Bai yiniang gave birth to a boy.
Gu daren was overjoyed and immediately ordered rewards for all the servants in the fu.
When Xie shi heard the news, her face fell. She was just about to lash out when Chun He quickly pulled her back.
“Taitai, laoye is in high spirits right now. A little silver given away as reward is nothing. It’s not worth souring things with him over such a trifle. Doing so will only benefit Bai yiniang.”
Xie shi gritted her teeth and swallowed her anger.
She shot Hu yiniang a vicious glare, intending to vent all her fury on her instead.
Hu yiniang silently cursed her luck. She never imagined Heaven itself would side with Bai yiniang.
With all the abortifacients and provocations, Bai yiniang still managed to give birth smoothly, and to a son, no less.
That kind of luck was practically heaven-defying.
Hu yiniang braced herself for Xie shi’s wrath.
But then, the midwife suddenly rushed out, shouting: “Bai yiniang is haemorrhaging after childbirth! Quickly, fetch the doctor!”
Hu yiniang hadn’t expected such a turn of events.
She looked toward Xie shi, only to see the corners of Xie shi’s lips curl into a satisfied smile.
But the smile quickly faded, replaced by a face full of feigned worry.
“Fortunately, laoye already sent someone to fetch a physician, thank heavens,” she said to Gu daren with utmost sincerity.
Gu daren’s face stiffened. He ordered Gu Quan to hurry the errand – how could it take so long to bring a doctor?
“Will yiniang be alright? I must see her.”
Gu Lin came rushing out of the side room, drenched in cold sweat, and ran straight toward the birthing chamber.
The maids hastily pulled her back.
“Wu guniang, the chamber is unclean. A young lady like you mustn’t go in.”
Gu Lin burst into tears. “I want to see her! Let me go!”
“Impudent! Crying and wailing in front of laoye, how disgraceful!” Xie shi scolded harshly.
But Gu daren stopped her. “Let her cry. She’s only this distraught because she’s worried about Bai yiniang.”
Hearing this, Gu Lin broke into sobs even louder.
Xie shi was utterly disgusted, but she dared not show it. Her face stiff, she looked at everyone as if they displeased her.
At last, the doctor arrived.
Bai yiniang’s postpartum bleeding was indeed severe, but thanks to the timely intervention, and after great effort, the bleeding was brought under control.
The doctor wiped sweat from his brow and told Gu daren: “The yiniang’s body is weak, and with such heavy bleeding, I fear it will be difficult for her to conceive again.”
Gu daren parted his lips. “But… she’s safe now?”
The doctor replied, “So long as she is properly nursed, takes her medicine three times a day, and avoids great joy or sorrow, she should recover.”
“That’s good, that’s good.”
As he packed up his medicine chest, the doctor added, “I glanced at the child as well. He seems to have suffered some suffocation in the womb, so he’s weak. It would be best to have a paediatric specialist examine him, just to be safe.”
Gu daren’s expression hardened. “Is it serious?”
The doctor shook his head. “Hard to say. Paediatrics isn’t my speciality, so I can’t make a judgment. It would be best if laoye sent for Hu taiyi at the Imperial Infirmary. He’s skilled in both gynaecology and paediatrics.”
“Many thanks, Doctor.”
After sending him off, Gu daren, his face grave, ordered the baby to be brought out.
Xie shi objected: “The child is too small; he can’t bear the wind.”
“Then bring him inside the chamber,” Gu daren commanded.
He entered the bedroom, and the newborn was brought to him.
The baby was tiny, red and wrinkled like a monkey’s bottom, eyes not yet fully open, but with surprisingly thick hair.
The child hardly cried, and even when he did, the sound was weak.
Gu daren frowned, and immediately instructed the steward, Gu Quan, to take his name card and fetch Hu taiyi.
Gu Quan hesitated. “Laoye, what if Hu taiyi refuses to come?”
“Tell him I will double his fee.”
The words made Xie shi’s fury flare sky-high, but Chun He quickly restrained her.
This was not the time to quarrel with laoye.
Xie shi understood, but the restraint was bitter, like living with a knife at her throat.
