And the curtain falls!
In the midst of anxious, uneasy waiting, Gu fu finally welcomed an imperial decree from the palace.
When the eunuch delivering the decree arrived at the Gu residence, Gu daren thought to himself, it’s finally here.
Then another thought struck him: so the decree really has come.
At that moment, while ordering servants to summon his family to receive the decree, Gu daren kept thinking: What virtue or ability does Gu Jiu have, to not only gain His Majesty’s favour, but actually be granted in marriage to an imperial grandson?
Something about this didn’t feel right. Or was he just overthinking?
He shook his head slightly. No, I’m definitely not overthinking.
This whole imperial marriage, from beginning to end, gave off the sense of peering at flowers through fog, never clear, never transparent.
He tried to cosy up to the eunuch, hoping to pry out more details.
With the Gu family’s standing, and especially given that their second branch had only just moved to the capital, they barely had time to get their bearings in the city.
If someone hadn’t spoken against them before the emperor, how could His Majesty possibly have chosen to grant Gu Jiu this marriage?
Yes, Gu daren had known from the start who the other party was: Liu Zhao, from Ning wang fu.
Just the thought of Liu Zhao reminded him of the case that boy had stirred up, the one that had landed him in prison, forcing him to spend days in terror. The memory still filled Gu daren with both anger and resentment.
After he was released, he had resolved to stay as far away from Liu Zhao as possible. Who could have guessed Liu Zhao would set his sights on his daughter?
Unthinkable!
While chatting with the eunuch, Gu daren’s imagination spun wildly. Could it be that Gu Jiu and Liu Zhao had some kind of secret affair?
No, no, impossible. He immediately dismissed the absurd idea.
Since returning to the capital, Gu Jiu hadn’t even stepped out of the house. The farthest she had gone was to the hou fu. She couldn’t possibly have met Liu Zhao before.
[T/N: There he goes again, brushing past the (almost) truth.]
And yet, Liu Zhao had personally circled Gu Jiu’s name. From what the eunuch said, even Shaofu Ling had advised him at the time to pick a girl from a more distinguished family.
But no matter how much he was persuaded, Liu Zhao refused to change his mind. He was stubborn as iron, determined to marry Gu Jiu.
The eunuch chuckled cheerfully: “Congratulations, Gu daren, you’ve raised a fine daughter. Gongzi Zhao’s feelings for her run deep.”
Gu daren forced a smile, awkward and stiff.
What deep feelings?
To him, Liu Zhao was a schemer. Marrying Gu Jiu could only be with ill intent.
Why her? Only because she was his eldest di daughter.
Yes, that must be it.
In his mind, Gu daren began weaving a whole revenge plot: Liu Zhao, displeased with him, seeking to take revenge. Unable to move against him directly, he’d instead marry Gu Jiu just to torment her.
Scene after scene flashed through Gu daren’s imagination, and in all of them, Gu Jiu’s fate was miserable.
To marry Liu Zhao was to leap into a pit of fire.
A pang of sorrow welled up inside him. Poor child!
For over ten years, he had neglected her. He had meant to make it up to her, to arrange a good marriage, so she’d have security for life.
And now, Liu Zhao, the wolf-hearted, ill-intentioned imperial grandson, had stolen that chance from her.
The thought that his daughter would suffer in his stead made him feel unbearably guilty.
Yes, his imagined drama had Liu Zhao targeting him, and since he couldn’t strike yet, he would use Gu Jiu as a substitute for his revenge.
Gu daren covered his face with his sleeve, grief rising like a river inside him.
He had harmed his own daughter! She was to bear his punishment for him. How could he endure it?
But the decree had already been issued. Nothing could be changed.
Sighing inwardly, he probed the eunuch about Liu Zhao’s temperament and habits.
The eunuch smiled: “Oh, Gongzi Zhao is certainly an excellent match. Just a little cold in manner, and I hear his health isn’t the best.”
“His health isn’t good?” Gu daren’s mind instantly filled with grim possibilities.
The eunuch nodded. “The imperial physicians often go to Ning wang fu to take his pulse. Nothing serious, really, just a bit of weakness, not even needing medicine.”
