Chapter 459: Wicked Servant
Chapter 459: Chapter 459: Wicked Servant
Waiting outside, Gu Yeshi looked coldly at his wife as she was helped up by several maids. "You’d better pray the person inside is fine; otherwise, you’ll pay with your life."
"My Lord, she is just a lowly merchant’s wife. Not only did she ruin my banquet, but to have me pay with my life? Is she worthy?"
"You are simply an unreasonable shrew! You were never like this back in the mansion. Where is your caution? Where is your dignified kindness? Don’t forget what the family sent us here for. They sent us to develop the family businesses, not to give you a stage to throw your weight around. If you remain unrepentant, I will have no choice but to send you back to relearn the mansion’s rules."
Madam Gu looked at her husband in shock. "We are husband and wife! I am only trying to help you. Besides, didn’t you tell me to try and acquire the shops and estates from these madams? I was doing exactly that. Who knew such a mishap would occur? Do you think I wanted this? My very first reception banquet was ruined by her, and who should I go to for an explanation? Could it be that just because she fainted, just because she had an episode, I have to forfeit my life for hers? That makes no sense, no matter who you tell!"
"You certainly are a smooth talker." Gu Yeshi looked at the woman who shared his bed with unfamiliar eyes. "Have you forgotten what our identities are now?"
"What identities? We are Mr. Jiu and Madam Jiu from the Duke Mansion! They should feel deeply honored that I stooped to host them."
"Fool," Gu Yeshi said. He didn’t even want to raise a hand against her anymore; this woman was completely obsessed with her own twisted logic. "Escort your madam to her room. Without my permission, no one is to let her step out."
"You’re locking me up?"
"You can think of it that way. Until this matter is resolved, you’d better stay in your room obediently and watch your mouth. You really need to fix all these horrible habits of yours, or else never show your face in public again."
Back then, he had said he would rather marry a woman from a scholarly family, but his concubine mother had insisted that a concubine-born daughter from a wealthy family would be a better match for him. As a result, she found him this wretched piece of work! Back in the mansion, she had followed the rules perfectly well, so why did she act like a completely different person the moment they moved out? Could it be because she had been oppressed by the legitimate branch for too long? Was it as people said—her virtue did not match her position?
What a fool she was. This was an assignment he had begged for. Aside from proving his worth, he had wanted to use this opportunity to step out and develop his own businesses and forces. He certainly couldn’t compete with the legitimate branch, and with the Empress backing them, he stood no chance. His best option was to forge a different path and build his own enterprise outside.
He had told this stupid woman to appropriately lower the prices. Since women of the inner courtyard were thin-skinned, a proper concession would let him accumulate wealth little by little and slowly build his own industry. Yet in the blink of an eye, everything was ruined, and she had offended everyone. Thinking about the enormous mess left behind gave him a splitting headache.
No matter how reluctant Madam Gu was, she was escorted away.
After waiting a while longer, there was still no news from Nanny Chen. Gu Yeshi grew increasingly dissatisfied with these old servants from the mansion. Relying on their powerful backers, they didn’t take him seriously at all. If they had offered proper counsel, things wouldn’t have reached this point.
"Send someone to ask what exactly is going on inside," he ordered. They had been in there for so long, yet no one had bothered to come out and report.
A maid serving nearby was just about to go in when Nanny Chen came out. She was followed by the doctor who had gone in earlier and the previously unconscious madam.
Seeing the two strangers, Gu Yeshi guessed their identities and immediately changed his expression. With a face full of humility, he asked, "Is there anything wrong with Madam’s health? It is truly our fault for being poor hosts today. We hope for your forgiveness, Madam."
Mrs. Lin had been forcing herself to keep going, but she didn’t want to stay in this place a moment longer; she only wanted to leave as soon as possible. Coming out and seeing another unfamiliar man made her feel even more uncomfortable about her currently disheveled state. Hearing his words, she didn’t know how to answer and could only look at Doctor Lan for help.
"There is no major issue for now." Doctor Lan quietly stepped forward, perfectly shielding Mrs. Lin behind him. "She just suffered a great shock and will need to take a few doses of medicine to alleviate it once she returns."
"It is our fault for startling Madam," Gu Yeshi said, knowing it was best to placate them first; otherwise, the situation would only worsen. He had no idea that his bungling allies had already fully demonstrated what it meant to throw their weight around.
Doctor Lan was relatively accepting of his attitude. He was unlike that old, shrewish servant, who had put on airs higher than her masters.
Hiding behind Doctor Lan, Mrs. Lin weakly pleaded for help, "Doctor Lan..."
"Sir, Mrs. Lin has suffered a fright and is currently unsettled," Doctor Lan said. "It really isn’t suitable to speak with her now. It just so happens that I am acquainted with her family, so I will escort her back first. As for the specifics, you may choose to go to the Lin Mansion and speak with the head of the household."
"And you are?" Gu Yeshi asked.
He had already discerned that this was a doctor, as the attendant behind him was carrying a large medicine chest. However, he was just a lowly doctor—someone who wouldn’t even be allowed into their Duke Mansion if they were in the capital.
"I am the doctor invited by your esteemed residence," Doctor Lan replied neutrally, neither haughty nor humble. "I originally had no intention of interfering in your private affairs, but I do have some ties with Mr. Lin. Since I happened to encounter this today, it would speak poorly of my character to ignore it. Sir, I assume you can understand."
"Of course." Since things had reached this point, and considering they were newcomers who didn’t yet know the tangled connections behind these people, Gu Yeshi could only lower his stance a bit further. "I will have someone prepare a carriage immediately. Thank you for your trouble, Doctor."
Saying this, he signaled a servant behind him with his eyes. The servant immediately pulled a purse from his robe and pressed it into Doctor Lan’s hands. Gu Yeshi continued, "Thank you for your hard work today, and sorry for the trouble. Once my household is settled, I will surely host a banquet to properly entertain everyone."
Upon hearing the mention of a banquet, Mrs. Lin felt her legs go soft again, and her hands began to tremble. Her reaction made the nearby attendant disregard propriety; he quickly reached out in fear to support her. "Mrs. Lin, are you alright?"
Only then did everyone notice her sickly complexion, as if she were about to have another episode.
Doctor Lan sighed. "It is best to send her back to her residence quickly. A familiar environment might be good for her."
Gu Yeshi did not dare say anything more. He absolutely could not let her have another incident here. It was better to send them away quickly and deal with the matter slowly later. He immediately ordered, "You older women, hurry up and help. Don’t let Mrs. Lin exhaust herself any further."