Counting down from 10 to a personal milestone – Chapter 100! 9 more chapters to go!
That evening, Gu Jiu changed into a festive outfit and made her way to the Flower Pavillion.
At the banquet, she finally met all the members of the first branch, including her infamous grandfather.
Da bofu was a military officer, exuding a sharp and formidable presence.
The several gege of the first branch were all tall and well-built.
As for the didi, they still carried a childish air.
Gu Jiu stepped forward and greeted, “I pay my respects to da bofu.”
Gu da laoye, Gu Zhiming, nodded. “So, you’re Xiao Jiu. You’ve grown so much.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly.
Gu daren called out, “Come forward and greet laoyezi.”
The children of the second branch stepped forward one after another.
In unison, they said, “We pay our respects to zufu.”
Gu laoyezi, with his greying beard and a demeanour of indulgence in pleasure, gave off an air of disrespectability.
His eyesight had deteriorated, and he had to squint to see people clearly.
“These are lao er’s children? Not bad, not bad, they’ve grown. Have their marriages been arranged yet?”
Gu daren bowed slightly and replied, “Father, there’s no rush with the children’s marriages. Erzi intends to take my time in choosing suitable matches.”
Gu laoyezi swayed his head from side to side. “A girl who’s come of age cannot afford to delay. Laofu remembers da yatou has already reached marriageable age, hasn’t she? She’s already this old and still hasn’t been betrothed? Do you intend for her to remain unmarried? That isn’t good.
“Lao er, if you can’t find a suitable match for your daughters, I’ll take care of it for you. With so many noble families in the capital, I only need to make some inquiries, and in no time, I’ll have their marriages settled.”
Standing beside Gu Jiu, Gu Zhen’s face turned pale.
Being called an ‘old maiden’ by her own grandfather nearly brought her to tears.
She forced herself to endure, barely managing to hold back her emotions.
Seeing this, Gu laoyezi clicked his tongue twice. “Da yatou, why are you crying upon seeing laofu? Are laofu’s words wrong?”
Gu Zhen shook her head repeatedly, biting her lips so hard she couldn’t even speak.
Gu daren glanced at her before turning to Gu laoyezi and saying, “Father, I have my own plans for my children’s marriages. There’s no need for you to worry.”
Gu laoyezi immediately let out a cold snort. “Lao er, you’ve been away for over ten years. Now that you’re finally back in the capital, we’ve barely exchanged a few words, and yet you’re already finding fault with everything laofu says. What, do you have a problem with laofu?”
Gu daren remained expressionless. “Erzi wouldn’t dare.”
Though his words were respectful, his tone was cold and indifferent.
His demeanour made it clear—he was, indeed, dissatisfied.
Smack!
Gu laoyezi slammed his hand on the table. “Gu Zhili! Such an attitude is a grave act of unfilial conduct, do you understand? If laofu submits a memorial to the Emperor, your entire career will be finished!”
Gu daren’s face darkened with anger, his fists clenching tightly.
Having served as an official for over twenty years, he had never been defeated by his colleagues or crushed by his political opponents. And yet, here he was—driven to madness by his father.
Just as the father and son were on the verge of a full-blown conflict, Xie shi felt both terrified and strangely excited.
Gu laoyezi had always been an unrestrained and reckless man. Ever since their return, he had done nothing but nitpick at them. She had never seen such a disgraceful elder before.
Other families’ elders always looked out for their children. But this laoyezi? It was already fortunate enough that he wasn’t a burden. And now, he was threatening to ruin Gu daren’s career? How utterly infuriating.
She almost wished that Gu daren would finally put Gu laoyezi in his place.
Just then, Gu da laoye, Gu Zhiming, stepped in. “Father, er di just got home today. Can’t you let things be? Must you insist on making everyone miserable?”
Gu laoyezi snorted, his beard trembling. “I am your laozi! Can’t I reprimand you all a little?”
Gu Zhiming frowned and retorted bluntly, “Father, threatening er di’s career by reporting him to the Emperor—how is that something a father should do? What good would it do you if er di’s career was ruined?”
Gu laoyezi suddenly burst into laughter. “Because it pleases me.”