If Gu Jiu had been there, she would have laughed in the eunuch’s face.
Liu Zhao, weak? What a joke.
She had never met a man healthier than Liu Zhao.
Her brother Gu Ting, who spent his days running about, looked strong, but he was no match.
Liu Zhao was the type who looked slender in clothes, but strong and muscular underneath.
How did Gu Jiu know this? Of course, she was just guessing.
Gu daren, however, had no idea that Liu Zhao was sturdy as an ox. On hearing “weak constitution,” he frowned and once again imagined all kinds of tragic outcomes for Gu Jiu.
The eunuch, seeing his expression, burst out laughing.
“Gu daren, no need to worry. Your daughter will only live in comfort once she marries Gongzi Zhao.”
Gu daren smiled faintly. Such words might fool common folk, but not him.
Marrying into the imperial family and living in comfort? If they weren’t implicated and executed, that would already be a blessing. Comfort? Wishful thinking.
By now, the whole Gu family had gathered.
Gu daren beckoned Gu Jiu forward, his eyes full of fatherly love.
These last days at home will be the only time she can enjoy peace. Once married, her hardships will begin.
At that moment, he felt an unprecedented surge of paternal affection. The tenderness in his eyes was nearly overflowing, so much so that Gu Yue ground her teeth in jealousy, biting down so hard on her silver tooth cap that it nearly cracked.
Gu Jiu stepped forward and bowed to the eunuch.
Gu daren introduced, “This is my daughter, Gu Jiu.”
The eunuch looked her up and down, nodded, and said, “Gu daren, you are fortunate. Since everyone is here, let us begin.”
A ritual table with incense was set out. The first and second branches of the Gu family knelt together on the floor to receive the imperial decree.
The decree was simple: it bestowed marriage, granting the di granddaughter of Zhenjun General, Gu Jiu, to Imperial Grandson Liu Zhao.
The eunuch announced the decree, and Gu daren personally received it with both hands.
The eunuch offered congratulations: “Congratulations, Gu daren. Congratulations, Gu guniang.”
“Many thanks, many thanks.”
Gu daren’s face was full of smiles, yet inwardly it was filled with bitterness.
Steward Gu Quan hurried forward with a heavy gift. The eunuch weighed it in his hand, smiled in satisfaction.
“Our duty now is to return to the palace and report back. Gu daren, best begin preparing Gu guniang’s dowry. Once she reaches her hairpin ceremony, Shaofu Ling will send someone to arrange the wedding date.”
“Thank you for the reminder. Safe journey.”
Once the eunuch departed, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
Still, no one left the main hall.
All eyes were fixed on the decree in Gu daren’s hands.
Gu daren directly unrolled it. “Everyone, take a look.”
The bright yellow decree bore Gu Jiu’s name.
At the sight of it, Xie shi drew in a sharp breath and muttered, “So er yatou has truly been appointed to marry Gongzi Zhao?”
Gu daren nodded. “Naturally, it is true.”
Xie shi stared at Gu Jiu, feelings tangled. “Er yatou, you are truly blessed.”
Gu Jiu gave a slight smile, neither humble nor arrogant, as if nothing were unusual. “Thanks to taitai’s blessing.”
“I have no such blessing,” Xie shi said sourly, instinctively glancing at Gu Yue.
If she truly had good fortune, Gu Yue would not have been married off to Zhao erlang, a man whose wives never survived long.
Gu Yue’s face was dazed, her expression uncertain, more disbelief than anything.
“Er jiejie has actually been betrothed to the Imperial Grandson, this, this…”
Before she could finish, Gu daren’s gaze struck like a sword.
“Xiao Jiu has been granted marriage personally by His Majesty. Such an honour may never again come to the Gu family. You must all remember, when speaking before her in the future, mind your words.”
Gu Zhen, Gu Shan, and Gu Lin all bowed and acknowledged.
Only Gu Yue stood dumbfounded, as if struck by a heavy blow.
“Enough, all disperse.”
The others filed out of the hall.
Gu Ting pulled Gu Jiu aside, his brows knit so tightly a fly could be crushed between them.
