Zhao San knocked on the door before entering the room.
“Gongzi, this subordinate is here to change your dressing.”
Liu Zhao silently removed his shirt, revealing the wound.
The edges of the wound had already begun to scab over.
At the centre, the most severely injured part, granulation tissue had started to form, indicating steady healing.
Zhao San crouched down and began to clean the wound for Liu Zhao.
No matter how many times he had done this, every cleaning session was still a test of endurance.
“Gongzi, please bear with it; it’ll be done shortly,” Zhao San said.
“It’s fine,” Liu Zhao replied softly.
After cleaning the wound, Zhao San began applying the ointment.
“This ointment prescribed by Gu guniang is truly effective,” Zhao San remarked. “If gongzi allows it, this subordinate would like to promote its use in the barracks.”
Liu Zhao remained silent.
Zhao San immediately grew nervous, fearing that Liu Zhao might refuse.
After a brief pause, Liu Zhao said, “Fine, but limit it to the soldiers of the wangfu.”
“Thank you, gongzi!” Zhao San said, overjoyed. He then brought up another matter. “Gongzi, those from the neighbouring courtyard plan to depart for the governor’s fu tomorrow.”
“Mm, I’m aware,” Liu Zhao said indifferently, showing no particular reaction.
Zhao San didn’t press further, carefully bandaged the wound, and then left the room.
Liu Zhao moved his legs a little; with some perseverance, he could already walk normally.
He paced back and forth in the room. Occasionally, the faint sounds of activity from the neighbouring courtyard reached his ears.
Liu Zhao listened intently. Going back to the governor’s mansion, does that make you happy?
At dawn, Gu Jiu was awakened by Qing Mei.
“Guniang, it’s time to get up. We need to hurry today. The weather is hot, so leaving early will help us return to the fu sooner.”
Gu Jiu sat up groggily, rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep.
Peeking out toward the window, she noted the faint light of dawn. So early!
She said to Qing Mei, “Help me wash up and dress.”
“Yes!”
Knowing that she’d return to the mansion today, Gu Jiu chose a plain outfit.
After breakfast, they loaded the luggage onto the ox cart and prepared to depart.
As they exited the courtyard, Gu Jiu instinctively glanced toward the neighbouring Jingzuo Courtyard.
The courtyard was eerily quiet, as if no one lived there.
Retracting her gaze, Gu Jiu said to her maids, “Let’s go.”
After bidding farewell to Master Huitong, Gu Jiu climbed into the ox cart and started her journey back to the governor’s fu.
The cart swayed along the road, rocking all the way to the secondary gate of the governor’s fu.
Gu Jiu had slept throughout the journey, and was now filled with energy.
As soon as she got off the cart, the pozi stationed at the gate approached her.
“Nubi greets er guniang. Taitai was delighted to hear of your return. She asked that you go to shangfang once you arrive. The other guniang are already there.”
Gu Jiu smiled gently and said, “The cart was stifling, and I’m covered in sweat. I wouldn’t want to offend taitai with the smell. Let me freshen up and change before I pay my respects.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Qing Mei discreetly slipped a pouch into the maid’s hand. The pozi felt its weight and beamed. Er guniang was truly generous.
She quickly said, “Er guniang has just returned and must be tired and thirsty. Of course, you should rest a bit first. Nubi will inform taitai, but please don’t keep her waiting too long.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Thank you, da niang.”
The pozi left, and Gu Jiu led her maids and luggage back to Zhilan Yuan.
While Qing Mei assisted Gu Jiu with washing up and changing, Qing Zhu and Xiao Cui stored the gifts from Gu daren in locked chests.
Dressed in a livelier outfit and holding a round fan, Gu Jiu waved it casually as she spoke to Qing Mei. “Summon Jiang Yan to see me.”
Qing Mei bowed and left to call for Jiang Yan. A moment later, Jiang Yan arrived at the eastern study.
“Nubi greets the young lady.”
