A few days later, news spread throughout the household: the Gu family was about to form a marriage alliance with Haixi bo fu.
The rumour spread like wildfire, to the point that even the hou fu knew.
Wei lao furen even sent someone over to ask. She thought Haixi bo fu had changed their mind and agreed to marry Gu Zhen.
But once she inquired, she found out the bride-to-be was actually Gu Yue – chosen for Zhao erlang.
When Wei lao furen heard this report from the servants, she was momentarily stunned.
She frowned. “What’s going on? How could Haixi bo fu set their eyes on Yue’er? With Zhao erlang’s reputation, how could that couple, Xie shi and her husband, agree to such a match?”
Her string of questions were exactly what everyone else was wondering.
Wei shi spoke softly: “I heard some gossip – that Yue yatou from next door is bold beyond measure. There’s nothing she doesn’t dare to do.”
Wei lao furen frowned, fully understanding the implication.
In other words, this marriage probably didn’t come about in an upright way.
She sighed. “Children and grandchildren have their own fates. Laoshen cannot meddle too much. But still, how could Yue’er, this child, fancy Zhao erlang?”
Wang shi said: “Well, Zhao erlang is quite good-looking.”
Wei lao furen snorted coldly. “Superficial!”
Wang shi covered her mouth and laughed. “At that age, aren’t girls bound to be superficial? They all like handsome young men.”
Wei lao furen shook her head, very disappointed. “Forget it. Yue’er is not a girl of our hou fu. We’ve no reason to interfere in her marriage. If the two families really set the betrothal, we’ll just send over a gift as a token gesture.”
Wei shi bowed and answered, “I’ll remember. I’ll also keep an eye on the situation next door.”
Meanwhile, in the Gu residence, Gu Zhen went to see Hu yiniang with a dark expression.
Her eyes burned with resentment. “Yiniang, I really can’t accept this.”
Hu yiniang frowned. “What’s there not to accept? With Zhao erlang’s reputation, do you really think Gu Yue will enjoy a good life after marrying him? Just wait – you’ll see her suffer in the future.”
Gu Zhen’s eyes reddened. “I know that. But I can’t stand her looking so smug, like a petty villain who’s won some great victory. The engagement isn’t even finalised yet, and she’s already flaunting herself. If it really gets settled, won’t she act like she owns the world?”
Hu yiniang comforted her. “Let her be proud. The higher she flies now, the harder she’ll fall later. Zhao erlang is no good match.”
“Really?”
Gu Zhen wavered, torn between hope and despair.
Hu yiniang sighed. “Didn’t you yourself once say we might as well let Gu Yue have her way, marry Zhao erlang, and then watch her suffer under him? Why are you suddenly making such a fuss, unwilling to let go?”
Gu Zhen clenched her teeth. “I just can’t stomach it. My heart refuses to settle.”
Hu yiniang frowned. “Stop dwelling on it. Even your father has agreed to this marriage. It’s done. Let’s see how long her pride lasts.”
Gu Zhen’s eyes widened. “Father agreed so easily? But the marriage with Haixi bo fu was supposed to be mine.”
With that, she collapsed to the floor, crying bitterly.
“At this point, talking about it changes nothing. Don’t worry – you’ll certainly marry into a good family.”
Gu Zhen shook her head again and again. “No. No family can be higher in status than Haixi bo fu.”
She sobbed so hard she could barely breathe.
Her maid Lüyi came in and added fuel to the fire: “Yiniang, da guniang – the matchmaker has arrived. They’re here to make the formal proposal on behalf of Haixi bo fu.”
“Waaa…”
Gu Zhen burst into loud, heartbreaking cries.
That day was the happiest, most exciting, and most triumphant day of Gu Yue’s life.
At the same time, it was the saddest, most hateful day of Gu Zhen’s.
The matchmaker came to Gu fu, the two families exchanged the eight characters and the marriage documents, and the engagement between Gu Yue and Zhao erlang was officially sealed.
They even set a tentative date for the wedding – scheduled for the eighth month of the following year.
Inside her room, Gu Yue spun around in circles. “What to do, what to do? There are only eight months left before the wedding. The bridal dress hasn’t even been started, and Mother hasn’t begun preparing the dowry. Oh heavens, how will there be enough time?”
