Gu Mei had a restless night.
When she got up in the morning, her eyes were bloodshot.
She kept worrying about what Gu Jiu had said regarding poisoning, unable to calm her heart.
After breakfast, everyone went to Songhe Hall to pay respects.
Wei lao furen had not yet risen.
A maid came out and said, “Lao furen was worried about the eldest young madam. She only fell asleep close to dawn. Guniang, please return, don’t disturb her rest.”
Gu Mei asked, “Is lao furen’s health serious?”
The maid replied, “Reporting to da guniang, lao furen’s health is fine, only her spirits are low. She needs quiet recuperation.”
Gu Mei nodded. “When lao furen wakes, remember to send someone to inform me.”
“Yes, da guniang.”
Gu Mei turned to the others. “Sisters, since lao furen hasn’t risen yet, let’s head to the study hall.”
“We’ll follow da jiejie’s lead.”
The hou fu had established a study hall and hired a female teacher to give lessons to the young ladies.
Gu Mei explained to the Gu girls: “Originally, when you first returned to the capital, Grandmother intended for you all to join the study hall to read. But considering the end of the year was approaching, with many affairs to manage, Grandmother changed her mind and said it wasn’t too late to start in the spring.”
At the mention of studying, Gu Jiu’s heart stirred with anticipation.
She said with a smile, “Mei jiejie, I can’t wait to attend lessons with you all. At home, I read and practice writing every day. But without a teacher’s guidance, it’s like shutting the door to work behind closed walls – I don’t know whether my understanding of the classics is correct or not.”
Gu Mei laughed. “I never expected Little Sister Jiu to love reading so much. Once Madam Luo meets you, she will surely be very pleased.”
Gu Jiu smiled brightly. “What kind of person is Madam Luo?”
Gu Mei thought for a moment before saying: “Madam Luo is serious, but not rigid. She is a widow without children. Her maiden family was once prosperous, but later declined. She is highly learned. When you meet her, you’ll know I speak the truth.”
The study hall was set in a separate courtyard in the central grounds, specially prepared for the girls.
This was their school, and also their sanctuary of books.
Inside the classroom, desks, benches, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones had already been set out.
The girls each took their seats.
Soon, Madam Luo arrived.
Gu Jiu watched her curiously.
She looked about thirty-three or thirty-four, slender, with an unhealthy pallor in her cheeks. The downward set of her lips gave her a severe air.
Madam Luo glanced over the Gu girls and said, “There are more students today. In that case, let me first assess everyone’s progress. Let’s begin with Zhen guniang.”
Gu Zhen hadn’t expected to be called on right after sitting down. She grew nervous. “Teacher, I’ve only read a few books.”
Madam Luo’s expression remained calm. “No matter. Tell me which ones.”
Gu Zhen listed several titles.
Madam Luo immediately chose a passage from one and asked her to recite it.
Gu Zhen stumbled through, halting and breaking off halfway.
Madam Luo’s face stayed composed, as if she had already expected this. She then asked Gu Zhen to explain the meaning.
But Gu Zhen hadn’t read seriously for more than a year. How could she still remember the contents? Her explanation was muddled and disappointing.
Madam Luo simply nodded. “Zhen guniang, don’t be nervous. I understand your situation now. Next, Jiu guniang – what books have you read?”
Gu Jiu answered softly, “I’ve read a few. The Book of Songs, Book of History, Book of Rites, Spring and Autumn Annals, and Book of Changes – I have read them all through.”
Madam Luo’s eyes lit up, and she looked Gu Jiu up and down. “For a young lady to take the initiative to read such works is truly commendable. Do you enjoy reading so much?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I read mostly for leisure.”
Madam Luo nodded in approval and asked, “‘A stone may be broken, but its hardness cannot be taken away. Cinnabar may be ground, but its redness cannot be taken away.’ What does this mean?”
