Early in the morning, Gu Jiu led her maidservants to the main house to pay respects.
As she approached the courtyard gate, she ran into Gu Zhen, Gu Yue, and Gu Shan.
“Da jiejie, san meimei, si meimei, what a coincidence,” Gu Jiu greeted them first.
Gu Zhen nodded slightly and asked, “Er jiejie, have you fully recovered? When I heard we were returning to the capital, I was worried about your health. If you were to fall ill before reaching the capital, that would be troublesome.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly. “I appreciate da jiejie’s concern. Though my health is not as good as da jiejie’s, I should be able to endure the journey to the capital without issue.”
Gu Zhen smiled. “That’s good to hear. Now I can rest assured.”
Gu Shan added, “Judging by er jiejie’s complexion, you do look much better. Congratulations.”
“Thank you for your concern, si meimei,” Gu Jiu replied.
She then stepped forward and stood before Gu Yue.
Gu Yue frowned. “What are you doing?”
Two days ago, Gu Yue had just finished serving her punishment of confinement. She should have been in a good mood, but the moment she saw Gu Jiu, whatever happiness she had instantly vanished.
She simply did not like Gu Jiu—she despised her.
Why?
Did she need a reason to dislike someone?
Dislike was simply dislike. Everything about her—her smile, her words, her clothes—was irritating.
Gu Jiu smiled and reached out her hand to compare their heights.
In the past, Gu Yue had been half a head taller than her. Now, they were about the same height. Gu Jiu was very satisfied with this result. She had indeed grown taller. Soon, she would surpass Gu Yue.
“San meimei, we’re about the same height now,” Gu Jiu said cheerfully, not minding Gu Yue’s attitude.
Gu Yue was immediately displeased.
She and Gu Jiu were only six months apart in age. Previously, she had always been taller, but now, they were nearly the same height.
Did that mean she hadn’t grown at all in the past six months while Gu Jiu had?
Gu Yue snorted. “So what if we’re the same height? Come show off again when you’re actually taller than me.”
Gu Jiu nodded, fully agreeing. “San meimei is right. I’ve been growing a lot lately, so who knows? By New Year’s, I might actually be taller than you.”
Gu Yue scoffed. “You’re dreaming! Do you think you can surpass me in just a few months? You think I won’t grow too?”
Gu Jiu smiled, pressing her lips together. A child’s height was largely determined by their parents, with few exceptions.
According to Gui mama, Gu Jiu’s birth mother, Su shi, had been a tall and beautiful woman. When compared to her, Xie shi was at least a head shorter.
Genetics suggested that Gu Jiu had a high chance of growing taller than Gu Yue.
And the trend was already showing.
Gu Jiu said to Gu Yue, “By New Year, we should already be back in the capital. Then, we can compare heights with our sisters at the hou fu.”
Gu Yue replied, “Fine, let’s compare. I will definitely be taller than you.”
“You’ll need to eat more if you want to grow taller!” Gu Jiu said sweetly.
Xie shi had a tendency to gain weight easily, and Gu Yue seemed to have inherited that trait.
Gu Jiu was quite looking forward to seeing a chubby Gu Yue by New Year.
She was successfully leading Gu Yue down the wrong path. No issues here.
Gu Yue gritted her teeth in frustration but couldn’t help wondering—would eating more really make her grow taller?
Gu Jiu had almost caught up to her height in just six months. Could it be because she ate more?
Just then, Gu Lin arrived.
When Gu Lin saw her four older sisters, her heart skipped a beat. She felt a little panicked and hesitant to approach.
Gu Zhen was the first to notice her. “Wu meimei, you’re here too. Come over, we were just chatting.”
Gu Lin forced a smile, stepped forward, and curtsied. “Greetings, da jiejie, er jiejie, san jiejie, si jiejie. Why haven’t you all gone in yet?”
Gu Zhen covered her lips with a handkerchief and chuckled. “It’s still early. Standing here and chatting for a while is nice.”
“Wu meimei, how is Bai yiniang?” Gu Shan, who had been quiet, suddenly asked.
Gu Lin nodded. “Bai yiniang is doing well. Last night, Father even went to visit her.”
