Gu Jiu stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Please, Fang mama, assist me.”
Fang mama sized Gu Jiu up with an indifferent gaze.
“Er guniang is too polite.”
Gu Jiu lifted her head and looked at Fang mama. “Is mama unwilling to help me?”
Fang mama asked coldly, “Does er guniang seek safety or advancement?”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow, recognizing the test. Calmly, she replied, “I want both safety and advancement.”
The corner of Fang mama’s mouth twitched, a rare sign of a smile that looked slightly strange. She said, “Er guniang appears delicate, yet your ambition is not small. Haven’t you heard that one cannot have both the fish and the bear’s paw?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I’ve heard that, of course. But I’m greedy. I want safety, but I also refuse to be mediocre.”
“To have great ambition in the imperial family is not necessarily a good thing,” Fang mama warned.
Gu Jiu’s eyes flickered, and she smiled. “To have no ambition in the royal family, now that is a dangerous thing. Having ambition isn’t inherently bad.”
Fang mama, curious, asked, “Er guniang, your insight is unusually different. Has anyone taught you this?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “No one. These are entirely my own thoughts.”
Fang mama nodded silently. “Er guniang, what are your plans regarding your marriage to Gongzi Zhao?”
Gu Jiu answered candidly, “Save more money, win over all the people I can. When necessary, sideline the wangfei, take control of the estate, and eventually gain influence in the palace.”
Wei lao furen and Fang mama both inhaled sharply.
Neither had expected that Gu Jiu was already planning to sideline the wangfei and gain influence in the palace.
Such ambition was enormous, truly enormous.
Fang mama exchanged a glance with Wei lao furen without showing it.
Fang mama: So this is the grand-niece you’ve always praised? Such ambition!
Wei lao furen: The old lady wasn’t aware of this either, ah! Gu Jiu always seems polite and obedient. Who would have thought that she’d plan such things so early? Sideline the Princess, gain influence in the palace… This, this child must be talking nonsense!
Fang mama: I don’t think she’s talking nonsense. She really plans to do so. Let me ask her again.
Fang mama asked seriously, “Er guniang, have you ever considered becoming the head of the harem?”
The head of the harem? Becoming Empress?
Gu Jiu shook her head. “I haven’t thought about it.”
“Not thought, or have no intention?”
Gu Jiu gave a faint, almost teasing smile. “Whether I become the head of the harem isn’t important. What matters is holding power, wealth, and people in my hands.”
Fang mama understood, Gu Jiu clearly valued tangible benefits over mere titles.
“If I serve by er guniang’s side, how do you intend to use me?”
Gu Jiu appraised Fang mama from head to toe. “Naturally, use each person to their full potential.”
Fang mama closed her eyes slightly. After a moment, she looked toward Wei lao furen.
Wei lao furen hurriedly asked, “Fang mama, do you think my grand-niece meets your approval?”
Fang mama nodded solemnly. “Nubi is willing to serve er guniang.”
Then, she bowed.
Gu Jiu was overjoyed. “Mama, please rise. I am very glad you’re willing to help me. If you do your utmost, I will care for you in your old age and see you through to the end.”
The stern-faced Fang mama finally showed signs of a crack in her composure.
Her heart stirred, but she was used to restraining her emotions. “Er guniang is willing to care for me in nubi’s old age?”
Gu Jiu nodded solemnly. “I promise to care for you in your old age and see you through to the end.”
“Thank you, er guniang,” Fang mama said, her rare emotion hidden behind a subtle wiping of her eyes.
Wei lao furen said, “Fang mama, don’t be sad. Gu Jiu is a good child, you should be happy.”
Fang mama nodded. “Yes. nubi should indeed feel happy. Nubi is overwhelmed with joy.”
Wei lao furen reminded Gu Jiu again, “Xiao Jiu, Fang mama is skilled in royal affairs; she will be a great help. You must respect her.”
“Thank you for your advice, lao furen. To me, Fang mama is my elder.”
“Good.”
