Beneath the Surface Chapter 01

Autumn rain drummed against the duckweed, and the courtyard pond rippled outward in concentric circles, reflecting the aged beams overhead.

Withered leaves were swept into the murky mud, and a faint, rotten stench permeated the air.

Song Chuzhao dreamt that her grandmother, whom she hadn’t seen in years, was gravely ill and nearing the end of her life. A urgent letter arrived at the border. Her father, his face etched with worry, summoned her to his tent. He told her that her grandmother was seriously ill and wished to see her grandchildren before she passed, and ordered her to return home to visit on his behalf.

Though Song Chuzhao didn’t have a deep affection for her grandmother, she still felt a sense of familial connection. With two of her father’s trusted aides escorting her, she rode back to the capital.

She vaguely knew that her mother and Old Madam Song were deeply estranged, which was why they had been living in the border region for over a decade. But now that Old Madam Song had summoned her under the pretense of illness, if her mother were to object, it would surely invite gossip. She didn’t want to put her mother in a difficult position, so she made the decision to return on her own, without informing her mother.

The rhythmic clip-clop of the horses’ hooves blended with the incessant drumming of rain outside, churning her thoughts into a chaotic mess. Her shallow breaths grew heavy.

Upon returning to the capital, Song Chuzhao discovered that her grandmother was in high spirits, her face flushed with health. When she saw Song Chuzhao, she didn’t show any signs of affection between grandmother and granddaughter. Instead, she coldly informed her that she was of marriageable age and that this was the reason she had been summoned back.

She then assigned Song Chuzhao to an old, dilapidated side courtyard, dismissing her with a perfunctory gesture.

The other elders in the family also constantly made snide remarks, criticizing her manners and speech, as if they were determined to crush her into the mud. She dreaded these elders who held themselves above others and were disrespectful relying on their age. She didn’t think she would fall into their clutches one day.

Song Chuzhao! That name was synonymous with the local tyrannical ruler in the border town, unmatched in power.

Even though her father was extremely strict with her, the other soldiers in the army were exceptionally protective of her. Even the appointed officials, the inspectors, and the county magistrates treated her with great kindness, as if she were one of their own children.

But now that she was back in the capital, she was being subjected to endless abuse from the Song family.

If it weren’t for the “Song” inscribed on the lintel, she would have thought she had entered the wrong house.

Song Chuzhao abruptly opened her eyes, shivering from the cold air that drifted in from the window.

Damn it! by carpreads.pages.dev

Only after waking up did she realize, to her annoyance, that this wasn’t a dream!

Old Madam Song had assigned her to this dilapidated courtyard!

Song Chuzhao closed her eyes again, pressing the back of her hand against her forehead, using the coolness to soothe the heat on her face.

When she was too young to remember, she had accompanied her father back to the capital once and met the entire Song family. She couldn’t recall the specifics, only that it had been an unpleasant experience. She had cried all the way back, fuming for days, and her mother had never allowed her to return since.

If only she had known… why had she been so foolish as to come back and invite this trouble?

Song Chuzhao was so angry that she wanted to grind her teeth to dust.

Another gust of early autumn wind blew in.

Song Chuzhao jumped out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and strode over to the window, slamming it shut with a forceful “bang.” The old house trembled slightly from the impact.

After the sound, the footsteps outside became even clearer.

“Why are you so agitated, Miss?”

The door was pushed open, and a maid entered the room, carrying a tray of fruit.

Her face was round, her features unremarkable, and she should have looked honest and reliable, but her eyes held a glint of cunning that couldn’t be concealed. She lowered her eyes and discreetly observed Song Chuzhao, her gaze carrying a hint of unpleasant slyness.

This was the maid assigned by Old Madam Song to take care of her, named Miao’er.

“This is from Second Miss, she asked me to deliver it to you,” Miao’er placed the tray on the table, then picked up a golden orange and smiled. “Old Madam sent many oranges to Second Miss’s room, saying they were brought back by Third Master. Second Miss asked me to bring some to you. She’s thinking of you.”

Song Chuzhao gave her a cold glance and simply said, “Get out!”

Upon her arrival, Song Chuzhao had not yet noticed anything amiss. She even found the Song Mansion’s inhabitants to be considerate and approachable. It was only on the second day that she began to discern a different atmosphere.

These people always spoke with a hesitant, yet eager, tone, especially when mentioning Song Chuzhao’s mother. It was as if her mother had done something shameful. Their hypocrisy was evident, yet they attempted to mask it with a facade of innocence and romance, making their behavior all the more contrived.

Furthermore, the mansion’s elders, with their affected airs and exaggerated pronouncements, subtly reminded her that the most beloved and esteemed member of the Song Mansion was Song Chuzhao’s elder sister, the Second Miss, Song Shiwen.

These individuals incessantly praised Song Shiwen for her competence, her inner beauty and outer grace, her gentleness, respect, and modesty. They were even more affectionate towards her, taking care of her in every way, hoping she would be grateful.

