Bai yiniang was filled with anger.
Things had been going too smoothly for her lately, and it had truly clouded her judgment.
She always believed she was flawless in her calculations. If she could escape Xie shi‘s schemes and even make her suffer a setback, then her ability to strategise should be on par with Gu Jiu.
Yet, Gu Jiu did not fall into her trap?
How could this be?!
Was Gu Jiu truly superior to her? How could she refuse to be baited?
Bai yiniang frowned. “Our interests align with er guniang. If this matter succeeds, there is no downside for her. Why would she refuse?”
She couldn’t figure it out.
Gu Lin hesitantly said, “Yiniang, everyone has been busy preparing to return to the capital. Perhaps er jiejie simply has no time.”
Bai yiniang looked at Gu Lin.
Gu Lin continued, “Moreover, I don’t think er jiejie is someone who can be easily manipulated. Yiniang wants her to compete against taitai, and she must have seen through it. She might not want any association with you, so she chose to refuse.”
Bai yiniang suddenly laughed.
Gu Lin was curious. “Yiniang, why are you laughing? Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I just realised that my Lin’er has finally grown up. You’ve thought through so many things—very impressive.”
Gu Lin beamed. “Yiniang, you think I’m right?”
Bai yiniang smiled. “An observer sees more clearly than those involved. I didn’t expect you to understand this better than me.”
She silently reflected. Lately, she had indeed become overconfident—this was not good.
Just because she won a battle against Xie shi, she had underestimated Gu Jiu.
A grave mistake!
Her child was not yet born. She didn’t even know if it would be a son. If she became careless now, the consequences could be disastrous.
Bai yiniang gently stroked her belly. She had to constantly remind herself—until the child was born, she must remain cautious and never get carried away.
Even after the child was safely delivered, that would only be the beginning.
Raising the child smoothly would be fraught with challenges.
She had been celebrating too soon.
Bai yiniang quickly regained clarity and told Gu Lin, “Forget about this matter for now. Once we return to the capital, I will find another way. No matter what, you must learn how to manage the household. Additionally, once we are in the capital, seize every opportunity to go out and meet more noble young ladies.”
“I understand.”
SHANGFANG
Xie shi looked at her two daughters and advised, “Yue’er, you are not young anymore. It’s time to consider your marriage.”
Gu Yue felt both delighted and nervous.
She whispered, “Nü’er will listen to Mother.”
Xie shi nodded in satisfaction. “Your marriage will certainly be decided after we return to the capital. I have given it much thought these past days.”
Gu Yue gazed at her mother eagerly.
Xie shi continued, “Once we reach the capital and visit the hou fu, you must make a good impression on the lao furen. Do your best to gain her favour.”
Gu Yue was puzzled. “Mother, please guide me.”
Xie shi explained, “Lao taitai of the hou fu comes from Zhu guogong fu, and the hou fu’s da taitai also comes from the same family. The Zhu guogong fu is an aristocratic house of meritorious nobility, one of the most prestigious families in the capital.
“The gongzi of Zhu guogong fu have outstanding reputations and are said to be talented in both civil and military arts. If you win the lao furen’s favor, you will have the opportunity to befriend the guniang of Zhu guogong fu. With connections, opportunities will follow.”
Gu Yue’s eyes widened in excitement and nervous anticipation. She cautiously asked, “Mother, do you wish for me to marry into Zhu guogong fu?”
Xie shi smiled and nodded. “That is why, Yue’er, you must hold yourself to the highest standards. When we visit the hou fu, do not act willfully or leave any openings for criticism. As long as you prove yourself worthy, I will find a way to fulfil your wishes and see you marry into a noble household as the esteemed eldest young mistress.”
Gu Yue’s cheeks flushed. She was both thrilled and expectant.
She couldn’t help but wonder—what kind of refined and elegant young lord would be her future husband?
Gu Yue nodded firmly. “Mother, nü’er will obey you.”
Xie shi smiled in satisfaction. “That’s good. Your temper must change. Be mindful of your words and actions in public. Do you understand?”
“Yes! Nü’er will be careful and never disappoint you.”
