Happy 2025!
Gu daren instructed Gu Quan, “Go to Zhilanyuan and tell er yatou to write an essay on ‘Harmony in the Family Brings Prosperity.’”
Gu Quan was momentarily stunned. Why was laoye suddenly issuing this order?
Gu daren offered no explanation.
Gu Jiu’s growing intelligence was a good thing, but it was necessary to keep her in check, lest she become overly arrogant at such a young age.
Gu daren had already learned the details of what had happened in the main hall today from the servants.
As a junior, Gu Jiu outwardly appeared obedient but covertly opposed Xie shi. Such behaviour could not be tolerated. Gu daren would not allow anyone in fu to stir up trouble.
“Harmony in the family brings prosperity” was a genuine belief he held deep in his heart.
In Gu daren’s mind, he hoped that Gu Jiu could display her intelligence while remaining respectful to Xie shi, thereby reducing conflicts and disputes within the fu.
As a junior, Gu Jiu should show deference to Xie shi and exercise patience. Small matters should be endured and let go; there was no need to create trouble.
A guniang should be composed and graceful. Being too cunning and constantly scheming was, in Gu daren’s eyes, unbecoming of the innocence and charm expected of a young girl.
It simply wouldn’t do.
If Gu Jiu were to know Gu daren’s thoughts, she would undoubtedly scoff at them.
On one hand, he wanted young ladies to be innocent and obedient; on the other, he demanded composure and strategy. Why not ask her to ascend to heaven?
Wanting the horse to run fast without feeding it, and forbidding it from finding food on its own—why not starve the horse outright?
Having both the fish and the bear’s paw—what a fantasy!
For Gu daren to demand that Gu Jiu endure quietly, even when Xie shi tried to harm her or meddle with her marriage prospects?
Gu Jiu: Hehe! Never in either of my lives have I suffered such grievances.
No way.
Gu Quan pondered the underlying meaning of Gu daren’s words and quickly understood.
He bowed deeply and said, “Does laoye have any other instructions?”
Gu daren thought for a moment before saying, “Tell er guniang to take good care of her health. There’s no rush to complete the essay; she can take her time.”
“Xiaode understands. I’ll head to Zhilanyuan now.”
Gu daren waved his hand, dismissing Gu Quan, who promptly departed for Zhilanyuan.
In Zhilanyuan, Gu Jiu was practising her calligraphy. This was her daily routine, which she never skipped.
Even after travelling all day and sparring with Xie shi, though she was physically exhausted, Gu Jiu still insisted on practising calligraphy to cultivate her patience.
After completing five sheets of xuan paper, she finally put down her brush and stretched her wrist.
Qing Mei brought over a bowl of watermelon juice and set it before her.
“This is the watermelon juice Qing Zhu made especially for guniang, as per guniang’s instructions. Please try it.”
Gu Jiu nodded and took a sip. “Not bad!”
Qing Mei smiled brightly at the praise. “If guniang likes it, there’s still watermelon in the kitchen. Let Qing Zhu to make another bowl later.”
“One bowl is enough. Too much can upset the stomach,” Gu Jiu replied. Her health was fragile, so she was careful about what she ate—only sampling things in moderation.
Just then, Xiao Cui returned from outside. “Guniang, laoye visited the main hall. He stayed for about fifteen minutes before leaving. Nubi noticed that jiejie in shangfang seemed quite pleased afterwards.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. “It seems laoye and taitai have reconciled.”
Hearing this, Qing Mei immediately grew concerned.
“If laoye and taitai are reconciled, what will happen to us?”
Gu Jiu set down her bowl and smiled lightly. “What’s there to fear? This was bound to happen sooner or later. Did you really think the master would ignore taitai forever?
“That matter with Xie Xian was serious enough, but even then, laoye merely gave taitai a mild reprimand. Clearly, laoye doesn’t truly wish to sever ties with taitai; he just wanted to use this as an opportunity to remind her to be more restrained. Today’s events provided the perfect pretext for laoye to reconcile with taitai.
“Laoye knows fully well that any discord between him and taitai would unsettle everyone in the fu. Prolonged strife would be detrimental to the family’s peace. Without any fundamental conflict of interest, reconciliation was inevitable.”
