As time passed little by little, unease grew in everyone’s hearts.
Gu Ting suddenly stood up. His chair nearly toppled, making such a loud noise that it startled everyone.
He said, “I’ll go out and take a look.”
Gu Jiu frowned. “Gege, your leg injury hasn’t healed yet. You shouldn’t go out.”
Gu Cheng stood up. “I’ll go instead.”
“Sit down, all of you!”
Xie shi snapped sharply. Everyone turned to look at her.
She said to Dong Mei, “Go hurry Gao Sanfu. What’s going on outside? After all this time, don’t tell me no one has found out anything yet.”
Dong Mei acknowledged and rushed out.
But Gu Cheng still stood, unwilling to give up the thought of going.
Xie shi told him sternly, “Liulang, sit down.”
Seeing her holding back her temper, Gu Cheng gave a helpless smile and had no choice but to sit.
Ba shaoye, Gu Gong, muttered in a low voice, “Father is too much. Knowing we’re all waiting, why doesn’t he come back sooner?”
The words had barely left his lips when everyone’s eyes turned toward him.
Gu Ting snorted coldly, putting on the air of an elder brother. “Lao ba, don’t you have a gate on that mouth of yours? If you dare spout nonsense again, I’ll beat you.”
Gu Gong’s heart shrank. He mouthed soundlessly but said nothing more. He knew he’d said the wrong thing.
But Xie shi wasn’t pleased.
Gu Ting had just threatened to beat Gu Gong right in front of her. Did he have no regard for her?
She reproached him lightly but pointedly, “Lao san, as an elder brother, it’s right for you to discipline your younger siblings. But your manner ought to be gentler. We’re all brothers in one family – always talking of beating, do you really see your balang as an enemy?”
Gu Ting frowned. “Taitai has misunderstood. That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?” Xie shi pressed coldly.
Gu Gong smirked in secret, pleased, waiting to watch Gu Ting’s embarrassment.
“Cough, cough…”
Gu Jiu coughed lightly, drawing everyone’s attention to herself.
“Taitai, please don’t be angry. Ba di speaks without restraint – he truly does deserve discipline. San ge scolding him is out of good intention. Although his words were a little harsh, his motive was good.
“It’s a small matter; taitai needn’t keep pressing san ge over it. In fact, I think taitai ought to discipline ba di instead. For him to dare speak ill even of Father – such boldness, without the slightest filial respect.”
Her gaze, sharp as a knife, cut toward Gu Gong.
Gu Gong’s face went guilty; he dared not smile again.
But inwardly he remained unconvinced, pulling several grimacing faces in secret.
Xie shi’s chest heaved with anger. “Er yatou, are you blaming me for meddling too much, saying I have no right to discipline sanlang?”
Gu Jiu gave a respectful bow. “Taitai misunderstands. I only mean that compared with san ge, ba di is the one in need of correction. At least san ge shows his filial heart. As for ba di – taitai might as well ask him: has he ever truly worried for Father?”
“Er jiejie, don’t wrong me!” Gu Gong bared his teeth at her.
Gu Jiu sneered. “Ba di, when your heart and mouth don’t match, at least put on the appearance of concern. Otherwise, it only shows how false you are.”
Struck hard, Gu Gong’s expression crumpled.
Xie shi was about to scold Gu Jiu, but Gu Cheng cut in first.
He rebuked Gu Gong. “Ba di, apologise to er jiejie at once. From now on, be cautious in your words and deeds.”
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded. “Liu ge is right. Ba di, come and apologise quickly.”
Gu Gong was furious. Already hot-tempered, being goaded by Gu Jiu nearly made him curse outright.
Gu Ting grabbed Gu Gong by the collar and raised his fist. “Ba di, apologise! Otherwise don’t blame me for being rough.”
Gu Gong’s face flushed red with indignation. “Mother, san ge is bullying me!”
“You’re already this old, and you still run to your mother for protection – have you no shame?”
Gu Cheng scolded him before Xie shi could reply. He shot her a subtle glance, signalling her not to intervene.
Sibling quarrels were one thing – but if the elders stepped in, the matter would change in nature entirely.
