In order to capture Fang shaojian, Gu daren was running around tirelessly, barely touching the ground with his feet.
For several days the entire city was under search, yet not even Fang shaojian’s shadow was found.
When the palace demanded answers, Gu daren only managed to send them away with difficulty.
He summoned Ma shiye, Gu Yu, and others to ask for their opinions.
“What do you think, where could Fang shaojian be hiding?”
Ma shiye hesitated. “Perhaps he has already fled the capital.”
Gu daren frowned. If Fang shaojian truly had left the capital, that would be acceptable. The real fear was that he was still hiding somewhere within the city, waiting for the right moment to act.
Gu Yu said, “Daren, now that everyone in the palace lives in fear, and at this time the Directorate of Eunuchs suddenly orders a massive manhunt for Fang shaojian, this matter seems a little suspicious to me.”
“What’s suspicious about it?” Gu *daren asked.
Gu Yu hesitated before speaking. “This manhunt for Fang shaojian may not have been His Majesty’s true intention.”
Gu daren replied, “This, benguan is aware of. Fang shaojian first offended Xue guifei, then secretly smuggled treasures out of Weiyang Palace. Such a man deserves execution.”
Ma shiye stroked his beard. “It may not be that simple. The theft might indeed be true, but that surely isn’t the real reason for the city-wide manhunt.”
Gu daren nodded. “That much benguan also knows. But benguan believes the true reason is not something we need to concern ourselves with. The more one knows, the less safe it becomes.”
Ma shiye laughed. “Daren is right. It’s better not to know too much of palace matters. Nowadays, whether at court or among the imperial clan, everyone lives in fear. They say the palace runs with blood, that hundreds have already died. If this continues, what will become of things?”
“These are not matters for us to worry about.”
Though Gu daren said so, his heart remained heavy with unease.
Would this great purge in the palace implicate Ning wang fu?
If Ning wang fu were dragged in, would the Gu family also be swept up?
Gu Jiu is betrothed to Gongzi Zhao. Looking at it now, this marriage is indeed fraught with danger and unrest.
Feeling unsettled, Gu daren both increased manpower to assist the Embroidered Guards in hunting Fang shaojian, and also sent people to watch the palace closely.
In private whispers, people often muttered that the emperor had gone mad.
And indeed, it seemed true.
Simply because the Eighth Princess had died, the emperor was bathing the palace in blood.
To the uninformed, it might appear the emperor had deeply cherished her.
But in fact, ever since the Eighth Princess was born, he had never once looked at her with true regard, never cared for her.
Otherwise, how could Mei pin have dared to abuse her? How could the palace staff have dared to turn a blind eye, abetting the cruelty?
If blame must be assigned, at least half the responsibility lay with the emperor himself.
As her father, had he merely cast her a single look, or asked after her once, the palace staff would never have dared to mistreat her.
But regrettably, it was only after her death, upon being reminded by others, that the emperor suddenly remembered he had such a daughter.
And then he went mad, bathing the palace in blood, merely because he feared that one day he himself might meet the same fate as the Eighth Princess: neglected, abused by consorts, princes, and servants alike.
Paranoia is a deadly thing!
Yet all this storm and chaos outside did not reach the inner courtyard of the Gu fu.
Life went on as it always had.
Only Gu Jiu constantly had Erzhuang gather news from the outside.
The death of the Eighth Princess, Mei pin cast into the Cold Palace, Fang shaojian being hunted, Gu daren too busy to return home, all of it strung together like beads on a thread.
Gu Jiu felt restless.
She had met Fang shaojian before. He was an exceptionally formidable man, able to pick up or put down, to bend or stretch, meticulous in thought.
For such a man to be hunted across the entire city, he must have committed an enormous crime.
The sudden revelation of the Eighth Princess being abused to death was certainly no simple matter either.
But with so little information, Gu Jiu could not make a sound judgment.
She set down her book and asked Qing Mei, “What’s the situation with Erzhuang these days?”
Qing Mei replied, “Very good. Business has been steady. Why does guniang suddenly ask about Erzhuang?”