Fang mama wiped away her tears. “Nubi dares not consider myself er guniang’s senior. Nubi will do my utmost to help er guniang achieve her goals.”
Gu Jiu smiled brightly. At last, she wouldn’t be in the dark; with Fang mama at her side, she could learn palace and royal family matters immediately.
Fang mama withdrew of her own accord.
Wei lao furen pointed at the display shelf. “Take down that peachwood box.”
Obediently, Gu Jiu retrieved the peachwood box from the shelf.
Wei lao furen said, “Open it and see.”
Gu Jiu hesitated, but opened the box.
Inside were silver notes, though the exact amount was unknown.
Gu Jiu was astonished. “Lao furen, this is…?”
Wei lao furen said, “This is the silver I’ve saved for you, my hidden reserve. Two thousand taels in total. Keep it safely.”
Gu Jiu quickly refused. “Your grand-niece cannot accept this. It’s too much. I cannot take it.”
She closed the peachwood box and placed it in Wei lao furen’s hand.
Wei lao furen pretended to be displeased. “When an elder bestows something, one cannot refuse. This is my intention, you must accept it. Gifts given cannot be taken back.
Gu Jiu hesitated. “Lao furen, two thousand taels is truly too much. Perhaps your niece may take a hundred…”
Wei lao furen frowned. “That won’t do! You are given two thousand taels, you must accept two thousand taels. Take it now; don’t waste my words.”
Gu Jiu had no choice but to accept.
“Thank you, lao furen, for your kindness. You have been far too good to your grandniece.”
Gu Jiu felt deeply moved inside.
Wei lao furen chuckled warmly. “Why act like that? You’ve had a hard life from childhood, and now you’re being promised to Gongzi Zhao. It’s only natural that I worry about you a bit more. If your grandmother were still alive, she would have spoiled you even more than I do.”
“I’ve never even met my grandmother.”
“You have seen her, you were just too young to remember.”
Wei lao furen continued giving her many pieces of advice, all of which Gu Jiu carefully noted.
Seeing that lao furen was growing tired, Gu Jiu rose to take her leave.
Upon leaving the main room, she saw Fang mama standing under the eaves, waiting for her. Qing Mei and the others were just a few steps away.
Gu Jiu called out, “Qing Mei, come over. Let me introduce you. This is Fang mama. From now on, she will serve by my side. You must respect her as you respect me.”
Fang mama quickly said, “Guniang flatters me. Nubi is only a servant, how dare I presume to stand equal to you?”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Mama overstates it. You’re not a mere servant, you are my mama.”
Qing Mei took the lead, and all four maids spoke in unison: “Greetings, Fang mama.”
Fang mama’s expression remained serious. She first gave a brief acknowledgement, then scrutinized Qing Mei and the others from head to toe.
“My surname is Fang, and people call me Fang mama. From now on, we will serve er guniang together.”
“Please, Fang mama, teach us.”
The maids were full of questions but knew this was not the time to ask them.
Gu Jiu smiled. “Alright, now everyone knows each other. Let’s return to the theatre building.”
When they arrived at the theater, everyone noticed that Gu Jiu now had Fang mama by her side, a gift from Wei lao furen.
Wei shi raised her eyebrows. While others might not recognize Fang mama, she knew her well.
Fang mama was a veteran of the palace. She had only left the palace a couple of years ago due to illness.
Wei lao furen had originally wanted Fang mama to retire at the hou fu, but Fang mama had refused.
Fang mama had no husband or children, only one elder brother and one younger brother, plus a bunch of nephews and nieces. By right, she could have relied on them in her old age. However, her brothers and nephews were all leeches, feeding off her.
Before her wealth was completely drained, Fang mama decisively left her hometown, returning to the capital and renting a small courtyard to live alone.
Wei lao furen sent monthly supplies of rice, flour, meat, and vegetables. Fang mama spent her days doing needlework or teaching young ladies proper conduct.
No one had expected Wei lao furen could persuade her to come out of retirement and serve Gu Jiu.
Wei shi quickly understood the reasoning.
