Xie Mao turned his head and looked at Xie shi.
He sneered coldly and said, “My dear meimei, do you know your man is trying to kill me?”
Xie shi’s face turned pale. Her heart was in chaos, and her body nearly gave way.
Clutching the doorframe, she spoke with grief, “Da ge, there must be some misunderstanding. Laoye wouldn’t be so heartless.”
“Haha… misunderstanding…”
Xie Mao threw his head back and laughed, mocking not only Xie shi, but also himself.
“My dear meimei, what trick has Gu Zhili played on you? I’m on the verge of being destroyed by him, yet you still defend him, still talk of some misunderstanding. Meimei, oh meimei, all these years – how have I treated you? Have I ever wronged you? Is this how you repay me?”
Xie shi looked as if she were about to cry.
She turned her pleading eyes toward Gu daren, and called weakly, “Laoye…”
Gu daren snorted, his face stern, and demanded of her, “What are you doing here? This has nothing to do with you. Go back.”
Xie shi shook her head. “Qieshen won’t go. Laoye, da ge – I don’t know exactly what’s happened between you two. But our families are relatives. We should support and help each other. Why can’t we sit down and talk it out?”
Xie Mao gave a cold laugh. “I would gladly have a good talk with Gu daren. Unfortunately, he won’t give me that courtesy.”
Gu daren scoffed. “Benguan has told you before, Xie Mao – your downfall is your own doing. When you schemed against benguan back then, you should have known this day would come.”
Xie Mao gnashed his teeth. “Gu Zhili, don’t forget – if not for me, you’d still be eating sand in the northwest. Pingnan hou is your biological uncle, but has he ever helped you over the years?
“You longed to return to the capital. And how did he answer? ‘Don’t be impatient. Gain more experience in the provinces.’
“That so-called experience kept you away from the capital for more than ten years! Were you content? Gu Zhili, remember this: the only reason you’ve come this far is because of me. It was I who helped you. Don’t you dare be ungrateful.”
“I thank you kindly!” Gu daren laughed coldly. “Do you think I cared for your so-called help? Do you think I don’t know what schemes you had? Xie Mao, don’t take everyone else for fools.
“From the very beginning, your intentions were rotten. You even dared to sow discord between me and the hou fu. You’re courting death.”
“Haha! Yes, I am courting death. So mighty you are, Gu Zhili – you can’t wait to kill me. But too bad – you won’t succeed.”
A dangerous gleam lit up Xie Mao’s eyes, like a venomous snake watching its prey.
He was patient. He would wait for the right moment – for a single fatal strike.
But Gu daren was unmoved by the threat. “I already said – use whatever tricks you have. This time, let’s see who stands laughing in the end.”
Xie Mao burst out laughing and pointed straight at Gu daren’s face. “Gu Zhili, you’re dead.”
“Da ge!” Xie shi trembled in fright.
Xie Mao gave her a cold glance, then looked past her toward Gu Jiu, who was standing at the gate.
At some point, she had arrived, though no one knew how much she had overheard.
Xie Mao sneered. “My dear meimei, don’t waste your breath persuading me. If you truly care, persuade Gu daren. He was the one who turned heartless first – so don’t blame me for being unkind.”
Xie shi rushed forward and grabbed Xie Mao’s sleeve. “Da ge, the Gu and Xie families are bound by kinship. Why let things come to this?”
Xie Mao stood unmoved.
Gu daren’s face darkened in anger. “Xie shi, let him go! This is official business. What place does a mere woman have meddling here?”
Xie Mao looked at her with a mocking smile, then glanced again at Gu Jiu by the doorway.
He said to Xie shi, “Meimei, did you hear that? Gu daren despises your meddling. Stop worrying yourself over nothing.”
Xie shi wept. “Laoye, if you and da ge have grievances, can’t you just speak them out?”
Gu daren’s face remained stiff. “Xie shi, are you ignoring my words now? Men! Take taitai away.”
