“Da jiejie, wu meimei, please have a seat.”
Gu Jiu rose to greet them, and everyone took their seats accordingly.
Qing Zhu served tea.
Looking at the two of them, Gu Jiu smiled, “Da jiejie, wu meimei, what’s wrong? You both look so upset. Who made you unhappy?”
Gu Zhen and Gu Lin glared at each other before simultaneously letting out a ‘hmph’.
Gu Jiu pressed her lips together and chuckled, “Da jiejie, wu meimei, don’t be mad at each other. We’re all sisters—if there’s a problem, just talk it out.”
“There’s nothing to talk about with her,” Gu Lin spoke first.
Gu Zhen smirked. “Perfect, I have nothing to say to wu meimei either. That saves us a lot of trouble.”
Gu Lin frowned and gave Gu Zhen a sideways glance. “Da jiejie, you should watch what you say. You’re the one getting engaged soon.”
Gu Zhen’s face darkened in irritation, and whatever good mood she had instantly vanished.
She turned to Gu Jiu. “Er meimei, you heard her yourself. This is how she talks to me—completely lacking in manners!”
“How am I being rude?” Gu Lin retorted, unconvinced.
Gu Zhen scoffed. “Is that how you speak to your eldest sister? Your tone is so sharp—anyone who doesn’t know better would think you’re talking to an enemy. Hmph, with that attitude, you clearly have no manners.”
Gu Lin opened her mouth. “My attitude is bad? Yours isn’t any better. As the eldest sister, shouldn’t you set an example?”
“You—you’re still arguing!”
“I’m just stating facts. If you really want to act like the eldest sister, then learn from er jiejie. If you were more like er jiejie, I’d actually respect you as my elder.”
“Cough, cough…“
Gu Jiu cleared her throat twice. If they were going to argue, they shouldn’t drag her into it.
She glanced at the two of them and asked, “Da jiejie, wu meimei, how did you two even run into each other?”
Gu Lin spoke first. “I was bored in my room and wanted to chat with er jiejie. I didn’t expect to run into da jiejie at the front gate.”
Gu Zhen, however, smiled. “I came to see er meimei to share some news I just heard.”
Gu Jiu played along appropriately. “What news?”
Gu Zhen smiled knowingly before saying, “Did you know? The Haixi bo fu will be attending the banquet.”
Gu Lin didn’t recall it immediately and asked, “Which Haixi bo fu?”
But Gu Jiu instantly understood and turned to Gu Zhen. “Congratulations, da jiejie.”
The Haixi bo fu had no prior connection with the Gu family. If they were attending the banquet, it meant they were considering a marriage alliance. It was an opportunity to assess Gu Zhen and also learn more about the Gu family.
Gu Zhen lowered her head with a shy smile.
Talking to er meimei was always the most comfortable.
Gu Jiu always knew exactly what to say—never too much to sound insincere, never too little to seem indifferent.
Blushing, Gu Zhen asked in a low voice, “Er meimei, do you think this match will work out?”
Gu Jiu smiled. “As long as da jiejie presents herself well, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
The Haixi bo fu was prestigious, but the Gu family wasn’t lacking either, backed by a hou fu.
Gu Zhen was more than a suitable match for the Haixi bo fu’s shu-born young master.
Gu Zhen nodded slightly. “That’s what I think too.”
“Ah, I remember now!” Gu Lin finally caught on. “Haixi bo fu—isn’t that the match that the hou fu’s eldest furen introduced to da jiejie?”
Since Gu Zhen was in a good mood, she didn’t bicker with Gu Lin over her slow reaction.
Gu Lin continued excitedly, “If they’re attending the banquet, does that mean they’re coming to assess da jiejie? If nothing goes wrong, the marriage could be settled!”
Gu Zhen maintained a reserved smile, choosing not to speak at this moment.
Gu Jiu understood and said with a smile, “Wu meimei is right. The fact that Haixi bo fu is attending suggests they are here to evaluate da jiejie.”
