Chapter 544: Chapter 545: Anxious

The news that the Third Prince had been titled Prince Ning reached the estate today, lifting the spirits of the entire household. Even the butler looked at Gu Kaichen with a bit more respect.

An Tong was currently at the Prince Ning Mansion. The Third Prince was now Prince Ning, and perhaps in the near future, he would become the Crown Prince, or even ascend to an even higher position...

With such a grand and joyous occasion, Gu Kaichen couldn’t understand why his father’s expression was so grim. He had initially wanted to use this happy event as an excuse to go out for a stroll. Returning to his courtyard empty-handed left him feeling unwilling. Who knew when the next opportunity like this would arise? As long as he could successfully step out of the doors this time, it would mean breaking his confinement. The temptation was simply too great.

However, as the wait dragged on, Gu Kaichen grew increasingly anxious. His father had been inside for so long and still hadn’t come out. He wondered if something had happened.

He hurriedly called the butler over. "My father has been in there for a long time. Hurry up and have someone send some water and pastries inside."

The butler glanced at him. "The master hasn’t given any orders."

"Why would he need to give orders for this? If something happens to my father, will you take responsibility?" Gu Kaichen demanded sharply.

"Since you are so worried, Second Young Master, why don’t you go knock on the door yourself?

"The master usually copies books in his study and generally does not allow any interruptions. Unless it’s something important, I suggest you wait a little longer."

The butler had seen Gu Kaichen pacing around for quite a while and had already guessed his intentions. He just couldn’t be bothered to expose him. Now this young master was trying to push him forward, hoping to make him the scapegoat. As if he would fall for such a trick.

There wasn’t a single decent person in the Gu Family. He wondered when his true master would summon him back. As far as he was concerned, the Gu Family didn’t look like they were hiding a massive fortune in Silver at all. Their sheer wretchedness practically seeped into their bones.

Now that His Highness was Prince Ning, the overall standard of living and expenses could rise to another level. If he could return to the Prince Mansion, he wouldn’t dare dream of becoming the chief butler—those positions were managed by the Internal Affairs Bureau—but he could still manage to become a minor steward.

Thinking of his bright future, the butler decided not to bicker with them today. Instead, he maintained a pleasant attitude and said, "Second Young Master, how about you come back a bit later? The master definitely has important matters to attend to in the study right now. If we disturb him and he decides to punish us, neither of us can afford to bear the consequences.

"I just remembered there are still some matters waiting for me to handle in the back kitchen, so I won’t keep you company any longer."

After saying that, the butler hurried away, looking as if an urgent matter was waiting for him.

Seeing that his scheme had failed, Gu Kaichen cursed under his breath and returned to the backyard.

When Xu Yulan saw him return, she immediately told Fan Meibao to pour him some water. Although Fan Meibao was reluctant, she could only obey. After all, the three of them—she, her mother, and her sister—still had to rely on the Gu Family.

Fan Meibao also wanted to know if Gu Kaichen had achieved his goal today. She had no idea what had gotten into Gu Baijiang recently. Aside from him and Liu Yun, absolutely no one else in the entire estate was allowed to leave the premises. Because they couldn’t leave, her mother and sister’s schemes had completely stalled and accomplished nothing up to this point.

Today, the Third Prince being granted a royal title made the Fan mother and daughters feel as if they had finally seen a glimmer of hope. Only if Rong Ruiyuan continued to rise would the Gu Family they depended on prosper. If they could use this joyous occasion to pay a visit and offer their congratulations, perhaps her older sister could also secure a place to stay at the Prince Mansion...

"I’m exhausted," Gu Kaichen complained. Standing outside the study for so long, coupled with the high temperature today, had been utter torture.

He took the water Fan Meibao handed him and downed it in two gulps before letting out a long, satisfied sigh. "I’ve finally come back to life."

"Quick, tell me, how did it go? Did your father agree to let you go out?" Xu Yulan still wanted to make a trip back to her maiden home. Although her maiden family didn’t like her, it was the only place she could go to right now. Being trapped in this small courtyard all day long was enough to drive anyone crazy.

"I didn’t even see him," Gu Kaichen said, sitting there and sighing heavily. Gu Kai already had a bright future, yet he was still being watched like a hawk. What kind of grown man wasn’t even allowed to leave his own house? He had no idea what his father was thinking.

"Isn’t he right here in the mansion? It’s not like he went out." Xu Yulan felt that Gu Kaichen wasn’t putting any real effort into it. Staying cooped up at home for so long had turned his brain to mush.

"He’s in the study, and he shut the door tight. It wasn’t appropriate for me to just barge in."

"He’s your own father, what’s inappropriate about it? You should have just knocked on the door."

"Then you go do it..."

Xu Yulan was left speechless.

"This is so annoying. How did it go when you went to ask Liu Yun for news? Has the Prince Mansion sent any messages over?

"For such a grand occasion, Prince Ning has to host at least a few banquets. Even though we aren’t his proper in-laws, our niece is a concubine after all, which is more than enough to qualify us for a seat at the table."

"Don’t even mention it," Xu Yulan said, looking a bit angry. "I have no idea what Liu Yun is thinking today, but she didn’t have a single smile on her face.

"I merely asked her if the Prince had made any arrangements, and she outright kicked me out, telling me to go ask your father.

"She really thinks so highly of herself. If it weren’t for Gu Antong’s sake, I wouldn’t even bother putting up with her attitude."

Gu Kaichen replied, "Well, there’s nothing we can do about that. Who asked you not to give me a beautiful daughter?

"It’s getting late. Even if there was news, it wouldn’t be delivered now. Let’s just go to sleep early and try again first thing tomorrow morning."

Seeing how completely useless they were, Fan Meibao didn’t even bother saying a word before she turned and walked straight out.

Gu Kaichen and his wife were already used to her behavior. As long as she came here every day to do her chores, that was enough for them. Previously, Gu Kaichen had entertained the idea of taking Fan Meibao as a concubine to enjoy the blessing of having two wives. But since she refused to cooperate and even threw a massive tantrum, he had lost interest.

Her? She only had a fraction of real beauty, yet she acted incredibly arrogant every single day. He figured that after some time, once his father finally let him out, he would easily find an even prettier young lady. Since she didn’t know what was good for her, Fan Meibao could just remain a lowly servant girl from now on.

While they were daydreaming about the future, Liu Yun was drowning in distress and worry.

Good news had come from the Prince Ning Mansion, yet she felt a deep sense of panic. It had been nearly a month since Cai Hua last came back, hadn’t it? During this long period, not a single message had been sent back. She had tried to ask around, but she wasn’t even allowed through the side door of the Prince Mansion.

She had also sought out the servants working at the Third Prince Mansion, but the moment they heard her identity, their expressions would turn extremely strange. Immediately after, no matter what she asked, they would refuse to answer and disappear at breakneck speed.

All of these abnormal signs, coupled with the fact that her daughter had been out of touch for so long, forced Liu Yun to assume the worst. Back when she lived in the Marquis Mansion, it was common for someone to simply disappear every so often. Even though her own mother—a concubine—had been highly favored, hadn’t she also died an unexplained death?

Living in the backyard of the Prince Mansion, Gu Antong’s situation was likely no better.

On a joyous occasion like today, Tong Er should have at least sent her personal maid back to deliver the good news. Yet, even as the sun set, there was still absolute silence.

With her husband away, she wanted to look for Gu Baijiang to see if he had received any news. However, since returning, Gu Baijiang hadn’t shown his face at all, leaving her to anxiously fret on her own.

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