His attitude was completely unreasonable—shamelessly revelling in his own selfishness. Gu laoyezi was the very embodiment of a scoundrel in his youth who had only become more outrageous with age.
Gu daren was nearly driven to his breaking point.
Just for his own amusement, Gu laoyezi was willing to destroy his son’s career.
How had he ended up with such an unscrupulous father? At this rate, he would surely lose years off his life.
Fortunately, Gu Zhiming was well-versed in dealing with Gu laoyezi’s antics.
With a stern expression, he said, “If Father continues to speak so recklessly, erzi will go to the hou fu and invite da bofu over to have a proper conversation with you.”
Gu laoyezi immediately faltered.
The “da bofu” Gu Zhiming referred to was none other than the neighbouring hou fu’s laoyezi—Pingnan hou.
Pingnan hou was Gu laoyezi’s elder brother. At present, he was the only person who could exert some control over Gu laoyezi.
However, since they did not live under the same roof, Pingnan hou could not monitor him constantly.
In short, Gu laoyezi spent most of his time behaving outrageously and only had fleeting moments of rationality.
Seeing his eldest son’s stern expression, Gu laoyezi wavered.
He muttered, “Fine, fine. I was just joking with lao er. Who knew he couldn’t even take a joke?”
Gu daren felt utterly exasperated. “Please, Father, do not joke about erzi’s career ever again.”
A son filing a complaint against his father? Unthinkable. But a father accusing his son? That would be taken seriously.
So when Gu laoyezi threatened to submit a petition to the Emperor, Gu daren was genuinely afraid—and full of resentment.
He knew all too well that his father was capable of doing anything.
Xie shi let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thankfully, the matter had been resolved.
The children of the second branch had all been given an eye-opening experience.
They had never imagined their own grandfather would turn out to be such a disgraceful old fool.
Of course, they could only think this in their hearts—voicing it aloud would be a grave act of disrespect.
Gu laoyezi finally let go of the topic of marriage and instead turned his attention to Gu Ting, who was seated in a wheelchair.
Gu Ting’s legs had yet to heal and were still too weak to bear weight.
Gu Jiu had advised him to take small steps while holding onto the walls, but to avoid walking when going outside.
Gu laoyezi stared at Gu Ting and asked, “Sanlang, how did you hurt your leg?”
Gu Ting bowed slightly and replied, “Replying to zufu, I fell off a horse.”
Hearing this, Gu laoyezi burst into laughter and pointed at Gu Ting. “You really are useless. You can’t even stay on a horse. Lao er, look at your useless son—he can’t even ride properly. He’s a complete failure.”
Gu Ting’s face darkened. Yet, as a grandson, he could not retort.
He gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly. If not for the fact that this old man was his own grandfather, he would have already punched him.
Xie shi smirked, secretly delighted.
Though she despised Gu laoyezi, seeing Gu Ting get humiliated made her quite happy.
Because, in her eyes, Gu Ting was a failure—useless in both studies and practical matters.
What could he possibly use to compete with her precious son, Gu Cheng?
Gu daren looked at Gu laoyezi with great frustration.
If laoyezi scolded Gu Ting as a useless man, wasn’t he indirectly calling him, as the father, a useless man too?
Gu daren said, “Father, there’s no need for you to worry about sanlang. You should just indulge yourself with your concubines and wine.”
He was very certain—he would rather have Gu laoyezi spend his days in his concubines’ rooms, drinking and making a drunken mess, than sit at the same table with him for a meal.
He could already imagine that the upcoming banquet would be even more frustrating.
He might actually die from anger.
Having such a father was truly an unfortunate fate.
Even more unfortunate was that lao taitai had passed away, and there was no one in the household who could truly rein in this outrageous laoyezi.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Gu da laoye simply said, “Er di and his family have finally returned. Have the kitchen bring up the dishes and prepare the wine.”
Da taitai Zhang shi nodded in and instructed a maid to pass the message to the kitchen.
Soon, the dishes were served.
Gu da laoye invited Gu daren to sit and drink.
Two tables were set. The men sat at one, while the women sat at the other.
Gu Jiu sat upright in her chair, with Gu Zhen to her left and Gu Yue to her right.
