Chapter 137: Just a Piece of Clothing

"Gu Jiu Ling! We'll see about that!" Gu Nanxiang's eyes seemed to blaze with fire as they stared fixedly at Gu Jiu Ling, "You've been stupid and lowborn since childhood; how could you ever compare with me?"

"It's just that you're lucky! But in this world there's no one who, once touched by good luck, can keep holding onto it forever."

"One day, I will have you kneel before me!"

Gu Jiu Ling tilted her head, picked at her ear, and replied casually, "Hmm!"

Gu Nanxiang launched into a long tirade, words sharp and full of hatred, only to receive a single "Hmm" from Gu Jiu Ling, which made their breath catch and stall, leaving them feeling miserable.

From outside the Warm Pavilion came Aunt Lin's high‑pitched laugh, as if deliberately for everyone to hear.

"Daughter, people have arrived from the An Guo Gong Residence!"

She entered with the visitors, glanced at Gu Jiu Ling and said with a faint smile, "Daughter, there's no need for idle chatter with irrelevant lowborn; marrying into the An Guo Gong Residence is the proper way."

Gu Jiu Ling smiled without replying, turned and sat back in the main seat of the Warm Pavilion, too lazy to move; the baby in her womb was now further along, making her rather sluggish.

Jiu Yue produced a jar she always carried, its exterior wrapped in heat‑insulating cotton, then took a cup and poured the chicken soup from the jar into it.

Instantly the aroma filled the air; Gu Jiu Ling drank half a cup, leaned back comfortably in the chair and let out a belch.

Gu Nanxiang, seeing her like that, was furious beyond measure, yet could not throw her out, since her mother had posted a request for this lowborn to return as a face‑saver.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes narrowed in a moist squint, feeling a stark contrast to the bustling activity around her.

Lin Qingxue couldn't pay attention to that; with a smiling expression she hurriedly readjusted the veil over her daughter and said, "Xiang'er, you're blessed; the Lin family truly values you, coming so early to welcome the marriage."

"Xiang'er, hurry and get ready; the Heir Apparent Lin will arrive soon."

Gu Nanxiang sat down, waiting for the Lin family's wedding matron to come in and carry her out for the marriage.

What's wrong with being a concubine? With the Lin family valuing you so much, will you ever lack a place to stand?

The mother and daughter, both wearing joyful expressions, sat down; Lin Qingxue even felt a bit envious of her daughter, recalling that when she entered the Gu household, the Du family's mourning star hadn't died yet.

There was no formal marriage; even the time they entered the residence wasn't daytime but dusk, when Gu Shijie hired a few sedan bearers to carry them in through the Xi Ce Men.

These became a thorn in Lin Qingxue's heart, so she later took ruthless steps against the Du family, saying "Du family, you should die!"

Now, in broad daylight, the Lin family has already sent people so early—how joyous and congratulatory!

She smiled at Gu Nanxiang and said, "Xiang'er, you're fortunate; Heir Apparent Lin must like you and cherish you, which is why this is happening."

"Aunt!" the matron outside paled slightly, pushed the door open, and said, "The Lin family has arrived."

It's the Lin family, not Lin Jingyuan.

Lin Qingxue hurried to look over, only to discover that the arrivals were Zhao Mama, a trusted aide beside the Lin matriarch.

She had known this person from her previous time at the Lin household; how could she not recognize her, since the old matriarch had, right before her eyes, beaten her own birth mother to death.

Now, looking again at the people beside the old matriarch, her heart trembled slightly.

Zhao Mama's expression remained unchanged, showing no hint of variation, and with the dignified bearing of a noble household servant, she led a few maidservants inside.

With no wedding matron and no Heir Apparent Lin present, Zhao Mama turned, took a pink wedding outfit from a maid's hands, and placed it on a side table.

"The matriarch bestows this! When Miss Gu the Second enters the residence, she must wear this set; it's the rule of the An Guo Gong Residence!"

"Since Miss the Second is to be the concubine of our An Guo Gong Residence's Heir Apparent, all daily necessities, including the clothes for entering the residence, are to be funded by the An Guo Gong Residence; the Gu family need not provide silver, nor bring a dowry—just entering the residence is enough!"

