Xiao Cui came running back to Zhilan Yuan, her face glowing with excitement.
“Guniang, good news!”
The weather was getting warmer. Gu Jiu was dressed in light spring clothes, reclining lazily on a soft couch.
The window was open, and a cool breeze drifted in, teasing the hair at her temples. She raised a hand and tucked the loose strands behind her ear.
In her hand was a volume of official history, already a third of the way read.
Xiao Cui’s voice was loud, and Qing Mei shushed her. “Keep it down, guniang is reading.”
Xiao Cui quickly lowered her voice, first whispering to Qing Mei: “Qing Mei jiejie, the wang fu has sent out invitations. Six days from now, the masters are to attend a banquet there.”
“Truly?”
Xiao Cui nodded heavily. “It’s absolutely true. The steward who delivered the invitations is still in the outer courtyard, being received by Steward Gu Quan.”
Qing Mei pressed further: “Does taitai know yet?”
“She already knows. I also heard the wang fu didn’t just invite taitai, but also da taitai.”
Qing Mei’s expression grew serious. “If the wang fu sends an invitation, it must be that the wangfei wants to look at our guniang.”
“But hasn’t guniang’s marriage with Gongzi Zhao already been arranged, even the date set? What’s there to look at?” Xiao Cui asked curiously.
Qing Mei gave her a glance. “You don’t understand. When a mother-in-law looks over her future daughter-in-law, it’s never that simple.”
She walked into the study and approached Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu turned a page and asked casually, “What were you two whispering about outside?”
Qing Mei crouched down and spoke softly: “To report, guniang, the wang fu has sent an invitation, six days from now.”
“Is that so?”
Qing Mei nodded, looking worried. “Nubi suspects that the wangfei wishes to meet you.”
“Then let her look. What are you worried about?”
“Nubi fears the wangfei may not be pleased with you.”
Gu Jiu closed her book. “I’m not gold or silver treasure; it’s impossible for everyone to like me. Whether the wangfei likes me or not, I must still marry Gongzi Zhao. Once the imperial decree is given, it cannot be changed.”
Of course, Gu Jiu wished it could be changed; she would rather not marry Liu Zhao. But she didn’t have that kind of power. For now, she was just an ordinary young woman of the Gu family, with very limited say in her own affairs.
She had once thought to rely on Gu daren’s influence to strengthen her voice within the family, carefully plotting for her marriage and her future.
Back in the Northwest, this had worked well enough.
But after returning to the capital, especially once her marriage to Liu Zhao was decreed, Gu daren, for reasons unknown, no longer called her to speak with him.
Over the past year, Gu Jiu had read through all manner of historical texts and even had Erzhuang gather news from the capital. She was well-informed, but had no outlet to use her knowledge.
And she had slowly realised that Gu daren’s views were quite old-fashioned. He did not believe “a woman’s ignorance is virtue,” but neither did he wish his daughter to involve herself too much in outside affairs.
Gradually, Gu Jiu gave up trying to prove her worth to him. He, in turn, showed little interest in her opinions.
Perhaps he simply thought that she was soon to marry, so there was no point in saying more.
No point in saying more, those four words summed it up.
The man she was to marry was an imperial grandson. If Ning wang fu prospered, the Gu family would bask in reflected glory. If it fell, Gu daren would be the first to cut ties.
No one knew who would ultimately ascend to the throne.
So for now, anything said was pointless.
Gu Jiu did not resent Heaven or Earth. She accepted her fate, biding her time quietly. She knew very well: her real stage would be the wang fu, the imperial clan, the palace, the court.
That would be her battlefield.
Until then, she intended to enjoy these last few months of unmarried freedom, living at ease as a bride-to-be, while gathering as much dowry as possible.
Qing Mei still fretted. “But if the wangfei dislikes you, once you marry into the wang fu, she could make life difficult. Just one word from her, and you might find it impossible to take even a single step.”
Gu Jiu laughed softly. “What are you trying to say, that I should curry favour with her?”
“If the wangfei were so easily pleased, that would be nice,” Qing Mei sighed.
