After walking out of Mr. Xu’s house, Gu Wuyou let out a light breath.
She hadn’t expected that she would call him “Father” at such a moment. Although she had rehearsed it countless times in her heart—especially whenever she saw the look of anticipation and hope in her father’s eyes, she wanted to call out to him. Yet, her mouth seemed to have been sealed with a mute spell, and that one simple word just wouldn’t come out, no matter what.
Now that she had finally said them, she didn’t feel anything particularly overwhelming.
It was just that her heartbeat was a little fast.
Thump, thump, thump—it pounded so hard that her ears felt a bit numb. Unable to help herself, she gently rubbed her itchy ears with her hand. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Gu Tiao looking at her.
Gu Tiao was dressed in a delicate green soft skirt, her attire simple, and at this moment, she was watching her with a smile in her eyes.
The Gu family, whether male or female, were all born with good looks, though each had their own distinct charm. Take Gu Wuyou, for example—she was like a peony flower riding the clouds, her appearance dazzling and naturally exuding an air of nobility that placed her above others. Gu Rong, on the other hand, had a refined and elegant demeanor. Even though he was engaged in commerce, people still called him a “scholarly merchant.” As for Gu Jiufei, despite his young age, he already had a sharp and intelligent look.
And Gu Tiao?
She was like a proud winter plum blossoming in the snow, yet also like a lotus flower in the summer.
Elegant yet aloof.
She was already twenty years old. In an ordinary family, a girl at this age should have long been married and had children. Yet, she remained alone, teaching and nurturing students at Luming Academy. It wasn’t due to any other reason—Gu Tiao had been born with an illness, making her body much weaker than that of ordinary people.
When she was first born, the doctor had said she wouldn’t live long.
But year after year passed, and although Gu Tiao’s health wasn’t great, she was still alive.
In truth, if it were merely a matter of her health, no matter how frail her body was, if she wished to marry, there would always be a long line of suitors at the gates of the Duke’s Manor, waiting to take her as their bride. However, Gu Tiao had openly stated that she did not want to burden anyone. The Old Madam of the Gu family cherished her, and so no one in the household ever spoke of her marriage again.
In her past life, Gu Wuyou had spent most of her time in Langya until she was twenty-four years old, so she hadn’t interacted much with this cousin. But she did remember that in her previous life, Gu Tiao never married and had already passed away before Gu Wuyou even returned to the capital.
Thinking of this,
A hint of pity inevitably surfaced in her eyes.
Gu Tiao noticed the trace of pity in her eyes but did not quite understand why. However, she was always like this—if others did not speak, she would not ask, always giving others the utmost respect. At this moment, she simply smiled at her younger cousin and gently said, “Manman has just returned to the capital, so let me tell you about the academy.”
Gu Wuyou had not come to the academy for the sake of studying seriously. She was merely looking for an opportunity to get close to her Great General.
However, since Gu Tiao had spoken, she simply nodded in response.
Gu Tiao then softened her voice and slowly explained, “The academy is divided into the male school and the female school. The corridor we are walking through now leads to Pingshuo Hall, which is where the female school is located, and where you will be staying in the future. If you take the fork in this corridor and pass through a moon gate, you will reach the male school.”
“The male school has two divisions. One is called Changrong Hall, which is for ordinary students. Those with good grades but ordinary family backgrounds study here. The other is called Buzhi Hall, which is for the sons of noble families in the capital.”
After speaking, she turned to look at Gu Wuyou and smiled. “Your third brother studied here before.”
Gu Wuyou understood.
The male school in this academy was also divided based on family background—those from less privileged backgrounds but with excellent grades studied in Changrong Hall, while those from affluent families studied in Buzhi Hall… There was nothing strange about this, so she didn’t comment on it.
Gu Tiao continued speaking to her, “The curriculum for the female school is different from that of the male school, but there are three subjects that are the same—Rites, Archery, and Arithmetic. There are two assessments each year, both taken together.”
She also understood Gu Wuyou’s temperament and was afraid she might find it difficult, so she softly reassured her, “Manman doesn’t need to worry. Although the courses are the same, the female school is much more lenient.”
“Even if you don’t do well in the exams later, no one will say anything.”
The students attending the female school all came from prestigious noble families. They were here mainly to socialize with their boudoir friends and elevate their status rather than to seriously compete with those who were truly aiming to take the imperial examinations.
