Chapter 322: I Won’t Get Married

Sunlight streamed in brightly, flooding through the open window. Inside the opened jewelry box, the ornaments shimmered with dazzling brilliance.

Gu Baozhu sat beside it, holding an embroidery hoop in her hands, her head slightly lowered as she stitched delicate patterns. Her long, thick lashes curled upward, and her fair, tender cheeks looked soft enough to press water from under the sunlight.

Her jet-black hair was left loose down her back. Mother Gu, holding a wooden comb, gently brushed it and tied it into two horn-shaped braids, fastening them with green hair ties adorned at the ends with pearls, forming neat little bows.

Mother Gu gently adjusted her head, looked her over from both sides, and tidied up the slightly crooked bow. “Your sister-in-law is good at tying knots. I just can’t do it like she does.”

Gu Baozhu stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Her eyes were bright, her nose delicate, her lips a rosy pink. With her hair tied into two horn-shaped braids, she set the embroidery hoop aside and reached up to pinch her soft cheek, feeling that her round face looked just like a plump, white bun.

Her fingers brushed the smooth pearl dangling down as she smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “Mother, no matter how well it’s tied, the ribbon will still come loose.”

She tilted her head, the mirror reflecting the butterfly-shaped bows. Her thumb pinched lightly at the tip of her pinky finger. “It’s tied very nicely—just a tiny bit less perfect than Sister-in-law’s.”

Mother Gu couldn’t help but laugh. Glancing at the red flower stitched into the fabric, she said, “Take a break first, or you’ll strain your eyes.”

“Second Brother wrote me a letter. He said once he finishes handling his affairs, he’ll bring me into the palace to study with him. I might not have time to make sachets then. This one is for Sister-in-law—I haven’t made Big Brother’s yet.”

One for each. Gu Baozhu made sure not to favor one over the other.

“Didn’t Jingyun say he begged Her Majesty the Empress to have an embroidery teacher arranged for you? While you’re learning, you can make something nicer for your brother and sister-in-law,” Mother Gu said, splashing a bucket of cold water over Gu Baozhu’s enthusiasm.

“With stitches this ugly, even if they accept it, it’ll end up buried at the bottom of a chest.”

Gu Baozhu’s warm little heart instantly turned cold.

This is her real mother.

Then again, she felt that her mother had a point.

She picked up the embroidery hoop again. “Mother, I’ll practice some more. If my needlework is terrible when I start learning from the teacher, I’ll embarrass Second Brother.”

Mother Gu, who had meant for her to take a break: “……”

She took the embroidery hoop and set it down on the dressing table, pulling Gu Baozhu up to her feet. “We haven’t properly looked around this new residence yet. Let’s take a walk and see if anything needs repairs or additions.”

Gu Baozhu’s brows furrowed. Over the past year, she had tasted all the ups and downs life had to offer.

When she was younger and had just started to understand the world, she used to dream of living in a grand estate.

But now that she truly lived in one, she found herself missing the life they had in Xinghua Village—when the whole family was together, neat and complete, carefree and at peace.

In this grand residence with its carved beams and painted rafters, solemn and imposing, she felt no sense of belonging. It felt more like a temporary resting place than a home.

Her whole demeanor wilted, the liveliness gone from her voice. “Mother, I don’t feel like moving.”

Mother Gu sighed. “Should I make you something sweet?”

Gu Baozhu shook her head and asked gloomily, “Mother, do you think Big Brother and Sister-in-law will leave us too?”

“They won’t,” Mother Gu said as she gently stroked her head. “You’re nine now. In a few years, we’ll start talking about marriage. One day, you’ll leave and have a home of your own.”

“Everyone, at every stage of life, has important people by their side to walk with them through it. Partings and reunions are just part of life. The feelings remain even if we’re not living together. When you miss us, just turn around—we’ll be right there.”

Gu Baozhu only half understood, but she clung to Mother Gu’s arm and said sweetly, “I’m not getting married.”

Unless that person is as good as Big Brother.

Mother Gu chuckled, not taking her childish words too seriously.

“Madam! Madam! Something’s wrong!” A young apprentice from the medical hall came running over, panting for breath. “There’s trouble at the medical hall—someone’s causing a disturbance! Please come quickly!”