In truth, Gu Cheng only wished to smooth things over, not let them escalate.
Xie shi, however, kept a stony face. She was displeased with Gu Cheng for “taking sides” against the household head, but for the sake of his dignity, she held her tongue.
Gu Yue curled her lip in disdain, though she wisely stayed silent.
Gu Gong, seeing that Xie shi would not help him, felt deeply wronged.
He prided himself on being a man, so of course, he wouldn’t burst into tears. But his face turned red as fire, set stubbornly, and he refused to apologise.
The room fell silent. Everyone waited to see what he would do.
At that crucial moment, Gao Sanfu came rushing in.
“Taitai – something has happened to laoye!”
“What?”
Xie shi’s face turned white as paper. She shot to her feet, her head spinning. If Gu Shan hadn’t caught her, she would have collapsed.
Gu Jiu quickly asked, “What’s happened to Father? Is the news reliable?”
Gao Sanfu bowed. “The steward went to the yamen to inquire. Laoye was suddenly summoned into the palace for an audience. But now the palace gates are locked for the night, and laoye has yet to return. Clearly, something has gone wrong.”
Gu Jiu pressed anxiously, “Do we know when Father entered the palace? Where is Ma shiye? Does he know nothing?”
Everyone’s eyes fixed on Gao Sanfu.
Swallowing nervously, he answered in a low voice, “Laoye was summoned at the third quarter of the wei hour.”
[T/N: About 2.45 pm.]
It was now the second quarter of the xu hour – two or three hours had passed since then.
[T/N: About 7.30 pm.]
For a minister to be summoned for questioning, it should never take this long.
Clearly, something was amiss.
Gu Jiu said firmly, “We must send someone to the hou fu at once. They may have more accurate news.”
Xie shi nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, quickly – send someone to the hou fu.”
Qing Mei tugged at Gu Jiu’s sleeve, signalling her to look toward the doorway.
Outside, Xiao Cui had just arrived, leading in a steward from the hou fu.
“Greetings, taitai, guniang, shaoye. This is Steward Xu from the hou fu. The old houye sent him here.”
Everyone’s eyes fell on Steward Xu.
Xie shi asked nervously, “Has something happened to my husband? What exactly happened? Is he in danger?”
Steward Xu bowed slightly, then lifted his head and swept his gaze over the room. “To report to er taitai, according to the news the old houye has learned, er laoye has, in all likelihood, been sent to the Jinwuwei’s Imperial Prison.”
“Ah…”
Xie shi felt her vision blur and fainted on the spot.
“Taitai, taitai…”
The maids scrambled to support her.
Gu Cheng hurriedly said, “Quickly, help taitai onto the bed.”
Gu Jiu stepped up to Steward Xu. “Steward Xu, did the old houye say when and under what circumstances my father was sent to Jinwuwei’s prison? Has His Majesty said anything?”
Steward Xu replied, “From what the old houye has heard, er laoye was taken out of the palace about an hour ago. As for the reason… ai…”
He gave a long sigh, tightening everyone’s hearts.
“Please speak plainly, Steward Xu. Whatever the reason, we can bear it.” Gu Jiu’s face was serious – this was not the time for wishful thinking.
The more they knew, the better their chances of rescuing Gu daren.
Steward Xu said softly, “It is said that er laoye was accused of showing disrespect to the Empress, and of harbouring resentment against His Majesty.”
“This is false accusation and slander!” Gu Cheng shouted angrily. “Father would never bear resentment toward His Majesty, nor would he ever be disrespectful to the Empress.”
Gu Jiu urged him, “Liu ge, calm yourself. Steward Xu, was Father’s imprisonment related to the case?”
Steward Xu nodded. “The old houye said that with the fire now burning all the way to the Crown Prince himself, the Empress could no longer sit still and personally took action. This time, er laoye’s situation looks grim.”
“No, impossible! Father is blessed, Heaven will protect him – he won’t come to harm.” Gu Yue suddenly burst into tears, covering her mouth, trembling with fear.
Gu Jiu shot her a sharp look, then pressed on, “Did houye say if there is any way to resolve this?”