Gu Jiu’s clear voice rang out in the classroom: “A stone can be shattered, but its hardness remains unchanged. Cinnabar may be ground, but its colour does not fade. Figuratively, it means that a person with noble character can withstand trials and tribulations without losing their integrity.”
Madam Luo smiled in satisfaction. “Your foundation is quite solid.”
Gu Yue secretly curled her lip. So what if she’s read a few more books – what’s the big deal?
Madam Luo then proceeded to test Gu Yue, Gu Shan, and the others.
Gu Yue, Gu Lin, and Gu Jun were mediocre; Gu Shan did very well – she too was fond of reading.
Once she had gauged everyone’s level, Madam Luo began the formal lesson.
Gu Jiu and Gu Shan, with their solid foundations, studied together with the hou fu’s daughters.
Gu Zhen and the others, who were weak in their basics, were instructed to start again from the ground up. Only with firm foundations could they progress further.
But Gu Zhen and her group disliked studying.
Whenever they picked up a book, their heads hurt and they felt restless.
But this was the hou fu study hall – they dared not be willful.
Whether they liked it or not, they had to sit quietly in class.
By contrast, Gu Jiu and Gu Shan relished every moment of study.
An entire hour-long lesson passed in a flash.
Madam Luo closed her book and said, “Now, let us rest for a quarter of an hour. After that, we will continue.”
After Master Luo left the classroom to rest in the side room, Gu Zhen let out a dramatic “Aiyo”, then complained: “I’m exhausted! Mei jiejie, do we have to follow you and study like this every single day from now on?”
Gu Mei nodded. “Does Zhen meimei dislike reading?”
Gu Zhen felt a little guilty and didn’t dare say outright that she hated studying.
She made an excuse instead: “I’m just… not used to it yet.”
Gu Mei chuckled softly. “No need to worry, Zhen meimei. You’ll get used to it in time.”
Gu Yue also disliked reading. She turned to Gu Mei: “Mei jiejie, the New Year is almost here. Surely we don’t have to study with you during the holiday?”
Gu Mei smiled. “If Yue meimei wishes, in fact, starting today, you can join us in studying every day.”
Gu Yue shook her head rapidly. “Better to wait until next year.”
To her, studying was like torture – better delayed than faced sooner.
Gu Shan asked instead: “When we go home, can we still come here every day to study?”
“Of course. Just take the side gate, it’s only a short walk away.”
That was true. The Gu fu and the hou fu were separated by only a single wall.
As guests, they used the main entrance.
But for daily lessons, they could just pass through the side gate – it was much quicker.
Gu Mei looked at Gu Jiu. “Xiao Jiu meimei must surely enjoy studying with us every day.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “To study with you, Mei jiejie, nothing could make me happier.”
“Then why not stay at the hou fu for a few more days? That way you can join our lessons daily.”
Gu Jiu was about to agree, but Gu Yue interjected first: “That wouldn’t be proper. Er jiejie, we shouldn’t linger in the hou fu too long. The New Year is near, and there’s much work to be done at home. We still need to help da bomu manage household affairs. We can always study later, but the chance to learn household management doesn’t come every day.”
Gu Mei only smiled. “That’s easily solved – just push lessons to a later time. Then you can both practice household management and still attend classes.”
Gu Yue groaned inwardly. That would be exhausting.
To her, studying was pointless. As long as one could read, write, and keep accounts, that was enough.
She wasn’t a man – she didn’t need to sit for the imperial examinations. Why burden herself with so many books?
It had to be said – her thinking was unlike most of the Gu family, and much closer to that of the Xie family.
Ma shi, the eldest madam of the Xie family, often said: “For women, lack of talent is a virtue.”
Xie shi herself was not so old-fashioned – she did believe girls should study more.
But Gu Yue, influenced by someone, had come to think that too much learning was useless.
After resting, Master Luo returned to continue class.
Another full hour of lessons passed.
In total, two hours of study for the day, after which the lessons ended.
