Chapter 169

Inside the Prince Rui's mansion, everyone was swamped lately as they busied themselves arranging Su Wanrou's wedding.

Translation: "In the Rui Wang Fu, recently, because they were busy arranging Su Wanrou's marriage, everyone inside and outside was swamped."

As the principal consort of Prince Rui's manor, Gu Jiu Ling had to oversee everything; despite her reluctance to involve herself in Su Wanrou's troubles, her duty and status left her no way to avoid it.

Translation: "As the principal consort of Rui Wang Fu, Gu Jiu Ling had to oversee all matters; although she really did not want to deal with Su Wanrou's troubles, her duty and position left her no way to shirk."

Luckily, her maids were very capable—Yun Duo went out to handle errands for her, and Li Qiao'er had originally been sent to Longzhou to look into Su Wanrou's background.

Translation: "Fortunately, the maids around her were especially capable; Yun Duo went out to run errands for her, and originally Li Qiao'er was supposed to go to Longzhou herself to investigate Su Wanrou's background."

But she's really stretched thin now, so she had Li Qiao'er send someone ahead to investigate, and Li Qiao'er could go herself later when she had time.

Translation: "But she is truly overwhelmed now, so she let Li Qiao'er first send someone to check, and let Li Qiao'er go later at a leisurely pace."

Li Qiao'er was recalled from outside to the mansion, where she assisted Gu Jiu Ling with managing the household affairs.

Translation: "Li Qiao'er was transferred back from outside to the Wangfu, and she followed Gu Jiu Ling in handling the household affairs."

She has gradually eased from the nightmare of her father and elder brother being driven to death by bullies, and now devotes herself entirely to helping Gu Jiu Ling manage the outside shops.

Translation: "She has gradually recovered from the nightmare of her father and elder brother being forced to death by bullies, and now focuses wholeheartedly on helping Gu Jiu Ling manage those outside shops."

She stays busy to ease a bit of the grief from losing her family, and to repay Gu Jiu Ling's enormous kindness.

Translation: "She keeps busy, which eases a bit of the pain of losing her relatives, and also to repay Gu Jiu Ling's immense kindness."

Su Wanrou and Zhao Lang's marriage is a major affair in the Prince Rui's mansion this time, and since the Prince values it highly, the preparations feel somewhat grand and spectacular.

Translation: "Su Wanrou and Zhao Lang's marriage is a top priority in the Rui Wang Fu this time, and since Prince Rui also values it highly, the arrangements feel grand and spectacular."

Gu Jiu Ling reclined on the soft couch; the babies in her womb have grown large, and because they are twins, her pregnancy is especially tough.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling leaned on the soft couch; the babies in her belly were far along, and being twins made the pregnancy even more arduous."

Li Qiao'er itemized the accounts; Jiuyu brought in the outside stewards in waves to report, and Jinzhi, unwilling to see the mistress so busy while she herself lay idle, did whatever she could.

Translation: "Li Qiao'er reported the accounts item by item; Jiu Yue brought over the stewards from outside in waves to give reports, and Jinzhi, unwilling to see the mistress busy like that while she herself lay there, did what she could."

But after listening to the mistress, she has stayed almost every day in the Peach Blossom Pavilion, never even leaving the courtyard, and wants nothing to do with the Chun Spring Courtyard.

Translation: "However, after hearing the mistress's words, she has stayed in the Peach Blossom Pavilion almost every day these days, not even leaving the courtyard, and she does not want any involvement with the Seek Spring Pavilion side."

It's already the start of winter; in two months will be the Yuan Festival, and the estate stewards have come with lists to report the harvest to the mistress of the house.

Translation: "It is already the start of winter, and in two months the Origin Festival will arrive; the stewards from the estates came over with lists to report the harvest to the mistress of the household."