Gu Jiu pinched Qing Mei’s cheek. “You think too much. From the day the marriage was decreed, it was already certain the wangfei would not like me. Why worry in vain?”
Qing Mei protested on her behalf. “But wangfei has never even met guniang! Why would she dislike you?”
Gu Jiu smiled. “You don’t need to meet someone to dislike them. In her eyes, my marrying Gongzi Zhao is nothing but shamelessly reaching above my station. Her natal family is Lu hou, her husband is Ning wang himself; they must look down from very high. How could she possibly think well of the daughter of a mere city prefect? Do you understand now?”
Qing Mei nodded at last. “It’s just… unfair to guniang.”
“I don’t feel it’s unfair.”
Gu Jiu’s eyes curved in a smile. Dressed in ivory-white silk, her face was fair and delicate, glowing with youth. Her long black hair fell smooth and glossy, inviting a touch.
Compared to a year ago, Gu Jiu had transformed completely.
The girl had grown taller, prettier, her figure now carrying curves, no longer the frail, sallow bean sprout of old.
Gu Jiu said, “Because of the betrothal decree, I received a dowry of forty thousand taels, twice as much as Gu Yue. Also, because of the decree, the servants in the fu treat me with respect, and my daily life has grown far more comfortable. And it is thanks to the decree that Father turns a blind eye to my opening shops outside.”
The pearl-flower shop Gu Jiu had set up through Erzhuang had, in the end, not escaped Gu daren’s notice.
But when he learned of it, he said nothing, merely pretended ignorance. In private, however, he told Gu Yu to keep an eye on her.
That was how Gu Jiu herself learned the truth. Someone must have let something slip for Father to know.
Though Erzhuang wasn’t a servant of the household, many of the older retainers recognised him. Once word spread that he had opened a pearl-flower shop in the capital, it didn’t take much asking around to know who stood behind it.
Luckily, the matter had not yet reached Xie shi’s ears, or else another storm would have been stirred, robbing them all of peace.
Qing Mei hesitated, then asked, “Does guniang truly think this way?”
Gu Jiu nodded solemnly. “If you think it through, this marriage isn’t exactly good, but it isn’t bad either.
“The forty thousand taels of dowry, though only a few thousand are in silver, with the rest being land deeds and shop titles, still give me capital. With that, I can do so many, many things. Far better than the meagre dozens of taels I earn each month now.
“The jewellery shop I spoke of before, once I have my dowry in hand, I’ll be able to open it.”
Qing Mei suddenly burst into laughter. “Let me bring guniang some good news. Last month Erzhuang’s business did especially well. After deducting expenses, he sent over one hundred and twenty taels of profit.”
“Ah!” Gu Jiu brightened with delight. “At last! After months of opening, the profits have finally broken into three digits.”
“Erzhuang also said there’s no need to reinvest for expansion this month. By next month, the profits will be even greater.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Who would have thought? Such an unremarkable pearl-flower business could still bring in over a hundred taels a month.”
The past few months, Erzhuang had had to set aside part of the earnings to expand the business and keep up connections, treating yamen runners to tea and wine and so forth.
So the profits Gu Jiu received had been small, only thirty or forty taels.
Yet even thirty or forty taels was equal to more than half a year’s stipend. It gave her much more breathing room and let her reward her servants without feeling the pinch.
Now that Jumeizhai was running smoothly, expenses had lessened. From now on, Erzhuang could send her more than a hundred taels each month.
A hundred taels might not look like much, but bit by bit, that was more than a thousand taels a year.
Plenty of shops in the capital that looked prosperous on the outside earned no more than a few thousand taels a year. Jumeizhai might seem unimpressive, but it was a profitable trade indeed, and one worth continuing for the long term.
Its name was already established. Now any guniang or wealthy wife with means considered Jumeizhai the place to buy. Even if its goods cost more than elsewhere, customers were happy to pay, for beauty, for exclusivity, for the face it gave them.
Qing Mei asked, “Does guniang intend to run a very large business in the future?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Yes! I want to run a very, very large business. I want to become a little rich lady.”