Unable to bear standing in Xiangsi Yuan any longer, for fear her lungs would burst from anger, she found an excuse to leave and returned to her own Furong Yuan.
Once there, she smashed two teacups in succession.
“How infuriating! Laoye has eyes only for that slut Bai and her bastard brat, but he doesn’t spare me, the lawful wife, even a glance!”
“Taitai, please calm yourself.”
Chun He tried to soothe her, but Xie shi cut her off.
She raged against Bai yiniang, spitting out the vilest curses.
At last, she declared fiercely: “I will never let that woman live in peace!”
Chun He opened her mouth, almost to remind her that when taitai herself bore the liu and ba shaoye, laoye had doted on her even more than he now did on Bai yiniang.
Back then, no one could rival her glory.
Gu daren had practically placed Xie shi in the heavens; whatever she wanted, he gave without question.
After her tirade, Xie shi felt somewhat soothed.
She turned to Chun He and said, “Send someone to keep a close watch on Bai yiniang. I want to know every detail.”
“Yes, taitai.”
Meanwhile, Gu Jiu had returned to the Gu residence with Zhang shi, and at once heard the news that Bai yiniang had given birth to a boy.
She smiled faintly and said to her maids, “Bai yiniang is quite fortunate. Her wish has been granted.”
Qing Mei brought over a cup of health-preserving tea and remarked, “Bai yiniang has given birth to a son. I fear the taitai will be furious.”
“Don’t worry. The taitai’s life is long; she won’t die of anger.”
Gu Jiu lifted the tea, sipped lightly.
Qing Mei went on, “The fu will be lively now. Once Bai yiniang finishes her confinement, I expect she’ll be stirring up trouble every few days.”
Gu Jiu picked up a book, turned to the page she had left off at, and said, “Not necessarily. A child, from birth to adulthood, must endure countless hardships.
“As long as Bai yiniang isn’t foolish, she ought to understand the wisdom of keeping her head down. If she does, perhaps the taitai will be magnanimous for once and allow her and her son to remain in peace.”
Qing Zhu entered with her needlework, saying, “Bai yiniang isn’t a foolish woman. Once the joy passes, she’ll naturally remember the importance of living low-key.”
Qing Mei added, “Wait until a dozen years from now, when the young master grows up, takes a wife, and has children of his own. Then Bai yiniang will truly have turned her fortunes around.”
Qing Zhu sat on a small stool, tidying her threads. “But enough of Bai yiniang. What of guniang’s marriage? If your wedding takes place after Xiao guniang marries, how will you gain a foothold in the wang fu?
“You are to be the principal wife, the eldest di daughter-in-law. If the principal wife does not oversee household affairs, outsiders will gossip that you are unvalued in the wang fu. Just the thought makes nubi anxious.”
Qing Mei too looked worried. “Guniang, what should be done about this?”
Gu Jiu was utterly unconcerned. “I’m not worried, why should you be? Even if the sky falls, taller people will bear the weight. Besides, Gongzi Zhao himself doesn’t mind marrying later than his brother. Why should I?”
Qing Mei grew more anxious. “How can guniang think this way? Even if Gongzi Zhao marries later, he is still the wangye’s eldest di son. Nothing will be taken from him. And as a man, he won’t be involved in inner matters. What concern is that to him?
“But guniang is different. You are the eldest di daughter-in-law. If you cannot manage the fu, what will others think? When you are in the wang fu, won’t your position be extremely difficult?”
Qing Zhu chimed in, “Indeed! If the principal wife cannot manage the fu, even the servants will slight you, taking you less seriously. If guniang wants even a bite to eat or drink, you may have to beg others’ indulgence.”
The two maids, Qing Zhu and Qing Mei, joined forces, laying out all the disadvantages.
Gu Jiu set down her book. “And how do you know I cannot manage the fu?”
“But guniang, if you marry later than Xiao guniang, how could you possibly–”
Gu Jiu cut her off. “You already said it yourselves, I am the principal wife. The dignity of the principal wife is not something bestowed by others. It is taken by one’s own hand. Do you truly not understand this?”
Qing Mei lowered her voice, “Guniang, have you already prepared yourself to fight Xiao guniang head-on?”