Wei lao furen must have worried that when Gu Jiu married into the wang fu, she wouldn’t have anyone reliable by her side, so she persuaded Fang mama to come serve her.
As a palace veteran, Fang mama was fully aware of court politics and the intrigues of the harem.
Indeed, Gu Jiu, as the future wife of an Imperial Grandson, needed such a person to guide her.
Wei shi signaled to the maids, “Go, bring Fang mama a cup of tea. Also, bring a chair so she can sit and watch the performance.”
“Nubi obeys.”
Wang shi leaned in. “Dasao, could the Fang mama by Gu Jiu’s side be the same Fang mama who just came out of the palace?”
Wei shi nodded. “Exactly, the Fang mama who left the palace.”
Wang shi smiled. “I heard Fang mama has many apprentices and connections in the palace. With her, Gu Jiu essentially inherits her network. Lao furen truly cares for Gu Jiu.”
“Er dimei mustn’t be resentful.”
Wang shi covered her lips, smiling. “Dasao jests. I’m not resentful. None of our hou fu girls marry into the royal family. Fang mama serving the children is indeed overqualified, but she fits Gu Jiu perfectly.”
Wei shi added, “The palace is not very peaceful right now. Lao furen worries that Gu Jiu may face difficulties marrying into the wang fu, which is why she arranged for Fang mama to serve her.”
Wang shi understood and quietly asked, “Will something happen at the Ning wang fu?”
Wei shi shook her head. “It’s hard to say.”
Wang shi looked at Gu Jiu downstairs and felt a pang of sympathy.
“Poor Gu Jiu. She has an unreliable father and an uncertain marriage ahead.”
Wei shi frowned. “Dimei, be careful with your words. Nothing has happened yet, don’t speak recklessly.”
“Don’t worry, dasao. I won’t speak such words elsewhere.”
The maids served tea to Fang mama and brought a chair for her to sit.
Fang mama said politely, “Please convey my thanks to da furen.”
“You may sit, Fang mama. Our furen also says that when you have time, go speak with her.”
“Certainly.”
Fang mama sat upright, positioning herself just behind and to the side of Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu whispered to her, “Fang mama, sit at ease. No one will dare gossip.”
“Thank you, guniang.”
Perhaps from years of sternness, Fang mama’s facial muscles were stiff, making it difficult for her to show any extra expression.
Xie shi noticed the movement on Gu Jiu’s side and frowned.
She muttered to Zhang shi, “For no reason at all, why did lao furen give a mama to er yatou? Could it be that she thinks the mama in our Gu fu are not good enough?”
But in her heart she was thinking that Zhilan Yuan would now have one more person’s expenses. Fortunately, the money would come from the common household funds.
Zhang shi, took a few extra looks at Fang mama. She found her somewhat familiar, as if she had seen her somewhere before.
She said, “Dimei, don’t talk nonsense. Lao furen would never mean to look down on the Gu fu.”
Xie shi snorted inwardly, thinking that Zhang shi was always good at smoothing things over and flattering lao furen. No wonder lao furen liked her.
Gu Yue clutched her handkerchief, secretly watching Fang mama from the corner of her eye.
Lao furen had rewarded Gu Jiu with a mama, but not her. Lao furen’s heart was biased beyond measure.
Were all these people blind? Why did everyone say Gu Jiu was good? Why did no one praise her?
Back when they were in the northwest, how glorious her life had been. Compared with what she was experiencing now, the anger in Gu Yue’s heart was almost impossible to hide.
Fang mama suddenly turned her head and stared at Gu Yue.
Fang mama already had a stern appearance, and her gaze was as sharp as a knife, cutting into Gu Yue again and again.
Gu Yue trembled all over. What a terrifying look.
Fang mama’s eyes were full of contempt. The san guniang of the Gu family was clearly someone who could not keep still.
She had seen far too many people like Gu Yue in the palace.
Their ambitions were higher than the sky. They were self-righteous, jealous, and thought themselves capable, always stirring up trouble.