However, Gu Wuyou was not thinking about how she would perform in the assessments. She blinked and couldn’t help but look at Gu Tiao. After hesitating for a while, she finally asked, “Second Sister, I remember that the seventh young master of the Li family also studies here?”
Gu Tiao was momentarily stunned upon hearing this but did not react as nervously as Gu Rong would have.
Instead, she pursed her lips into a smile and said, “Yes, Qilang also studies here. Does Manman know him?”
Gu Wuyou pressed her lips together, unsure how to answer, and could only reply vaguely, “Isn’t he good friends with Fu Xian? I’ve heard Fu Xian mention him before…” Naturally, this was something she had made up on the spot.
She did know Fu Xian.
Fu Jiang was Fu Xian’s biological aunt, and Fu Xian had often visited the Gu family in the past. But since Gu Wuyou didn’t even like Gu Jiufei, how could she have paid attention to Fu Xian? Let alone talking to him—in her past life, she only learned that these two were good friends after she had already married Li Qinyuan.
But at this moment, this was the only response she could give.
“When Third Brother and I returned earlier, we asked about things in the capital. Third Brother told me to stay away from him, so I wanted to know what kind of person he is.” Her words were actually full of flaws, but Gu Tiao only glanced at her before smiling and answering her doubts.
“The common opinion about Qilang is not very favorable. Your Third Brother is only worried that you might suffer a loss.”
“But—” She paused for a moment before continuing, “Qilang wasn’t always like this. He used to be a well-known young gentleman of the capital—intelligent and talented in both civil and martial arts. Anyone who met him would have praised him.”
As she spoke, Gu Tiao couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.
Gu Wuyou wanted to keep asking questions when, before she could open her mouth, Gu Tiao had already changed her expression into a gentle smile and said, “Alright, we’ve arrived. Your Seventh Sister is inside. If you have any questions in the future, you can ask her.”
Thinking about the relationship between the two, Gu Tiao smiled again and added, “If you feel uncomfortable, you can also come to me. I’ll be in the same room as before.”
With that, there was nothing more to say.
Gu Wuyou knew she wouldn’t be able to get any more information at the moment. Although she was anxious, she could only obediently respond with an “Alright” and followed Gu Tiao inside.
There were only about twenty girls in Pingshuo Hall. Since class hadn’t started yet, a group of richly dressed young ladies were sitting on chairs—some looking into mirrors to check their makeup, others chatting with their companions.
As they chatted,
Inevitably, the topic turned to Gu Wuyou. A round-faced girl with a slightly plump figure spoke first, “I heard earlier that Gu Wuyou arrived, and she was personally escorted by the Duke of Ding.”
“Wasn’t she the one who used to dislike all this and refused to associate with us? Why is she suddenly willing to come to the academy now?”
“Who knows?” Another girl, holding a mirror, glanced at her reflection while snickering, “Maybe she just got bored. But wasn’t she always staying in Langya? Why did she come back now?”
After saying this, she looked toward a pink-clad girl who had been lying on the desk ever since they entered the room. She lightly called out, “Ah Yu, do you know the reason?”
Gu Yu said nothing—not even a sound.
She had known from the start that Gu Wuyou would be coming to the academy today, and the thought annoyed her so much that she hadn’t even eaten before rushing over, just to avoid traveling with her.
She had disliked Gu Wuyou since childhood, and naturally, Gu Wuyou didn’t like her either…
Just thinking about the countless days ahead where she would have to be around Gu Wuyou made her feel a headache coming on. Yet, the girls around her kept whispering and gossiping incessantly. Annoyed, she furrowed her brows and turned her face away.
“Gu Yu, I’m talking to you!” The girl who had been ignored felt slighted, her expression turning a little unpleasant. Just as she was about to say something else, a girl dressed in white suddenly spoke up.
“Wanwan, Ah Yu might not have gotten enough rest. Don’t bother her.”
“Ah Yi—”
The girl was not very happy, but since it was Xiao Yi speaking, she pouted and didn’t continue.
Xiao Yi was the legitimate daughter of the Prince of Dai and also the Commandery Princess of Changning. Among this group of young ladies, she was undoubtedly the one with the most noble status. She also had a gentle temperament, so everyone usually liked to associate with her. After pacifying the girl, she walked over to Gu Yu and sat down, softly asking, “Ah Yu, are you feeling unwell?”
