When Chundong returned, Song Chuzhao was pretending to read in her room.
She was very serious, but after looking for a long time, she only managed to read the title of one book. She did, however, figure out the location of all the books in Gu Fengjian’s study, just in case she needed to find something in a hurry. As for the content, it was simply too obscure for her to comprehend.
Song Chuzhao wanted to go out and play, but since Fourth Son Gu didn’t come to see her, she didn’t have an excuse. She didn’t dare to be too obvious about it, so she could only lock herself in her room and pretend for the time being.
Fourth Son Gu, however, also had to pretend. He said he needed to reflect on his reckless behavior in the recent competition, and that he wouldn’t bother her for the next few days. This made her so angry she wanted to hit someone.
So when Chundong appeared, Song Chuzhao was so excited she couldn’t contain herself. She dropped the book she was holding, strode over to her, and invited her in.
Chundong caught a glimpse of the undisguised joy in her eyes and understood immediately.
Fifth Son Gu hated it when people interrupted him while he was reading. Even when he wasn’t busy, he wouldn’t react when he saw her. His unusual behavior this time was clearly just a way to get information about Third Miss Song from her.
Song Chuzhao, on the other hand, thought that the only topic she could discuss with Chundong without revealing her true identity was the Song Mansion. So, her first words were, “How’s your visit to the Song Mansion going? Did everything go smoothly?”
Chundong gave a strange, knowing smile. “Smoothly. You can rest assured, young master. I told Third Miss Song many good things about you. Next time she sees you, she shouldn’t feel too awkward.”
Song Chuzhao: “???“ by carpreads.pages.dev
How awkward would that be?
The me you see before you was no longer me.
Chundong, unable to understand her complex emotions, presented the book in her hand. “Young master, this is from the Miss. She asked me to bring it to you and said she wants to trade it for some of Master Min’s books.”
Song Chuzhao quickly took the book and saw that it was the collection of storybooks she had asked someone to copy for her. Her fingers trembled slightly.
These light novels were not easy to find in the capital, and it would be even more inconvenient for someone of Gu Fengjian’s status to look for them. Song Chuzhao had already given up hope, but Gu Fengjian had actually sent the books over!
Fifth Son Gu was so thoughtful. He had practically saved her life!
Song Chuzhao’s eyes flickered, lingering on the books for a moment. She carefully smoothed out the creases at the bottom of the pages, then placed them in the most prominent spot on the shelf, saying solemnly, “I will read them carefully!”
Chundong: “…” There was no need to be so serious.
With the storybooks in her possession, Song Chuzhao’s spirits were lifted. Her voice was full of energy as she asked, “You said Third Miss Song wanted to trade for what book?”
Chundong paused for a moment before reciting the title.
Song Chuzhao remembered it perfectly. She turned around and searched the cabinet, quickly pulling the books from the innermost corner.
“Master Min’s books, are these the ones?”
Chundong nodded. “Yes.”
Song Chuzhao was about to hand the books to her.
Chundong held the books in her arms, still unable to believe it. She confirmed again, “Young master, are you really letting me take these to her?”
Song Chuzhao was puzzled. “Didn’t he want them?”
Chundong said, “It’s the Miss who wants them!”
Song Chuzhao said, “Then take them to him.”
Chundong had originally assumed that Fifth Son Gu would be reluctant to part with his books. She had even prepared her persuasive arguments, but Fifth Son Gu didn’t hesitate at all. He readily gave his most treasured books to Third Miss Song.
What a… what a sign of his concern!
Chundong said happily, “Then I’ll be on my way.”
Song Chuzhao carefully considered the matter, sensing that Chundong’s words held a deeper meaning. As they reached the doorway, she suddenly understood.
Now that Chundong was guarding Gu Fengjian’s side, it would be inconvenient for her to climb over the wall to find him. Sending books was a good and legitimate reason. She quickly raised her hand to stop her, saying, “Wait!”
Chundong paused, clutching the things in her arms. “Young Master! A promise is a promise, it cannot be broken.”
Song Chuzhao said, “You only need to take one back, the rest, I will send to him.”
Chundong’s eyes darted around, seeking confirmation. “You will personally deliver them?”
Song Chuzhao nodded, taking back four of the books and handing her only one. “In a couple of days… when he finishes reading, I will send them over.”
Chundong, a woman who saw through the world, subtly nodded and said, “This servant understands!”
Song Chuzhao: “…” You understand again?
Chundong said, “This servant still needs to speak with Madam, I must leave now.”
Song Chuzhao waved her hand. “Go.”
After Chundong had taken a couple of steps, Song Chuzhao felt something was amiss and called out to her again. “Wait!”
