The wang fu was hosting a banquet.
Early in the morning, Gu Jiu arrived at the second gate, ready to depart.
Xie shi also came, looking full of vigour.
Her gaze swept past, sharp as a blade, piercing into Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu raised her brows and smiled faintly. Has Xie shi recovered so quickly?
Her appearance surprised quite a few people.
Zhang shi teased, “So dimei isn’t ill? The servants said you were sick and couldn’t attend the banquet today.”
Xie shi smiled and replied, “Thank you for your concern, dasao. My illness came swiftly, and left just as swiftly.”
“Oh!”
Zhang shi looked meaningfully at her. “Since dimei isn’t ill, let’s get on the carriages and set out. Better to arrive early than late.”
“Dasao is right.”
Everyone boarded the carriages, passed through the second gate, and joined the men of the fu before heading for the wang fu.
At this banquet, the wang fu had invited all members of the Gu family.
Everyone thought they should give Gu Jiu face and support her presence. So, as long as they were free today, they all came.
Even Gu Ting rushed back from the military camp.
Riding a horse, he followed beside Gu Jiu’s carriage.
He seized the chance to speak with her.
“Meimei, once we’re at the wang fu, I’ll keep an eye on Gongzi Zhao, see what kind of man he is. If he’s a worthless scoundrel, I’ll give him a good beating.”
Gu Jiu pressed her forehead and gazed speechlessly at the sky.
My foolish brother… how could you ever be a match for the emperor’s grandsons, who have received the finest education in the realm, let alone someone as cunning as Liu Zhao, sly as a fox?
Afraid Gu Ting might suffer losses, she had to warn him: “Gege, you absolutely mustn’t act recklessly, and especially don’t use force. This is the wang fu, not some relative’s house. If you raise a hand here, things won’t end well. It might even alarm His Majesty himself.”
Gu Ting secretly clicked his tongue. It could even reach the Emperor?
“In that case, I won’t use force. I’ll just watch him closely, see how he speaks and behaves. If he’s no good, I’ll tell you, and you can be on guard against him.”
Gu Jiu gave him a sweet smile. “Thank you, gege. Are you getting used to life in the barracks?”
Gu Ting had only returned last night, and Gu Jiu hadn’t had a chance to talk to him before.
He grinned, patting his chest. “Look, meimei, am I not sturdier now? Truly, the army is where I belong. If only I’d joined earlier, you wouldn’t have had to worry about me all the time.”
Then he shook his head and corrected himself. “No, that wouldn’t do. A few years ago, your health wasn’t good, and you had no one close at hand. If I hadn’t been at home, who knows how much bullying you would have suffered from them? Joining the army this year is just right. Now I no longer worry about you being pushed around.”
Gu Jiu’s heart was moved. Her gaze toward Gu Ting sparkled with the brightest light.
“I knew gege cherished me most. Do well in the barracks and strive for achievements. Tonight, I’ll check you over and prepare a few medicine packets for you; they’ll help ease your body and aid faster recovery.”
Gu Ting’s joy overflowed. “Truly? Such medicine packets exist? Then make me a few more, meimei. I’m earning money now, too. If you’re short of silver, I’ll make up the difference.”
Gu Jiu smiled, lips curved. “You’d better save your meagre silver. Have you forgotten about Erzhuang?”
Only then did Gu Ting realise, his sister was hardly lacking in wealth; she was far richer than him.
He chuckled sheepishly. “Then I won’t be polite. I’ll let meimei spend for me.”
“No matter! Spending for gege makes me happy.”
Hearing this, Gu Ting grinned from ear to ear, full of pride. No sister in the world could compare to his, capable, beautiful and considerate.
That Gongzi Zhao truly had sharp eyes to have chosen his sister.
So he must keep both eyes wide open and scrutinise Gongzi Zhao carefully.
If the man proved unworthy, then even if he couldn’t strike inside the wang fu, someday he’d find a chance to give him a good beating.
At worst, after thrashing him, he’d just head off to the northwest to fight in the wars.
The wang fu soon loomed before them.
Many carriages were parked at the gates.