She would have to keep an eye on Gu Yue for Gu Jiu.
Gu Yue withdrew her gaze and focused on the stage performance.
But inwardly she was cursing: Old witch, what are you being so fierce for? Just relying on lao furen’s remaining authority.
One day, if she gained power, she would gouge out that old witch’s eyes, sprinkle salt on them, and force her to swallow them herself.
After the opera ended, everyone took their leave and returned home.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chun He made a round through the kitchen, the sewing room, the storeroom, and the gatehouse.
When dinner time came, Bai yiniang discovered that the kitchen had only sent a few coarse-flour buns along with a bowl of vegetable porridge so watery that the bottom of the bowl could be seen.
Bai yiniang was stunned and could hardly believe it.
“What is going on? Did the kitchen send the wrong food? Did you deliver the servants’ meal to me?”
The kitchen pozi replied, “Yiniang really knows how to joke. It’s good enough that there’s something to eat. Yiniang shouldn’t be picky. I’ll take my leave.”
The kitchen pozi showed Bai yiniang not the slightest respect, just short of spitting in her face. Flicking her handkerchief, she swayed her hips as she walked away.
Bai yiniang was shocked.
Cui Liu angrily cursed, “Those kitchen pozi are going too far! Is this even food for people? It’s worse than what the servants eat, yet they dare send it for you. Nubi will go to the kitchen and demand an explanation. I’ll tear their faces apart if I have to!”
Bai yiniang clenched her teeth, her face dark. “Don’t go.”
Cui Liu stomped her foot anxiously. “Kind people get bullied. If we don’t make a scene in the kitchen, they’ll think you’re easy to bully and will only get worse.”
Bai yiniang’s expression turned extremely ugly. “It’s useless even if you go. How would the kitchen dare to humiliate me on their own? They’re clearly acting under orders. It’s taitai who wants to humiliate me.”
Cui Liu panicked. “Then what do we do? Are we going to eat coarse buns and water every day? This is too cruel. Taitai is trying to push you to death! Should we go ask er guniang for help? Er guniang is not what she used to be. If she says a word, the kitchen won’t dare treat you like this.”
Bai yiniang slowly shook her head. “Don’t go to er guniang. That favor must be saved for a critical moment.”
If Bai yiniang knew that this treatment was entirely thanks to Gu Jiu, she might regret having gone to see Gu Jiu yesterday.
Gu Jiu was generous by nature and usually did not bother with small matters.
But that did not mean she never held grudges. On the contrary, she remembered them very well.
A gentleman may wait ten years to take revenge. A young woman would find even ten days too long.
Yesterday, Bai yiniang had tried to play tricks and angered Gu Jiu. How could Gu Jiu let her off easily?
So today, Bai yiniang had entered a life of suffering.
And today was only the beginning.
From now on, Bai yiniang’s days would only grow more difficult.
Eating the coarse buns with no taste at all, Bai yiniang felt bitterness and helplessness and cried bitterly.
When Gu Lin heard about it, she ran over, and Bai yiniang cried again with her.
Gu Lin said angrily, “I’m going to find those kitchen women and tear their mouths apart. This matter won’t end here. Yiniang, wait for my good news.”
Bai yiniang wanted to stop her, but the words reached her lips and then she swallowed them.
She herself could not make a scene, but if Gu Lin did, it might actually have some effect.
After eating coarse buns and thin porridge once, she never wanted to eat them again.
Cui Liu said, “This servant will go with wu guniang.”
Gu Lin, burning with anger, indeed brought people to the kitchen and made a scene.
But with her thin arms and legs, how could she be a match for the kitchen women?
Each of the kitchen women was broad-shouldered and sturdy. With a single shove, they knocked Gu Lin to the ground.
“How dare you lay hands on wu guniang? Are you tired of living?” Cui Liu pointed at them and cursed.
The kitchen pozi sneered with contempt. “If you have the guts, go and report us.”
Gu Lin burst into tears. “I’m going to see Father right now. Just wait! You won’t get away with this!”
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