“Hu jiejie, the child is moving so much.”
Bai yiniang stroked her swollen belly. “Could it be that the baby is about to be born?”
Hu yiniang chuckled softly. “Surely not so soon. Isn’t there still more than twenty days before your due date?”
Without showing a trace of emotion, Hu yiniang released her hand from Bai’s belly and stood up, looking down at her.
Bai yiniang smiled. “I heard that children who are born early are usually boys, and those born late are usually girls.”
Hu yiniang asked, “So you’re hoping the child will be born early?”
Bai yiniang did not deny it and nodded.
Hu yiniang said, “Early birth has its advantages.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Taitai has just taken over the kitchen and the needlework rooms. She’s overwhelmed, far too busy. If the child comes now, taitai won’t have the energy to interfere. But later, once she’s familiar with all the household affairs, she’ll have more free time. When that time comes, if your labour begins, taitai will be at your door immediately.”
These words made Bai yiniang’s heart jolt.
What she feared most was Xie shi standing guard outside the birthing room. The very thought made her shiver with dread.
In the blink of an eye, she smiled again. “Thank you for the reminder, Hu jiejie. I understand. But I think it’s still best to let the birth happen naturally.”
Hu yiniang sneered inwardly. She was certain that Bai yiniang had already taken her words to heart.
Without exposing her, she tactfully excused herself and left.
Once alone, Bai yiniang stood by the window, deep in thought.
She summoned her maid, Cui Liu, handed her a pouch, and whispered some instructions.
Cui Liu accepted the order, took the pouch, and slipped out through the second gate toward the outer courtyard to find someone.
Two days later, Cui Liu returned and handed Bai yiniang a medicine packet.
Looking worried, she asked cautiously, “Taitai, do you truly intend to use this labour-inducing medicine? The child is nearly due anyway, why not let nature take its course?”
Clutching the medicine packet, Bai yiniang gritted her teeth. “I cannot wait any longer.”
“But… what if something goes wrong? What if it costs lives?”
“I’d rather take the risk than let Xie shi control my life and death.”
A ruthless glint shone in Bai yiniang’s eyes, harsh to herself, and harsher still to the child in her womb.
Cui Liu’s heart skipped a beat. “When does taitai plan to take the medicine?”
Bai yiniang smiled faintly. “When will taitai be leaving the estate?”
Cui Liu replied, “The capital is still in mourning for the Empress, so banquets are forbidden. But I heard taitai will go in a couple of days to pay respects at the hou fu.”
“The day taitai goes to the hou fu, that will be my chance.”
The opportunity came swiftly.
Wei lao furen had sent half a pound of gold thread as a gift. Naturally, the Gu fu had to go to the hou fu to pay respects and offer thanks.
Early that morning, Gu Jiu dressed neatly and, along with her sisters, followed Zhang shi and Xie shi to the hou fu.
Upon arrival, the servants led them straight to the Songhe Hall.
There, they all paid respects to Wei lao furen.
Wei lao furen loved liveliness, especially having young girls gathered around her, chatting and laughing.
She looked at Gu Jiu and her sisters with delight. “At last you’ve come. Sit, all of you, sit.”
Zhang shi smiled. “Lao furen, your niece-in-law misses you dearly. Last night, just thinking about coming to pay respects today, she was so excited she couldn’t sleep.”
Wei lao furen chuckled at her. “You look perfectly spirited to me. You’re just teasing me to make me laugh.”
Zhang shi smiled. “What I said is true.”
Wei lao furen laughed. “True or not, it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re here, I’m happy.”
Gu Jiu spoke up next. “The other day, when I received the two taels of gold thread you sent, I was overjoyed. Thank you for your kindness, lao furen.”
Gu Zhen and Gu Yue also stepped forward, bowed, and gave thanks.
Wei lao furen said warmly, “You’re all grown young ladies now, soon to be married off. Once you’re wives in other households, your days at your mother’s home will only get fewer. The things I can do for you will also be fewer. If a bit of gold thread can add some brightness to your weddings, then I’m content.”
