Chapter 35: The Loss of the instrument before the Account

Chapter 35

"There is nothing to be afraid of," Gu Shuang thought openly, smiling indifferently, "My sister is my only family. They are all outsiders, so what does it matter what they say or think? Besides, I don't think my sister is as incompetent as they say. On the contrary, my sister is very smart and open-minded, not at all like a coward."

She is no fool.

When the second sister was close to the eldest sister in the past, she was taken out to attend banquets a few times. Afterwards, rumours spread in social circles that the second sister was as stupid as a pig, simple-minded and weak.

It is obvious whose doing this is.

"You are..." There was some feeling and regret in Gu Ying's heart, "Even though you are younger than me, you are more sensible than anyone."

What a good girl she was in her previous life, designed by Lady Liu in the end, and met such a tragic fate at the hands of that uncultured bandit leader.

Gu Ying smiled kindly, reaching out and stroking the hair ornament at her temple.

"Don't worry, Shuang'er."

"Sister will protect you well."

Gu Shuang's cheeks flushed slightly. She always felt her second sister's gaze scorching her heart.

However, since she had chosen to stand by her second sister's side, breaking through the awkwardness, the guilt in her heart dissipated like smoke, and now her smile was also open.

...

Outside the palace gates, a line of six young palace maids lowered their heads and entered the Queen's tent.

The ladies respectfully gave way, making room for them to pass.

After a while, a palace maid drew open the curtains and announced for the ladies to enter and pay their respects to the Queen.

The women filed in, Gu Ying and Gu Shuang followed behind, keeping a low profile.

Once inside the Queen’s large tent, a heat wave swept over their faces. Everyone held their breath and stood solemnly in their proper places, not daring to make a sound.

Gu Ying was squeezed to stand at the very end of the line. Together with the others, following the eunuch's prompting, she performed the grand bow to the Queen.

The Queen wore a phoenix crown and phoenix robes, sitting on a throne inlaid with phoenix and unicorn treasures.

She was very far from the ladies below, from a distance, cutting a shocking and majestic figure.

Strangely, there was not a single young lady from Madam Ye's side. She wondered if the men of the Ye Family had come or not.

She was still puzzled when the calling of names reached the Gu Family's side.

"Eldest Young Lady Gu Jia of the Marquisate of Dongping, Second Young Lady Gu Ying, Third Young Lady Gu Wan, Fourth Young Lady Gu Shuang, come forth to greet the Queen."

The three Gu sisters stepped forward and knelt in the hall.

The Queen asked, "Where is Gu Jia?"

Gu Ying bowed her head and carefully explained, "Replying to Your Majesty, my eldest sister is indisposed and unable to meet Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive us."

The looks around were mostly mocking and disdainful.

Some had clearly seen Gu Jia lively and active before. How could she suddenly fall ill now? Her illness was suspicious, she must have deliberately not come.

The Queen Mother was obviously not very interested in the few young ladies of the Gu Family. She casually let them sit down. Her dazzling eyes still lingered on Gu Ying's face for a while.

Gu Ying lowered her brows and eyes as she sat down.

She then heard the Queen weakly say, "This palace has seen the young ladies of various families tonight. The girls of my Dong Li are clusters of flowers, each of them a startling beauty. Seeing them has delighted this palace greatly. Tomorrow is the official start of the winter hunt. It is late now. This palace is ill and tired. You may all withdraw to rest."

The Queen had always been in poor health, so no one dared to overstay. They all bowed and took their leave.

Coming out of the large tent, the heat dissipated and they were met with a bone-chilling cold and a gust of wind like knives.

The ladies crowded outside the tent, and Gu Ying was also trapped in the middle, unable to move.

She did not know what was happening.

But she saw a wealthy noblewoman in the snowy mist hurriedly leading a young lady of marriageable age with her head lowered to walk over.

The snow was too heavy. That young lady was dressed in a light tea-colored brocade robe. Her shoulders were slender and bony. Not seeing where she stepped, she suddenly slipped.

Unable to stand firmly, her delicate body fell messily into the snow in front of everyone.

"Mother!"

She raised her pale little face, her eyes misty, pitiful.

Seeing that she had embarrassed herself, the noblewoman turned around with a frown, and angrily said, "With so many eyes watching, you have failed me like this? Get up quickly! The Queen Mother is still waiting to see us! If you offend Her Majesty with your impropriety in front of her tent, I will not let you off when we return!"