Liu Zhao secretly took hold of Gu Jiu’s hand, as if trying to give her courage.
Gu Jiu very much wanted to tell him that she was fine, that she was not so fragile.
Liu Zhao released her hand and said to Shu fei, “If Grandmother is dissatisfied, direct it at me. Why make things difficult for Xiao Jiu?”
Shu fei narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at Liu Zhao. “Are you criticizing bengong?”
In a deep voice, Liu Zhao replied, “Your grandson would not dare.”
“If you do not dare, then stop talking nonsense.”
Shu fei sharply rebuked him.
Gu Jiu was beginning to lose her patience. She wanted to step forward and say a few words in her defense.
Sensing her intention, Liu Zhao decisively stopped her.
In his cool voice, Liu Zhao said, “It seems Grandmother does not welcome Xiao Jiu and me. Since that is the case, we shall take our leave.”
Shu fei snorted. “Did bengong permit you to leave? I think you are clearly dissatisfied with bengong. For the sake of a woman, you dare talk back to bengong. You are becoming increasingly presumptuous.”
Liu Zhao declared firmly, “Xiao Jiu is not just any woman. She is my wife.”
“How dare you!”
“Even if I am presumptuous, I learned it from fuwang. If Grandmother wishes to assign blame, go find fuwang. Ask him how the upper beam being crooked causes the lower beam to bend.”
“You… you dare criticize your own father. You are unfilial.”
“Whether your grandson is filial or not, Grandmother may hear fuwang‘s opinion on the matter. Farewell.”
This time, Liu Zhao stood up directly and strode toward the hall entrance.
Gu Jiu immediately rose to her feet, bowed to Shu fei, and followed Liu Zhao out.
Shu fei was furious. In her anger, she smashed an entire tea set.
The palace servants hurried to console her. “Niangniang, please calm your anger.”
Shu fei‘s expression twisted. “How can bengong calm down? That brat has never been likable since childhood. He infuriates me to death. What’s so special about that Gu Jiu that Liu Zhao protects her like this?”
A palace servant quietly said, “Gongzi and Zhao furen are newly married. They are still deeply in love. It is understandable that gongzi protects Zhao furen. But no matter how good a relationship is, one day it will fade.
“When that time comes, niangniang need only give a slight push from behind. It will be easy to send Zhao furen into an abyss from which there is no return. If she sinks into self-pity, she will eventually become a bitter woman whom everyone despises.”
Shu fei‘s anger turned into delight. She nodded secretly. “You are right. Bengong was too impatient today. I’ll wait a little longer. Once they are past the honeymoon period, bengong will deal with Gu Jiu.”
“Niangniang is wise.”
Liu Zhao was simmering with anger. Even after leaving Changchun Palace, he continued wearing a face as grim as a coffin.
Matching his pace, Gu Jiu softly said, “Thank you.”
“There is no need to thank me. We are husband and wife. It is only proper that bengongzi protects you.”
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled. Then she advised him, “There’s no need to be angry. I don’t care about the things niangniang said.”
Liu Zhao stared at her. “Why don’t you care? You are my wife, yet you receive none of the respect you deserve and are instead treated with contempt. Why don’t you care? Or are you saying you do not care at all about your own status, nor about being looked down upon? Do you understand that when others slight you, they are slapping bengongzi’s face as well?”
Gu Jiu frowned slightly and looked at him with a strange expression.
Why was he so angry?
Without holding back, she spoke directly. “When I say I don’t care, I don’t mean I don’t care about my status. Was niangniang truly angry at me today? She was obviously dissatisfied with you and used my family background as an excuse to make things difficult for me. And it is equally obvious that her dissatisfaction with you did not begin yesterday.
“Today was neither the first nor the last time she has used the two of us as a pretext to reprimand someone. If we have to take offense every single time, how could we ever enjoy a peaceful day all year long?
“Or is it that if niangniang criticizes me, I should cry my eyes out and act as though I want to die before it counts as caring? If that is the kind of visible concern you require, I can put on a performance for you right now.”
“Enough.”
Liu Zhao rebuked her softly.
Gu Jiu’s face turned cold. “Don’t forget that we’re in the palace and that this is only the second day of our marriage. If you want to lose your temper with me, wait until we return to the wang fu. I’ll give you the opportunity to say everything clearly then.”
Liu Zhao took a deep breath. “You know we’re in the palace, yet you still dare lecture me. Aren’t you afraid someone will see and spread rumors?”
Gu Jiu lowered her eyes. “I don’t know what kind of madness has gotten into you today. But let me remind you that it’s getting late. We still need to pay our respects to guifei and Xian fei niangniang.
