Chapter 3 Li Mansion's Calculations

Gu Changsheng was someone who followed through with his words, and the very next morning, he brought his limping maid Xiao Cui and his son, labeled as an "evildoer," to the doorstep of Li Mansion.

What was most abundant in the Capital City? Officials! As the old saying goes, if you dropped a plaque from the sky, it would hit three high-ranking officials.

Gu Changsheng's fate might not have been great, but Li Family was one of those middle-ground officials in the Capital City. It was said that their ancestors were contributors to the founding of the nation and had even been granted the title of Marquis. Unfortunately, glory is short-lived, and within three generations, their titles had been harmoniously withdrawn by the Emperor. Li Mansion had been quite perceptive. During the Emperor's campaign to reduce the power of the nobles, they were the first to surrender their fiefdom and actively relinquish their title. Now, with several Emperors having passed, the prestige of Li Mansion remained undiminished. What's more, there came Li Mufeng, reputed to be graceful and captivating, making all the noble ladies of the Capital City swoon, including the Princess. But he was also skilled in both the pen and the sword, favored in the Emperor's heart, which made him even more sought after. It was said that reclaiming the Marquis title would not be difficult for him.

After hearing all these rumors, Gu Changsheng thought, if not her, then who else should step down? If she were a part of the Li Family, she would surely look down on herself too, a mere daughter from a small medical family.

Although Li Mansion had lost its title and moved out of three streets within the Imperial City, their residence remained as glitzy as ever, situated in the bustling Eight Treasures Alley.

Standing in front of Li Mansion, Gu Changsheng squinted at the imposing stone lions. Indeed, it was once a Marquis's Mansion; these stone lions indeed emanated an imposing aura.

"Xiao Cui, those two stone lions, I find them very nice, very nice indeed."

Xiao Cui: "..."

"Xiao Cui, if your lady here ever has the money, I'll also get a pair of such stone lions to guard our house. At the very least, they could scare away those faint-hearted..."

The servant boy at the door curled his lip with a disdainful look on his face. Indeed, she was from a humble background, spouting big words without fearing she might bite her tongue!

Unable to hold back, Xiao Cui, with her clamped leg, moved a couple of steps closer to Gu Changsheng: "Madam, these official door guards are all custom made, not to mention those of Li Mansion. These stone lions are the Great Ancestor Emperor's imperial gift."

Seeing Gu Changsheng's eyes suddenly gleam, Xiao Cui fell silent...

The lions were declared as imperial gifts; couldn't she refrain from coveting them? Her eyes almost pierced a hole through them.

"Xiao Cui, as the old saying goes, fortunes change. It's thirty years on one bank, and thirty years on the other. Who knows? Maybe in thirty years, it'll be our turn?"

After speaking, Gu Changsheng summed it up: "Although one shouldn't take oneself too seriously, one also shouldn't completely dismiss oneself."

Xiao Cui, leading the little meat bun Gu Ze, looked helplessly at Gu Changsheng. After ten days of acquaintance, they had become used to Gu Changsheng's bizarre utterances.

From afar, they saw an old lady leading two maids heading towards the door, and Gu Changsheng once again instructed Xiao Cui and Gu Ze: "Make sure you do as I say, whatever I say, you do. Our goal is clear—my son's acknowledgment letter! Understand?"

Seeing Xiao Cui and her son nod, Gu Changsheng contently patted her son's soft little topknot.

"Who do we have here, bright and early at our door? Isn't this the Young Madam who was sent away? I beg your pardon, but my legs aren't what they used to be, so I cannot pay you my respects."

Gu Changsheng looked up and clearly saw the old lady's face, which immediately made her laugh. This old lady had quite the look—narrow eyes, thin lips, and even a large mole at the corner of her mouth. If she wasn't sharp-tongued, it would be a waste of such a distinctive face.

"This is Nanny Feng who serves Lady Li closely. She's particularly tough to talk to," Xiao Cui reminded.

Once Gu Changsheng heard this, her demeanor instantly changed, abandoning her previous confidence and nonchalance, and timorously approached to greet: "Nanny Feng, I pay my respects. Changsheng has come back to the mansion with the Young Master."

Old Lady Feng scoffed disdainfully upon hearing this, "Lady Changsheng must be joking. This is the distinguished Li Mansion, not someplace Any Tom, Dick or Harry can return to whenever they wish."

Gu Changsheng took a step back, discomfited and on the verge of tears, "Nanny Feng, you're being too harsh. Even if Changsheng has erred, the Young Master is still the Li Family's flesh and blood. How could he be left to fend for himself outside?"

Xiao Cui and little meat bun Gu Ze were astonished by Gu Changsheng's flair for changing expressions and performing on cue, staring at her as if she were a stranger.

Agitated, Gu Changsheng wondered, what were these two clueless ones gaping at?

She pinched Xiao Cui hard and whispered a sharp "Cry!"

Immediately, Xiao Cui began to cry, followed by little meat bun next to her, whimpering and wiping his tears.

Surrounding Li Mansion were bustling shops, early in the morning it was the time when maids and old ladies were out shopping. The commotion of their crying and fuss drew the side glances of many passersby.