The people in charge of escorting the dowry arrived.
Zhang shi proudly displayed Gu Jiu’s dowry to everyone from the wang fu.
The guests from the wang fu, seeing the Flower Hall filled with the bridal trousseau, nodded approvingly. Compared to the dowry of Yi furen, it was by no means inferior.
[T/N: Yi furen – refers to Liu Yi, Liu Zhao’s younger brother’s wife.]
At the auspicious hour, the dowry departed.
Fang mama, accompanied by the side chamber staff and the maids Xiao Cui and Qing Zhu, went ahead to the wang fu a day early, to prepare Gu Jiu’s bridal chamber and watch over the dowry.
Before leaving, Fang mama bade farewell to Gu Jiu. “Guniang, I’ll go ahead and keep watch. I’ll make sure to find out everything about the people around Gongzi Zhao.”
Gu Jiu replied, “Thank you, Fang mama. If anything comes up, instruct Qing Zhu and Xiao Cui. Mama, please don’t overwork yourself.”
“Don’t worry, guniang. I can still manage.”
Qing Zhu performed a deep bow. “Guniang, Xiao Cui and I will go ahead to the wang fu. Tomorrow we will receive you there.”
“Go ahead, and keep your eyes open for anything.”
Gu Jiu watched them leave.
All 160 chests of the dowry were fully loaded and taken out through the main gate.
With drums and gongs, the dowry procession circled the vast Baiyi Lane, letting every noble family in the capital know that the Gu family was sending off their daughter with a grand dowry.
A “ten-mile red bridal procession,” truly impressive.
Once the dowry was sent off, Zhang shi invited relatives and friends to dine.
She reminded Gu Jiu, “Er yatou, for the next two days, eat and drink sparingly. Rest early today, as tomorrow at the first quarter of the early hour you’ll need to rise, bathe, and get dressed. From morning to midnight, you won’t be able to rest properly. Take today to build up your energy for tomorrow.”
“Thank you for the reminder, da bomu. I’ll rest in my room immediately.”
Zhang shi still wasn’t satisfied. “Is the wedding dress ready? Keep the items from the bottom of the chest close to you. After you return to your room, have the maids check again to make sure nothing is missing.”
“I’ll follow your advice, da bomu.”
Gu Jiu ate a few bites and returned to the Zhilan Yuan.
Tomorrow would be a tough day; as da bomu said, she needed to rest and gather strength today.
The silver in the chest included 5,000 taels from the dowry and another 5,000 from Gu daren, a total of 10,000 taels.
With this sum, Gu Jiu felt fully confident.
Previously, Wei lao furen had given 2,000 taels, which had already been invested in the herbal shop.
All kinds of gold and silver coins, loose change, and silver notes were packed into wooden boxes.
“Guniang, you should rest now.”
“You all rest as well. Tomorrow you’ll be even busier than me.”
“I’ll fill all the pouches with silver for you to reward the wang fu servants,” one maid said.
Gu Jiu thought for a moment. “Prepare one hundred pouches first. Tomorrow, once we understand the situation at the wang fu, we may need to adjust.”
“Understood, guniang.”
Perhaps exhausted, Gu Jiu lay down and soon fell into a deep sleep.
She slept extremely soundly.
When she woke, she thought she had overslept, but it had only been less than an hour; the sky was still bright.
Gu Jiu got out of bed and, hearing a commotion outside, asked, “What’s happening out there?”
“Guniang, you’re awake! Zhao guye came to receive san gu nainai. There was a commotion at the second gate. Zhao guye acted physically, and san gu nainai cried in front of the guests. The scene was very embarrassing.”
Gu Jiu froze. “Are you sure Gu Yue cried in front of everyone at the second gate?”
“Yes! Nubi saw it with my own eyes,” Qing Mei confirmed.
Gu Jiu rubbed her brow. Gu Yue cried? In front of the guests?
How stupid was Zhao erlang to dare lay hands on the Gu family?
The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.
Gu Jiu asked, “Where is everyone now?”
Qing Mei said, “Zhao guye is in the outer courtyard study, speaking with Gu daren. San gu nainai is resting in the Flower Hall annex, accompanied by the young madam who is comforting her.”