Lin Qingxue and Gu Nanxiang stared wide‑eyed in disbelief at Zhao Mama.

"What… what does the An Guo Gong Residence mean? Isn't this treating Gu Nanxiang as a slave bought into the residence? How can they give her a set of clothes before she even enters?"

"All food, clothing, and expenses are handled by the An Guo Gong Residence, unrelated to the Gu family—it's just the treatment of a residence slave."

Lin Qingxue was instantly irritated: "Zhao Mama! Where is Heir Apparent Lin? What exactly does your An Guo Gong Residence mean?"

Zhao Mama slightly bowed, her expression calm and composed, and smiled gently, "The matriarch ordered that Miss Gu the Second willingly become a concubine; her heart is commendable, and hence she will become a servant of the An Guo Gong Residence."

"But…" Zhao Mama glanced disdainfully at the bright red on Gu Nanxiang and said lightly, "Our An Guo Gong Residence has always upheld strict protocol; the marriage of the young lady and the transport of concubines must never be confused."

"Please, Miss Gu the Second, change your clothes so that we can bring you into the residence later!"

After speaking, Zhao Mama turned and, facing Gu Jiu Ling who was sipping chicken soup, bowed respectfully and said, "Princess Consort, blessings!"

Gu Jiu Ling almost laughed herself to death; unfortunately the room has no electronics besides medical supplies—no phones—she really wanted to click a photo of the Lin mother and daughter; their expressions were priceless.

The key is that Zhao Mama is also a remarkable person.

"Zhao Mama, thank you for your hard work, Jiu Yue, here's a tip!"

Jiu Yue slipped silver into Zhao Mama's hand; Zhao Mama smiled, bowed again, and then left.

"Mother! Aren't they bullying us?" Gu Nanxiang's emotions completely broke, and she grabbed the pink wedding outfit meant for a concubine, ready to tear it apart.

"Xiang'er! Calm down! Right now we are at a disadvantage, after all your father and elder brother both admitted that you were once a concubine!"

"If you tear this clothing…"

"Xiang'er, listen to your mother: if you tear this outfit, you won't be able to enter the An Guo Gong Residence; don't tear it, give it to me!"

"I don't care! I refuse to be a concubine! If you love being a concubine, go do it! You'll be a concubine your whole life!" Gu Nanxiang shouted uncontrollably.

Bang!

Lin Qingxue raised her hand and slapped her daughter hard.

In an instant, the Warm Pavilion fell into dead silence, and the mother and daughter both stared dumbfounded.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Suddenly, a loud glug of Gu Jiu Ling gulping chicken soup echoed.

The mother and daughter turned their faces and glared fiercely at Gu Jiu Ling, who blinked innocently.

Lin Qingxue trembled with anger, then laughed, "Miss, step aside."

Gu Jiu Ling sneered, "Avoid what? This place was built with my mother's silver back then; why should I avoid it?"

"Oh, right, if this time you can't enter the An Guo Gong Residence, you may never be able to enter again, given the high status."

"Second sister, you said you'd take revenge on me; you can't even endure this little anger?"

Gu Nanxiang snatched the pink wedding outfit, coldly staring at Gu Jiu Ling, "I want to change clothes; you go out!"

Gu Jiu Ling, having watched enough drama, slowly rose, smiled, and walked out of the Warm Pavilion.

Ah! Jiu Yue, how did you make this chicken soup so tasty?

In reply to the master, I added more than ten kinds of tonics!

Not bad! Not bad!

Gu Jiu Ling's voice gradually faded away, and only Gu Nanxiang's panting remained in the warm pavilion.

Lin Qingxue was also flustered just now; this time, seeing her, she felt heartbroken, raised her hand wanting to grab her daughter's hand, but Gu Nanxiang broke free.

You also get out!

Lin Qingxue composed herself, sighed, and walked out cautiously; upon reaching the door, she still reminded: 'Xiang'er, we've come this far, don't be stubborn, it's just a piece of clothing; as long as we enter the An Guo Duke's residence, everything can be worked out.'

Get out! Gu Nanxiang clung tightly to her clothes, tears welling up in her eyes.