The painted boat was moored on the lake, and Gu Jianli leaned against the beauty rest, admiring the picturesque scenery while chatting with Long Yujun.
“I heard that your marriage date has been set,” Gu Jianli said.
Long Yujun nodded and replied, “On the tenth day of September.”
She glanced back. Apart from her and Gu Jianli, only her maid Hongying and Gu Jianli’s maid Jixia were in the boat. With no outsiders around, she lowered her voice and said, “My family actually wants me to enter the palace.”
Gu Jianli was surprised. “I thought your family didn’t want you involved in that mess.”
Long Yujun sighed lightly, “No, my family wants me to enter the palace to fight for power. It was only because I refused and threatened with my life that they allowed the marriage with Yu Lang.”
Those few words concealed countless struggles and heartaches.
Gu Jianli and Long Yujun were not the type of close friends who spent every day together, but the relationship between people can be particularly delicate. Some people, even if they don’t spend much time together, can get along very well.
After a moment of silence, Gu Jianli said, “It’s good not to enter the palace. Most women in the harem live like they’re walking on thin ice, with shallow blessings.”
“How are you these days? I heard you’re still staying at the Guangping Marquis’ residence, which really surprised me.”
Gu Jianli casually picked a flower, plucking its petals one by one and tossing them into the lake. “I’ll eventually go home. It’s just that Fifth Master Ji is currently ill and weak. It would be somewhat unethical to leave now.”
Long Yujun laughed, “I thought that after a few months together, you and Fifth Master Ji would have developed some feelings.”
Gu Jianli threw the last petal into the lake and frowned slightly, “It’s not just about spending time together. Even if you tend to a pot of flowers for a long time, you’ll develop some feelings. But it’s not the romantic love you’re talking about. I’ve seen some romantic feelings in others, but it’s mostly something that harms people for half their lives. I don’t want to be troubled by such things. Acting with integrity and a clear conscience is enough for me.”
After a pause, Gu Jianli continued, “I have to give you some advice, sister. If you don’t like hearing it, just forget I said it. I don’t know how you convinced your family to marry into the Yu family, but the Yu family surely knows. If you sacrifice too much, others in the Yu family might not be moved and could even develop some disdain. If there are disputes after marriage, you will inevitably feel more wronged because of the sacrifices you’ve made. Moreover, a woman’s status in her husband’s family does not solely depend on her husband and her abilities but also relies heavily on her maiden family. With my father’s rise and fall, my treatment in the Guangping Marquis’ residence varies greatly. Your choice might make your family unhappy, so in the remaining three months, you should try to be as filial as possible at home.”
Long Yujun’s smile slowly faded as she listened. She had been worried about something, but couldn’t quite grasp it. Now, with Gu Jianli’s words, she felt a sense of clarity. She had initiated this conversation with Gu Jianli, seeking her opinion. Long Yujun always knew that Gu Jianli, two years younger than her, was particularly rational and calm.
Gu Jianli glanced at Long Yujun’s expression, then smiled sweetly and said warmly, “I only mentioned the worst-case scenario. Don’t take it all to heart. You know, I’ve been through some things and seen the world’s harshness, so I tend to overthink. But my Yujun will surely have everything go smoothly!”
Gu Jianli poured two cups of fruit wine and handed one to Long Yujun. Only then did Long Yujun smile again and say, “Don’t worry, I understand.”
Their conversation soon shifted to the popular clothes and jewelry of this summer.
Long Yujun turned her head to look at Gu Jianli, feeling quite sentimental. There were many strong and intelligent people in this world, but what she admired most about Gu Jianli was the goodness she maintained even after enduring hardships.
“His Majesty is over there,” Hongying suddenly said.
Gu Jianli looked over and saw Ji Lan, dressed in a black and yellow dragon robe, passing by the nearby rose garden, followed by some attendants. As he passed, the guests respectfully saluted. Ji Lan wore a gentle and refined smile, appearing very approachable.
Ji Lan suddenly looked down at his shoes.
Ji Xuanke emerged from the waiting crowd, squatted in front of Ji Lan, and wiped his shoes.
Gu Jianli was surprised, her mouth slightly open. The figure squatting there seemed somewhat unfamiliar to her.
Ji Xuanke stood up, exchanged a few words with Ji Lan, and then bowed to see Ji Lan off.
Just as Ji Xuanke was about to leave, he suddenly frowned, inexplicably turned around, and his gaze casually swept over the lightly rippling lake, landing on the painted boat. He only managed to catch a glimpse of a blue skirt hem.
“Did I see it wrong?” Ji Xuanke’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed. It was better if he had been mistaken; he did not want Gu Jianli to see him in such a humble and flattering position.
Gu Jianli stood behind a pillar, smiled sweetly at Long Yujun, and said, “I must go now. I’ll have a proper chat with you next time.”
“Go ahead. I need to check on my sisters too.”
Just as Long Yujun finished speaking, her cousin Lin Shaotang boarded the boat. Lin Shaotang, sixteen this year, had lived in the south and had recently arrived in Yong’an City.
Lin Shaotang wore a blue long robe with a front closure, his lips red and teeth white, and his bright almond eyes sparkling like stars. His voice was clear, full of youthful vigor. When he spoke, his brows and mouth corners were smiling, with dimples appearing at the corners of his mouth.
