I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 24: The Dried Fish Catastrophe

The morning light was faint, and people from the palace were already waiting outside the Marquis Mansion. Young Master Gu Lan dressed neatly and then went to the Old Madam’s place for breakfast.

"Dear, if you want to read that book, go ahead. If you get tired, let Zijin make something delicious for you to rest. Our Gu Family doesn’t cause trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either. If anyone from the palace dares to bully you, just tell Grandmother. She’ll protect you."

The Old Madam didn’t avoid the palace attendants and reminded him robustly.

The imperial eunuch beside her shivered, thinking to himself, "Oh my, who dares to provoke this little tyrant of the Gu Family? It’s more likely for him to bully others."

Zhou Wanqing gently held her daughter’s hand and stuffed a Brocade Coin Bag into Young Master Gu’s hand:

"These are East Pearls sent by your grandfather last time. The golden melon seeds and gold leaves are heavy, so I’ve asked Zijin to pack several boxes in the carriage. Carry these East Pearls with you; they will help you win people’s hearts once you’re in the palace.

As for those medicinal herbs, pills, and ointments you mentioned, Mother has prepared them for you. Zijin knows where they are kept. But one thing, don’t think that having medicine means you can rashly jump around and get hurt."

Young Master Gu weighed the bag and estimated it was three jin of East Pearls.

"Our family might not have much, but we do have plenty of money," Zhou Wanqing added, fearing Gu Lan might be embarrassed to accept it.

Young Master Gu responded with an "Mm," and accepted it calmly. He was already used to Madam Zhou’s generosity.

The Zhou Family, Madam Zhou’s maternal family, were major merchants in Yan Country, engaging in businesses like fabric and bank operations all over the country.

It’s said that when Madam Zhou married into the Marquis Mansion, there were ninety-nine carts full of money and a ten-mile bridal procession. The wedding money scattered took the capital’s citizens a whole day to pick up.

In ancient times, merchants had the lowest social status amongst scholars, farmers, and artisans. Hence, merchants eagerly sought connections with influential aristocratic families.

Thus, the Zhou Family always paid special attention to Young Master Gu, wanting to bring their wealth into the Marquis Mansion to make it prosperous, believing the more prosperous, the more secure they felt.

"Moreover, the servant girl you asked Zijin to buy a few days ago, I’ve let Ling’er teach her some rules before nursing her injuries. If you wish, send her to the palace to serve you at the month’s end," Madam Zhou added.

Young Master Gu nodded, "Whatever Madam decides."

"By the way, do you want to give this servant girl a new name, Lan?"

With that, from behind Madam Zhou, a timid little girl emerged, her hair in simple twin buns, her face fair and clean, looking at Young Master Gu with eager eyes.

Young Master Gu gently touched the girl’s slightly dry and yellow hair, pondered for a moment, and said:

"Let’s name her You’er—calm and unruffled, safe and sound."

"Green you, quiet my heart, eating from the bowl, looking at the pot... Son, you’re clever," Madam Zhou murmured.

You’er blushed deeply and didn’t know what to say.

Next to them, Zijin tried hard not to laugh, her mind filled with Young Master Gu’s words to her yesterday: Young Master Gu and her maid Hong.

Well, assassination wasn’t happening; perhaps this little girl might secretly admire the young master instead.

Young Master Gu turned to Zijin, with a grievance-filled look: Do you believe me when I say I didn’t think of this?

Mrs. Wang handed a stack of food boxes to Zijin, saying: "The top three layers are for eating while on the carriage, the middle three layers for later, the bottom three are homemade dried plum candies from our Marquis Mansion, plus three bags of sugar beans from East Third Street, sorted by flavor.

By the way, grab some candied fruits to give to Concubine Yi; she’s loved eating these little treats since childhood. For palace matters, you can ask her; we’re family, and she’ll help you."

Mrs. Wang was the second wife, initially unfamiliar with Young Master Gu, but after all the food she’d prepared went into Gu Lan’s stomach over the month, her fondness for her suddenly transformed nephew soared, so she specially came to remind him.