Gu Ting spurred his horse to the entrance to ask about the situation, then returned to the side of Gu Jiu’s carriage. “There’s a jam. Too many people came today. Many imperial kinsmen are attending. Did the hou fu receive an invitation?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “No, the hou fu wasn’t invited.”
When sending out invitations, Ning wang fu had shown discretion. Knowing full well the high nobility wouldn’t show them favour, they didn’t invite them and risk humiliation.
The nobles were all avoiding suspicion; Ning wang fu also had no wish to draw trouble and attract the Emperor’s doubts.
Yet even without the nobles, the banquet was still crowded with guests.
Gu Jiu lifted the curtain, glancing at the wang fu’s gates. The insignias on the carriages were all unfamiliar.
Qing Mei whispered, “So many people came to Ning wang fu’s banquet. Surely the wangfei won’t make things difficult for you, miss?”
Gu Jiu gave a soft laugh. “Don’t think too kindly of the imperial family. Do you know who is the least bound by rules in this world?”
Qing Mei ventured, “Criminals?”
Gu Jiu shook her head.
Qing Zhu tried, “Soldiers?”
Gu Jiu still shook her head.
The two maids shook their heads together. “We cannot guess.”
Gu Jiu pointed toward the wang fu gates. “Them. The members of the imperial family are the ones who disregard rules the most.
“We often speak of fatherly kindness and filial sons, brotherly love and harmony, family unity, that killing is a crime, but in the imperial clan, all of that is nothing more than a joke.
“When members of the imperial clan grow ruthless, so-called bonds of father and son, or of brothers, all the principles of kinship and morality, become nothing but decoration. Killing a brother or murdering one’s own father is treated as nothing unusual.
“Most emperors who are remembered in history ascended to their thrones by stepping over the corpses of their own blood relatives.”
Seeing that her words had stunned the two maids, Gu Jiu gave a soft laugh. “So, don’t place too many rosy expectations on Ning wangfei. If instead you imagine her in the worst possible light, you’ll be able to handle things more calmly.”
Qing Mei and Qing Zhu both looked tense, clearly frightened by Gu Jiu’s words.
Gu Jiu smiled again, her voice light. “What are you afraid of? I only said to assume the worst of Ning wangfei; it doesn’t mean she’s truly that terrible.”
“Nubi is feeling very panicked right now,” Qing Mei said, patting her chest.
Qing Zhu nodded in agreement; she was also flustered.
Gu Jiu pinched both maids lightly on the cheeks. “I’m not panicking, so why are you? Once we reach the wang fu, just follow my lead.”
The carriage finally started moving, entering the wang fu through the side gate, and stopped at the second courtyard.
The pozi came forward to receive them. Upon hearing that they were from the Gu fu, they gave the Gu young ladies a good look-over, trying to guess which one was Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu stood out immediately, not only for her height and beauty, but also for her commanding presence.
The pozi nodded inwardly. Regardless of her family background, this Gu Jiu carried herself with striking poise.
They led the Gu womenfolk toward Chunhe Hall.
“Wangfei niangniang is currently in the main hall speaking with Zhao wangfei, Yan wangfei, and several imperial daughters-in-law. You’ve arrived at just the right time.”
At this, Zhang shi immediately braced herself for the difficult social battle to come.
Xie shi, however, grew flustered inside. With all the wangfei present, a single misstep could not only make them a laughingstock but also deeply offend someone. She pressed her lips tightly together, her expression grave.
She glanced at Gu Jiu, her feelings complicated.
Even she felt daunted standing in a wang fu; could Gu Jiu really manage after marrying in? What if she not only embarrassed herself but also shamed the entire Gu family?
They walked through winding corridors until finally reaching Chunhe Hall.
Even before stepping inside, laughter spilt out from the main hall.
A maid went in to announce their arrival.
Zhang shi took the chance to quietly remind Gu Jiu: “Xiao Jiu, when you meet the wangfei, just follow the proper etiquette. Don’t be afraid.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Thank you for the reminder, da bomu. I understand.”