“After that, we must make a trip to the shaofu. Once we leave the palace, we still have to visit the various wangye and wangfei.
“Today’s schedule is packed. Mufei reminded us to return for dinner. If we continue wasting time here, we won’t finish visiting all these relatives even by nightfall.”
Liu Zhao looked up at the sky. His mood was gloomy, his gaze cold.
Lin Shuping quietly reminded him, “Gongzi, furen is right. Time is short. Whatever needs to be said can wait until after we return to the fu.”
Looking at Gu Jiu, Liu Zhao said meaningfully, “I was too impatient. Let’s go. We’ll visit guifei niangniang first.”
Gu Jiu silently followed behind him.
Qing Mei was extremely worried. Arguing on the second day of marriage was hardly a good omen.
Fang mama quietly reminded her,
“Don’t let your imagination run wild. Some matters have accumulated over many years. You only need to serve furen properly. Do not concern yourself with other things.”
Qing Mei nodded.
They arrived at Ganlu Palace and waited for the palace servants to announce them.
Standing beneath the eaves, Gu Jiu deliberately kept two body-lengths between herself and Liu Zhao.
She looked out at the garden.
Winter had left it desolate.
A gust of wind swept through, carrying fallen leaves with it.
A cleaning maid promptly swept away the leaves, ensuring that the ground remained spotless at all times.
When the maid straightened up, Gu Jiu’s eyes widened.
She could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Jiang Yan secretly glanced at Gu Jiu.
When she had learned that Gongzi Zhao and Zhao furen would be coming to pay respects to guifei niangniang, she had switched work assignments with someone else and waited all this time.
Heaven had not disappointed her. At last, she had seen them.
Qing Mei recognized Jiang Yan as well and quickly covered her mouth, afraid she might cry out.
Fang mama had never met Jiang Yan and was puzzled.
The handkerchief in Gu Jiu’s hand drifted to the ground. A gust of wind carried it into the courtyard.
“Furen‘s handkerchief.”
Qing Mei called out softly.
Jiang Yan reacted quickly. She immediately picked up the handkerchief and brought it before Gu Jiu.
“Furen‘s handkerchief.”
Gu Jiu accepted it. “Thank you. You may go.”
The instant their hands touched, something extra appeared in Jiang Yan’s palm.
Jiang Yan quickly hid her hand behind her back and bowed before withdrawing.
Gu Jiu watched her leave.
Following Gu Jiu’s gaze, Liu Zhao stared at Jiang Yan’s retreating figure.
He moved closer to Gu Jiu and quietly asked, “You know her?”
Gu Jiu first felt guilty. Then she admitted it openly.
Liu Zhao narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
Gu Jiu suddenly grabbed Liu Zhao’s hand and shook her head slightly.
Jiang Yan was only a cleaning maid. She held no value worth exploiting.
Gu Jiu did not want Jiang Yan to lose her life because of her.
When she had given Jiang Yan a chance to climb higher, it had not been so the girl could die for her.
Liu Zhao turned his hand over and clasped Gu Jiu’s hand. His gaze was profound.
His grip was strong, carrying a hint of suspicion.
Suspicion of what?
Gu Jiu froze for a moment.
Then she suddenly understood.
Was Liu Zhao suspecting that she had secretly planted people inside the imperial palace?
Gu Jiu tried to pull her hand free.
Liu Zhao held on tightly and refused to let go.
Leaning close to her ear, he said, “We’ll discuss it after we return.”
Gu Jiu immediately relaxed.
Just then, a palace servant came to summon them. “Guifei requests gongzi and furen‘s presence in the main hall.”
“Please lead the way.”
Jiang Yan returned to her room as though nothing had happened.
She locked the door from the inside and opened her palm.
Two banknotes. Two one-hundred-tael banknotes.
Covering her face, Jiang Yan broke into silent sobs.
She slid to the floor and bit hard into her own arm.
She could not cry out loud. Absolutely could not cry out loud.
But why did her heart ache so much? Why was she so sorrowful and miserable? The tears simply would not stop falling.
The two hundred taels in banknotes were like a lamp in the darkness.
They made Jiang Yan cry uncontrollably, yet at the same time made her feel fortunate beyond words.
She cried her heart out. Afterward, she washed her face clean and rekindled her fighting spirit.
Xue guifei was courteous to both Liu Zhao and Gu Jiu and did not make things difficult for them in the slightest.
“Liu Zhao, your eyesight is quite good. You set your sights on Xiao Jiu at first glance. This child Xiao Jiu is someone this palace likes at first sight. She’s truly the sort who makes people cherish her.”
