After staying in the hou fu for four or five days, Gu Jiu had been on edge the entire time, afraid something might happen to the eldest young madam, Jia shi.
Living in constant worry like this – it was unbearable.
Her heart grew restless, but she couldn’t say anything out loud. She could only keep it bottled up, venting her emotions each day through practising calligraphy.
Her maid Qing Mei walked in from outside. “Guniang, taitai has sent people to bring everyone back home.”
Gu Jiu put down her brush and asked, “Who did taitai send?”
“She sent Chun He jiejie and Ping mama. Right now, the two of them are in Songhe Hall, reporting to lao furen.”
Gu Jiu said, “Then let’s also go to Songhe Hall and take a look.”
Qing Mei quickly draped a cloak over her shoulders.
Since the twelfth lunar month began, the weather had turned colder still.
Snow hadn’t fallen yet this year, but judging by the sky, it would likely snow in the next few days.
They trod the slippery ground and arrived at Songhe Hall. After being announced by a maid, Gu Jiu stepped into the main room.
Lao furen had rested for a few days and was in excellent spirits.
When she saw Gu Jiu, she immediately smiled and beckoned her over. “Xiao Jiu, come to me.”
Gu Jiu stepped forward and greeted her formally.
Wei lao furen laughed cheerfully. “No need for those empty courtesies. Come, sit beside me.”
Gu Jiu obeyed, sitting close by.
Wei lao furen said to Chun He and Ping mama: “I had wanted Xiao Jiu and the others to stay a few more days. But since your taitai has given her instructions, I won’t be the bad one. Let them return home today. When you go back, tell your taitai the children love studying.
“After the Lantern Festival next year, have them come to the schoolroom daily. Our hou fu will provide one meal and also supply the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones – your taitai need not worry about those.”
Chun He smiled broadly. “Many thanks to lao furen. If my taitai knew how much you thought of the guniang, she would be overjoyed. Everyone says lao furen is skilled in teaching and guiding people. Even after just a few days apart, nubi feels that er guniang has already changed for the better. It must be thanks to lao furen’s instruction.”
Wei lao furen chuckled. “Yes, teaching young girls – I do have a bit of experience. The girls are growing older day by day. At this time, keeping them by my side to learn a little more will only do them good.”
“Lao furen speaks truly. It’s just that with the New Year close at hand, the fu is unbearably busy. That’s why taitai sent us to bring the guniang home today.”
Chun He was good with words.
In just a few exchanges, she had Wei lao furen laughing. Lao furen’s resentment toward Xie shi lessened somewhat.
At this moment, Gu Yue and Gu Shan arrived.
After being announced by the maids, the two entered the main room.
Chun He glanced at Gu Yue, her expression twitching slightly, her eyes complicated.
Gu Yue was oblivious, but Gu Shan and Gu Jiu noticed the small movement.
It seemed Xie shi had been so eager to send Chun He to fetch them because something had happened – something that could not be said openly before lao furen.
Wei lao furen reminded the girls that once they returned, they should visit the hou fu whenever they had time, to pay respects to her.
Gu Jiu smiled and replied, “Grandniece will certainly come to greet lao furen whenever there is a chance.”
Wei lao furen laughed. “I’ll be waiting for you. With you children here, the fu feels so much livelier.”
Gu Jiu curved her lips in a smile.
Wei shi had prepared a gift for every girl of the Gu family – quite generous ones.
Two bolts of silk, two bolts of satin, two bolts of Songjiang cotton cloth, and a pure gold hairpin.
For the three di daughters – Gu Jiu, Gu Yue, and Gu Shan – the gifts were the same, differing only in the style of the hairpin.
For the three shu-born girls – Gu Zhen, Gu Lin, and Gu Jun – the gifts were reduced by about thirty percent.
Such valuable gifts made Gu Jiu immediately try to decline.
Wei lao furen scolded with a stern face, “When an elder bestows, one must not refuse. This is my heartfelt intention – just accept it.”
At that time, the three furen of the fu also arrived at Songhe Hall. They joined in persuading the girls to accept.