After her nap, Gu Jiu noticed Gu Mei wasn’t in the room and paused in surprise.
She got up, washed, and went to the side chamber – where she found Gu Mei doing embroidery work.
“Mei jiejie, you’re up already, and you didn’t call me.”
“You looked so sound asleep, I didn’t have the heart to wake you. Xiao Jiu, shall we go visit dasao?”
Gu Jiu nodded at once. “Of course! I was thinking the same.”
Hand in hand, the two went to the courtyard where Jia shi lived.
After the maids announced them, they were invited into the bedchamber. Gu Rui was not present.
After resting overnight and through the morning, Jia shi was much better. Though her complexion was still pale, she looked far more spirited. She no longer had the exhausted, broken look she’d worn after last night’s pain.
“Dasao, are you feeling better?”
Gu Mei asked anxiously.
Jia shi sat up in bed. “Much better. Thank you, both of you, for visiting me.”
Gu Jiu sat on a round stool by the bedside. “How do you feel now, tangsao? Is there still any discomfort?”
Jia shi shook her head slightly. “Last night I owe entirely to you, Xiao Jiu meimei. If not for you, I fear this child would already be gone. Don’t worry – I’ve already warned the maids not to speak a word about your medical skills.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly. “Thank you, tangsao.”
Gu Mei urged anxiously: “Xiao Jiu meimei, could you check her pulse again?”
Gu Jiu looked to Jia shi for consent.
Jia shi nodded gently and held out her hand. “Sorry to trouble you.”
Gu Jiu returned the smile. “It’s no trouble.”
She set her fingers on Jia shi’s wrist, her expression turning serious.
Gu Mei clutched her handkerchief, nerves taut. She worried about Jia shi’s condition.
She knew how much the whole family valued the child in Jia shi’s belly. Yet with Jia shi’s frail health, it was hard to feel at ease.
If the baby could not be safely delivered, not only would their parents be disappointed – her elder brother would be devastated as well.
And her sister-in-law might even come to despise and torment herself.
In short – if the child were born safely, whether boy or girl, all would be well.
But if not, the entire fu would be shrouded in gloom. Tongues would wag, gossip would spread.
When Gu Jiu finished feeling the pulse, her face remained calm, betraying nothing – neither good nor bad.
Gu Mei asked tensely: “Xiao Jiu meimei, how is dasao’s condition?”
Gu Jiu considered carefully, not rushing to answer.
Jia shi seemed to guess what she meant, and said: “Xiao Jiu meimei, speak freely. Whatever the truth is, I can bear it.”
Gu Jiu sorted out her thoughts before speaking: “I’d like to first hear what Hu taiyi said.”
Jia shi was silent for a moment before replying, “Hu taiyi didn’t say much, only told me to rest quietly and focus on protecting the pregnancy. But my heart feels so empty and uneasy, I can’t find peace.”
Gu Jiu then asked, “Hu taiyi’s female disciple – the one called Jinju – is she still here?”
“She stayed up all night. I told her to rest in the side room. Xiao Jiu, whatever you think, just say it. I’m not afraid.”
Gu Jiu gave a bitter smile – Jia shi might not be afraid, but she was.
If she said something, and Jia shi became agitated or anxious, causing a miscarriage, wouldn’t she become the culprit?
After much thought, Gu Jiu decided to imitate Hu taiyi’s vagueness. “Tangsao, don’t worry. Things aren’t as serious as you think. Just follow Hu taiyi’s instructions and rest. He’s a master of gynaecology – his diagnosis won’t be wrong.”
Jia shi still looked uneasy, pressing her further. “Really? Xiao Jiu, I just can’t calm down. Can’t you tell me the truth?”
Gu Jiu smiled softly. “What I said is the truth. Tangsao, your biggest problem is overthinking – it harms the fetus.
“Haven’t you heard people say that a child in the womb can sense the mother’s emotions? If the mother is happy, the child is happy, and grows stronger. If the mother is sad, the child feels uneasy too.”
