Chapter 423: Grandpa Is Here
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
That day, the General’s Residence was filled with joy, but many noble ladies in the Imperial Capital suddenly went out of the city together coincidentally.
“Hmph, I heard that she has been to the Gu Residence several times. She must be asking for help at the coming-of-age ceremony!”
“Pfft! A wild girl who grew up in the countryside really doesn’t know etiquette. What kind of family is the Gu Residence? Does she think she can cling to them just because she wants to?”
At this moment, Zuo Xiangling, who wanted to discuss marriage with the Gu Family but was told that their eight characters did not match, froze. She could only raise her cup and drink tea to hide her awkwardness. She was one of the people who went to the bookstores to order books. She even ordered the most to embarrass Xiao Ning.
She had just arrived in the Imperial Capital and knew a few people. Even if those idiots from the Shen Family really wanted to help her, how many books could each of them take out? The only uncertain factor that was more worrying was the Gu Family. She heard that Gu Ruoruo and Xiao Ning were familiar with each other. She wondered if they would help her.
At this thought, Zuo Xiangling bit her lip.
It was only because the Gu Family thought highly of themselves that they started a dyehouse after giving them some face. The Zuo Family had already taken the initiative to express their goodwill, but they still put on airs and rejected the Zuo Family.
Did they really think that there was no other good family in the entire Imperial Capital besides them? They were a bunch of poor scholars who did not have money or power. They even thought highly of themselves.
When she found a better marriage, she would make the Gu Family regret it!
Just as she was thinking, she suddenly heard someone say, “Oh no, oh no, His Highness the Crown Prince actually went to that… to Xiao Ning s coming-of-age ceremony!”
“What? Didn’t His Highness the Crown Prince just return from Luo Prefecture not long ago? And why is he related to the Xiao Family?”
“Xiao Ning must have used the same trick again and shamelessly begged to go as if she was sending an invitation to the Gu Family!”
The noble ladies became more and more anxious as they spoke. Not long after, they lifted their skirts and got into the carriage one after another, as if they could follow the Crown Prince into the East Palace if they went earlier and let him take a few more glances.
Actually, not to mention them, even the Xiao Family didn’t expect the Crown Prince to come. Xiao Ran couldn’t hide her disdain. “We didn’t send him an invitation. What’s this called? Coming uninvited?”
Gu Chang’an didn’t like the Yan Family either, but compared to his personal dislike, he was more concerned about the smooth progress of the entire coming-of-age ceremony.
Xiao Ran also knew this principle, so she pursed her lips. “Forget it. It’s just an extra pair of chopsticks. I hope he can get lost after freeloading.”
Gu Chang’an patted the back of her hand gently. To prevent her from being angry, he took the initiative to greet him.
The Crown Prince took the opportunity to say to Gu Chang’an, “I just returned and didn’t have time to prepare any gifts. I heard that Miss Xiao is planning to build a book house for Father, so I wanted to do my best.”
He pointed at the “gift pile” behind him that was difficult to ignore. “These are some books from the Crown Prince’s Residence. I hope they can help Miss Xiao resolve her urgent needs.”
Just as Gu Chang’an turned to look at the pile of books, another guest happened to arrive at the door. His smile froze.
A carriage that he would never forget in his life slowly stopped outside the door. The curtain was lifted, and Grand Secretary Gu, who walked out, looked especially energetic today. Gu Ruoruo was looking at her great-grandfather in confusion.
She was a little excited to attend Xiao Ning’s coming-of-age ceremony today. She planned to get up before dawn to pick out clothes and jewelry. She thought that she was already considered early, but she did not expect to see her great-grandfather, who had already washed up and dressed up, when she passed by the courtyard. He asked the butler, “How do I look?” The butler looked up at the sky. “Master, this is already your third change of clothes.”
He even muttered, “The new clothes I’ve made all year are not as good as these few days.”
Then, his great-grandfather asked the butler, “Then do you think this outfit is more compatible with my green jade headgear or the white jade headgear?
Why did she feel that her great-grandfather’s behavior today was the same as when they were children during the new year? He wore new clothes and jewelry and even had to ask if he looked good.
When she saw her great-grandfather and little grandpa’s gazes met, Gu Ruoruo felt that she vaguely understood something.
Their gazes met for an instant. Almost as soon as they met, they pretended to look away inadvertently. Then, Gu Chang’an went forward and bowed.
“Welcome…”
He, who had always been eloquent, was suddenly at a loss for words. Grand Secretary Gu also felt visibly uncomfortable.
Just as they were feeling awkward, they heard crisp laughter coming from the door.
“Is Grandfather here?”
Grand Secretary Gu turned around and saw a young lady in pink standing inside the threshold, smiling at him. Then, she skipped across the threshold to him and looked at him back and forth.
“Ah, why do Grandfather and Father look like brothers when they stand together!”
Gu Ruoruo’s heart tightened. Her great-grandfather was usually very serious. The last person who dared to tease him had his house confiscated. Xiaoxiao was bold enough to meet the gun!
just as she was about to help her friend salvage the situation, she heard her great-grandfather say in a tone she had never heard before, “You’re Xiao Ning, right?”
Xiaoxiao lifted her skirt and bowed seriously. “Xiao Ning greets Grandfather.” “Thank you, Grandfather, for coming to my coming-of-age ceremony. Not only is the General’s Residence honored by your arrival, but even my father’s face is red and he can’t hide his joy!”
Gu Chang’an’s face turned red, but he did not refute.
Grand Secretary Gu looked at him in disdain. “You don’t know how to speak and know etiquette as well as your daughter. What are you waiting for? Lead the way. Are you going to let your father stand outside all the time?”
Gu Chang’an was stunned. When he looked up at his father, his eyes were a little red, but he still nodded heavily. “Yes, Father.”
Gu Ruoruo was dumbfounded and couldn’t help but secretly give Xiaoxiao a thumbs up.
Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Oh, there’s my eldest niece too! Come, come, come. I’ll bring you in!”
Her eldest niece was annoyed. “Didn’t we agree to treat each other as peers!” Xiaoxiao also teased her. “Alright, alright, alright. Then let me bring the cute Miss Ruoruo in?”
She leaned close to Gu Ruoruo’s ear and whispered, “There’s still some time before the banquet. Are you hungry? The kitchen has prepared some snacks for you. Do you want some?”
That had to happen! Gu Ruoruo’s eyes lit up. She had even forgotten that her great-grandfather had said to keep a low profile before he came. She waved her little hand and pointed behind her. “Here, that’s the coming-of-age ceremony gift that your Great-grandfather specially instructed us to give you.” Xiaoxiao followed her hand and took a look. Ha, good lord, half a carriage of books!
The Crown Prince originally wanted to show off his gift, but he was inferior to the Gu Family. Now, he could not wait for Gu Chang’an to greet him again and hurriedly followed the servant into the residence.
He could not afford to lose face if he stayed any longer.
When the noble ladies rushed over and found out that the Crown Prince had already entered, they immediately insisted on going in. At that moment, Gu Chang’an was greeting the Gu Family. Xiao Ran was enjoying dressing up her daughter and was about to stop.
She was in a good mood now. Looking at her daughter’s exquisite appearance in the mirror, she could not help but have the desire to show off. Hence, she sneered. “Then let them in. Set up another table for them. Don’t let these idiots disturb the guests.”
After saying that, she raised her hand and tidied Xiaoxiao’s sideburns. “Let them see how adorable the only daughter of the General’s Residence is..”