Ptui!

How audacious of these demons to dare to act so arrogantly in front of her, Song Chuzhao. Did they think that all those who marched and fought in battle were also skilled in sorcery and trickery?

Although she and the Second Miss Song were not born to the same mother, Song Chuzhao’s own mother was the only daughter of a third-rank official. Even if the Second Miss’s deceased mother, or even Old Madam Song, were to speak, they had no right to claim a higher status in her presence.

Besides, who was the Second Miss’s mother? She had been dead for over a decade. Perhaps she herself was unaware of her supposed noble lineage.

They likely saw her as an easy target, a woman isolated and vulnerable in the capital. They believed that by applying pressure, they could force her to submit and obey. They might even try to make her treat Song Shiwen as a close sister, since, on the surface, the Second Miss was the kindest to her.

Dream on! Was she that foolish? Were the chickens of the capital so inept at crowing that they couldn’t wake these people up?

“Is the young lady still troubled by her marriage prospects?”

Miao’er placed the orange back, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bowed in a gesture of humility. She spoke in a soothing voice, “Young lady, although Fourth Son Gu may be somewhat fickle and unrestrained, he is, after all, the eldest son of the Duke. He may even inherit the title in the future. If you were to marry him, it would be considered a good match. Don’t believe everything you hear.”

Song Chuzhao raised an eyebrow, glancing at her sideways, and let out a cold laugh.

She found it strange. Old Madam Song had not shown any concern for her in over a decade, so why was she suddenly arranging a marriage for her?

Therefore, Song Chuzhao instructed someone to investigate.

She had no relatives in the capital, only two trusted confidants who had accompanied her on her journey. When they heard her request, they stayed for two extra days and discreetly inquired on her behalf.

It turned out that this marriage proposal was entirely Old Madam Song’s doing.

During a palace banquet, the Empress had invited several officials’ wives to chat in the back garden. Upon seeing Madam Gu, who sat at the head of the gathering, Old Madam Song remarked that the two young masters of the Gu family were of marriageable age.

Conveniently, the Song family also had a daughter of suitable age.

Naturally, Old Madam Song was not thinking of Song Chuzhao, but of Song Shiwen, the girl she had raised since childhood.

Song Shiwen was two years older than Song Chuzhao. If she didn’t marry soon, she would be considered past her prime.

Old Madam Song had surveyed all the eligible bachelors in the capital and, with a satisfied sigh, concluded that only the sons of the Gu family were worthy of her granddaughter.

Before Old Madam Song could subtly hint at her intentions, the Empress, seated above, suddenly asked Madam Gu if the marriage agreement between the Gu and He families, made many years ago, was still valid.

Madam Gu replied that if neither party had reneged, then it was still binding. Although it wasn’t a formal engagement, it would be a joyous occasion if the two families could forge a bond.

It was said that Old Madam Song was deeply shaken, frozen in place, unable to recover for a long time.

This was an agreement made long ago between General He and Duke Gu. General He had only one daughter, who was Song Chuzhao’s mother. Song Chuzhao’s mother also had only one daughter, Song Chuzhao.

Although Song Chuzhao bore the Song surname, this marriage agreement was based on the He family’s reputation and had nothing to do with Song Shiwen.

Unfortunately, Song Chuzhao had snatched away the groom Old Madam Song had chosen for her granddaughter, even though she herself wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the match.

It wasn’t her fault!

Knowing this, the snide remarks of the Song Mansion’s servants took on a new, more subtle meaning.

You all are truly talented!

She had initially thought that the two soldiers had heard too many ghost stories on the frontier, and that their descriptions of the events had been embellished with personal emotions.

But it turned out to be all true.

Song Chuzhao’s mind raced with many thoughts, but she didn’t show it on her face. She furrowed her brows and scanned Miao’er from head to toe, then bent down, put on her shoes, and repeated, “I told you to leave, didn’t you hear?”

Miao’er bent even lower, trembling with fear, “What did this servant do to make the young lady angry again?”

Song Chuzhao pointed with a long hand, “I was resting, who told you to open the window? You, a servant, enter my room as if no one is there. Are the Song family servants so undisciplined? You have a lot to say. Do you know how someone like you would be dealt with in the army?”

Miao’er hurriedly said, “I opened the window because I was afraid the young lady would be stuffy.”

Song Chuzhao paused, then rose to her feet, approaching her step by step.

The two of them drew closer and closer, until they were only two steps apart, Song Chuzhao stopped.

The shadow fell on Miao’er’s body. Song Chuzhao reached out her hand, but before it touched her, Miao’er trembled, fearfully shouting, “I’m leaving now!” Then she retreated towards the door in a panic.

Miao’er was in such a hurry, as if she was truly afraid that Song Chuzhao would hit her, and as she ran, she bumped into Song Chuzhao’s hand.

With a very faint “clink,” Song Chuzhao looked down and found that the jade pendant she had always worn had fallen off.

She paused for a moment, then squatted down to pick it up.

