The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 676 - 638: Think She’s Too Old? (First Update)

Chapter 676: Chapter 638: Think She’s Too Old? (First Update)

Wan Qiu was a bit dazed from the beating, and when she looked up, her eyes were uncontrollably red, "Aunt..."

"Who is your aunt?" Gu Yu was furious, "I don’t have such a shameless daughter as you. What did I say when I entered the Eastern Palace yesterday? Serve His Highness well. Everyone in the Eastern Palace knows, yet you dared to drug behind my back, thinking you’d earn His Highness’s favor, and that I wouldn’t dare to do anything to you, right?"

As she spoke, she didn’t stop, landing another heavy slap.

Wan Qiu couldn’t defend herself, lost her balance, and fell to the ground. She covered her burning face with her hand, tears welling in her eyes, "Aunt... Aunt, spare me. I had no choice. I thought that since His Highness had two feasts yesterday, he was completely exhausted and needed a good rest in the second half of the night. That’s why I added something to Aunt’s wine. It was all for His Highness’s sake."

In fact, it was Zhao Xi who ordered the drug to be administered last night.

Wan Qiu was sharp. The moment she heard Gu Yu’s scolding, she guessed the key. At such a time, she couldn’t say the drug had nothing to do with her and that it was His Highness’s idea.

She was a servant, after all, she had to cover for her master.

Moreover, not everything she said was false. His Highness indeed attended two banquets yesterday and drank a lot of wine, leaving him utterly exhausted. If he were to have someone serve the bed, he’d certainly be debilitated and wouldn’t be able to attend the grand court assembly today, which the Emperor would blame him for.

Thinking of this, Wan Qiu gained some confidence, and she looked at Gu Yu, saying, "We are all servants, and our purpose is to serve His Highness. Naturally, we should think of His Highness in everything we do. Aunt, you’ve been by the Empress’s side for so many years, you must understand. His Highness is often worn out and only has a few peaceful days each year to relax. In such circumstances yesterday, if he was further harmed at night... damaging His Highness’s noble body, not just the Empress and Aunt would be distressed, but even us servants wouldn’t bear to see it."

These words left Gu Yu speechless, her face turning livid with anger.

Mr. Mu sighed, Miss Wan Qiu had quite a sharp tongue. Had she not been clever and able to adapt, using the Empress’s name against Gu Yu to fight fire with fire, Gu Yu might have continued causing trouble today.

Secretly wiping his cold sweat, Mr. Mu quickly helped Wan Qiu up, whispering, "I’ll go to the Imperial Pharmacy to get some ointment for you, Miss."

Otherwise, her face would be unpresentable, and she might scare His Highness.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yu spat, "Just because she made a mistake and got hit twice, without losing an arm or leg, does she really need ointment? Serving His Highness for a year, she really thinks she’s the master, daring to order anyone around without looking in the mirror? I spit! Kneel there and reflect properly. Don’t get up until you’ve realized your mistake!"

Today was New Year’s Day, the first day of the lunar calendar. Although it didn’t snow, it was terribly cold. If she kept kneeling on the cold, hard floor like that, her legs would certainly freeze.

Mr. Mu pleaded, "Aunt, you’ve hit and scolded, and Miss Wan Qiu knows her mistake. Could you forgive her this once?"

"I forgive her, but who forgives me?" Gu Yu said sternly, "Before I came, the Empress personally instructed me to quickly establish a relationship with His Highness and earn his acceptance. But this foolish girl behaved herself when I wasn’t here, and as soon as I arrived, she started acting up, even daring to drug me. If the Empress finds out and blames me, who am I to turn to?"

Mr. Mu was at a loss for words.

Wan Qiu put down the hand covering her face and calmly said, "Please don’t say anymore, Mr. Mu. I will kneel."

The Eastern Palace was always harmonious, and she didn’t want Gu Yu’s arrival to bring trouble for His Highness.

Already busy with affairs of state during the day, he would have to deal with back-court troubles at night. Who could endure that?

Before Mr. Mu could persuade, Wan Qiu had already knelt down in front of Gu Yu.

The newly thawed floor was cold and hard, causing her body to shiver slightly.

Watching Wan Qiu’s disheveled state, Gu Yu finally felt a little appeased. She waved at Mr. Mu, "Alright, go do what you need to, don’t meddle here."

Mr. Mu hesitated and glanced at Wan Qiu.

Wan Qiu nodded, "Please go back, Mr. Mu. I’m fine."

"Then, take care, Miss Wan Qiu."

Mr. Mu wished to help her, but unfortunately, the person in front of him was an influential figure in the palace. Offending anyone but her was out of the question, and he could only sigh silently in his heart.

