Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 338: Chapter 213: Pie Commandery Prince Chapter 338: Chapter 213: Pie Commandery Prince “Hmm?” Gu Changsheng looked toward Zhou Mu, then turned around to continue appreciating her new home–pavilions, towers, intricately carved beams, and painted rafters, not a single detail lacking in craftsmanship or delicacy, making one feel at ease just by looking at it. “Zhou Mu, you don’t need to explain to me. From the day I met you, I knew that with your evildoer-like beauty, attracting admirers was only natural.”

Seeing her nonchalant demeanor, Zhou Mu’s brows slightly furrowed.

“Being coveted is like being a desired treat. It proves my taste isn’t poor, and that gives me a sense of accomplishment, doesn’t it?” Gu Changsheng chuckled lightly and pushed the stunned Zhou Mu toward the garden. “Didn’t you promise my son you’d help him find a couple of sturdy trees for swings? Go, I need to entertain the guests who have come to offer congratulations.”

Zhou Mu shook his head helplessly, his face full of indulgence. “I’ve never seen a woman as heartless and thick-skinned as you. And here I was, worried you might be jealous!”

Gu Changsheng rolled her eyes behind him. “You must be joking. Jealousy is an art form. For someone like me who naturally lacks a ‘vinegar jar’ inside, I’d have to spend money to buy some, and I am very frugal!”

“I really don’t know what to say about you!” Zhou Mu turned around and pinched her cheek, his face full of warmth. “You go entertain the guests, I’ll go find Gu Ze myself.”

Gu Changsheng nodded, watching his departing figure, her expression slightly tense. But she turned her head, casting aside her doubts, and walked toward the front hall.

Uncle Song was collecting gifts until his hands went soft; it was said that their storeroom at home could no longer fit them.

Seeing the content smile on Uncle Song’s ancient face, Gu Changsheng also felt rather pleased.

The new residence was more than three times larger than the original, with banquet tables filling the yard. Gu Changsheng watched the maids and young men bustling about and the guests who frequently greeted her with salutations, and her mood also lightened.

Some people possess privileges, and even if they do not follow the norms, they are still respected!

Gu Changsheng exchanged pleasantries with the visiting pharmacists and doctors in the main hall. Soon after, Xiao Cui and Dong Lei came running over in a panic. Seeing their lady still smiling and talking, they immediately stamped their feet in urgency, exchanged glances, and without another word, took action. They bowed half-heartedly before each grabbing one of Gu Changsheng’s arms, and headed to the side hall.

Gu Changsheng, being pulled along, was perplexed, leaving a room full of equally bewildered guests.

“What is this about? You chatter about rules in my ears all day, have you swallowed your own rules?” Once out of public view in the side hall, Gu Changsheng shook off the two maids, staring at them indignantly.

“Lady, what are you thinking, entertaining guests at a time like this? That breathtakingly beautiful spirit, she’s already settled into Prince Mu’s Mansion. Be more cautious!” Xiao Cui said with a ‘hating iron for not becoming steel’ attitude.

She had never seen anyone more thick-skinned than her lady! Could she be any more careless?

“She’s Zhou Mu’s official fiancee, and with her mother sick, moving into the County Prince’s Mansion makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?” Gu Changsheng shrugged. “Here in Liuzhou, with those thousands of guests at our house, she probably couldn’t find another place to stay.”

Sparklingly astute, this matter, after all, had partly to do with her own doing.

Is this not facilitating a happy event?

“Lady, Prince Mu and you, what about Miss Huo from the Huo Family? How should your servant put this?” Xiao Cui stomped her foot in frustration, at a loss for words.

Gu Changsheng looked at the two before her, then turned and sat down on a rosewood chair, feeling quite comfortable. “Xiao Cui, how should I put this? Huo Shuixian is nearly twenty, right? When your lady here was twenty, my son was already four years old. Born into a prominent family, she hasn’t even married off yet. She must hold deep affection for Zhou Mu, having been betrothed to him since childhood, right? So, to put it nicely, it’s a mutually agreed affair. To speak unpleasantly, I’m the third party who swooped in and stole her lover’s heart. Believe me, that girl is more worried than we are!”

“Lady!” Xiao Cui stomped her foot again. “How can you talk about yourself like that? Xiao Cui and Dong Lei, we’ve already confirmed with Yuan Bao. Huo Shuixian and Prince Mu only had a verbal betrothal when they were young; they never actually exchanged a marriage letter. What makes her the legitimate fiancee?”

“Um…” Gu Changsheng was startled by the words, then pondered with her chin propped. “I think, even if she wasn’t before, now she might well be!”

Xiao Cui and Dong Lei looked at each other with a hint of confusion and said in unison, “What do you mean by that, Lady?”

Gu Changsheng raised her hands innocently. “Just a feeling! I assume Miss Shuixian won’t just let it go; we’ll know soon enough!”

“Wait? How can we just wait? She’s already living in Prince Mu’s Mansion. Aren’t you worried, Lady? With her heavenly beauty, if His Highness Prince Mu should… how could we cope with it?” Xiao Cui was truly worried for her lady, who seemed oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

“Lady, if it were up to your servant, let Wood persuade–no, let His Highness Prince Mu drive her out. That would save us from heartache!” Dong Lei also spoke up. “Allowing her to stay in Prince Mu’s Mansion is truly dangerous!”

