Hu yiniang leaned closer to Gu Zhen. “Two thousand taels of silver as the bottom-of-the-chest money, wouldn’t that be too much?” she voiced her objection.
Gu Jiu explained, “I was thinking that if da jiejie has more silver on her, she’ll have more confidence. Once da jiefu goes north to take up his new post, if da jiejie wants something to eat or drink, she can just spend a little silver and ask the kitchen to make it. And if she acts more generously in the Xu family, she’ll get familiar with everyone faster and secure her position.”
Gu Zhen nodded quietly, thinking to herself that her er meimei had indeed thought things through thoroughly.
But Hu yiniang said, “If you set aside two thousand taels for the chest money, then there’s only six thousand left for the dowry. When the dowry is displayed on the wedding day, won’t it look too meagre and let the Xu family laugh at us?”
Gu Jiu reassured her: “Don’t worry, Hu yiniang. Father already said that all of the Xu family’s betrothal gifts will go toward supplementing da jiejie’s dowry. I estimate the Xu family will give at least two thousand taels’ worth. With that added, preparing sixty sets of dowry items won’t be a problem.”
Hu yiniang still looked doubtful.
Gu Zhen, however, said firmly, “Er meimei’s idea is very good. Let’s do it this way. But let’s cut back on some of the silks and prepare more cotton cloth.”
“Why is that?” asked Hu yiniang.
Gu Zhen lowered her head, her ears turning red.
When pressed several times, she finally murmured in a mosquito-like voice, “With more cotton cloth prepared, once I have children, I can make clothes for them.”
Hu yiniang was surprised. In her mind, this child had never really grown up, yet here she was, thinking further ahead than she had.
Gu Zhen’s face burned crimson, so shy and embarrassed she couldn’t lift her head.
Gu Jiu laughed. “Da jiejie really is thoughtful. I didn’t think of that myself.”
She picked up her brush and amended the list.
Then Gu Jiu said, “As for the furniture, da jiejie will have to bear with it. Because of the tight schedule, there’s no time to make brand new pieces. I’ve discussed with Father: the furniture in your room is in the latest style anyway, so why not invite the lacquer craftsman to come and repaint them, and include them as part of the dowry? What does da jiejie think?”
Hu yiniang frowned first.
But Gu Zhen nodded readily. “With only two months to prepare sixty dowry sets, it’s already difficult. Er meimei’s solution for the furniture is very good. Besides, I’m fond of the furniture in my room; it’s what I’m used to. Taking them to the Xu family will feel more comfortable.”
“It’s still a grievance for you,” Hu yiniang said.
Gu Zhen smiled. “I don’t feel wronged. I used to worry no one would handle my dowry. Now with er meimei helping, I feel nothing but joy. I trust her, whatever silver there is, she’ll make the most of it. That’s far better than taitai.”
If eight thousand taels for the dowry were handed to Xie shi, who knew whether even six thousand would remain. But in Gu Jiu’s hands, every coin would go straight into preparing her dowry; there’d be no fear of embezzlement.
Gu Jiu said solemnly, “Thank you for trusting me, da jiejie. I won’t let you down.”
“It’s I who should thank you. Without you, my dowry wouldn’t even be in sight yet.”
“There’s no need to say that. I’ll copy out another list so we can review it together and see if anything needs changing.”
While Gu Jiu was busy handling Gu Zhen’s dowry, over in the outer study, the air was tense, almost frozen.
The moment Xie shi learned that Gu daren had appointed Gu Jiu to oversee Gu Zhen’s dowry, she was so enraged she nearly grabbed a knife to cut him down.
It was a slap in the face! A sharp, resounding slap, right in front of everyone.
Her face flushed red as she glared at Gu daren with hatred.
But Gu daren said expressionlessly, “I have already decided this matter. There will be no change. You focus on preparing san yatou’s dowry. As for Zhen yatou’s dowry, you need not concern yourself.”
Xie shi sneered bitterly. What a cruel man. Once a man turned against you, he could be so utterly heartless.
