Chapter 203: Where Should I Sleep?

Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin told Jinzhi about her background, bit by bit revealing the past she had forgotten.

These words seeped into her mind, making her seem to recall something.

Gu Jiu Ling knew that as long as she kept talking to her, combined with medicinal treatment, once this busy period passed and Xiao Yin's health recovered, she would take her to Longzhou together with Xiao Yin.

Perhaps only when she reaches the place where she lived since childhood will her memories gradually return, or perhaps some other stimulus is needed.

Seeing that it was getting late, Gu Jiu Ling again summoned the servants from the manor to the Zheng Ting.

By this time, word had spread throughout the Wangfu that the Prince, after years of searching for relatives, finally had a result—turns out it was Miss Jinzhi, whom the Princess Consort had casually taken into the manor.

This time, everyone looked at Jinzhi with an indescribable envy.

Before, everyone who saw this girl felt pity; her once fine face had been ruined like this, and her voice had been scalded mute.

Who would have thought that this little mute girl was actually the relative the Prince had been seeking—so what was the earlier Miss Wan?

These people couldn't help muttering to themselves, but the Prince had ordered that anyone who dared to go out and spread rumors would have their tongue cut off and be sold.

Gu Jiu Ling took Jinzhi's hand and looked at the servants standing below in a dense, orderly row, then said slowly: "I asked you to come today to announce an urgent matter."

"You must have guessed in private what this is: Miss Jinzhi is indeed the relative the Prince has been seeking for years, with both personal and material evidence; in a few days the truth will surely come to light, so let us first set a rule in our manor."

"From now on, Miss Jinzhi will reside in the Tanchun Garden; these days we have hired artisans to repaint and repair it. After it's fixed, all the previous servants in the Tanchun Garden will be sent to the manor farm, or those willing to leave will receive silver from the Rui Wang Fu to make a living elsewhere; those who are older and wish to marry will also be let go."

"Also, in the Tanchun Garden we will keep two senior maids, four intermediate maids, six rough-work maids, two elderly women, and one head stewardess; all selections must be personally approved by me."

"Each month, Miss Jinzhi's allowance silver will be five taels less than my standard; this is how it will be distributed, and the festival gift bonuses for the manor will be calculated separately."

"Also, I will select people from among you to serve Miss Jinzhi; you know my and the Prince's temperaments—if you serve well, wholeheartedly, I will naturally reward you generously."

"If you serve poorly, bully her because of her timid nature, and I catch you, each of you will be punished! Consider the consequences carefully!"

The servants all around shivered in unison; they had already experienced the Princess Consort's methods these days—rewards and punishments are clear, she is the most just, and also the sort who cannot tolerate even a speck of sand in her eyes.

This time, speaking in front of so many people, the Princess Consort's words felt like she was backing up Miss Jinzhi.

One can see Miss Jinzhi's status in the Wangfu; it will surely rise day by day, obvious to anyone with discernment, and soon people began to harbor a few calculations, fearing they would have to curry favor with this young mistress.

Gu Jiu Ling settled her thoughts, admonished the people below, and then ordered the head stewardess and Jiu Yue to list Miss Jinzhi's daily clothing, food, and usage, even the embroidery frames she liked, and to distribute according to that list thereafter.

The reason for placing Jinzhi in the Tanchun Garden is that it is very close to the East Garden; the compound also has a pond, a bamboo grove, fine scenery, and a north-south ventilated layout—even better than the layout of Gu Jiu Ling's Peach Blossom Pavilion.

After all matters were settled, Jinzhi nevertheless clung to Gu Jiu Ling's heels like a little tail, following her cautiously.

Gu Jiu Ling blinked slightly, couldn't help but laugh, gripping her hand and said: "You are now also a master of the Rui Wang Fu; I don't need you to serve me over there. Return to the Tanchun Garden; the people to serve you have already been chosen, they look honest—if anyone bullies you, tell me."

Jinzhi stopped her steps; Gu Jiu Ling told her to rest early, not wanting her to follow again, and even Jiu Yue pursed her lips and laughed.

Gu Jiu Ling looked at her and smiled: "What, you don't dare to sleep alone?"

Jinzhi quickly nodded, then realized the remark was wrong, felt a bit embarrassed, and shook her head.

She gestured to Gu Jiu Ling: the teacup from before she left wasn't placed properly, the medicinal cuisine she prepared for Gu Jiu Ling is still on the stove, and most importantly, the little clothes she sewed haven't been finished.

Gu Jiu Ling saw her face flush red from holding back; if others encountered such good fortune, they might strut proudly, but this gentle, kind girl stubbornly refuses to go to the Tanchun Garden as a master, insisting on following behind her.

But Gu Jiu Ling dare not order around the daughter of Xiao Yin's benefactor; General An was such a hero back then—she would be treating the hero's orphan as a servant, just thinking about it makes her feel guilty.

But seeing Jinzhi's pitiful appearance, Gu Jiu Ling's heart softened, she took her hand and smiled: "All right, you can stay with me in the Peach Blossom Pavilion for a few more days; once we cure your face and your voice, and find you a good match, you can move out."

"Right, Jiu Yue, go to the Tanchun Garden and fetch a few maids to come here to serve Miss Jinzhi."

"Jinzhi!" Gu Jiu Ling looked at her sternly and said: "Your original name was Su Wanrou; your mother likely hoped you would become a gentle, compliant, and even-tempered person."

"Unfortunately, that scoundrel has tarnished that name; see if you want to change it, or..."

Jinzhi, however, gestured and nodded, indicating she really liked the name Gu Jiu Ling gave her; she truly likes it.

Seeing Jinzhi sincerely like the name, Gu Jiu Ling felt somewhat guilty, she coughed and put her arm around Jinzhi's shoulders: "Um... from now on call her Su Jinzhi... no, no..."

"That doesn't roll off the tongue," she quickly corrected: "An Jinzhi?"

"Good heavens! Miss, are you sure you don't want to change your name? If not, we could spend money to have Mr. Wen come up with a nice name, or at least have Master Nianyuan draw a lot for us."

Jinzhi shook her head, firmly looking at Gu Jiu Ling, as if regarding her as the deity she worships.

In the Third Prince's manor, she leapt into the beast pit to rescue her from water and fire; she is her deity.

The deity gave her this name, and she will never change it in this lifetime.

Gu Jiu Ling could see the light of trust and admiration in Jinzhi's eyes; for some reason, she felt a slight blockage in her throat and a burning sensation in her eyes.

"You silly girl!" Gu Jiu Ling turned her face away, quietly wiped the tears from her eyes, tightly gripped Jinzhi's hand, and walked toward the Peach Blossom Pavilion.

She realized that since she transmigrated here, the number of people around her has increased, they point at her to live, and the burden on her shoulders has grown heavier.

Jinzhi returned to the Peach Blossom Pavilion; Gu Jiu Ling could no longer let her sleep in the servants' quarters, so naturally they shared a room and a bed.

In the middle of the night, Xiao Yin stood at the bedside, staring wide-eyed at Gu Jiu Ling, looking toward the inner chamber where Jinzhi slept soundly.

Xiao Yin gritted his teeth: "Gu Jiu Ling, she sleeps here—then what about me, the Prince? Where should the Prince sleep?"

"Has your gall grown fat, daring to still share a bed with another?"

Gu Jiu Ling's eye twitched, looking at him: "Then where does the Prince want to sleep? The doorway?"

Xiao Yin seized Gu Jiu Ling's arm: "Tomorrow we move—take me to the East Garden, leave this place for Jinzhi."

"Now... come with me!"