“It’s the maid who’s anxious, not the lady herself!” Gu Changsheng covered her face and then patiently explained, “Your concerns are valid, but blocking is worse than channeling. Outright prohibition is utterly useless! I’ve seen the determination in Miss Shuixian’s eyes; she’s the type who won’t stop until she hits a wall. So, let her get close to the wall and hit it herself, saving her the trouble of plotting against me eventually.”

“Wife, do you really trust Prince Mu that much?” Xiao Cui hesitated before finally speaking up.

Dong Lei also widened his eyes, waiting for an answer.

Gu Changsheng looked up at the ceiling with a helpless expression, “These maids of mine, why do they always have to probe to the very end?”

“Girls, men are visual creatures who think with their lower half. If a Huo Shuixian can cause Zhou Mu to waver once, then there will be endless Huo Shuixians in the future. So, I choose to trust Zhou Mu! It just so happens that Miss Shuixian is stunning and smart. Letting Zhou Mu learn about women’s tactics from her might greatly benefit him. Such a free tutor should not be wasted. Besides, even if we don’t want to use her, she will still do her utmost. It’s a perfect solution, so don’t you two worry about it!”

“I hope she can distinguish what’s primary and focus on Zhou Mu rather than missing the forest for the trees and targeting me instead!”

After saying this, Gu Changsheng blinked innocently.

Xiao Cui and Dong Lei exchanged glances and stubbornly shattered Gu Changsheng’s beautiful fantasy.

“Wife, you embarrassed her in front of so many people today. Once this pretense of filial piety spreads, even if she was perfect before, it will all turn to nothing. Do you think she will let this go easily?”

“Ah! This is a distressing topic…” Gu Changsheng sighed deeply, “You tell me, I was merely moving, so why the hell did she have to interfere? Now look, I’ve stripped her of her beauty, and isn’t she going to skin me alive to vent her anger?”

“When will this cycle of retribution end… I’ve decided I’m going to send Zhou Mu back right away. I’ll deliver Zhou Mu to Miss Shuixian on a platter; she won’t have time to bite me these next few days!” Gu Changsheng said, nodding firmly as if shoring up her determination.

It’s better him than me! It’s high time for Zhou Mu to experience firsthand the gentle tactics of a lady of good family! After all, he was the one who brought her in; she has nothing to do with me!

I’m just an innocent bystander mysteriously affected by a mistress!

Outside the side hall, under the window ledge, Little Meat Bun, who was resting on Zhou Mu’s shoulder with a chicken claw in his mouth, looked at Zhou Mu with a face full of sympathy.

“Uncle Wood, you’re so pitiful, just like that sold out by my mom!”

Being the ‘pie’ himself, Zhou Mu’s face was livid, his teeth clenched in anger.

This woman! She really made him love and hate her, completely helpless against her!

“Not even a chicken claw can shut you up, little kid; don’t be too smart!” Zhou Mu tapped Little Meat Bun’s forehead gently, lowering his voice as he spoke.

After Xiao Gu Ze finished the chicken claw, he licked his greasy little lips and smacked his mouth twice, “A pie might do the trick!”

At that, Zhou Mu immediately glared, “Your master has been in seclusion these past two days, shaping up his practice. Your highness thinks you are itching for trouble being too idle, Xiao Gu Ze. Let’s go, to the martial arts training ground. Let your highness see how well you’ve practiced your skills during this time!”

“No, Uncle Wood! I was wrong!” Little Meat Bun immediately looked distraught, pleading as he rubbed his small hands together with drooping corners of his lips.

Zhou Mu, however, ignored him completely, picking up his chubby little body, and headed towards the martial arts training ground at the side courthouse!

“Uncle Wood, I’m going to tell mom you’re bullying me again… wuwu!” Little Meat Bun cried, his face on the verge of tears. Uncle Wood’s teaching methods were too violent, completely unsuitable for a little kid like him!

“As you wish!” Zhou Mu didn’t mind at all, bypassing the Nine-Turn Corridors and continuing past the lotus pond towards the side courthouse.

“Uncle Wood, I promise I won’t laugh at you anymore, okay?” Mom’s right, if you don’t court death, you won’t die. He was just plucking hairs from a tiger’s mouth, courting his own death!

“You said the same thing last time!” Zhou Mu glanced at the little head on his shoulder and snorted coldly.

“Uncle Wood, I’m innocent! I’m a well-behaved, obedient kid! My attitude towards admitting my mistakes has always been very good!” Little Meat Bun resentfully transferred the grease from his little paws onto Zhou Mu’s clothes.

Zhou Mu was well aware of his slight handiwork but didn’t stop him, speaking solemnly, “Indeed, in your mother’s words, you are always eager to admit your mistakes yet you never repent! The grease stains on your highness’s shoulder are the proof, Xiao Gu Ze. Until your mom finds out, you’re not clean, then she’ll spank you.”

“I’m not scared; today’s my birthday! If she hits me, I won’t grow at all!” Xiao Gu Ze boasted fearlessly!