Chapter 1008 - 1010: The Blushing Gu Xue’an_1
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh more brightly upon hearing his words, her heart warming and feeling particularly comfortable.
Afterward, Jiang Yichun spoke of the Emperor’s punishment of Yang Hongwen, as well as Yang Tianhua’s refusal to accept the verdict, protesting his innocence.
Bai Ruozhu’s smile faded, and her eyebrows furrowed tightly.
"I heard that Yang Tianhua cherishes this youngest son of his dearly, and he surely won’t give up easily. The Emperor said he would be lenient if evidence were presented, but I fear he might fabricate it," Bai Ruozhu said, looking down.
Jiang Yichun reached out to massage between her brows, smoothing out the furrows, and said, "I’ve already sent people to keep an eye on the Yang Family’s movements. Don’t worry too much, just arrived in the Capital, go out and distract yourself by looking around."
Bai Ruozhu pouted, "With Elder Jiang Ge’s words weighing on me, I don’t even dare to step out. How could I dare to wander around?"
Jiang Yichun glared in response, "Who is he to control my woman? He’s just an old pedant full of problems, always stepping on others to maintain his own false reputation. The case of my father could have been made clear, but he passed a death sentence on him immediately, just so others would say he was stern and incorruptible."
Bai Ruozhu now held a particular distaste for Elder Jiang Ge, who insulted her in court and hindered Jiang Yichun’s promotion, that old man was truly too sly.
In the following days, there was no movement from the Yang Family, as if they couldn’t find any evidence. But Bai Ruozhu felt they wouldn’t give up so easily.
She had previously sent invitations to friends she knew well, initially planning to meet with Miss Li first, but Miss Li had just accompanied her elders to the countryside to collect tenant rents, saying it was part of learning to manage household affairs; thus, she went to see Gu Xue’an first.
Gu Xue’an had been back in the Capital City for a while with her father, who had fallen ill on the road. The Emperor graciously allowed him to recuperate at home. She happened to stay at home to look after her parents, in addition to preparing her wedding dresses.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t bring Little Dengdeng with her to the Gu Residence, leaving the child at home with her mother and Nanny Zhang, because she noticed that whenever she brought Little Dengdeng along, the child was like a wealth-attracting deity, receiving lots of gifts, making her feel embarrassed.
Knowing that Bai Ruozhu was coming, Gu Xue’an got up especially early, not only dressing herself up well but also ordering the servants to prepare dimsum and certain dishes for lunch, showing a level of attention that amused her mother, Madame Gu.
"One would think Lin Xufei himself is coming," chuckled Madame Gu, teasing her daughter.
"Mother, what are you talking about? Even if Lin Xufei were coming, I would have to keep my distance," Gu Xue’an said with a blushing face. "Ruozhu is different. She has helped me greatly."
Madame Gu smiled and stroked her daughter’s hair, "I’ve heard that Mrs. Jiang is very capable. Learn from her, as you will have to manage the whole Residence after you’re married. You can’t wait for your father and me to help you like a child anymore."
"Yes, Mother, I will learn properly and won’t disappoint you and Father," said Gu Xue’an, playfully winking.
Madame Gu, seeing her daughter’s disposition had brightened significantly since returning to the Capital from Jiangnan, felt very comforted, looking forward to holding the wedding next year.
When Bai Ruozhu arrived at the Gu Residence, Gu Xue’an heard the report from the servants and immediately went to greet her personally, her steps very hurried, surprising even the maids at her side — it was indeed rare to see the young miss so excited.
Bai Ruozhu also hadn’t seen Gu Xue’an for many days and remembered everything they shared in Jiangnan. The two were very emotional, especially since Bai Qizhi couldn’t return to the Capital, or else the three of them could have gathered to eat and drink tea.
"I heard you had come to the Capital a few days ago. I wanted to visit you, but I was afraid you’d be too tired from the travel and had many things to arrange. I’m glad you thought of me and sent me an invitation," said Gu Xue’an, linking arms with Bai Ruozhu, smiling.
"I’m done with my busy schedule now, and I’ll have lots of time to hang out with you in the future," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
Gu Xue’an walked arm in arm with her towards the Main Courtyard, expressing some surprise as she asked, "Don’t you have many businesses to tend to? Aren’t you usually busy?"
"I’ve arranged for subordinates to handle the businesses. If I were to take on everything myself, ten of me wouldn’t be enough," Bai Ruozhu knew Gu Xue’an was learning stewardship, so she intentionally gave her a couple of pointers, "The job of a manager is to supervise subordinates to do the work, make major decisions, set the direction of development, and besides that, just periodically check the accounts."
Gu Xue’an listened with an envious expression, "I don’t know how to do any of that, and I can’t even understand the ledger books. I have no idea how I’ll check the accounts in the future."
Bai Ruozhu tugged at her arm and said, "Then let me teach you accounting. You don’t need to reach the level of an accounting master, but you should understand some basics so you won’t get deceived in the future and will have a better grasp on the Residence’s incomings and outgoings."
"That would be wonderful, thank you!" Gu Xue’an smiled happily.
The two of them went to see Madam Gu in the Main Courtyard. Bai Ruozhu politely greeted Madam Gu, to which Gu Xue’an excitedly said, "Mother, Ruozhu is going to teach me accounting, so I can understand the ledgers myself!"
Madam Gu smiled gratefully at Bai Ruozhu, "That’s wonderful. I’ve heard that Lady Jiang is the first in Arithmetic at the Eight Academy Competition. You should learn well from her!"
"Madam can just call me Ruozhu. Xue’an and I are friends, and this is what friends do," Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile.
Madam Gu felt that Bai Ruozhu was well-mannered and neither servile nor overbearing, and she took a liking to her.
After chatting with Madam Gu for a while, Gu Xue’an pulled Bai Ruozhu to her Yard to take a look, and Madam Gu said with a smile, "Go ahead. You young ladies can have your private talk."
Private talk meant whispering secrets, and at that, Gu Xue’an’s face instantly reddened, and she quickly led Bai Ruozhu away.
Gu Xue’an lived up to her reputation as a talented lady; her Yard was also tastefully arranged. As soon as they sat down, a maid brought dimsum and two bowls of Swiftlet Nest Soup.
Bai Ruozhu knew at a glance that Gu Xue’an had prepared these especially for her; she felt deeply touched and started eating while chatting with Gu Xue’an.
"Lin Xufei sent me a letter a few days ago." Gu Xue’an’s face turned red as she suddenly blurted this out.
Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Is he coming to the Capital?"
Gu Xue’an looked surprised, "How did you know? Can you predict the future?"
Bai Ruozhu pretended to make a calculating gesture, "Of course, I can predict. He’s so reluctant to leave you, how could he rest easy without coming over quickly? What if someone steals his fiancée?"
Gu Xue’an’s face turned even redder, this young lady really was prone to blushing.
"How could that be? You just like to tease me," Gu Xue’an said with a shy annoyance, playfully swatting Bai Ruozhu.
At that moment, a maid came in, bowed to the two of them, and said, "Miss, the master has heard that Lady Jiang has arrived and would like to see her personally to express his thanks."
Gu Xue’an showed a puzzled look, "Why doesn’t father come himself?"
Although her father was recuperating, he was mainly undergoing restorative treatment and wasn’t so ill that he couldn’t walk.