[T/N: Young madam: Xiao Zhang shi.]
Gu Jiu got out of bed and put on her shoes. “Help me wash up; I need to see for myself.”
“You’re not going back to sleep?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “I’m awake now; I won’t sleep until tonight. Have the guests all left?”
Qing Mei nodded. “Yes, they’re gone.”
Gu Jiu changed her clothes and headed to the Flower Hall.
From a distance, she saw Gu Shan standing under the eaves.
“Er jiejie, why are you here? Weren’t you resting?”
“I just woke up. I heard something happened, so I came to see. Why hasn’t si meimei gone inside?”
Gu Shan kept her head lowered, staring at a corner of the courtyard.
“Earlier, da jiejie almost fell. Luckily, the maid was quick and protected her. San jiejie was standing not far from da jiejie at the time.”
Gu Jiu was puzzled. “You saw it yourself?”
Gu Shan nodded, smiling. “Er jiejie, don’t you know? Right now, I care most about san jiejie. As long as she’s back in the house, I’ll follow her wherever she goes.”
Gu Shan was frank and straightforward.
Following her gaze, Gu Jiu noticed that it had rained earlier; water had pooled on the bluestone slabs. Walking there required caution to avoid slipping.
She asked, “Did da jiejie say anything at the time?”
Gu Shan shook her head. “She was frightened. She rested in the annex for a while and then was taken away by da jiefu.”
So it couldn’t be confirmed whether Gu Yue had made a move on Gu Zhen.
If Gu Zhen felt any malice from Gu Yue, she certainly wouldn’t have remained silent.
Perhaps it was just an accident.
Fortunately, Gu Zhen was safe.
Gu Jiu fell silent for a moment, then pursed her lips. “What’s happening inside now?”
Gu Shan looked toward the annex door. “She cried for a while, but it’s quiet now. Probably calmed down.”
Then Gu Shan smiled, her mockery unmistakable.
A cold wind blew, and Gu Jiu pulled her cloak tighter to block the biting chill.
Gu Shan shrank her neck, shivering.
“Si meimei, let’s go inside.”
“She doesn’t want to see me,” Gu Shan said coquettishly.
Gu Jiu laughed. “She doesn’t want to see you, so you won’t go in?”
Gu Shan covered her lips, smiling. “Of course not. The more she doesn’t want to see me, the more I want to go in and trouble her. Er jiejie, you first.”
Gu Jiu nodded and was the first to enter the side room.
Gu Yue had stopped crying, but her eyes were red and swollen, and she looked haggard. Her face was still thickly powdered, making her appearance rather unpleasant.
When she saw Gu Jiu and Gu Shan, she turned her head away, refusing to show her face.
Gu Shan snorted with a laugh. “How rare, san jiejie actually feels shy for once.”
Xiao Zhang shi pouted and told Gu Shan not to provoke Gu Yue further.
Gu Jiu asked, “Has the matter been resolved?”
Xiao Zhang shi shook her head. “They’re still negotiating in the outer courtyard. Liu di heard about it and got furious, threatening to teach Zhao guye a lesson, but a servant stopped him.”
[T/N: Liu di: Sixth younger brother, Gu Cheng.]
Gu Jiu nodded, then asked Gu Yue, “San meimei, what do you plan to do?”
The day before her wedding, Gu Yue and her husband had a conflict, leaving her heart heavy.
Biting her lip, Gu Yue whispered, “I don’t want to go back.”
Gu Jiu firmly told her, “That’s impossible. You are the daughter-in-law of the Zhao family, and it’s the end of the year. You must return.”
Gu Yue turned sharply, her eyes red. “This is also my natal home! I want to stay here, what’s wrong with that?”
Gu Jiu sat upright in her chair. “Shouting at me won’t help. Let’s see what Father decides.”
Gu Yue’s expression kept changing, and for a moment, no one in the room spoke.
Footsteps came from outside, and everyone turned toward the door.
Soon, the door opened from outside, and the maid Shaoyao entered, bringing a chill with her presence.
Shaoyao bowed. “San gu nainai, er laoye requests your presence in the outer courtyard. Zhao guye has admitted his fault, and er laoye has forgiven him.”
Gu Yue looked anxious. “Why does Father want to see me?”