Gu Lin grew even more excited. “If the marriage works out, da jiejie will be marrying into a bo fu! Wow, da jiejie, you’re so lucky! The hou fu’s eldest furen really gave you a great recommendation!”
Gu Zhen shot Gu Lin a glance. “A marriage introduced by the hou fu was bound to be good. Wu meimei, you should fix your habit of speaking without thinking. Prestigious families won’t want someone with a loose tongue.”
Gu Lin immediately frowned. “Who says I have a loose tongue? Compared to san jiejie, I’m much better! Over the years, she’s offended so many people, yet nothing happened to her. If she’s fine, why wouldn’t I be?”
Gu Zhen rolled her eyes. “Wu meimei, are you out of your mind? San meimei is a di daughter, and you’re a shu-born daughter. How can you compare? San meimei has the support of Mother, while you only have Bai yiniang. Do you really think Bai yiniang can handle your marriage? Who would discuss a shu daughter’s marriage with a yiniang? Honestly, I don’t even know what to say to you.”
Gu Lin’s face fell, and she let out an annoyed huff.
Gu Jiu tried to smooth things over. “Da jiejie, say no more. Wu meimei is still young—she has a few more years before marriage is even a concern. Next year, when the etiquette instructor arrives, she’ll learn the proper manners and improve over time.”
Gu Lin brightened up and clung to Gu Jiu’s arm. “I love er jiejie the most! I’ll definitely improve, and maybe I’ll even marry better than da jiejie!”
She then grinned mischievously at Gu Zhen.
Gu Zhen was fuming—Gu Lin was deliberately provoking her!
She snapped, “Wu meimei, stop dreaming. You think you can outdo me? With that big mouth of yours, who would even like you?”
“I don’t have a big mouth! Just wait and see, I’ll change, just like er jiejie said—I’ll only get better!”
Gu Zhen sneered. “Old habits die hard. You’ll realise my good intentions one day.”
Good intentions, my foot.
Gu Lin pouted so much she could hang a soy sauce bottle from her lips.
Gu Jiu chuckled. “Enough, you two. Marriage is fate—there’s no need to compare who marries higher. Marrying into a noble family doesn’t guarantee happiness, and marrying into a lesser one doesn’t mean a miserable life.”
Gu Lin nodded in agreement. “Er jiejie is right.”
Gu Zhen seemed a little displeased, feeling that Gu Jiu was siding with Gu Lin.
Before she could say anything, Gu Jiu quickly changed the subject. “Da jiejie, have you prepared your outfit for the banquet?”
“Ah?”
Gu Zhen gasped. “Thanks for the reminder, er meimei! There are still seven or eight days until the banquet, but I don’t know if I have enough time to make a new dress. I think my mother has some fabric—I need to go check!”
It was too late to have the sewing room make a new dress, so she could only rely on herself and her maids.
With that, Gu Zhen hurriedly got up and left with her maid.
Gu Lin watched her leave before turning to Gu Jiu and whispering, “Er jiejie, do you really think da jiejie will marry into the Haixi bo fu?”
Despite her dismissive words, she was clearly envious of Gu Zhen’s good match.
Gu Jiu replied, “The fact that they’re attending the banquet shows their interest. As long as da jiejie matches the description given by the hou fu, the marriage should work out.”
“What did the hou fu say about da jiejie?” Gu Lin was curious.
Gu Jiu smiled. “That she is well-mannered, talented, literate, gentle and experienced from following Father on his postings—unlike sheltered girls with no worldly knowledge.”
Gu Lin blinked. “That’s all?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “That’s more than enough.”
Gu daren didn’t start his career as an official in the northwest. Before that, he had served in the south for a few years.
From the south to the northwest, and now to the capital—most young women of this era would never have such experiences. Many were born and died in the same place, never getting the chance to step outside and broaden their horizons.
Just by this alone, Gu Zhen was already ahead of many others.
Despite her constant bickering with Gu Lin, making her seem like she had a bad temper, Gu Zhen actually behaved well in public.
