After a whole day of hard work, Gu Jiu’s hands and feet trembled from exhaustion.
At the hou fu, after dinner, she paid the cooks and helpers their wages, reminding them to return early the next morning.
Then, together with Gu Zhen and Gu Shan, she passed through the side gate and the narrow alley back into the Gu fu.
The Gu fu was in perfect order now; much more pleasing to the eye.
Lying down on the soft couch in Zhilan Yuan, Gu Jiu let out a satisfied sigh.
Qing Mei brought in steaming hot water, added a medicine pouch, and prepared a foot bath for Gu Jiu.
“Guniang has been rushing about ever since returning from the palace, not even resting for two days before heading straight to the hou fu to help. It’s far too tiring. Watching you like this, it pains nubi. Why not take a break tomorrow and not go to the hou fu?”
As Gu Jiu soaked her feet, she felt her whole body, from her soles to the tips of her hair, relax completely.
How comfortable.
With this soak, she was certain she would sleep soundly tonight.
She told Qing Mei, “Fortunately, everything was put in order today. Tomorrow will be lighter. Tangsao’s funeral rites must last seven days. Once we get through these few days, it will be over.”
“Guniang has worked too hard,” Qing Mei said with deep concern.
Gu Jiu smiled. “Don’t just see it as hardship. This is also an experience, an opportunity to learn. When we enter the wang fu in the future, we’ll surely encounter all sorts of situations. It’s good to train ourselves now. It will do no harm.”
Qing Mei nodded. “Guniang always thinks ahead. But still, it’s too hard on you.”
“If it’s not hard now, it will be even harder later.” Gu Jiu was very open-minded.
Qing Zhu came in carrying a cup of nourishing tea. Hearing Gu Jiu’s words, she said, “Guniang truly has insight. Not like san guniang, who’s too afraid of hardship and refuses to help at the hou fu. She’ll regret it sooner or later.”
Indeed, Gu Jiu herself had been surprised.
She had thought Gu Yue would insist on going to the hou fu to help, but unexpectedly, when they met in the morning, Gu Yue said she would not go.
The maids like Qing Mei all believed Gu Yue was simply unwilling to endure hardship.
Gu Jiu nodded slightly; perhaps that was indeed the reason.
Just then, Xiao Cui entered from outside. “Guniang, Bai yiniang is here again. Nubi tried to send her away, but she refused. She insists on seeing guniang. She even said that if she isn’t allowed in, she won’t leave tonight.”
Gu Jiu frowned.
Bai yiniang, with her big belly, standing outside the gates of Zhilan Yuan, it was hardly appropriate.
After some thought, Gu Jiu said, “Let Bai yiniang in.” She wanted to see what Bai yiniang was after.
Bai yiniang was ushered inside.
One glance, and Gu Jiu almost exclaimed how well she had been eating!
It hadn’t been long since their last meeting, yet Bai yiniang looked noticeably plumper.
Her hands and feet were swollen, but her complexion was fair and rosy.
“Please sit, Bai yiniang.”
She couldn’t very well let a pregnant woman remain standing.
Bai yiniang’s belly was very large. Though her due date was more than a month away, she looked as though she might give birth at any moment.
Supporting her waist, she sat down on a chair cushioned thickly, and let out a sigh of relief.
“It’s truly comfortable here in er guniang’s courtyard.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Bai yiniang is too kind. How could Zhilan Yuan compare with your Xiangsi Yuan?”
Bai yiniang shook her head. “I’m not joking. What I meant is not just the furnishings. It feels warm and welcoming here. You and your maids make people feel at ease.”
Gu Jiu gave a modest smile. “Bai yiniang is too good with words.”
“Then, what brings Bai yiniang here tonight?” She went straight to the point.
Bai yiniang held her waist, her eyes gleaming. “Er guniang, look at my belly, what do you think?”
Gu Jiu was caught off guard. What sort of question was that?
