The rear garden of the general’s fu was truly a breathtaking sight.
This season wasn’t known for an abundance of flowers, and chrysanthemums wouldn’t bloom for some time yet. However, the prefect’s furen had still managed to bring in plenty of fresh flowers, filling the garden.
Everywhere in the garden was picturesque. Being there felt like being in a Jiangnan garden, a feast for the eyes and a balm for the heart.
Gu Jiu followed Xie shi to pay respects to the prefect’s furen.
In the Flower Pavillion, all the local prominent ladies and madams had gathered. As soon as Xie shi entered, everyone greeted her warmly.
“Gu furen, you’ve finally arrived! We’ve been waiting for you for ages.”
“Xie meimei, it’s been so long. Later, we must have a good chat and catch up.”
Xie shi smiled gracefully, skillfully mingling with the various madams and ladies.
Then, she led her children forward to pay respects to the prefect’s furen.
Among those present, the prefect’s furen had the highest rank and status.
The prefect’s furen, Cai shi, had a round face, fair skin, and a tall figure, exuding an air of prosperity and good fortune.
She took Xie shi’s hand and said, “Meimei, why are you so late? You’ll have to drink three cups as a penalty later.”
Xie shi laughed, “I admit I’m late, I accept the punishment.”
Cai shi glanced at the children standing behind Xie shi and said, “Meimei is truly blessed.”
Xie shi beamed, “Not as blessed as jiejie. Children, come greet the furen.”
Gu Jiu stood in line with Gu Yue and Gu Shan, taking two steps forward to bow. “Greetings to furen.”
Gu Zhen and Gu Lin stood behind them.
“Good children, come closer so I can have a look,” Cai shi beckoned Gu Yue.
Gu Yue gave a faint smile, her expression brimming with pride.
She stepped forward and said, “Greetings, furen.”
Cai shi held Gu Yue’s hand and exclaimed, “Good, good, good! Meimei is truly fortunate. In the blink of an eye, Yue’er has grown so much. I wonder which family will have the fortune to marry her.”
Xie shi felt proud but maintained a modest smile. “Jiejie jests. This child is the most thoughtful. I really can’t bear to part with her yet and plan to keep her at home for a few more years.”
Cai shi laughed, “Meimei is right. You must choose carefully and find her a perfect match.”
Xie shi nodded. “Jiejie is always so insightful.”
Cai shi let go of Gu Yue’s hand and noticed Gu Jiu.
“This guniang is…?”
Gu Jiu had been frail and sickly, with a pale and unremarkable appearance in the past.
But now, she had transformed. She was not only prettier but had also grown taller. For a moment, Cai shi didn’t recognise her.
Xie shi remained composed and smiled. “This is my second guniang, Xiao Jiu.”
“Oh!”
Cai shi suddenly recalled. Gu Jiu was the daughter left by the original wife. After not seeing her for half a year, the girl looked completely different. She beckoned Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu stepped forward and greeted her, “Greetings, furen.”
Cai shi looked her up and down, silently approving. Her demeanour indeed surpassed Gu Yue’s.
“Good child! I met your mother once in the capital years ago. How you’ve grown in the blink of an eye! I heard your health hasn’t been good. Are you feeling well enough to attend today? If you feel unwell, you must say so. There are mamas here who know a bit of medicine.”
Gu Jiu smiled lightly. “Thank you for your concern, furen. After years of recuperation, I’m much better now. I feel well enough to attend today.”
Cai shi laughed. “That’s good. Enjoy yourself with the other girls and don’t hold back.”
Gu Jiu nodded with a smile. “I will listen to furen.”
Cai shi then turned her attention to the sons of the Gu family.
When she saw Gu Cheng, her eyes lit up. She quickly asked Xie shi, “Sister, is this your liulang? Such a handsome and refined young man. You’re truly blessed.”
Xie shi couldn’t help but laugh. “Liulang, come greet the furen.”
Gu Cheng stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Greetings, furen. I wish you good health.”
“Good child.”
Cai shi scrutinised Gu Cheng and grew increasingly satisfied. She couldn’t help but ask, “Meimei, has your liulang been engaged yet?”
Xie shi was momentarily taken aback.
Cai shi chuckled and continued, “I have several daughters at home, all unmarried. If meimei doesn’t mind, we should draw our families closer.”
Xie shi glanced at Gu Cheng and then laughed heartily. “It would be our Liu Lang’s fortune to be noticed by jiejie. However, laoye has long insisted that the children’s marriages are his responsibility. I hope you’ll understand if I can’t give an immediate answer.”
Cai shi nodded in understanding. “That’s only right. Meimei must keep this in mind and have a good talk with Gu daren another day.”
Xie shi smiled and agreed. “Of course, of course.”
“You children are free to go now. Enjoy yourselves.”
Xie shi dismissed the children, staying behind to socialise with the other ladies.