Gu Jiu said, “It’s been nearly half a year since Jumeizhai opened, and I’ve never been there myself. These days, Erzhuang has been busy with the shop and still has to gather news for me. He has worked hard.”
Qing Mei smiled. “If Erzhuang can ease guniang’s worries, he couldn’t be happier.”
Gu Jiu also smiled. “I should make time to go see Jumeizhai. With one’s own business, it’s always better to see it in person to feel assured.”
Qing Mei said, “Tomorrow the hou fu’s study sessions are resting, why not leave the fu tomorrow?”
Qing Mei held the key to the back gate.
So far, it had only been used once, when Gu daren was imprisoned last twelfth month.
After that, Gu Jiu had never left the residence secretly again.
Looking out the window at the ever-warming weather, she thought now might be the best time to go out.
Once she was married into the wang fu at year’s end, wishing for a simple, quiet outing would be nearly impossible.
Gu Jiu nodded and said to Qing Mei, “Go make the arrangements. Tomorrow we’ll leave the fu.”
“Nubi obeys.”
The next morning, Gu Jiu first went to the council hall to learn how to manage household affairs.
Xie shi had truly changed her temperament. She found fault with no one, not even with the senior servants, appearing mild and even-tempered.
With Gu Jiu, although she still did not show a kind face, she no longer nitpicked or deliberately sought quarrels.
Even with the shu-born daughters Gu Zhen and Gu Lin, she behaved calmly.
Gu Jiu secretly nodded. Though Xie shi looked defeated, for the fu, this was in fact a good thing.
Without Xie shi’s nitpicking and constant shouting, everyone in the household worked much more efficiently.
Another change was seen in Gu Yue.
Gu Yue was always gloomy now, her gaze toward people carrying a cold indifference. She spoke very little, a stark contrast to her former habit of grabbing people just to chatter and show off. She had become taciturn and withdrawn.
No one knew why Gu Yue had changed so drastically.
In private, Gu Jiu asked Gu Shan about it, but Gu Shan only shook her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with san jiejie. One day, she just became like this. And the way she looks at me… it feels like she harbours ill intentions.”
Hearing this, Gu Jiu reminded her, “You’d better be careful.”
Gu Shan nodded. “Thank you for the warning, er jiejie. I’ll be cautious.”
After finishing her morning tasks and resting briefly, it was time for lunch.
After lunch, everyone always took a nap.
Seizing the quietest time in the household, when everyone was asleep, Gu Jiu slipped out the back gate with her attendants and got into an ox cart headed for Shili Alley.
The alley was bustling with people coming and going.
Gu Jiu got off the ox cart and walked toward Jumeizhai.
She was dressed as a young man, looking every bit the handsome young master. Many young ladies and wives cast curious glances at her.
Qing Mei teased, “With this outfit, guniang, you’ll surely steal the hearts of many young girls.”
Gu Jiu twirled her folding fan and laughed. “Winning over strangers doesn’t matter. If I can win over the few of you, that would be impressive.”
“Guniang, you say the most outrageous things the moment you step outside.”
Gu Jiu only smiled silently.
Whenever she spotted an interesting shop, she went in to take a look, asking prices and even haggling with the shop assistants.
It took her half an hour just to walk from the entrance of the street to Jumeizhai.
She secretly grumbled to herself: women really can’t stop once they start shopping.
If not for Qing Mei and the others constantly reminding her, she truly would have lingered at every single shop.
The capital’s shops were far more abundant than those in the northwest, each one offering unique goods.
Gu Jiu relished wandering through the streets, bargaining with shopkeepers.
But time was limited, and business mattered the most.
She led her maids to Jumeizhai.
As soon as Erzhuang saw her, he was so excited that he almost dropped to his knees in salute.
“Shh! Keep quiet.”
Gu Jiu quickly stopped him.
Erzhuang grinned so widely his eyes nearly disappeared. “Guniang, why have you come today? I wasn’t prepared at all.”
“No need to be nervous. I just came to take a look.”
