Xie shi was absolutely furious.
She shot a fierce glare at Zhang shi.
Zhang shi raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Could it be that dimei is trying to renege on the debt?”
Xie shi gritted her teeth.
Zhang shi looked at her with a half-smile, half-sneer.
Xie shi gave a cold snort. “Dasao, rest assured. Our second branch will never go back on our word. I’ll send someone to deliver the money to the accounts room shortly.”
With that, Xie shi flung her sleeve and left.
Before leaving, she didn’t forget to glare at Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu looked completely innocent.
It was obvious that Xie shi was venting her anger on her.
Once Xie shi left, Zhang shi turned to Gu Jiu. “Er yatou, would you like to learn household management from me?”
Gu Jiu was pleasantly surprised. “Is da bomu serious?”
Zhang shi nodded. “As long as you’re willing, you can start tomorrow. Come and learn how to manage the household with me.”
Gu Jiu beamed. “Thank you, da bomu. I’m willing.”
Originally, Gu Jiu just wanted to settle the accounts quickly and prevent a feud between the first and second branches.
She hadn’t expected this unexpected surprise—da bomu was actually willing to teach her how to manage household affairs.
Gu Jiu left the hall with joy.
Qing Mei asked, “Guniang, shall we still go to Furong Yuan to pay respects?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “Taitai definitely won’t be in the mood to see me right now. No need to ask for trouble.”
Meanwhile, Xie shi stormed back to Furong Courtyard.
She had gone out intending to assert her authority, but instead came back fuming.
In her mind, she cursed Zhang shi over and over again.
Chun He reminded her to quickly send the money to the accounts room. Otherwise, rumours might start spreading in the manor that the second branch was refusing to pay their dues.
Xie shi snorted coldly and ordered Chun He to open the chest and fetch the money.
“When you deliver it, tell the accounts office to be more accurate next time.”
“Nubi understands.”
At that moment, a maid came in to report, “Taitai, san guniang is here to pay her respects.”
Xie shi frowned. “Didn’t I say there was no need today?”
Gu Yue entered from outside. “Nü’er was worried about Mother.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine.” Xie shi’s expression softened a bit at the sight of Gu Yue.
Chun He gave Gu Yue a curtsy, then hurried off with the money.
Gu Yue sat down beside Xie shi. “Mother, did someone upset you?”
Xie shi replied, “Nonsense, don’t overthink.”
Gu Yue looked at her, full of concern. “Nü’er wants to share Mother’s burden.”
“There’s no need. Just take care of yourself.”
Gu Yue lowered her head, biting her lip, eyes darting.
Why had an entire night passed without hearing a single rumor about Gu Zhen’s marriage?
Gu Yue felt uneasy. Was it because her parents were suppressing the matter?
She probed cautiously, “Mother, da jiejie cried all day yesterday and only fell asleep late at night. I’m really worried about her. Is her marriage still possible?”
Xie shi frowned. She’d been busy calculating accounts all morning and had nearly forgotten about Gu Zhen.
She asked, “You didn’t let anything slip, did you?”
Gu Yue shook her head repeatedly. “Nü’er didn’t reveal a word.”
“Good. Your father has made it clear—anyone who dares leak a word will be severely punished.”
“But da jiejie cried all night yesterday. A lot of people know that already. By now, people are probably guessing all kinds of things. Mother, shouldn’t we take some action to resolve this quickly?”
“Resolve it how?” Xie shi looked at Gu Yue.
Gu Yue hesitated, then said, “Nü’er thinks… the best solution is to quickly arrange a new match for Eldest Sister.”
After a pause, she added, “Haixi bo fu is likely a lost cause now, so only the Xie family is left. Considering what happened between da jiejie and Xie er biaoge, nü’er think it would be best if she married into the Xie family.”
Xie shi stared at Gu Yue. “You truly think that?”
Gu Yue put on a meek expression. “Nü’er only want what’s best for da jiejie.”
Xie shi snorted. “Your father doesn’t agree with this marriage at all.”
Gu Yue’s heart sank. “Father is against it?”
“Of course.”
Gu Yue was bewildered.
“Why? It’s not like it would be beneath da jiejie to marry into the Xie family.”
“There are things you don’t understand,” Xie shi brushed her off.
Gu Yue grew anxious.
She didn’t know everything. She had no idea her father and Xie Mao had already clashed several times, or that her father was waiting for the right moment to strike a heavy blow.
She only vaguely sensed that relations with her maternal uncle’s family weren’t warm.
But she hadn’t thought too deeply about it. She just assumed her uncle’s family was unlikeable, which was why their families weren’t close.
But now, even after what had happened between Gu Zhen and Xie Ding, her father still opposed the match.
Gu Yue couldn’t understand, so she asked directly, “Father isn’t worried about da jiejie? The marriage with the Haixi bo fu is off—if da jiejie doesn’t marry Xie Ding, then what will happen? Is she supposed to become an old maid?”
