The visitor was Du mama, an old servant by Wei shi’s side at the hou fu.
With a broad smile, Du mama entered the flower hall, first paying her respects to Zhang shi and Xie shi.
Then she said: “As soon as my furen returned to the hou fu, she heard that Xiao Jiu guniang managed the kitchen in perfect order, and that the guests were all very pleased with the banquet. She was extremely delighted.
“So she especially sent nubi here first to convey her thanks to Jiu guniang.
“My furen also said that since it’s already late today, there wasn’t enough time to prepare. Tomorrow she will send gifts separately to Xiao Jiu guniang, Zhen guniang and Shan guniang. You’ve all worked hard these past days.”
Zhang shi laughed warmly, first casting a glance at Xie shi, and then said: “Tangsao is far too courteous. Xiao Jiu, why don’t you hurry up and thank your eldest tang bomu?”
Gu Jiu stepped forward. “Please thank tang bomu on my behalf. I only did what I ought to do. I’m not worthy of such attention, let alone troubling you to make this trip. Please, Du mama, have some tea before you go.”
Zhang shi nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Du mama, please have some tea.”
A maid served tea, and Du mama sat down to speak. “Jiu guniang is truly modest. My taitai said herself, thanks to your decisiveness, the hou fu avoided losing face before the guests. She also said that Mei guniang must learn from you, not to be so bound by formality, and to act with flexibility when the situation requires.”
Zhang shi gave Xie shi a half-smile, half-smirk. “Tangsao really has foresight. What do you think, dimei?”
Xie shi was so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the floor to crawl into.
Just moments ago, she had said Gu Jiu shamed the hou fu. Yet here came the hou fu’s eldest madam’s envoy, sent expressly to thank Gu Jiu.
If this wasn’t a slap in the face, what was?
Her expression darkened, her tone laced with irritation. “Tangsao is, of course, correct. I’m feeling unwell, so I’ll return to rest first. I’ll leave the hosting to dasao.”
Without caring how it looked, she flicked her sleeves and left.
Zhang shi raised an eyebrow, smiled faintly, then shook her head. Turning to Du mama, she said: “Please don’t mind her. Dimei is also older now, and she’s been worn out these past few days at the palace. She needs her rest.”
Du mama smiled knowingly. “Da taitai has also been working hard these few days. You should rest early as well and take care of your health. Nubi must go back to report, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Please, stay a little longer.”
“No need. My furen is waiting for nubi to return. Another time, when I have a chance, I’ll come to trouble you again.”
“Shaoyao, see Du mama out.”
Shaoyao obeyed, escorting Du mama away.
Afterwards, Zhang shi said to Gu Jiu: “Xiao Jiu, you know your taitai’s temper. Don’t take her words to heart.”
Gu Jiu pressed her lips together, then smiled faintly. “Please don’t worry, da bomu. I’m someone who thinks openly. I won’t let what taitai said weigh on me.”
“That’s good.”
Gu Jiu then took her leave and returned to Zhilan Yuan to rest.
Back at the hou fu, Du mama reported to Wei shi.
“Jiu guniang was very polite, instructing nubi to be sure to thank furen on her behalf.”
Wei shi nodded. “Xiao Jiu, this child, has never once erred in etiquette. I heard that when she was in the palace, she even studied palace regulations with the old matrons. No wonder her manners are even more impeccable now.”
“Furen is right. But er taitai from the fu next door looked far from pleased. It seemed that before I arrived, she was scolding Xiao Jiu guniang, accusing her of acting on her own and shaming both the hou fu and the Gu family.”
Wei shi sneered. “Xie dimei wasn’t worried that Xiao Jiu would shame the hou fu. What she feared was that our hou fu would blame her and implicate her. So she hurried to distance herself. Benfuren has always looked down on her. Too petty, too eager to play smart, and always saying the most inappropriate things.”
Du mama said, “She was, after all, just a concubine who was elevated. Naturally, expectations can’t be too high.”
