like every other woman in this world—adhering to the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, being Virtuous, Kind, Chaste, and Gracious.
The First Concubine gave the Fourth Concubine a tug.
Only then did the Fourth Concubine react, her knees hitting the ground with a solid "thud."
The sound made Gu Wanning's heart tremble.
Unreliable fool, even stupider than me, Gu Wanning thought.
The Grand Princess looked at Xu Weibai. "Is this the one you picked yourself?"
Gu Wanning pricked up her ears.
Xu Weibai gave a grunt of affirmation, looking as if he wanted to say more.
The Grand Princess didn't ask further, her voice carrying a slow, intimidating weight. "The Marquis and the Marquise are your masters. If anyone thinks they can bypass their masters, I will be the first to disagree!"
"We wouldn't dare," the four of them said with heads bowed.
"The Contraceptive Decoction," the Grand Princess said. "If anyone dares to play tricks on me, even if they do get pregnant, I won't keep either the mother or the child. They will be beaten to death. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes." This time, the four of them performed a deep kowtow.
Gu Wanning felt like she had fallen into a pit.
If the others weren't allowed to give birth, wouldn't it have to be her?
"Grandmother, Grandmother," she spoke up hurriedly. "I know you've always protected me and treated me well. It's just that the Marquis is getting on in years; others his age are already fathers. And my health is frail…"
Xu Weibai: He was getting on in years??
Her health was frail??
The ability to lie through one's teeth was truly a hereditary trait of the Gu family.
Gu Wanning thought to herself that she wouldn't play the part of the dog in the manger.
As for the latrine that was Xu Weibai, whoever wanted to use it could go right ahead!
"My parents raised me to be virtuous and kind since I was a child. If I were to monopolize the Marquis for myself, it would bring shame to their faces," Gu Wanning began to spout nonsense.
"No matter who gives birth to an heir, they are the Marquis's flesh and blood, your grandsons and granddaughters. I will absolutely treat them as if they were my own. Please, rest assured!"
The Grand Princess sighed. "You are too kind and soft-hearted; I fear others will climb over your head. Fortunately, this old bag of bones can still support you for a while. You must also learn to stand up for yourself…"
Xu Weibai felt that "lying through one's teeth" was contagious.
Grandmother had been infected now.
Gu Wanning was kind and soft-hearted?
Others climbing over her head?
Heh.
To win over the Gu family, Grandmother was completely disregarding his feelings.
A legitimate eldest son?
In her dreams!
Even if he were to live out his life alone, he would never be with a woman like Gu Wanning.
"Grandmother, I'm speaking from the heart." Gu Wanning went into full actress mode, her eyes glistening with tears. "During these three years the Marquis was at war, I was constantly on edge, terrified that if something happened, the Marquis would have no heir left behind…"
"The Marquis and I are one. The Marquis's children are my children!"
Are you moved?
The four concubines didn't dare move, each harboring their own thoughts upon hearing this.
But overall, just like Xu Weibai, none of them believed her.
Gu Wanning's inner self was screaming frantically: I'm telling the truth! It's truer than gold! You all have to believe me!
I really don't want to sleep with him!