Liu Zhao first glanced at Gu Jiu before saying, “Niangniang is correct. It is my good fortune to have married Xiao Jiu.”
Xue guifei laughed heartily. “What bengong like most about you is your honesty. Xiao Jiu, live well with Liu Zhao and don’t pay attention to the gossip outside.”
Gu Jiu bowed and accepted the advice. “Erxi will remember niangniang‘s instruction.”
Xue guifei lifted her teacup, signaling the end of the audience. “Your time is limited, so bengong won’t keep you.”
Liu Zhao and Gu Jiu rose and took their leave.
Gu Jiu received a complete set of hair ornaments as a greeting gift from Xue guifei.
Liu Zhao stared at the set of jewelry in Qing Mei’s hands, his expression turning gloomy.
Qing Mei was so frightened that she nearly dropped the gift. Gongzi‘s gaze was truly terrifying.
Liu Zhao said nothing and continued on with the remainder of their schedule.
After paying respects to the various consorts in the palace, they headed to the shaofu.
The director of the imperial household (shaofu), had been waiting for some time.
Clapping his hands, he signaled a subordinate official to bring over a tray.
“Please have a look, gongzi and furen.”
On the tray rested a seal, a jade register, and a golden register.
With these three items, it meant that Gu Jiu’s name had been entered into the imperial clan genealogy and that she had officially become the wife of an Imperial Grandson.
The jade register and golden register were symbols of status.
The seal was kept on file and used in daily affairs. When the seal was affixed, it represented Gu Jiu’s will and authority.
“Thank you for preparing everything so quickly, Director.” Liu Zhao spoke politely.
The Director stroked his beard and smiled modestly. “Gongzi is too courteous. Would furen like to try the seal?”
Smiling, Gu Jiu stepped forward. She picked up the seal, dipped it in cinnabar paste, and pressed it onto a blank sheet of paper.
The four large characters “Seal of Zhao furen” pleased her greatly.
Smiling, she said, “Thank you, Director. I am very satisfied.”
“That is good.”
Qing Mei placed the seal in a pouch so that Gu Jiu could carry it with her conveniently.
The jade register and golden register were entrusted to Lin Shuping for safekeeping.
After bidding farewell to the Shaofu Director, the two continued their whirlwind round of family visits.
Other relatives could be skipped.
The residences of the wangye and princes could not.
[T/N: Wangye are titled princes, while untitled princes also exist.]
They were all Liu Zhao’s shufu, uncles.
After making the rounds one household after another, Gu Jiu gave away many greeting gifts and distributed many reward pouches. At the same time, she received a large pile of gifts in return.
By the time darkness fell, Gu Jiu returned to the wang fu in a carriage, exhausted.
The moment she stepped down from the carriage, a pozi from the second gate came forward to report.
“Reporting to da gongzi and da furen, the banquet has already been prepared. Wangfei instructed that once gongzi and furen return, they are to proceed directly to Jinxiu Pavilion.”
Liu Zhao nodded and said to Gu Jiu, “Let’s go to Jinxiu Pavilion.”
Gu Jiu was still unfamiliar with the wang fu and did not even know where Jinxiu Pavilion was. She could only follow behind Liu Zhao.
Before they even arrived, laughter drifted out from inside.
Wangfei was clearly in excellent spirits.
For tonight’s banquet, the entire residence had gathered together. The two cefei, along with the titled meiren and cairen, were all present.
Beside Ning wang sat not only the wangfei and the two cefei, but also a row of stunning beauties, each more enchanting than the last.
“So you’ve finally returned.”
Ning wang laughed loudly and waved Liu Zhao and Gu Jiu toward the table.
Gu Jiu stepped forward to pay her respects before sitting together with her zhouli and younger sisters-in-law.
Liu Zhao sat at a separate table with his brothers.
Pei shi lightly cleared her throat, and the room immediately fell silent.
She said to Liu Zhao, “Shu fei sent over her greeting gift. It is being kept with benwangfei. Send someone to collect it later.”
Ning wang looked surprised. “Why did mufei send the gift to the fu? Zhao’er, didn’t you go pay your respects to your grandmother?”
Liu Zhao bowed slightly. “Xiao Jiu and I first paid our respects to Imperial Grandfather, then immediately visited Grandmother. Grandmother was likely considering our inconvenience and therefore sent the gift directly to the fu.”
Ning wang gave an “oh” and did not pursue the matter further.
Pei shi‘s gaze swept across Gu Jiu’s face. “Did you perhaps say something inappropriate and anger Shu fei?”
