“Chun He jiejie, I want to see Mother. I have urgent matters to discuss. Make this cheap maid get out of my way!”
Gu Yue, her face flushed with agitation, pointed at Guo Taohua, glaring at her as if she could eat her alive.
In all her life, she had never been so humiliated.
Before now – whether in the past or present – which servant in the household hadn’t bowed and flattered her?
And yet today, a lowly maid dared block her path. Was this a death wish?
“San guniang, please lower your voice. If you wake taitai, you’ll be fine, but we servants will suffer the punishment.”
Chun He spoke politely, but still refused to let Gu Yue in.
Gu Yue widened her eyes. “Chun He jiejie, are you also stopping me? You won’t let me see my own mother?”
Chun He raised a brow with a faint smile. “San guniang, please don’t wrong nubi. How would nubi dare block you? It was taitai herself who ordered – she won’t see anyone except laoye. San guniang, please return.”
“You’re lying. How could Mother refuse to see me? It must be you whispering slander in her ear, making her misunderstand me!”
“San guniang, mind your words. To make up stories so vividly when nothing of the sort happened – how is nubi supposed to clear my name?”
Chun He’s words pricked at Gu Yue.
Gu Yue was infuriated. “You worthless servants dare block me–me? Who gave you such courage? Believe it or not, I’ll make you wish for death!”
“Oh my, san guniang is threatening people now. How frightening. Nubi is trembling with fear!”
Maid Xia Cao emerged from a side room, mocking Gu Yue openly.
Gu Yue was stunned, hardly believing her ears.
Since when had the maids of Furong Yuan grown so bold, daring to openly mock her?
She was Mother’s precious daughter! Did these lowly maids not fear Mother’s wrath?
“You… you insolent servants, betraying your mistress – !”
Xia Cao sneered. “Nubi wouldn’t dare. But instead of shouting here and disturbing taitai’s rest, wouldn’t it be better if san guniang went back and thought carefully about all you’ve done these days? Do you know taitai fell ill from anger – because of you?”
Gu Yue glared and shouted, “Nonsense! Mother isn’t well because she overworks herself. What does that have to do with me?”
Xia Cao snorted. “And may I ask, who is taitai exhausting herself for every single day? San guniang doesn’t spare a thought for her, and instead shirks responsibility – aren’t you afraid of breaking her heart?”
“Shut up! Don’t you dare slander me!”
Gu Yue shoved Guo Taohua aside and charged at Xia Cao, who stood under the eaves.
Guo Taohua stumbled and nearly fell, but quickly recovered, chasing after Gu Yue and wrapping her arms around her from behind.
“San guniang, you mustn’t!”
“Let go of me, you lowly maid!”
Just then, maid Putao rushed into the courtyard to assist Gu Yue. She raised her hand to strike Guo Taohua. “Let go of my guniang! If you harm her, you’ll pay with your life!”
But Guo Taohua refused to budge, clinging tightly to Gu Yue.
“Enough! Stop this at once!”
Chun He’s furious shout finally halted the struggle.
She was livid – wherever san guniang went, trouble followed.
Chun He fixed her gaze on Gu Yue. “San guniang, Taitai says you may enter.”
Gu Yue’s eyes lit up with joy. “I knew it! You were the ones stirring up trouble. How could Mother not want to see me?”
Chun He’s face remained cold. “San guniang, enough chatter. Hurry inside. Taitai has been awakened by your noise and is very displeased.”
Gu Yue shrank her neck, her voice lowering. “Was Mother really resting before?”
Chun He nodded. “Nubi wouldn’t dare deceive you, san guniang. But you refused to believe nubi.”
Gu Yue snorted. “If that vile maid hadn’t blocked me from the start, and I’d seen for myself that Mother was asleep, I wouldn’t have made such a scene.”
Chun He secretly rolled her eyes, lifted the curtain, and gestured for Gu Yue to enter.
Gu Yue stepped into the bedchamber.
Xie shi lay on the bed, looking frail and sickly.
