Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Entanglements

“It does feel a bit strange. It’s too cold, so I got up to make breakfast for you. You’ve grown up so much, and I’ve never cooked a meal for you.” Ms. Su sighed regretfully, her eyes moist. That assassination attempt years ago… they were aiming to kill me swiftly, she thought. Fortunately, I knew some martial arts and escaped, but I never imagined I’d lose my daughter. Later, I found out it was my own full sister, who coveted Gu Xicheng and wanted to take my place. She hired assassins to kill me while I was offering incense at the temple. But I didn’t let her get away with it. I vented all my anger on her, kidnapped her, and threw her into a den of beggars. Just because my mother was a concubine, did she think she could bully me? I was already married with a child, and she still tried to steal my husband! Let’s see if she dares try anything now. My full sister wouldn’t dare anymore, but I myself earned our father’s displeasure. If Gu Xicheng hadn’t later become the Senior Grand Secretary, that so-called ’good’ father of mine would have even planned to sever ties with him. Hmph, sever them then! Who cares!

Gu Qingli raised an eyebrow. She was unaware of what Ms. Su was thinking at that moment. However, hearing Ms. Su’s earlier words, she felt a warmth in her heart.

This unexpected mother is even more loving to her daughter than I imagined. This sudden affection, to be honest, is somewhat overwhelming. I’m used to considering Ms. Wu as my mother. I can feel the intense love from the Original Host’s mother, but I just can’t bring myself to get close to her. Logically, since the Original Host’s body was born of Ms. Su, they are blood-related, and the body should have an instinctual response. But it doesn’t. This only proves that my soul has completely taken control of this body and has fully fused with it, making it entirely mine. If I want to get close, I can. If I want to dislike, I can.

Looking at Ms. Su, Gu Qingli said, “The weather here is very cold. You don’t have to get up so early. You’ve just arrived and aren’t used to it, so please don’t catch a cold.”

“Ah, my child, Mother just wants to do something for you. Please don’t refuse Mother, alright?” Ms. Su pleaded, almost begging. My heart aches so much, she thought, tears streaming down her face. My daughter still won’t call me ’Mother’; she won’t acknowledge me. I know she resents me.

As she gently touched Gu Qingli’s lovely cheek, Ms. Su’s tears fell more freely. It feels as if something is painfully stabbing my heart.

Gu Qingli frowned. Why is she crying again? Just like Ms. Wu, another one with a heart of glass. Is every woman who becomes a mother like this?

She held Ms. Su’s hand. “Don’t cry at the drop of a hat. Your eyes aren’t good. If you keep crying, you’ll go blind. And if you’re blind, how will you see those three little rascals?”

Ms. Su listened, turned her face away to wipe her tears, and nodded. “You’re right. Mother won’t cry, I won’t. I still have to see my little grandchildren in the future.”

“Young Miss, would you like to sleep a little longer, or get up and eat?” Wuqing came over and asked. Ms. Su crying like this so early in the morning, isn’t it affecting the Young Miss’s mood?

Gu Qingli shot Wuqing an appreciative glance and nodded. “I’ll get up.”

I originally wanted to laze in bed a bit longer, but with Ms. Su here, how could I possibly sleep?

“Go get Li’er’s clothes. I will help Li’er dress,” Ms. Su immediately said to Wuqing.

Wuqing smiled. This Madam Su really is something—she cries easily, but she’s actually a mother who dotes on her child. I’m also happy for the Young Miss; her birth mother isn’t a cold-hearted person. In my perception, Ms. Su is much more genuine than Ms. Wu. I just don’t know if the Young Miss has sensed it. We observers can see it clearly: Ms. Wu’s kindness towards the Young Miss is tinged with caution and deliberateness, while Madam Su’s kindness comes from the heart. Perhaps this is the difference between a biological mother and one who isn’t. I hope our Young Miss can accept Madam Su soon and experience true maternal love. The Young Miss and we from the Secret Sect are actually quite similar. Although our training was cruel from a young age, we at least had full meals. The Young Miss did not.

Wuqing brought the clothes Gu Qingli was to wear that day. Ms. Su took them and began to help Gu Qingli dress. I’m still very gratified, Madam Su thought. At least Li’er isn’t rejecting me. After all, she didn’t grow up by my side, so it’s natural for us to be strangers. I believe that, in time, Li’er will acknowledge me.

As Ms. Su carefully and gently dressed her, Gu Qingli felt a whirlwind of emotions.

After getting dressed and washing up, Gu Qingli sat down for breakfast.

The breakfast Ms. Su had made consisted of just three items: a bowl of meat and vegetable congee, a small pot of stewed chicken soup, and a plate of cold salad.

It was simple yet nutritious, and all were her favorites.

Since becoming pregnant, Xiao Yunjing doesn’t let me eat ’cooling’ foods, so there’s always a plate of cold salad at every meal to whet my appetite, Gu Qingli mused.

Though the breakfast Ms. Su made wasn’t as delicious as Wuyou’s, her cooking skills were still quite good, and Gu Qingli finished everything.

Smiling, Ms. Su watched her eat. Only after clearing the bowls and chopsticks did she go to have her own breakfast.

Gu Qingli glanced at the departing Ms. Su and sighed inwardly.

“Young Miss,” Wuqing called softly.

Gu Qingli turned her head, a bitter smile on her face. Ms. Su treating me like this is putting so much pressure on me. I don’t consider myself an overly sentimental person, but somehow, after getting pregnant, I’ve often felt insecure and more melancholic. If this were before, and Ms. Su acted this way, I would have clearly told her my likes and dislikes.

She stroked her belly. Perhaps it’s because I’m about to become a mother myself that I can empathize with some of a mother’s feelings. My heart has softened; I can’t bear to hurt her.

“Young Miss, don’t put pressure on yourself. Just let nature take its course,” Wuqing advised. Seeing the Young Miss’s conflicted expression, my heart aches for her. I wonder if Madam Su’s arrival at this time is good or bad for the Young Miss.

Gu Qingli nodded. Indeed, I should let nature take its course. Overthinking is pointless. She asked, “Is Yunjing out again?”

“Yes, the Young Master left early this morning, but he said he will be back by noon.”

He’s probably gone to check on the greenhouses then. Other matters can be handled at home, Gu Qingli thought.

“Young Miss, the Eldest Young Master and his wife have arrived.” Just as they were speaking, Wuyou came in to report.

Gu Qingli glanced outside. “Let them in.”

“Yes, Young Miss.” Wuyou retreated to invite them in.

「A moment later」 Gu Qingping and Ms. Li entered, their breath misting in the cold air.

“Little Sister, it’s really cold in here!” Ms. Li exclaimed as she entered.

Gu Qingli gestured to the chairs. “It is indeed cold. Please, sit.”

The two sat down. After Wuqing added some firewood to the stove, she went out. Once seated, Gu Qingping felt much warmer. He glanced at the wood-burning stove, his eyes narrowing. This stove is quite similar to a kitchen cooking stove, just much smaller. It’s made of sheet iron on the outside, and the smoke is vented outdoors. Sitting next to it feels toasty warm, and it doesn’t produce choking smoke. This design is quite novel. If I were to make and sell these in the Capital City, I wonder how incredibly popular they would be. In the Capital City, people either use small braziers, charcoal basins, or heated kangs. Small braziers and charcoal basins are tiny and only warm a very small area. As for kangs, needless to say, those are in bedrooms and can’t be moved. Moreover, they all burn charcoal, and if the charcoal is of poor quality, the smoke can be suffocating.

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