Provoked on the Road

A hundred years from now, dust would return to dust, and earth to earth.

But if she could introduce corn to the Central Plains ahead of time and spread its cultivation, leaving her mark in the history books, she would be fucking amazing!

That was secondary, though. The main thing was that if she succeeded this once, she could lie flat for at least a few years.

"In a few days, I should go back and see if there are any other rare finds."

She just didn't know whether her hundred-odd taels of silver would be enough.

That really was a black shop. She didn't know who owned it, but their heart was truly black.

"Madam, if you go out, could you take me with you?" Second Concubine asked ingratiatingly.

"Do you want to go home for a visit?"

Second Concubine's eyes reddened slightly, and she nodded. "Although I've exchanged letters with my family, I haven't seen my younger brother in three years."

"All right, I'll take you. Although... well, I'll give you some face!"

Being valued by the principal wife who managed the household was a distinction in itself.

Although she couldn't compare to Xu Weibei, she would do well enough for the occasion, Gu Wanning thought.

But to her surprise, Second Concubine was so moved by her words that tears welled up in her eyes. She took Gu Wanning's hand and said, "Thank you, Madam. I never dared dream that you would be willing to accompany me home."

Gu Wanning: Wait, isn't this reaction a little over the top?

But Second Concubine said, "Having you accompany me is more of an honor than having the Marquis accompany me."

If she charmed the Marquis into favoring her and got him to accompany her home, that would be favoring a concubine at the expense of the wife, something people would spit at and curse.

But if Madam was willing to accompany her, it showed that she observed the rules, was valued by Madam, and was respected.

"And you come from the Gu family. That's an immense honor!"

"How does that have anything to do with my maiden family?" Gu Wanning asked in confusion. "Because my father is the Chief Grand Secretary?"

"Not just because he's the Chief Grand Secretary. Don't you know? Chief Grand Secretary Gu is deeply respected by the common people."

Gu Wanning: *???*

Was that true?

Why was it that, in the original owner's memories, her father had a bad reputation, causing people to look askance at her whenever she went out and making her lose face, so that she held it against him?

Were her memories and understanding skewed, or was Second Concubine deceiving her with pleasing words?

Unfortunately, the other women hadn't gone out in the past few years and had little contact with the outside world, so they knew nothing about it.

Still, she only had to go out and ask around to find out.

Gu Wanning smiled at the others. "When the time comes, make a fuss over her and let her enjoy being a favored concubine for once. Afterward, she can play hostess and treat us to something delicious."

Everyone laughed and chimed in.

Although each of them was still testing the others in her own way, they were getting along well enough for now.

From the third floor of the Library Pavilion, Xu Weibei watched from afar as Gu Wanning enjoyed being waited on by the concubines, and he couldn't help laughing in anger.

Just whose concubines were they?

Chapter 20: Provoked on the Road

"Madam," First Concubine, who was cautious by nature, said, "the Marquis is confined to the residence. Is it all right for us to go out?"

Hearing this, Second Concubine hurriedly said, "That's true. I was so happy I forgot all about that. Let's wait a while, then..."

"No need to wait. He and we won't interfere with each other," Gu Wanning said.

"What about Nanny Chu?" Third Concubine asked.

Gu Wanning: "...I'll just say I'm going out to look for a

childbearing

remedy."

At the mention of this, the women all turned their eyes to Gu Wanning's belly.

They must have assumed that Xu Weibei was already diligently sowing his seed.

Gu Wanning thought, He hasn't been farming at all. He's used it all to water his "little chrysanthemum."

Gao Lan stood beside Xu Weibei, not daring to make a sound. Then he heard his master say viciously, "Sooner or later, I'll drive the lot of them out. Not one of them is any good!"

Gao Lan didn't dare respond either, pretending he was deaf.

It was Nanny Chu who told Xu Weibei that Gu Wanning was going out.

"Madam is eager to conceive so that the princess may be pleased..."

The unspoken second half was probably a request for the Marquis to cooperate.

But Xu Weibei thought that this woman paid him no regard at all. She didn't even tell him she was leaving the residence.

He didn't believe that nonsense about wanting a child.

She was going out because she was eager to conceive?

Going out to borrow seed?

They slept in the same room every day, and she slept more soundly than a pig. Xu Weibei hadn't noticed any eagerness on her part.

"Find out what she's going out to do," Xu Weibei ordered Gao Lan, his face cold.

Gao Lan was miserable and couldn't help complaining. "Marquis, why don't you find another maid to serve you? It doesn't seem quite appropriate for me to handle these things."

Back when that person had still been around, he hadn't been needed for this. Unfortunately, now... ah.

But when Xu Weibei swept a sharp gaze over him, Gao Lan went obediently, like a wronged little wife.

He was capable, though, and soon got to the bottom of it.

In short, a few women were going out for a stroll, then stopping by the shop belonging to Second Concubine's family.

Harmless to people and animals alike.

Xu Weibei, however, saw a conspiracy, suspecting that Gu Wanning was going out to meet someone from the Gu family and pass along a message.

Gao Lan asked hesitantly, "What message would she be passing along?"

Surely it can't be whether you snore or talk in your sleep.

After all, since the Marquis returned to the residence, he and Madam hadn't had a proper conversation!

"Hard to say. Now that I've returned and confronted them head-on, Old Thief Gu will surely strike back."

That's possible. After all, you really did go a bit too far.

Even a clay figurine had a temper.

You beat up his precious son. Who wouldn't hold a grudge?

"Follow them secretly tomorrow."

"Yes... It's just that I'm not very confident. Fourth Concubine is really quite formidable."

Zhou Yaya had already caught Gao Lan spying three times.

Three times.

Gao Lan felt he had nowhere to put his face.

"Then leave her at the residence."

"Leave her at the residence? Should I say you want to see her?"

"Handle it as you see fit."

And so, just before setting out, Fourth Concubine, who had been looking forward to the outing most of all, was struck by a bolt from the blue.