Gu Jiu had no choice but to take the gifts. But she decided in her heart to prepare a thoughtful present once back home, and next time she visited the hou fu, she would present it to lao furen as a New Year’s gift.
The three furen had also prepared gifts – slightly less lavish than those of lao furen, but still substantial.
Thus, by the time the girls boarded the carriage to return to the Gu fu next door, each of them had gained a mountain of gifts.
Gu Yue whispered with emotion, “The hou fu is truly generous.”
Gu Shan shushed her. “San jiejie, mind your words.”
Gu Yue looked irritated and impatient. “I know, I know. Stop nagging.”
Everyone returned by carriage and alighted at the second gate of Gu fu. Each carried her gifts back to her own room.
After resting a little and changing clothes, they went together to Furong Yuan to greet Xie shi.
Xie shi’s expression clearly said, I’m very displeased, and you’d better not cross me.
The girls were baffled, not knowing who had offended her.
“You’re back. Sit down and talk,” she said with a stiff face, her eyes sweeping over each of them one by one.
“These past few days in the hou fu – you didn’t cause any trouble, did you?”
Gu Yue spoke up first: “Mother, rest assured. Nü’er has always followed the rules. I would never dare bring shame to you.”
Xie shi narrowed her eyes and stared at Gu Yue.
A wave of unease hit Gu Yue, and she quickly lowered her head.
Xie shi gave a cold snort. “Yesterday, the Xie family sent over a letter.”
Because Gu daren had forbidden the gatekeepers to allow anyone from the Xie family in, they had no choice but to send the letter.
Xie shi turned to Gu Zhen. “The Xie family wishes to propose marriage to Zhen yatou.”
Gu Zhen’s face instantly turned chalk white.
She bit her lip, said nothing, only looked at Xie shi.
Xie shi continued, “Don’t worry, Zhen yatou. I’ve already rejected it. The Xie family shouldn’t trouble us further.”
Whoosh!
Gu Zhen finally let out the breath she’d been holding. Thank heavens.
But Xie shi immediately went on: “Still, Zhen yatou, you must be mentally prepared. Your marriage won’t be easy to arrange. It may not be settled for one or even two years.”
Gu Zhen clenched her teeth but remained silent.
“I’ve already discussed this with Hu yiniang. For the details, you can ask her yourself.”
Gu Zhen gave a soft “mm,” and said, “I’ll do as taitai says.”
Xie shi, looking weary, said, “Gu Yue, Gu Shan, stay. The rest of you may leave.”
Huh?
That was it?
When they first entered, Xie shi’s expression had clearly suggested she had a lot to say.
Gu Jiu glanced at Gu Yue. Could it be that Gu Yue had gotten into trouble again?
Gu Jiu bowed and withdrew from Furong Yuan, instructing Xiao Cui to keep an eye on things there.
Xiao Cui said, “Don’t worry, guniang. Leave it to me.”
“You must stay alert. Whatever happens, don’t let taitai notice you.”
“I understand.”
Gu Zhen hurried off – she wanted to rush back and speak with Hu yiniang.
Gu Lin followed after Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, let’s go together.”
“I’m going to pay respects to da bomu. Do you want to come too?” Gu Jiu asked, looking at her.
Gu Lin nodded. “Of course I should. Da bomu has been teaching us so diligently how to manage household affairs. If we came back and I didn’t pay my respects, that would be improper.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Wu meimei has grown up – you’re much more sensible than before.”
Gu Lin gave a shy little smile. “I’ve also learned a few things these past days at the hou fu.”
“So it seems attending the household school here really has helped wu meimei.”
Gu Lin nodded repeatedly. “I still don’t like studying books, but when Madam Luo lectures on principles, I can understand. Many of the things she says are very practical.”
Just as Gu Mei had said, Madam Luo was strict but not rigid.
Coming from a prominent family herself, she was well acquainted with the ways of great households. Beyond the lessons, she would also share insights about conduct and managing relationships.