“How can meimei marry the Imperial Grandson? This… this…”
Even with the decree right before his eyes, he could hardly believe it. He couldn’t bear the thought of Gu Jiu being married into a wang fu.
He looked at her anxiously. “Meimei, you’ll suffer for this. Isn’t there any way to refuse the marriage?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “There isn’t.” Then she smiled gently. “But don’t worry for me, gege. I will be fine.”
“How could you be fine? You are marrying into the imperial clan, that’s like stepping right into a nest of trouble. Just thinking of the imperial family’s endless intrigues makes my heart uneasy.”
Gu Jiu gazed at him, touched.
She said solemnly, “If you truly worry for me, then after the New Year, follow da bo and train properly. When you make a name for yourself in the future, you can become my support. Even if he is an imperial grandson, you will have no need to fear him.”
Gu Ting lifted his chin proudly. “What of an imperial grandson? I will not fear him. If he dares bully you, I’ll beat him until his teeth scatter.”
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled. My foolish brother… do you really think Liu Zhao is some pampered, idle noble?
If Gu Ting didn’t train well, he probably wouldn’t last even a few rounds in Liu Zhao’s hands.
She had never seen Liu Zhao fight, but from his pulse and her observations, his martial skills must be exceptional.
Though he looked every bit a refined gongzi, his palms bore calluses, the kind left from long years of wielding weapons.
Gu Jiu fixed her eyes on him. “Gege still hasn’t promised me, about training diligently.”
Gu Ting nodded heavily. “Rest assured. After the New Year, I’ll follow da bo into the army for training. I won’t disappoint you. If ever you are bullied, don’t endure it, hit back! If you can’t win, wait for me. I’ll come and take revenge for you.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Thank you, gege. But you needn’t worry too much, I’m not stupid. Ordinary troubles won’t defeat me.”
Gu Ting grinned. “That’s true.”
After parting with Gu Ting, Gu Jiu returned to Zhilan Yuan.
She had barely sat down when a maid rushed in to report: “Guniang, da guniang, san guniang, si guniang, wu guniang, and liu guniang have all come.”
“Hurry and invite da jiejie and the others in.”
Gu Zhen and the rest filed in one after another.
“Congratulations, er meimei, felicitations, er meimei.”
Gu Zhen, her face beaming, was the first to offer her congratulations.
Gu Jiu pulled her down to sit. “Da jiejie, there’s no need to congratulate me. Didn’t you see Father’s face? This marriage is not as good as you imagine.”
Gu Yue frowned, her heart flaring with both anger and resentment.
“Er jiejie, are you gaining a blessing and still pretending to suffer?”
From the moment Gu Yue opened her mouth, her tone was full of gunpowder.
Gu Shan instinctively wanted to stop Gu Yue, but then she remembered Xie shi’s instructions, so she held herself back.
Gu Yue gave a cold laugh. “Er jiejie being betrothed to the Imperial Grandson is the greatest of honours. Others would be green with envy, yet here you are claiming this marriage isn’t as wonderful as people think.
“Meimei hasn’t read much, so I’d like to ask er jiejie: if marrying the Imperial Grandson isn’t a good match, then what sort of man counts as a good husband?”
Gu Jiu looked at her with a half-smile. “San meimei just said everyone envies this marriage. I’d like to ask, who envies it? Do our sisters in the hou fu envy it? Da jiejie, si meimei, wu meimei, liu meimei, do you envy it?”
Gu Zhen shook her head slightly. “Marrying the Imperial Grandson sounds wonderful, but if it were me, I could never handle it. So no, I don’t envy her.”
Gu Lin and Gu Jun both nodded in agreement.
They had only come to congratulate Gu Jiu. If the marriage were theirs, they would have hidden in their rooms and never come out again.
Marrying the Imperial Grandson, on the surface it was glorious, but on second thought, it was terrifying.
The Imperial Grandson! Someone so far above them. Even marrying into an ordinary well-matched household was fraught with endless petty squabbles. To marry into a wang fu, that was gambling with one’s life.
With their abilities, they could never cope with the intrigues of such a place.