Back in the northwest, the noble ladies from various families often praised Gu Zhen, saying she was a good girl—if only she weren’t born as a shu daughter.
Last time at the hou fu, if Gu Zhen hadn’t lost her mind and spread rumors about Gu Jiu being sickly, the hou fu would have had a much better impression of her.
Gu Lin bit her lip, feeling a bit envious.
She turned to Gu Jiu and asked, “Er jiejie, can my marriage also rely on the hou fu?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Of course. But wu meimei, you’re still young, there’s no need to think about this now.”
Gu Lin twisted her handkerchief. How could she not think about it?
Bai yiniang nagged her about this all the time. With her older sisters securing good prospects one by one, she couldn’t help but think about her own future even more.
She knew she couldn’t compare with the di daughters, but at the very least, she had to surpass Gu Zhen.
Taking a deep breath, Gu Lin declared, “Er jiejie, from today onward, I’m going to work hard. I will surpass da jiejie.”
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded. “Not bad. It’s good to have ambition.”
Fueled with determination, Gu Lin bid farewell and rushed off to see Bai yiniang.
But her enthusiasm never lasted long.
The moment she saw Bai yiniang, she lost her motivation. After all, Bai yiniang would take care of everything—what was there to worry about?
But… did she really not need to put in any effort?
Gu Lin felt conflicted. Occasionally, she would pick up a book, practice writing, and learn some etiquette.
However, her enthusiasm never lasted long.
Her level of effort was not even a tenth of the kind of effort Gu Jiu put in.
Qing Mei remarked that Gu Jiu’s diligence could rival that of scholars preparing for the imperial exams.
Gu Jiu chuckled. “How could I compare to those who study night and day for the imperial exams? I read too broadly, and my knowledge is not as deep as theirs. By the way, is Su biaoge confirmed to attend tomorrow’s banquet?”
Qing Mei nodded. “Su biao shaoye passed word through Erzhuang—he’ll definitely be there.”
Gu Jiu felt relieved. “That’s good. Su biaoge has been in the capital for half a year now. I wonder how he’s doing.”
“With the money guniang gave him, he shouldn’t be doing too badly.”
“Living in the capital is expensive. That amount might seem like a lot, but it runs out quickly.”
As the time approached, Gu Jiu took Qing Mei with her to the outer courtyard to check on Gu Ting.
After a period of recovery, Gu Ting could finally walk on his own.
“Gege, how are you feeling today?”
“I’m doing well—I can put some strength into my legs now.”
Gu Jiu took out a needle kit, which contained 108 silver needles.
She had specially commissioned these needles for Gu Ting’s treatment, going through great lengths to get them.
Because of her frail body and lack of strength, she was afraid of injuring Gu Ting. To be sure, she had secretly practiced the needle techniques on herself before using them on him.
Today marked the fifth session of acupuncture treatment.
“Gege, roll up your pant leg.”
Gu Ting grinned. He wasn’t afraid of acupuncture at all—it didn’t hurt, though it did leave a slight tingling sensation afterward.
But every time after receiving the treatment, he felt his injured leg becoming stronger.
Even when it rained a few days ago, he didn’t experience any pain.
Gu Ting rolled up his pant leg and said, “I’m troubling meimei again.”
Gu Jiu shot him a look. “Did gege finish reading the books I brought last time?”
Gu Ting chuckled sheepishly, looking guilty.
His expression already gave away the answer.
Gu Jiu sat down, preparing the treatment as she spoke. “Once gege’s leg recovers, don’t just wander around all day and disappear. At least set aside some time to read. It’ll only benefit you.”
Gu Ting grinned. “I’ll listen to meimei.”
“Saying you’ll listen isn’t enough. You need to take the knowledge in the books seriously and remember it.”
As they chatted, Gu Jiu finished preparing.
The silver needles were sterilised, and her hands were washed clean.
Locating the acupuncture points, she began inserting the needles.
The silver needles slid into the skin, and Gu Ting didn’t feel a hint of pain.
“Meimei’s technique is getting better and better.”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “Gege is my first patient. Letting me practice on you so many times—thank you.”
