Chapter Fifty-Two: The Only Daughter of the Hidden Clan

“Gu Zhou, manager of the First Pavilion, pays his respects to the young mistress!”

Gu Hua did not decline the salute. Whenever a young master or mistress left the Gu Clan for the first time, this courtesy was always observed.

“Is the First Pavilion holding an auction soon?” she asked.

At the mention of the auction, Manager Gu Zhou immediately felt a headache coming on. “Yes. According to previous auctions, the goods this time are far from sufficient—there’s still a big gap. With the auction only three days away, all we can do is increase our efforts to acquire more items.”

Gu Hua pondered for a moment. As the Gu Clan’s young mistress, Gu Zhou was willing to speak frankly with her, a sign of respect for her status.

She took out a ring. “Inside are some herbs and elixirs. I hope they can help you through this urgent time.”

Gu Zhou received the spatial ring with both hands. “Thank you, young mistress!”

He did not open the ring in front of them. Although few could access the third floor of the pavilion, during the annual auction, there were always one or two thieves hoping to make a name for themselves. Such a large quantity of goods naturally had to be opened in the special vault.

Though the young mistress was only fifteen, having just left the Gu Clan, anything she carried must have been carefully selected by the clan leader.

Manager Gu Zhou noticed the girl beside Gu Hua. “Young mistress, who is this?”

Before Gu Hua could reply, the girl spoke first. “My name is Tao Tao. I’ll be the young lady’s maid from now on!”

The manager looked at Gu Hua with some hesitation in his eyes. After receiving Gu Hua’s confirmation, he immediately called for a maid to take Tao Tao to wash and change.

“Uncle Gu Zhou, I’d like Tao Tao to have a job at the First Pavilion.”

The manager seemed surprised to hear Gu Hua address him as “uncle.” Looking at the gentle little girl, he felt a pang of regret at having no daughter himself. Seeing Gu Hua, who was about the same age as his own son, was like seeing his own child. He agreed at once.

“The rooms have already been arranged for you. We’ve always kept in close contact with the Gu Clan. There are eleven of you in total; with Miss Tao Tao, that makes twelve rooms. They’re in the small pavilion behind the main building, built especially for the young members who come for training each year. You can have a look later.”

Although Tao Tao called herself a maid, Gu Zhou, as a businessman, could read a person’s character in their eyes. It was like presenting a pair of fine jade pendants—if someone’s heart was clear, their gaze would show only appreciation, even knowing the jade belonged to someone else. If greedy, their eyes would betray ulterior motives.

After Gu Hua had acknowledged her status as young mistress, Gu Zhou noticed that Tao Tao’s eyes showed only curiosity toward the third floor’s decor. Beyond curiosity, perhaps it was just his imagination, but he even sensed that Tao Tao seemed to have a particular interest in the design itself.

Thus, if she truly had such talent, it would only benefit the First Pavilion to gain another capable person.

Meanwhile, Tao Tao was finally able to enjoy a proper bath. Reflecting on the past couple of days, it felt as though she had truly met a benefactor! She scrubbed herself clean of all the grime and mud, put on fresh clothes, dried her hair until it was half-damp, then tied it up in a neat bun.

“Miss, could you take me back to where I came from just now?”

“The manager has instructed me to take you to the pavilion when you’re done. They’re waiting for you there.”

The maid clearly had been well trained—her smile was polite but distant. She led the way for Tao Tao.

When Tao Tao entered the pavilion, the manager was briefing Gu Hua and her companions on the situation in Red Moon City.

“The Red Moon Empress has countless consorts, but only two princes truly have the right of inheritance—the First Prince, Jun Mulin, and the Second Prince, Jun Muxuan. Long ago…”

Footsteps sounded outside.

It was Tao Tao.

Now dressed in the First Pavilion maid’s uniform, her oval face, straight brows, and unadorned features made her look like one of the lucky dolls often seen in New Year paintings.

“Pfft—”

Gu Lin, sipping his water, couldn’t help but spray out a mouthful. Tao Tao looked exactly like the doll he’d made as a child, which was still kept safely in the Gu Clan. He’d always taken great care of it, not allowing a single speck of dust to settle on it.

Tao Tao walked over to Gu Hua, a little dazed, and looked at Gu Lin. “Did you choke?” she asked, gently patting his back.

Gu Lin took a deep breath. “Thank you, I’m much better now.”

Then, almost involuntarily, he added, “You look quite nice in that outfit.”

The atmosphere grew rather delicate. But Tao Tao, oblivious as ever, looked herself over and lifted her skirt for a better look. “Really? I always thought I looked best in green.”

Gu Hua raised an eyebrow and sipped her tea. If she could matchmake along the way, why not?

“Tao Tao, I’ve asked the manager to find you a job. From now on, you’ll work at the First Pavilion, all right?”

“But I said I’d be your maid…” Tao Tao was not one to go back on her word; she remembered what she’d promised.

“It’s all right. You know I’m the Pavilion’s young mistress, so working here means you’re working for me.”

Tao Tao nodded, half-understanding. She only knew Gu Hua in this unfamiliar place, so whatever Gu Hua said, she would follow.

She sat quietly to one side, her eyes bright as she watched Gu Hua.

Gu Hua felt a little shy under the girl’s gaze. “Manager, please continue telling us about Red Moon City.”

“Yes, young mistress. I was just saying…”

“The two princes with the right of inheritance,” Gu Zhi reminded him.

Prompted, the manager smiled gratefully at Gu Zhi and continued, “The First Prince, Jun Mulin, is a man of mystery—like a dragon whose head and tail are never seen. For reasons unknown, the Red Moon Emperor never tries to control him. According to our spies, there is something particularly odd: the emperor is not only unconcerned about the prince’s whereabouts, but even seems to harbor a trace of fear toward him!”

Gu Hua frowned. A father fearing his own son—this plot matched exactly what Little Rascal had described. Yet the world spoke of Jun Mulin as if he were a celestial being. Could this really be one of those strange tales?

The manager went on, “The Second Prince is decisive and forceful, widely acknowledged by both the emperor and his ministers as the rightful heir. He’s the crown prince of Red Moon, and though the investiture ceremony hasn’t taken place yet, it’s said the day will come soon.”

“The one with Ning Xue’er the other day—was that the Second Prince?” Gu Zhi asked.

Manager Gu Zhou was surprised for a moment, then smiled. “Indeed, that was the Second Prince, Jun Muxuan!”