Jia shi froze. “Really? Then I’ve already harmed the child, haven’t I?”
“It’s not too late to change now. You could have the maids read poetry and essays aloud – give the fetus a sort of early enlightenment.”
“Enlightenment? While still in the womb?”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “There’s no harm in trying. Read more uplifting, elegant poetry. In short, listen to Hu taiyi, relax, and rest well.”
Seeing that Gu Jiu wasn’t pretending, Jia shi finally let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Xiao Jiu.”
“You’re welcome.”
After sitting a while longer, noticing Jia shi was growing tired, Gu Jiu and her companion excused themselves.
Once they left the courtyard and reached the garden, Gu Mei finally asked, “Xiao Jiu, is dasao’s health really not a problem?”
Gu Jiu opened her mouth, then gave a bitter smile.
What could she say?
Could she tell Gu Mei that Jia shi might have placenta previa, with a high risk of premature labour?
Could she say that Jia shi had inflammation during pregnancy, her body never properly nourished, and that this child should never have been conceived in the first place?
Gu Jiu couldn’t say any of it.
If Hu taiyi hadn’t spoken those words aloud, how could she casually say them?
Gu Mei grew anxious. “Xiao Jiu, just tell me honestly. Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word to dasao.”
Gu Jiu replied vaguely, “Tangsao’s condition isn’t very good. But with Hu taiyi’s skill, it shouldn’t be too big a problem.”
“Really?” Gu Mei still wasn’t reassured.
Gu Jiu said, “Mei jiejie, you should trust Hu taiyi. Honestly, I don’t understand gynaecology. My judgment doesn’t count. In the end, Hu taiyi is the professional – what he says is right.”
Gu Mei still furrowed her brows, unable to relax.
She tried asking, “So you mean, this child can be safely born?”
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded. “With good care, yes, it can.”
Gu Mei let out a breath. “That’s the best outcome. Xiao Jiu, to tell you the truth. Da ge and dasao have been married for two years now, and the entire fu has been waiting for this child. If anything happened, I don’t even dare think of the consequences.”
Gu Jiu understood.
Jia shi was the eldest grandson’s wife, the clan’s matron-in-waiting. Not only was she expected to bear heirs, but also to fulfil the duties of a clan matriarch. The pressure was immense.
But because of her frail body, she couldn’t fulfil those responsibilities. On festivals and important occasions – visiting relatives, hosting guests – everything was left for the eldest madam, Wei shi, to handle. She was of no help.
As for childbearing – judging from her condition, Gu Jiu could only sigh.
This showed clearly that when great families chose a daughter-in-law for the heir, her family background and her health were equally important.
Without a strong body, she couldn’t shoulder the duties of the position.
By rights, the hou fu should have chosen a healthier bride for Gu Rui – not necessarily of lofty birth, but at least strong and fit.
Yet Jia shi’s frailty wasn’t recent – it seemed she had needed medicine and tonics for years back in her natal family.
Gu Jiu couldn’t understand why the household had agreed to let Gu Rui marry her.
Surely they knew what troubles such a weak body would bring.
So Gu Jiu tried to probe indirectly.
Gu Mei explained, “Da ge and dasao were childhood sweethearts. Da ge liked her dearly and insisted on marrying her. No one in the family could dissuade him, so they yielded. But he paid a price. Because of the marriage, he agreed to Grandfather’s arrangement to train in the army. Originally, da ge had wanted to pursue the imperial exams.”
So that was the reason!
Author’s Note:
Gongzi Zhao: “Author, we’re already at 400,000 words, and I haven’t even held Xiao Jiu’s hand yet. Do something about it.”
Author: “Hold hands? I’ll just skip ahead and send you straight to the wedding chamber with her.”
Gongzi Zhao: “You said it yourself. If you don’t follow through… heheh.”
Author: “…”
Author wails: “How do I take back words I’ve already said?”
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