Chapter 36
Be Careful, Master!
“Son, be good, stop messing around…” Gu Qingluan closed her eyes and lifted a hand, patting his head gently.
After waiting for a long time, all he got was being treated like a ‘son’, and Feng Tianlan’s expression instantly froze.
With a cold face, he pushed her away.
Gu Qingluan’s body rolled down the roof, making a rumbling sound.
Instinctively, Feng Tianlan reached out his hand.
“Master, be careful!” However, at that moment, a startled cry came from somewhere.
Feng Tianlan noticed that it was one of Gu Qingluan’s subordinates coming over. He leaped and landed on the other side of the house.
It was Su Lie who had arrived, narrowly catching Gu Qingluan as she fell from the roof.
“That was close!”
Smelling the strong scent of alcohol on her, Su Lie felt both annoyed and amused. “Master, how much did you drink? How did you end up this drunk?”
Being completely unconscious due to intoxication, Gu Qingluan couldn’t respond to him.
Su Lie shook his head helplessly and carried her into the house.
After a while, he stepped back outside and assumed the role of a guard.
Feng Tianlan had originally planned to wait for Su Lie to leave before asking Gu Qingluan, but seeing him guarding the door, he furrowed his brows and swiftly left.
Inside the palace.
Startled, Jing Feng saw Feng Tianlan return with his robes stained, showing a trace of surprise.
Ignoring Jing Feng’s astonishment, Feng Tianlan spoke in a deep voice, “Notify Jingyu to give me a response within three days!”
He was uncertain about the meaning behind Gu Qingluan’s last words–
Was she speaking subconsciously because she really had a son, or was it just a casual remark while she was asleep?
Tonight had been a complete mess, and he didn’t want to personally probe further.
Jing Feng lowered his eyebrows and nodded in acknowledgment.
Afterward, with a cold expression, Feng Tianlan flew into the bathhouse, which had a built-in hot spring pool and stayed there for an hour.
..
The next day, Gu Qingluan woke up with a headache, completely unaware of what had transpired after she got drunk the previous night. Su Lie came to report the situation at the Gu residence, and Gu Qingluan listened attentively while having breakfast.
Suddenly, a servant hurriedly reported, “Master, the Wang family has returned to the residence.”
Wang Shi, the Eldest Madam Gu, and her stepmother had traveled a long distance to visit Gu Lingxue some time ago. Speaking of her stepmother, she was an extraordinary figure. Despite being born into a poor family, she had firmly established herself as the mistress of the Gu family. The legitimate children of the family had to live in subservience under her.
Just like the original owner of this body, a mere ten or so years of suffering can hardly summarize it all.
Su Lie’s spirits lifted. “Master, do you want to go meet her?”
Gu Qingluan chuckled coldly. “No need. She will come on her own.”
With such a major upheaval happening in the Gu residence and their legitimate eldest daughter returning, Wang Shi wouldn’t be able to stay put for long.
As expected, not long after, a maid from the Wang family came to invite her to the Flowing Years Pavilion.
Gu Qingluan, without even meeting her, had someone inform Wang Shi that if she wished to see her, she could come personally. If Wang Shi had trouble walking due to a leg injury or disability, making it difficult for her to come, then Gu Qingluan would consider visiting her instead.
The messenger was Qiu Lu, a second-ranked servant who served Wang Shi.
Although Qiu Lu held a lower rank, being associated with Wang Shi granted her some level of respect within the household.
Upon receiving such a dismissive response, Qiu Lu became infuriated.
“You have such audacious behavior, expecting the Lady of the House to come and meet you!”
However, the servant assigned by Su Lie was no pushover. Qian Xi, the maid who came forward to reply, possessed a sharp tongue.
“Our master’s birth mother passed away long ago, and this is the Jun Mansion. We don’t have a Lady of the House here. If you wish to see our master, you’ll have to wait in line like everyone else!”
Just a moment ago, a young man surnamed Lu came to visit, and their young mistress was busy attending to him.
“You…” Qiu Lu couldn’t believe how audacious she was, leaving her speechless with anger.
