Phew!
As soon as Gu laoyezi left, everyone in the first and second branches let out a collective sigh of relief.
While laoyezi had been present, everyone had been holding their breath.
They didn’t even dare to speak too loudly, let alone breathe heavily, for fear of attracting his attention.
Gu da laoye, Gu Zhiming, gave Gu daren an apologetic look and said, “Er di, laoyezi has become like this now. Don’t take his words to heart. After you see him more often, you’ll get used to it.”
Gu daren furrowed his brows, picked up his wine cup, and drank it down in one gulp.
“Da ge, I remember when I left back then, laoyezi wasn’t like this.”
Gu da laoye sighed, “Who knows why? The older he gets, the more outrageous he becomes. What can we do as his sons? We can only endure it. Come, er di, let’s drink. After so many years, your family is finally back.”
The atmosphere grew lively again.
On the women’s side, they also relaxed.
Xie shi muttered, “Laoyezi is simply too absurd.”
At this moment, Zhang shi had no intention of disagreeing with Xie shi.
She turned to Xie shi and said, “This is just the beginning! If you stay longer, you’ll see that laoyezi has many more tricks up his sleeve. When he makes trouble in the future, will you join me in persuading him in the outer courtyard?”
For a moment, it seemed as if the two zhouli had never had any conflicts. They acted close, as if they were truly family.
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled.
Sure enough, a taitai in charge of the household for many years was not simple. At the very least, their ability to keep up appearances was impeccable.
Xie shi smiled and said, “Since dasao has asked, I will certainly agree. You’ve managed the household alone for so many years, it must have been tough. I’ll toast to you. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know. I’d be happy to share your burdens.”
Zhang shi looked at Xie shi with a half-smile. “Dimei is considerate. If I ever need your help, I won’t be polite. Come, let’s drink as zhouli.”
The two clinked their cups and drank, watching each other closely.
Their gazes clashed like blades, neither willing to back down.
Gu Jiu smiled. So much for pretending to be close.
These two couldn’t meet without tearing into each other. If they didn’t fight, they wouldn’t be satisfied.
The meal was exhausting. Thankfully, it finally ended.
Gu Jiu was the first to excuse herself.
“Er jiejie, wait for me.”
Gu Lin caught up with Gu Jiu. Soon after, Gu Zhen also followed.
Since it was still early, Gu Zhen suggested visiting Zhilan Yuan for a while. Gu Jiu readily agreed.
As the three sisters chatted, Gu Yue and Gu Shan also caught up.
“Er jiejie, count us in! Can we come sit with you too?” Gu Yue asked with a bright smile.
Gu Jiu smiled back and nodded. “If san meimei and si meimei don’t mind, then let’s go together.”
Everyone followed Gu Jiu to Zhilan Yuan.
Gu Lin and Gu Zhen secretly observed the courtyard—there was a clear difference between di and shu daughters.
Unlike them, who lived in a small side courtyard with only three main rooms and two side rooms, Gu Jiu’s courtyard was more than twice as large.
The study was already set up.
Gu Jiu invited them to sit in the study and ordered the maid to prepare tea.
Gu Yue looked around and noticed a maid standing at the door. Curious, she asked, “Is this a new maid? I don’t remember seeing her before.”
Gu Jiu smiled and said, “Her name is Wang Yi, a new maid personally assigned by the steward.”
With the mention of the steward’s arrangement, Gu Yue swallowed the rest of her words.
If Gu Jiu dared to keep Wang Yi by her side, she must have completed all the formal procedures, leaving no room for criticism.
Gu Shan spoke up, “I remember there was once a very beautiful maid by er jiejie’s side. I think her name was Yanzi. Why don’t I see her anymore?”
At Gu Shan’s words, the others recalled the maid as well.
Gu Zhen said, “Yes, I remember that maid too.”
