Gu Jiu arrived at Xiahe Village near Tianmen Temple in an ox cart.
The zhuangzi purchased by Xie jia was located in Xiahe Village and spanned ten acres of fertile farmland.
The sun rose higher as villagers continued working in the fields.
Seeing an ox cart entering the village, some paused to look curiously.
Li Chuan halted the cart and asked an elderly farmer by the roadside, “Old man, could you tell me the way to Gu jia zhuang?”
“Are you heading to the zhuangzi? Take a left up ahead and walk another mile; you’ll find it.”
“Thank you, old man.”
Li Chuan flicked his whip, and the ox cart began its bumpy journey again.
Gu Jiu lifted the curtain of the cart to look outside.
This was a relatively prosperous village, with a small river flowing through it. The gently gurgling water irrigated the surrounding farmland.
The cart took a turn and headed left, moving farther from the village entrance.
Before long, they saw a residence with blue bricks and black tiles nestled in the hills. It was the estate purchased by Xie jia.
The ox cart stopped at the gate.
Li Chuan said, “Shaoye, the gate is closed. I’ll go knock.”
Gu Ting instructed, “Tell them that benshaoye has arrived. Ask them to prepare a proper meal for lunch since we’ll be staying to dine.”
“Xiaode obeys.”
Li Chuan got off the cart to knock on the door.
Gu Jiu surveyed the surroundings and casually asked, “Gege, do you know who manages this estate?”
Gu Ting shook his head. “Meimei, you know I’ve never cared about such mundane matters.”
Gu Jiu chuckled meaningfully. “Gege isn’t young anymore. It’s about time you paid attention to these things. Otherwise, when subordinates deceive and hide things from you, you won’t even know when evidence is placed right under your nose.”
Gu Ting scratched his head and said, “Meimei, you’re exaggerating. Besides, I’m not that clueless. If there’s evidence, I’ll surely recognise it.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly and looked at Gu Ting. “Really? Gege shouldn’t boast. I might test you later, and if you fail, I won’t let you off.”
“Don’t make the questions too hard. I’ll definitely pass!” Gu Ting replied confidently.
Gu Jiu smiled and instructed, “Qing Mei, tell san shaoye who manages this zhuangzi.”
“Yes,” Qing Mei bowed slightly and replied, “Informing san shaoye, the zhuangzi’s manager is Gao Erfu, the elder brother of Gao Sanfu, who is the senior steward. Originally, Gao Erfu managed the stables at the main house, but after making a mistake and angering laoye, taitai sent him to manage the zhuangzi.”
At that moment, the door opened.
A black, stout middle-aged man stepped out. It was none other than Gao Erfu, who Qing Mei just mentioned.
Gu Ting turned to Gu Jiu. “Meimei, stay in the cart. I’ll deal with him.”
Gu Ting stepped out of the cart and said sternly, “Gao Erfu, don’t you know to pay your respects when you see ben shaoye?”
Gao Erfu froze for a moment before recognising Gu Ting.
He hurriedly bowed but lacked respect in his demeanor. “Xiaode greets san shaoye. What brings san shaoye to the zhuangzi today?”
Gu Ting glared at him. “Ben shaoye was at Tianmen Temple conducting a ceremony for my mother. After the ceremony, I decided to check on the estate. What’s wrong? Are you not welcoming ben shaoye?”
Gao Erfu laughed. “San shaoye must be joking. How could xiaode not welcome you? Please come in; xiaode will have food and drinks prepared immediately.”
“That’s more like it. Wait a moment. My sister is still in the cart.”
“Er guniang is here too?” Gao Erfu asked, surprised.
He was well aware of the recent events at the fu, especially how Gu Jiu’s bold actions led to the dismissal of Li pozi, who was now living on the estate under strict supervision.
However, Gao Erfu was skeptical about the rumors.
He found it hard to believe that the once quiet and submissive guniang would dare to cause such a commotion in the fu, let alone humiliate taitai so thoroughly.
Gu Ting snorted and glared at Gao Erfu. “What nonsense. Of course, my sister came to conduct the ceremony for our mother.”
Gu Jiu glanced at Gao Erfu through the cart door and smiled gently. “We’ll be troubling you today, Steward Gao.”
“Er guniang is too polite. It’s my honor to have san shaoye and er guniang visit the estate. Please come in!”
Gao Erfu feigned enthusiasm as he led the siblings into the estate.
The estate was modest, with only two courtyards. Gu Jiu was brought to the inner courtyard. The courtyard was adorned with lush greenery, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
Qing Mei asked, “Is guniang tired? How about going back and resting in the room?”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “It’s rare to be out. How could I stay inside? Let’s move the table and chairs outside under the tree. Sitting there with the breeze will be delightful.”