“Erxi would not dare.”
Pei shi smiled. “Ordinarily, a greeting gift should be delivered directly into your hands. Yet Shu fei sent hers to the fu instead. If you say you didn’t offend her, benwangfei finds it hard to believe.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow.
One after another, they were all targeting her.
Did they really think a new daughter-in-law was easy to bully?
Unfortunately, today was not destined to be Gu Jiu’s turn to perform.
Liu Zhao spoke first. “It was I who spoke improperly and angered Grandmother.”
Pei shi was annoyed. Annoyed that Liu Zhao was protecting Gu Jiu. Annoyed that Liu Zhao lacked discretion.
With a stern expression, she asked, “What exactly did you do to anger Shu fei?”
“Does angering Grandmother require a reason?” Liu Zhao replied with complete confidence.
Pei shi nearly choked on her anger.
Ning wang coughed twice. “Laoda, watch how you speak. You boy have too much temper. No wonder people don’t like you.”
“Fuwang‘s lesson is correct.” Liu Zhao admitted his fault remarkably quickly.
Pei Shi became even more annoyed. Turning toward Ning wang, she complained, “You spoil him too much.”
Ning wang laughed heartily. “Enough. It’s rare for the whole family to dine together. Say a little less. Begin the banquet.”
With Ning wang‘s command, the servants brought out food and wine.
The dishes were sumptuous and delicious.
Gradually, the atmosphere in the hall became lively.
Gu Jiu lifted her wine cup. “To all the meimei and dimei, I offer a toast.”
“Dasao is too courteous. We should be the ones to toast you.” Ouyang Fu was extremely supportive.
Gu Jiu smiled lightly. “I’ve only just arrived. If there is anything improper in my conduct, I hope all of you dimei won’t hesitate to correct me.”
Ouyang Fu said, “Dasao, don’t worry. If there is anything you don’t understand, simply send someone to ask me.”
Xiao Qin’er joined in with a smile. “Dasao and er dimei really seem to have hit it off immediately. Someone who didn’t know better might think you had always been close sisters.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Er dimei and I naturally got along at first sight. Si dimei, are you perhaps jealous of us?”
Xiao Qin’er pursed her lips in a smile. “Dasao jokes. How could I be jealous of you? Weren’t you proposing a toast? Why aren’t you drinking?”
A flicker passed through Gu Jiu’s eyes. She lifted her cup and drained it in one go.
“Dasao has quite a tolerance. Let me toast you.”
Xiao Qin’er was the first to raise a cup.
Gu Jiu took hold of her hand. “Si dimei should drink this cup first before anything else. You can’t cheat.”
Xiao Qin’er looked embarrassed. “How could I cheat? Dasao is joking again.”
Gu Jiu looked at her with a smile that was not quite a smile, clearly waiting for her to drink.
Xiao Qin’er twisted slightly in her seat. “If drinking is what you want, then I’ll drink.”
With that, she drained the cup.
Gu Jiu laughed. “Si dimei has quite the tolerance. Come, let me personally offer you another cup.”
And so Gu Jiu found one excuse after another to make Xiao Qin’er drink.
If Xiao Qin’er hesitated, Gu Jiu would provoke her.
Xiao Qin’er would rather lose food than lose face. No matter what, she could not let Gu Jiu look down on her.
One cup followed another. Before long, she was completely drunk.
Ouyang Fu secretly smiled. “Dasao truly has a high tolerance.”
Gu Jiu had also drunk quite a bit that evening.
However, she had taken a hangover remedy beforehand and remained perfectly clear-headed.
Smiling, she said, “Si dimei is truly stubborn. I kept telling her not to drink, but she insisted.”
Ouyang Fu silently complained: After provoking Xiao Qin’er that thoroughly, how could she not be stubborn?
It had to be said that Gu Jiu really knew how to manipulate people’s emotions.
With only a few words, she had maneuvered Xiao Qin’er into drinking herself into a puddle.
Seeing Xiao Qin’er drunk, Pei shi was displeased.
She secretly instructed the servants to send Xiao Qin’er back to her quarters before she embarrassed herself further with a drunken outburst.
Just as the banquet reached its liveliest point, Wu meiren suddenly clutched her abdomen and let out a scream.
“It hurts! My stomach hurts! Wangye, save me! The child! The child in my belly! Save the child!”
Everyone’s expressions changed.
The hall fell so silent that a pin drop could be heard.
Wu meiren was pregnant?
Pei shi stared fixedly at Wu meiren.
How was it that she had never known Wu meiren was carrying a child?
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