Gu Yu had been proud and aloof since she was a child.
Among all the people in this room, she only had a closer relationship with Xiao Yi. Seeing her speak in such a gentle tone, she felt a little embarrassed and pursed her lips, saying in a low voice, “Ah Yi, I…”
“It’s alright. Everyone is just curious. If you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to.” Xiao Yi curved her eyes in a smile. After a brief pause, she gently added, “It’s just that in the past, there were no secrets between us, but now…” She smiled, though it seemed somewhat forced.
Gu Yu didn’t want to talk about it. Regardless of whether or not her grandmother and mother had instructed her, even if she disliked Gu Wuyou, she wouldn’t go around spreading her private matters. But seeing Xiao Yi like this, the feeling of unease in her heart grew stronger, as if she were hiding something from her.
Just as she was about to speak, Gu Tiao’s voice came from outside. “Ah Yu, come over. Your Fifth Sister is here.”
The moment she heard this, Gu Yu’s face immediately darkened, and the previously lively room fell silent. More than twenty young ladies all turned their faces toward the doorway, only to see a woman in a bright red peony-embroidered cloak.
Even if they didn’t like Gu Wuyou,
The moment she appeared, their gazes still couldn’t help but be drawn to her—looking at her attire, her hairstyle, her makeup… and then secretly trying to imitate her later.
Gu Wuyou let them look as they pleased, her face devoid of any expression.
She had grown accustomed to such stares since childhood, so even with so many people watching her now, she could face it calmly. But it was still somewhat different. In the past, even though she had kept a cold and proud face while letting them observe her, deep down, she had felt insecure.
Everyone thought she was arrogant, haughty, that she looked down on others and was full of herself.
But in truth, that was just an act she put on.
She actually lacked confidence.
She didn’t like the way people looked at her, especially when they gathered together just to watch her. She feared they would say she was a child with a mother who had given birth to her but not raised her, feared they would mock her… So she had no choice but to disguise herself as someone aloof and untouchable.
Later, when she was with Li Qinyuan,
She gradually became confident and composed.
Her great general had told her, “You don’t need to care about the eyes and words of others. They are them, and you are you. You are good enough. No one has the right to denigrate your life.”
Gu Yu refused to go over, her face cold as she stared at Gu Wuyou. Seeing this, the others naturally wouldn’t take the initiative to speak either. Even Xiao Yi, who had just been warm and conciliatory, didn’t move when Gu Wuyou appeared. In fact, when no one was looking, she even clenched her hands tightly.
Gu Tiao seemed a little troubled. Both were her cousins—one was like the palm of her hand, the other like the back, both made of flesh.
Originally, she had thought that since Gu Wuyou was new here, Gu Yu could take her under her wing, making it easier for her to integrate into the circle of noble young ladies in the capital. But now… just as she was about to speak again, Gu Wuyou suddenly took her hand and said, “Second Sister, go ahead with your work. I’ll go in by myself.”
Gu Tiao was stunned. She turned to look at Gu Wuyou and saw that she appeared calm, without any anger. Surprised, she also felt relieved.
She smiled and said, “Then I’ll be going now.”
Gu Wuyou nodded. Once Gu Tiao left, she stood at the doorway and glanced inside the room. Most of the faces were familiar. However, since they weren’t speaking, she didn’t bother to say anything either. She looked around the room once, then walked straight to the back without looking sideways.
Everything that should be on the table was there, all brand new. A female attendant thoughtfully asked her what kind of tea she would like.
Gu Wuyou casually answered and then sat down in her chair, gazing out the window. She had now arrived at the great general’s academy, but how could she meet him? And what did Second Sister’s words earlier mean?
Seeing Gu Wuyou sitting quietly at the back, the other girls didn’t know what to say for a moment. After exchanging glances, they simply turned away.
They could gossip about Gu Wuyou in private as much as they wanted, but on the surface, she was still the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ding and the personally conferred Commandery Princess of Leping by His Majesty. In terms of favor, even Xiao Yi couldn’t compare to her… Since class hadn’t started yet and they couldn’t speak ill of Gu Wuyou openly, they could only talk about other matters.
Then, someone brought up, “Have you all heard? Li Qilang also came to the academy today.”