Caught in the middle, Gu Cheng felt very awkward.
After some thought, he spoke up: “Father, please at least give Mother some dignity.”
Gu daren’s tone was heavy with disapproval. “The inner residence is none of your concern. Go back and study.”
Gu Cheng sighed inwardly and quickly came up with an idea. “Then… why not have Mother claim illness? That way er meimei will have a proper reason to step in and handle da meimei’s dowry. Mother won’t be embarrassed that way either.”
“Why should I?” Xie shi protested angrily.
Gu Cheng replied honestly, “It’s for the sake of Mother’s reputation.”
Xie shi snorted. “If only your father would change his mind, my face would still be intact. But as mistress of the second branch, if I cannot even oversee a shu-born girl’s dowry, and this spreads outside, how can I have any authority in front of the servants?”
Gu daren’s voice was cold. “You brought this upon yourself.”
Xie shi seized a teacup, about to hurl it at him.
Gu Cheng, quick on his feet, hurriedly stopped her.
Gu daren roared in fury: “Get out! I don’t want to see you right now.”
Xie shi shook with rage, still struggling to rush forward and scratch at his face.
Gu Cheng forcefully pulled her away from the study.
She resisted, screaming, “Unfilial son, let go of me! You worthless thing, whose side are you on? Do you still acknowledge me as your mother?”
Gu Cheng ignored her scolding, dragging her away with all his strength.
The servants dared not step forward. His expression was so dark it was like the calm before a storm.
Only after dragging her back to Furong Yuan did Gu Cheng finally release her.
The moment Xie shi was free, she sprang up and slapped him across the face.
Smack!
“You wretch! Do you still see me as your mother?”
Gu Cheng stood still, silently taking the blow.
Then he asked coldly, “Has Mother vented her anger?”
“You unfilial son, get out!” she shouted.
Gu Cheng drew in a deep breath and said calmly, “Mother blames me for pulling you away, but even if I could do it over again, I would still make the same choice.”
This time, Xie shi hurled a teacup at his head.
Gu Cheng dodged, then turned to the servants and ordered, “Clear away all the teapots, teacups, and anything breakable.”
Xie shi’s face twisted. “How dare you!”
Gu Cheng’s expression was taut, his voice cold as he ordered the servants: “Why are you still standing there? Move.”
The servants shuddered in unison. Ignoring Xie shi’s protests, they hurried to clear the room of anything fragile.
“You’ve turned against me!” Xie shi raged. “You dare meddle in my affairs? Do you have no conscience at all? I am your own mother, and yet you treat me like this, you unfilial son!”
Gu Cheng’s tone was frosty. “If Mother blames me, I can accept that. But even if everything were to happen again, I would still drag you away.
“Because… it is plain that Father is furious and already harbouring resentment toward Mother. At a time like this, the more you speak, the more wrong you will be. No matter what you say, it will only be wrong.
“What Mother must do now is stay calm and, for the time being, avoid seeing Father. As for Father, I will try to reason with him.”
Xie shi gave a cold, bitter laugh. “I am old and my looks have faded; of course your father despises me.”
“Mother, you judge Father too harshly. I believe the true root of all this lies with the Xie family.”
Xie shi started, caught off guard. “Your father once swore he did not blame me. And I’ve already cut ties with the Xie family long ago. What more does he expect? Must I die to appease him?”
Gu Cheng pressed his lips together, his face solemn. “After all that da jiujiu did to Father, do you really think he has forgotten? That he could bear no grudge at all?”
Xie shi’s face turned pale.
Gu Cheng pressed further, driving the knife deeper: “In the end, the root of it all still lies with Mother. Father is not a magnanimous man.”
Not a magnanimous man, that one phrase laid everything bare.
Xie shi laughed, but the sound was bitter. “You’re right. Your father is indeed no magnanimous man. I was the foolish one to believe storms could truly pass and skies could clear. Ha… ha…”
Her laughter was laced with grief and sorrow.