Gu Lin seemed to be stating a fact, but in Gu Yue and Gu Shan’s ears, it sounded like she was showing off.
Gu Yue shot Gu Lin a glare and snorted before turning to enter the courtyard.
Gu Shan smiled at Gu Lin. “It’s good that Bai yiniang is well. Wu meimei, did you know? Father specifically instructed Mother to take good care of Bai yiniang. Mother is already weak, yet she still has to toil day and night. I can’t help but worry about her. Fortunately, Bai yiniang is doing well—this way, Mother can have some relief.”
Gu Lin lowered her head. “Thank you for your concern, si meimei.”
Gu Shan smiled and then went inside as well.
Gu Zhen turned to Gu Lin. “Wu meimei, why did you bring up Father visiting Bai yiniang last night? Everyone knows Bai yiniang is pregnant and feeling proud of herself. Do you really need to rub it in?”
Gu Lin wasn’t afraid of Gu Zhen. They were both shu daughters—why should she be intimidated?
Gu Lin stared at Gu Zhen. “Da jiejie, what nonsense are you saying? I wasn’t showing off. I was just stating the truth. Unlike you, I don’t spend all my time circling around san meimei and si meimei.”
Gu Zhen was furious. “Gu Lin, is that how you speak to your eldest sister? I am the eldest, and it is only natural for me to maintain good relations with my sisters. Is that wrong?”
Gu Lin was at a loss for words. She opened her mouth but didn’t know how to argue back.
Gu Jiu, who had been silent, finally spoke. “Da jiejie, wu meimei, you two must have been enemies in a past life. You always argue whenever you meet. We should go inside now—let’s not keep taitai waiting.”
Gu Zhen nodded. “Er jiejie is right.”
With her head held high, she entered the courtyard first.
Gu Lin walked alongside Gu Jiu, muttering, “Da jiejie is too overbearing. Every time we meet, she lectures me. She only acts this way because she’s the eldest sister. Er jiejie, you’re the di daughter, but she still tries to suppress you. Isn’t that unfair?”
Gu Jiu glanced at Gu Lin and smiled.
The little girl had learned to scheme—she was trying to sow discord between her and Gu Zhen.
Gu Jiu simply replied, “She is the eldest sister, after all.”
She refused to say anything more.
Gu Lin found this response disappointing.
Why didn’t er jiejie have any ambition? If it were san meimei, she would definitely fight with da jiejie for authority and make it clear who was in charge.
After entering the main house, the five sisters sat in the Flower Pavillion, waiting for Xie shi.
“Taitai is here!”
With the maid’s announcement, Xie shi entered the Flower Pavillion with her attendants.
Everyone stood up in unison and greeted her:
“Greetings, Mother.” — This was from Gu Zhen, Gu Yue, Gu Shan, and Gu Lin.
“Greetings, taitai.” — This was from Gu Jiu.
Xie shi’s expression remained indifferent. “Sit down.”
Everyone sat back down.
Xie shi glanced at them and said, “Er yatou, you’re quite the rare guest.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Thanks to taitai’s care, my health has greatly improved.”
Xie shi nodded. “Good.”
She then continued, “You all know that we’ll be returning to the capital. We will likely depart in mid or late next month. During this time, pack your things and settle any matters.
“As for your servants, decide who will accompany you to the capital and who will be dismissed. Submit the list to Chun He within three days.”
Everyone agreed in unison.
Xie shi nodded and continued, “The weather is gradually turning colder. By the time we set off for the capital, it will be quite chilly. I have already instructed the embroidery house to prepare winter clothing for you all. If any of you have any difficulties, speak up today so I can take care of them all at once.”
No one spoke immediately.
After a brief silence in the room, Xie shi glanced around and asked, “Does no one have any issues?”
Gu Jiu was the first to respond, “I have no difficulties here.”
Xie shi’s expression remained indifferent as she gave a slight nod. “Er yatou, you must take care of your health. The journey will be tiring—don’t fall ill midway and delay your father’s schedule.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly and said, “Thank you for your concern, taitai. I wouldn’t dare delay Father’s journey.”
“That would be best.”