Her maid Putao said, “Guniang, please stop spinning. You’re making me dizzy.”
Gu Yue’s face was radiant with excitement, her eyes glowing. “I’m just so happy today!”
Putao could do nothing but watch her continue twirling about.
Just then, a little maid came in to report: “Gunaing, taitai requests your presence in Furong Yuan.”
Gu Yue laughed. “I’ll go right away.”
She threw on a fiery-red cloak and, beaming, went to Furong Yuan.
By then, Gu Zhen, Gu Jiu, and the others had already gathered. Gu Yue was the last of the sisters to arrive.
When she appeared, Gu Jiu was the first to rise, smiling as she said, “Congratulations, san meimei, on finding your ideal match.”
“Congratulations, san jiejie. Who would have thought you’d be the first among us to settle your marriage.”
Everyone took turns congratulating her.
Gu Yue’s face was wreathed in smiles. “Once I’m married into Haixi bo fu, if you ever run into difficulties, just come to me. We’re sisters – of course I’ll help however I can.”
Gu Zhen let out a cold snort inwardly.
She shoved Gu Lin aside and stepped up to Gu Yue. “I haven’t congratulated san meimei yet. Since your wish has come true, shouldn’t you host a banquet and treat us to some wine?”
Gu Yue looked at her with a smile. “Da jiejie, don’t be angry. The bo fu didn’t choose you – it’s their loss, not your fault.”
Gu Zhen ground her teeth. This woman was too shameless. Why didn’t Haixi bo fu choose her? It was all Gu Yue’s scheming.
Gu Yue could actually say such words without blushing, without her heart skipping a beat, utterly shameless.
Gu Zhen clenched her fists, forcing a smile. “San meimei, you’re very considerate. That the Haixi bo fu did not choose me is, of course, not my fault. It was only because of some vile meddler that the marriage fell through. San meimei, can you guess who that wretched person was who ruined my match?”
Even Gu Yue wasn’t thick-skinned enough to be fearless. She instinctively avoided Gu Zhen’s gaze. “Da jiejie, are you misunderstanding something? What meddler?”
Gu Zhen gave a cold snort, gritting her teeth. “I curse that meddler to be struck by lightning, to die a miserable death. And even if she marries, may her husband torment her daily and her concubines trample her beneath their feet.”
At that, Gu Yue’s face changed, and she looked at Gu Zhen with displeasure. “Da jiejie, that’s far too vicious. You’re saying such frightful things with no evidence at all – are you trying to scare us on purpose?”
The muscles on Gu Zhen’s face twitched uncontrollably twice.
Gu Yue dared to call her vicious – what brazen shamelessness!
Unwilling to back down, Gu Zhen shot back, “I merely uttered a few words of curse, and that’s vicious? Then the one who ruined my marriage must be a hundred times more vicious, deserving to be hacked into pieces.”
Gu Yue frowned. “Da jiejie, today is my happy day. Can’t you mind your tongue? Always talking of death, of curses, of a thousand cuts – it’s inauspicious.”
Gu Zhen laughed. “So san meimei is one to care about omens. I’ve spoiled your good mood – please forgive me. Next time I’ll mind my words and say more of what you like to hear.”
With that, she returned to her seat, her face collapsing instantly.
Gu Yue gave a dismissive snort. Gu Zhen was simply unreasonable. So the marriage was gone – gone was gone. To keep brooding over it, what was the point?
Gu Jiu stayed silent the whole time, simply watching. She did not intervene, did not speak, did not mediate. This was between Gu Zhen and Gu Yue – let them settle it themselves.
But Gu Shan, on the other hand, several times wanted to step out and mediate.
Gu Jiu pulled her back, shaking her head. Don’t meddle – thankless and thankless again. Neither Gu Zhen nor Gu Yue would appreciate her efforts anyway.
After some hesitation, Gu Shan obeyed Gu Jiu’s advice and did not step forward.
At this moment, Xie shi arrived.
Everyone immediately rose and greeted her respectfully.
