Madam Jiang's face was deathly pale. Even her hand holding the chopsticks was trembling.
Gu Liyue stood up to serve Madam Jiang some dishes and said softly, "Madam, the young lady is the descendant of a meritorious official and has been raised under your care. Naturally, she is special."
Jiang Yingyue looked at Gu Liyue triumphantly. This wild girl wasn't completely useless. She knew how to assess the situation and speak up for her. Uncle had always wanted to register her under his name, but unfortunately, Aunt had always been reluctant.
Originally, she thought that as long as Uncle and Aunt doted on her, it didn't really matter whether her name was registered under their names. But unexpectedly, this Gu Liyue had come out of nowhere. Of course, she wasn't happy about it.
Even if she was a substitute, the daughter of Aunt could only be her, Jiang Yingyue.
Madam Jiang didn't eat. She just coldly put down her chopsticks, glanced at the Duke of Jiang, and said, "If you really want another daughter, just let one of your two concubines register one. As for me, I only have Yue'er as my daughter!"
Both of them looked rather unhappy. Gu Liyue also understood that today's matter had nothing to do with her. These two were clearly arguing about something, which was why they were at a stalemate. She stood obediently behind, with her head down, trying her best to be invisible.
Jiang Yingyue didn't have such self - restraint. The moment she heard Madam Jiang's words, she became even more excited. She stood up and asked, "Why? Aunt, am I not worthy to be your daughter? Everyone says that you treat me just like your own daughter. My name was even changed by you. From childhood to adulthood, I've always been the eldest young lady of the mansion. But why won't you..."
She covered her face and cried, really heart - broken.
The Duke of Jiang couldn't bear it either. He reached out and patted her on the shoulder and back. "Good girl, it has nothing to do with you. Your aunt is just angry with me."
Madam Jiang's eyes were also filled with tears. "Yes, I'm angry with you. If it weren't for you, my Yue'er... my Yue'er..."
The Duke of Jiang felt extremely sad. In the end, he just threw down his chopsticks and turned around to leave. Madam Jiang waved to Jiang Yingyue, pulled her into her arms, and they hugged each other and cried bitterly.
After that, the Duke of Jiang didn't mention registering Jiang Yingyue under his name again, and Madam Jiang didn't mention taking Gu Liyue as her adopted daughter either. However, whether there were guests in the mansion or when they went out to visit others, Madam Jiang would always take Gu Liyue with her and introduce her as the daughter of an old acquaintance.
Jiang Yingyue was naturally dissatisfied. But since Gu Liyue lived in Madam Jiang's courtyard and always followed Madam Jiang when she went out, it was difficult for her to find trouble with Gu Liyue. She could only make some sarcastic remarks during the morning and evening greetings.
Gu Liyue lived a leisurely life. In just a few days, Madam Jiang really arranged for Yunniang to enter the mansion and settled her in the embroidery room at the back. Gu Liyue was very touched. As soon as she got the news that day, she immediately went to the embroidery room to see Yunniang.
It was still the old Mrs. Rui who brought Yunniang. Mrs. Rui was introducing things to Yunniang. "This is the duke's mansion. You're new here. Because of Miss Gu's connection, your monthly allowance is two taels of silver. As for the work, if we're too busy, you can help out. When you're free, you can do as you like. But there's one thing. Without the master's permission, you're not allowed to leave the mansion."
"Yunniang." Gu Liyue stepped in and called out excitedly, throwing herself into Yunniang's arms.
Yunniang quickly hugged her and looked her up and down. Seeing that she had grown taller and fatter, she felt a little relieved. She gestured and asked, How are you?
Gu Liyue nodded and held Yunniang's hand. Feeling the calluses and wounds on her hands, her eyes turned red. "Yunniang, what's wrong with you? Did the Feng family make you do rough work? Why are there so many wounds on your hands? How about your body? Let me have a look..."
Yunniang waved her hand and smiled. It's okay. I'm really okay.
Gu Liyue knew that Yunniang was like this only because she had offended Madam Feng at that time. Madam Feng wouldn't deliberately come out to treat Yunniang harshly, but the servants below were all sycophants...
Mrs. Rui was a smart person. Seeing this, she immediately laughed. "Miss Gu, what are you doing? You've finally seen your aunt. You should be happy. Why are you crying? The past is over. Only good days are waiting for you in the future."
Gu Liyue wiped away her tears, took out a small purse from her sleeve, and stuffed it into Mrs. Rui's hand. "Thank you for your help. That's why we were able to stay."
Mrs. Rui didn't decline. She said a few polite words with a beaming smile and then stepped out, leaving them to have a heart - to - heart talk.
Yunniang was still worried. She looked at Gu Liyue again. People say that the hearts of those in the inner courtyard are terrifying. Have you suffered a lot in the past month or so?
Gu Liyue shook her head. "Madam treats me very well. I usually don't see the others. When I meet them during the morning and evening greetings, I just say hello."
Yunniang breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that Gu Liyue was wearing silk clothes, with gold, stone, jade, and other ornaments on her head, and the jade and gold bracelets under her sleeves were all very extraordinary, she was also very happy.
Gu Liyue nestled in Yunniang's arms. "I missed you very much. I've been worried about you these days, but I had no way to see you. Now it's okay. I can come and see you often in the future. We'll never be separated again."
Before coming here, the nanny beside Madam Feng had called Yunniang over and given her a stern warning. She was very vigilant. She quickly shook her head and gestured seriously. Liyue, you can't. There are many rules in a wealthy family. Your current situation isn't very good. Don't make the master unhappy. It doesn't matter to me. I'll be fine anywhere. Moreover, as long as you're okay, I'll be okay.
Gu Liyue leaned against Yunniang dejectedly and didn't want to leave. In the past, they had no money and had a lot of work to do, but at least they could see each other every day and be together. Now they had money and leisure, but the two had to be separated. They even had to be very careful. Otherwise, their lives would be in danger.
Mrs. Rui came to knock on the door on time. Gu Liyue had no choice but to say goodbye to Yunniang and go back to the inner courtyard.
She had come here alone today. Now she just wanted to take a shortcut and go back quickly. She still had to have lunch with Madam Jiang.
Just as she reached the corner gate of the inner courtyard, she saw Jiang Yingyue sitting in a pavilion not far away.
"Gu Liyue, come here."
Gu Liyue looked at her warily. She walked to the pavilion but didn't go in. She just asked, "Miss, do you have something to tell me?"
Jiang Yingyue pointed at the hickory nuts on the table. "I want to eat. Shell them for me."
Gu Liyue thought for a while. It wasn't too late yet. Besides, it's better to avoid trouble. Madam had treated her so well. It wouldn't be good if she always made things difficult for Madam.
She reached out to pick up the nutcracker and was about to shell the nuts when Jiang Yingyue stopped her.
"Who said you could use the nutcracker? The nuts shelled with a nutcracker are all broken. I don't like them. When they shell nuts for me, they always do it by hand slowly."
Gu Liyue had just seen clearly that all the maids beside Jiang Yingyue had used nutcrackers to shell the nuts one by one. But when it came to her, she said they should be shelled by hand. The key was that she had to do embroidery work. If she hurt her hands, she probably wouldn't be able to do embroidery for a long time.
Jiang Yingyue sneered. "Today, do you still want Aunt to back you up? I'll tell you. Just now, Madam Shao sent a visiting card. Aunt has gone to the Shao family. You don't have to serve Aunt at lunch. Just stay here and shell nuts for me!"