Chapter 27

Gu Ying smiled again and said, "Besides, Dr. Liu has been staying at Muffeng Studio to take care of Ning Ge'er's illness. If Ning Ge'er moves to Twilight Snow Studio, it would be inconvenient for Dr. Liu, an outsider man, to treat Ning Ge'er. Doesn't Yanzhi want Ning Ge'er to recover sooner?"

In her previous life, she had thought that Mrs. Liu really cared for her siblings.

But now, having relived this life, if Gu Ying still couldn't see that Mrs. Liu had ulterior motives, then she really would be a fool.

She smiled ingratiatingly and said understandingly, "Since this is the case, let's first keep Ning Ge'er at Muffeng Studio before he starts school. When Ning Ge'er goes to school, could Grandmother agree to let my brother move to the academy?" Gu Old Madam's face soured. In the end, Gu Ying still wanted to move Gu Ning out.

Gu Ning's Muffeng Studio was supported by the private funds of the second wife, Madam Ye. It was where the most money flowed in and out in the entire Gu manor. His daily medicine, personal servant girls, cleaning servants and slaves, etc., all this expenditure could divert quite a bit of money to subsidize Yongshou Hall.

If Gu Ning moved out, her calculations would come to nothing.

But Mrs. Liu felt that with Gu Ning's health condition, it would be very difficult for him to go to school. Since this was the case, it was better to agree to Gu Ying first. The rest could be discussed later.

"Mother, what Ying'er said makes sense. A good son should aspire in all directions. It won't be too late to talk about Ning Ge'er going to school. For now, the most important thing is the Winter Hunting Convention," said Liu.

Gu Old Madam looked at her coldly, but said nothing except murmured in agreement.

The corners of Liu's mouth rose as she took on the air of the principal wife and began making arrangements.

Now the fates of the young ladies of the Gu family were tied together, whether in glory or disgrace. Gu Jia was already engaged to the Jiang family, so she had no chance of making a grand marriage. But the remaining young ladies of the manor were still unsettled.

Mrs. Liu arranged for each of the young ladies to bring along an extra personal maid.

When it came to Gu Ying, she certainly had to arrange two capable senior maids.

"Second Sister's health is weak. She probably can't even get on a horse for the hunt," said Gu Wan, covering her smile. "Mother is even sending her own personal maids to serve Second Sister. Isn't that a waste of talent?"

Wang hurriedly coughed lightly to signal Gu Wan not to say more. Gu Ying just calmly lowered her head without responding.

In Gu Wan's eyes, she was guilty, cowardly, and incompetent.

So she became even more smug and snorted, "What I said is just the truth. Is the truth not allowed to be spoken? Second Sister is just a useless good-for-nothing who doesn't even know her letters. Letting her come to the Winter Hunt will just embarrass our family. It would be better if she just stayed home like she always does!"

Wang awkwardly smiled and said, "The young miss doesn't know any better. Mother, elder sister, please don't blame her."

Mrs. Liu wished Gu Wan would insult Gu Ying even more. How could she blame her? She also laughed and said, "It's just playful teasing between children."

Then taking on the air of the principal wife, she said, "Ying'er, this will be your first time attending the Winter Hunt. Remember to follow your elder sisters closely and be cautious in everything you do. Don't disgrace the Gu family."

"I have nothing else to give you except two maids to look after you properly," said Mrs. Liu.

She beckoned with her hand, "Qingfeng, Mingyue, come in."

Qingfeng and Mingyue gracefully walked in and bowed to Gu Ying.

Seeing two more familiar faces, Gu Ying restrained her emotions and smiled faintly. She walked up to them as if meeting them for the first time and looked them up and down for a while before taking their hands and helping them rise. "You two sisters are talented people from Eldest Aunt's manor. Ying'er will need you to teach me a lot in the future," she said.

Qingfeng and Mingyue were very tactful. They returned the bow and respectfully said, "Second Young Lady teases us. To be able to serve the young lady is our honor."

Gu Ying naturally did not say anything more. She turned and thanked Mrs. Liu, then lowered her eyes demurely, taking on the appearance of one who obediently accepts arrangements.

However, seeing Qingfeng and Mingyue getting along so happily with her sisters, Mrs. Liu's complexion instantly paled.

All the way back to Twilight Snow Studio, Gu Ying chatted and laughed with Qingfeng and Mingyue.

Trailing behind, Yanzhi felt wronged and pitiful, and very uncomfortable as tears silently streamed down.

In the garden, Gu Ying bid farewell to Aunt Zhao and the others.

Gu Ying secretly slipped the herbal dregs she had been hiding in her sleeve into Aunt Zhao's hand. "I've also heard about your illness. You must take good care of yourself," she said.

Zhao deliberately sighed, "Thank you for your concern, Second Young Lady. I have already found a capable yet honest and down-to-earth doctor to treat me. I'm just waiting for my health to recover so I can serve the Lord well again."

Gu Ying pondered slightly and nodded. "Then I'll take my leave first."

Gu Shuang quickly said, "Second Sister, don't take Third Sister's words to heart." Gu Ying smiled. "Alright, don't worry Fourth Sister."

"Second Sister, if you can't ride, I can take you to try first after we arrive at the hunting grounds tomorrow... My horsemanship isn't good either, but it's still a bit better than not being able to ride at all." Gu Shuang weakly suggested. She couldn't help but want to help Gu Ying after seeing Gu Wan bully her.

Gu Ying nodded. "Okay, I'll come find Fourth Sister when we arrive at the hunting grounds tomorrow. See you tomorrow."

Gu Shuang smiled. "See you tomorrow, Second Sister."

...

Back at Twilight Snow Studio, Gu Ying immediately had Yanzhi prepare good rooms for Qingfeng and Mingyue.

Yanzhi bit her lips aggrievedly, "Young Lady, which rooms should I arrange?"

Gu Ying said, "Since they were sent by Eldest Aunt, arrange rooms next to mine."

Hearing this, Yanzhi's expression became even more dejected. Those were rooms only for senior maids. "Alright, this servant will go arrange them now."

Gu Ying watched her and laughed.

Yanzhi pouted her lips and asked aggrievedly, "Young Lady, what are you laughing about?"

Gu Ying stroked the little maid's hair and squatted down to meet her gaze directly. "Thought I don't care for you anymore? Feeling wronged? Jealous? Heartbroken?"

Yanzhi bit her lip. The young lady had named all the grievances in her heart. Tears began streaming down her face.

"Why are you crying?" Gu Ying amusedly wiped away her tears. "No matter how I treat others, the one I love most is always you. And my Yanzhi is going to be an titled imperial concubine. How can you just cry like this?"

Yanzhi was startled. It was rare for someone to express love so directly and unambiguously.

Her small face flushed red. "Young Lady, what are you saying? This servant... of course also loves... loves the young lady. This servant is orphaned with no parents. The young lady is this servant's only kin in this world. Even if the young lady wanted this servant's life, this servant wouldn't blink and would give it to the young lady directly."

Yanzhi would fight for her desperately. She never doubted that.

Gu Ying helped her stand up. "Yanzhi, do you know how to act?"

Yanzhi scratched her head. "You mean like in the theater? This servant's skills in that area are still quite lacking. Should I go learn?"

The corners of Gu Ying's lips faintly turned up. "No need to be so dramatic. You just need to make Qingfeng and Mingyue feel that after getting them, I no longer like you."

Yanzhi was simple-minded but not stupid. Under Gu Ying's guidance, she quickly understood.