She tilted her head back, refusing to let the tears fall. “He has not locked me away in the small Buddha hall only for the sake of you brothers. He did not wish you to bear the shame of having an imprisoned mother. For that, I suppose I should be grateful.”
Gu Cheng opened his mouth, wanting to comfort her, but he didn’t know where to begin.
At last, he said softly, “Mother, try to think more openly. Since ties with the Xie family have already been cut, then let them be cut clean. One day, when your son makes something of himself, I will honour you.”
Xie shi gave a self-mocking smile.
From how forcefully Gu Cheng had just dragged her away, she had little hope of ever being truly honoured by him.
She waved her hand. “I’m tired. You may go.”
Gu Cheng hesitated, then asked, “Mother, will you attend the banquet at the wang fu the day after tomorrow?”
“If you let me go, I’ll go.”
Gu Cheng’s face was full of helplessness. “Then your son takes his leave.”
Leaving Furong Yuan, he looked up at the sky. The sun was sinking, another day almost over.
A mixture of melancholy, helplessness, and uncertainty weighed on him.
When his eighth brother, Gu Gong, came up to scold him for “taking sides against his own mother,” Gu Cheng’s anger boiled over. He slapped Gu Gong hard across the face.
Gu Gong was stunned.
Gu Cheng scolded him, “You throw tantrums without thinking of time or place! Do you think you can comment on the quarrels between Father and Mother as you please? Get back to your studies and grow some sense!”
Humiliated and furious, Gu Gong didn’t even step into Furong Yuan, he stormed off in a rage.
Gu Cheng sighed, and walked, and walked… until he found himself at Zhilan Yuan.
He hesitated, then knocked on the gate.
At the sight of him, maid Xiao Cui looked as if she’d seen a ghost. She was struck dumb, then spun around and bolted.
“Guniang, guniang, disaster! Liu shaoye is here!”
Gu Jiu couldn’t help laughing. “What disaster? Don’t spout nonsense. Qing Mei, please go invite liu ge in.”
Qing Mei smiled, went out, and welcomed Gu Cheng.
Xiao Cui felt utterly mortified, sticking out her tongue in embarrassment.
Gu Cheng was led into the study. “Forgive me for disturbing er meimei’s rest.”
“Liu ge, please sit. I happen to be free. Would you like tea or chilled sour plum soup?”
Gu Cheng replied, “The sour plum soup.”
What he needed most now was a cup of something cold and refreshing to clear his head.
Once he’d downed the sour plum soup, his face looked a shade more normal.
He set down the cup and sighed. “I must look ridiculous to er meimei.”
“There’s no need for such words, liu ge.” Gu Jiu spoke politely.
Still, she was bewildered. Why had Gu Cheng come to her?
Surely they weren’t close enough siblings to be sharing confidences, were they?
Probably not.
After a long silence, Gu Cheng finally said, “Taitai has been in a foul temper lately. I hope er meimei can be patient with her.”
Gu Jiu understood immediately. “Because I’ve been handling da jiejie’s dowry, taitai must be furious.”
Gu Cheng nodded, not denying it. “Yes. I tried persuading her to feign illness, so that everyone could save face, but she refused.”
Gu Jiu said casually, “Taitai has a strong character. At such a time, it’s only natural she wouldn’t pretend to be ill.”
Gu Cheng said, “I’ve already done my best.”
Gu Jiu toyed with her teacup and, after some thought, said, “A man’s nature is hard to change. For someone with such a forceful temperament, it’s not a matter of us doing our best; it won’t change them. Liu ge, instead of hoping taitai will change her mind, you’d do better to think of another solution.”
Gu Cheng frowned. “What solution?”
Gu Jiu said softly, “Draw the firewood from under the cauldron.”
Gu Cheng’s frown deepened. After only a moment’s thought, he understood what Gu Jiu meant.
This “removing the firewood from under the cauldron” meant that either he or Gu Ting should hurry up and take a wife. Once a young mistress entered the household, with some careful manoeuvring, she could replace Xie shi in managing household affairs.
