Gu Changsheng was a man of his word, and early the next day he, along with his lame maid Xiao Cui and his son, who was dubbed an "evildoer," arrived at the gates of Li Mansion.
What is most abundant in the Capital City? Officials, of course! As the old saying goes, if a signboard were to fall, it would hit three high-ranking officials.
Gu Changsheng's fate was nothing extraordinary, yet the Li Family was one of the Capital City's moderately influential bureaucrats. It was said that their ancestors were meritorious officials at the founding of the dynasty and were even ennobled as Marquis. Unfortunately, glory is often ephemeral, and in just three generations, the Emperor had harmonized them, so to speak. However, Li Mansion was astute, being the first to surrender their fiefdom and actively relinquish their title when the Emperor sought to reduce the power of the nobles. Times changed, and five reigns later, Li Mansion's favor remained unshaken, not to mention the emergence of Li Mufeng, who, said to be extremely charming, had captivated the noble ladies of the Imperial City, including a princess. And given that he was also adept at both scholarship and battle, he was highly favored by the Emperor. It was rumored that reclaiming his status as Marquis wouldn't be at all difficult.
After hearing these rumors, Gu Changsheng felt that if she didn't take the stage, who else would? If she were part of the Li Family, surely even she wouldn't look favorably upon a mere physician's daughter.
Although Li Mansion had relinquished its title and moved out of the three inner streets of the Imperial City, the residence still shone with splendor, located in the bustling Eight Treasures Alley.
Standing in front of Li Mansion, Gu Changsheng squinted at the two majestic stone lions standing guard. Indeed, it was once a Marquis's Mansion; these stone lions truly exuded an air of dominance and martial prowess.
"Xiao Cui, these two stone lions, I find them very impressive, oh so impressive."
Xiao Cui: "..."
"Xiao Cui, when your mistress here has money, I will also have two such stone lions at the entrance to my residence, at the very least they can intimidate the faint-hearted..."
The servant boy at the door curled his lip in disdain, a reflection of his contempt; surely, she's from a petty household, talking big without fear of her tongue twisting!
Unable to hold back, Xiao Cui, limping on her splinted leg, moved two steps closer to Gu Changsheng, "Madam, these official door guards are all custom-made, let alone those of Li Mansion; these stone lions were personally bestowed by the Great Ancestor Emperor."
Looking at Gu Changsheng's eyes, which suddenly gleamed with excitement, Xiao Cui fell silent...
Having just said they were gifted by the Emperor, couldn't you refrain from coveting them? Your eyes are nearly boring holes.
"Xiao Cui, as the old saying goes, fortune turns, thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west; who knows, maybe in thirty years it will come to our house?"
After saying this, Gu Changsheng concluded with, "Although one should not take oneself too seriously, one must not underestimate oneself either."
Xiao Cui, leading the Little Meat Bun Gu Ze, looked at Gu Changsheng helplessly; after being together for about ten days, they had really become accustomed to her odd declarations.
Seeing an old lady leading two maids heading toward the entrance from afar, Gu Changsheng once again instructed Xiao Cui and Gu Ze, "You must do exactly as I say, do whatever I tell you to, our goal is very clear, the acknowledgement document for my son! Do you understand?"
Seeing Xiao Cui and her son nod, Gu Changsheng was satisfied and gently stroked her son's soft hair tuft.
"Who do I think it is, coming to the door so early in the morning? Isn't this the Young Madam who was sent away? Forgive me, old Madam, my legs and feet are not what they used to be; I cannot offer you the proper greeting."
Gu Changsheng looked up to get a clear view of the old lady's face and could not help but laugh. This old lady had such a remarkable face, with beady eyes and thin lips, and even a large mole by her mouth corner; if she were not bitter and malicious, it would be a waste of her distinctive features.
"That's Lady Li's close attendant, Nanny Feng, the most difficult to talk to," Xiao Cui warned.
Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng's demeanor changed instantly, losing the confidence and indifference she had just shown, and timidly stepped forward to give a bow, "Nanny Feng, greetings, Changsheng has brought the Young Master back to the mansion."
Old Lady Feng snorted disdainfully at these words, "Lady Changsheng must be joking, this is the esteemed Li Mansion, not a place where Any Tom, Dick or Harry can return to whenever they wish."
Gu Changsheng took a step back, her face expressing the hurt she felt, her eyes brimming with tears, "Nanny Feng is too harsh; even if Changsheng is at fault, the Young Master is still the Li Family's flesh and blood; how can he be left wandering outside?"
Xiao Cui and the Little Meat Bun Gu Ze were taken aback by Gu Changsheng's swift change of expression and acting skills, staring at her as if she were a stranger.
Gu Changsheng was annoyed with these two for their lack of awareness, where were their heads at?
She pinched Xiao Cui hard, whispering a single word, "Cry!"
Instantly, Xiao Cui began to cry, and Little Meat Bun joined in, whimpering and wiping his tears.
Li Mansion was surrounded by a bustling area full of shops; many maids and matrons would be out shopping in the early morning, and passersby were coming and going. Their crying and commotion drew the sidelong glances of many onlookers.