“Yue’er, you’ve come. Sit.”
“Mother, is your health very bad?”
Xie shi looked at her. “I had just fallen asleep when you woke me.”
Gu Yue’s face flushed with guilt. Lowering her eyes, she said meekly, “It’s my fault. I disturbed Mother’s rest.”
“It’s fine. Since I’m awake now. You came at this time – was there something you needed?”
Xie shi’s expression was cool, her tone distant and indifferent. Gone was her former warmth and affection.
Gu Yue seemed not to notice. She poured out her thoughts without restraint.
“Mother, I heard Lu hou fu has come with a marriage proposal – for er jiejie. How can that be allowed? Er jiejie is a sickly weakling, unfit to marry into such a noble family. If she really marries into Lu hou fu, won’t it make me look inferior? It will even shame you, Mother.”
Xie shi gave Gu Yue a long, searching look.
Though she privately agreed with some of Gu Yue’s words, she truly disliked her daughter’s attitude – and her methods.
“Is this what you came to see me about?” Xie shi asked.
Gu Yue hesitated a moment, then nodded emphatically. “Mother, just reject Lu hou fu’s proposal.”
Xie shi laughed softly. “So that’s why you rushed here so anxiously. But er yatou’s marriage still requires your father’s approval. Don’t concern yourself needlessly. Go back and focus on preparing your bridal clothes.”
“Mother?”
Gu Yue stared in disbelief. “Do you really mean to let er jiejie marry into Lu hou fu?”
Xie shi replied calmly, “Whether I’m willing or not doesn’t matter. This marriage will be decided by your father.”
“But–”
“No buts.” Xie shi cut her off. “If you have nothing else, return. I’m tired and wish to lie down.”
Gu Yue was left speechless.
Only now did she realise how cold her mother’s attitude toward her had become.
Remembering the maids’ defiance outside, Gu Yue shivered, her face turning pale.
Nervous, uneasy, panicked, she stammered, “Mother, are you upset? Are you angry because of me? I’ll change. I promise I’ll change.”
Xie shi lifted her eyelids slightly. “There’s nothing of the sort, don’t let your mind wander. These days my health has been poor, and the doctor has instructed me to rest quietly. Yue’er, you disturb my rest when you’re here. Once I’ve recovered, I’ll still need to prepare your dowry.”
Gu Yue gazed pitifully at Xie shi, her eyes full of innocence and grievance.
But Xie shi had long since become immune to such looks; her heart was now like still water.
When a person has become utterly disappointed in another, no matter what the other does, it can stir not even the slightest ripple in her heart.
“Mother, I want to stay and keep you company.”
Xie shi shook her head, refusing firmly. “If you’re here, I can’t rest. My thoughts will only keep turning to your dowry. You’d best return to your room. I’ll call you another day to speak with you.”
Pitiful as Gu Yue appeared, she could win no shred of sympathy or pity from Xie shi.
Flustered and fearful, Gu Yue left the bedchamber with reddened eyes.
Chun He escorted her out. “San guniang, this way, please.”
Gu Yue, eyes still red, stared at Chun He and lowered her voice to question, “Was it you people whispering ill of me in Mother’s ear?”
Chun He frowned. “San guniang, don’t speak such nonsense.”
“It really wasn’t you?”
Chun He grew a little impatient. “San guniang, taitai is ill. You should understand her foul mood. Once taitai recovers, everything will return to how it was.”
“Really?” Gu Yue looked dazed.
Chun He nodded repeatedly. “Of course it’s true. San guniang, please return quickly.”
Gu Yue drifted away from Furong Yuan in a daze, lost and forlorn.
“Hoo–”
Chun He finally let out the breath she had been holding in. At last, san guniang had been sent away.
Xia Cao came over to her side and muttered, “It’s only because you have such a good temper that you waste so many words on her. Taitai has already given up on her – why bother humouring her?”
“Regardless of whether taitai has given up, she is still our taitai’s own daughter.”
