The Eccentric First Concubine

In short, being polite and distant, and distancing herself from the relationship as much as possible, was her greatest sincerity in cooperating with Xu Weibei.

"There's one more thing, about the Marquis's daughter outside," Gu Wanning said. "She'll be six soon, not too old, not too young. She needs someone to take care of her... We don't know yet if she's obedient and well-behaved, or a little devil. I don't know how to take care of children, and I don't have much patience, so I'm asking you all, who's willing to take on this job and help the Marquis take care of her? I..."

They definitely need to offer more benefits.

Xu Weibei would also visit often, and those like the Second Concubine who wanted Xu Weibei to come and visit more often—wasn't this exactly what they wanted?

So although Gu Wanning was telling everyone, she was thinking that someone as shrewd as her Second Concubine would definitely take the initiative to do the work.

She herself is the most suitable person.

My First Concubine's mental state has been poor lately. Her self-righteous and deep love ended in heartbreak.

Third Concubine didn't want to get close to Xu Weibei, so she probably didn't want to get involved in this mess.

Needless to say, the Fourth Concubine is still too childish for her; she definitely wouldn't do it.

"Madam, please let me do it."

The First Concubine knelt on the ground with a thud, her emotions running high, and said, "This servant is willing, this servant will do it. If the Marquis and his wife trust this servant, this servant will definitely treat the young lady as their own daughter. If there is a bite to eat, this servant will give it to the young lady first; if only one person can survive, this servant will give the chance to the young lady..."

Not only was Gu Wanning naive, but everyone else also looked completely bewildered.

If you want to fight for custody, that's fine.

But the First Concubine's urgent feeling was like—

It's as if she's trying to steal gold, not a child.

The Second Concubine's eyes darted around. Since it was so popular, shouldn't she also get involved?

The Third Concubine remained silent.

Fourth Concubine went to help First Concubine up. "Eldest Sister, are you stupid?! Do you just love to sacrifice yourself? You sacrificed yourself to that scumbag and then you sacrifice yourself to the child? You jump into one pit and get hurt, and you can't climb out before jumping into another one! Isn't it exhausting enough that you're raising me? I'm too easy to take care of."

Everyone was left speechless, neither laughing nor crying.

Gu Wanning also said, "Jinxiu, get up first. I'm discussing this with you all. If you really want to raise her, and the others don't have any objections, then it's not impossible for you. But to be honest, your eagerness right now is making me uneasy, so I need to think it over carefully."

This is not normal!

The First Concubine's eyes were filled with tears. "Madam, all I ever wanted in my life was to serve you and the Marquis in this Marquis's Residence. I dare not covet the Marquis's hand; I only wished to have a child, one that I could cherish and protect forever..."

Gu Wanning: Well, he's still been provoked into a daze.

A lifetime is long!

Chapter 45 The Mystical First Concubine

But no matter what others said, the First Concubine insisted on taking care of the child.

Gu Wanning could only vaguely reply, "I'm just helping with the arrangements; the final decision rests with the Marquis."

"Then this servant will go and beg the Marquis!"

The First Concubine immediately went to the second gate to wait for Xu Weibei to return.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of her intentions.

Although she did seem to have suffered a great shock before, it wasn't this exaggerated.

After all, she was a concubine, so she still had to hide her emotions a little in front of Gu Wanning.

But today, all I can say is that my First Concubine very strangely.

She insisted on waiting, and Gu Wanning couldn't stop her, so she could only have Er Ya accompany her.

After the First Concubine left, the Second Concubine waved her fan and said, "Could it be that Miss is bringing mountains of gold and silver into the house?"

The Third Concubine remained silent.

Fourth Concubine stamped her foot and said, "I think Eldest Sister is possessed. Madam, shouldn't you find a shaman to take a look at her?"

Gu Wanning: "... Stop causing trouble."

"Really, Madam, you must believe me." Fourth Concubine was anxious. "Ever since Eldest Sister fell ill, she's been completely different, acting strangely and erratically."

In the past, except during festivals, she had never seen her First Concubine burn incense and pray to Buddha.

But after that serious illness, my First Concubine invited a Bodhisattva to worship her, and she knelt and prayed before the Bodhisattva every day with utmost devotion.

"Who wouldn't be afraid of walking through the gates of hell?" Third Concubine said softly.

She remembered the time she had an abortion and how much blood she had lost.

She thought that since she was in so much pain, it would be better for her to die.

But when she was truly facing mortal danger, she realized that she still had a deep affection for this cold and indifferent world.

Gu Wanning added, "That's true, and people are probably all afraid of change."

In a sense, the Marquis's Residence was a comfort zone.

After all, although Xu Weibei was a chauvinist, his chauvinism was that he would take care of his woman and would never let her suffer financially.

You all have to listen to me, but I didn't make any demands, not even that you have to sleep with me.

If you could have a man like that for a long time, wouldn't that be a reliable long-term meal ticket?

Who wouldn't want to!

Gu Wanning refused.

Although she longed for that kind of life, her education and the human nature she had witnessed told her that relying on others meant there was no such thing as "lasting forever," and that one could only make do for the time being.

Only by being mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace, by ensuring a safety net even in the most comfortable times, and by leveraging the strengths of others to develop one's own career, can one ultimately emerge victorious.

However, Gu Wanning has one advantage—she doesn't impose her own standards on everyone.

Although these women from ancient times had been brainwashed by the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, Gu Wanning did not believe that she, born here, was any better than them.

First Concubine – Intangible Cultural Heritage Master; Second Concubine – Senior Financial Controller; Third Concubine – Top-Tier Doctor; Fourth Concubine – A Virtuous Woman.

Which one of them isn't an exceptional individual?

They excel in their respective fields; however, their values are always influenced by their surroundings.