At first, Bai Suihe couldn't figure it out. She wondered, "What is everyone so happy about?"
It wasn't until she entered the main courtyard and saw Mrs. Bai, dripping with jewels, followed by two maids holding trays, that she understood what was going on.
People in this ancient era looked down on merchants, but they certainly loved the silver in their hands.
Mrs. Bai had probably been handing out gifts left and right since stepping into the Gu Mansion. Case in point: even Nanny Zhou, who was usually so stern, had softened her features considerably.
The old madam sat in the seat of honor, cheerfully calling out to her in-law time and time again. Seeing Bai Suihe enter, she waved affectionately. "Look at my third daughter-in-law rushing over so quickly. She's been eagerly anticipating her mother's arrival."
"It's truly thanks to your care that my daughter is doing so well, Old Madam. She was spoiled rotten at home, so I must ask you to bear with her."
"They are all good children with excellent manners. I've always treated her like my own daughter..."
Bai Suihe didn't know how these two could exchange such insincere pleasantries without batting an eye.
Mrs. Bai praised the old madam to the high heavens, making her smile wider than ever before.
Liu Yun and Xu Yulan, who arrived shortly after, barely had time to finish their greetings before an emerald green bracelet was slipped into each of their hands.
Mrs. Bai proceeded to shower them with compliments as well. The two completely forgot the original purpose of their visit and happily chimed in to flatter her back.
Finally, the old madam spoke up. "You mother and daughter haven't seen each other in a while. Ms. Bai, why don't you take your mother to your courtyard to catch up? If there's anything you find lacking, please don't hesitate to ask."
Mrs. Bai exchanged a few more polite remarks with her before leading her daughter away.
Bai Suihe finally understood why the maids and elderly female servants in the main courtyard had such excellent attitudes. Along the way, Mrs. Bai's maids acted like walking money bags, handing out rewards to anyone they encountered. Although they were just small items like earrings and rings, they were worth no less than a servant's monthly allowance of silver.
"Mother." From the original owner's memories, her mother had truly treated her impeccably. Even when the Gu Family was later raided and their property confiscated, Mrs. Bai had withstood the immense pressure and sent her own private savings to help.
Furthermore, during the exile, she had told Bai Suihe to send word if she ever faced any hardships, promising to find a way to assist her.
"You don't need to be so generous with them. These people won't remember your kindness." Bai Suihe felt it was a bit of a waste to give away so much. The old madam had smiled so warmly earlier; who knew how many benefits she had already reaped?
"You're still as petty as ever," Mrs. Bai said, tapping Bai Suihe's forehead. "Any problem that can be solved with money isn't a problem at all.
"Besides, these are all items from our own shops. They didn't cost that much."
Mrs. Bai carefully examined Bai Suihe. "You're over five months pregnant now. Is everything alright?"
"Everything's fine," Bai Suihe said. She felt this was the one redeeming quality of the Gu Mansion: the household structure was relatively simple. There were no messy concubines or mistresses, so naturally, there was no need to guard against underhanded schemes.
"Have you found a midwife and a wet nurse yet? Should our household send some over?" Seeing the same familiar maids and older servants, Mrs. Bai couldn't help but frown. Shouldn't a prominent family start preparing earlier?
"I'll prepare in a few days," Bai Suihe said. She truly hadn't thought about it before, nor would she need to in the future.
"You all follow Chunxiang and the others down to rest for a while. I'm going to have a good chat with your young madam." Mrs. Bai felt that some things were better said in private with her daughter. Even if these people were her trusted aides, they didn't need to know too much.
This was exactly what Bai Suihe wanted. She nodded, letting Chunxiang and the rest step out. As soon as they pulled the door shut behind them, Mrs. Bai couldn't wait to ask, "Did something happen in the Gu Mansion? Why did you have Nanny Wu prepare so many things?"
So many, and so varied—it practically covered all aspects of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
Even if she were just opening a general store, she wouldn't have made such a massive investment.
Having witnessed the rise and fall of many wealthy families, Mrs. Bai's heart had been tied in knots these past few days.
Bai Suihe hadn't expected Mrs. Bai to be so sharp. Her eyes darted around, and she immediately said, "I noticed something was off. Yesterday, my father-in-law specifically instructed us to avoid going out to banquets these days and to keep a low profile."
"That's it?" Mrs. Bai felt her daughter might be making a mountain out of a molehill. Although no one in their family held a position in the imperial court, their sources of information across all walks of life were quite extensive.
Bai Suihe pointed a finger upward. "The princes have grown up. Some people are starting to lose their patience. I'm afraid someone might be made an example of."
Mrs. Bai shuddered inwardly. "...It's only been peaceful for a few years..."
If the transition of power couldn't be handled smoothly, it would be terrible news for the common people of the world. Furthermore, leading up to that moment, the battle for the throne would inevitably entail a storm of blood and carnage. Who knew how many families would be dragged into the fray?
Previously, she had been willing to listen to her husband and, swayed by the Gu Mansion's stellar reputation, had married her daughter into the Gu Family. Looking at it now, it had been a terrible mistake.
"Mother might have ruined you," Mrs. Bai said, her expression complex. Even if her daughter's speculations were slightly off, given Vice Minister Gu's position, how could he possibly stay out of it?
She didn't even dare to think too deeply about how many tragedies had occurred during wars of succession throughout history.
"Is this information accurate?" Mrs. Bai instantly grabbed Bai Suihe's hand. "If worst comes to worst, we'll arrange a mutual divorce."
A mutual divorce. Bai Suihe had considered this option at first, but how could it be that easy? Setting aside the fact that Vice Minister Gu would never agree to it, proposing a mutual divorce out of nowhere would trigger endless speculation.
She might be able to escape disaster, but what about her innocent younger siblings in the Bai Family? They would suffer infamy because of her, and their marriage prospects would be ruined.
"We are a merchant family; we don't care about those things," Mrs. Bai said, clearly seeing through Bai Suihe's concerns. "It would only take a few years. At worst, we'll pack up and move to Jiangnan. Who would know anything about this over there?"
In this moment, Mrs. Bai recklessly wanted to drag Bai Suihe away. But Bai Suihe, knowing the plot, was well aware that Mrs. Bai didn't have the final say in the Bai Family.
Merchants chased profit. Without Bai Suihe, the other unmarried daughters of the Bai Family could easily be used to latch onto new patrons.
Since she was now the Bai Suihe of this world, she might as well repay the karma of taking over this body. Besides, the baby's earlier words had left her with lingering doubts that she wanted to investigate.
"Mother, don't panic. Even if a crisis does occur, given Vice Minister Gu's reputation, his crimes wouldn't warrant the death penalty. He might suffer a bit, but that's all."
Bai Suihe's words were vague, and only Mrs. Bai would believe them without pressing for details. Otherwise, with the imperial court currently so peaceful, where would a woman confined to the inner courtyard get such ideas?
"Besides, I'm just making some preparations in advance so we won't be caught off guard. If nothing happens, I'll just open a few more shops. We won't take a loss."
"He Er makes a good point." Mrs. Bai's brow then furrowed tightly. "But why are you preparing so many things? If something really does happen, how are you going to transport all that food and supplies?"
Bai Suihe whispered in her ear, "My husband has his own channels for handling matters. He will arrange for all these things to be safely stored in advance."