Gu Yue was overwhelmed with excitement. The gongzi of Zhu guogong fu must be exceptionally handsome. Just imagining herself as a noble lady in that family filled her heart with joy.
Gu Shan watched Gu Yue in disbelief. Was san jiejie getting ahead of herself?
If the gongzi of Zhu guogong fu were truly so desirable, wouldn’t the eldest tang bomu1 have already considered them for her own daughters?
Gu Shan thought to herself—san jiejie was celebrating too soon. If the marriage never materialised, wouldn’t she have been excited for nothing?
Xie shi then turned to Gu Shan. “Shan’er, you are also growing up.”
Gu Shan bowed. “Please guide me, Mother.”
Xie shi looked at her with a complicated expression.
She favoured Gu Yue, leaving little affection for Gu Shan, and even less concern.
But as her daughter, Gu Shan’s future still had to be arranged.
Xie shi said, “Shan’er, you are intelligent and independent, never making me worry. However, your marriage will also rely on the hou fu. So, when we visit, make sure to conduct yourself well. You and your sister must support each other. If your sister marries into Zhu guogong fu, it will naturally benefit you as well. When the time comes for your own marriage, things will be much easier.”
Gu Shan lowered her head, feeling somewhat bitter. But she still said, “Nü’er will listen to Mother and support jiejie.”
Gu Yue suddenly grasped Gu Shan’s hand. “Si meimei, we are family. If I have something good, I will never forget you.”
Gu Shan nodded. “Thank you, san jiejie.”
But in her heart, she did not believe Gu Yue’s words.
Others might not know her, but she did. Gu Yue was not one to share. On the contrary, she was the type to keep everything for herself.
If she couldn’t have something, she wouldn’t let others have it either.
Simply put, Gu Yue couldn’t stand seeing others do better than her.
She was proud and selfish.
Of course, Gu Shan could only think these things silently.
Xie shi added, “I have ordered the sewing room to make new dresses for both of you. When we visit the hou fu, do your best to impress. Do not disappoint me.”
Gu Yue smiled. “Mother, don’t worry. Nü’er will not let you down.”
Xie shi chuckled. “Good girl. You have improved these past months—I have not wasted my efforts on you.”
Gu Yue’s expression stiffened for a moment as she recalled being caught with Xie Xian and the slap her mother gave her.
But she quickly forced a remorseful look. “Nü’er was foolish in the past and made mistakes. Thankfully, Mother did not give up on nü’er and taught me patiently. Nü’er will never repeat my past mistakes and will never disappoint you again.”
Xie shi smiled and pulled Gu Yue into her embrace. She gently stroked her hair. “You have endured hardships.”
Gu Yue’s eyes welled with tears, but she quickly wiped them away. “Nü’er is not wronged. Without these experiences, nü’er would not have realised my mistakes. Nü’er would have continued being ignorant and embarrassing you.”
“Don’t say such foolish things. As long as you learn from the past, my efforts were not in vain.” Xie shi wiped away Gu Yue’s tears. “Why are you so sentimental?”
Gu Yue gazed at her mother with admiration. “Nü’er is just happy.”
Xie shi smiled. “I have already ordered a set of fine jewellery for you. It will be ready next month.”
Gu Yue beamed. “Thank you, Mother. You are so kind!”
Gu Shan, sitting quietly on the side, observed their intimacy as an outsider. In the past few days, such scenes were staged almost every day.
She had long since stopped expecting anything different. Once, she had felt jealousy and pain. Now, she had trained herself to feel nothing.
Mother’s partiality towards san jiejie had not changed from beginning to end. The best way to avoid disappointment was to stop hoping altogether.
And so, she had learned to be indifferent. Gu Shan felt that she was really strong now. Indifferent enough to be invulnerable.
After finishing their conversation, the two sisters got up, bid farewell, and left the main hall together.
Gu Yue held Gu Shan’s hand and said, “Si meimei, come sit with me for a while.”
Gu Shan didn’t want to go, so she responded straightforwardly, “San jiejie, just say what you need to. If I can help, I definitely will.”
Gu Yue chuckled softly. “Si meimei, once I marry into Zhu guogong fu, I’ll be sure to choose a good marriage for you. So, you must help me.”