Gu Yue and Gu Shan went to find their familiar friends. Gu Zhen also had acquaintances.
Only Gu Jiu, having transmigrated here, lacked any connections. The original owner hadn’t left her with any network of friends.
Looking around, she didn’t recognise anyone.
Gu Lin, being the youngest among the sisters, also lacked acquaintances due to limited outings.
So, Gu Lin stayed close to Gu Jiu.
“Er jiejie, let’s find a place to sit,” Gu Lin suggested.
Gu Jiu shook her head. “The scenery here is lovely. I’d like to walk around and take a look. If wu meimei is bored, feel free to go play.”
After some hesitation, Gu Lin said, “Alright, I’ll go play then.”
Gu Jiu strolled through the garden, occasionally stopping to admire the flowers or take a deep breath, as if the air carried a sweet fragrance.
Unknowingly, she wandered into the depths of the garden.
It was secluded and cool there. In summer, the shade was the most comfortable place to be.
Xiao Cui laid a cushion on a stone seat. “Guniang, please sit.”
Gu Jiu smiled and sat down, enjoying the peace, when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching nearby.
“Yue meimei, how did the matter I asked you about go?”
“Which matter is Xu jiejie referring to?”
Hmm? That was Gu Yue’s voice!
“Shh!”
Gu Jiu quickly gestured for her maids to stay silent.
The maids promptly quieted down, careful not to make any noise that might alert the two speakers.
Gu Jiu stood up and hid behind the bushes to take a peek.
The speakers were indeed Gu Yue and the eldest daughter of the prefect’s furen, who seemed to be called Xu Yuanniang.
Why were these two conversing in such a remote place?
Xu Yuanniang frowned slightly and asked, “Yue meimei, the letter I gave you before, did you deliver it to Gu Cheng liu ge?”
Gu Yue suddenly remembered. “Ah, Xu jiejie, you mean that matter. I already gave your letter to liu ge.”
Xu Yuanniang’s expression turned excited. She nervously clutched her handkerchief and asked, “Did Gu Cheng liu ge reply?”
Gu Yue shook her head with regret. “I’m sorry, Xu jiejie. My liu ge didn’t send a reply.”
Xu Yuanniang’s face turned pale.
“Really?”
Gu Yue nodded heavily. “Not only did liu ge not reply, but he also told me not to deliver letters on anyone’s behalf again. You should’ve seen how stern he looked—it scared me to death.”
Xu Yuanniang’s expression became dazed. “I see…”
Gu Yue nodded and said, “Xu jiejie, I wouldn’t lie to you. We’re good friends, after all. Your business is my business. But this time, I’m truly sorry I couldn’t help you. Actually, if you genuinely admire my liu ge, you could have the elders step in.”
Xu Yuanniang forced a smile. “Thank you, Yue meimei, for your effort. I understand.”
Gu Yue waved her hand. “It’s no trouble. I just feel bad for you.”
Xu Yuanniang sighed but then said, “Thank you, Yue meimei. By the way, why is your er jiejie here too? Wasn’t she sick? When I saw her today, I was quite surprised. She didn’t look sick at all and even seemed prettier.”
Gu Yue’s mood soured at the mention of Gu Jiu.
“What else could it be? Her illness got better, and now she’s of age, so she’s probably here to look for marriage prospects. Xu jiejie, don’t be fooled by how she looks healthy now. I’m telling you, she’s still frail. She gets out of breath just talking for a bit. Whoever marries her is in for trouble—she probably can’t even have children.”
Gu Yue’s face was filled with disdain and scorn, clearly displeased with Gu Jiu.
Qing Mei and the other maids, overhearing Gu Yue slandering Gu Jiu in front of outsiders, were furious. They rolled up their sleeves, ready to charge out.
Gu Jiu quickly stopped them, shaking her head. “Shh, don’t rush. Let’s hear what else they have to say.”
“San guniang is too much! She has no regard for sisterly bonds. Speaking ill of er guniang like this, does she think it makes her look good?”
Qing Mei was indignant but refrained from storming out.
Xu Yuanniang was intrigued. “Didn’t you say last time that she was on the verge of dying? How did she suddenly recover?”
Gu Yue snorted. “She changed doctors, and her illness got better.”
Xu Yuanniang burst out laughing. “Then when you had someone push her into the water last time, wasn’t that all for nothing?”
Gu Yue stomped her foot and huffed. “I just couldn’t stand her. Having someone push her into the water was just to teach her a lesson. She ended up bedridden and almost died. At the time, I thought, well, if she dies, it’s no big deal. One less eyesore. But who knew her illness would actually get better? It’s infuriating.”
“…” Xu Yuan-niang pressed her lips together and smirked. “Yue meimei, don’t be upset. If someone’s life is spared, they’re bound to have blessings in the future.”
“Hmph! A sickly person like her, what blessings could she possibly have? Forget it, let’s not talk about her.”
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