Qing Mei still looked worried. “But if laoye and taitai are reconciled, won’t taitai take the opportunity to cause trouble for you?”
Gu Jiu considered this and replied, “From what I know about taitai, she’s likely preoccupied with solidifying her position and suppressing Bai yiniang for now. Only after that will she have time to trouble me at Zhilanyuan.”
Still, Gu Jiu couldn’t shake the feeling that Xie shi was holding back something big. Reflecting on Xie shi’s decades-long history, she was clearly no simple character.
Gu Jiu wasn’t so arrogant to think that her small tricks alone could topple someone like Xie shi. She was curious to see what grand scheme Xie shi was brewing. She even looked forward to it, eager to witness the spectacle.
“Guniang, Gu Quan is here to see you,” Jiang Yan announced from the doorway.
“Please invite Steward Gu in,” Gu Jiu replied.
“Understood.”
Soon, Gu Quan was ushered into the study in the east wing.
“Xiaode greets er guniang.”
“There’s no need for such formality, Steward Gu. Qing Mei, bring a seat,” Gu Jiu instructed.
“Thank you, er guniang,” Gu Quan said as he sat down. He got straight to the point. “Xiaode has come at laoye’s behest to convey his wishes. Laoye has instructed er guniang to write an essay on ‘Harmony in the Family Brings Prosperity.’ He also asked me to remind you to take good care of your health and not to rush the essay.”
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly and lowered her gaze. Her father was clearly trying to admonish her.
She said to Gu Quan, “Thank you for coming all this way. My father has been deeply concerned for me lately. Please let him know that I will take his instruction seriously and write the essay with great care. The weather is hot, and my health is fragile, so I’ll use this time to stay indoors, read, and reflect.”
Gu Quan smiled. “Er guniang is thoughtful indeed. With this attitude, laoye will surely be pleased.”
“It is my duty as a daughter not to let my father worry. Though I wish to ease his burdens, my youth and frailty make it difficult. Please assure my father that I will not disappoint him.”
“Very well. Xiaode must return to report back. Allow me to take my leave now.”
Gu Jiu stood up quickly. “Qing Mei, see Steward Gu out.”
Gu Quan waved his hand. “No need to trouble yourself, er guniang. Farewell.”
After Qing Mei escorted Gu Quan out, she returned, looking worried.
“Guniang, what does laoye mean by this? Nubi doesn’t quite understand.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly. “Laoye is simply giving me a warning.”
“Ah!” Qing Mei was startled, fearing that Gu Jiu would lose her father’s favor.
Gu Jiu reassured her, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Laoye wants peace in the fu. He reprimanded Xie shi earlier, so now it’s my turn.”
Unfortunately, Gu daren’s hopes were bound to be dashed.
The conflict between her and Xie shi was irreconcilable. The two of them would never achieve true harmony, and a bigger clash was inevitable.
Composed, Gu Jiu resumed her calligraphy practice.
Qing Mei was still anxious. “Guniang, what will you do in the future?”
Gu Jiu smiled softly. “I’ll shut my doors and focus on recovering my health.”
The body was the capital of the revolution. She needed to regain her strength as soon as possible.
“And taitai?”
Gu Jiu replied, “Don’t worry about taitai. Qing Mei, don’t you trust me?” Looking up, Gu Jiu gazed at Qing Mei.
Qing Mei quickly shook her head and said, “Of course nubi trusts guniang.”
“Then believe me when I say everything will be fine.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Qing Mei nodded firmly. “Nubi believes guniang. Even if something does happen, nubi believes it will be handled with guniang’s methods.”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “Then what’s there to worry about? Come, grind some ink for me. I still need to write five more sheets.”
Qing Mei picked up the ink stick and started grinding while saying, “Guniang is too diligent, even more so than proper scholars.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “How can one afford not to be diligent? A good life doesn’t fall from the sky. We must work hard to earn it. I need to make the most of my time now. Besides, it’s a way to pass the time.”
“Nubi can never argue with guniang. But guniang must take care of your health.”
“Don’t worry. I know my limits.” Gu Jiu smiled as she continued her calligraphy.
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