Xie shi replied coldly, “This is your father’s decision. No one can oppose it. Besides, Haixi bo fu hasn’t officially broken off the engagement yet. It might still go through.”
Gu Yue’s mind went blank. Her face turned pale with disbelief.
“But da jiejie and Xie Ding were already like that, and Zhao liu guniang even saw it with her own eyes—how could the engagement still stand?”
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
Gu Yue screamed internally.
How could Gu Zhen be so lucky? Her reputation is ruined, yet she could still marry into the Haixi bo fu? She wouldn’t allow it—absolutely not.
Xie shi said indifferently, “Whether the engagement goes through or not, we’ll know in a few days.”
“Mother, we cannot let da jiejie marry into Haixi bo fu!” Gu Yue suddenly burst out emotionally.
Xie shi narrowed her eyes. “Yue’er, what is going on with you?”
Gu Yue felt guilty, not daring to meet her mother’s gaze. She only said, “Mother, da jiejie is no longer pure. If she marries into the Haixi bo fu, wouldn’t that bring shame to the Gu family? How would the Haixi bo fu’s people view us then?”
Xie shi stared at Gu Yue. “Nonsense! Yue’er, I forbid you from speaking such drivel. What do you mean by saying your da jiejie isn’t pure? Remember this—your da jiejie was framed.
“Besides, if the Haixi bo fu is still willing to proceed with the marriage, it means they don’t care about what happened. So where does the talk of them looking down on us come from? I think you’ve become confused, speaking utter nonsense.”
Gu Yue panicked, completely flustered.
She had done so much, even schemed against Gu Zhen’s future—was this all she would get in return?
Then what were all her efforts for? A complete waste?
No. She couldn’t accept this.
Her blood boiling, Gu Yue cried out desperately, “Nü’er is not talking nonsense! It doesn’t have to be da jiejie who marries into the bo fu!”
“What did you say?” Xie shi’s gaze sharpened, fixing onto Gu Yue.
Gu Yue regretted it instantly. The words had slipped out before she could stop them.
She shouldn’t have been so impulsive, shouldn’t have spoken what was in her heart. Mother was already suspicious of her—now what should she do?
“Gu Yue, explain yourself clearly. Do you know something? What exactly happened yesterday?”
Gu Yue shook her head repeatedly. “Nü’er doesn’t know anything. Mother, nü’er swears I didn’t lie to you—nü’er really doesn’t know anything. What nü’er said just now was nonsense. You must be tired, nü’er will take my leave now.”
“Stop right there! Did I say you could leave? What do you mean by ‘it doesn’t have to be da jiejie who marries into the bo fu? Gu Yue, explain yourself. If you don’t, don’t even think about stepping out of this room today.”
Gu Yue looked completely panicked. “Nü’er— nü’er just thought, since Father and Mother seem so intent on allying with the Haixi bo fu, and da jiejie had such a scandal, her marriage probably won’t go through. But marrying into the bo fu must be important. After all, it’s a noble house. It would certainly benefit Father’s career.
“If da jiejie’s marriage doesn’t work out, do we just watch someone else form that alliance? Nü’er heard the bo fu has another di son who isn’t engaged yet. Nü’er thought—maybe we could find another way to connect with their family. Wouldn’t that make everyone happy?”
Xie shi squinted, staring coldly at Gu Yue. “You want to marry into Haixi bo fu?”
Gu Yue shook her head frantically. “No! Nü’er never thought that!”
“Really?”
Gu Yue lifted her head and said solemnly, “Nü’er wouldn’t dare lie to Mother. Nü’er just wanted to ease your burdens.”
“What happened to Gu Zhen yesterday—it had nothing to do with you, right?”
Gu Yue looked aggrieved. “Mother, don’t you believe nü’er? It was about da jiejie’s future—I regret not being able to help her yesterday.”
Xie shi felt suspicious. She knew this daughter too well.
But instead of pressing further, she simply said, “Go now. And don’t speak such nonsense again.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Gu Yue fled from Furong Yuan as if escaping.
Chun He returned from the accounting room and saw Xie shi sitting upright, her brows furrowed.
“Taitai, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Xie shi’s expression was grim. “I remember that during yesterday’s opera, Yue’er wasn’t there.”
Chun He paused, then nodded. “Yes. It wasn’t until after the incident with da guniang that san guniang showed up.”
“You think what happened to Zhen yatou might not have been the Xie family’s doing?”
“Why would you think that, taitai?”
Xie shi said, “It seems like Yue’er wants to replace Zhen yatou and marry into Haixi bo fu.”
“What?” Chun He was shocked. “That can’t be! San guniang hasn’t even met the two shaoye of the bo fu. Why would she want to marry into that family?”
Xie shi gave a cold laugh. “I asked a few maids just now. Yue’er did meet both of the bo fu’s sons yesterday, before the banquet began. I recall that Zhao erlang really is quite handsome.”
“Taitai suspects that san guniang was taken with Zhao erlang at that time?”
Xie shi snorted angrily, furious and disappointed in Gu Yue.