If Xie shi no longer controlled the accounts and the fu, she couldn’t stir up any trouble.
And if a strong-minded young mistress were brought in, as long as Gu Cheng held firm, perhaps she could even suppress Xie shi’s overbearing arrogance.
Gu Cheng couldn’t help but start pondering the matter.
Gu Jiu lowered her head with a small smile, praising herself; she really was a filial daughter. To keep her father from falling into Xie shi’s trap, she was actively urging Gu Cheng to pull the firewood from under the cauldron.
Her father preparing a dowry of forty thousand taels for her was, indeed, worthwhile.
Gu Cheng seemed to have thought it through. He thanked her solemnly: “This conversation with er meimei has benefited me greatly. Thank you, er meimei.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “As long as liu ge doesn’t blame me.”
“How could I! I know you truly have my interests at heart.”
Gu Cheng was especially sincere.
Gu Jiu gave him a sincere smile in return.
After Gu Cheng took his leave, Gu Jiu personally saw him to the door.
Once he was gone, she returned to her room to rest.
Qing Mei attended her washing and remarked casually: “Liu shaoye must have suffered some grievance at taitai’s place.”
Gu Jiu said, “He’s taitai’s own son. A little suffering is only proper.”
Qing Mei grumbled, “Laoye and taitai are quarrelling so fiercely, I wonder how it will end.”
Gu Jiu sneered, “How else? After a few days, once no one talks of it anymore, it’ll all blow over. Do you think taitai will bow to laoye? Or that laoye will bow to taitai?”
Qing Mei said, “Of course laoye would never bow to taitai. But as for taitai, perhaps it’s possible.”
Gu Jiu changed into a cotton under-robe and lay comfortably on her bed.
“In the past, when they were affectionate, taitai might have softened herself a little, lowered her pride. But now the mask is torn off between them. With her son at her side, she feels full of confidence. I’d wager she won’t yield.”
Qing Mei asked, “Then will they just keep locked in stalemate?”
Gu Jiu drank a sip of plain water and said, “Of course not forever. Just wait, you may find things change soon enough.”
That very night, Gu laoyezi, who hadn’t shown himself in a long time, came to find Gu daren, carrying a wine jug.
He pointed at Gu daren’s nose and cursed, “Idiot! After all these years, you’ve finally done something right!”
Gu daren’s face went dark. At his age, as the dignified Prefect of the capital, to be cursed to his face as an idiot, he had lost all dignity.
“It’s late, Father. Please go back.”
Gu laoyezi gave a cold laugh. “I won’t go!”
Gu daren frowned. “What is it you mean to do, Father?”
Gu laoyezi roared, “What do I mean? Isn’t it obvious? This is a rare chance; why not seize it to divorce Xie shi and take another wife? I’ll personally choose for you, a noble young lady of fine lineage.”
Gu daren’s face was iron-blue. “Nonsense! Father, don’t speak again of divorce.”
Gu laoyezi’s eyes widened. “Idiot! You still pine for Xie shi even now? That woman is nothing but a house-wrecker. Can’t you see it? Are you blind?”
Gu daren was furious. “However bad Xie shi is, she’s still the mother of four children. Divorce sounds easy, but once she’s cast aside, how will Gu Cheng and Gu Gong establish themselves in officialdom? How will Gu Yue and Gu Shan stand in their husbands’ households? Father, don’t meddle in my affairs. I have my own judgment.”
Gu laoyezi jabbed a finger at his son’s nose and cursed, “Idiot, idiot, an entire family of idiots! Can’t you think of a way to make Xie shi die suddenly? Must you keep her around to stir trouble?”
Gu daren’s face turned pitch black. “Father, what sort of son do you think I am? A murderer? Utterly absurd! And you wish to drive a wedge between me and my children? I tell you, never.”
Gu laoyezi was so enraged that he smashed the wine jug. “Idiot! Like a summer insect that cannot comprehend ice, you’ll regret this one day.”
With that, he stormed off, seething.
How had he ever sired such a stupid son?
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