Gu Jiu gave a soft laugh and flicked her finger lightly against Qing Mei’s forehead. “What are you imagining so much for? The wedding date isn’t even set. I may not marry until next year. For now, we live as we please, whatever makes life most comfortable. Don’t waste time on needless fears.”
Seeing their mistress so calm and certain, the maids too felt relieved.
Though they did not know how Gu Jiu planned to confront Xiao guniang in the future, in their hearts, they were filled with confidence in her.
That confidence had taken root gradually, ever since last year.
A few days later, at Ning wang fu.
Ning wangfei, Pei shi, was chatting idly with the concubines when a servant came to report: “The Gu family has sent gifts.”
Pei shi was momentarily surprised. “The Gu family?”
The servant explained, “The Gu family that has betrothed their daughter to da gongzi.”
Pei shi let out a cold laugh. “So it is that Gu family, benwangfei’s future in-laws. And who came to deliver the gifts?”
“The Gu family sent a steward.”
Pei shi immediately showed displeasure. “Only a steward? Not a single master of the house came? Absurd. Let the chief steward receive them. And remember this, if the Gu family dares to send only a steward again, do not bother reporting to benwangfei. Let the steward handle it himself.”
“Nubi obeys.”
“Wait.” Pei shi called the servant back. “Send word to da gongzi. Tell him that his future wife’s family has sent a steward with gifts. Let him decide how to handle it.”
The servant accepted the order and left.
Pei shi, however, was seething. “Does the Gu family truly have no sense of propriety? At the very first exchange, they send only a steward. What do they mean by this?”
“Please calm your anger, wangfei. The Gu family is but a small household. It is understandable if they lack refinement.”
“Nonsense!” Pei *shi snapped at the concubine who had spoken. “The Gu family split from a hou fu. How can they be called a ‘small household’? How could they possibly not know the rules? Benwangfei understands well enough; since they are marrying into our family, they believe themselves our equals, unwilling to flatter the wang fu. Hmph! Reeking of scholars’ arrogance.”
“Gu daren is far too inconsiderate.”
Pei shi sneered. “That is what scholars call backbone. Still, I cannot fathom why laoda insists on this marriage. Even if he refuses to wed Pei Yun, he shouldn’t pick some nobody to marry. For a wang fu to marry an obscure girl, people will laugh at us.”
“Wangfei has not yet met this Gu guniang, have you? Perhaps you could find an opportunity to invite her here. Let us all see what beauty she possesses, that could make da gongzi defy all opposition, insisting on none but her.”
Pei shi nodded. “Yes, I should have her here to meet me. But not until the hundred-day mourning period has passed. When that time comes, one of you remind benwangfei. I’ll send invitations and host a flower-viewing banquet.”
“Wangfei is indeed thoughtful.”
…
A servant arrived at the eastern courtyard’s study to see Gongzi Zhao.
“Reporting to da gongzi: the Gu fu has sent gifts, and wangfei has ordered the steward to receive them.”
Gongzi Zhao was fiddling with a jewel-encrusted dagger. His voice was cold as he said, “Bengongzi knows. Lin Shuping, go meet the people from the Gu fu, accept the gifts, and thank them on bengongzi’s behalf.”
“At once!”
The eunuch Lin Shuping followed the servant out of the study to the outer courtyard, where he met Gu Quan, the steward of the Gu household.
Lin Shuping chatted with him for a while, trying to probe for information. But the other man was an old hand in social dealings; not a single useful word could be coaxed from him.
Smiling, Lin Shuping said, “Thank you, Steward Gu, for making this trip. You may return and inform Gu daren that the wang fu has received the gifts. We’ll be in touch another day.”
Gu Quan gave a small nod and took his leave.
Lin Shuping carried the gift list back to the study to report to Gongzi Zhao.
“Gongzi, here is the list of gifts from the Gu fu.”
Gongzi Zhao flipped through it casually. The gifts were neither lavish nor stingy, just the right measure.
“Did wangfei mention anything about returning a gift?”
Lin Shuping shook his head. “Wangfei did not.”
Gongzi Zhao let out a cold laugh. “To not send a return gift would seem discourteous. Draft a gift list, and tomorrow send it to the Gu fu.”