Gu Jiu Ling can't even keep her own shops in order, yet she must also help Xiao Yin manage the internal household affairs; sometimes she feels that the man who married her has taken far too much advantage.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling couldn't even sort out her own shops, and she also had to help Xiao Yin manage the internal household affairs; sometimes she felt that scoundrel marrying her had taken too great an advantage of her."

Before, Su Wanrou managed everything, but now that she's marrying, Xiao Yin has taken all her authority and handed it to Gu Jiu Ling.

Translation: "Previously, Su Wanrou handled everything, but now that Su Wanrou is to be married, Xiao Yin directly took all her authority and gave it to Gu Jiu Ling."

Gu Jiu Ling really doesn't want to handle it, but she realizes that if she doesn't oversee the household affairs, Su Wanrou—the 'green tea'—will benefit, so she took charge.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling actually did not want to handle it, but thinking that if she didn't manage the affairs, Su Wanrou, that green tea, would benefit, she took it over."

Later it was put in Jinzhi's care, but now Jinzhi is feeling unwell, so Li Qiao'er has come to help for a few days.

Translation: "Later she handed it over to Jinzhi to manage, but now Jinzhi is unwell, so Li Qiao'er came to help for a few days."

Since Li Qiao'er handles Gu Jiu Ling's finances and won't be able to return to the Prince Rui's mansion, she wants to personally teach Jinzhi how to keep accounts; thus, while explaining these accounts to Gu Jiu Ling today, she also had Jinzhi come to listen.

Translation: "After all, Li Qiao'er manages Gu Jiu Ling's money, and she will not be able to come to Rui Wang Fu in the future, so she wanted to personally teach Jinzhi how to keep accounts; therefore, while telling Gu Jiu Ling these accounts today, she also had Jinzhi come to listen."

Jinzhi ground the ink for Li Qiao'er; Li Qiao'er spoke clearly and crisply, her thoughts well organized, and Gu Jiu Ling felt she had indeed saved the right person.

Translation: "Jinzhi ground the ink for Li Qiao'er; Li Qiao'er's voice was clear and crisp, her thoughts orderly, and Gu Jiu Ling felt that she had indeed saved the right person back then."

Who would have thought this maid is not only beautiful but also handles affairs so efficiently—she's truly likable.

Translation: "Who would have thought this maid is not only beautiful but also handles affairs so efficiently; she is truly likable."

Mistress! This is the guest list for today's banquet in the flower hall; according to the number of guests, the ingredients we prepared earlier are already enough.

Translation: "\"Mistress! This is the guest list for this banquet in the Flower Hall; according to the number on this list, the ingredients previously prepared are already sufficient. \""

But now the prince has just regained his fief; the number of people in the capital seeking to curry favor with him will surely increase greatly, and inevitably many will show up uninvited.

Translation: "\"But now the Prince has just recovered his fief; in Shang Jing, the number of people wanting to curry favor with the Prince will surely increase greatly, and it is inevitable that many will come uninvited. \""

Since these people are here to curry favor, they will definitely bring gifts; as the saying goes, 'don't strike a smiling face,' and since they've come they must be seated—I think we need to double the kitchen ingredients to cope.

Translation: "\"Since these people are here to curry favor, they will certainly bring gifts; as the saying goes, 'don't strike a smiling face,' and since they have come they must be seated; I think the kitchen ingredients need to be doubled to cope. \""

Otherwise it would be like the Gu family again……

Translation: "\"Otherwise it would be like the Gu family again……\""

Li Qiao'er hurriedly stopped herself, having let slip, almost forgetting that Gu Jiu Ling is the eldest daughter of the Gu family.

Translation: "Li Qiao'er hurriedly stopped herself, having let slip; she almost forgot that Gu Jiu Ling was the eldest daughter of the Gu family."

The Gu family ended up this way because during the previous marriage proposal for Gu Nanxiang they caused too many jokes, especially by being stingy with food and drink to guests; now in the capital they have fallen into a state of being neither inside nor outside.