As for Concubine Yi, she was Mrs. Wang’s sister and entered the palace last year, now favored by the Emperor.

Faced with many reminders, Young Master Gu felt no impatience and nodded earnestly.

She saw Madam Zhou’s eyes turning red, holding back tears before her.

You’er bit her lip, covering her face and hiding behind.

Mrs. Wang supported the Old Madam and waved at her with a smile, saying, "Hurry along now."

Young Master Gu boarded the carriage, lifted the curtain, and looked back. The bright sunlight gradually reduced the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion to a gray dot.

Her gentle eyes were touched by the warmth of the sunrise, then Gu Lan turned around, took back her gaze.

According to the plot, Young Master Gu never actually became a companion.

And from this moment on, she held mastery over her own fate.

After entering Xuanwu Gate, the carriage’s speed slowed, and at Wenhua Gate’s entrance, Young Master Gu indeed saw people from Prince Rui’s Mansion.

The young prince poked his head out and caught sight of Young Master Gu...the carriage.

For Prince Rui’s young prince, entering the Imperial Family, the luggage was four carts;

For Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s young master accompanying the young prince as a companion, the carriages were eight.

Even the carriage tracks were reinforced, adorned with carvings, and painted with gold.

This nouveau riche aura was strong, and Gu Lan, seated inside the carriage, could feel all the surrounding gazes. To this, Gu Lan accepted it serenely.

—Who can blame the Marquis Mansion for being rich and willful?

"Lan Brother, you’re here too!"

Rong Yunhao was trying to get off the carriage when the black-faced escort beside him was about to help him, only to be strongly rejected: "I am the princely heir of Prince Rui, skilled in martial arts!"

Young Master Gu got up, nimbly leapt, lifting Rong Yunhao from the carriage.

Rong Yunhao immediately had star eyes: "Wow, I’m flying! Lan Brother, you’re amazing!"

Escort:...Weren’t you the princely heir of Prince Rui, skilled in martial arts? And letting others help you fly?

During the farewell at the entrance, the escort thought the young prince, leaving home for the first time, would cry and refuse to leave. Unexpectedly, with Young Master Gu holding his hand, the chubby boy smiled brightly and waved to him: "Hei, goodbye."

The black-faced escort, who had protected Rong Yunhao for many years, felt very sad about the separation. Yet, the young prince had no trace of reluctance.

He left in anger, with a face expressing "I was wrong" and tears filled his eyes.

The young prince said to Young Master Gu: "You see, Hei’s face is really black."

Hei limped away quickly.

Xiefang Palace had well-equipped palace attendants in each courtyard. Rong Yunhao brought two servant girls and a little eunuch, while Young Master Gu only brought Zijin, letting her be the Chief Palace Maid of the courtyard.

Zijin tidied up and arranged everything, while palace attendants cleaned and organized the palace, and Young Master Gu sorted through the herbs she had specially requested from Madam Zhou, classifying and putting them away with satisfaction.

These were excellent remedies for external injuries, prepared especially for Rong Heng.

Though unaware of what the male lead experienced in the Imperial Prison, speculation suggested whipping and incarceration.

She didn’t know medicine, but she had wealth to buy the best herbs for Rong Heng.

Young Master Gu folded her hands behind her back, lazily roaming around.

Suddenly, with her peripheral vision, she spotted a white shadow flashing across the eaves.

Young Master Gu paused, and upon seeing clearly, she began chasing.

Out of nowhere, a large white cat managed to snatch away the premium dried fish prepared by Mrs. Wang!

And it’s a big piece!

The white cat was agile, leaping from the wall to the tree branch and flipping over the eaves, like a martial arts master.

Young Master Gu gritted her teeth and refused to give up, almost knocking over several palace attendants along the way.

Just two pieces of small fish, is it really worth it!

The white cat became increasingly annoyed with its persistent human pursuer, finally stopping its steps to spit the fish onto a clean stone slab, turning to snarl and meow at Young Master Gu.

Only then did she realize that following the white cat had unknowingly led her to a secluded spot behind a faux mountain, and behind the cat stood a white figure, back facing her.

"Wow, can’t outrun me so you’re seeking help from your master?"