“What the hell! Tsk!” Qian Xi rolled her eyes and turned to enter the courtyard, leaving Qiu Lu stunned.
By the time Qiu Lu regained her composure, Qian Xi had already left.
She glared at the two statues at the entrance, stomping her foot in frustration before heading back to Wang Shi’s residence to report the incident.
Upon hearing Qiu Lu’s exaggerated account, Wang Shi, who had just returned to the Flowing Years Pavilion, turned pale with anger.
“You insolent wretch! Do you think you have become God just because you learned a few tricks?”
Upon Wang Shi’s return, the steward immediately reported the incident, lodging a complaint against Gu Qingluan.
Wang Shi had heard about Gu Qingluan’s recent exploits.
Hearing about it was one thing, but experiencing it firsthand was another.
To think that this maid, whom she had once trampled upon, no longer held her in high regard. How could Wang Shi not be infuriated?
The steward sighed, “Even the mistress of the house can’t defeat her. It’s as if she thinks she’s above everyone else.”
Wang Shi snorted coldly. Her eyes filled with disdain. “So what if she improves her cultivation? She’s nothing more than a foolish creature with strong limbs and an empty head!”
A person with a bit more cunning would never handle things as ruthlessly as Gu Qingluan did. While it may appear satisfying at first glance, it actually leaves behind hidden dangers at every turn.
“If she is unwilling to come, then send someone to investigate her background. Go! Summon Xiao Wu and Xiao Qi!”
..
Shallow Cloud Residence.
Lu Bainian expressed his gratitude to Gu Qingluan once again and apologized for his behavior the previous night.
Gu Qingluan responded with a gentle smile, “Mr. Lu, there’s no need to be so formal. You already thanked me yesterday, and as for apologies, there’s no need to bring them up.”
Lu Bainian immediately formed a positive impression of Miss Gu, realizing that the rumors circulating about her were unfounded exaggerations.
“Nevertheless, please accept these tokens of gratitude, Miss Gu.”
Lu Siyu, in her innocent manner, chimed in, “Yes, yes, Fairy Sister, I promised yesterday that if you took me home, I would give you lots and lots of money. If you don’t accept it, I would be breaking my promise.”
“Alright then, I will accept the tokens of gratitude.”
Seeing that she could not refuse, Gu Qingluan could only accept it.
Lu Bainian was overjoyed.
For some reason, he felt at a loss when facing Gu Qingluan.
After a moment of silence, Lu Bainian considered the grudge between Gu Qingluan and the Gu family and said, “If Miss Gu ever needs help, please don’t hesitate to ask. I may not be able to assist with much else, but I can certainly offer financial support.”
Lu Bainian blushed when he noticed Gu Qingluan’s perplexed expression. “The Lu Family Chamber of Commerce still holds some influence in Tianjing.”
“You’re from the Lu Family’s Chamber of Commerce?” Gu Qingluan was taken aback.
The Lu Clan’s Chamber of Commerce had a wide presence throughout the Yunchuan Continent, and its influence surpassed that of the Gu Clan.
“Well, I’m just a branch of the Lu family,” Lu Bainian responded with embarrassment.
The main stronghold of the Lu Family was in the Heavenly Saint Dynasty.
“That’s still incredibly powerful!” Gu Qingluan exclaimed.
Lu Bainian stammered, “Gu… Lady Gu, you are too kind with your praise.”
“If there is a need, I won’t hesitate to seek your assistance,” Gu Qingluan replied.
She believed that there would come a time when the Lu Family’s Chamber of Commerce would be indispensable.
Lu Bainian was delighted. “Yes, yes. You’re welcome. As long as Miss Gu needs it, I’ll do my best.”
After sitting for a while, Lu Bainian stood up and bid his farewell.
Gu Qingluan had the siblings escorted out of the residence.
“Master, the Fifth Miss and the Seventh Miss have come to visit you,” Qian Xi delivered the message.
Gu Qingluan raised an eyebrow.
Visitors were coming one after another.
The Wang family had just returned, and now these two individuals had arrived. How interesting!