Duke of Ding’s Residence.
It was already the hour of Shen (15:00-16:59).
Since the snowfall at noon had ceased, the wind had gradually lessened. Although the outside world remained a vast stretch of white, the murky sky had finally revealed a hint of brightness.
In the main courtyard where the Old Madam of the Gu family resided, the elderly servant women wrapped in thick cotton-padded jackets were sweeping the snow in the courtyard. Under the veranda, the young maids stood in orderly fashion, their small faces flushed red from the cold. Though no one was watching them, not a single one slacked off. Even their lips remained tightly shut, without a word exchanged.
Clearly, the household discipline was strict.
The atmosphere outside the courtyard was exceptionally quiet, and within the dark red embroidered curtain adorned with the Four-Happiness Ruyi pattern on Tianhua brocade, the silence remained unbroken.
Inside, the female members of the family were seated.
To the right sat a woman in her thirties, dressed in a crimson brocade jacket with wide sleeves and a blue satin skirt. Her hair was styled in a Ruyi bun, adorned with a phoenix hairpin slanted at an angle. Though her appearance was not particularly striking, her features were upright and proper, her eyes clear, and her brows bore an unmistakable air of fortitude.
This woman was named Fu Jiang, the second wife of Duke of Ding Gu Wuji, and the current mistress of the Duke’s residence.
Opposite her sat Madam Liu, with willow-leaf eyebrows and an oval face, exuding an air of sharp intelligence. She wore a brocade vest embroidered with intricate patterns, her attire lavishly adorned with pearls and jade. On her fair wrists were two solid gold bangles, giving her an appearance even more opulent than Fu Jiang.
The room was eerily quiet.
The maids and servant women all had their heads lowered. Madam Liu, accustomed to idleness, set aside her teacup in boredom and remarked offhandedly, “It’s been nearly two hours, yet Xiao Wu (Little Wu) still hasn’t returned. Could it be—”
Her eyes flickered toward Fu Jiang, and she chuckled lightly, “She doesn’t want to come again?”
Fu Jiang was sipping her tea. Upon hearing this, her hand paused for a moment before she calmly replied after a brief silence, “Rong-ge’er1“Ge’er” (哥儿) is a term commonly used in historical Chinese settings to refer to young noble boys or sons of prestigious families. It is a respectful or affectionate suffix attached to a young man’s name, similar to how “Young Master” or “Young Lord” might be used in English. went to personally fetch her. How could Xiao Wu not return? The wind and snow are heavy today, so delays on the road are to be expected.”
“That’s not necessarily true.”
Madam Liu smiled with narrowed eyes. “It wouldn’t be the first time our Xiao Wu has done such a thing. But…” She paused before asking, “How long does she plan to stay this time? Normally, she only comes back during the New Year or major festivals. It’s not quite the New Year yet.”
Fu Jiang frowned at these words.
She set down her tea, unable to drink anymore, and looked at Madam Liu with knitted brows. “What does Third Sister-in-law mean by this? This is Xiao Wu’s home—naturally, she may stay as long as she pleases.”
Madam Liu, seeing her reaction, silently clicked her tongue in her heart.
Not a biological daughter. She refused to believe Fu Jiang was truly happy about Gu Wuyou’s return. Every time that child came back, had it ever brought peace to the household? That girl was like a hedgehog, harming anyone who got too close.
Of course.
The ones who suffered the most were Fu Jiang and her son.
Thinking of that bright and striking girl and the sharp words she had spoken in the past, Madam Liu thought that if she were Fu Jiang, she would have long since harbored deep resentment toward Gu Wuyou.
But there was nothing to be done.
Who told Gu Wuyou to be so fortunate? Not only did she have the Wang family as her backing, but she also had an aunt who was the Empress. Even as an infant, she had been granted the title of County Princess. Even their esteemed Duke of Ding cherished her as if she were a treasure.
No matter how much one disapproved, there was no choice but to endure.