Lin Shuping bowed in acknowledgement.
Gongzi Zhao continued to play with the dagger, but soon seemed bored. He tossed it to Lin Shuping.
“When you deliver the return gifts, you will personally visit the Gu fu on my behalf. Take this dagger with you.”
Lin Shuping froze for a moment, uncertain. “Gongzi means… to include this dagger in the gift list?”
Gongzi Zhao shot him a glare, the kind that looked at him like he was an idiot. Idiots had no right to serve at his side.
Suddenly enlightened, Lin Shuping quickly said, “I understand now. I will personally deliver this dagger into Gu guniang’s hands.”
Gongzi Zhao gave a nasal “hmph,” faintly satisfied.
Clutching the dagger, Lin Shuping hurried out of the study, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
Has gongzi… fallen for her?
What virtue, what talent could Gu guniang possibly have, to win gongzi’s regard?
But then again, Lin Shuping thought it unlikely.
Gongzi was always cold-faced, never showing interest in any girl. How could he possibly favour Gu Jiu of all people?
Impossible. Truly impossible.
I must be imagining things.
Carrying this complicated thought, he drafted a gift list, which Gongzi Zhao approved.
…
Two days later, Lin Shuping brought the gifts to the Gu fu.
“Guniang, someone has arrived from the wang fu!”
Xiao Cui came running excitedly into Zhilan Yuan.
“I heard it’s Eunuch Lin, who serves by Gongzi Zhao’s side, and he specifically asked to see you. Both da taitai and taitai are entertaining guests in the flower hall right now. Guniang, you must go quickly!”
Gu Jiu closed her book. “It really is the eunuch by Gongzi Zhao’s side?”
“As true as can be.”
Gu Jiu nodded and rose to go to the flower hall.
Inside the hall, Zhang shi and Eunuch Lin Shuping were exchanging small talk. In truth, it was painfully awkward chatter.
Zhang shi glanced at Xie shi. As the second branch’s madam she should have been the one hosting Lin Shuping.
But Xie shi was timid, she didn’t know what to say to an eunuch.
Talk about Gongzi Zhao? Clearly inappropriate.
Praise Gu Jiu? She was unwilling.
Inquire after the wangye and wangfei? What if she misspoke and caused offence?
Or perhaps badmouth Gu Jiu? She wasn’t that foolish, never speak ill of family before envoys of the wang fu.
So she only smiled along awkwardly, leaving Zhang shi to do all the talking.
Zhang shi felt helpless. It wasn’t her daughter getting married, yet everything was left to her to handle. Exhausting.
Fortunately, since it concerned Gu Jiu’s marriage, she didn’t mind taking charge. If it had been anyone else, she likely wouldn’t have even shown her face.
Just then, Gu Jiu arrived with her maidservant.
Both Zhang shi and Xie shi let out a small breath of relief.
“Xiao Jiu, you’re here. Come greet Eunuch Lin, who has come bearing gifts from the wang fu.”
Gu Jiu smiled and gave a graceful bow. “Greetings, Eunuch Lin.”
“Gu guniang is too polite.”
Lin Shuping discreetly studied her.
Gu Jiu calmly allowed his scrutiny, with poise and composure.
Lin Shuping nodded inwardly. With such bearing and presence, she is indeed fit to marry into the wang fu.
He said, “By order of the wangfei niangniang and da gongzi, zajia has come to present return gifts.”
Gu Jiu quickly said, “Thank you for making the trip, Eunuch Lin.”
“It is nothing. Furthermore, wangfei niangniang learned that Gu guniang loves to read, so she especially ordered me to deliver several books. Please study them carefully.”
At that, the little eunuch behind him stepped forward and handed over a peachwood box.
Gu Jiu accepted it with both hands. “Many thanks to wangfei niangniang. I will study these volumes earnestly.”
Lin Shuping nodded. “That is best. Zajia must return to report to the wang fu, so I shall take my leave.”
“Eunuch Lin, at least stay for some tea before you go.”
“No need!”
Striding swiftly, Lin Shuping departed.
Zhang shi ordered the steward to hurry and escort him to the gate.
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