“Lao furen loves the girls most of all, so much that she can hardly bear to see them leave. We all know this well,” Zhang shi quickly added.
Wei lao furen sighed. “Good girls, once married off, must face mothers-in-law above them, younger siblings-in-law below them, and must support their husbands, raise children, and bear all kinds of pressures. Life can never be as carefree as it is at their mother’s home.
“All along, I’ve said, girls only get a dozen or so free, happy years in their parents’ home. Once married, there’s no freedom left.
“That’s why we, as elders, must cherish our daughters more. We should prepare their dowries as richly as possible. Once married, with a generous dowry in hand, they’ll have more confidence. At the very least, if they want something to eat or drink, they can buy it with their own silver.”
“Lao furen is truly wise.”
“Lao furen genuinely thinks of the children’s well-being. I, as a daughter-in-law, feel ashamed in comparison,” Zhang shi said.
Gu Jiu and the other girls were touched by her words.
They weren’t married yet, but already they could feel how difficult marriage would be.
For dowry alone, Gu Yue had caused countless quarrels, and Xie shi had erupted in anger many times. Their lives at home were already a mess.
Everyone sat and continued chatting.
Then, Wei lao furen brought up the topic of the girls’ wedding dates.
“Mei yatou’s wedding was originally set for April, but because of the national mourning, it has been postponed to May 20. You must all come then for the wedding feast.”
“We certainly won’t miss Mei yatou’s wedding feast,” Zhang shi replied.
Gu Jiu gave Gu Mei a mischievous smile.
Gu Mei glared back at her.
Wei lao furen turned to Xie shi. “Has your Yue’er’s wedding date been set?”
At once, Xie shi straightened her back and replied respectfully, “It has been set, this August.”
Wei lao furen chuckled happily. “August is good. It won’t be hot by then. Poor Mei yatou, though, May is such a hot month, and she’ll have to wear those heavy wedding robes. What a hardship.”
Gu Mei kept her head down, her ears turning red.
Gu Jiu smiled at her again.
Wei shi said, “May is indeed a bit hot. There aren’t many auspicious days this year. If May is missed, the next chance is only after July. I’ve heard that the Ning wang’s son and the Xiao family’s guniang have their wedding scheduled for July.”
Wei lao furen nodded. “Yes, in July. Zhili’s wife, has Xiao Jiu and Gongzi Zhao’s wedding date been decided? Since he is the eldest di son, by right, he should marry before his younger brother.”
How would Xie shi have cared about Gu Jiu’s wedding date?
She opened her mouth, thought a moment, and said, “Xiao Jiu’s wedding date must be asked of laoye. This matter is not for this daughter-in-law to decide.”
Wei lao furen smiled. “I won’t make things difficult for you.”
“With lao furen’s understanding, no matter how hard, I can bear it,” Xie shi replied, sounding slightly emotional.
Wei lao furen said, “I know you’ve worked hard these years, managing both inside and out. Fortunately, your family has now all returned to the capital, and the children’s marriages are arranged one after another. In a few years, when Gu Cheng is married and Gu Gong grows up, you’ll finally be able to enjoy peace.”
Xie shi’s eyes moistened with emotion. “Thanks to lao furen’s blessings, I now only hope all the children may find good marriages.”
Wei lao furen smiled. “They surely will.”
Wei shi reminded, “Xiao Jiu and Gongzi Zhao’s marriage should also be settled soon.”
“That may be difficult,” Zhang shi said. “If they are to marry before the younger brother, it must be in May. But Xiao Jiu’s dowry isn’t ready yet.”
Wei lao furen frowned. “After all these years, you never thought to prepare the dowry ahead of time?”
Zhang shi turned to look at Xie shi.
Xie shi, who had just been emotional, now faced another problem.
She opened her mouth and said, “Xiao Jiu’s dowry, my laoye said from the beginning that he would assign people to handle it. Lao furen, it’s not that I’m neglectful, but truly I have no way to act.”