Xie shi found this conversation dull. Gu Jiu was like a turtle in its shell, unaffected by both soft and hard tactics. No matter if she was mocked openly or subtly, she remained calm and unbothered. It was truly frustrating.
Frustration aside, the important matters had to continue.
Xie shi turned her gaze to the others.
After some hesitation, Gu Zhen spoke up, “Once we return to the capital, we will have to meet the sisters from the hou fu. It has been a long time, and I can barely recall them. I am also unsure of what kind of gifts would be appropriate for our first meeting. I would appreciate taitai’s guidance.”
Xie shi smiled slightly. “Zhen yatou is right. When you return to the capital, you must maintain frequent contact with the sisters in the hou fu. For this first meeting, it is only proper to prepare gifts.
“Not only must you prepare gifts for the sisters of the hou fu, but also for lao furen and the various bomu and shenniang. In my opinion, for the elders, embroidery work would be suitable. As for your peers, you may choose more freely—embroidery, calligraphy, or interesting trinkets, all would be acceptable.”
Gu Zhen smiled and said, “Thank you for the guidance, taitai. Nü’er understands now.”
Gu Yue asked again, “Mother, how many sisters are there in the hou fu? What are their names? Which branch do they belong to? Nü’er still haven’t figured it out. Could you tell nü’er?”
Xie shi immediately smiled, her expression kind and gentle.
“Even if you didn’t ask, I would have told you. There are three branches in the Marquis’s household, all of them of di birth. As for the shu sons, they have long since been separated from the family, so you need not concern yourselves with them.
“There are a total of seven guniang in the hou fu. I have already had Chun He prepare detailed information, and I will give it to you shortly. You must remember them well. If you mistake one for another and end up offending someone, don’t expect me to be lenient.”
By the end of her sentence, Xie shi’s expression turned stern.
Gu Yue quickly reassured her, “Mother, don’t worry. I will not mistake anyone or offend them. As for the gifts for the sisters of the hou fu, I must think carefully. They must not only be sincere but also unique and interesting—something that cannot be found in the capital.”
Gu Shan said, “If you want something unique to the capital, the best choice would be specialities from the northwest.”
Gu Yue wrinkled her nose in disdain. “This impoverished place in the northwest—what good things could possibly come from here? Bringing northwest specialities back to the capital as gifts? Si meimei, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Gu Shan remained expressionless and countered, “Gift-giving is about sincerity, not the monetary value of the gift.”
Gu Yue sneered. “Then tell me, which gift holds more sincerity—a copper coin’s worth or a tael of silver’s worth?”
Gu Zhen lowered her head, pressed her lips together, and stifled a laugh.
Gu Shan furrowed her brows slightly, clearly displeased.
Xie shi glanced at her two daughters and said, “Yue’er, say no more. Shan’er, your san meimei does have a point. A gift should not only convey sincerity but also hold value. And if it aligns with the recipient’s preferences, all the better. The two of you should think carefully about what gifts would best express your sincerity.”
“Nü’er understands,” Gu Shan replied obediently.
Xie shi then turned her gaze to Gu Jiu, intending to provoke her. “Er yatou, your health is poor, and everyone in the hou fu is aware of it. I think you should simply prepare some embroidery work as a gift—sincerity is what matters most.”
Gu Jiu smiled faintly. “Thank you for your advice, taitai. I already have some ideas for the gifts and will have my maid prepare them.”
Xie shi frowned—Gu Jiu had dodged the bait once again.
Gu Yue was curious. “Er jiejie, what kind of gifts are you preparing?”
Gu Jiu replied, “Just a few ideas, nothing certain yet. Let’s talk about it when we reach the capital.”
Gu Yue secretly rolled her eyes—boring.
Seeing no point in further provoking Gu Jiu, Xie shi turned to the girl sitting at the farthest end. “Wu yatou, how is your yiniang?”
Gu Lin, nervous and sweating in her palms, quickly stood up. “Replying to taitai, thanks to your grace, my yiniang is doing well.”
Xie shi smiled. “That’s good to hear. My efforts were not in vain. I have repeatedly instructed the servants to take good care of Bai yiniang. It seems they have taken my words seriously.”
