Chapter 357

Returning from Lingxi Pavilion, the Eldest Prince was still handling government affairs in the study.

Gu Ying ordered people to prepare the evening meal, and after thinking about it, asked Yin Lan to open her private treasury.

She had been busy with matters in the Duke's manor these days that she almost forgot Aunt Zhao had just given birth to a little gentleman not long ago.

Right after Aunt Zhao gave birth, Gu Shuang happily sent a post from the Duke's manor.

Gu Ying was terribly busy and worried about not getting along well with Mrs. Lin, so she didn't have time to go over.

Now that her relationship with Mrs. Lin had eased up, she wanted to give Aunt Zhao a congratulatory gift.

Yin Lan picked out a few items for Gu Ying to choose from, "I heard that Aunt Zhao's little gentleman weighed eight catties when he was born. He's a chubby little guy and looks extremely cute. It's a pity My Lady didn't have time, otherwise going to see him might have brought some joyful air to our little Eldest Prince."

The corners of Gu Ying's mouth curved up slightly. That child was the same as her unborn baby. He didn't get to be born alive in her previous life, but managed to be safely delivered in this life.

She hoped her baby would be as healthy as Aunt Zhao's child when meeting her one day.

Gu Ying stroked her belly, happy inside, feeling it was great news and a good omen. "I wonder if they have named him yet."

Yin Lan said, "Yes, it was the Earl who named him. His name is Gu Qing and his nickname is Qingqing."

In the future, he would be the only legitimate son of the Duke of Dongping's main room, and the future of the Earl's manor would fall on his shoulders.

Gu Ying's eyes moved slightly as she smiled faintly, taking out a small object from the purple sandalwood box, "Hmm, that's a nice name. This little gold lock used to be worn by A Ning as a child. Yin Lan, take this to the little Qingqing as a gift." Yin Lan carefully took it and the Ye family was a centuries-old powerful clan, extremely rich and powerful. The dowry Madam Ye brought to the Gu family back then was extremely generous, so this little gold lock worn by A Ning was made of pure gold, exquisite and beautiful.

"My Lady is so thoughtful. With this gold lock, the little gentleman will surely grow up well."

Gu Ying looked pensive, "Now that Aunt Zhao has given birth to a son, it is time for Father to promote her status, isn't it? It doesn't look right to keep dragging this out."

Yin Lan smiled and said, "After My Lady had someone talk to them last time, Father Earl and Old Madam have eased up, saying they would hold a feast in the manor to officially make Aunt Zhao the Duke of Dongping's Madam when the little gentleman turns one month old."

Gu Ying nodded, the corners of her lips raised, "That's good. With Aunt Zhao formally becoming the legal wife, my little sister will also have the legitimate status of a daughter of the Earl's manor. By then Wang won't have anything to say and her marriage will also go much more smoothly."

Yin Lan smiled, putting away the little gold lock, "Just as My Lady said. Master Fu's career has been going well recently too. With the Eldest Prince's help, Master Fu got promoted to Gentleman for Ceremonials in the Ministry of Personnel. I heard the Fu family was quite happy about it and even invited our family over for a drink."

Gu Ying said gently, "The Ministry of Personnel is a good place."

Yin Lan laughed and said, "With Master Fu's smooth career, our Fourth Miss will not be looked down upon in the future. Especially those Wangs always making things difficult regarding Fourth Miss's marriage."

Gu Ying chuckled softly, lowering her long lashes. Of the entire Duke of Dongping's manor now, she cared most about Gu Shuang.

Fu Xunzhi was a good man, but his family members were not easy to deal with. With Gu Shuang's innocent nature, it was hard to say if marrying into that family would turn out good or bad.

But luckily Fu Xunzhi cared for Gu Shuang, and with him protecting her, Gu Shuang could have as nice a life as Shang Jiao in their past life.

Her heart was a little more at ease at this thought. Recalling that Aunt Zhao had always been one who loved beauty, how could a woman lose her love for beauty just because she had a child, she picked two high quality head ornaments from her private treasury, and had Yin Lan prepare some child items to send to the Duke of Dongping's manor.

After counting the days, it would be Concubine Wan's birthday in three more days.

Cheng's post was retracted by the palace, but Concubine Wan let someone send a new invitation to Mrs. Lin, saying she must come to the palace to see an old friend and reminisce about the past.

Mrs. Lin had been healing people in the wilderness all these years and was probably not used to such occasions like palace banquets.

When Gu Ying sent the post to Lingxi Pavilion, she clearly saw Mrs. Lin's expression change subtly.

Although she concealed it extremely well, Gu Ying could still feel the panic and unease hidden in Mrs. Lin's eyes.

The palace was not a nice place. Concubine Wan and The Empress had fought fiercely like tigers and dragons for so many years. Those imperial concubines, official's wives and daughters were nothing but tools for the fights between consorts. Concubine Wan was holding her birthday celebration in grandeur this year, seemingly to deliberately show off power against The Empress like previous years.

Gu Ying pondered and felt she should carefully choose a nice birthday gift for Concubine Wan. She would accompany Mrs. Lin into the palace then, watching over her along the way. As long as they came out of the palace safely, everything would be fine.

After giving all orders, Gu Ying personally went to the private treasury and found a white jade Guanyin statue from the South China Sea, letting the rouge container be placed inside the brocade box.

Coming out of the private treasury, the study's light was still on.

The Eldest Prince's tall and upright figure was cast on the gauze window.

Gu Ying was worried about him leaving for the borders soon. In order to get the Eldest Prince back sooner, she did make some preparations. Battlefields were dangerous places. Although she didn't know the Qiang Tribe's combat strategies, she knew the time they would invade and several key battles.

Returning to her room afterwards, she carefully wrote these down, wanting to send them to her Father in Huang City to have him make preparations early and not fight unprepared battles.

However, over so many years, it wasn't like she hadn't written letters to Father before.

When she and her brother were bullied in the manor as children, she cried asking people to write letters and send them to Huang City every several days.

But Father rarely responded. It was the same in this life. When A Ning nearly became disabled in the Earl's manor, why was Father still indifferent despite knowing?

Gu Ying knitted her brows, wondering what Father had experienced over the years that made him like this. She felt somewhat disappointed, yet also worried about his safety.

If she hadn't been reborn and known Father would have another victory, she would suspect he had already died on the battlefield. Moreover, Jiang Yin had died in this life and there was no one who could frame Father anymore, so Father should be fine.

She quietly sat at the desk, staring at the letter in her hand for a long time. Suddenly she realized that Father only had her and brother, two children, and loved Mother so much. How could he neglect her and brother?

Could it be that Father hadn't received her letters all these years?

She suddenly frowned, immediately asking Yin Lan to call Huai An in.

"What orders does My Lady have for me?"

Gu Ying frowned. "Huai An, does the Qilin Army have routes to deliver letters to Huang City in Dong Li?"

Huai An looked at her with bright eyes. "The Prince's power spreads throughout Dong Li and Huang City is naturally covered. My Lady, what's the matter?"

Gu Ying handed him the letter, her expression tranquil. "Please trouble you to have someone send this letter to Huang City for me."