Chapter 31: Soak in a Pig Basket
As the fuss drew on, dawn began to peek over the horizon. The autumn rain from last night stopped as well, but there was no stir from the bridal chambers. Old Madam was so anxious that she threw all dignity out of the window and did her best to head for the door. Without a choice, Gu Xingnuo could only raise his hand to block her.
“Grandmother, you can’t go in!”
After persisting all night, Old Madam’s patience was at its limits. Once again, she prepared to smack him. Lady Sun moved to stand in front of her husband.
“Grandmother, if you want to punish anyone, punish this granddaughter-in-law.”
The various servant girls ran up to mediate between the two sides, causing the situation to grow out of hand once more.
“What are you all clamoring about?” a voice like a thunderbolt sounded from the courtyard gates. Everyone looked back to see Gu Chen striding into the yard, still dressed in last night’s clothing. His expression was tight and solemn.
The servants all quickly withdrew to the sidelines at the sight of the old Supreme Commander. Old Madam lowered her hand and watched her husband approach her.
“What are you doing?” Gu Chen asked from the foot of the walkway steps.
“Grandfather,” Gu Xingnuo ran to his side before Old Madam could speak. “Princess is treating Gu Xinglang’s injuries.”
“It’s been an entire night,” Old Madam fret, “But none of us know how Xinglang’s doing right now!”
At this moment, the doors to the bridal chambers opened, revealing Yu Xiaoxiao rubbing her eyes as she walked out. Behind her followed a few doctors. Old Madam shut up at the sight, while everyone else just stared at the princess. She looked at them all and said, “The surgery was pretty successful. He should be fine now.”
“Fine?” Gu Xingnuo stopped explaining anything and approached her. “Xinglang’s legs can recover?”
“More or less,” Yu Xiaoxiao nodded, then told Wang momo, “Momo, bring some people to clean up the rooms.”
“Yes,” Wang momo demurred before taking a few palace maids into the bridal chambers.
Old Madam rushed to Yu Xiaoxiao and cried desperately, “I want to see Xinglang.”
“Go ahead,” Yu Xiaoxiao stepped out of the way.
Old Madam and Lady Xu both ran into the rooms. When Lady Sun saw Qingyu making to follow them, she raised her hand and stopped the head servant girl. “What are you doing going inside?”
Qingyu looked at Yu Xiaoxiao.
“Just have the family look at him,” Yu Xiaoxiao said with a yawn.
Qingyu bit her lips until they turned pale, but she didn’t dare to express her displeasure in front of the old Supreme Commander and withdrew to one side.
“Xinglang!” Old Madam’s cries rose from inside. They were mixed with sobs and sounded mournful, making the rest of the men outside shiver. Yu Xiaoxiao found it strange too. Gu Xinglang was already alright, so why was the old woman still wailing? She quickly backtracked into the rooms.
Gu Chen, Gu Xingnuo, Lady Sun, and Lady Lin all followed behind her.
As soon as Old Madam saw Yu Xiaoxiao approach the bed, she moved to grab her and demanded, “What did you do to Xinglang?!”
Yu Xiaoxiao shifted sideways to avoid her fingers. “What’s wrong with him?”
Even Lady Xu felt a little angry when she saw Yu Xiaoxiao’s expression that was just asking for a beating. “Why can’t we wake Xinglang up?”
Her question was full of rebuke, but everyone in the room except Yu Xiaoxiao herself noticed the accusatory tone. Still expressionless, she replied, “The effects of the anesthetic haven’t worn off yet. He’s sleeping.”
“That’s right,” an old doctor spoke up for her. “Madam, third young master’s simply asleep.” He had witnessed the entire process of the surgery from beginning to end. Although he didn’t understand all the steps, he knew that Third Young Master Gu’s tendons had been reconnected again.
Gu Chen walked to the bed and placed him finger under Gu Xinglang’s nose. His breathing was even, his temperature normal. Truly, he was only asleep.
The old doctor told Gu Chen, “Supreme Commander, Her Royal Highness reconnected third young master’s tendons. If they heal well, then he’ll truly make a full recovery!”
His words were enough to leave the Gu Clan surprised and pleased. Old Madam and Lady Xu shed tears again–this time out of joy. Wang momo walked to Yu Xiaoxiao’s side and regarded the two weeping women coldly.
“It’s good that the royal son-in-law’s alright. After all that clamoring last night, our Royal Highness would have been sentenced to soak in a pig basket if anything happened to him.”
Both Old Madam and Lady Xu’s cries stopped as their faces grew embarrassed.
Yu Xiaoxiao’s curiosity was piqued. “What’s ‘soak in a pig basket?’”
Wang momo saw that the princess was still ignorant and had no idea she’d been bullied at all. Her face blackened before she declared, “What can this servant say if the princess enjoys doing hard and thankless tasks?”
“Eldest brother, what’s ‘soak in a pig basket?’” Yu Xiaoxiao still wanted to know.
How was Gu Xingnuo supposed to answer?
“It’s shutting people up in a wicker basket and tossing them into the water to drown,” Wang momo whispered accurately into Yu Xiaoxiao’s ear.
“Then why call it ‘pig basket?’” Yu Xiaoxiao asked again.
Wang momo was rendered speechless. That’s not the main point, alright?
“Ah,” Yu Xiaoxiao rubbed her stomach. “I’m hungry.”
“Quick,” Gu Chen hastened to speak. “Hurry and prepare the princess a meal.”
Lady Sun told Old Madam, “Grandmother, since Xinglang’s all right, let’s leave first.”
Old Madam’s face was still burning with shame. Since Lady Sun gave her a stage to gracefully retreat, she accepted immediately. “Then let’s be off.”
Wang momo and her crew watched unhappily as Old Madam took Lady Xu to leave the premises. This old woman’s got thick skin. After fussing for a night, she’s leaving now like nothing ever happened.
Gu Xingnuo awkwardly approached Yu Xiaoxiao and muttered, “Your Royal Highness, we’ve troubled you.”
“Hm?” Yu Xiaoxiao was completely lost. How did saving Xinglang trouble her at all?
“Grandmother and mother were just–just worried for Xinglang,” Gu Xingnuo explained.
It was normal for family of the patient to have their little moods. Yu Xiaoxiao waved a hand at Gu Xingnuo to show that it was fine. Gu Xingnuo was left stricken by a guilty conscience. Last night, Old Madam had said some truly nasty things.
“After you eat, come pay your respects with tea,” the Old Supreme Commander murmured amiably to Yu Xiaoxiao.
Although Yu Xiaoxiao had no idea what “paying respects with tea” meant, she still nodded. “Got it, grandpa, I’ll come right after I eat.”
Old Supreme Commander brought Gu Xingnuo out of the bridal chambers and into the courtyard before he asked, “What’s the name of that servant girl?”
“Who does grandfather mean?” Gu Xingnuo asked.
Gu Chen only leveled him with a long look.
Gu Xingnuo could only reply, “Qingyu.”
“Drive her out,” Gu Chen said coldly. “You take care of it personally.”
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