After Mr. Mu left, Gu Yu casually summoned a palace maid from the courtyard, instructing the little palace maid to keep an eye on Wan Qiu. Without her command, Wan Qiu was not to get up.

The little palace maid was named Mei Xiang. She often received favors from Wan Qiu in the Eastern Palace. Now ordered by Gu Yu to watch Wan Qiu kneel, she felt extremely uneasy and didn’t dare to plead for Wan Qiu, so she sat on a bench in the corridor, nervously clutching her skirt. Only after Gu Yu walked away did she worryingly look at Wan Qiu, "Sister, how did you manage to offend Aunt Gu Yu?"

Wan Qiu shook her head.

Seeing that she was unwilling to speak, the little palace maid dared not ask further. She stood up, returned to the room, and brought a basket filled with sewing supplies, while talking to Wan Qiu to relieve her boredom.

Wan Qiu knelt upright, the pain on her cheeks had not dissipated yet. She frowned slightly, only hoping His Highness would return later, so as not to see such a scene.

Wan Qiu knelt outside the Chengming Hall for an hour.

During this hour, Gu Yu entered the Crown Prince’s usual living quarters. Seeing that the furnishings inside were simple and cold, she went to Mr. Mu to get the storeroom key, moved out two potted coral landscapes, and two celadon jade hu chuns to fill the empty treasure cabinet, and placed an auspicious beast incense burner on the table in front of the painting hall, lighting agarwood.

Before long, the whole room was filled with a strong scent of agarwood.

Mr. Mu wanted to dissuade her, but feared that Gu Yu would threaten him with his life’s safety, so he simply gave up.

By the time the grand court meeting dispersed, it was already approaching noon, and Zhao Xi was coming back to eat.

Gu Yu calculated the time accurately and let Wan Qiu stand up.

Before Wan Qiu left, she warned, "If you’ve done something wrong, you should suffer the consequences. Don’t shamelessly run to His Highness to complain. Even if you do complain, it won’t faze me a bit. Consider it carefully, if you offend me, neither you nor your little sisters can expect to have it easy."

Wan Qiu’s legs were numb and stiff, feeling almost useless. She reached out to support herself with the column beside her and said calmly, "You are the aunt. Since we maids have done wrong, we should be at your disposal. It’s already your mercy that I’m spared today, I’ll remember this kindness."

Gu Yu snorted softly through her nose, watching her walk away before going to the small kitchen, planning to simmer a pot of winter worm summer grass lamb soup for Zhao Xi.

When Zhao Xi returned, after hearing Mr. Mu say that Gu Yu was busy in the small kitchen, he walked over and saw Gu Yu coming out with a white porcelain soup pot on a tray.

Upon seeing Zhao Xi, Gu Yu’s face broke into a smile, "Went to the Golden Hall so early, Your Highness must be hungry now?"

Zhao Xi glanced at the soup pot on the tray and asked, "Why is Aunt cooking personally?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Oh, the food from the Imperial Kitchen has to cater to so many masters in the palace, inevitably it might not suit Your Highness’s preference. Considering Your Highness has been working tirelessly for yesterday’s banquet and today’s court meeting, I thought I’d brew some soup to replenish your body."

"Thank you, Aunt."

Zhao Xi said, then turned and entered the side hall of the Chengming Hall.

When he smelled the aroma of incense filling the room, his brow furrowed imperceptibly, then noticed the new additions on the treasure cabinet.

Zhao Xi quickly averted his gaze, saying nothing.

Gu Yu followed him with the soup pot, placing it on the huanghuali waist-cinched dining table.

Before long, Mr. Mu brought warm water, Zhao Xi washed his hands, wiped them with an embroidered handkerchief, and casually glanced at Gu Yu, "First night in the Eastern Palace, everything still accustomed?"

"Accustomed, quite accustomed, it’s just yesterday, don’t know how, I drank and then suddenly fell asleep." Gu Yu said pointedly: "When I woke up, I found myself in my room, I thought it was a dream!"

Zhao Xi, not accustomed to the taste of the winter worm summer grass lamb soup, covered his nose with the handkerchief he was using to wipe his hands and said, "Aunt has been busy serving the Empress all these years, neglecting yourself, another day I’ll have the Imperial Pharmacy prepare some supplements for you. I’m young, I don’t need nourishment yet, today’s soup, you have it on my behalf, Aunt."

Gu Yu’s face stiffened.

What does the Crown Prince mean by this?

Is he implying she’s old?

Though she is eleven years older than the Crown Prince, she has loyally served the Empress for so many years, with hard work if not merit. Even the Empress treats her kindly.

With her qualifications, she’s more than capable of assisting the Crown Prince. Yet he doesn’t appreciate it? Even if not, does he have to imply she’s old?

Thinking this, Gu Yu’s face grew even more unpleasant.