Xie shi raised a hand, pressing it down lightly. “Sit. Yue’er, your marriage has been settled. The wedding is tentatively set for the eighth month next year. Your wedding clothes are already being prepared.”
Her expression was calm, without a trace of joy – only a faint weariness.
A few days ago, Xie shi had lost her temper with Gu Yue. Perhaps because of her age, she had never quite recovered, always feeling drained and exhausted.
The doctor who was invited said it was from over-worrying, her heart weighed down by knots of anxiety. He advised her to ease her mind and think of happy things.
But looking at Gu Yue’s smiling face, Xie shi found she could not feel happy, no matter what.
Haixi bo fu was indeed an excellent family. Yet when she thought of how this marriage had come about, and of Zhao erlang’s reputation, and of Gu Yue’s reckless behaviour, any good feeling she might have had vanished at once.
Gu Yue, however, smiled bashfully. Now that her wish had come true, she really should have been delighted.
She said to Xie shi, “Nü’er listens to Mother. May I ask that Mother arrange for two embroiderers to help me with my wedding clothes?”
Xie shi gave a brief “mm.” “I will arrange this. But you must also put in effort yourself. For the first gifts you will present to your future in-laws – your father- and mother-in-law, your sisters- and brothers-in-law – you must begin preparing. Those greeting gifts must be handmade to show sincerity.”
According to custom, a new bride’s first gifts to her husband’s family were usually pieces of her own embroidery.
Gu Yue looked troubled. “Mother, my needlework isn’t very good. I’m afraid the embroidery I make would be looked down upon. Why not let the embroiderers do it instead?”
Xie shi gave her a long, searching look. “Are you sure?”
Gu Yue nodded slightly.
Xie shi did not press the point. “Then let the embroiderers handle it. I will prepare your dowry. With only half a year until the wedding, you had best behave yourself. Do not stir up trouble again and give the Haixi bo fu cause to resent you.”
Gu Yue put on a timid look and said carefully, “Mother, don’t worry. Nü’er knows her limits. I won’t act recklessly.”
Not act recklessly? One could only hope.
Xie shi added a few more words of warning. “Get along well with your sisters. In just over half a year you’ll be married off, and after that, if you want to meet, you’ll have to arrange the day.”
Gu Yue said, “I will do as Mother says. I will get along well with my sisters – as long as they don’t keep holding things against me.”
As she said this, she deliberately looked toward Gu Zhen.
Gu Zhen kept her head bowed, her expression unreadable, giving Gu Yue not the slightest response.
Gu Yue sneered inwardly. Gu Zhen was all bark and no bite.
So what if she hated her, so what if she was furious?
In the end, the Haixi bo fu match had fallen into her own lap.
Gu Zhen had only jealousy left to her.
Still, if Gu Zhen were willing to yield, Gu Yue wouldn’t mind lending her a hand in the future.
Gu Yue let her thoughts run wild, wearing an expression of smug satisfaction.
Xie shi gave a light cough. “That’s enough. Disperse. I haven’t been well these days – you need not come to pay respects.”
“Is Mother’s health serious?” Gu Yue asked nervously.
Xie shi gave Gu Yue a long, searching look. Did Gu Yue really not know why her health was failing?
Then Xie shi let out a bitter laugh at herself. She already knew the answer – so why had she expected anything from Gu Yue?
This daughter… forget it. Better not to mention.
With an indifferent expression, Xie shi said, “No need to worry, I’m just tired. A few days of rest will do.”
“Then I’ll stay and keep Mother company,” Gu Yue said, feigning concern.
Xie shi waved her hand. “Go back to your room and rest. Let Shan’er stay with me.”
Gu Yue was dumbstruck. Mother didn’t want her, but asked for Gu Shan instead – this had never happened before.
She was upset, shot a fierce glare at Gu Shan, and turned on her heel to leave.
Gu Shan, innocent as ever, could only feel helpless – once again, she had been made the target of resentment.
“Don’t bother with her,” Xie shi told Gu Shan.
After a pause, she added, “Da yatou, er yatou, wu yatou, you all may return to your rooms and rest as well.”
“Yes, taitai. Please take care of your health.”
Gu Jiu led the way out of Furong Yuan.