“Rise. While I was away, did you have any interactions with your fellow townswoman Guo Taohua?”
Jiang Yan nodded slightly, her demeanour steady and reliable. In a soft voice, she said, “I met with Guo Taohua twice and gathered some information.”
“Let me hear it.”
After some deliberation, Jiang Yan began, “The day Xie laoye was expelled, I heard that taitai threw a tantrum in her quarters, smashing objects and scolding people. It caused quite a scene.
“For several days afterward, san guniang didn’t leave her room, likely due to being punished by taitai. However, after that, san guniang suddenly began visiting taitai’s chambers daily with si guniang to pay their respects.
“Additionally, Doctor Xu has been making frequent visits to treat taitai’s health, staying for long periods.
“Laoye has been spending his nights in Bai yiniang’s quarters lately. It seems Wei yiniang was unhappy about this and tried to provoke Bai yiniang but ended up suffering instead. Laoye reprimanded Wei yiniang and ordered her to remain confined to her quarters for reflection.”
Gu Jiu nodded in satisfaction after listening.
Before leaving, she had merely suggested Jiang Yan stay in contact with Guo Taohua, as Guo Taohua worked in shangfang.
Jiang Yan, this guniang, was quite clever. It wasn’t easy, gathering so much information in just a few days—a remarkable feat for someone new to the fu with no financial resources to grease palms.
Through this, Gu Jiu gained a clearer understanding of Jiang Yan’s abilities.
She asked, “Have you checked on Xiao Hong?”
Jiang Yan replied humbly, “Replying to guniang, nubi visited Xiao Hong jiejie twice, urging her to focus on recovering and not worry about her duties. Nubi informed her that guniang has already arranged for a replacement to take over her errands.
Hearing this, Xiao Hong jiejie grew agitated, worsening her condition. The doctor said it would take at least half a month for her to recover.”
Gu Jiu couldn’t help but laugh. Jiang Yan was truly a cunning ghost.
Knowing Xiaohong would be upset, Jiang Yan had still brought up the matter of her replacement on purpose.
“You did well,” Gu Jiu said. “Next, follow me to shangfang to meet taitai.”
Jiang Yan was overjoyed and thanked her profusely.
Qing Mei advised, “Change into proper attire. Once we’re there, do not speak without permission.”
“Thank you for the suggestion, Qing Mei jiejie. I will go change now.” Jiang Yan left happily to prepare.
Qing Zhu, feeling envious, muttered, “Guniang truly favours Jiang Yan.”
Gu Jiu chuckled and pinched Qing Zhu’s cheek. It was really soft and full of collagen.
“I favour you more,” she teased.
After nibbling on a couple of snacks and padding her stomach, Gu Jiu gathered her maids and headed to shangfang.
Before entering, she heard the cheerful laughter of her third sister, Gu Yue, from within. She seemed to be in high spirits.
After being announced, Gu Jiu entered the dimly lit room, squinting momentarily to adjust to the light.
Seated at the head of the room was Xie shi, looking slightly thinner but otherwise in good health. The veins on her hands stood out prominently, creating a somewhat eerie appearance.
Gu Jiu quickly averted her gaze and bowed. “Greetings, taitai. How has taitai been these days?”
“Good. Thanks to you, I’m doing just fine,” Xie shi replied biting on the word ‘good’. Her tone laced with sarcasm, though her face wore a kind smile.
Gu Jiu smiled brightly. The more uncomfortable taitai was, the happier she felt.
“It’s wonderful to see you in good health, taitai,” Gu Jiu said. “I’ve heard quite a bit happened while I was away. I was worried taitai might have fallen ill due to anger and stress. Seeing that taitai is fine, I realise my concerns were unnecessary.”
Xie shi’s smile froze slightly. “Er guniang is thoughtful. Sit down and talk; you must be tired.”
But inwardly, she seethed. Gu Jiu, this wretch! How dared she mock her?
She would endure for now. Once laoye calmed down, he would maker her pay for this.
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