Wei lao furen said noncommittally, “Since Xiao Jiu’s dowry is unprepared, her marriage to Gongzi Zhao can only be later than the wedding of his younger brother and the Xiao family’s daughter.”
Wei shi said, “Would it have to be delayed until year’s end? By then, Xiao guniang will have already been married into the wang fu for half a year, and likely the wangfei will have entrusted her with managing the fu. When Xiao Jiu enters the wang fu then, won’t it be quite awkward?”
The awkwardness was obvious without explanation.
For Gu Jiu, as the eldest daughter-in-law, to be the last to enter, and still unable to manage household affairs, that would indeed be awkward.
Everyone looked worried.
Only Gu Yue felt secretly delighted. Serves her right!
Did Gu Jiu really think that marrying the Emperor’s grandson meant a carefree life? Just wait, her bitter days are yet to come.
Gu Yue lowered her head, hiding a quiet smile.
Xie shi too felt secretly pleased.
Because of Gu Jiu, she had swallowed so much frustration this past year. The more awkward Gu Jiu’s situation became after marrying into the wang fu, the happier she felt.
Wei lao furen comforted Gu Jiu. “Xiao Jiu, don’t worry. The old houye has already sent word to your father. I believe your father has plans in mind.”
Gu Jiu replied softly, “Thank you, lao furen. As for the wedding date, I will leave it entirely to Father to decide.”
Gu Jiu herself didn’t care about whether the marriage came sooner or later. In fact, she would prefer it to be delayed by two or three years.
In her heart, she truly did not want to marry so soon.
To marry Liu Zhao meant plunging straight into the vortex of the struggle for succession.
That was deadly!
In this life, she had sworn to live a long and healthy life; she had no desire to die early.
Wei lao furen laughed. “I like this unflappable demeanour of Xiao Jiu’s, calm and steady. Even if the wedding is delayed until year’s end, I won’t be too worried. With her ability, she may not necessarily lose to the girl from the Xiao family.”
Wei shi nodded, looking Gu Jiu up and down. “Lao furen is right. Xiao Jiu is clever and quick-witted. The affairs of the wang fu shouldn’t be too much for her.”
Gu Jiu’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly said she was unworthy.
Wei lao furen laughed heartily. “This child Xiao Jiu is just too modest. Don’t worry, once you marry into the wang fu, I will stand behind you.”
“Thank you, lao furen.”
Whether or not those words were sincere, Gu Jiu felt deeply moved.
Wei lao furen waved her hand. “Mei yatou, take your younger sisters to the side chamber and chat there. I know you all feel too constrained sitting here.”
“Yes, Grandmother,” Gu Mei replied obediently. “Sisters, let’s go to the side chamber.”
The girls rose and followed her.
Gu Jiu teased her, “Mei jiejie, your wedding is set for the fifth month. Congratulations! I’ll have to prepare a fine gift for you.”
Gu Mei pinched Gu Jiu’s soft cheek. “Don’t just talk about me. You and Gongzi Zhao haven’t even fixed a wedding date yet, aren’t you worried? You’ve met that Xiao guniang, haven’t you? A shrewd and formidable woman. Once she becomes your zhouli, you’ll have to be careful.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Gongzi Zhao hasn’t hurried to set a date, so he must have his reasons, or else he’s fully confident. Since he’s not worried about being outpaced by his brothers, why should I worry?”
“You certainly know how to take things lightly.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “I think lao furen is right: for us girls, our true days of freedom are while we’re still at our maiden home. By the looks of it, those days are running out fast. Why should I torment myself now over things that haven’t even happened?
“That Xiao guniang, the wedding date, they all belong to the future. When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally find its way across. Once I marry into the wang fu, I’ll deal with it then. No need to fret beforehand.”
Gu Mei smiled. “I knew Xiao Jiu’s thoughts would be different from others’. If it were me, I’d already have spent days worrying. Seeing you so open-minded, I’m at ease. Once you marry into the wang fu, with your temperament, you’ll surely carve out a comfortable life.”