Chundong asked, “What other instructions does Young Master have?”
Song Chuzhao chased after her and asked, “What are you going to talk to Mother about?”
Chundong replied, “To tell her about the Song Mansion?”
Song Chuzhao stood still, her hands clasped together.
Chundong couldn’t help but smile and said, “Young Master wants to listen too?”
Song Chuzhao said, “No, but I happen to be going to see Mother, so I might as well go together.”
Chundong said, “Of course!”
Fourth Son Gu didn’t bother his fifth brother, instead, he hid with Madam Gu, sneaking snacks.
Chundong and Song Chuzhao entered together and paid their respects to Madam Gu.
Madam Gu pulled Song Chuzhao to sit beside her, snatching the fruit plate from Fourth Son Gu’s arms and placing it in Song Chuzhao’s hands.
Fourth Son Gu blinked innocently and helplessly.
Madam Gu asked Chundong, “Chundong, you’re back? The steward returned yesterday, and his words were unclear, leaving me confused. What exactly happened?”
Chundong, her heart filled with anger, was eager to vent her frustrations. She lowered her head and spoke in a torrent of words, “Madam, this servant was just about to tell you! The Song family is in chaos, their rules are not rules, their reason is not reason. The head of the family is away, and everything is decided by Old Madam Song. She is biased in her actions, especially favoring the Second Miss. Third Madam Song is staying at the General’s Mansion, but she is a troublemaker. The two of them are clearly targeting Third Miss, and the things they said yesterday were truly harsh!”
Chundong then recounted everything she had heard at the Song Mansion yesterday, informing Madam Gu. She even included the curses she had overheard in the corridor, remembering as much as she could.
“Third Miss just sat there, letting them scold her, without even a chance to retort. This servant felt so sorry for her,” Chundong said. “Third Miss has a straightforward temper, I guess she has suffered enough grievances at home, so she deliberately said those things to anger Old Madam. Who would have thought Old Madam would react so severely, as if she were facing an enemy.”
Madam Gu, a sentimental woman, began to wipe away tears halfway through. “My dear sister He Wan, she must not know that her daughter is enduring such hardship in the capital.”
Fourth Son Gu listened with his mouth agape, almost dropping the things in his hands. “No, they want to marry Second Song to my fifth brother? They can think whatever they want, but why are they dragging me into this? Do they think so little of me? They say I’m frivolous, but I’ve never even met that Second Song! Why are they throwing this dirty water on me?”
Madam Gu glanced at him coolly and said, “Originally, Old Madam wanted to marry Second Song to you, but she misunderstood that you had a betrothal, so she considered your fifth brother instead.” And she even got the misunderstanding wrong. It seemed her mindset must have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, a dramatic journey indeed.
Chundong sarcastically remarked, “What one cannot obtain, is naturally not good.”
Fourth Son Gu thought for a moment, then could only sigh, “Truly terrifying.”
Song Chuzhao’s mind wandered, her gaze vacant.
She carefully recalled the events, but couldn’t find anything amiss. The Song family was adept at putting on a good show, only resorting to underhanded tactics and deliberate acts of malice to make life difficult for others. How could the Song mansion have transformed into a den of wolves and tigers after Chundong came over? Every one of them had revealed their true nature.
Was it that Chundong that was too powerful, or was Fifth Son Gu too easy to bully?
Madam Gu glanced at Fourth Son Gu and asked deliberately, “Did you see that Second Miss Song? What do you think of her character?”
Chundong said, “I saw her once. Yesterday evening, she went to Third Girl’s room to question her about Fifth Son Gu’s matter. She does indeed appear to be a delicate beauty, but if she truly cared for Third Girl as a sister, why wouldn’t she take her out of the side courtyard to live?”
Madam Gu was startled. “Third Girl lives in a side courtyard? Which one?”
Chundong said urgently, “It’s not just a side courtyard! There’s only one maid who doesn’t know how to do anything. The courtyard hasn’t been taken care of in a long time and is in complete disarray. The tables, chairs, and beds are all old and worn, no different from the servants’ quarters in our mansion. To say that it’s the room of the General’s Mansion’s legitimate daughter, it’s so shabby it’s unbelievable.”
Chundong snorted coldly, “Even with this, the Second Miss dares to say she treats our Third Girl well. How could she not understand? She probably just throws a few small favors our way and thinks she’s done her duty. She thinks our Third Girl is nothing!”
“Is Second Song really like that?” Fourth Son Gu couldn’t believe it, feeling like the colors of his world had changed. “How could I have been so blind to think she was a good person?”
Madam Gu said, “Did you ever have eyes?”