Gu Zhen muttered in a low voice, “Laoyezi is really…” Disrespectful in his old age—utterly infuriating.
Gu Jiu smiled faintly. “Da jiejie, have some tea.”
She raised her teacup, effectively silencing Gu Zhen.
Didn’t she even consider where they were and what occasion this was? She dared to say whatever came to her mind.
Did she really think that just because her voice was low, others couldn’t hear her?
Gu Zhen was truly too careless.
Forced to drink a cup of tea, Gu Zhen felt even more stifled.
On the very first day of their return to the capital, they had to encounter such a situation—no one could possibly be happy about it.
Gu Yue glanced at Gu Zhen, her expression carrying a faint smile, as if she were enjoying the spectacle.
Noticing Gu Yue’s gaze, Gu Zhen let out a cold snort.
Gu Yue pressed her lips together in amusement and said to Gu Jiu, “Er jiejie must keep a close eye on da jiejie. Don’t let her embarrass herself again.”
Gu Zhen’s face turned green. Gu Yue hadn’t even bothered to lower her voice when she spoke.
Such blatant mockery and ridicule made Gu Zhen extremely displeased. She shot Gu Yue a vicious glare.
Gu Yue, however, only smiled even more brightly.
Seeing Gu Zhen suffer and being called an old maid by laoyezi—why did that make her so happy?
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow and stared at Gu Yue. “Is san meimei pleased when da jiejie is humiliated?”
Gu Yue chuckled softly. “Er jiejie misunderstood. How could I be that kind of person?”
Gu Jiu snorted. “We’re all part of the Gu family. Do you think when da jiejie makes a fool of herself, it makes you look good? Aren’t you losing face right along with her?”
Gu Yue’s expression stiffened, but she quickly smiled again. “I was just speaking casually. Why take it so seriously? Honestly, you can’t even take a joke. Er jiejie, you’re really no fun.”
Gu Jiu secretly rolled her eyes. “I don’t need to please you, so why should I be fun?”
Gu Yue was left speechless again.
That’s right—Gu Jiu had no need to win her favour, so naturally, she had no reason to act amusing in front of her.
Gu Yue stared at Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, do you think that just because da bomu has your back, you can do whatever you want?”
Gu Jiu sneered. “The one doing whatever she wants is you, san meimei. Don’t forget, I almost died at your hands. You are a murderer.”
“You—”
Gu Yue was filled with resentment.
That incident was a stain on her reputation.
Because of it, their father had punished her by confining her and making her copy the family rules.
She thought it was all in the past.
Who would have thought Gu Jiu would bring it up again today?
“I see now—er jiejie is deliberately making things difficult for me.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow and smirked. “San meimei understands everything, yet somehow lacks self-awareness.”
Gu Yue gritted her teeth. Damn Gu Jiu and her sharp tongue.
Gu Shan secretly tugged at Gu Yue’s sleeve, signalling her to stop talking.
Even liu meimei, Gu Jun, had noticed the commotion.
If word of this reached the first branch, it might stir up another storm.
Gu Yue was furious and turned her anger on Gu Shan instead.
Just then, Xie shi and Zhang shi took their seats, forcing Gu Yue to shut her mouth, unable to vent her frustration.
Gu Zhen whispered to Gu Jiu, “Thank you, er meimei. You helped me, and I owe you one.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “No need to be so polite, da jiejie.”
This meal was like a battlefield, filled with hidden daggers and exhaustion.
Even with a table full of exquisite dishes, Gu Jiu only ate a few bites without really tasting anything.
Returning to the capital, the chaos at this banquet was inevitable.
At the next table, Gu laoyezi, after downing three cups of wine, started causing trouble again.
Da laoye had to repeatedly mediate.
Meanwhile, among the women—
It was obvious that Xie shi and Zhang shi did not get along.
Zhang shi smiled. “Dimei, have some fish! I still remember, back when you were pregnant, in the dead of winter, you insisted on eating fish. Su dimei was so considerate that she specially had people buy fish from the countryside.
“Ah, that reminds me—back then, dimei, you lived in Xiangsi Courtyard. Now, Bai yiniang lives there. Come to think of it, you and Bai yiniang have a lot in common. Hahaha, just making small talk—dimei, you’re not angry, are you?”
