Volume One, Chapter Four: Daughters Are Not Easily Deceived

The little figure before him spoke with utmost seriousness, and Gu Jingzhi felt a sudden tightening in his heart.

He had been bedridden and lingering in illness for so many years. Not only had his family given up hope, but he himself had long since abandoned any expectation of recovery. Yet Changning wanted to learn medicine and heal him.

Looking at Changning’s bright and determined expression, Gu Jingzhi refrained from uttering any disheartened words.

He forced a smile. “Alright, Daddy will wait for Changning.”

After years of torment from illness and neglect by his family, Gu Jingzhi had lost interest in everything, always wearing a cold and aloof demeanor.

Fortunately, the emperor’s favor had elevated his status at home considerably, but he had rarely smiled in all those years.

Today, because of Changning’s arrival, Gu Jingzhi was noticeably different.

Nanny Wen observed everything with moist eyes.

Perhaps Miss Changning’s presence could gradually awaken Lord Fourth’s will to survive. With this thought, her affection for Gu Changning grew even stronger.

Seeing Lord Fourth and Miss Changning chatting and laughing, Nanny Wen bowed respectfully and said, “The medicine has been scattered; I will go prepare another bowl. I will also instruct the kitchen to add some dishes suitable for children tonight.”

Now, only Gu Jingzhi and Gu Changning remained in the room.

Smelling the incense burning inside, Gu Changning finally made up her mind.

She suddenly scrunched up her nose and sniffed around thoughtfully, as if pondering aloud, “This scent in the room feels so familiar. Changning thinks she has smelled it somewhere before.”

“That must be the ‘Hundred-Flavors Calming Incense’ from my room. The Marquis’s residence uses the same incense,” Gu Jingzhi replied, still grateful for the care shown by his elder brother Gu Jinghe.

This incense was made with rich ingredients and carefully crafted. Knowing that Gu Jingzhi suffered from illness and sleeplessness, his elder brother had sent this incense without hesitation, and it had been used for more than ten years.

“A hundred flavors?” Gu Changning’s big, beautiful eyes widened in surprise, and she asked further, “Why can Changning only smell one? Is my nose broken?”

Her adorable expression made Gu Jingzhi laugh, and he couldn’t help but tousle her unkempt hair.

He patiently explained, “The ‘hundred flavors’ don’t mean a hundred different smells. It means this incense is made from one hundred types of medicinal ingredients.”

Gu Changning held out her hand and began counting, “One, two, three…”

But as she counted, she grew discouraged and lowered her head with a sigh, murmuring, “My fingers aren’t enough.”

Gu Jingzhi took her hands and asked, “How many fingers does Changning have in total?”

“Ten,” Gu Changning lifted her little head confidently.

“Then a hundred would be as many as ten pairs of hands,” the usually aloof and proud scholar said patiently to his newly acquired daughter.

“Is it really that many?” Gu Changning’s face grew even more troubled.

Her next words left them both somewhat puzzled.

“Nanny once said that medicine is one-third poison. Doesn’t that mean Daddy has been taking poison all along?”

She tugged at Gu Jingzhi’s arm, looking up at him with wide, worried eyes, as if he was about to depart this world any moment.

Gu Jingzhi was about to comfort her when tears streamed down her cheeks. She bit her lip hard, looking heartbroken, her large eyes making Gu Jingzhi’s heart ache.

Flustered, he thought for a moment and said only, “If you want to cry, then cry. Don’t hold it in and make yourself ill.”

As soon as he spoke, Gu Jingzhi regretted it.

He had grown accustomed to solitude, but thinking of Gu Xingchen’s loud cries made him feel breathless.

“Really, can Changning cry? Daddy won’t scold or abandon Changning just because she cries, right?”

Her cautious manner made Gu Jingzhi want to slap himself twice.

Hadn’t his thoughts just now been no different from that of his elder brother and sister-in-law?

He immediately softened his tone, speaking gently, “Of course not. All children cry. Cry as much as you need. Daddy will never stop loving Changning.”

Reassured, Gu Changning visibly relaxed, clutching his robe tightly and whispering through sobs, “Changning finally has a good Daddy, a home. Changning doesn’t want Daddy to die. Daddy, please don’t use that incense anymore, okay?”

Her big, watery eyes tightened Gu Jingzhi’s heart. At only six years old, she restrained and controlled her tears so much.

She was pitiful and adorable all at once, and Gu Jingzhi found himself unable to say a single word in response.

No doubt, this child had long suffered disdain and had come to see him as a lifeline, hence such a reaction.

Gu Jingzhi casually agreed, “Alright, I’ll listen to Changning. Daddy won’t use that incense anymore.”

Only then did Gu Changning break into a smile, extending her little pinky finger with a serious expression, “Daddy, pinky promise.”

“All right, pinky promise,” Gu Jingzhi replied, linking his finger with hers.

Just as he thought that was settled, the little one persistently reminded him, “Daddy, the incense hasn’t been taken away yet.”

Gu Jingzhi chuckled silently. This daughter was indeed not easily fooled.

Remembering it was his elder brother’s goodwill, Gu Jingzhi called the steward and quietly instructed him to remove the incense. After a few days, when Changning felt more at ease, they could bring it out again.

Before long, Nanny Wen arrived with the meal.

After watching Gu Changning eat her fill, Gu Jingzhi arranged for Nanny Wen to escort her to her own courtyard.

Lord Fourth had suddenly decided to take in a daughter. Nanny Wen hurriedly had Haitang Garden tidied up, and the two main maids, Chunlan and Qiujun, were already waiting at the gate.

Upon seeing Nanny Wen leading Gu Changning over, the two warmly greeted them, “We pay our respects to Miss and Nanny Wen.”

Nanny Wen nodded slightly, “Miss is new here. You two must stay alert and take good care of her.”

Then she bowed and looked at Gu Changning with loving eyes, “Miss, I’ve already had several outfits prepared for you. Wear them for now; tomorrow we’ll have a tailor come and make more. If you need anything, just tell Chunlan or Qiujun.”

Once at Haitang Garden, soaking in a warm bath, Gu Changning still found it surreal—she had truly been reborn.

This time, she would never be the little bitter melon who suffered endless humiliation. She was clever.

She could not understand why she had been so foolish in her past life, striving for even a little fatherly love from Gu Jinghe, ultimately risking her life.

In this life, she would not only live well herself but also ensure Daddy lived well too.

Inside Luming Pavilion, the steward Zhongbo was still urging gently, “Lord Fourth, Miss has returned to her courtyard. I still think the incense should be lit. Otherwise, you might have another restless night.”

Thinking of how worried Gu Changning had looked, Gu Jingzhi waved his hand, “Wait a little longer. I promised Changning.”

He then took the medicine handed by Nanny Wen and drank it down in one gulp.

The three waited cautiously for quite a while. Nanny Wen even prepared a handkerchief and stood by attentively.

But this time, after taking the medicine, Gu Jingzhi did not start coughing incessantly.