With just that slight fall, the jade pendant had cracked into several pieces. She turned it over in her palm to examine it. It turned out that the red cord that held it had worn through and broken, causing it to fall.

She couldn’t remember who had given it to her, but she had always kept it with her, wanting to return it to that person. Unexpectedly, it was broken. What did this mean?

Although she usually didn’t believe in ghosts and gods, shouldn’t she go to a temple to pray? She had been having too much bad luck lately.

---

“Mother!”

The newcomer burst in, giving a casual two-handed salute as a greeting. Before the other person could respond, he sat down on the nearby couch, leaning his weight on the small table in the middle, and facing the woman beside him, he repeatedly shouted, “This is not right, this is not right, it’s really not right!”

Madam Gu, holding a needle, kept her eyes fixed on the white handkerchief in her hand, ignoring him, calmly threading the needle. When Fourth Son Gu stopped his wailing, she asked, “What’s not right?”

Fourth Son Gu let her ignore him for a while, his spirits drooping. When she spoke, he immediately straightened his back and said, “Mother! How could you agree to this marriage with Third Girl Song? You don’t know that she grew up on the frontier, she doesn’t know any manners, everyone in the capital says she’s ugly and arrogant, you always say you’ll discipline me, but you can’t ruin me like this!”

Madam Gu’s tone remained calm, “Where did you hear this ’everyone’?”

“It is everyone!” Fourth Son Gu pointed to the door, “I sent someone out to inquire, and the Song family servants said so. They say that Third Girl Song is moody and violent, and the servants in her house avoid her and dare not approach her. If you let her marry into the Gu family, I think the whole Gu mansion will be turned upside down.”

Madam Gu finally stopped her work.

Fourth Son Gu thought she was going to listen to him, took a deep breath, and was about to make a passionate speech, but Madam Gu glanced at him, signaling him to be quiet, then held the handkerchief in the air, looked at it from left to right, and finally nodded in satisfaction.

Fourth Son Gu let out a sigh, fell back on the couch, and helplessly called out, “Mother, please care about me a little!”

Madam Gu asked again, “When did she return?”

“Just a few days ago!” Fourth Son Gu sat up again, “Mother, you don’t know? It’s said that after she came back…”

Madam Gu obviously knew, interrupting him, “She’s only been back for a few days, and there are only a few people who have met her. How come everyone in the capital knows what kind of person she is?”

“What does it have to do with me?” Fourth Son Gu said, “Anyway, I don’t want to marry a girl who can beat me up.”

Madam Gu reached out her hand to the side, Fourth Son Gu understood, immediately diligently handed her the scissors from the basket, and dragged out the sound, “Mother~”

Madam Gu finally said, “It’s not a marriage arranged for you, so why are you being so fussy?”

“Even if it’s not for me…” Fourth Son Gu spoke loudly, but suddenly stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened in disbelief. “What?! It’s not for me? Then is it for Fifth Brother? Mother, how could you? Fifth Brother is a frail scholar!”

Two coughs, carefully suppressed, came from a distance. The two in the room fell silent. A figure in white slowly approached and stopped at the doorway.

“Mother, you called for me.”

His complexion was somewhat pale, as if he had been recovering and his energy lacking due to his prolonged illness. Yet, his bright eyes and delicate brows were unforgettable. Unlike Fourth Son Gu’s slightly ruffianly strength, he exuded a gentle aura that made it difficult to dislike him.

Fourth Son Gu had already put on a smile and greeted him, concernedly asking, “Fifth Brother, are you feeling better?”

Gu Fengjian nodded. “I’m almost fully recovered.”

Madam Gu addressed Gu Fengjian, her voice softening. She gestured for him to come closer and asked, “Have you thought about what I told you?”

Gu Fengjian lowered his gaze. “Let me meet the person first.”

Madam Gu chuckled lightly. “That’s what I was thinking too. Third Girl Song was raised by Madam Song herself, so she shouldn’t be a bad child. Don’t listen to the rumors.”

Fourth Son Gu tugged at the corner of his mouth and muttered, “They’re all from the Song family. I’d rather marry the second daughter. Speaking of which, Second Miss Song would be a good match for Fifth Brother. I hear she’s also a lover of poetry and literature, and she’s known for her kind heart and virtuous character.”

Madam Gu’s brow furrowed, and she shook her head. “Second Miss Song, no.”

Fourth Son Gu asked, “Why not?”

Madam Gu didn’t want to explain to her son, so she simply gave him a look that said, “You’re too stupid.”

Gu Fengjian sat down beside them. As he adjusted his robe, something slid from his waist. He hadn’t noticed, but Fourth Son Gu’s sharp eyes caught it. “Fifth Brother, you dropped something. Is it your jade?”

Gu Fengjian bent down to pick it up. His fingertips were about to touch it when his vision suddenly went black, and he slumped down. He only had time to hear Fourth Son Gu’s urgent cry beside him.

Author Note:

The male protagonist is a bit two-faced, not a fresh and naïve person.