Translation: "The Gu family became a laughingstock because of the previous betrothal of their daughter Gu Nanxiang, especially for mistreating guests in food and drink; now in Shang Jing they have fallen into a state of being neither inside nor outside."

Now the Gu family's reputation is utterly ruined, stinking to high heaven.

Translation: "Now the Gu family's reputation is utterly ruined, stinking to high heaven."

Gu Jiu Ling laughed and waved her hand: 'Understood, miss, you're right, but don't be petty like the Gu family, who are stingy fools; money was spent, yet in the end people still look down on them.'

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling smiled and waved her hand: \"Understood, miss, you're right, but don't be petty like the Gu family, spending money and still being looked down upon. \""

Here's the money, and here's my token; this time you're in charge!

Translation: "\"I'll give you the money, and my token as well; this time you will be in charge! \""

If we can't move anyone from within the mansion, hand it over to Jiuyu to handle; if we encounter troublemakers, send them to the prince for punishment, and we'll just see to it that the person from Chun Spring Courtyard gets married off smoothly.

Translation: "\"If no one in the mansion can be moved, hand it over to Jiu Yue to handle; if troublemakers appear, send them to the Prince to receive punishment, and we'll just see to it that the person from Seek Spring Pavilion gets married off smoothly. \""

Li Qiao'er pursed her lips, smiled, took the mistress's consort token, composed herself, and said: 'Mistress, just focus on nurturing your pregnancy; if this gets messed up, you'll have me stewed in clear broth.'

Translation: "Li Qiao'er pursed her lips and smiled, took the Princess Consort's token from Gu Jiu Ling, composed herself, and said: \"Mistress, just focus on nurturing the pregnancy; if this affair is botched, you will have me stewed in clear broth. \""

Gu Jiu Ling laughed and scolded: 'What would I stew you for? The more you say, the more absurd; go get busy—I'll double your bonus this month.'

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling laughed and scolded: \"What would I stew you for? The more you say, the more absurd; go get busy, this month I'll double your bonus. \""

Li Qiao'er laughed as she walked out of the warm pavilion; the estate stewards outside were also arranged by Jiuyu and then sent away.

Translation: "Li Qiao'er laughed as she walked out of the Warm Pavilion; the stewards from the estates outside were also arranged by Jiu Yue and then sent away."

Only the mistress and two servants remained in the room; Jinzhi was still earnestly grinding ink, and soon the mistress would practice calligraphy to cultivate her disposition, speaking of prenatal education, which Jinzhi didn't understand.

Translation: "Only the mistress and two servants remained in the room; Jinzhi was still earnestly grinding ink, and although the mistress would later practice calligraphy to cultivate her disposition, speaking of prenatal education, she also didn't understand."

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Jiuyu and asked: 'What's going on over at Chun Spring Courtyard?'

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling looked at Jiu Yue and asked: \"What's going on over at Seek Spring Pavilion? \""

Jinzhi's hand, which had been grinding ink, paused there; the mistress had previously told her that she would handle this matter, and the only thing Jinzhi needed to do was protect herself.

Translation: "Jinzhi's hand paused on the ink stone; the mistress had previously told her that she would handle this matter, and the only thing Jinzhi needed to do was protect herself."

Jiuyu hurriedly whispered: 'Chun Spring Courtyard has been very quiet these days; Hongyu has also returned, and I heard she previously suffered a serious illness that damaged her voice, leaving her unable to speak.'

Translation: "Jiu Yue hurriedly whispered: \"Seek Spring Pavilion has been quiet these days; Hong Yu has also returned, and it is said she previously suffered a serious illness, damaging her voice so she cannot speak. \""

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows, slowly stroking the pair of small jade rabbits carved from mutton-fat jade that Xiao Yin had given her.

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling frowned slightly, slowly stroking the pair of small jade rabbits carved from mutton-fat jade that Xiao Yin had given her."