She replied seriously, though evasively, “It looks fine.”
But Bai yiniang shook her head. “No, not fine at all.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to explain.
Bai yiniang sighed, stroking her belly with one hand. “Since I conceived this child, I’ve barely left my courtyard. Unless absolutely necessary, I don’t step outside. And yet, even so, I cannot be certain this child will be born safely.”
Gu Jiu said, “Yiniang is exaggerating. You’re healthy, so naturally the child will be safely born.”
Bai yiniang looked at her with a complicated expression. “Does er guniang truly believe my child will be safely born?”
Gu Jiu remained silent.
“Or are you only saying this to comfort me?”
Gu Jiu frowned slightly. “What exactly is yiniang trying to say? If you have worries, you should speak with laoye. He is the head of the family. Surely he can resolve your concerns.”
Bai yiniang shook her head. “Er guniang, why speak such perfunctory words? Laoye is already run off his feet. How can I trouble him with this? That would make me seem thoughtless.
“Besides, a woman’s fears and suspicions cannot be shared with men. They don’t understand. They’d only scold me for being foolish and making trouble.”
Gu Jiu arched her brow. “To be honest, I’ve been quite busy myself lately.”
“I know. That’s exactly why I came to you.”
At this, Gu Jiu began to guess what Bai yiniang was after, but she did not say it aloud.
And sure enough, Bai yiniang revealed her true purpose.
“When I heard that er guniang is temporarily managing the fu on da taitai’s behalf, I hurried over. I only wish to beg one favour of you.”
Gu Jiu kept her expression neutral and asked, “What is it?”
Bai yiniang looked helpless and fearful, her hands gently resting on her belly. “I want to trouble you, er guniang, to help me invite two trustworthy midwives from the city.”
Gu Jiu’s gaze fell on her stomach. “If I’m not mistaken, your child isn’t due until next month.”
Bai yiniang nodded slightly. “Yes, but I want to make preparations in advance. I can’t leave the house myself, and none of the maids around me are capable of going out to find midwives.
“When taitai was here, I didn’t dare go out freely, afraid she might misunderstand something. Fortunately, since you are temporarily managing household affairs, I beg you to take the trouble to send someone for me. Let the two midwives come here, and I will meet them myself. At least then I can feel reassured.”
Gu Jiu looked at her with a half-smile. “Yiniang should realise that if word of this spreads, people will inevitably speculate. They might think you’re hinting at something.”
Bai yiniang lowered her head and said, “I have no intention of hinting at anyone. I only seek peace of mind.”
Gu Jiu gave a cold laugh. “Arranging midwives is something taitai herself will handle. What is there for you to be uneasy about? If you really are uneasy, you should go to laoye, not come to me, a junior.”
Bai yiniang put on a pitiful expression. “Er guniang, please show mercy. It’s only a small favour, just say a word and send someone to fetch two midwives to meet me. I dare not trouble you with anything else.”
She lowered herself as much as possible, nearly kneeling on the ground to beg.
Gu Jiu remained silent.
Despair filled Bai yiniang’s face, and tears began to fall. “I’m not afraid for myself, but I am afraid the child will never open his eyes to see this world.
“When I heard the eldest young madam of the hou fu lost both her child and her life, I was terrified. I fear I will follow her footsteps, two deaths with one body. My death doesn’t matter, but the child is innocent. And Lin’er is still so young; if she loses me, what will become of her?”
Gu Jiu’s expression hardened. “Please, Bai yiniang, mind your words. The eldest young madam of the hou fu died by accident.”
Bai yiniang nodded repeatedly. “Er guniang misunderstands. I do not suspect anything strange about her death. I know she lost her child, fell into despair, and chose not to live.
“These days I’ve been thinking, if this child cannot be born safely, I too may not survive. Please pity this unborn child. The child is innocent.”
As soon as she finished, Bai yiniang broke down into loud sobs.