Steward Xu said, “Houye asked me to tell you all to remain calm. It is already late today. Tomorrow morning, houye will personally enter the palace to seek an audience and look for a solution. I must now hurry back to report. Shaoye and guniang, I take my leave.”
Steward Xu bowed and withdrew. Gu Jiu immediately ordered Gao Sanfu to escort him out.
Gao Sanfu froze for a moment – clearly not expecting Gu Jiu to be the one giving instructions.
But when he saw Gu Cheng look at him and give a slight nod, Gao Sanfu finally lifted his feet and led Steward Xu to the door.
“Waaah…”
As soon as Steward Xu left, Gu Yue broke into loud sobs. “Father is in trouble – what should we do? Uuu…”
In her heart she was terrified, afraid that Haixi bo fu might take this chance to break off the engagement.
Helpless and anxious, Gu Yue looked pleadingly at Gu Cheng. “Liu ge, think of something! There must be a way to save Father, right?”
Gu Cheng furrowed his brow.
Gu Jiu said, “Da bofu probably doesn’t know of this yet. Someone must be sent to inform the main branch.”
“Yes, yes, let da bofu step in. Da bofu has wide connections – he’ll surely have a way.” Gu Yue cried out.
Gu Cheng volunteered, “I’ll go see da bofu. Er meimei, you take charge here. As for taitai, since it’s not too late yet, send someone to fetch Doctor Zhu quickly.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Liu ge, go. I’m here – you needn’t worry.”
Gu Cheng gave a firm nod. Between the siblings, an unspoken understanding seemed to form.
Gu Cheng departed, and Gu Jiu sent people to invite Doctor Zhu.
In truth, Xie shi’s condition was not serious – she had only fainted from shock. Combined with her poor health in recent days, she couldn’t bear the blow.
“Er jiejie, what should we do next?”
Gu Shan’s face was pale. She was clever, but she had never experienced such a situation before. She didn’t know how to react properly, nor how to share in Gu daren’s burdens.
Gu Jiu looked at her. “Si meimei, don’t panic. It’s already very late – there’s nothing we can do tonight. Everything must wait until tomorrow.”
“Wait until tomorrow? Then Father will have to spend the night in the Imperial Prison. Wouldn’t that be dreadful? And if the news spreads by tomorrow, won’t others seize the chance to kick us while we’re down?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “There will certainly be those who seize the chance – for example, Xie da laoye.”
At those words, Gu Yue, Gu Shan, and Gu Gong all blanched.
They hadn’t forgotten how, just a few days earlier, Xie Mao had stormed into their gates with men.
Gu Gong slammed a fist on the table. “If it truly was da jiujiu who harmed Father, I will never forgive his family.”
Gu Ting sneered. “With that scrawny body of yours, what could you possibly do? You’d be seized before you even got close to Xie daren.”
Gu Gong’s eyes turned red. He lifted his head proudly. “Even if I’m young, I’m willing to share Father’s burdens.”
Gu Ting fixed him with a stern face and warned, “You had better behave from now on. If Father suffers harm because of you, I won’t forgive you. I’ll have someone watch you – don’t even think of sneaking out of the residence.”
Gu Gong bristled with indignation. “How could I possibly harm Father? You slander me.”
Gu Ting gave a cold snort.
Gu Jiu spoke up: “Ba di, we all know you’re worried about Father. But Father’s matters cannot be solved by fighting and killing. The key to this issue still lies within the palace.”
The case itself was no longer the crux – it was merely a pretext.
Whether it was the person who reported the case, or the Empress niangniang, both were only using the case as a tool to achieve their own aims.
Now, the true battlefield was inside the palace.
Clearly, the focus of the struggle had shifted from the case to the imperial court itself.
Gu Jiu drew in a deep breath and ordered: “Someone, go invite Ma shiye here.”
Xiao Cui quickly said: “Reporting to guniang, when nubi came over, I heard Ma shiye was still at the yamen.”
“Then call for Steward Gu Quan.”
“The steward went to the hou fu; I don’t know if he’s back yet.”
Gu Jiu instructed Xiao Cui: “Go wait by the corner gate. If the steward returns, notify me at once.”