Gu Shan remained expressionless. “San jiejie, how do you want me to help you?”
“I haven’t thought about it yet. Once we arrive in the capital, I’ll discuss it with you in detail. But no matter what, you have to help me.”
Gu Shan nodded. “Of course, I’ll help you. Mother has given her orders, so I have no choice.”
Now that was more like it.
Gu Yue smiled in satisfaction. “Si meimei, you’re so good to me.”
Gu Shan tugged the corners of her lips into a forced smile. “We’re sisters, after all.”
“Si meimei is absolutely right. So from now on, stop speaking up for Gu Jiu.”
Gu Shan reminded her, “San jiejie, careless words bring trouble. Mother also warned you to be mindful of what you say and do, so as not to give others any leverage against you. You must refer to Gu Jiu as er jiejie, whether in public or in private. Otherwise, if you slip up one day and someone from the hou fu hears it, you might ruin your own prospects.”
Gu Yue looked impatient. “Fine, I got it. I’ll call her er jiejie from now on. Happy?”
Gu Shan said, “San jiejie, don’t be impatient. Everything Mother said was reasonable. San jiejie is going to marry into an aristocratic family as a young mistress; you can’t just show a sour face every time you meet someone you dislike. That would offend everyone around you.”
Gu Yue stared at Gu Shan. “Aren’t you annoying? Si meimei, I’ve noticed you love preaching to my face. Do you find it fun? Are you addicted to it?”
Gu Shan was taken aback but quickly said, “San jiejie, you’ve misunderstood. I’m only thinking of your best interests.”
“If you really cared about me, you’d talk less. Your endless lectures are giving me calluses in my ears. Enough, just remember to help me. Leave the rest alone.”
With that, Gu Yue walked away.
Gu Shan stood still, her brows furrowed, her expression unreadable.
A maid approached and asked, “Guniang, shall we return to your room?”
Gu Shan shook her head. “Let’s go to da jiejie’s place.”
Gu Jiu arrived at the Siguo Courtyard to check on Gu Ting’s injuries.
“Is gege feeling better?”
Gu Ting grinned widely. “Much better.”
Gu Jiu shook her head with a smile. “Don’t exaggerate, gege. It’s only been a day—there’s no way you’re recovering that fast. It’ll take at least a few more days before you see any real improvement.”
She took a hairpin and lightly poked his injured leg, but the pain response was still weak.
Healing bones and muscles takes a hundred days. No matter how good the medicine is, it can’t work miracles overnight—it has to be nursed gradually.
Li Chuan entered from outside. “Guniang, Da Zhuang is here.”
Gu Jiu nodded and said to Gu Ting, “Gege, I’ll go meet Da Zhuang. You take good care of yourself.”
Gu Ting sighed. “Meimei, I’m so bored. Why don’t you just talk to Da Zhuang here in the room?”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “Gege should use this time to read more books. Before, you could never sit still to study. Now you have all the time in the world and can’t even get out of bed—why not read to pass the time?”
Ignoring Gu Ting’s groans of protest, Gu Jiu walked out.
Inside, Da Zhuang stood respectfully. Upon seeing her, he quickly stepped forward and saluted.
“Greetings, guniang.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “No need to be so formal. Sit and speak.”
“Thank you, guniang.”
Da Zhuang sat on a wooden stool.
Gu Jiu asked, “How did things go?”
Da Zhuang’s expression showed excitement as he reported, “Guniang, we’ve successfully acquired the Xiahegou Horse Ranch. Here’s a detailed account record xiaode has prepared for you to review.”
Gu Jiu took the ledger and flipped through it.
She had already gone over an initial report from Gu Yu, Gu si ge.
The original owner of Xiahegou Horse Ranch was in urgent need of cash to return to his hometown, so Gu Yu seized the opportunity to bargain, bringing the price down from 3,000 taels to 1,500 taels.
Gu Jiu was quite satisfied with this outcome.
Her original budget had been 2,000 taels to acquire the ranch. Thanks to Gu Yu’s negotiations, she saved 500 taels.