Zhang shi also warned Gu Yue and the others: speak as little as possible, better yet, don’t speak at all.
Gu Yue wore a stony, expressionless face. Since leaving home that morning, she had not uttered a single word.
No one could figure out what was wrong with her, why she had suddenly turned into a tight-lipped gourd; it was very odd.
Xie shi was far too preoccupied with her own worries to spare any thought for Gu Yue. She simply assumed Gu Yue had grown up and become sensible.
The maid returned from inside. “Wangfei niangniang invites you all in.”
“Many thanks.”
Zhang shi personally handed the maid a pouch of silver.
The maid accepted it with a smile and a nod, but said nothing more.
The women of the Gu family straightened themselves and walked into the main hall.
The hall was full of people, all dressed in resplendent silks, dripping with wealth and luxury.
As the women of the Gu family entered, everyone turned their eyes toward them, searching for Gu Jiu among the group.
Zhang shi led them forward to pay respects to Ning wangfei.
“No need for formalities! Which one is Gu Jiu?”
Ning wangfei, Pei shi, was direct to the point. She dispensed with pleasantries; of course, she had the rank to do so.
Gu Jiu stepped forward from among the crowd, standing at the front. “Chennü, Gu Jiu, pays respects to wangfei niangniang.”
Ning wangfei’s expression was cold. “Raise your head and let benwangfei take a look.”
Gu Jiu slowly lifted her head, using the chance to study Pei shi in return.
An oval face, fair skin, well-maintained, she looked no older than thirty or so.
Gu Jiu did not fear her. Compared to the late Empress, Ning wangfei was lacking in every respect.
Nor was Gu Jiu worried that an ill-tempered Ning wangfei might casually take her life. Thus, she was able to appear calm.
Pei shi said evenly, “Quite a pretty face. No wonder Zhao’er took a liking to you. I hear you studied at the hou fu’s private school, a pupil of Master Luo?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Yes, niangniang. Chennü was indeed taught by Master Luo.”
“And how well did you study?” Pei shi lifted her teacup, blew across the surface, and sipped lightly.
Gu Jiu bowed. “I dare not waste my teacher’s guidance. I have always worked diligently at my studies.”
Pei shi set down the cup, smiled faintly. “A girl reading so many books, do you think it’s useful?”
Was this a test?
Gu Jiu thought carefully before answering: “In books, there are golden houses; there is also morality and ethics, the teachings of sages, the foundations of being human, and the principles of dealing with others. Therefore, chennü believes reading is indeed useful.”
Pei shi chuckled. “Reading is, of course, useful. You needn’t lecture me on that. What I asked was, do you think it’s useful for a girl to read? For instance, you’ve studied so much, even under Master Luo. Has it been useful?”
Gu Jiu lifted her gaze, answering slowly: “Were it not for my studies, I would not be standing here today, answering niangniang’s questions. Therefore, I believe even for a girl, learning is useful.”
“You are rather confident. And not afraid of me at all.”
“Why should chennü be afraid, when niangniang is so kind and benevolent?”
The imperial ladies present all laughed.
“This girl named Gu Jiu, I find her rather good,” Zhao wangfei covered her lips with a smile. “It’s just a pity that Liu Zhao got ahead of everyone. Congratulations, dimei, for gaining such a fine daughter-in-law.”
Gu Jiu stayed silent, observing the situation in the main hall without betraying any emotion.
Meanwhile, Zhang shi and the others standing behind her were all tense with worry for Gu Jiu.
Ning wangfei, Pei shi smiled, though the smile never reached her eyes.
She replied to Zhao wangfei: “She hasn’t entered the fu yet, so she cannot be called a daughter-in-law. Whereas the daughters-in-law in saosao’s family are all gracious and clever, truly enviable.”
Zhao wangfei laughed and said, “We’re just flattering each other now. Dimei, are you satisfied with this Gu Jiu yatou?”
How could Pei shi so easily fall into the pit that Zhao wangfei had dug?
She smiled and said, “As long as Zhao’er likes her, I like her too.”
“How rare! Dimei and Zhao’er actually like the same person.” Zhao wangfei chuckled.