“What part of san guniang looks like a true daughter? She’s more like a debt collector come to exact payment.”
“Say less. Be careful, if taitai hears, she’ll punish you.”
Xia Cao laughed. “If taitai gets angry, Chun He jiejie, you’ll have to shield me.”
“Only if you mind your tongue can I shield you.”
Xia Cao nodded. “Rest assured. Next time san guniang comes, I’ll definitely keep out of sight. Let her shout and make a fuss all she wants.”
Chun He gave a helpless look. “You really – where does all that fire come from?”
Xie shi, meanwhile, had not fallen asleep at all, but sat on the bed with her eyes closed, conserving her strength.
Chun He sat on a footstool, doing needlework, occasionally glancing up at Xie shi.
The sky grew darker, heavy with gloom.
People said that such weather meant snow was on the way.
Xie shi’s heart felt hollow, as though she had nowhere to settle.
Perhaps because she had been so infuriated by Gu Yue, her state these days had been poor, her spirits continually low.
She thought to herself that when laoye returned, she must speak with him carefully about the Lu hou fu’s marriage proposal.
She had no idea what attitude her husband would take toward it.
She only hoped he would oppose the match.
At that moment, the maid Dong Mei hurried in from outside, breathless. “Taitai, something’s wrong! Jiu laoye has come storming to the gates, looking furious, demanding to see laoye.”
Xie shi was startled, sitting bolt upright. “You said jiu laoye is here? Did the gatekeepers let him in?”
“When the gatekeepers barred him, jiu laoye simply had his men force their way inside. The outer court is in utter chaos right now.”
Xie shi turned pale with fright. “He forced his way in? Is this true?”
“Nubi would not dare deceive taitai.”
“And laoye? Where is he?”
“Laoye just returned to the fu.”
Xie shi’s heart was in turmoil. Something terrible must have happened – otherwise her elder brother would never have torn all civility aside and barged in by force.
It had to be that her husband had done something that implicated her brother.
The case!
She thought of the case.
She didn’t know its details, but she did know that her husband had been tied up recently with some major case, leaving early and returning late every day.
Could it be that he was using the case as an excuse to harm her elder brother?
“Hurry, help me up. I must go to the outer court – I have to stop laoye and jiu laoye.”
Chun He quickly helped Xie shi into her cloak and followed her in haste as they hurried out.
At Zhilan Yuan, Qing Mei came running, panting for breath.
“Guniang, something’s wrong! Xie da laoye has brought men storming to the gates, saying he wants to confront laoye. But from the way he looks, it’s clear he’s ready to fight at the slightest word!”
Gu Jiu froze for a moment. “Xie da laoye has barged in?”
Qing Mei nodded repeatedly.
Gu Jiu sneered, “And who gave him the courage? Aren’t officials of the Eastern Palace always bragging about being upright gentlemen? Has Xie da laoye gone mad, throwing away even the most basic pretence and storming in with his men? Seems he’s desperate. Stop what you’re doing – all of you come with me to the outer court.”
At the thought of Gu Jiu going to the outer court, Qing Mei grew worried again.
“Guniang, it isn’t proper for you to go outside. If laoye blames you…”
“At a time like this, who cares about rules?”
Gu Jiu was decisive. She threw on a cloak, tucked a small brass hand-warmer in her sleeve, and, braving the cold wind, hurried to the outer court.
“Gu Zhili, Gu meifu, today’s a rare opportunity… I’ve been wanting to have a good talk with you.”
In the outer court’s Flower Hall, Xie Mao fixed a dark, dangerous gaze on Gu daren.
Gu daren stood beneath the eaves, face stern, unshaken.
“Xie Mao, you too are a court official, yet you’ve led men to storm into benguan’s fu. Do you truly think I cannot punish you for this crime?”
Xie Mao gave a cold laugh. “Oh, Gu daren, so awe-inspiring – I’m terrified! Of course you can punish me. Isn’t that what you’re after? To use public law for private revenge, to destroy me and my whole family?”