'Can we think of a way to let her come see me once? After all, if it weren't for her last time, Jinzhi might have already passed the seventh day after death; we owe her a favor and can't not repay it.'

Translation: "\"Can we think of a way to let her come see me once? After all, if it weren't for her, Jinzhi might have already passed the seventh day; the debt of gratitude we owe cannot go unpaid. \""

Jinzhi hurriedly stood up, raised her hand to gesture, but before she finished, Gu Jiu Ling looked at her and laughed: 'This favor isn't for you to repay; don't do anything, just endure.'

Translation: "Jinzhi hurriedly stood up, raising her hand to gesture, but before she finished, Gu Jiu Ling looked at her and smiled: \"This favor is not for you to repay; do nothing, just hold on! \""

Jinzhi didn't understand what Gu Jiu Ling meant by 'endure,' but she also worried for Hongyu in her heart, after all, it was because of her that the subsequent events came about.

Translation: "Jinzhi didn't understand what Gu Jiu Ling meant by 'hold on,' but she also worried for Hong Yu in her heart, after all, it was because of her that the subsequent events arose."

'Just listen and behave, don't go anywhere!' Gu Jiu Ling gently looked at her and said: 'We few are like sisters; if anything comes up, the older sisters will cover for you.'

Translation: "\"Just listen and behave, don't go anywhere! \" Gu Jiu Ling gently looked at her and said: \"We few are like sisters; if anything comes up, the sisters will cover for you. \""

'As long as you take good care of yourself, that counts as helping us; I have made arrangements for this matter.'

Translation: "\"As long as you protect yourself well, that also helps us; I have made arrangements for this matter! \""

Jinzhi hurriedly nodded and slowly stepped back.

Translation: "Jinzhi hurriedly nodded and slowly retreated."

A flicker of urgency crossed Jiuyu's face, and she slowly said: 'Mistress, this matter is also strange.'

Translation: "A flicker of urgency crossed Jiu Yue's face as she slowly said: \"Mistress, this matter is also strange. \""

'I've gone to look for Hongyu several times, but she won't even glance at me; it feels like she bears a grudge against me, avoiding me like the plague.'

Translation: "\"I've gone to look for Hong Yu several times, but she won't even glance at me; it feels as if she bears a grudge, avoiding me like a plague. \""

'I even gave her the melon seeds the mistress gave her, and some silver notes, but she refuses to accept them.'

Translation: "\"I even gave her the melon seeds the mistress sent her and some banknotes, but she refuses to accept them. \""

'Once I got anxious, I dragged her into the banana grove to tell her that if she had any issues she could just tell the mistress and we'd figure it out together, but she shoved me away hard, scratching the back of my hand until it broke—clearly she was annoyed with me.'

Translation: "\"Once I got anxious, I dragged her into the banana grove to tell her that if she had any matters she could speak to the mistress, and we could figure it out together, but she shoved me away violently, scratching the back of my hand until it bled—clearly she was annoyed with me. \""

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows: 'Forget it, no need to insist; we'll note this favor, and there will be a chance to repay it.'

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling's brows knotted: \"Forget it, no need to insist; we'll keep this favor in mind, and there will be a chance to repay it. \""

'Now she is Su Wanrou's confidante; we shouldn't do anything else—perhaps there are other matters, but rushing too much would be bad for her; as for Su Wanrou's affairs, we can only investigate slowly—haste makes waste.'

Translation: "\"Now she is Su Wanrou's confidante; we shouldn't do anything else, perhaps there is something else, but if we rush too much it will be bad for her; as for Su Wanrou's affair, we can only investigate slowly—haste makes waste. \""

Gu Jiu Ling was about to say something when the steward walked into the courtyard, stood outside the door, and bowed: 'Consort, the Noble Consort Ning'an summons you to the palace.'

Translation: "Gu Jiu Ling was about to say something when the steward walked into the courtyard, stood outside the door, and bowed: \"Princess Consort, Empress Dowager Ning'an summons you to enter the palace. \""