The moment they stepped outside, Gu Zhen burst into loud laughter.
Gu Lin asked curiously, “Da jiejie, what are you laughing at?”
Gu Zhen laughed even harder. “Didn’t you see san meimei’s face just now? Mother wouldn’t let her stay, and look how angry she got. Truly… satisfying!”
So what if Gu Yue had married the man she wanted?
For a man, she had offended everyone, and now even Xie shi, who had loved her the most, had given up on her. What was there for Gu Yue to be proud or happy about?
To pay such a heavy price for a marriage – utterly not worth it.
Gu Lin seemed half-comprehending. She didn’t know there was so much hidden behind Gu Yue’s marriage.
Bai yiniang, however, had guessed the truth, but she hadn’t told Gu Lin. She feared Lin’s loose tongue might spread rumours.
Gu Zhen turned to Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, didn’t I always say she’d come to no good end?”
Gu Jiu looked at her with a half-smile. “Da jiejie, are you truly happy now?”
Gu Zhen’s smile faltered. After steadying herself, she said, “Of course I am.”
Gu Jiu arched a brow. “I hope you really are happy, and not just pretending.”
Then, with layered meaning, she added, “Since it’s all over, why not look ahead? You don’t only have one path.”
Gu Zhen’s voice grew bitter. “Easy for you to say. I’m not you – I don’t have that many choices.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly, pointing at herself. “I’m known as a sickly weakling. That reputation isn’t much better than you being shu-born. Yet I still think I have many choices.”
Gu Zhen’s face shifted through emotions – darkness, resentment, envy, jealousy – until finally all settled into obsession.
“She owes me. Seeing her suffer is what makes me happy.”
Gu Jiu chose not to argue further. “Do as you like. Just don’t let obsession ruin you. I’ve said my piece – da jiejie, take care of yourself.”
With that, Gu Jiu left with her maids.
In her eyes, Gu Zhen’s fixation was far too deep. If it continued, it would harm no one but herself.
She had done her duty in advising her; the rest was up to Gu Zhen.
Gu Zhen watched Gu Jiu’s back disappear around the corner, her mind churning.
Finally, she let out a cold snort and muttered, “You don’t understand anything. You don’t know how I feel. What right do you have to lecture me?”
Gu Lin grew nervous. “Da jiejie, are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Gu Zhen flicked her sleeve and left.
Gu Lin stuck out her tongue, then ran off.
The next morning, as usual, they went to the council hall to study household management.
Today, everyone was present.
Perhaps because of her engagement, Gu Yue also wanted to study diligently, so that she would be well-prepared when she entered Haixi bo fu.
Zhang shi teased Gu Yue: “San yatou, I haven’t yet congratulated you on getting your wish.”
Gu Yue blushed red. “Thank you, da bomu.”
Zhang shi laughed heartily. “Haixi bo fu is a fine match indeed. At first, the bo furen had intended this marriage for Zhen yatou. Who would have thought, in the end, it would fall to you? Truly fate plays its tricks – how unpredictable the world is.”
Gu Yue’s expression shifted, but she had clearly prepared herself for all sorts of situations. “Da bomu speaks true. The world is indeed unpredictable. Perhaps it was simply fate that bound me and Haixi bo fu together.”
“Shameless!”
Gu Zhen muttered it under her breath, but in the small council hall, it rang out loud and clear.
The air turned still, the scene suddenly awkward.
Everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
Zhang shi looked amused. “Zhen yatou, what did you just say?”
Gu Zhen raised her head, looked at Gu Yue, and smiled. “I was just saying that san meimei’s skin is so tender, it could be pinched and water would come out.”
Ha…
Zhang shi laughed silently inside, but kept her face composed.
The second branch’s daughters – none of them were easy to deal with.
Gu Yue glared furiously at Gu Zhen.
Gu Zhen raised a brow. “Why are you staring at me, san meimei?”
Suddenly, Gu Yue grabbed the abacus from the table and swung it toward Gu Zhen.
At that critical moment, Gu Jiu’s sharp reflexes saved the day – she caught Gu Yue’s wrist before the blow could land.
Gu Yue struggled. “Er jiejie, let me go!”
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