After reviewing the ledger, Gu Jiu said, “The records are thorough—very good. Maintain this standard for future accounts. Once I return to Jingcheng, submit a report every six months.”
“Xiaode obeys.”
Gu Jiu set the ledger aside and asked, “How is the alfalfa grass I asked you to grow?”
Da Zhuang responded, “Guniang, the alfalfa grass is growing well. We tested feeding it to the horses, and they seem to like it. If there are no issues, we can plant it on a larger scale at the ranch next spring.”
Gu Jiu had bought Xiahegou Horse Ranch with a specific plan in mind—alfalfa grass.
Alfalfa was an excellent forage crop, and feeding it to horses could drastically cut feed costs.
But from what Gu Jiu had learned, none of the private ranches in the region—including the official Qingping Horse Ranch under the Imperial Stables—seemed aware of its benefits.
Not a single ranch was growing alfalfa. As a result, horse feed was a massive expense for all of them.
During her visit to Tianmen Temple, Gu Jiu had discovered alfalfa growing near some farmland.
So when she decided to purchase a ranch, she had already instructed Da Zhuang to acquire land specifically for growing alfalfa.
Now that Xiahegou Horse Ranch was secured, she could finally put her plan into action.
Gu Jiu then asked, “How are the horses?”
Da Zhuang replied, “Gu Yu shaoye took the lead in arranging the transport of 100 young colts, 5 broodmares, and one top-quality stallion from Qingping Horse Ranch. Payment is on credit—no need for upfront cash. Next year, when we deliver horses to Qingping Horse Ranch, the accounts will be settled together.”
According to horse regulations, all adult horses from Xiahegou Ranch had to be sold exclusively to Qingping Horse Ranch, with no private transactions allowed.
This restriction was precisely why many private ranches struggled to survive.
Since the prices were controlled by the Imperial Stables, private ranches had no room to raise their prices, leaving them with razor-thin profits.
For many ranch owners, keeping their business running was an exhausting burden.
But now, with Gu Yu’s connections and Li daren from Qingping Horse Ranch as an ally—combined with the advantage of alfalfa grass—Gu Jiu’s ranch held a clear edge.
Just the fact that Li daren allowed them to take 100 colts on credit, interest-free, was already an enormous favor.
It freed up a significant amount of silver, allowing Gu Jiu to allocate funds elsewhere.
She smiled and said, “I must properly thank Gu si ge for this.”
Da Zhuang agreed, saying that Gu Yu had been a tremendous help in acquiring Xiahekou Horse Ranch.
Gu Jiu took out an envelope and handed it to Da Zhuang. “This contains 500 taels—enough to cover six months of expenses for the ranch. If you need more, let me know.”
“500 taels is plenty. Xiaode will make sure to run the ranch well for guniang.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “And what about the wool weaving I mentioned?”
Da Zhuang immediately pulled out a small roll of fabric. “Guniang, please take a look. My mother wove this wool cloth.”
Gu Jiu was delighted—she hadn’t expected results so soon. The wool fabric was soft and warm, perfect for winter clothing.
She asked, “What did Gui mama say about it?”
Da Zhuang replied, “My mother said that weaving wool isn’t difficult—the hard part is cleaning and sorting the wool. Washing it requires a large water supply, and selecting quality wool takes many workers.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “So the wool workshop must be set up outside the city.”
Da Zhuang hesitated before saying, “Guniang, success attracts attention. No one in the northwest has ever done wool weaving before. Once our workshop starts turning a profit, people will surely covet it.
“As long as laoye is stationed here as an official, those people will hold back. But once we return to the capital, they’ll have no scruples about taking action. I fear that just as our workshop starts thriving, someone else will swoop in to steal it.”
Gu Jiu silently agreed.
Right now, the wool workshop seemed insignificant. But once it grew and started making substantial profits, all kinds of ghosts and snakes from all over the northwest would emerge to snatch it away.
By then, with her father gone and her far away in the capital, she wouldn’t be able to respond in time.
She needed an ally. A powerful one.
A name suddenly came to her mind.
- Father’s elder male patrilineal cousin’s wife. Gu Zhiwen’s wife. ↩︎
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