“I won’t go!”
Xie shi waved her arms, crying, “Laoye, da ge – can’t you give me face, and reconcile?”
Xie Mao shook his head. “My good meimei, you don’t have that much face.”
Xie shi swayed, nearly collapsing.
Her face was pale as snow, her body trembling as though she might fall at any moment.
Chun He held her up, nearly terrified out of her wits.
She whispered urgently, “Taitai, let’s go back. Laoye is already angry.”
Oh heavens…
Gu daren in anger was terrifying – just one glance from him left Chun He trembling all over.
But Xie shi paid no heed.
She looked only at Gu daren. “Laoye, qieshen promises you – from today onward, I will cut ties with the Xie family. But just this once, I beg you – please give me this face, and reconcile with da ge.”
Xie Mao stood by, watching with amusement.
Gu daren frowned deeply, clearly displeased.
Suppressing his rage, he barked at the servants in a low growl, “What are you standing around for? Quickly take taitai away.”
“I won’t go!”
Xie shi stood her ground, fearless. She refused to leave. She could not just stand by and watch her husband and elder brother clash – perhaps even to the point of bloodshed.
At that moment, Gu Jiu stepped through the gate and walked toward Xie shi.
“Taitai, you’re exhausted. Your health is what matters most. Why not return to your room and rest?”
“Er yatou, why are you here?” Xie shi turned and stared at Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu’s eyes showed concern. She stepped forward and took Xie shi’s wrist on her own initiative.
Xie shi gave a faint “mm” and her footing faltered.
Gu Jiu quickly supported her and said to Chun He and the others, “Come with me, let’s help taitai into the side chamber.”
Xie shi held one hand to her forehead – why did she feel so dizzy, her mind clouded and unclear?
The maids supported her into the side room and settled her down.
She became aware that Gu Jiu had never let go of her wrist.
“Taitai, are you all right?” Chun He asked anxiously.
Gu Jiu replied, “Taitai is only tired, it’s nothing serious. Chun He jiejie, please fetch some hot water. Did taitai skip lunch? Send someone to the kitchen for some food as well. In taitai’s condition, she mustn’t go hungry.”
Chun He looked surprised. “Er guniang, how did you know taitai didn’t eat much at noon?”
Gu Jiu smiled softly. “Because I’ve had the same experience. If I miss even one meal, I feel dizzy, weak all over, as if my steps float when I walk.”
Chun He suddenly understood. “So that’s it. Thank you, er guniang, for the explanation.”
“It’s nothing.”
At last Gu Jiu released Xie shi’s wrist, reminded Chun He to take good care of her, then went to the outer room and stood by the window, watching the situation outside.
Xie Mao sneered, “Gu Zhili, do you even mean to drive my sister to her grave? All these years she bore you sons and daughters – if not for merit, at least for her toil. You could show a shred of conscience.”
Gu daren’s face was like stone. “Xie shi married into the Gu family – she is Gu family now. Her life or death is none of your concern. If you have leisure to worry, you’d best think on how to keep yourself alive.”
“Hah! Many thanks for your concern, Gu meifu. Rest easy – my life is tough enough. If you want me dead, you’ll have to dream on!”
With that, Xie Mao flung his sleeves and stormed off, seething with rage.
Gu daren was equally furious, his face so dark it looked as if water might drip from it.
The servants all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. It was rare to see Gu daren this enraged.
With a cold expression, he entered the side chamber.
Gu Jiu stepped forward to salute. “Nü’er greets Father.”
Gu daren gave a curt “hmph” from his nose, then asked, “Why have you come here?”
Gu Jiu answered calmly, “Nü’er was worried for Father, uneasy, so I came to see.”
Gu daren’s mood lifted slightly, though his face remained stern. “What’s there to be uneasy about? Could Xie Mao really eat me alive?”
