Chapter 38. Returning Home, How Could She Bear to Bully Such an Adorable Gentleman…

“The cat in my ninth sister’s husband’s arms is so docile and lovable. I wonder if it has a name?”

Zhu Ning stared at Suisui in Gu Sui’s arms for a long time, liking it immensely. She softly spoke up amidst the silence.

Gu Sui’s lips curled into a slight arc as his gaze subtly swept over the Empress Dowager, his voice crisp.

“Yes, it’s called Gu Suisui. It’s so soft to touch.”

“Meow~”

A soft, low cry rang out, instantly melting everyone’s hearts.

At this moment, Suisui was raising its front paws to knead Gu Sui’s chest, making people unable to resist feeling fond.

Except for Mu Jiulu and the Empress Dowager.

Zhu Ning praised, “Suisui’s fur is whiter than snow, its eyes clear. Looking at its delicate, boneless appearance, it must be a pedigree breed, right?”

Gu Sui pinched Suisui’s little paw, his voice clean and mellow.

“This was given to me by Father Empress a few months ago. I don’t know the breed, but it’s truly adorable.”

The Empress Dowager listened to their conversation, nearly bursting with anger inside.

Not only did Gu Sui come to pay respects to her while holding the cat she had bestowed to irritate her, but she also had to give out gifts every time he called her Father Empress.

With Mu Jiulu watching from the side, she couldn’t give Gu Sui a hard time.

She had originally thought that Mu Jingyao’s arrival in the capital would put some pressure on Mu Jiulu, but who knew they would all be so useless, even bringing up the very things she didn’t want mentioned.

“Ninth sister’s husband, Ning’er usually likes these little pets. I wonder if he could hold this cat for a moment?”

Seeing how much Zhu Ning liked it, Mu Jingyao, feeling affectionate towards her husband, asked.

Before Gu Sui could answer, Mu Yi had already spoken up.

“Suisui doesn’t let anyone hold it except for Imperial Sister and Brother-in-law. Even I can’t hold it; it scratches me.”

Disappointment flashed in Zhu Ning’s eyes: “If that’s the case, then never mind.”

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes and began to use this as a pretext.

“This cat is so young yet dares to harm Yu Jun. Who knows what it will do when it grows up. Perhaps it’s better to…”

“What does the Empress Dowager intend to do with the cat from my household?”

Mu Jiulu’s gaze swept over the person in the main seat, her casual tone laced with an eerie hint of danger.

These threatening words made the Empress Dowager tremble slightly, yet she instinctively feared.

“Perhaps it’s better to train it well early on, to prevent it from harming people.”

Mu Yi said carelessly, “Suisui won’t hurt people for no reason. As long as you don’t provoke it, there’s no problem.”

The Empress Dowager’s voice was extremely dry: “That’s good then.”

“It’s rare to have everyone gathered like this today. Why don’t we have a family banquet in the palace tonight?”

The Empress spoke up. Upon hearing this, Gu Sui’s gaze immediately turned to Mu Jiulu.

His iron pot stewed goose!

Mu Jiulu raised her hand to cover her lips, concealing the slight curve beneath. After a few breaths, she spoke calmly.

“Let’s not today. The gentleman has been tired all day and his body can’t take it. Why don’t we arrange it for another day?”

The Empress revealed a meaningful smile: “That’s right, I didn’t consider thoroughly. Ninth Imperial Sister only has three days of marriage, you must save your time.”

Mu Jiulu: “Thank you for your understanding, Empress. We’ll take our leave now.”

Empress: “Go ahead.”

The Empress Dowager strongly resisted the urge to slam the table. Did these people still remember that this was her Yongning Palace! Hers!

*

When Gu Sui and Mu Jiulu returned to their mansion, dusk had fallen. He lazily sprawled on the bed, counting the red envelopes he had received in the afternoon.

The Empress Dowager’s, the Empress’s, and even Zhu Ning, this fourth sister’s husband’s. Gu Sui had given out quite a few, but in the end, he hadn’t lost out.

It’s just that his heart was a bit tired, his tongue truly stumbled when calling out “Father Empress”.