For someone like Gu Lin, still at the “novice village” stage, it was very helpful.
The two sisters arrived at Songbai Yuan.
“Niece greets da bomu. How has da bomu been these days?”
Zhang shi smiled. “How thoughtful of Xiao Jiu and Lin yatou. Did you just come from your taitai?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Yes. Taitai kept san meimei and si meimei behind to talk. Da jiejie was anxious over her marriage and hurried off. Wu meimei and I were thinking of you, so we came to pay our respects.”
Zhang shi smiled. “Sit and talk. Do you know why your taitai was in such a hurry to bring you girls back?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “We don’t. Does da bomu know the inside story?”
Zhang shi nodded. “This morning, the gatekeeper reported that someone had come from Haixi bo fu. I was puzzled – wasn’t the marriage alliance with Haixi bo fu already broken off? Why would they send someone over, and even specifically ask to see your taitai? Later, I learned they had come to discuss a marriage.”
“A marriage?” Gu Lin’s eyes widened. “Could da jiejie’s marriage have taken a turn for the better? Is the Haixi bo fu still unwilling to give her up?”
Zhang shi shook her head. “Not so.”
Gu Lin blurted out in a rush, “Then da bomu, please tell us – whose marriage did Haixi bo fu come to discuss?”
Gu Jiu tugged at her sleeve. “Wu meimei, don’t be so hasty. Let da bomu speak slowly.”
With Gu Jiu’s reminder, Gu Lin realised her rudeness and looked embarrassed.
“Forgive me, da bomu – I was just too anxious.”
Gu Jun laughed. “Wu meimei, don’t worry, my mother won’t hold it against you.”
“That’s right,” Zhang shi said. She thought for a moment, then continued, “As far as I know, Haixi bo fu sent someone to propose for san yatou’s marriage.”
“What?”
Gu Lin reacted the strongest. She cried out, then quickly covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief. “San jiejie? How could Haixi bo fu set their sights on her? Who is she supposed to marry?”
She was so overwhelmed with questions that she nearly lost her wits.
Gu Jiu was surprised as well.
What on earth had Gu Yue done, that Haixi bo fu would send someone to propose?
Surely it couldn’t be that Gu Yue and Zhao erlang had already had a physical relationship?
Gu Jiu thought carefully. That day at the hou fu’s banquet, Gu Yue hadn’t seemed to leave the main hall.
No… wait. She did remember a time when Gu Yue wasn’t in sight.
Could it be that Gu Yue had really met Zhao erlang, and behind everyone’s backs, they had secretly fallen for each other?
That was outrageous.
Yet one had to admire Gu Yue’s decisiveness.
Impressive.
Gu Yue truly was a woman of action – once she thought of something, she did it, without a moment’s hesitation.
Gu Jiu asked, “Da bomu, is this really true?”
Zhang shi nodded. “Absolutely. And it wasn’t just me who was surprised – when I first heard it, I was stunned too. The one who came was a trusted matron from Haixi bo fu. It seems the proposal is indeed for Zhao erlang. Xiao Jiu, how on earth could Gu Yue have had contact with him?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “I know nothing about it.”
Gu Lin added, “I don’t know either. I’m nearly scared to death. If da jiejie hears this news, won’t she cry her eyes out?”
Yes… it was likely Gu Zhen would make a big fuss about it.
Gu Jiu looked at Zhang shi. “Da bomu, has da jiejie’s marriage seen any progress?”
Zhang shi said, “The marriage isn’t urgent. When the fu holds a banquet at New Year, we’ll discuss it then.”
So it seemed that Gu Zhen’s marriage prospects had taken shape.
After bidding farewell to Zhang shi, Gu Lin hurried off – she needed to see Bai yiniang and report the latest news.
Gu Jiu, on the other hand, went to visit her brother, Gu Ting.
Gu Ting’s leg injury was already more or less healed.
Gu Jiu asked with concern, “The weather’s been damp and cold these days. Has your injured leg been hurting?”