Xie shi wasn’t just angry—she felt like tearing Zhang shi apart.
Bringing up past events, what was she implying?
And dragging Bai yiniang into this—was she reminding her not to forget her past as a concubine?
Hmph. Xie shi put down her wine cup.
She was no longer a mere concubine—she was now the lady of the second branch.
She smiled radiantly. “I’m surprised dasao remembers such old matters. Back then, I was pregnant with liulang. Everyone thought I’d have a daughter, but I was determined to have a son. Hahaha, and sure enough, I gave birth to a son—a brilliant and steady one, whom even my husband praises.
“But speaking of memories, dasao truly has an impressive one. So much time has passed, and even I have nearly forgotten, yet dasao recalls everything so clearly. Ah, I understand now—dasao must constantly remember the past to remind me not to forget my roots.
“Such a pity—it seems I have disappointed dasao. Now, I am the taitai of the second branch, standing on equal footing with you. Even if you don’t like it, you’ll have to endure it.”
Her last words were spoken in a hushed, biting tone.
Everyone at the table, whether eating or not, set down their chopsticks, tense and uneasy, afraid the two taitai would start fighting right then and there.
Gu Zhen, holding a teacup, was so nervous her hands shook, and the cup slipped toward the ground.
She turned pale. Oh no, oh no.
But at the last moment, Gu Jiu caught the falling tea cup, though a few drops splashed onto her sleeve.
Gu Zhen quickly said, “Thank you!”
“Shh!”
Gu Jiu placed the teacup back on the table, signalling Gu Zhen to stay silent.
At this moment, the best thing to do was to be a quiet observer.
The tension between Xie shi and Zhang shi was like a drawn sword, ready to strike.
Gu Shan watched, growing increasingly anxious.
She wanted to step in and mediate, but she knew she lacked the authority to do so.
She was genuinely worried—if her mother and da bomu tore into each other on their first day back in the capital, how would they live together after this?
Sharing the same roof, seeing each other every day—if they openly fell out, wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward?
Just as Gu Shan was panicking, noise erupted from the men’s table, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
Bang!
A wine cup smashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.
Gu laoyezi, after drinking, had started making a scene again.
Gu da laoye deeply regretted inviting him to this banquet today.
But with the second branch returning home, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for laoyezi to be absent.
Now, as the situation spiralled out of control, Gu da laoye made a decisive call. “Someone, come! Laoyezi is drunk. Take him away.”
“Laofu is not drunk! Lao da, you unfilial son! Laofu is not drunk—why are you saying I am? I’ll go to the Emperor and sue you!”
Gu da laoye remained unfazed, clearly used to this.
He turned to Gu laoyezi and said, “Father, stop causing trouble and speaking nonsense. His Majesty won’t see you. Have you forgotten? His Majesty ordered you to reflect at home. It’s been two years—has he called you back to court?”
Gu laoyezi still held the title of Zhenjun General and the plaque outside the Gu fu bore the name “General Gu’s fu.”
But his position was purely honorary—he had no real authority and no troops under his command.
In the past, he could still attend morning court.
But one day, after drinking too much, he actually fell asleep during court. The Emperor, naturally displeased, ordered him to go home and reflect. That reflection had now lasted two years.
Gu da laoye brought this up on purpose—ripping open Gu laoyezi’s old wound.
Gu laoyezi flew into a rage, reaching to overturn the table. But Gu da laoye was prepared, pressing down on the table firmly.
He barked at the servants, “What are you all standing around for? Take laoyezi away and look after him properly. For the time being, don’t let him out.”
“Yes!”
Several burly servants rushed forward, grabbing his arms and legs, lifting him up effortlessly.
Their movements were practiced, their teamwork seamless. Clearly, they had done this many times before.
“Laoyezi, don’t make a fuss. We’ll take you back to your room.”
The servants spoke calmly as they carried Gu laoyezi away.
The second branch of the family stared in stunned silence.
Such efficiency—why hadn’t they done this earlier?
T/N: The title of the chapter is a figure of speech for ‘a chaotic mess’.
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