BDSMST -Chapter 34 The “Gift” Uncle Fu Brought Back

That deep bow from Uncle Fu bent not only decades of the marquis’ mansion’s dignity but also his own long-held prejudices.

When he straightened up, the look he gave Jiang Suisui was completely different. It contained surprise, admiration, and even a trace of awe at a force he had never encountered before.

“Madam, you overstate your praise,” Uncle Fu said, his voice much deeper than when he arrived, and far more sincere. “It was your servant who was short-sighted, seeing only the surface. The young marquis lives here more like a real child than he ever did in the mansion. I will return immediately and report every detail truthfully to the marquis and madam.”

This was exactly what Jiang Suisui wanted. She knew Uncle Fu’s weight in the mansion—his words carried far more influence than ten letters of explanation from her could.

“Uncle Fu’s understanding is the young marquis’ fortune,” she said politely, yet her words made clear that everything she did was for Gu Xuan’s benefit.

She turned toward the courtyard and called out, “Gu Xuan, come here for a moment.”

Gu Xuan was just directing Wei Ziqian and Qian Duoduo to secure a thick bamboo pole to the sheep pen posts. Hearing her voice, he handed the rope to the others, brushed off the dust on his hands, and ran inside.

“What’s up?” He looked up at Jiang Suisui casually.

“Uncle Fu is returning to the capital. Go to the vegetable garden and pick a basket of the freshest produce to take back for your grandfather and grandmother,” Jiang Suisui instructed.

Gu Xuan’s face immediately lit up. Being able to personally pick the vegetables he had grown for his grandparents was a huge affirmation—something he could proudly show off at home.

“Got it!” he replied loudly and decisively, running out of the house while shouting, “Qian Duoduo, Li Rui, get the biggest bamboo basket! Go to the cucumber trellis and pick the ones at the very top with the most thorns!”

In no time, under Gu Xuan’s direction, the young masters scrambled to fill a huge basket with vegetables.

There were dark green cucumbers with spiny flowers, plump chili peppers about to split, glossy purple eggplants, and at the bottom, two of the tenderest jade-green cabbage hearts.

Each vegetable exuded a vibrant freshness, completely different from the wilted produce sold at the market.

Gu Xuan, proudly presenting their bounty, and with Wei Ziqian’s help, lifted the heavy basket and placed it in front of Uncle Fu.

“Uncle Fu, take these back with you. Make sure to tell my grandfather that the biggest cabbage is the one I watered the most! And the cucumbers? I personally built the trellis for them!” His proud expression was exactly like a little landowner showing off a bountiful harvest.

Uncle Fu looked at the basket, then at Gu Xuan’s tanned but radiant face, feeling a jumble of emotions. He reached out, hesitated mid-air as if to pat Gu Xuan’s head, and finally, solemnly took the basket.

“The young marquis’ intentions, your servant will make sure to deliver.”

Jiang Suisui then had Chunxing bring a small cloth pouch containing a few taels of silver.

“Uncle Fu, you’ve worked hard all the way. This silver is for you and the men accompanying you to buy tea and snacks for the road.”

Uncle Fu hurriedly refused, “Madam, I cannot accept this. I am here on orders; I cannot take your silver.”

“This isn’t for you,” Jiang Suisui replied. “It’s for Gu Xuan—to give a junior the chance to show filial respect to his elders.” She glanced at Gu Xuan. “This silver comes from the points you’ve earned recently—it’s your wages. You earned it yourself.”

Gu Xuan’s eyes brightened. He didn’t fully understand all the nuances yet, but he knew this was a reward for his labor.

He puffed out his small chest, imitating an adult, and said, “Uncle Fu, please take it. This is from me, Gu Xuan. When I earn more in the future, I’ll buy something nice for you too.”

Seeing this small boy speak such simple yet heartfelt words, Uncle Fu could no longer refuse. With moist eyes, he accepted the pouch.

Those few taels of silver felt heavier to him than any gold ingot in the mansion’s treasury.

When it was time to leave, Uncle Fu’s carriage waited at the entrance of the estate. The guards accompanying him saw their chief steward not only fail to “rescue” the young marquis but also leave with a basket of vegetables and a pouch of silver, respectfully bidding farewell to a woman in plain clothes. They all looked utterly puzzled.

“Uncle Fu, are we… really going back now? The young marquis…” one guard whispered.

“Back,” Uncle Fu replied firmly, leaving no room for argument. “The young marquis is fine here. Better than anywhere else.”

He glanced back one last time at the estate, peaceful and serene in the sunset, and at Jiang Suisui and Gu Xuan standing at the gate, their shadows stretching long in the fading light.

He had a premonition that this place, and this woman, would bring about a transformation to the Yongning Marquisate that no one could foresee.

As the ox cart began moving, Uncle Fu sat carefully, placing the vegetable basket beside him and covering it with a clean cloth. He had already rehearsed in his mind how to report back to the marquis and madam.

But he knew, in the presence of this basket of vegetables, any words would seem pale and powerless.