“Of course Xie daren hasn’t the power to devour Father – but he certainly has the power to disgust you.”
Gu daren’s expression changed.
Gu Jiu had struck right on target. Xie Mao’s talents were not much in other respects, but when it came to disgusting others, he was second to none.
Gu daren drew in a deep breath. “How is taitai?”
“She’s only too exhausted, and her emotions left unvented – that’s why she seems so unwell.”
Gu daren frowned.
Gu Jiu gently reminded him, “San meimei’s marriage has weighed heavily on taitai’s mind. It’s the same with everyone – after a stretch of busyness, the body can no longer bear it.”
“You speak with reason.”
Gu daren went in to see Xie shi.
She was half-conscious, her mind still clouded.
After a few glances, Gu daren instructed the maids to look after her carefully, then stepped back out.
He summoned Gu Jiu. “Come with weifu.”
Gu Jiu quickly followed him into the outer courtyard’s study.
Gu Yu, Gu Quan, and Ma shiye were there.
The three of them were plainly surprised to see Gu Jiu, not understanding why Gu daren would bring her in.
The study was a place for deliberations – how could a young lady be allowed to enter casually?
Gu Jiu, however, appeared entirely composed, her gaze steady and confident, showing not the slightest timidity under their stares.
Gu daren, his face still cold, said, “Speak. Xie Mao stormed into the house in such a show of force – what does it mean? What is his true intention?”
Steward Gu Quan cautiously suggested, “Didn’t Xie daren come to plead, and to intimidate as well?”
Gu daren sneered. “For Xie Mao to climb from a commoner’s rank to today’s position, he is no fool. For him to storm the gates, benguan suspects there is a deeper meaning.”
Gu si ge, Gu Yu, thought for a moment. “Could it be the Eastern Palace put pressure on him, so he lashed out in desperation?”
Ma shiye stroked his beard. “That’s possible. But more likely, Xie Mao is preparing to strike at daren directly.
“This case involves corruption among the Eastern Palace’s officials – even His Highness the Crown Prince cannot remain untouched. The Crown Prince himself has a mild temperament, not given to aggression.
“But his Eastern Palace subordinates are like a pack of dogs – they’ll bite someone even when there’s nothing to bite. Now that daren’s investigation has reached the Eastern Palace, those officials won’t sit still. They’ll certainly leap up in retaliation.
“Xie Mao is only a pawn at the vanguard. Making such a scene is merely to probe daren’s stance.”
Gu daren nodded slightly in secret. Ma shiye’s analysis made sense.
As he was pondering, Ma shiye suddenly asked Gu Jiu, “Er guniang, what are your thoughts on today’s events?”
Gu daren’s attention was drawn over. Listening to Xiao Jiu’s opinion might not be a bad idea.
Gu Jiu gave a small bow, carefully considered her words, and then said: “As for the case itself, I do not know the details. I can only offer a shallow analysis based on what I observed today. If I say anything wrong, I beg Father, Ma shiye, Gu si ge, and Steward Gu to forgive me.”
“No matter, speak freely. Say whatever comes to mind.” Gu daren encouraged her.
Gu Jiu nodded, then said, “From what I saw today, I felt that Xie daren was putting on a show.”
“What do you mean by ‘putting on a show’?”
“Putting on a show means acting,” Gu Jiu explained.
Ma shiye mulled over the new expression, then nodded repeatedly. “Putting on a show – an interesting term. Er guniang, please continue.”
Gu Jiu went on: “In my view, Xie daren’s performance wasn’t meant for Father to see, nor for taitai to see, but for someone else entirely.
“Nü’er dares to guess that Xie daren’s show was most likely for His Highness the Crown Prince, for the Empress niangniang, and perhaps even for other Eastern Palace officials.”
Ma shiye said, “Er guniang’s view is quite intriguing.”
Gu daren asked, “Then why would Xie Mao put on such a show? What is his purpose?”