Still smiling, she idly played with the gold bangles on her wrist, about to goad Fu Jiang further when, all of a sudden, the Old Madam of the Gu family, who had been sitting on the luohan bed, spoke.
“This time, Xiao Wu won’t be leaving.”
The moment those words fell, the smile on Madam Liu’s face froze. She turned to look at the elderly woman reclining on the luohan bed. The Old Madam was dressed in a dark purple brocade vest, her eyes closed, prayer beads in hand.
Madam Liu was stunned. “What?!”
Then, recalling the letter that had arrived ten days ago, her disbelief grew even stronger.
“Could it be true? Has Xiao Wu really annulled her engagement with the Zhao family?!”
No one answered her.
Old Madam Gu remained with her eyes closed, fingers turning the prayer beads in her hand. Her composed and unwavering expression seemed eternally still, as if nothing could stir her.
Fu Jiang said nothing either.
Though she was Gu Wuyou’s stepmother, she had no authority over her matters.
Madam Liu still seemed trapped in her immense shock, murmuring, “What is she thinking? How could she just annul the engagement so suddenly? That Zhao family’s young master—what kind of person is he? And she’s willing to give him up? I say, the older she gets, the more outrageous she becomes…”
She hadn’t even finished speaking.
Old Madam Gu suddenly opened her eyes. At fifty-five, her gaze remained sharp and clear, her unsmiling face carrying an air of solemn dignity. She simply looked at Madam Liu, saying nothing, yet the silent pressure of her gaze alone made Madam Liu shut her mouth.
As silence settled once more in the room, Old Madam Gu resumed turning the prayer beads in her hand and spoke indifferently, “This matter is settled. There’s no need to speak of it again in the future. Eldest daughter-in-law, keep an eye on things—if anyone in the household brings up Xiao Wu’s engagement again, they will be dealt with according to the family rules.”
Fu Jiang quickly responded, “Yes.”
“Xiao Wu is a legitimate daughter of our Gu family. This is her home. In the future, those mindless words should not be spoken in front of her.” Though she didn’t name names, it was clear her words were directed at Madam Liu.
Having just been stared down by Old Madam Gu, Madam Liu felt an involuntary chill creep up her spine, her face turning pale. Where would she dare to say more now? She lowered her head like a quail and softly murmured, “Understood.”
—
On the Official Road.
Gu Wuyou had been sitting for so long that she was starting to grow restless. Wrapped in her cloak, she leaned against the carriage, holding a sachet filled with plum blossoms in her hands. She called out softly, “Third Brother.”
Before long, the sound of horse hooves approached, followed by a pleasant and melodious male voice from outside the carriage. “What is it?”
Gu Wuyou sighed in boredom. “How much longer until we arrive?”
“Almost there. Once we turn this corner, we’ll be there.” Gu Rong laughed outside. “The wind has died down now. If you’re feeling restless, lift the curtain and take a look outside. It’s been so long since you’ve been back—you might have already forgotten what this place looks like.”
Gu Wuyou’s heart stirred.
She had long since forgotten most of her childhood memories, yet those with Li Qinyuan remained vivid. Was the current capital the same as the one in her memories?
She stretched out three fingers and quietly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.
The snow had just stopped falling, and there were still very few people on the streets. Most of the shops remained closed, but she still gazed outside with great interest. Compared to her memories, there were indeed many differences—some places were familiar, while others were foreign.
She remembered that there used to be a tofu pudding shop next to the Sun Family Scissors Shop, yet now, it was a bookstore.
Perhaps the shop wouldn’t open for another few years.
That tofu pudding shop had the most incredible flavor. The first time Li Qinyuan brought her there, she had been quite disdainful, thinking, What kind of good food could come from a shop like this? She had only taken a reluctant bite after much coaxing.
Then, her eyes had widened in astonishment.
From that moment on, every time she went out, she would drag Li Qinyuan there, insisting on eating at least two large bowls each time. She had been teased countless times as a little glutton because of it.
