In the past few days, the inner courtyard of the governor’s residence had been as quiet as a grave.
Since Xie shi was pregnant, no one dared to provoke her or stir up trouble at such a time. Even the usually rowdy Gu Yue had quieted down, as she was being punished with confinement for self-reflection.
Meanwhile, Gu Jiu had been resting for a few days, and her cold had finally subsided. She felt refreshed and invigorated.
It was a hot afternoon.
Gu Jiu sipped a cup of watermelon juice, but Qing Mei stopped her from drinking more.
“Guniang, your body is weak; you mustn’t drink too much.”
Gu Jiu wrinkled her nose. “Alright, I won’t drink more. Bring me the book on the third shelf, farthest to the left.”
Qing Mei fetched the book and placed it in Gu Jiu’s hands.
Gu Jiu leaned against the cushioned chaise by the window, fanning herself leisurely while reading.
At the doorway, Jiang Yan stood holding her coursework.
Qing Mei hushed her. “Shh, don’t disturb guniang.”
“Is that Jiang Yan?” Gu Jiu asked. “Let her in.”
Only then did Qing Mei allow Jiang Yan to enter the study.
Gu Jiu set her book aside and slowly fanned herself. “Yanzi, have you finished your assignment?”
Jiang Yan nodded and respectfully handed over her work. “This is nubi’s assignment, guniang. Please check it.”
Gu Jiu flipped through it page by page.
Jiang Yan’s handwriting resembled a child’s scrawl, but it was neat and showed evident effort. To have improved so much in such a short time was truly remarkable. After all, mastering good handwriting was not something that could be done overnight.
Gu Jiu nodded and placed the coursework on the table. Then, she exchanged a glance with Qing Mei.
Understanding her meaning, Qing Mei silently left the room.
Now, only Gu Jiu and Jiang Yan remained in the study.
Jiang Yan grew uneasy. “Guniang, did nubi do something wrong?”
Gu Jiu took a sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and then asked, “Jiang Yan, have your ambitions changed?”
Jiang Yan looked puzzled.
Gu Jiu smiled lightly. “Just answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”
Jiang Yan took a deep breath and firmly nodded. “Nubi’s ambition has never wavered.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “That’s good. Now, an opportunity lies before you.”
Jiang Yan tensed up, her palms starting to sweat. What kind of opportunity was Guniang referring to?
Gu Jiu didn’t keep her guessing and got straight to the point. “Next month, a group of beauties will be sent from the northwest to the capital. Their final destination is likely the imperial palace. Are you willing to go?”
“The… the imperial palace?”
Jiang Yan’s heart pounded, and sweat beaded on her forehead. Her throat felt dry, and she instinctively licked her lips, struggling to form words.
Gu Jiu nodded. “Yes, the imperial palace. According to my sources, this group of women is being presented to His Majesty and will be sent to the capital specifically for this purpose.
“However, whether there will be unexpected incidents along the way is uncertain. If something happens, you may not be able to enter the palace. This is an opportunity, but it also comes with risks. The decision is yours to make.”
Jiang Yan hesitated, struggling internally. “Guniang, if something happens along the way, what will happen to nubi? Can nubi return to serve guniang?”
Gu Jiu shook her head and said calmly, “Once you leave the governor’s fu, you will no longer be mine. So, you cannot return to serve me. Your fate will be unknown, and you must decide for yourself.”
Jiang Yan looked at Gu Jiu. “Does guniang think nubi should go?”
Gu Jiu remained expressionless. “That’s a question you should ask yourself. Do you want to go?”
Jiang Yan’s throat felt dry, and her heart pounded as if it would burst. Her entire body felt stiff.
She asked in a whisper, “Is there really a chance to enter the palace?”
Gu Jiu replied, “If everything goes smoothly, yes. As far as I know, these beauties are being specially selected as tributes for His Majesty.”
Jiang Yan’s face flushed, and her rapid heartbeat made her breathless. The room suddenly felt stifling, as if she couldn’t get enough air. Her hands clenched tightly, and she could feel the sweat soaking through the fabric on her back.
After a long period of contemplation, she finally said with conviction, “Guniang, nubi wants to go.”
Gu Jiu raised her eyes and looked at her. “Have you thought it through?”
Jiang Yan nodded firmly. “Nubi has. Nubi wants to take this chance.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “As long as you’re certain. You must remember—once you take this path, there is no turning back. No matter what hardships come your way, you can only rely on yourself.”
Jiang Yan’s expression grew solemn. She said with difficulty, “Thank you for the warning, Guniang. Nubi’s mind is made up, nubi won’t regret it.”
Gu Jiu studied her, then said in a detached tone, “In that case, prepare yourself. You’ll leave the residence in a few days. If you need to send anything home, tell Qing Mei, and she’ll arrange it for you.”
“Thank you, guniang.”
Jiang Yan suddenly dropped to her knees and kowtowed three times before Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu frowned slightly.
Jiang Yan’s voice was emotional. “Guniang, thank you for everything you have done for me. Nubi will never forget your kindness. If nubi succeeds one day, nubi will repay you.”
“No need for such words. Get up. You now recognise common characters, so read more books and practice your writing. Literacy will be helpful no matter where you go. I hope that one day, you achieve your dreams and never forget your original intentions.”
Jiang Yan choked up. “Nubi will remember your teachings, guniang.”
Gu Jiu reminded her, “Do not tell anyone about this. As for your friend Guo Taohua, find another excuse to cover up your departure. Don’t leave any clues behind.”
“Nubi understands.”
Jiang Yan wiped her tears and silently left the study.
Qing Mei entered from outside. “Guniang, are you really sending Yanzi to the palace?”
Gu Jiu chuckled wryly. “I have no power to send her there. Whether she actually reaches the palace will depend entirely on her fate. Even if she does enter the palace, that will only be the beginning. The palace is not a place where ordinary people can survive.”
Qing Mei sighed. “Yanzi is a good girl. I thought we’d stay together and serve you as sisters, but now she’s leaving so suddenly.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “You all used to look down on her, calling her a scheming fox.”
Qing Mei fidgeted and admitted, “That was before. We didn’t know her well. She did sell herself as a maid to climb the social ladder, but she’s different from others who do the same. Nubi can’t explain it well, but after knowing her, nubi just doesn’t find her annoying anymore.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “She is ambitious, but she is honest about it. She works hard and never schemes against others. Unlike many who climb the social ladder by stepping on others, she has been obedient and diligent.”
Qing Mei nodded. “Exactly! That’s why I don’t dislike her anymore. It’s a shame she’s leaving.”
Gu Jiu said softly, “There’s nothing to pity. This is the path she chose.”
At that moment, Qing Zhu entered. “Guniang, laoye has sent someone to summon you to the outer study immediately.”
“Father is calling for me?”
“Yes.”
Gu Jiu exchanged a look with Qing Mei. Could it be that the matter of Pei Yun being drugged had already reached Gu daren’s ears?
T/N:
With this, Jiang Yan temporarily exits stage only to make an interesting comeback about a hundred chapters later.
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