Qing Mei chuckled. “By your own words, this is called an obsession. You have a strong obsession with being a little rich lady.”
Gu Jiu couldn’t refute her, because it was true.
In her previous life, she had never known poverty, never once worried over money.
But in this life, from the moment she crossed over, she had nothing, so poor that she felt guilty even facing herself.
Money is a person’s courage. Without money, one lacks confidence.
So she had been forced to use certain means to gain her very first seed capital.
From then on, she developed this obsession with becoming a little rich lady. It was as if she had contracted some “No Money, Very Uncomfortable Syndrome”, and in a severe form.
The forty thousand taels of dowry would greatly improve her situation.
With a few thousand taels of silver at hand, she could finally set her many money-making plans in motion ahead of schedule.
By then, she would be able to throw silver in Liu Zhao’s face and say, See? This grandaunt has more money than you. Now kneel down and sing ‘Conquer’!
[T/N: 跪地唱征服 (“kneel and sing Conquer”) refers to Na Ying’s hit breakup ballad Conquer (2000), known for its raw, dramatic delivery. Online, netizens exaggerate “singing Conquer on one’s knees” to humorously signal utter defeat or overwhelming awe.]
At the thought, Gu Jiu burst out laughing by herself.
No, kneeling to sing wasn’t enough. He’d better kneel on an abacus. Or a washboard.
In her heart, she laughed and laughed, as if she had already reached the pinnacle of life.
“Guniang truly is a little money-grubber. The moment money comes up, you smile so wide your teeth show.” Qing Mei teased her.
Gu Jiu grinned. “Since you know I’m a money-grubber, hurry and bring me the account book. I’ll calculate it myself.”
Qing Mei replied, “I already prepared it for you.”
She set the account book on the desk. Gu Jiu picked up the abacus and began clicking away.
Seeing more than a hundred taels added to the accounts made her overjoyed.
Added to the thousand taels Liu Zhao had given her in the palace, of which she still had a few hundred left, she now counted herself a little wealthy woman indeed. Richer than all her sisters.
The feeling of having money was wonderful. Even the air smelled sweet. Even Xie shi seemed less hateful.
…
Early in the morning, Gu Jiu went to the Furong Yuan to pay her respects. At the entrance, she ran into Gu Yue.
Gu Yue’s face was dark and gloomy, clearly upset with someone.
Gu Zhen called out, “Oh my, san meimei, who are you scowling at like that?”
Gu Yue snorted. “None of your business.”
With that, she turned her head away and walked into Furong Yuan.
Gu Zhen spat lightly in annoyance, her dislike for Gu Yue only growing stronger.
She said to Gu Jiu, “Er meimei, can you guess why san meimei is so angry?”
Gu Jiu’s heart stirred, and she asked, “Could it be that da jiejie already knows?”
Gu Zhen smiled mysteriously. “Yesterday, I saw with my own eyes how san meimei went into Furong Yuan all happy and cheerful. But before a stick of incense could burn out, she came back out looking stormy, like someone owed her hundreds of taels of silver and refused to pay her back.”
Gu Jiu raised a brow. “So the reason is taitai?”
Gu Zhen nodded, lowering her voice. “Ninety percent sure it’s because of taitai. But the exact details I didn’t manage to find out. Er meimei is clever, why don’t you have Xiao Cui ask around?”
Gu Jiu gave her a half-smile. “Da jiejie jests. I don’t have any such clever tricks. Come, let’s go inside. We shouldn’t keep taitai waiting.”
She took the lead into Furong Yuan.
Inside the main hall, they saw Gu Yue and Gu Shan glaring daggers at each other.
Gu Yue was full of resentment, while Gu Shan looked completely baffled, not knowing how she had offended Gu Yue.
Just as the tension built, Xie shi entered.
Gu Yue immediately composed herself, lowering her gaze and acting obedient and demure.
Gu Jiu secretly nodded. In the past few months, Gu Yue’s patience had improved a lot. She really had made progress, serious progress. No longer did she scream and shout at the slightest provocation like some crazed shrew.