Qing Mei said worriedly, “The weather is hot, and there are many mosquitoes. Nubi is worried that guniang will get bitten and cry again.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “I won’t cry. Qing Mei, you underestimate me.”
The three maids moved the table and chairs under the tree for Gu Jiu to relax.
Qing Zhu spoke up. “Guniang, nubi will go to the kitchen and take a look.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Go ahead, but be careful.”
“Yes, nubi knows.”
Qing Zhu left the courtyard. Instead of heading to the kitchen, Qing Zhu quietly searched for Gui Mama.
The estate’s main residential area only consisted of two courtyards, but there were rows of housing for the servants at the back. Perhaps Gui mama was there.
Xiao Cui prepared a pot of tea and placed it on the table. She then picked up a fan and began fanning Gu Jiu.
Qing Mei, however, looked uneasy. “Guniang, can we really take Gui mama with us? Nubi is afraid without taitai’s approval, Gao Erfu won’t let her go.”
Gu Jiu squinted slightly. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. A gentle breeze swayed the light patterns, adding a nostalgic charm to the old windows and doors.
Gu Jiu said calmly, “If the steward were Gao Sanfu, it might have been difficult to take Gui mama. But since it’s Gao Erfu, he’ll be much easier to deal with. Don’t worry. Gui mama and her family will definitely leave the zhuangzi.”
Hearing this, Qing Mei felt reassured. “If guniang says so, nubi will believe it.”
Recently, there had been a string of events, all of which ended favorably despite the challenges. Gu Jiu’s flawless strategies inspired complete confidence in Qing Mei. As long as Gu Jiu said something could be done, no matter how challenging, it would succeed.
Qing Zhu returned after searching the estate, accompanied by an elderly woman with graying hair.
Gu Jiu didn’t immediately recognise her due to her vague memories. But Qing Mei recognised the woman instantly. It was Gui mama.
“Mama, what’s happened to you? Why do you look like this?” Tears welled up in Qing Mei’s eyes as she felt a pang of sorrow.
Gui mama looked like she had aged twenty years in just a few. This estate seemed to devour people, reducing them to mere shadows of their former selves.
Gui mama waved her hand. “I’m fine. Is this er guniang?”
“Yes, this is er guniang,” Qing Zhu confirmed softly.
Gui mama knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face. “Er guniang, nubi was able to see you again in this lifetime.”
Gu Jiu quickly stood and helped her up. “Gui mama has suffered greatly. I’m sorry I came so late.”
Gui mama shook her head repeatedly. “It’s nubi who has burdened you. Guniang has endured so much over the years.”
Gu Jiu smiled gently. “I’ve had enough to eat and drink. I haven’t suffered. You’ve endured the hardship.”
Gui mama raised her head, looking at Gu Jiu carefully with emotion. “Guniang has grown up, looking just like furen when she was young. When nubi saw guniang, it felt like nubi was back twenty years ago, when furen was still with us.”
Gu Jiu helped Gui mama to a seat. “Please sit, mama. I don’t know much about my mother. Today, I want to take advantage of the opportunity to hear about her from you.”
Gui mama nodded repeatedly. “Before her marriage, furen was an incredibly cheerful woman…”
As Gui mama spoke, Gu Jiu listened attentively.
Through Gui mama’s recollections, Gu Jiu finally pieced together a clear image of her mother, Su shi.
Before her marriage, Su shi was a lively and cheerful girl. After marriage, she was gentle and dutiful, raising her children and supporting her husband. She believed they would live harmoniously forever.
But as more women entered the fu, the relationship between husband and wife could never return to the happiness of their early days. Su shi grew depressed.
When she was pregnant with her second child, Xie shi also became pregnant shortly after.
“…When furen learned of Xie shi’s pregnancy, her face turned pale instantly. I can still remember that moment vividly. At that time, Xie shi was favoured and had a son. She had some respect in the fu, and even furen had to yield to her three points. On top of that, Su jia encountered difficulties. The stress was too much for furen, and she went into early labour, giving birth to er guniang.
“Furen’s health deteriorated, and she passed away within six months, leaving behind er guniang and san shaoye. Back then, er guniang was so small and fragile, like a little kitten. Nubi was worried you wouldn’t survive. But now, in the blink of an eye, er guniang has grown into a fine young lady.”
Gui mama looked at Gu Jiu with immense relief. She felt she had fulfilled her promise to the late furen.
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