As the saying goes, it’s not fearing a lack of discernment, but fearing comparison.

In this comparison, Gu Baoshu must yield.

Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but sigh and said to Nanny Rong beside her, "This little monkey, despite Yuan’er preparing clothes for her the day before, no matter how carefully she’s dressed, she still looks like this."

While sitting she’s passable, but once she moves, there’s not a trace of elegance befitting a young lady.

Why can’t Gu Baoshu be both talented in literary and military arts, and wise and charming?

Nanny Rong smiled but didn’t say anything, and Old Madam Gu continued, "What’s the matter with the third child? Will he make it to the banquet today? It’s his wife’s first time out as a guest; he should be protective."

Qin Yuan was already beautiful; after such meticulous dressing, even a person of cold heart would be moved.

Truly, one can never tire of looking at one’s daughter-in-law.

Nanny Rong laughed and said, "The Marquis always keeps his word. If he said he’ll return, then he surely will. Besides, Madam is intelligent and well-cultured, and with your protection, nothing will happen."

Old Madam Gu sighed, "This You Family is truly peculiar..." Then, seeing Qin Yuan and Gu Baoshu approaching, she stopped and changed her tone, "Let’s go, Treasure Bead. Since your sister-in-law has never been to Duke Zhen’s Mansion before, don’t wander off. Protect her more."

Gu Baoshu frowned deeply, feeling irritated, "Of course, if it weren’t for my sister-in-law, I wouldn’t have bothered coming. Isn’t it better to stay home with my nephews and nieces?"

Old Madam Gu felt even more vexed upon hearing this.

This child has a mouth good for eating, but why can’t she learn to speak properly?

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Mother, let’s not stand here. Look, more carriages are arriving. It looks like Wuding Marquis Mansion’s insignia. We should hurry inside."

The women from Wuding Marquis Mansion were particularly gossipy. Old Madam Gu was impatient to chatter with them and immediately nodded, allowing Qin Yuan to help her walk inside.

Of course, she genuinely didn’t want to hear anything inappropriate from Gu Baoshu’s mouth.

Duke Zhen’s Mansion, despite not having outstanding descendants nowadays, is still a Duke’s household.

A starved camel is bigger than a horse.

The three were led into the garden by a welcoming nanny, where several women from the You Family came forward. After mutual greetings, they occasionally glanced at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan was long accustomed to it, often being stared at even when not dressed up, especially today when she was meticulously dressed.

Old Madam Gu looked stony-faced, silently thinking that the You Family’s manners were increasingly without decorum, no knowing which unpresentable women were brought in to help, lacking in grace.

Fortunately, as they passed several floral gates, Miss You and the first and second wives came to greet them, softening Old Madam Gu’s expression as she exchanged pleasantries before heading to the inner hall.

Miss You held onto Gu Baoshu, walking a few steps slower and asked softly, "Why are you dressed so genteelly today?"

Her eyes swept over Qin Yuan in front, whispering, "Your third sister-in-law’s outfit is truly dazzling, with such fine pearls on her head. They must be a gift from your third brother."

A sacrificial officer’s daughter wouldn’t have anything good, so such a fine headdress must have been provided by her husband’s family, flaunting the best on her first visit to the Duke’s Mansion.

Though speaking thus, the sacrificial officer’s daughter really has an enchanting beauty.

No wonder she attracted attention.

Gu Baoshu helplessly said, "It’s because of my mother. She says I’m getting older, can’t behave as before, and should restrain myself, aspiring to be a lady like my third sister-in-law."

This was the agreed narrative at home. Publicly, they said she was being restrained due to her age and soon would claim she was visiting Old Madam Gu’s family.

Miss You laughed, "Are you silly? Your third sister-in-law is married to Dingbei Marquis; everything she wears and uses is of excellent quality. It shows how important marrying well is. We, daughters of nobles, are naturally more noble than others, why bother mimicking scholars’ pretensions of being grand dames. You have Dingbei Marquis as your support, with such backing, just marry another noble man, and who would dare give you a hard time, living comfortably for life."

Gu Baoshu gaped, looking strangely at Miss You.

She used to be scolded by her third and sixth brothers, secretly hoping You Da was wronged, but now, what more is unclear to her.

The noble man You Da spoke of isn’t the Crown Prince?

Indeed, neither the third nor sixth brother wronged You Da; he’s truly a shallow, scheming meddler.

Gu Baoshu said, "You don’t know, my mother insisted on marrying my third sister-in-law, hoping to elevate the household; the sacrificial officer’s family is prestigious, with its own dietary and lifestyle concerns. They had me learn earnestly to avoid being mocked as uncultured. Plus, my third sister-in-law is skilled in incense crafting, greatly improving my mother’s health. My mother adored her so, even gifted lots of treasured items, not to mention my third brother’s affectionate and pampering nature. My sister-in-law has much better attire and accessories, it’s her first outing accompanying my mother, so she dared not boast."

These words made Miss You envious.

Duke Zhen’s Mansion once had significant wealth, large in scale, but had many inept descendants too.

Generations pass, eventually even the most robust foundations can’t withstand waste.

Though she was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke’s Mansion, she had only face value. Anything good, the sisters from several branches sought to compete for.

She meant to provoke Gu Baoshu into sour utterances but ended up hearing these points instead. Jealous, Miss You said, "Your sister-in-law’s fate is indeed blessed, with such good features and conduct; your family all adore her, far surpassing my sisters-in-law." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Gu Baoshu acted as though she didn’t understand, smiling, "My sister-in-law is truly blessed. All of us, including Mother, Third Brother, Sixth Brother, and I, are willing to be good to her. Besides great looks, she has many other virtues."

Miss You couldn’t help but sneer, "Was it not you who said before about your third brother bringing back a concubine and child from the Northern Border? If not for this, so many noble girls in the Capital wouldn’t be bypassed by your sister-in-law."

Gu Baoshu quickly covered Miss You’s mouth, "How could you still dare say this, it’s all gossip. That person wasn’t my third brother’s concubine, just his savior’s wife and child. It’s unlucky to talk about, that woman was deeply scheming, deceiving our family..."

The two chattered back and forth, with many guests arriving today, all ambling before and after, ears pricked.

Soon Miss You exclaimed, "There’s such a thing, how dare that Lady Zhao act so!"

Among the eavesdroppers, many internally felt, "So Dingbei Marquis has involved himself in such salacious debt!"

Seeing Gu Baoshu startled, glancing around, many quickly feigned admiring flowers and landscapes while ensuring not a word was missed.

Soon Gu Baoshu spoke, "She dares much indeed; my mother and third brother once cherished those dragon and phoenix twins. Now out of fear, arranged a foster father within the clan for them..."

Miss You subtly smiled with deep meaning, slowly saying, "If you’d said this before, I’d doubt your third brother’s indifference to Lady Zhao’s mother and children; now... I believe."

The audience collectively held their breath, anticipating Gu Baoshu’s revelations.