Gu Yue added, “That maid, Jiang Yan, was originally meant for san ge, but er jiejie snatched her away. Er jiejie, what happened to the maid you fought so hard for? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
Gu Jiu chuckled softly and said, “Didn’t you all know?”
“Know what?”
Gu Jiu replied, “That maid, Jiang Yan, was on a servitude contract, not a lifetime bond. Later, she fell ill, and I was afraid she might spread her sickness, so I sent her away. After all, she was too beautiful, and keeping such a maid by my side would always be worrisome.”
Gu Yue laughed. “So, even er jiejie has concerns like this? Back then, when you insisted on keeping Jiang Yan, I thought er jiejie wanted her as a personal maid for your future marriage.”
Gu Jiu smiled and said, “San meimei, you think too far ahead. My marriage isn’t even settled yet, and you’re already worrying about dowry maids? I truly cannot compare to you.”
Gu Yue’s expression changed.
Gu Jiu was mocking her, wasn’t she? Mocking her eagerness to get married.
Gu Yue gritted her teeth in frustration. “Er jiejie always speaks with barbs. If I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered asking.”
Just then, Qing Zhu entered with tea.
Gu Jiu invited everyone to drink. The minor dispute was quickly brushed aside.
As Gu Lin sipped her tea, she smiled and said, “Er jiejie, I love this soft couch. It’s so comfortable.”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “You can have the maids sew similar cushions. They’re indeed very cosy.”
Gu Shan looked around the study and said, “I didn’t expect er jiejie to have so many books.”
Gu Jiu replied, “Most of them are borrowed from Father’s study and must be returned after reading. A few were bought for me by gege.”
“San ge treats er jiejie very well,” Gu Shan remarked.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, “Liu ge is also very good to both of you.”
Gu Zhen sighed gloomily, still upset about laoyezi calling her an ‘old maid.’
She let out a long sigh. “I never expected laoyezi to be like that.”
Everyone shared the sentiment. Having such an unscrupulous grandfather was truly an unfortunate fate.
Gu Shan said, “Compared to this, life in the northwest was actually quite nice—except for the harsh winters.”
No troublesome laoyezi, no scheming da bomu, and the petty disputes in the inner courtyard were nothing by comparison.
Gu Yue frowned. “I don’t understand zufu’s reasoning. Doesn’t he worry that his behaviour will affect da bofu and Father’s careers?”
Gu Shan replied, “We’ve all seen it—zufu only cares about his own pleasure and drinking. He doesn’t care about their careers, let alone our futures.”
Faced with an increasingly reckless grandfather, everyone felt uneasy.
Gu Zhen hesitated before asking, “If zufu continues like this, will it affect us?”
By ‘affect’, she naturally meant their prospects for marriage.
Gu Yue raised an eyebrow. “Who knows? The first branch only has liu meimei, and she’s of shu birth. I doubt they care.”
Gu Zhen turned to Gu Jiu. “What does er meimei think?”
Gu Jiu set down her teacup and smiled. “It’s truly remarkable how da bofu and Father turned out so well despite having such an irresponsible father.”
Ordinary people, when faced with a father like Gu laoyezi, would be affected to some extent.
Yet, both Gu da laoye and Gu daren grew up normally. One became a military general, the other a civil official—both quite capable, with fairly smooth careers. This was really a miracle.
Everyone looked at Gu Jiu.
Gu Shan asked, “What does er jiejie mean?”
Gu Jiu chuckled softly, “I asked the servants today, and it turns out that our Gu fu and the neighbouring hou fu split eighteen years ago. The reason why da bofu and Father were not influenced by zufu and have achieved what they have today must be largely thanks to the hou fu’s laoyezi and lao furen next door.”
At the neighbouring hou fu, the old houye and lao furen set a good example, allowing Gu da laoye and Gu daren to see that not all fathers in this world were like Gu laoyezi.
There were also fathers like the old houye, responsible and upright.
Most likely, back then, the old houye must have personally guided da bofu and Gu daren as well.