Gu Jiu beamed sweetly. “Thank you for your kind words, Mei jiejie. If I can truly live at ease there, then this marriage won’t be such a bad bargain.”
Gu Mei chuckled. “Hush now, don’t speak nonsense. Someone might overhear.”
Gu Jiu nodded.
Just then, Gu Yue approached, smiling smugly. “Er jiejie, forgive me. My wedding is set before yours. I hope you won’t mind.”
Gu Jiu: Heh!
“Sorry to disappoint san meimei, but I truly don’t mind your wedding coming before mine.”
Gu Yue giggled sweetly. “I knew er jiejie would be so magnanimous. But you don’t know, our da jiejie is in quite a panic. She’s the eldest, yet her marriage hasn’t been settled. I heard she’s already embroidering her wedding gown. What if it’s finished but there’s no suitable match?”
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Yue with contempt at her petty triumph. “San meimei, would you dare say those words in front of da jiejie? Watch how she tears your mouth apart.”
Gu Yue’s expression changed at once, turning awkward. “I’m not talking to you anymore.”
She gave a huff and hurried away.
Gu Jiu let out a short laugh. Gu Yue was the type to stir up trouble, no, more like asking to be beaten.
Did she not realise the reason Gu Zhen’s marriage had been delayed was all because of her?
If she dared speak those mocking words in front of Gu Zhen, Gu Zhen would have no qualms about rolling up her sleeves and ripping her mouth apart.
After all her past ordeals, Gu Zhen had grown bolder and bolder.
In the past, she feared Gu Yue. Now, she didn’t put her in her eyes at all. If Gu Yue provoked her, she’d curse her out without hesitation.
Even Xie shi could hardly scold Gu Zhen for it, because Gu Yue was the one in the wrong, owing her too much.
So when the sisters quarrelled, Xie shi turned a blind eye, perhaps even secretly hoping Gu Yue would get the lesson she deserved.
Gu Mei, watching Gu Yue’s retreating back, whispered to Gu Jiu, “No wonder Zhen meimei resents her so much, Yue takes advantage yet still acts spoiled.”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “Gu Yue never knows when to stop. She always has to flaunt herself in front of us.”
Gu Mei laughed. “I can just imagine how arrogant she must have been in the Northwest; no doubt the rest of you together couldn’t match even her little finger.”
Gu Jiu nodded repeatedly. “Mei jiejie sees straight through it. Back then, even the four of us combined couldn’t compare to her. Taitai cherished her like the apple of her eye, holding her in the palm of her hand.”
“And now Xie shenniang doesn’t favour her the way she once did. Could it be because she’s dissatisfied with Yue meimei’s marriage?”
Gu Mei had guessed right again.
Gu Jiu gave a slight nod. “As soon as Gu Yue’s marriage was settled, taitai fell ill.”
The reason for that illness, no need to spell it out.
Gu Mei smiled knowingly. “It’s hard on you, Xiao Jiu.”
Gu Jiu waved it off. “Not on me, the hard part falls to si meimei.”
No matter who Gu Yue married, Gu Jiu herself couldn’t care less.
If Gu Yue wanted to show off, she had chosen the wrong person to provoke.
Just then, a maid entered the side chamber, whispering to Gu Mei, “Guniang, the Jia family has arrived.”
Gu Mei’s face changed slightly. “Did they say whom they wish to see?”
“The Jia family asked to see the eldest madam and da shaoye. The eldest madam has had them invited to wait in the Flower Hall.”
Gu Mei bit her lip and turned to Gu Jiu. “Xiao Jiu, I have to leave for a bit.”
“Go ahead, Mei jiejie.”
Gu Mei hurried off with the maid.
The Jia family’s sudden visit, who knew what for? Judging by Mei jiejie’s tense face, they wouldn’t be easy to dismiss.
Just as Gu Jiu was pondering the Jia family, Xiao Cui came rushing in.
She beckoned her over.
Xiao Cui ran up, breathless. “Guniang, something’s happened. Bai yiniang’s labour pains have begun; she’s about to give birth.”
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