At once, Pei shi’s eyes turned cold, shooting a hostile glance at Gu Jiu.
But she quickly smiled again: “Saosao really knows how to jest.”
The two women exchanged sparks through their eyes, but their faces remained wreathed in smiles, as though they were affectionate zhouli.
After the laughter, Pei shi introduced Gu Jiu to the imperial ladies present.
Meanwhile, the womenfolk of the Gu family were invited to a side hall to be seated.
Gu Jiu met the imperial ladies, behaving fully in accordance with etiquette, without a single misstep.
Pei shi remarked, “Those few days of training in palace etiquette were not in vain. You have not brought disgrace upon me.”
Gu Jiu smiled, bowed, and said: “It is all thanks to the mama’s good teaching.”
“Hm!” Pei shi’s expression was indifferent. “You may withdraw now.”
“As you command.”
Gu Jiu followed a maid to the side hall.
Zhang shi quickly asked: “How was it?”
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded. “Thank you for worrying, da bomu. Everything went smoothly.”
Just then, another maid arrived to lead everyone to the Flower Hall.
There, Gu Jiu caught sight of Pei Yun.
For a moment, she hesitated, then calmly walked over.
“Pei jiejie, it has been a long time. You’ve grown thinner.”
Pei Yun looked at her with a complicated expression.
Gu Jiu met her gaze with calm composure.
Suddenly, Pei Yun laughed. “Compared with Xiao Jiu meimei, I fall far short. Just now, I was being petty.”
“As long as Pei jiejie does not hold it against me, I’m truly glad,” Gu Jiu said sincerely.
Pei Yun gave a bitter smile. “When I heard you were betrothed to Zhao biaoge, to be honest, I did feel a little upset.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I understand. This marriage was an accident for me as well, I didn’t…”
Pei Yun shook her head. “No need to explain, Xiao Jiu meimei, I understand. His Majesty personally decreed the marriage; neither you nor I could change it.
“Besides, when I returned from the Northwest, I had already given up on Zhao biaoge in my heart and accepted Father’s arrangements.
“So please, you mustn’t feel any guilt. And as for me and Zhao biaoge, there was never anything between us. Don’t misunderstand.”
Gu Jiu laughed, nodding firmly. “Let there be no misunderstandings between us. Pei jiejie, let us still be friends. What do you say?”
Pei Yun smiled as well. “To have Xiao Jiu meimei as a friend, I am very happy. I just didn’t expect fate to be so strange, that in future, I’ll have to call you biaosao.”
Gu Jiu quickly waved her hands. “Please don’t! Let’s keep it as before. I’ll still call you Pei jiejie, and you’ll still call me Xiao Jiu meimei. How about that?”
Pei Yun laughed. “That’s exactly what I hoped for. Just the thought of calling you biaosao makes me feel distant, as though we’ve grown apart.”
The two looked at each other and smiled, their bond seeming a little closer.
At that moment, another guniang entered the flower hall.
She was surrounded by many maids and attendants, with an imposing display.
Gu Jiu looked curiously a few times, still guessing her identity, when Pei Yun explained to her.
“That is Princess Fuming’s eldest daughter, named Zhou Yi. She… Xiao Jiu meimei, you’d better be cautious and avoid her if you can.”
Gu Jiu asked, “Has Pei jiejie suffered under her hand?”
Pei Yun gave a bitter smile. “Yes, indeed. Princess Fuming is His Majesty’s most favoured daughter, so Zhou Yi is naturally his most favoured granddaughter. Now you understand why her entourage is so grand.”
“I understand now. Thank you, Pei jiejie, for speaking frankly.”
“It’s nothing.”
Smack!
Suddenly, a sharp slap rang out in the flower hall. No one knew whose face had been struck.
Gu Jiu turned toward the sound, startled.
Zhou Yi had only just entered the flower hall, and the first thing she did was slap Gu Yue across the face.
Gu Yue held her cheek, completely bewildered, not understanding what had just happened.
She had been silent all day, but after being struck, how could she possibly remain silent?
“You–!”
Leave a Reply