Wei shi gave a cold snort. “Good thing benfuren doesn’t have to live with her as a zhouli. But poor Zhang dimei has to deal with her day after day. She must get angry at least once every three days.”
Du mama agreed. “Indeed, furen is right. Luckily, er taitai has severed ties with her natal Xie family. That has saved a lot of trouble.”
Wei shi smirked. “If she hadn’t, our hou fu would have forced her to. At least Gu Zhili did one reliable thing, keeping her shut at home, cutting her off from the Xie family, preventing her from making mischief with them.”
Du mama added: “It is a pity for Xiao Jiu guniang, though. Still, it’s fortunate her marriage has been arranged. I also heard that Gu er laoye himself sent people to prepare her dowry, not allowing er taitai to interfere.”
At this, Wei shi laughed. “Gu Zhili has grown wiser; it’s rare indeed. If only he’d been this clear-headed in his youth, he wouldn’t have done such foolish things as raising a concubine to wife.
“He was short-sighted; just because Xie Mao became an official in the Eastern Palace, he couldn’t wait to elevate Xie shi. In the end, he nearly ruined himself, almost got killed because of her brother.
“I hope he’s learned his lesson and won’t make such muddle-headed mistakes again.”
Meanwhile, the very Xie shi being discussed was in her room, throwing a fit.
“What does the hou fu’s eldest madam mean by this? Does she have something against me? She had only just returned, yet she rushed to send someone over, under the pretence of thanking Gu Jiu! She was clearly slapping my face!”
Her face twisted in rage as she hurled a teacup to the ground.
Chun He hurried to console her. “Taitai, please calm your anger. The eldest madam surely had no other meaning, she only sent someone to give thanks.”
Xie shi gave a cold laugh, then snapped harshly: “Nonsense! Do you really think the eldest madam doesn’t know what happened in our fu? Do you really think she sent Du mama at this very moment just to give thanks?
“She was deliberately slapping my face! She knew I would surely discipline Gu Jiu, so she purposely sent someone to humiliate me. This is bullying, sheer bullying!”
In her fury, Xie shi lost all composure and cursed violently.
Chun He grew nervous and quickly went to the doorway to check. Luckily, no one was there.
If that earlier outburst had reached the ears of the eldest madam, it would have been big trouble.
“Taitai, please calm down. What’s done is done; thinking too much won’t help. Tomorrow, you must enter the palace before dawn. I’ll go fetch hot water. Please rest early.”
Exhausted from scolding, Xie shi slumped into her chair, her forehead throbbing in pain.
Ever since that trip to the palace, she had developed this problem of migraines.
She rubbed her forehead. Likely, she hadn’t rested properly in the palace, and that was why her head hurt.
The pain wasn’t severe, but it lingered without relief, leaving her no chance to breathe.
She felt terribly unwell, and with all the anger still burning in her chest, she was so irritable she could kill someone.
Just then, a little maid came in to report: “Taitai, san guniang has come.”
“What is she here for?” Xie shi’s face showed pure impatience.
The little maid shrank back and said softly, “San guniang says she has something important to report, concerning Bai yiniang.”
At the mention of ‘Bai yiniang’, Xie shi immediately perked up. The headache was gone, and her fury suppressed.
“Let her in.”
Gu Yue was invited into the room.
“Nü’er greets Mother. Is Mother feeling better?”
Xie shi beckoned her over. “You’re thoughtful. Shan’er didn’t come, but you did.”
Gu Yue swallowed her displeasure and said, “These past days, I haven’t gone to the hou fu to help because I’ve been worried about Mother, wanting to stay by your side and look after the household for you.”
“Oh?” Xie shi gave her another look. She had improved.
Gu Yue kept her head lowered, her expression meek. “Mother has had a tiring day. I shouldn’t disturb you now, but I feared delaying this matter. I must report, er jiejie secretly invited two midwives to the residence today for Bai yiniang. All sneaky-like, I don’t know what they were up to.”
“Truly?” Xie shi’s expression chilled as she fixed her gaze on Gu Yue.