Gu Jiu frowned deeply, realising this was a chance she could not afford to waste. How could she make her words meaningful? How could she share Father’s burdens and make him take her seriously?
Placing herself directly in Xie Mao’s position, she spoke at once: “Nü’er thinks that Xie daren is seeking greater profit.
“As to how much this case implicates him, nü’er does not know. But judging from his demeanour, he seems confident he can walk away unscathed. Storming into our gates was nothing more than a performance – to make Father, and everyone else, believe he was driven to desperation, so that people would lower their guard against him.
“Once others relax their vigilance, I believe with Xie daren’s abilities, he will surely strike back with full force, and from it extract even greater benefits. If I have guessed correctly, very soon the Eastern Palace will push forward a scapegoat. And Xie daren will use this opportunity to climb yet another step higher.”
When her words fell, the small study grew so quiet that the sound of each person’s breathing could be heard.
Everyone was silent, without a reaction.
Gu Jiu frowned. Had her analysis been wrong?
Without firsthand evidence or details of the case, it was indeed difficult to make an accurate judgment. Her earlier reasoning had been entirely based on Xie Mao’s character.
Though Gu Jiu had never interacted with him personally, she had studied his past conduct and judged him to be a man who thrived on risk, always taking the unorthodox path. His actions were bold to the point of recklessness, paying little heed to law or convention.
Analysing him with conventional logic would surely miss the mark.
But judging by everyone’s reactions, perhaps her analysis was still not correct.
Gu daren exchanged glances with the others.
Ma shiye wiped sweat from his forehead, finally breaking the silence. “Er guniang’s insight is far above mine.”
Gu Jiu froze, then quickly replied, “Ma shiye flatters me. I only spoke tentatively; it should not be taken as truth.”
Gu daren waved his hand. “Xiao Jiu’s analysis is very reasonable. It seems we underestimated Xie Mao.”
Ma shiye nodded vigorously. “Indeed, Xie daren’s behaviour today, just as er guniang analysed, was very likely a staged performance. I had been puzzling over it myself – how could Xie daren, a man seasoned in officialdom for so many years, suddenly lose his composure and storm into a colleague’s estate? Such a thing I had never even heard of, let alone witnessed. Xie daren has truly set a precedent.”
Gu daren gave a cold snort, filled with contempt. “Xie Mao, that wretch – he will stop at nothing to achieve his ends. If it were anyone else, they’d never dare attempt such a thing. But in his hands, there’s nothing he won’t try.”
Gu Yu asked, “If Xie daren wishes to escape unscathed, what should we do next?”
Gu daren said sharply, “If he wants to escape, benguan will strip a layer of skin from him. If he wants to push forward a scapegoat, ha! Benguan will make sure his schemes come to nothing.”
Gu Jiu couldn’t help but speak up, “Father, you must be cautious of Xie daren. He is the very model of a petty man, ruthless in pursuing his goals. He will surely strike back, and nü’er fears it may implicate you. After all, the Empress niangniang still lives.”
Ma shiye nodded repeatedly. “Er guniang’s warning is right. Daren, you must be careful. If the Eastern Palace truly intends to bring you down, and with the Empress aiding them, then your position is in grave danger.”
Gu daren clenched his teeth. “As if benguan would fear the likes of Xie Mao. He may have his tricks, but does he think benguan is without my own means?”
Gu Jiu opened her mouth, wanting to say that compared with Xie Mao, Father was still too upright, lacking his shameless ruthlessness.
This contest between Father and Xie Mao – who would win, who would lose – was impossible to say.
Perhaps both would suffer.
Perhaps one would be gravely wounded while the other fell.
Perhaps, in the end, it would all be thunder without rain, and neither could do anything to the other.
But in the end, Gu Jiu did not say these thoughts aloud.
Matters of the court had to be resolved with the tools of the court. In such matters, Ma shiye and the others had far greater experience. Surely they would think of a way.
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