Xie shi cleared her throat lightly. “The wang fu has sent an invitation. You all know about it. Five days from now, you will accompany me to the banquet at the wang fu.
“You all understand the rules, but I’ll remind you once more, do not embarrass me. Don’t throw tantrums, don’t offend anyone. Each of you is either already engaged or about to be. If you make a mistake in the wang fu and bring shame upon us, you know the consequences. If it ruins your marriage prospects, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“We will remember taitai’s teachings.”
Xie shi nodded in satisfaction; today, she was in a good mood.
She recalled Zhang shi’s earlier admonition, which had awakened her. She could not allow herself to lose her temper so easily, age prematurely, and let Bai yiniang reap the benefits.
In the past few months, Xie shi had been taking medicinal tonics to nourish her health while also making a conscious effort to restrain her temper.
Even when Bai yiniang bore a son, she had swallowed her anger and endured it.
In just a few short months, the results were evident.
Her expression now appeared gentler, her tone of voice softer than before. Her vitality seemed better as well, and with careful maintenance, she looked three or four years younger than her actual age.
Xie shi looked at Gu Zhen. “Zhen yatou, today the Xu family will be coming over. Be prepared. You mustn’t embarrass yourself in front of the guests.”
Gu Zhen’s face grew solemn, and she nodded firmly. “Thank you for the reminder, taitai. I understand.”
The Xu family was the household of Zhang shi’s younger sister.
Xu-Zhang shi had chosen Gu Zhen as a match for her stepson, and today they would come to visit.
Whether Gu Zhen’s marriage would succeed or not depended on this day.
Xie shi then turned to Gu Yue. “Yue’er, you will stay by my side today. Don’t wander around.”
Gu Yue opened her mouth as if to retort, but in the end obediently nodded. “I will listen to Mother.”
Xie shi nodded, satisfied. “Good.”
Gu Zhen secretly shot Gu Yue a sharp look. The grudge between them, she remembered clearly.
Last time, Gu Yue had sabotaged her marriage prospects.
This time, no matter what, she would not let Gu Yue succeed.
If Gu Yue so much as made a suspicious move, Gu Zhen swore she would slap her across the face on the spot.
Xie shi said, “Enough. All of you come with me to the council hall.”
Everyone rose and followed her out of Furong Yuan.
At the back of the group, Gu Lin looked troubled, her face full of worry.
Gu Jiu asked her, “Wu meimei, what’s wrong?”
Gu Lin said worriedly, “Yiniang’s body still hasn’t recovered, and didi is sick again.”
Bai yiniang’s son was the eleventh among the brothers.
Perhaps because he had been deprived of oxygen in the womb during birth, his constitution was weak and sickly.
Before he even learned to eat solid food, he was already on medicine.
Every few days, they had to summon a doctor.
Bai yiniang had exhausted herself caring for him, neglecting her own recovery.
It was said that her health had not improved much and that she was still extremely frail. She even refused to let Gu daren visit her, claiming she didn’t want him to see her in such an unbecoming state.
When this reached Xie shi’s ears, she scolded, “Pretentious nonsense!”
Gu Zhen asked Gu Lin, “Wasn’t Eleventh Brother getting better recently? Why is he sick again?”
Gu Lin bowed her head, frowning. “Perhaps because the weather has been so erratic. He caught a chill and fell ill again.”
Gu Zhen sighed. “Eleventh Brother really is frail, almost as weak as er meimei was as a child.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Da jiejie, was I really that weak when I was little?”
Gu Zhen nodded. “Even weaker than Eleventh Brother. Honestly, the fact that you survived and grew up safely is nothing short of a miracle. Every time you were gravely ill, everyone thought you wouldn’t make it, yet somehow you always pulled through at the last moment.”
Gu Jiu pressed her lips into a smile. “That’s what they call ‘a narrow escape brings future blessings.’”
Gu Zhen nodded. “That’s true enough.”
Which was why er meimei could marry the Imperial grandson, surely a blessing after surviving so many hardships.
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