Gu Shan seemed deep in thought.
Gu Yue’s eyes gleamed with excitement, her mind racing. Mother was right—her marriage prospects depended on the neighbouring hou fu.
With how chaotic their household was, she would be too embarrassed to even invite guests over.
If someone came to visit and laoyezi suddenly threw a tantrum, how humiliating would that be?
Gu Zhen bit her lip, looking troubled.
Gu Jiu comforted her, “Da jiejie, don’t overthink it. Don’t take zufu’s words to heart.”
But Gu Zhen said, “Zufu wasn’t wrong. I’ve already come of age, yet my marriage is still undecided. If this drags on, I really will become an old spinster.”
Gu Jiu spoke to her seriously, “Da jiejie, marrying a couple of years later doesn’t make you an old spinster. Besides, marrying later is actually better for your health.”
Since they were all young ladies, Gu Jiu kept her words subtle. She didn’t directly mention how having children too young could be harmful.
Those who could understand would understand, and those who couldn’t—it wasn’t worth explaining.
Gu Zhen wasn’t comforted at all; instead, she felt even more miserable.
Gu Yue frowned in irritation. “Da jiejie, what are you crying about? We just arrived in the capital. Once we settle down and get familiar with the connections here, Mother will naturally start planning for you. Who knows, by next spring, your marriage might already be arranged.”
Gu Zhen lowered her head and murmured, “How can it be that soon?”
By next spring, her marriage would probably still be nowhere in sight.
Gu Yue huffed, “Da jiejie, worrying about it won’t change anything. You might as well relax—eat well and drink well.”
Gu Zhen bit her lip. Gu Yue had taitai looking out for her, so of course, she wasn’t worried and could act so carefree.
But it was different for her—she was only a shu daughter.
If she didn’t make her presence known in front of taitai, she feared she would be forgotten entirely. If that happened, how would anyone remember to arrange her marriage?
She sneaked a glance at Gu Shan. She was closest to Gu Shan, so she hoped Gu Shan could help her. But Gu Shan showed no reaction.
Gu Shan was still young, and when it came to marriage matters, she had no say at all.
Gu Zhen was deeply disappointed.
She turned to Gu Jiu. “Er meimei, aren’t you worried at all?”
Gu Jiu chuckled lightly, “I’m in no rush.” So there was nothing to worry about.
Gu Zhen sighed enviously. “Er meimei, you really have such a good mindset.”
“Da jiejie can also learn from me and not care about what others think.”
Gu Zhen shook her head—she couldn’t be as carefree as Gu Jiu.
She had lived under the scrutiny of others since childhood. Every effort she made was to gain approval and praise.
To ask her to ignore others’ opinions was simply impossible.
“I wonder what the hou fu is like. It must be more luxurious and grand than our Gu fu,” Gu Lin suddenly said.
Gu Yue chuckled. “Wu meimei, won’t you find out first thing tomorrow morning when we visit the hou fu? Why are you in such a hurry?”
Gu Lin spoke softly, “I’m not in a hurry, I was just saying.”
Gu Yue raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Wu meimei, have you prepared your outfit for tomorrow’s visit to the hou fu? And what about the gifts for the guniang there?”
Gu Lin lowered her head, avoiding Gu Yue’s gaze, and simply said, “The gifts for the young ladies of the hou fu are the same as the one I prepared for liu meimei. They are all embroidered pouches I made myself.”
Gu Shan smiled and spoke up first, “Wu meimei is thoughtful. Handmade pouches may not be expensive, but they represent your sincerity.”
Gu Shan had spoken up deliberately to interrupt Gu Yue. Gu Yue had a habit of speaking with hidden barbs, and Gu Shan was worried that another argument would break out among the sisters.
She then turned to Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, we still don’t know what gift you prepared. We never saw the one you gave to liu meimei either.”
Gu Jiu smiled and said, “I had a maid personally deliver liu meimei’s gift to her room.”