Gu Jiu glanced around. The shop’s decor was distinctive, and the jewellery, flowers and trinkets displayed at the entrance were enough to draw in young women at first sight.
“Would you like to sit in the back courtyard, guniang? I’ll serve you tea,” Erzhuang said.
Gu Jiu nodded and asked, “How’s business?”
“Not bad. Here’s the ledger. Would you like to take a look?” Erzhuang handed her a record book.
Gu Jiu accepted it and flipped through casually. The accounts were clear, every expense and every income properly noted.
She nodded inwardly. Erzhuang was dependable.
When customers entered, Erzhuang had his clerks tend to them.
Jumeizhai had hired two clerks, freeing Erzhuang to keep a closer watch over production.
Gu Jiu followed him into the back courtyard.
Though not large, it was peaceful and pleasant.
On a day like this, one could bring out a lounge chair, sit under the eaves with a palm fan in hand, and pass the day listening to cicadas.
Erzhuang led them into a side room and quickly went to make tea.
Qing Zhu stopped him. “Just tell me where. I brought tea leaves.”
Erzhuang chuckled and pointed toward the kitchen. “Over there.”
Gu Jiu asked, “Next door is a cloth shop, isn’t it? I passed by just now, their business seemed pretty good.”
Erzhuang brought out some pastries. “Please try these, guniang, made by the neighbours, quite tasty. Yes, next door is a cloth shop. The manager’s surname is Hu, but I don’t know the owner’s name. I heard the owner is ill and is recuperating in the back courtyard.”
Gu Jiu picked up a pastry and tasted it. Not as refined as those made at the fu, but still pleasant enough.
Casually, she said, “Since their master is ill, and they’re our neighbours, lend a hand when you can. Good neighbourly relations matter.”
“Guniang is right. Shopkeeper Hu and I get along well; we often help each other.”
Qing Zhu returned with a pot of tea and served Gu Jiu.
After some pastries and tea, Gu Jiu felt about half full.
She said to Erzhuang, “Go on with your work, you don’t need to stay here with me. I’ll leave soon.”
Erzhuang nodded. “Shall I bring you the ledgers from the past few months as well? I hear you’re very quick with accounts.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “If you’re not afraid of tiring me out, then go ahead.”
Erzhuang grinned. “This is a small business, guniang; the ledgers are few. It won’t tire you at all.”
Erzhuang came out of the side room and, before long, returned with a stack of account books for Gu Jiu to review.
Gu Jiu didn’t stand on ceremony; she picked up the abacus and started calculating. Erzhuang went to the front of the shop to greet customers.
His bookkeeping was very clear, and Gu Jiu quickly worked through the pile of accounts without much effort.
She said, “The business at Jumeizhai is busy, and Erzhuang has been working hard. I plan to find a chance to raise his wages.”
Qing Mei nodded. “Guniang always thinks things through.”
It was getting late, and Gu Jiu prepared to return to the fu.
Back in the shop, she said a few words to Erzhuang, and just as she was stepping out the threshold, she suddenly froze.
She had actually seen Xie Mao in Shili Alley.
Xie Mao brought a squad of Eastern Palace guards with him, all looking fierce and menacing. He waved his hand. “Search the place.”
The guards charged into the cloth shop next door like wolves and tigers.
The shop assistants and Shopkeeper Hu tried to block them but were beaten to the ground, left only to watch helplessly as the guards stormed into the backyard.
A sinister smile tugged at the corner of Xie Mao’s lips.
The Xiuyiwei and the Capital Prefecture yamen had no idea of Fang shaojian’s background, so they couldn’t find him.
But Xie Mao was different. He had his ways; he had pried the truth out of certain people’s mouths.
Learning that Fang shaojian might be hiding in this inconspicuous little cloth shop, Xie Mao couldn’t hold back. He hurried over with his men, afraid Fang shaojian would escape.
Looking triumphant, he thought: once he caught Fang shaojian, he would personally kill that damned eunuch, returning every ounce of the humiliation he had once suffered.
Gu Jiu quickly retreated back into Jumeizhai.