Gu Jiu frowned, her eyes filled with annoyance and distaste. “Enough. Stop crying. Tomorrow I’ll have people bring the midwives here for you to meet. But you must understand, when the time comes to give birth, the midwives summoned by taitai may not be the same ones. Giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell; accidents can happen at any time.”
Delight lit up Bai yiniang’s face. She wiped her tears and said quickly, “Thank you, er guniang! You are truly the saviour of me and my child. Please just bring the midwives here. As for the rest, I will handle it myself. I wouldn’t dare trouble you further.”
Gu Jiu stared at her for a moment. “As long as you understand what’s at stake. It’s late. Go back and rest.”
“Thank you, er guniang, thank you!”
Beaming with joy, Bai yiniang left Zhilan Yuan.
Gu Jiu ordered Xiao Cui to escort her, worrying that in the dark she might slip on the road and have an accident.
Xiao Cui obeyed and sent Bai yiniang off.
Gu Jiu slumped onto the soft couch, her brow still furrowed.
Qing Mei said, “Nubi understands why guniang agreed. After all, it’s a life at stake. Seeing Bai yiniang cry so miserably, it would be hard to turn her away. And in the end, it’s only summoning two midwives, nothing more.”
Gu Jiu gave a self-mocking laugh. “Do you think taitai would truly act against Bai yiniang during childbirth? Taitai already has two sons and two daughters; no one can threaten her position. She has no reason to be intolerant of a concubine’s child.”
Qing Zhu said, “It’s not so simple. Taitai has always been on guard against Bai yiniang, and yet she still ended up pregnant.
“The key is, Bai yiniang conceived right during the time when taitai was punished and neglected by laoye. How could taitai not bear a grudge?
“And back then, it was taitai who first became pregnant, but her child was lost, while Bai yiniang escaped unscathed. Taitai has surely never forgotten that.”
Gu Jiu sneered. “Bai yiniang is clever, clever enough to come to me. But I wonder, once she meets the midwives, how does she plan to ensure her child is safely born? Surely she doesn’t intend to take the risky path of inducing labour early?”
Qing Mei said, “It’s still over a month before her due date. Bai yiniang wouldn’t be so foolish, would she? To induce early, just to avoid taitai? One misstep, and it’s two lives gone. That would be disastrous.”
But Gu Jiu frowned. Bai yiniang had a belly full of cunning; she just might risk it.
If so, then by calling midwives for her, Gu Jiu could become an accomplice.
If nothing happened, it would be fine.
But if a life was lost, she too would be implicated.
Gu Jiu bit her lip. Bai yiniang could not be trusted. Otherwise, one careless move, and she would fall into her trap.
If Bai yiniang merely met the midwives, then all would be well.
But if she had other intentions, someone must stop her.
Gu Jiu said, “Qing Zhu, tomorrow you and Xiao Cui stay in the fu and keep watch over Bai yiniang.
“If she dares to induce labour early, don’t hesitate, immediately drive the midwives out of the house. If she dares to interfere, I’ll leave Li Chuan with you. When the time comes, let him take men and clean out everyone in Xiangsi Yuan. If you still can’t handle it, then notify san guniang and let her deal with Bai yiniang.”
With Gu Yue’s combativeness, going against Bai yiniang would be like peeling off her skin.
Qing Zhu accepted the order.
Qing Mei worriedly asked, “Does gunaing really think Bai yiniang has the nerve to induce labour ahead of time?”
Gu Jiu pressed her lips together. “We have to guard against it. Better to be prepared than caught off guard. We can’t let her exploit any loopholes.”
Qing Mei nodded. “Then why don’t I stay behind as well?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “Tomorrow you’ll still follow me to the hou fu. There’s too much going on there, and I can’t be without you. Wang Yi will also come with me. She’ll be able to intimidate the kitchen servants. With Li Chuan helping Qing Zhu and Xiao Cui here, it should be fine.”