“What’s there to thank? Just keep going. As long as you don’t stab me to death, it’s fine.”
“Pfft! Don’t jinx it!”
Twenty-one silver needles covered Gu Ting’s injured leg, densely packed—it looked a little intimidating.
“For tomorrow’s banquet, gege mustn’t drink alcohol. Until your leg is fully healed, you can’t touch a drop.”
Gu Ting said, “Don’t worry, meimei. I’m not much of a drinker anyway. Tomorrow, have Li Chuan keep an eye on me—I promise I won’t drink.”
“Get along well with the young men from the hou fu. Don’t stir up any conflicts.”
“Leave that to me, meimei. Making friends is my specialty.”
Gu Jiu smiled—perhaps she was worrying too much.
Back when they were in the northwest, Gu Ting had friends everywhere.
An hour passed quickly.
After finishing the acupuncture session, Gu Jiu reminded Li Chuan to take good care of Gu Ting before leaving.
In the garden, she ran into Gu Yu—Gu si ge.
Gu Yu was a relative from the main family, also living in the capital, though not in Baiyi Alley, but over in the Eastern Market district.
He had recently returned from a visit home and stayed there for some time.
Gu Jiu greeted him with a smile. “Gu si ge, have you finished handling family matters?”
Gu Yu nodded slightly. “Thank you for your concern, er meimei. Everything at home is well. You should prepare yourself for tomorrow’s banquet.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow, unsure of his meaning.
Gu Yu leaned in and whispered, “Gu daren didn’t just invite Haixi bo fu—he also invited the Zhu guogong fu, Dai hou fu and even Lu hou fu. All of them have agreed to attend.”
Gu Jiu was secretly astonished.
Was Gu daren trying to bring all the noble military families together in one place?
Curious, she asked, “How did Father manage to invite so many titled nobles?”
The Gu family didn’t have that kind of powerful network—it was almost unbelievable.
Gu Yu hesitated for a moment before explaining, “On one hand, the hou fu helped make introductions. On the other, Gu daren served as a provincial governor in the northwest for eight years. Some of these nobles likely want to take the opportunity to discuss the situation there with him.”
Gu Jiu’s eyebrows twitched, and a sudden sense of trepidation washed over her.
“Gu si ge, could it be that these noble families all oppose…” the Crown Prince?
She didn’t finish her sentence, but Gu Yu understood.
He nodded slightly. “Er meimei is indeed perceptive.”
Gu Jiu almost wished she weren’t—then she wouldn’t have to live in fear, constantly worrying about things beyond her control.
Sometimes, ignorance really was bliss.
Damn it. The Empress was still lying in bed, yet these nobles were already itching to jump out and become the vanguard against the Crown Prince. Were they not afraid of death?
Did they really think that the bedridden Empress was powerless?
Gu Jiu had heard the stories about this Empress—she was a formidable woman, a true heroine. Whether in literature or martial prowess, she excelled in both.
Even after falling out of favour, she had still managed to push her son into the position of Crown Prince, where he had remained for twenty years.
Over the years, so many people had tried to overthrow the Crown Prince, yet he was still firmly seated in his position.
It was clear that the Crown Prince’s survival was thanks to two things: first, the support of his uncle, Zhen guogong, and second, the sheer willpower and manoeuvring of the Empress.
So what exactly was Gu daren thinking?
The struggle for the throne was incredibly dangerous.
As the Prefect of the Capital, why was he getting involved?
Unless…
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Yu, feeling a dryness in her throat. “Gu si ge, has the hou fu already chosen a side?”
Hadn’t their stance always been whoever wins, we support?
Why were they taking a side now? Did they have a death wish?
Gu Yu nodded slightly. “The hou fu has always had a stance.”
Gu Jiu felt lightheaded, as if she were suffocating.
“Er meimei probably doesn’t know what’s happening in the court, right?”
“What happened?”
Something major must have happened—something big enough to push these noble families into joining forces against the Crown Prince.
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