“The palace, can we go there as little as possible in the future? It’s too exhausting.”

After counting the money, Gu Sui looked up at Mu Jiulu, his legs unconsciously lifting, swaying in the air, tracing alluring arcs.

Mu Jiulu let out a deep sigh.

“Not possible?”

Seeing her expression, Gu Sui thought she was troubled and figured if they had to go, they’d go. He’d just treat it like dealing with a client. He was quite skilled at saying what people wanted to hear, whether to humans or ghosts.

Mu Jiulu walked to the bedside, grabbed his ankle in one motion, put it down, and shook her head helplessly.

“If you don’t want to go, then don’t go.”

Gu Sui shivered at the slightly cool temperature of her fingertips, the sticky voice falling on his ears, plucking at the small strings in his heart.

Following his instincts, he leaned forward and kissed her on the side of her neck, his eyes curving into a joyful arc.

“You said it, remember?”

Affectionate eyes reflected his bright face. Mu Jiulu pressed her forehead against his, her gentle, rippling voice unhurriedly adding.

“Mm, I said it. You can do whatever you want, except leave me.”

Gu Sui was as happy as a child: “How could I possibly leave baby? I love baby the most!”

Mu Jiulu’s eyelashes lowered slightly, her fingertips brushing the corner of his eye.

“So in that story you mentioned before…”

“Oh, I’m hungry. Is the iron pot stewed goose ready? Baby, let’s go eat!”

Gu Sui spoke up innocently. Mu Jiulu let out a soft sigh.

Never mind, there’s still time in the future.

After two happy days, it was time for the three-day return visit.

Early in the morning, Gu Sui was practically helped onto the carriage by Mu Jiulu.

“Mu Jiulu, you’re too much!”

Gu Sui complained through gritted teeth. Mu Jiulu rubbed her nose.

“Who told you to always tease me? If you tease, you have to take responsibility.”

Gu Sui was furious: “I didn’t!”

Mu Jiulu clicked her tongue, her gaze deep, her voice dangerous: “Want me to help you remember?”

Gu Sui shrank into the corner of the carriage and said loudly: “No need!”

Although Mu Jiulu was satisfied, seeing his furrowed brow still made her feel a bit heartache.

“Why don’t we not go today, go back to rest, and discuss another day?”

Gu Sui snorted with laughter: “If you’re not afraid of my mother coming over directly to ask what exactly happened.”

Mu Jiulu: “……”

Given Gu Tingsong’s personality, if they didn’t return on time today, she really might do that.

Gu Sui was still in the corner, rubbing the hem of his clothes, muttering.

“Always bullying me, just you wait, I’ll go complain later, teach you a lesson!”

Mu Jiulu moved closer to him, using her knuckle to gently tap his nose.

“How old are you to still be complaining?”

Gu Sui raised his chin, saying fiercely: “Scared now, aren’t you!”

Mu Jiulu held back her smile at the corner of her lips, nodding repeatedly.

“Yes, yes, I’m scared, I’m scared. Wife admits her mistake, okay? I’ll give the gentleman a massage, it’ll feel better soon.”

Gu Sui pretended to refuse but actually welcomed it. The two fussed a bit more in the carriage, with Mu Jiulu using her inner energy to massage his palms, easing the soreness in his waist.

Halfway through the journey, Gu Sui felt a warm comfort in his waist. He leaned on her shoulder, feeling so comfortable he was about to fall asleep.

“Feeling better?”

Gu Sui lazily responded, his languid voice sounding even softer than Suisui’s meow.

“You’re seducing me again.”

Mu Jiulu spoke softly. Gu Sui instantly became more alert, getting up from her shoulder and turning to sit opposite her.

“What are you trying to do now!”

His series of movements were smooth and flowing. Mu Jiulu lightly pinched her fingertips, her red lips curling up.

“I’m just stating a fact.”

Gu Sui: “Nonsense! You must be up to no good. Hey, it doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Gu Sui belatedly realized as he stretched lazily, surprisingly finding he felt refreshed.