“I know that girl far too well. At yesterday’s luncheon, she didn’t sit with the girls from the hou fu. Instead, she chose to sit with Zhao liu guniang. They chatted and laughed. I should’ve realised then that the little wretch was up to something. But I never imagined she’d dare go that far.”
Xie shi was deeply, thoroughly disappointed.
Chun He quickly tried to comfort Xie shi: “Taitai, these are just speculations. They may not be true. Perhaps, perhaps san guniang didn’t do anything, and never thought about replacing da guniang in marrying into the Haixi bo fu.”
Xie shi kept her eyes closed and took a long while to calm down.
After a moment, she opened her eyes and said to Chun He, “Look into this matter privately. Especially that maid named Putao who serves Yue’er—she must know the truth. Try to pry the truth out of her. If she won’t cooperate, get Gao Sanfu to step in. Understood?”
Chun He shivered. “Taitai, must we really go that far?”
Xie shi ground her teeth. “What else should I do? Just stand by and watch Yue’er make a mistake? It’s fine if I’m the only one who knows, but what if word reaches laoye? Have you considered what would happen to Yue’er then? No matter what, I won’t let her keep making the same mistake. Also, assign a few old maids to watch over her. She is not to leave her room without permission.”
Seeing Xie shi’s determination, Chun He could only nod in agreement.
But she still said, “If—just if—san guniang really does marry into the Haixi bo fu…”
“There’s no ‘if.’ If Zhao erlang didn’t have a reputation for being wife-starved and hot-tempered, do you think that marriage would’ve gone to Gu Zhen? I would’ve secured it for Yue’er long ago.”
Chun He sighed silently and left to carry out her task.
Xie shi hurled her teacup to the ground with a loud crash. That damn girl—first it was Xie Xian, and now it’s Zhao erlang. Is she shameless or just obsessed with handsome faces?
Xie shi was disappointed—utterly disappointed.
She never expected the daughter she had so carefully raised to have such a disgusting flaw.
If word of this got out, how could they possibly salvage her reputation?
Xie shi could already imagine that, in the future, when proposing a match for Gu Yue, if the suitor wasn’t good-looking, she would absolutely refuse him.
That stupid girl only cared about a man’s appearance.
Absolutely foolish.
A man’s face? It’s worth nothing.
Xie shi gritted her teeth, nearly storming off to beat Gu Yue herself.
She took several deep breaths, trying to calm her surging temper.
She would wait for Chun He to finish investigating before deciding what to do next.
Gu Jiu went to the small side courtyard to visit Gu Zhen.
There were pozi guarding the entrance, sent by Xie shi.
They blocked her way. “Er guniang, please return. Da guniang isn’t feeling well and cannot receive visitors.”
Gu Jiu frowned. “Even I’m not allowed in?”
“Er guniang, please don’t make things difficult for nubi. Taitai has instructed us. Da guniang is unwell and might pass her illness to others.”
Gu Jiu gave a mocking smile. “And if I insist on going in, what will you do?”
The pozi hesitated. “Please forgive us, er guniang. If we offend you, please don’t take it to heart. Nubi is just following orders.”
The implication was clear—if Gu Jiu tried to force her way in, the maids would physically stop her.
Qing Mei whispered, “Guniang, let’s go back. We can come visit da guniang another day.”
Gu Jiu was clearly displeased.
Bang!
Suddenly, a loud crash came from inside the room, like something had been thrown against the wall.
Next thing they knew, Gu Zhen came storming out like a madwoman, with the maids inside unable to stop her.
Standing beneath the eaves, she shouted angrily, “You wretched, heartless dogs! It’s bad enough you keep me in here, but now you’re stopping others from seeing me too? You want me dead, don’t you? Fine, I’ll die right here in front of you!”
The moment the words fell, Gu Zhen rushed straight at the maids guarding the door.
The maids were completely caught off guard. By the time they reacted, Gu Zhen had already reached the courtyard gate.
“Guniang, be careful!”
Wang Yi shouted, rushing forward to shield Gu Jiu and steady Gu Zhen as she threw herself forward.
The maids all let out a sigh of relief—thankfully, da guniang wasn’t hurt.
But Gu Zhen began to wail, sobbing uncontrollably. “Let me die already. What’s the point in living like this?”
“Da jiejie, wipe your tears first. No matter what’s going on, there’s always a solution.”
Gu Zhen shook her head. “It’s hopeless—completely hopeless.”
Her face was pale, her eyes red and swollen, the picture of someone devastated and despondent.
Gu Jiu furrowed her brows slightly. “Da jiejie, whatever happened yesterday, I truly don’t know.”
Gu Zhen reacted to that. She turned her head and stared blankly at Gu Jiu. “No one in the residence said anything about yesterday?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “It seems Father and taitai have issued a gag order. I haven’t heard a word about it from anyone. But I did hear you cried all night and didn’t fall asleep until very late.”
Gu Zhen gave a bitter laugh. “How could I not cry?”
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