Transmigrated Female Official

On the last day off before the grand ceremony, as requested by Chu's mother, Chu Qingluo was to take Gongsun Yu to pay respects to the legendary grandmother. Nine-Tailed Fox had specially prepared a long dress adorned with a hundred flowers for her and also handed her a pair of red embroidered shoes.

Chu Qingluo immediately refused upon seeing the shoes: "Change to a simpler pair."

"Miss, you used to love these shoes the most, why don't you wear them anymore?" Nine-Tailed Fox was very puzzled. Since Chu Qingluo lost her memory, she had never worn these shoes again. It was a pity that the gorgeous embroidery on the shoes was not worn.

She pursed her lips dismissively and said, "Don't you crave some vegetables after eating too much meat?" When Nine-Tailed nodded, she added, "That's it, it's greasy!" Even if she told him the truth—that he'd watched too many horror movies—he wouldn't understand.

Tongmu chuckled beside him: "He can eat as much meat as he wants without getting tired of it."

Seeing that she had been exposed, Nine-Tails said irritably, "Why do you always like to argue with me?"

Kiri shrugged: "I'm just an honest person."

"Dead paulownia tree!"...

It has to be said that Chu Qingluo quite enjoyed watching the two bicker. However, Gongsun Yu was already waiting for her outside the door, so he urged, "You two can continue your bickering in the car."

Before her departure, Chu's mother specially asked Tongmu to take some lotus root starch and osmanthus cakes that she had made herself, and instructed her: "Grandmother has always doted on you since you were little. Last time I let slip that you had amnesia, which made her worry. This time when you go, be sweet-talking and don't make her feel distant, understand?"

Since she's been pampered since childhood, she must be very easy to get along with. Chu Qingluo smiled confidently and said, "Don't worry!"

As soon as the group got into the car, Chu Yinuo slipped out from behind the door: "Third Sister, I want to go with you too!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingluo had just lifted the curtain and hadn't even had a chance to answer when he saw his mother grab him, saying, "You still have to go to the private school, you're not allowed to play around."

Chu Yinuo pouted and looked pitifully at her mother: "But I haven't seen my grandmother in a long time either."

Seeing his pleading eyes and pitiful expression, Chu Qingluo tried to speak up for him, saying, "Mother, it won't make a difference if we go to the private school for one more day. Let Yinuo go with me."

"No, we can't spoil him." Mother Chu refused without hesitation, her tone resolute. She continued lecturing Chu Yinuo: "You should learn from your eldest brother and third sister. Your eldest brother is well-read and entered the imperial examinations at eighteen, and your third sister passed the official examinations at fifteen… Don't end up like your second brother…"

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingluo knew that Chu Yinuo's ears were going to get calluses all day. It was a pity that she couldn't help him, so she helplessly lowered the curtain and said, "Let's go."

Judging from Chu's mother's current strictness, it's not hard to imagine how rigorously the original host was supervised by her mother during the examinations. It seems that children in ancient times also faced immense pressure while studying...

Grandmother Chu's residence was located in the southern part of Yancheng, and it took the carriage half an hour to arrive. As soon as she got off the carriage, Chu Qingluo asked Nine-Tailed Paulownia to knock on the door first, while she stretched her limbs.

Grandmother Chu was, after all, a female official of the sixth rank. The mansion bestowed upon her by the Empress was very grand. The black lacquered gate alone was twice the size of the Chu family's. Two jet-black pillars stood on either side, with exquisite carvings connecting the eaves at the top of the pillars. Strangely, there was no plaque.

Gongsun followed her gaze to the carvings on the pillar and stepped forward to explain, "The peony flower represents the Emperor's grace."

"So the peony flower has a special meaning." I guess Peony's mother was a parent who hoped her daughter would become successful, which is why she gave her such a name.

“The residences of officials who are still serving in the court all have imperial gold plaques. There are no plaques here because Grandmother Chu has left the court, so they were taken down.”

At this moment, Chu Qingluo felt as if Gongsun Yu was a glowing worm in her stomach; before she could even ask her question, his answer had already arrived.

Just as she was sighing inwardly, Nine-Tailed Fox called out to them, "Miss, Old Madam Chu is already waiting inside."

The two exchanged a glance, and then Gongsun Yu followed Chu Qingluo into the house.

At this moment, the main seats in the hall were empty, but two women sat in the guest seats. One was a woman in her sixties, with a rosy and radiant complexion and a lively spirit; two men of similar age stood behind her. The other was an elderly woman in her eighties, with white hair and a face full of wrinkles. She held a cane in her hand, exuding a dignified yet kind aura, and greeted them with gentle eyes.

The latter's image perfectly matched Chu Qingluo's vision of her grandmother, and was exactly like her deceased grandmother, making her feel a deep sense of familiarity. Remembering her mother's instructions before she left, she strode forward, knelt at the old woman's feet, grasped her hands, and said emotionally, "Grandmother—! Qingluo has come to see you!"

The old woman was stunned by her sudden enthusiasm, her mouth agape for a long time, unable to utter a single word. Nine-Tails and Kirito, looking astonished, reminded her from the side, "Miss, you're wrong, you're wrong..."

Seeing Chu Qingluo's bewilderment, the two simply bowed to the relatively younger woman first: "Greetings, Madam!"

Good heavens! The other one is the real Old Madam Chu?! Why isn't she sitting in the proper seat of honor? And she's so young! Chu Qingluo was so embarrassed that she quickly stood up and bowed to her: "...Greetings, Grandmother..."