Shaoyao calmly said, “It’s getting late. San gu nainai should set out for the Haixi bo fu. Tomorrow, on your wedding day, you will come over again.”
“No, I’m not going back. I’ll stay at my natal home tonight and return tomorrow.”
Shaoyao frowned. “Please, san gu nainai, don’t put me in a difficult position.”
Gu Yue snorted. “Don’t worry, I won’t trouble you. Putao, you go with Shaoyao to the outer courtyard and tell Father I’m staying tonight. I want to remain at my mother’s side and fulfill my filial duties.”
Putao hesitated.
Gu Yue glared, and Putao immediately replied, “Yes, Young Madam. Shaoyao jiejie, please lead the way.”
Shaoyao looked a little troubled. Xiao Zhang shi nodded at her, and only then did Shaoyao lead Putao out.
Xiao Zhang shi said, “Since san gu nainai will stay tonight, she might as well stay at Zizhu Yuan. I’ll have someone prepare it immediately.”
Gu Yue, unusually polite, said, “Thank you, dasao.”
Xiao Zhang shi smiled. “Just don’t speak so harshly in the future, san gu nainai.”
Gu Yue looked slightly embarrassed.
Xiao Zhang shi got up and busied herself.
Gu Shan looked at Gu Yue with a half-smile. “Really impressive, san jiejie, willing to stay here.”
Gu Yue stiffly said, “This is my natal home. Why shouldn’t I stay?”
Gu Shan sneered. “Afraid of being beaten, huh?”
“Shut up.” Gu Yue wouldn’t be polite to Gu Shan.
Gu Shan countered, “Dare you show your bare face in front of everyone? Tomorrow, will you dare go without makeup?”
Gu Yue gripped the armrest, her gaze fierce enough to devour.
Gu Jiu stepped in to mediate. “Tomorrow is my wedding day. For my sake, everyone hold your tongues a bit. San meimei, have you thought about how you’ll handle things when you return to Haixi bo fu?”
Gu Yue gave a self-deprecating smile. “No need for you to worry, er jiejie. I have my own plan.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Very well, I won’t meddle then. I’ll take my leave!”
She left decisively.
Back at Zhilan Yuan, she saw Gu Ting having tea.
“Gege, why are you here?”
“I came to see you. Tomorrow you get married, I’ll miss you.”
Gu Jiu smiled sweetly. “Even if I’m married off, if gege misses me, you can visit me at the wang fu.”
Gu Ting agreed. “I will definitely visit you.”
He took out a sachet from his chest. “This is the money I’ve saved this year, two hundred taels in total, all for you.”
Gu Jiu pushed it away. “I don’t want it. You, a grown man, with not even a couple taels to your name, is that right? Keep it for yourself.”
Gu Ting shook his head vigorously like a rattle. “That won’t do. I have nothing good to give you for your wedding, and I already feel ashamed. I worked hard to save up two hundred taels, all converted into small silver notes, and you won’t take it. Wouldn’t that make me, your gege, lose face?”
Gu Jiu snorted and laughed.
She teased, “Just for face, huh?”
Gu Ting laughed sheepishly, looking silly. “It’s the thought that counts. You don’t know how hard it was to save this two hundred taels.”
Gu Jiu mocked him. “I can imagine, it must’ve taken you the strength of nine bulls and two tigers to save this.”
To think, Gu Ting had always been a spendthrift, never saving a cent before.
Gu Ting said, “Since you know how hard it was to get these two hundred taels, just take them. When I make something of myself in the future, I’ll give you a proper gift.”
Gu Jiu pressed her lips into a smile. “Gege, your success is already the greatest gift for me. Of these two hundred taels, I’ll take one hundred as acceptance of your gesture. The remaining hundred, I’ll invest in the shop. From now on, you can wait each year to collect the dividends.”
Gu Ting scratched his head. “How can I accept that? This money was meant entirely as your dowry.”
Gu Jiu said firmly, “Then it’s settled this way.”
Gu Ting had no choice. “Alright, we’ll do it as you say. But don’t give me the dividends, invest it all in the shop. I already get two monthly stipends, that’s enough.”
Gu Ting received one stipend from the household and another from the military camp. Altogether, it was eighteen taels a month. Living frugally, it was just enough.