Gu Yue nodded. “It is absolutely true. Mother may send someone to ask at the gatehouse.”
Xie shi gnashed her teeth. “Gu Jiu is bold indeed, daring to privately summon midwives for Bai yiniang. When Bai yiniang met them, nothing happened, did it?”
Gu Yue shook her head.
Xie shi gave a cold snort. “That wretched Bai shi, so she can’t sit still any longer. If she had behaved quietly, I would have let her keep her dignity. But since she chose to act up while I was away, she can’t blame me for showing no mercy.”
A flurry of thoughts ran through Xie shi’s mind.
The child in Bai yiniang’s belly, people said it was a boy.
How could Xie shi possibly want to see Bai yiniang give birth safely?
Bai yiniang was already arrogant. If she had a son, wouldn’t she be even more unbearable?
Gu Yue herself didn’t care about Bai yiniang, or whether she bore a son.
What she cared about was Gu Jiu.
“Mother, er jiejie acted on her own, bringing midwives for Bai yiniang. This matter is suspicious. I believe we must investigate her thoroughly.”
Xie shi frowned. “Investigate her for what?”
“No matter what, this cannot be left unchecked. Otherwise, next time er jiejie might even side with Bai yiniang against you.”
Xie secretly nodded. Gu Yue’s words had some truth.
“I will think further on this matter. Yue’er, this time you did very well. You haven’t let down the years of careful teaching I’ve given you. If you can always handle matters with such thoughtfulness, I will be satisfied.”
Gu Yue suddenly burst into tears. They were silent tears, pitiful to behold.
She said to Xie shi, “I have never dared forget your teachings for even a day. In the past, I was too willful, failing to live up to your painstaking care. From now on, I will improve and never again disappoint Mother.”
“Silly child, why say such things? Remember, everything I’ve done for you is for your own good.”
Xie shi took out a handkerchief and personally wiped away Gu Yue’s tears.
Gu Yue nodded firmly and hugged Xie shi tightly around the waist.
“Nü’er knows, no one in this world loves me more than Mother. In the past, I was too willful, too ungrateful, hurting you again and again. I regret it now. I regret waking up too late, after Mother has already worried so much for me.”
“Good child! I’m glad you’ve come to understand.”
The mother and daughter embraced, weeping bitterly together.
After such a hard cry, they felt even closer than before, as if they had returned to the happiest times of the past.
When Xie shi had finished wiping away Gu Yue’s tears, she said, “When I’m not at home, you keep watch on Bai yiniang for me.”
Gu Yue nodded. “Mother, rest assured, I will keep a close eye on her.”
Xie shi smiled. “You’ve been wronged these days. Go rest now. Another day, I’ll sit down and have a proper talk with you.”
Gu Yue bowed and withdrew, obedient and well-behaved.
Xie shi felt comforted, perhaps Gu Yue was still salvageable.
In just a few short days, she didn’t know what had spurred Gu Yue, but the girl had improved so much.
Chun He also congratulated her. “Congratulations, taitai! San guniang has finally grown sensible.”
Xie shi smiled faintly. “Let’s hope she truly has.”
She decided to observe Gu Yue for a while longer before making her judgment.
Over the next few days, both Xie shi and Zhang shi left early and returned late, working so hard that their limbs trembled with exhaustion.
Meanwhile, at the hou fu, Jia shi’s coffin would be sent to burial after seven days of mourning.
On the day of the funeral, the Jia family arrived, and Gu Rui’s health had also recovered.
He personally went out to greet them, polite but no longer intimate.
Both families were restrained; they didn’t want to make a scene on a funeral day and become the laughingstock of others.
Since Jia shi had left no children, there was no one to carry the funeral tablet. Gu Rui shouldered the duty himself.
“She was my wife in life, and in death she is my spirit. It’s only right that I send her on her last journey.”
No one objected to his words. Everyone just sighed that Gu Rui had shared such deep affection with Jia shi, too bad she lacked the fortune to enjoy it longer.