Thinking of this, Gu Wuyou couldn’t help but smile.
Riding alongside the carriage, Gu Rong happened to catch sight of her expression and found it rather curious. His little cousin had always worn a cold, indifferent face whenever she returned. No matter how much others teased her, she had never been one to laugh easily. It was as if coming home was merely a duty to be fulfilled—she would return for the New Year, then hurriedly rush back to Langya as soon as the celebrations ended.
But today, she had been smiling the entire time.
Her mood seemed quite good.
Holding the reins, Gu Rong lowered his head slightly and chuckled, “Xiao Wu seems a little different this time.”
Gu Wuyou’s face showed no change at all. When she heard those words, she simply withdrew her gaze, lifted her head, and smiled at Gu Rong. “Then, does Third Brother think it’s good or bad?”
Gu Rong was momentarily stunned. After a pause, a gentle smile spread across his warm features. He raised a hand and lightly patted the hood of her cloak, as if stroking her head. “You were fine before, but this is even better.”
He was probably the only one in the Gu family who was close to Gu Wuyou.
Although everyone said that Xiao Wu was arrogant and unruly, Gu Rong always remembered how, when she was little, she had sat on a tall bed, unable to get down because her feet couldn’t reach the floor, her eyes red as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Yet the little girl had been far too proud. The moment she saw him enter, she had deliberately stiffened her face, like a little hedgehog trying to disguise her softness with a tough exterior to face the outside world. But she had still been too young back then—no matter how hard she tried to hold it in, she couldn’t stop herself from letting out a sob.
And then—
He remembered her flushed face, followed by the sound of her cries echoing through the entire room in sheer embarrassment.
The more Gu Rong thought about it, the more his smile deepened. His warm eyes settled on Gu Wuyou, filled with the care and affection befitting an elder brother. Perhaps because of that childhood memory, no matter how terrible his little cousin’s reputation became, he couldn’t help but want to treat her better, even better than before.
The carriage had already turned the corner.
Glancing at the sachet in Gu Wuyou’s hand, he recalled how she had been filling it with plum blossoms earlier in the carriage and suddenly chuckled. “You picked so many plum blossoms—are you making a sachet?”
Gu Wuyou smiled and nodded.
Gu Rong teased her, “For me?”
Gu Wuyou pursed her lips, looking quite hesitant. But in the end, she still looked at Gu Rong and said, “Not this one. I’ll make one for Third Brother another time.”
Gu Rong, of course, didn’t lack a sachet. He had only been teasing her, but seeing her hesitation, he couldn’t resist pushing further. “If it’s not for me, then who is it for?”
Though he usually didn’t concern himself with family affairs, he knew that his little cousin had already annulled her engagement with the Zhao family.
Could it be that the annulment was just a cover?
Was this sachet still meant for Zhao Chengyou? If so, it wouldn’t be surprising.
The rest of the family might not know, but when he visited Langya last year, he had seen his cousin and Zhao Chengyou together… Given how much Xiao Wu liked Zhao Chengyou, could it be that the annulment was just a temporary measure?
Gu Wuyou had no idea what Gu Rong was thinking.
She clutched the sachet, about to blurt out “For the Great General,” but then stopped. Not to mention that Li Qinyuan was still just a young man at this time, even their relationship… Her face reddened. Instead of answering, she played coy, hoping to dodge the question. “Third Brother!”
Gu Rong snapped out of his thoughts. Seeing her charming and bashful expression, the more he thought about it, the more likely his suspicions seemed. He wanted to press for details, but in the end, this was a young lady’s private matter, and it wasn’t his place to pry. He had no choice but to surrender, sighing in defeat. “Alright, alright, I won’t ask.”
The two siblings continued chatting for a while.
Just as they were about to reach the Duke of Ding’s Residence, Gu Wuyou suddenly called out in a small voice, “Third Brother.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know…” Gu Wuyou hesitated, her voice carrying a hint of shyness. “Li Qinyuan?”