Gu Yue asked curiously, “What kind of gift is it?”
“Just something ordinary, nothing worth mentioning,” Gu Jiu replied casually.
Gu Yue obviously didn’t believe her. “Er jiejie, how boring! You’re keeping it a secret even now.”
Gu Jiu simply raised an eyebrow and ignored her.
Gu Lin gathered her courage and asked, “San jiejie, what did you prepare for the guniang of the hou fu?”
Gu Yue smirked proudly. “That’s a secret.”
Tch! She called er jiejie boring, yet she was keeping her own gift a secret. Hypocrite!
Sensing the tension in the room, Gu Shan quickly said, “It’s getting late. We have to visit the hou fu early tomorrow morning. Er jiejie, we’ll take our leave now so you can rest.”
“Si meimei, take care,” Gu Jiu responded. “I’ll see you out.”
“No need, er jiejie.”
Since Gu Shan had suggested leaving, the others also realised it was quite late.
One by one, they got up to bid farewell and left Zilanyuan.
Afterward, Qing Zhu entered to clear the teacups and teapot.
Gu Jiu lay lazily on the soft couch, looking a bit tired. Qing Mei brought over a blanket and covered her.
“Guniang, be careful not to catch a cold.”
It was now November—though the capital’s winter hadn’t yet reached its coldest, by the twelfth month, the biting cold would make people shiver all over.
Even though it wasn’t too cold yet, a brazier had already been lit in the room, making it warm and cosy.
Gu Jiu closed her eyes, lost in thought.
Qing Mei sat on a stool, working on some embroidery while chatting with her.
“Guniang, which outfit will you wear to the hou fu tomorrow? Should you pick something festive?”
Gu Jiu asked, “Did you ask Gui mama about what the lao furen likes?”
“Gui mama said lao furen enjoys lively occasions, especially when young ladies gather around her, chatting and making her laugh. She also mentioned that when the shu-born young ladies were still unmarried, they had a lot of face in front of the lao furen.”
Hearing this, Gu Jiu smiled. “Then I’ll wear something festive tomorrow.”
Since the lao furen liked lively atmospheres, Gu Jiu couldn’t dress too plainly—otherwise, it might seem inauspicious.
Qing Mei muttered, “With all the fuss laoyezi made today, I wonder if it will affect laoye.”
Gu Jiu replied, “Laoyezi can’t leave the fu, so it shouldn’t affect Father’s official career. But Laoyezi will surely find ways to make Father’s life miserable.”
Poor Father!
With a father like that, he was bound to be frustrated every day.
Even Xie shi would be implicated. If Father was upset, he would naturally avoid coming home. If he wasn’t at home, he wouldn’t have time for the back courtyard or for fulfilling his marital duties with Xie shi. And if Father avoided the back courtyard, Xie shi would also grow frustrated.
This vicious cycle would continue, and with da bomu stirring things up, sooner or later, Xie shi was bound to explode.
Gu Jiu chuckled. “This fu is going to get very lively soon.”
Qing Mei didn’t quite understand.
Gu Jiu smiled lightly and said, “Taitai and da bomu don’t get along. Eventually, they’ll clash. With laoyezi making trouble, no one will have peace. But the ones affected the most will be da bofu, da bomu, Father and taitai.
“They will bear the brunt of it. As for us, we are just the grandchildren—there’s a generational gap. The impact on us will be negligible.”
Qing Mei was still worried. “Are you sure this won’t affect guniang?”
Gu Jiu spoke softly, “It won’t affect me.”
“What about guniang’s marriage?”
Gu Jiu smiled. “My marriage is still far off. You all don’t need to worry unnecessarily.”
In this era, marriage was inevitable. But Gu Jiu planned to delay it as much as possible.
Marriage was tedious—there would be endless concerns to deal with.
It was nothing compared to the freedom she had now.
And if she ended up marrying a scumbag… well, life would be a nightmare.
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