Gu Jiu also went to see her off.
Thus, Jia shi’s life drew to a final close.
After the funeral, everyone was so drained that they collapsed into bed for two full days.
The hou fu then sent gifts of thanks.
Gu Jiu, Gu Zhen and Gu Shan each received a share.
The gifts were generous: four bolts of silk, four bolts of satin, four bolts of cotton, and jewelled hair ornaments.
When Qing Mei saw the silk and cotton, she was delighted.
“We can make a few new dresses for guniang. It seems you’ve grown taller again lately.”
“Really?” Hearing she’d grown taller made Gu Jiu happier than anything else.
When she first crossed over into this world, the thing she resented most was her height and figure.
But after nearly a year of careful nourishment, the results were striking.
Gu Jiu straightened her back and tucked in her stomach. At least she had the beginnings of some curves now.
She called for Wang Yi.
Among the maids, Wang Yi was the tallest, visibly over one meter seventy.
Standing back-to-back with her, Gu Jiu now reached up to Wang Yi’s ears.
Wow. Did this mean she’d already grown past one meter sixty? No longer a little shorty!
Qing Zhu chimed in, “Guniang has grown a lot this year. Your old clothes are all too short.”
Gu Jiu’s excitement rose. “Qing Mei, bring out the clothes I wore when I was sick last year. I want to see exactly how much I’ve grown.”
Qing Mei pursed her lips in a smile. “At once, guniang. Luckily, we didn’t dismantle them; there are still a few left.”
Gu Jiu tried on an old pair of trousers first, short by a whole span, the cuffs stopping mid-calf.
Then she tried on last year’s skirts, also too short.
Gu Jiu laughed with satisfaction.
All her effort in nourishing herself daily with food, tonics, and care had not gone to waste.
Her hard work had finally borne gratifying results.
Qing Mei advised, “Guniang will likely keep growing. When we make new clothes, we should leave a few inches at the hem. That way, when you grow taller, we only need to let down the seam.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “You take charge of that.”
Just then, Qing Zhu came in from outside. “Guniang, we also need to begin your wedding dress soon. Nubi heard san guniang’s wedding robe is being sewn by the needlework hall. That means they won’t have time to make yours; it’ll be up to us.”
Qing Mei said, “We never expected the needlework hall to make guniang’s gown anyway. Qing Zhu, you’ll need to set aside some of your chores. You’re skilled with needlework, let’s make it together.”
Qing Zhu agreed, but remembered another issue. “We’ll need a lot of gold thread for the bridal robe. What should we do about that?”
“Ask the needlework hall,” Qing Mei replied, then turned to Gu Jiu. “Guniang, nubi will go request some gold thread from them.”
“Not so fast,” Gu Jiu said. “First, speak with da bomu, let her arrange it.”
Qing Mei thought for a moment. “I’ll talk to Shaoyao jiejie first. Her word carries more weight.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Go. Be sure to chat with her properly.”
Shaoyao should have gone into the palace with Zhang shi, but she’d caught a cold and was too congested to accompany her, so she stayed behind in the fu.
Qing Mei found her and delivered a prescription.
“This is from my guniang. Try it, it works very well.”
Shaoyao quickly thanked her. “Many thanks to er guniang for thinking of me. The old prescription the doctor gave me wasn’t working well. This one is timely, truly a lifesaver. Otherwise, those old women would gossip again, saying I’m troublesome, calling a doctor for just a little cold, as if I were some young mistress.”
“Let those gossipy hags talk. They’re hateful.”
As they chatted, Qing Mei brought up the gold thread for the wedding gown.
Shaoyao said, “Er guniang is marrying the Imperial Grandson; her bridal robe mustn’t lack gold thread. Without it, people will laugh.
“San guniang’s gown needs about four taels of gold thread. For er guniang’s robe, you’ll need no less than eight. When my taitai returns, I’ll mention it to her. Go back and tell er guniang not to worry, I’ll see this matter settled.”
“Many thanks, Shaoyao jiejie.”
Leave a Reply