“At once, guniang.” Xiao Cui hurried out of Furong Yuan.
The others looked at each other, confused at what Gu Jiu intended to do.
“Da taitai has arrived.”
A maid called out at the door. In the next moment, the curtain lifted, and Zhang shi walked in.
Her gaze swept over everyone. “I already know what’s happened. Don’t be afraid – the family and the hou fu can still protect you all.”
Gu Yue immediately burst into tears.
Gu Zhen and Gu Lin, also badly frightened, clung to Zhang shi as if she were their pillar of strength, both sobbing softly.
Gu Jiu stepped forward, bowed, and greeted her: “Greetings to da bomu. We’ve troubled you.”
“Silly child, this is no time for courtesy. How is your family’s taitai?”
Gu Jiu softly replied: “She was greatly shaken and fainted. We’ve already sent for Doctor Zhu.”
“I’ll go see her at once. You all hurry and eat something – tomorrow will be another hard battle.”
“Thank you for your concern, da bomu.”
But at this moment, no one could bring themselves to eat. Their hearts were filled with worry, fear, and confusion.
Gu Zhen and Gu Lin kept sobbing quietly, looking utterly lost.
Gu Jiu sighed. “Da jiejie, wu meimei, go back to your rooms. Whatever needs to be said, we’ll talk tomorrow.”
Gu Lin wiped her tears and looked at Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, Father won’t be in danger, will he?”
Gu Jiu answered firmly, her voice ringing: “Don’t worry. Father will surely return safely.”
Afraid Gu Lin wouldn’t believe her, Gu Jiu gave her a warm smile.
Gu Lin was comforted. She stood up. “I–I’ll listen to er jiejie and go back to my room. Yiniang must have heard the news too; I’m worried about her.”
Gu Jiu said: “Go keep watch over Bai yiniang. She’s still carrying a child – at this time, you mustn’t let down your guard.”
Gu Lin nodded again and again. “Then I’ll return first. Er jiejie, if there’s any news, please send someone to tell me.”
Gu Jiu nodded in agreement.
Gu Lin, still wiping her tears, left Furong Yuan.
Gu Zhen looked around nervously, her heart in chaos.
Why would Father run into trouble at this time? Why now, just as her marriage negotiations were underway?
What was to be done? Would she still be able to marry?
Gu Zhen was utterly terrified.
But Gu Yue was crying even harder than she was.
Gu Zhen knew Gu Yue too well. She wasn’t crying for Father – she was crying for her own marriage prospects.
Gu Zhen gave a cold snort. “San meimei, what are you crying for?”
Gu Yue lifted her head. “I’m worried about Father. Can’t I cry for him?”
Gu Zhen clenched her teeth. “You’d better really be crying for Father’s sake.”
“Da jiejie, mind your words,” Gu Yue retorted without backing down.
Gu Zhen opened her mouth, wanting to expose Gu Yue’s true thoughts. But considering the situation, she finally kept quiet.
Zhang shi came out from the inner chamber. “Why are you all just standing here? Hurry and eat something.”
“Da bomu, we’re not hungry.”
Zhang shi frowned. “Young people are still growing. How can you not be hungry? If it’s inconvenient to eat here, then set the table in the side chamber. Servants, move the dishes to the side chamber and serve them all. Let the young ladies and young masters eat their dinner at once.”
Zhang shi herded everyone into the side chamber to eat.
Truth be told, they had all been hungry for a while.
They hadn’t eaten earlier because of their worry for Father.
But once the food was set on the table, their appetites returned.
Everyone ate in silence, not a word spoken.
From the doorway, a maid called out: “Doctor Zhu has arrived.”
At once, everyone put down their chopsticks and walked out of the side chamber.
Gu Ting stayed close to Gu Jiu, quietly asking: “Meimei, what should we do?”
Gu Jiu replied: “We must first find the root of the matter.”
Gu Ting frowned.
Gu Jiu explained: “That is, the case Father is handling. You and I don’t know the details. We must ask Ma shiye, or Steward Gu Quan, or Gu si ge. Only once we understand the case can we find the right remedy.”
Gu Ting understood. “I’ll send someone to find Gu Yu.”
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