Gu daren sneered. “Let benguan remind you, Xie Mao – it was thanks to you that benguan sits where I do today. And as for your downfall – you’ve only yourself to blame.”
“You–!”
Grinding his teeth, Xie Mao stepped forward, closing in.
Gu Quan led men to block him. “Xie daren, please be prudent. If you try to use force, don’t blame us for being rude.”
Xie Mao snorted. “Stand aside. I’m not mad enough to harm your master.”
Gu Quan stood firm. “Don’t think you can so much as touch a hair on my master’s head.”
Xie Mao mocked, “So afraid of me, Gu daren?”
Gu daren frowned. “Let him through.”
“Laoye?” Gu Quan hesitated.
Gu daren’s eyes never left Xie Mao. “It’s fine. He wouldn’t dare act in front of so many.”
With no choice, Gu Quan and the others made way.
Xie Mao laughed harshly. “Good courage, meifu.”
Gu daren gave a derisive snort. “Benguan simply knows you’re all bluster and no guts. You wouldn’t dare touch me.”
Xie Mao’s face fell, and he gave a cold grunt.
He leaned close to Gu daren, lowered his voice, and said by his ear:
“My good meifu, it was enough when your investigation reached the Xue family. Who told you to keep digging, to follow the trail into the Eastern Palace?
“My good meifu, are you truly unafraid of death? Over the years, many have tried to topple the Eastern Palace – look at what became of them.
“Do you really want to share their fate? Even if you won’t think of yourself, you should think of your wife and children. If something happens to you, what will become of my sister, your sons and daughters? I hear Yue’er just got engaged – if you fall now, that marriage will be ruined.”
Gu daren arched his brows, looking at him coldly. “You are threatening benguan.”
Xie Mao chuckled. “Not a threat. Only a reminder – to know when to stop, to let go at the right moment. That way, you’ll live a long life.”
Gu daren sneered. “The Eastern Palace should clean up its own filth instead of trying to silence benguan. Was it His Highness the Crown Prince who sent you, or are you acting on your own?”
Xie Mao glared viciously. “Enough words, meifu. Will you back off or not?”
Gu daren suddenly seized Xie Mao’s collar, lifting him up. “Scared now, are you? So even you know fear. When you schemed against benguan time after time, you should have considered the consequences.
“It was you who personally pushed benguan into the post of Prefect of the Capital. If benguan doesn’t take this chance to act, wouldn’t that be letting down your ‘kindness’? Listen well – this matter is far from over.”
Xie Mao’s eyes widened. “You’re truly not afraid of death?”
Gu daren chuckled twice. “Of course benguan fears death. But this case has come this far – it’s no longer up to benguan. You’re a clever man, Xie Mao. Can’t you see? Now, why don’t you guess what comes next? I suggest you wash your neck clean and wait for the blade.”
“Don’t think you can kill me!” Xie Mao snarled savagely, shaking off Gu daren’s grip.
Straightening his collar, he glared at Gu daren. “So in other words, there’s nothing left to discuss.”
Gu daren gave a contemptuous snort. “You already knew that. Why ask again? Are you muddle-headed?”
Xie Mao’s eyes grew wild, like a desperate gambler – no trace left of an official’s restraint.
Pointing at Gu daren, he shouted, “Just you wait! This isn’t over!”
Gu daren looked at him with disdain. “Use whatever tricks you have – benguan will be waiting. And when the day comes that you die, benguan will personally come to burn incense and paper at your grave. As for your wife and children, I’ll take good care of them.”
“Gu Zhili, you shameless cur! I’ll never let you succeed – never!” Xie Mao roared like a madman.
“Da ge!”
Xie shi rushed into the Flower Hall of the outer court and saw the scene unfold.
Her heart panicked, and she pleaded anxiously, “Da ge, laoye, please don’t quarrel. Whatever the disagreement, can’t we sit down and talk it through?”
Author’s Note: The war between Gu daren and his brother-in-law has begun.
Leave a Reply