Gu Jiu smiled. “That works too. Since you can’t save money, think of it as me saving it for you. When you get married, I’ll give you the full amount.”
Gu Ting chuckled. “We’ll see then. I’m not in a hurry to marry.”
Gu Jiu cupped her face with both hands, curious. “Gege, you really plan to establish your career before starting a family?”
Gu Ting’s eyes widened, and he said seriously, “Of course. I’m not accomplished yet; I won’t be able to marry a girl from a good family. Better to wait a few years, and when I succeed, I’ll bring home a capable sister-in-law for you.”
“Then I’ll be waiting for gege’s good news.”
Gu Ting pounded his chest. “I’m stronger now; I can last at least thirty rounds under da ge. Oh, I almost forgot something.”
“Gege, please go ahead.”
Gu Ting said, “A few days ago, I saw Xie Shi at the Beijing camp.”
“Xie Shi? Are you sure you weren’t mistaken?”
“Definitely not. That kid even glared at me. If he weren’t near the eldest imperial grandson, I’d have gone up and beaten him senseless.”
Gu Jiu was puzzled. “Xie Shi still has nearly two years of mourning period left. How did he end up in the Beijing camp?”
Gu Ting shook his head. “I don’t know either. I just know he’s now a personal guard for the eldest imperial grandson. Meimei, should I find an opportunity to beat Xie Shi someday?”
Gu Jiu’s face turned serious. “Brother, don’t act recklessly. You said he’s the eldest imperial grandson’s guard now, if you hit him, it won’t end well.”
Gu Ting pinched his nose, thinking to himself: if I can’t hit him openly, I’ll do it secretly. When Xie Shi leaves the camp, I’ll whack him with a black stick.
Gu Jiu pondered. Civil officials valued filial piety and mourning periods greatly. But for military officers, things were often handled with discretion.
A soldier couldn’t skip the camp for two or three years just because of mourning, previous training would go to waste.
A general couldn’t refuse battles for the sake of mourning either.
Training a competent soldier is hard; training a competent general is even harder.
It seemed Xie Shi was taking advantage of discretionary handling, rushing to the capital’s camp to gain experience.
He clearly wanted to establish the Xie family’s position as soon as possible.
Gu Jiu, still concerned, warned Gu Ting again, “Gege, promise me you won’t provoke Xie Shi, and don’t fight privately in the camp. Don’t give anyone a chance to use it against you.”
Gu Ting repeatedly assured her, “Don’t worry, meimei. My life is precious; I won’t act recklessly.”
He would only act recklessly according to a plan.
“Let me tell you something.”
Gu Ting had a mysteriously sly look on his face.
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows. “Gege, don’t tease me, just say it.”
Gu Ting smiled. “That Zhao erlang… is a man who loves men.”
Pfft!
Gu Jiu spat out the tea she had just sipped.
“Is gege serious?”
Gu Ting nodded firmly.
Curious, Gu Jiu asked, “How do you know? Who told you?”
Gu Ting scratched his head. “I think… a guard near the young master mentioned it. Oh yes, I remember, once I went to play cards with them and overheard them chatting about it.”
Gu Jiu bared her teeth, thinking: what on earth does Gu Ting do in the camp that he even has time to play cards?
She asked again, “Are you sure Zhao erlang loves men?”
Gu Ting said confidently, “Pretty much. They said Zhao erlang has another lover outside, someone of unusual status. I didn’t pry further.”
Gu Jiu twitched her lips. She never imagined that Gu Yue’s carefully selected husband would turn out to be a man who loves men.
No wonder Zhao erlang was so old and the Haixi bo fu wasn’t rushing his marriage.
No wonder when Gu Yue’s crimes reached the Haixi bo fu via Gu Shan, they all played dumb and didn’t mind marrying her in.
No wonder Zhao erlang showed no mercy toward Gu Yue. No wonder Gu Yue lost control of her emotions today, refusing to return to the Haixi bo fu.
All the things that puzzled her before now had an explanation.
“I’ve already told Gu Cheng about this. From the look on his face, he’s planning to take matters into his own hands with Zhao erlang.”
Gu Jiu looked speechless at Gu Ting, who was clearly proud of himself.
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