lcionline Chapter 372 Old Tricks Used Again, Hidden Schemes
Chapter 372 Old Tricks Used Again, Hidden Schemes
The servants' quarters in the princess's residence, a secluded spot.
Du Ruoling brought Gu's mother back to the mansion, but did not give her any special treatment.
The room was dark and damp, containing only a hard bed and old tables and chairs, with a faint musty smell in the air.
"Please make yourself at home." The maid beside Du Ruoling placed a rough porcelain teacup on the table and left in a cold tone.
Mother Gu, however, did not care at all. She sat down in the only chair and slowly looked around with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Tsk, it seems your position as a princess isn't all that glamorous. This servants' quarters are even worse than the worst courtyard in the Marquis's mansion back in the day."
These words were like a thorn, piercing precisely into Du Ruoling's heart.
She had intended to give Gu's mother a hard time and let her experience what it's like to live under someone else's roof, but instead, she was mocked back without batting an eye.
"You!" Du Ruoling's pretty face flushed red, anger rising within her. "You did this on purpose, didn't you? You won't be happy unless you say something to provoke me!"
Mother Gu picked up the rough porcelain teacup, blew on it to remove any heat that wasn't actually there, and didn't even lift her eyelids.
"Wasn't it the princess who settled this old woman here first?"
"I……"
Du Ruoling was rendered speechless by her words, her chest heaving, and she could only sulk in silence.
The old woman in front of her seemed down on her luck, but her words revealed a shrewdness that was hard for the old woman to handle.
"Look..." Madam Gu put down her teacup, finally looking at her directly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, "You're already losing your composure? With such little shrewdness, how can you accomplish anything?"
Du Ruoling was taken aback, then, as if she had grasped something, her eyes flickered slightly: "What do you mean?"
Mother Gu slowly stood up, took a couple of steps, and the dim light cast dappled shadows on her face.
"Do you think you can win back a man's heart just by playing the victim and shedding a few tears?"
Du Ruoling pursed her lips and remained silent.
She had indeed done so before, but with little effect.
“Men,” Gu’s mother’s voice carried a sense of experience and certainty, “especially men who were born into high positions, they have seen far too many weak women.”
“Constantly showing weakness will only annoy them, making them think you are a parasite that can’t live without them.”
"Then... then what should I do?" Du Ruoling couldn't help but ask, her tone tinged with urgency.
Gu's mother stopped and turned to look at her, her eyes gleaming with calculation.
"To win his heart, you can't just be soft. You have to make him feel that you don't have to rely on him, that you have your own value and your own methods."
"You need to show him that you are different, and even... make him feel a little threatened."
"A sense of crisis?" Du Ruoling frowned in thought.
“Yes,” Mother Gu nodded slowly, her voice lowered as if to persuade him, “If you just rush over, he will only look down on you.”
"Sometimes, playing hard to get, or even deliberately provoking him, can actually ignite his desire to conquer. You have to make him feel that controlling you is not an easy task."
Mother Gu moved closer and carefully examined Du Ruoling's still pretty face.
“You are quite beautiful, and you are a princess. If you use the right method, you might be able to win him back.”
"The key is that you need to know how to strike a balance, when to advance, when to retreat, when to show weakness, and when... to show your claws."
She didn't elaborate too much, only touching on the surface.
But these words were like a pebble thrown into Du Ruoling's already restless heart, stirring up ripples.
Yes, Gu Cheng'an is so cold-hearted that ordinary crying and pleading can't move him at all.
Perhaps it's time to try a different approach.
Seeing Du Ruoling lost in thought, a barely perceptible sneer flashed in Gu's mother's eyes.
Of course, she wouldn't genuinely help Du Ruoling; she was merely using her as a tool.
She would take back what Gu Junze owed her, bit by bit. And this foolish princess was just a pawn she could use.
Du Ruoling sat in the servants' room for a long time, pondering Gu's mother's words over and over again.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized it made sense. She had been too humble before, which made Gu Cheng'an look down on her.
I feel like she's dispensable...
The next morning.
Outside the vermilion gates of the General's Mansion, a figure appeared once again.
Du Ruoling dressed up carefully today, wearing a brightly colored yet dignified dress. She applied a little makeup to her face, which concealed her haggardness, but she also deliberately retained a touch of melancholy.
She did not try to force her way in as usual, nor did she cry or make a scene; she simply asked the servants to continue to inform them.
This is completely different from her usual reckless and persistent attitude.
Chu Ruohan was looking at the account books in the side hall when she heard a servant report that Princess Anping had come again, and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She put down the ledger in her hand, rubbed her temples, and felt a little tired. That Du Ruoling was truly a persistent ghost.
"Understood," Chu Ruohan instructed calmly. "If Princess Anping comes in the future, there's no need to announce her arrival; just invite her in directly."
The servant acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Chu Ruohan thought to herself that as long as Gu Cheng'an didn't bother her and only focused on clinging to her, she could tolerate it.
However, this time, Chu Ruohan was wrong.
Before long, Du Ruoling gracefully walked in.
She was indeed different today, less aggressive than before.
She exuded a deliberately cultivated gentleness. She was also carrying an exquisite pastry box in her hand.
"I hope the General's wife is well."
Du Ruoling walked closer, curtsied slightly, and had a faint smile on her face, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Chu Ruohan observed her discreetly, secretly on guard.
There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.
"What brings you here today, Princess?" Chu Ruohan asked in a calm tone, gesturing to the maid beside her to offer her a seat.
Du Ruoling sat down and placed the snack box on the low table next to her. Her gaze fell on Chu Ruohan's slightly protruding belly, and her tone carried a hint of concern from someone who had been through it all.
"I've come to see you, Madam. Pregnancy is not easy for a woman. When I was heavily pregnant, I also experienced many inconveniences and had to be very careful."
"Madam, as your pregnancy progresses, you must take good care of yourself, avoid overexertion, and refrain from getting angry."
She paused, sighed softly, and a hint of melancholy appeared on her face.
"To be honest, I was living in a daze before and did many wrong things. Now, I just want to live a peaceful life."
As she spoke, she pushed the box of pastries in front of Chu Ruohan, her face showing apology.
"These are dim sum from Fu Ji in Chengnan. They taste quite good. I was ignorant before and offended you in many ways. I hope that the General's wife will be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
Despite this attitude and these words, Chu Ruohan still didn't believe a word of it.