Only Gu Jiu, who dared to stand up to taitai herself, might manage to hold her own there.
Gu Yue, furious, glared hard at her three half-sisters.
Then she turned to Gu Shan. “Si meimei, do you also not envy er jiejie’s marriage?”
Gu Shan’s face remained calm. “I don’t envy it. I only worry.”
“What’s there to worry about?” Gu Yue snapped. “She’s marrying the Imperial Grandson, soaring to the skies, how could you presume to worry on her behalf?”
Ignoring Gu Yue’s shrillness, Gu Shan asked Gu Jiu instead: “Doesn’t Gongzi Zhao have several younger brothers? Once you marry, you’ll be the principal wife of the eldest di son. But in terms of family standing, our Gu fu is indeed no match for the true noble clans. When you face those zhouli born to powerful houses, what will you do?”
Gu Yue was struck dumb.
Of course. Gongzi Zhao’s brothers would never marry mere daughters of officials, most would wed daughters of noble families.
That meant Gu Jiu would always be of lower birth than the others.
Even as the principal wife, she would constantly be given a hard time, suffering endless humiliations.
Gu Jiu raised her brows and smiled. “Thank you, si meimei, for your concern. I hadn’t thought so far ahead, it seems you’re considering matters on my behalf before I do.”
Gu Shan gave a shy laugh. “I only worry for jiejie. Yesterday I overheard Mother discussing san jiejie’s marriage, and I thought, if er jiejie marries into the wang fu, how much dowry will need to be prepared? If the dowry is too thin, won’t people look down on you? Er jiejie, in this matter of dowry, I can’t be of any help. Please, take extra care yourself.”
“You’re very thoughtful, si meimei. Truly, you’re looking farther ahead than I am.”
Gu Shan’s cheeks flushed red, her expression shy, and she modestly protested twice.
Gu Zhen picked up the thread. “Er jiejie’s dowry will have to be at least tens of thousands of taels.”
“Where would the fu find that much money?” Gu Yue retorted.
The very word dowry struck a nerve.
Gu Zhen sneered. “Er jiejie is marrying into the wang fu, naturally her dowry will outshine yours. San meimei, even if you’re dissatisfied, it’s useless. Better accept your fate.”
“Da jiejie, what do you mean by that? What do you mean, I can’t compare with er jiejie?”
Gu Yue could not accept it. Already her marriage had been overshadowed by Gu Jiu’s. Now, her dowry could not be allowed to fall behind as well.
Gu Zhen smirked. “Isn’t this your own favorite phrase? Remember when Haixi bo furen came to propose, originally for me, but you intercepted it? What did you say to me then? You told me to accept my fate, didn’t you?”
Mockery burned nakedly in her eyes.
That Gu Jiu could overshadow Gu Yue in marriage matters delighted her more than securing her own future.
Watching Gu Yue humiliated, beaten down from every angle, it was exhilarating. Absolutely exhilarating.
Gu Yue, gnashing her teeth at Gu Zhen’s gloating, spat back: “So da jiejie still holds a grudge. Just yesterday at the banquet, da bomu was so eager to arrange your marriage. Who would’ve thought you still pine for Zhao silang of Haixi bo fu? If this rumour were to reach da bomu’s ears, I wonder, how would da jiejie explain it?”
Her stare was full of malice, her tone confident in its threat.
Gu Zhen only sneered. “You dared to steal what was mine, but I’m not allowed to speak of it? Go ahead and tell da bomu, see if she would really take it to heart.”
“You–!”
Gu Yue hadn’t expected Gu Zhen to be so unafraid, so utterly confident.
Infuriating!
Her anger boiling over, she hissed: “Da jiejie, don’t forget, once your marriage is set, Mother will still be the one to manage your dowry.”
Gu Zhen replied calmly: “Yes, taitai will have to see to my dowry. But so what? San meimei, times have changed, don’t you understand? Do you think we’re still in the northwest, where taitai would never contradict a word you said?”
She laughed with open mockery, her gaze full of scorn.
Gu Yue’s face was drained of colour. For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed her heart.
She turned to look at Gu Shan, who only avoided her eyes.
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