“See how responsible your wife is, unlike you.”

Mu Jiulu claimed the credit. Gu Sui snorted at her.

“So what if you have inner energy? It’s not like I don’t have any.”

Just a bit less.

He had been practicing martial arts according to Gu Tingsong’s method for these few months, but progress was very slow. He didn’t know when he would be able to restore his reputation as a young general.

Not to mention being able to fight a hundred enemies on the battlefield, he should at least be able to counterattack under his wife’s hands!

Ah, the road ahead is long, still need to work hard!

At the General’s Mansion, Gu Tingsong had been waiting for a long time. When she saw the royal carriage in the distance, a smile spread across her face as she went to welcome them personally.

“Sui’er, let mother have a good look at you. Have these past few days been good?”

Mu Jiulu helped Gu Sui down from the carriage. The two had been joking and playing all the way, and he had long since lost the resentment he had when he first got up this morning. The corners of his eyes and eyebrows were brimming with newlywed joy.

“Don’t worry, mother, I’m doing great.”

“Mother.”

Mu Jiulu gave a salute. Although Gu Tingsong’s expression when looking at her was still complex, it no longer held the wariness and hostility of the past.

“Your Highness, you can just call me Marshal.”

Gu Tingsong felt somewhat uncomfortable hearing this “mother”. Her own mother was Her Majesty the Emperor An, a noble person who had shown her great kindness.

Mu Jiulu’s gaze was clear as she said frankly: “Since you are the gentleman’s mother, you are also my mother. I can bear this title.”

As she insisted, Gu Tingsong found it hard to refuse and had to accept it.

The three entered the mansion together. Li Fuyu in the courtyard quickly came over after hearing the news.

“Ninth Aunt! Sui…”

Li Fuyu’s excited call trailed off halfway, and he deflated a bit, resignedly changing his words.

“Ninth Uncle.”

Seeing his expression, Gu Sui found it somewhat amusing. Like a magician, he pulled out a red brocade pouch and waved it in front of him, his voice crisp.

“I won’t let you call for nothing. A fee for changing how you address me.”

Li Fuyu’s eyes lit up as he took it and opened it to look. Gu Sui leaned close to his ear and whispered.

“More than what I gave Mu Yi.”

Li Fuyu originally didn’t have much attachment to money, but hearing this made him excited.

“Thank you, Ninth Uncle!”

Gu Sui: Steadily grasped my bestie’s little thoughts, as expected of me.

At lunchtime, the luxurious return banquet amazed Gu Sui. Even though he had been eating delicacies every meal these past few days, he was still dazzled at this moment.

He couldn’t help but sigh again, mother is still the best!

Gu Sui glanced at Mu Jiulu beside him, his eyes bright and lively, as if saying:

‘Look, look, I have backing too. See if you dare bully me again!’

Mu Jiulu responded by ladling him a bowl of soup.

How could she bear to bully such an adorable gentleman? She would only cherish and love him well.

The eye contact between the two was seen by everyone present. Gu Tingsong, seeing her son’s face nourished to a rosy complexion, nodded with satisfaction.

This meal was enjoyed by both hosts and guests. During the meal, Gu Tingsong wanted to drink a few cups with Mu Jiulu. Hearing this, Gu Sui immediately straightened his back and started making small calculations.

Mu Jiulu definitely didn’t take hangover medicine today. Maybe he could rely on mother to get her drunk.

It’s time to turn the tables!

“Drinking hinders work. There’s court tomorrow and palace affairs are busy. Please forgive me, mother.”

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over Gu Sui’s head. He glanced at Mu Jiulu resentfully.

Mu Jiulu’s peripheral vision naturally caught his expression. She strongly held back the smile at the corner of her lips, her face serious.

Gu Sui wanted to make one more effort, but unexpectedly, Gu Tingsong also nodded along.

“Indeed. The matter of the Marquis of Liang, no, the Duke of Liang coming to the capital, I always feel it’s not that simple. We should have a good talk later, let’s not drink then.”

Gu Sui: “……”

Why is it so difficult to get her drunk!