Gu Ting walked around the room a few times and said, “See? My leg’s much better. It doesn’t ache even when it rains. Meimei, you’re amazing – your skills are no worse than the taiyi of the Imperial Infirmary.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Gege, don’t praise me so highly. How could I compare with the taiyi? They’re experienced, while I’m still just a beginner.”
So far, Gu Jiu had only treated three patients: herself, her brother Gu Ting, and the young Jia shi.
The medical profession was one that relied heavily on experience.
Gu Jiu was still a novice and didn’t dare compare herself with the taiyi.
But she had her own advantages.
Having been immersed in modern medicine in her previous life – studying countless illnesses, observing, practising, and reading extensively – she had accumulated knowledge that no taiyi could match.
In these times, medical skill was usually passed down through families.
Everyone guarded what they knew jealously, and the scope of their knowledge was narrow.
Gu Jiu had none of those limitations.
Her foundation in medical theory left the taiyi far behind.
“Meimei, don’t be modest. If it weren’t for you giving me acupuncture every day before, this leg would still ache whenever it rained. Now it’s healed – even rainy days don’t bother me. Once I’m fully recovered, I’ll go join the army.”
Gu Jiu paused in surprise. “Gege has made up your mind?”
Gu Ting straightened his chest. “Becoming a soldier is my ambition. Meimei, you’ll support me, won’t you?”
“I want to support you, but Father may not. And what about the reading list I gave you? Have you finished it?”
Gu Ting immediately surrendered. “Meimei, you must help me with Father. As for your reading list, I’ve been going through it slowly – it’s been really rewarding.”
“I told you, even fighting battles requires plenty of study.”
“Everything you say is right.”
Gu Ting grinned, the very image of a doting brother.
Gu Jiu urged him not to be hasty – that it would be safer to wait until next year before thinking about joining the army.
She also reminded Li Chuan to take good care of Gu Ting, before returning to Zhilan Yuan.
Qing Zhu came running in from outside. “Guniang, word from Xiao Cui – taitai flew into a great rage. She’s still not calmed down and is scolding san guniang. Even si guniang got dragged in and was scolded too.”
“So that’s how it is!” Gu Jiu smiled. “Well, Gu Yue brought this upon herself. Instead of scolding her, taitai might as well prepare her dowry and send her off in marriage as soon as possible.”
“But da guniang and you haven’t married yet. How can san guniang get married before you?”
“It doesn’t matter. Marriage isn’t something that has to follow a strict order. And in Gu Yue’s case, the sooner she’s married off, the better. As for me and da jiejie, marrying a couple of years later makes no difference.”
Qing Mei reminded her, “Guniang, don’t forget – san guniang hasn’t had her hairpin ceremony yet. She won’t come of age until next autumn. Even if her marriage is arranged now, she couldn’t wed until then at the earliest.”
“That delays it more than half a year. Who knows if san guniang will cause some other trouble in the meantime.” Qing Zhu sighed.
Gu Yue had practically become synonymous with “troublemaker.”
Everyone was amazed – how could she cause so much chaos?
All the other young ladies of the fu combined weren’t as troublesome as she alone.
But Gu Jiu had no interest in worrying about it. “That’s taitai’s problem, not ours. Don’t trouble yourselves over it.”
“Guniang is right. Why should we worry about san guniang? Besides, she wouldn’t appreciate it anyway.”
At Furong Yuan, Xie shi truly wished she could slap Gu Yue across the face.
But this wretched girl – beaten, scolded, even flogged by Gu daren some time ago – still refused to change her ways.
Xie shi was so furious her blood surged, leaving her dizzy and lightheaded.
“Yue’er, at this point, you still won’t tell the truth? On the day the hou fu hosted the Plum Blossom Banquet, what exactly did you do?”
Gu Yue knelt on the ground, tears and snot streaming down her face.
Crying and sniffling, she said, “Mother, I truly did nothing at all. Please believe me.”
Xie shi shouted angrily, “If you did nothing, then why would Haixi bo fu come rushing here to discuss marriage? If you won’t explain yourself today, then you can stay kneeling there forever.”
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