There were still customers in the shop, so it wasn’t the place to talk.
She slipped into the backyard and asked Erzhuang, “Why would Xie Mao be here? What’s the background of that cloth shop next door?”
Erzhuang looked baffled. “This is the first time I’ve seen Xie daren in Shili Alley. As for the shop next door, as far as I know, it’s just an ordinary cloth shop.”
Ordinary, my foot.
If Xie Mao himself had come to lead the raid, the cloth shop was clearly anything but ordinary.
Only Erzhuang couldn’t see through it.
Bang, crash…
From the backyard of the cloth shop next door came the sounds of objects crashing to the ground, mixed with the guards’ curses and killing intent, chilling to the bone.
Just as Gu Jiu hesitated, shouts erupted next door:
“An assassin! Be careful, everyone, ah!”
Xiao Cui, hearing of murder, screamed in fright.
Gu Jiu’s eyes sharpened. She made a snap decision and ordered Erzhuang, “Quickly send someone to notify the nearest yamen. Have them send men over immediately. Doesn’t matter if it’s the Xiuyiwei or the Capital Prefecture yamen, just make it fast.”
“Yes, guniang.”
Since killing had already broken out next door, it was clearly impossible for things to end peacefully.
Gu Jiu dreaded facing Xie Mao outside. Even though she was disguised in men’s clothes, Xie Mao would certainly recognise her.
If he discovered she had secretly left the fu, who knew what trouble he would stir up?
Right now, Gu Jiu couldn’t step outside.
But staying inside wasn’t safe either.
She could only hope the yamen officers would arrive quickly to stop this sudden chaos.
“Ah!” Xiao Cui pointed at the wall; someone was climbing over it.
“Fang shaojian!”
Gu Jiu instantly recognised the man scaling the wall.
Fang shaojian’s face was pale, and he too recognised Gu Jiu. He froze, clearly surprised to see her in Jumeizhai’s backyard.
Then he grinned at her, looking oddly relieved.
Gu Jiu ground her teeth. “Wang Yi, you–”
Before she could finish, Fang shaojian had already vaulted into the courtyard and landed smoothly.
Wang Yi rolled up her sleeves, ready to throw him back out the moment Gu Jiu gave the order.
Fang shaojian clutched his abdomen. It was wounded, blood seeping through his hand.
He spoke first: “Didn’t expect to meet Gu guniang here. What a coincidence. If Xie Mao out there sees us talking together, what do you think he’ll assume about our relationship? Might he believe you’re here on behalf of Ning wang fu to meet me in secret?”
“Nonsense!” Xiao Cui burst out angrily. This was blatant slander.
Fang shaojian ignored her, keeping his eyes fixed on Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu’s face darkened. “Is Fang shaojian threatening me?”
“Not at all. I’m merely reminding Gu guniang not to act in ways that harm both yourself and others. That would benefit no one.”
Gu Jiu sneered. “You’re a wanted criminal hunted across the capital. Do you believe I won’t shout right now? Xie Mao would have to thank me.”
Fang laughed loudly. “Are you sure he would thank you, and not kill you instead?”
Gu Jiu narrowed her eyes. She intended to bluff Fang shaojian, to coax more truth from his mouth.
Fang shaojian understood the game.
His wound pained him, and he leaned against a pillar.
He raised a hand, pointing toward next door. “Hear that racket? They’re here to kill me. If you stay with me, they’ll kill you too.”
Gu Jiu’s expression was ice-cold. “Then hurry up and get out.”
Fang shaojian chuckled. “Can’t. If I could, I’d already be gone. But don’t worry, Gu guniang. You’ve saved me this time. As long as I live, I’ll repay you someday.”
“You can barely protect yourself. What repayment can you offer me?”
Fang shaojian arched a brow and smiled. “Some want me dead, but more people want me alive. Do you hear the fighting next door? It’s fierce. And those men aren’t my protectors; they all followed Xie Mao here, and then the two sides, bang, started fighting each other. A pity about the cloth shop, though. No way to keep that business running now.”
There was another noise at the wall. Someone else was climbing over.
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