Gu Lin lowered her head and murmured softly, “Taitai has worked hard.”
Xie shi said, “As a mother, how could I not? Your food, clothing, daily needs and future marriages—what haven’t I worried about? I ask for nothing in return, only that you show a little filial piety and don’t treat my good intentions as a donkey’s liver and lungs1.”
Gu Zhen immediately said, “Taitai is too serious.”
Xie shi waved her hand. “It’s getting late, and I still have much to do. You may all leave now. Yue’er and Shan’er, stay behind.”
“Yes!”
Gu Jiu was the first to rise and take her leave.
Gu Lin followed closely behind.
Gu Zhen dragged her feet but eventually left reluctantly.
Outside shangfang, Gu Lin caught up to Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, wait for me. Taitai kept san meimei and si meimei behind—she must have something specific to instruct them about. My yiniang said that san meimei and si meimei have been secretly learning how to manage household affairs. Whenever there’s a good opportunity, taitai prioritises them and never considers us.
“Are we not also daughters of the Gu family? If we don’t learn household management now, when we marry in the future, we will be laughed at for being ignorant of everything. Not only would we embarrass ourselves, but we would also disgrace the Gu family. People would say that our family failed to teach its daughters properly.”
Gu Jiu turned to look at Gu Lin. “Did your yiniang tell you this?”
Gu Lin nodded at first, then hesitated and shook her head, looking a little guilty.
Gu Jiu understood immediately and smiled knowingly.
Bai yiniang had clearly instilled many ideas in Gu Lin. And now, Gu Lin was deliberately relaying them to her.
Could it be that Bai yiniang wanted her to confront Xie shi?
If she lost, it wouldn’t affect Gu Lin. If she won, Gu Lin would benefit by getting the chance to learn household management as well.
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow, smiling as she said, “Go back and tell Bai yiniang to focus on taking care of her pregnancy. Overthinking things during pregnancy is not good for the baby.”
With that, Gu Jiu ignored Gu Lin and walked away.
Gu Lin stood there, stunned.
This was completely different from what her aunt had told her would happen.
Was er jiejie angry?
Gu Lin panicked and hurried back to Xiangsi Courtyard to see Bai yiniang.
“Yiniang, I did exactly as you instructed—I told er jiejie everything. But she said… she said…”
“What did she say?”
Bai yiniang asked absentmindedly.
Lately, she had been feeling triumphant, her expression brimming with confidence. She had even gained a little weight.
Xie shi had tried to scheme against her, but she had turned the situation around and foiled Xie shi’s plans instead.
This victory made Bai yiniang very pleased with herself.
And when people become complacent, they naturally crave more.
Not only did she want to give birth to a son, but she also wanted to groom Gu Lin into a true noblewoman.
A noblewoman had to possess certain qualities—she needed to know how to manage a household, understand social etiquette, and be skilled in networking.
These skills couldn’t be acquired without practice.
So Bai yiniang had set her sights on this goal.
She couldn’t act directly, nor could she bring it up to Gu daren without reason.
She needed an opportunity—an excuse to bring it up at the right time. And naturally, she thought of Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu was a fierce fighter. So far, she had clashed with Xie shi numerous times and had never lost.
If she could persuade Gu Jiu to confront Xie shi,
then when the conflict escalated, she could use it as justification to convince Gu daren to let Gu Lin learn household management as well.
But Bai yiniang had overestimated herself.
She had assumed that a slight nudge from Gu Lin would be enough to provoke Gu Jiu into taking action. After all, if the plan succeeded, Gu Jiu would also benefit.
So when Gu Lin anxiously repeated Gu Jiu’s response, Bai yiniang was in disbelief.
Her smile froze. “What did you say?”
Gu Lin repeated, “Er jiejie told me to tell you to focus on your pregnancy. Overthinking things is bad for the baby.”
“She really said that?” Bai yiniang still couldn’t believe it.
Gu Lin nodded firmly. “Yes, she really did.”
- Mistake good intentions for ill intent; a donkey’s liver and lungs seem to be the most inexpensive parts to buy and eat. ↩︎
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