“Dear cousin, I just saw many fairy-like sisters in the bamboo grove. I even saw the famous elder sister of Anjing’s twin beauties, and she was truly…”
Lin Shaotang’s steps halted, staring at Gu Jianli in a daze for a long time before stammering, “This must be Xiao Li…”
Gu Jianli smiled.
“Shaotang!” Long Yujun glared at him.
Lin Shaotang snapped out of it, hurriedly bowed deeply to Gu Jianli, and said, “I am Lin Tang, a native of Huaixiang, who recently came to the capital to prepare for the autumn examination. I apologize for my abruptness, and I hope you will not take offense at my rudeness.”
He looked up at Gu Jianli’s face again, and with admiration, said, “Seeing you in person is far more impressive than any description…”
Gu Jianli curtsied slightly in return.
Long Yujun said helplessly, “Jianli, please don’t laugh at him.”
Gu Jianli shook her head, smiling, “I really must go now.”
Long Yujun nodded, standing at the bow of the boat to see Gu Jianli off. As she turned around, she saw Lin Shaotang staring intently at Gu Jianli’s departing figure. Long Yujun, amused and exasperated, said, “She’s already married.”
“Oh…” Lin Shaotang felt a bit regretful, but his gaze did not move away from Gu Jianli.
Long Yujun frowned and reminded him again, “Shaotang, she’s already married. You should put away any inappropriate thoughts.”
Lin Shaotang looked at Long Yujun in surprise and said unhappily, “Cousin, what you said is not right. Everyone has a love for beauty. She is so beautiful that a common person like me is naturally attracted to her. That doesn’t mean I intend to do anything improper. You are tarnishing my admiration and longing for beauty!”
Long Yujun silently cursed “bookworm” in her heart, but what she said was, “Yes, yes, I don’t understand.”
Lin Shaotang frowned again and caught up with Long Yujun. “Cousin, is my long robe appropriate today? Did I startle the beauty just now? Oh no, oh no, I was too abrupt. She must be annoyed…”
Long Yujun sighed and said helplessly, “Stop overthinking. Once she leaves this boat, she’ll forget you completely. She won’t bother being annoyed with you. Do you think the title of ‘Anjing’s twin beauties’ is for nothing? There are countless young men who try to win her favor, some more direct than you. They’ve tried everything from writing poems and painting to kneeling and singing.”
“Really? Are all Yong’an people like this…” Lin Shaotang was shocked.
When Gu Jianli found Ji Wujing, he was no longer in the pavilion but had entered the rock forest. The rock forest was built with winding paths. Entering one cave, there were a dozen routes to exit, and the designs inside were different. Some places, despite the lack of visible light sources, were bright, while others were pitch dark.
Gu Jianli asked around, and everyone said Ji Wujing had gone into the rock forest.
She did not enter rashly but called softly from outside, “Fifth Master, are you in there?”
Only when she heard Ji Wujing’s languid voice did Gu Jianli go in. She called out to him as she walked, stumbling along the way. She heard Ji Wujing’s voice intermittently but couldn’t find him. Frustrated, she said, “Fine, stay here by yourself then!”
As she turned, she bumped into a hard chest. Gu Jianli was startled and almost cried out, but she smelled the familiar scent of medicine.
Ji Wujing reached out to steady her.
Gu Jianli glared at him, “Why are you hiding here?”
Ji Wujing said impatiently, “Be quiet.”
Gu Jianli suddenly realized that Ji Wujing must dislike such lively banquets. Next time, it would be better not to bring him along.
“Fifth Master, did you meet any acquaintances? Chatting and such?”
Ji Wujing sneered, “Gu Jianli, are you stupid? Who would dare chat with a murderer?”
Gu Jianli was momentarily stunned. After a brief silence, she took the initiative to hold Ji Wujing’s hand and said with a smile, “Then let’s ignore them. Have you ever toured the palace properly?”
“I have,” Ji Wujing said indifferently.
“Then you must not have enjoyed it properly. Let me show you the beautiful sights in the palace.”
Ji Wujing found it uninteresting and didn’t want to go, but looking into Gu Jianli’s smiling eyes, he hesitated, swallowed his refusal, and reluctantly let her lead him out of the rock forest. As they stepped out, the dazzling sunlight made her instinctively close her eyes. Ji Wujing glanced at her.
Gu Jianli and Ji Wujing walked along the stone steps into another flower hall. Inside, various famous flowers, carefully cultivated by palace attendants, were displayed for evaluation.
Gu Jianli squatted down to examine a peony, looked up slightly at Ji Wujing standing beside her, and said, “It’s blooming beautifully.”
“Fancy meeting you here again!” Lin Shaotang quickly walked up to them.
Gu Jianli was momentarily taken aback before vaguely remembering who he was. Her slight hesitation made Lin Shaotang’s eyes darken for a moment. He recalled what his cousin had said, “Stop overthinking. Once she leaves this boat, she’ll forget you completely. She won’t bother being annoyed with you.”
Gu Jianli stood up, greeted him with a smile, and said gently, “Young Master Lin, aren’t you with Yujun?”
Lin Shaotang’s delicate eyes immediately brightened again, revealing a pair of small tiger teeth as he smiled and said, “My cousin went to find someone to go horseback riding with. I came here to admire the flowers and unexpectedly ran into you again…”
His eyes, bright like stars, stared intently at Gu Jianli, reluctant to look away even for a moment.
Gu Jianli smiled and nodded, then turned back to the peony she had been looking at. She naturally placed her hand on Ji Wujing’s forearm and asked, “How about we plant some peonies in the flowerbed in our courtyard?”