The hall was unusually quiet at this moment. Seeing that her grandmother did not react, Chu Qingluo forced herself to say, "Today I brought Gongsun to greet you..."

Before the words "Greetings" could be uttered, Grandmother Chu's loud voice rang out: "Why aren't you kneeling down?!"

What?! He doesn't even need to perform such a grand ceremony when meeting the Empress? What happened to the legendary 'special favor'?!

Chu Qingluo quickly glanced at the Nine-Tailed Fox, who also looked completely bewildered... Although she didn't understand the situation, she still obediently did as she was told. It was her own fault for being so insensitive earlier; her flattery had backfired...

Gongsun and Jiuwei also quickly knelt down.

"You unfilial grandson, do you know what mistake you have made?!" Grandmother Chu spoke, her voice stern and harsh.

Chu Qingluo lowered her head, her voice low: "...Qingluo knows she was wrong, she shouldn't have mistaken her grandmother for someone else..."

"..." Another silence followed.

"puff--"

A burst of laughter rang out, and Chu Qingluo looked up to see her grandmother's eyes welling up with tears. "Oh dear—I can't hold it in anymore!" The man behind her gently patted her back. Once she had calmed down, he said, "Get up quickly—"

The world is changing so fast that Chu Qingluo is somewhat at a loss. Nine-Tailed Fox stepped forward to help her up: "Madam is just joking with Miss."

Grandmother Chu smiled and said, "I heard you have amnesia, so I wanted to tease you." Then she introduced, "You've mistaken this lady for someone else. She is Old Madam Qin from the next house."

It was a false alarm, and Chu Qingluo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her grandmother really did have a childlike heart that could scare people to death. She quickly bowed to Old Madam Qin and said, "Greetings, Old Madam Qin."

"Greetings, Miss Chu." Old Madam Qin stood up, leaning on her cane, and said with a smile, "I won't keep you any longer with all this commotion. Let's meet again tomorrow. I'll head back to my residence now."

"Alright, come again tomorrow." Grandmother Chu smiled and called out, "See Old Madam Qin out." A male attendant immediately came over to help Old Madam Qin out slowly.

After Old Madam Qin left the hall, Chu Qingluo said, "Grandmother, you really scared me just now."

"Come, let me take a good look at you." Grandmother Chu smiled and extended her hand, which Chu Qingluo quickly grasped. She looked her over from side to side: "Hmm, you've become even more beautiful." After gesturing for Chu Qingluo to sit down, she turned her gaze to Gongsun Yu, who had come with her: "This must be your destined one, right?"

"My name is Gongsun Yu, and I pay my respects to the old lady." Gongsun Yu performed the proper greeting.

Grandmother Chu nodded: "I've heard all that. You are Lord Gongsun's son. Your mother and I worked together for a time during the reign of the late emperor. She was only in her early twenties back then. So many years have passed; how is she doing?"

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. Mother is doing well."

At this moment, Tongmu stepped forward carrying a food box, and Chu Qingluo took out the pastries from the food box: "Grandmother, this is lotus root starch and osmanthus cake that my mother made herself. She asked me to bring it to you specially."

"Your mother was the most filial, it's just a pity she didn't pass the official examination." Grandmother Chu still felt a little regretful when she mentioned this.

Chu Qinglu really didn't know what was so good about becoming an official. She replied, "My mother's skills are superb, and the Chu family's pastry workshop is famous throughout Yancheng. Isn't that good enough?" If she could, she would be willing to switch places with her mother and let her become an official while she managed the shop. How carefree that would be!

"As a woman, it is naturally an honor to hold an official position." Grandmother Chu brought a pastry to her mouth, took a bite, and then asked, "Of the current Empress's three princesses, which one do you favor the most?"

"Huh?" Grandmother Chu's sudden question caught Chu Qinglu off guard. Was she asking who she thought would inherit the throne? She had never considered this question before.

Seeing her in a daze, Grandmother Chu couldn't help but shake her head: "You're so confused, you'd better not make any mistakes. Fortunately, you're just a minor executive officer now. If you ever rise to the tenth rank, you'll need to understand the situation sooner rather than later."

She had absolutely no interest in these factionalisms. Although the Eighth Princess was the Emperor's favorite, these things were unpredictable, and the winner was uncertain until the very end. "I wonder which one Grandmother favors?" she asked, curious about Grandmother Chu's opinion.

Grandmother Chu glanced at her, then calmly swallowed a sip of tea before replying, "Your grandmother has been away from the court for many years, and her old eyes are failing her; she can't see clearly anymore."

……

On the way back to the Chu family, Chu Qingluo kept thinking about this question. "Gongsun, do you think all three princesses want to inherit the throne?"

"Of course," Gongsun Yu affirmed.

"Why? Wouldn't it be more comfortable not to be emperor? Just be a dutiful member of the royal family, eat, drink, and be merry every day, living a life more carefree than the gods. Why fight tooth and nail for a thankless position?"

Gongsun Yu remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Besides the supreme power, there is probably another major reason, which is that princesses who do not inherit the throne must go to their fiefdoms and cannot return to Yan in this lifetime without being summoned."

Chu Qingluo understood these methods of consolidating imperial power, but surely going to a distant land wouldn't be that difficult? "Even if I go to my fiefdom, I'll still enjoy wealth and honor."

Gongsun Yu felt helpless about her naive idea: "Most fiefdoms are remote and harsh, of course they can't be better than staying here." Seeing that she was still conflicted, he reached out and patted her head: "It doesn't matter if you can't understand, just continue to live a relaxed and happy life."

He liked her simple self, and he would take care of the complicated things for her.