Qing Zhu quickly said, “Guniang, rest assured. Nubi will keep the closest watch on Bai yiniang and absolutely won’t let her swallow even a sip of medicine.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Good.”
That night, Gu Jiu didn’t sleep soundly. Fortunately, the insomnia was brief, and eventually she fell into a peaceful sleep.
By morning, all her fatigue had vanished.
After breakfast, Gu Jiu went to the council hall first to handle household affairs.
She sent people out to find midwives.
It had been years since any children were born in the Gu fu; the midwives they once used were already too old.
Luckily, through the hou fu, Gu Jiu was able to call in two experienced midwives for Bai yiniang.
By the time they arrived at the Gu fu, Gu Jiu was already on her way to the hou fu.
Thanks to her work the day before, everything went far more smoothly today.
The kitchen and tea room were orderly, requiring little of her attention.
So she had time to visit Gu Rui with Gu Zhen and Gu Shan.
Gu Rui had slept a full day and night, yet still hadn’t woken.
Gu Mei was uneasy, whispering, “Xiao Jiu, could you check da ge? Can he really keep sleeping like this?”
“What did the taiyi say?”
“He said it’s normal. Da ge was exhausted in both body and spirit, worn to the very limit. Now his body is simply recovering. He told us not to worry.”
Gu Jiu nodded, went into the bedchamber, and, using a handkerchief, felt Gu Rui’s pulse.
The physician’s diagnosis was essentially correct. Gu Rui’s body and mind were drained. What he needed most was deep sleep to restore his strength.
Finishing the examination, Gu Jiu told Gu Mei softly, “Don’t worry, Mei jiejie. Tang ge is fine. He’s only too tired and needs rest.”
Gu Mei let out a long breath. “Thank you, Xiao Jiu. With your assurance, I feel at ease.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “You don’t believe the taiyi’s words, yet you believe mine? My medical skills aren’t nearly as good as his.”
But Gu Mei waved her hand. “In my eyes, you’re already better than the physicians by three parts. You only lack experience; everything else, you surpass them.”
“Thank you for such trust, Mei jiejie. I’m truly grateful.”
“It’s I who should be grateful. Without your help, dasao’s funeral could never have gone so smoothly.”
Gu Jiu asked, “The Jia family didn’t come to make trouble today, did they?”
Gu Mei shook her head. “After da ge’s rare show of harsh words yesterday, they won’t appear again before the burial. To be honest, the Jia family never meant to have him buried with dasao. Mother said they’re just trying to extort our hou fu.”
“Extort? What do you mean?” Gu Jiu was curious.
Gu Mei thought for a moment, then explained briefly: “The Jia family has suffered heavy losses in the past two years. With dasao’s death, they want to use it as leverage to squeeze money from us.
“At the same time, they’re trying to take back her dowry, since she left no children. And they’re also scheming to marry one of their clan’s daughters to da ge as his second wife, so the Jia and Gu families can continue their alliance.”
Gu Jiu arched her brows, so it was all driven by profit.
She had thought the Jia family’s grief over Jia shi’s death was genuine. She hadn’t expected that all their noise and clamour was merely to add bargaining chips and secure more benefits.
Gu Jiu shook her head. Human nature truly can’t bear close inspection.
Better to keep one’s distance, to look at it faintly through a veil, that way, it almost seems beautiful.
Casually, she asked, “Does tang ge know the Jia family’s schemes?”
Gu Mei hesitated. “I think he knows. He just pretends he doesn’t.”
After a pause, she added, “Da ge sees through many things. He’s only grown used to deceiving himself.”
Gu Jiu nodded. The hou fu had poured all its best resources into cultivating its eldest di grandson; he could never be a fool.
Perhaps it was simply his nature to instinctively ignore others’ malice.
But self-deception is never a long-term solution.
Sooner or later, Gu Rui would have to face reality.
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