Gu Fengjian: “???” Am I your biological son?!
Although Chundong had only been gone for a day, she had a lot to say. However, seeing that it was getting late, she didn’t have time to elaborate. Worried that Third Girl Song would be bullied again while she was away, she was eager to return.
Madam Gu and Song Chuzhao felt the same way. They thought that Song Chuzhao (Gu Fengjian), with her (his) good temper, would be very uncomfortable in the Song mansion without anyone to look after her, so they urged Chundong to go back.
After they left, Madam Gu couldn’t shake off the feeling. She sighed and said, “Chundong only went for a day and encountered so many things. I wonder what kind of situation Third Girl is in at the mansion.”
Song Chuzhao thought to herself, the Song mansion isn’t usually this chaotic. Your son just happens to be unlucky.
With this thought, she looked at Madam Gu with a touch of sympathy.
“We should finalize the wedding arrangements soon,” Madam Gu said, lowering her head to touch the embroidery on her knees. “But sister He Wan is not here, how can I bear to proceed? She only has one daughter, I can’t just let her go without watching her get married.”
Fourth Son Gu said, “Yes! Why did only Third Girl come back? I heard that Madam Song hasn’t returned to the capital for over ten years. Will she not even come back for her daughter’s wedding? Is there something in the capital that she dislikes so much that she’s so resistant to returning?”
Song Chuzhao felt a pang of bitterness in her heart and said, “What if she doesn’t know?”
Song Chuzhao had been clever, but she hadn’t told her mother at the time.
Madam Gu lowered her head and said, “I also feel that there might be something else going on. It’s not necessarily sister He Wan’s own wish to not return to the capital.”
Song Chuzhao didn’t understand her words, sensing a deeper meaning. From Madam Gu’s choice of words, she knew that she and her mother must have been close friends in their youth, perhaps knowing many things. Song Chuzhao was just thinking about how to probe for information when Madam Gu called out to her, saying:
“Fifth Son, next time you see Third Girl, remember to ask her if her mother knows about this. Should we wait for her mother to return to the capital before proceeding with the wedding, or should I take the initiative to arrange it? We need to make a decision soon.”
Song Chuzhao nodded.
Actually, when the two trusted aides who escorted her left the capital, Song Chuzhao had already asked them to help deliver a message back. However, the journey to the border was long, and it would take several months for them to return.
Madam Gu’s mood had improved, and she stood up and said, “The weather is nice today. I’m going to have tea and chat with some of the other Madams. Fourth Son.”
Gu Fengjian looked up and said, “Yes!”
Madam Gu asked, “Are you familiar with the eldest son of the Song family?”
“I’m not, but Fan Chongqing is,” Gu Fengjian said with a smile. “I’ve been getting along well with him lately. I can ask him to bring him out so you can get to know him.”
Madam Gu said, “Then you should also invite some of your friends and go out for a change of scenery.”
Fourth Son Gu was delighted. He clasped his fists and said, “As you command, Mother! If Father asks, just tell him I’m running an errand for you.”
Madam Gu patted him lightly, saying with disdain, “Go away!”
Song Chuzhao felt a pang of jealousy.
She wanted to go too.
Song Chuzhao had said she would wait two days, but in the end, she only waited one. On the third day, she could no longer contain herself and went to see Gu Fengjian with her books.
She entered through the main gate. The servants of the Song Mansion were quite shocked to see her come to visit.
Chundong came out to lead the way, pushing aside the other servants. She quickly brought Song Chuzhao to the courtyard, closed the courtyard gate, and locked it.
Gu Fengjian walked out and nodded to her.
Their temperaments were completely different. Though they had only been apart for a few days, Song Chuzhao stared intently at him, feeling utterly unfamiliar with him.
This face was her face, but this person was so strange.
Song Chuzhao was mindful of Chundong’s presence, so she asked cautiously, “Are you doing well at the Song Mansion?”
“Sigh…” Chundong let out a heavy sigh, seizing the opportunity to speak. “Not very well.”
Gu Fengjian and Song Chuzhao both looked at her.
Chundong continued, “They don’t even feed us at the Song Mansion!”
“What?” Song Chuzhao turned back to Gu Fengjian. “You don’t just eat one meal a day and then go hungry, do you?”
Gu Fengjian’s lips twitched. “No, that’s not true.”
Chundong said, “If I hadn’t gone that day, the kitchen was going to give us some scraps to get rid of us. They treat me like this, even though they know I’m from the Gu Mansion. If it had been Miao’er, who knows what they would have brought back!”
In this matter… Song Chuzhao still believed Chundong more.
She looked at Gu Fengjian, patting him here and there, examining him from head to toe. Gu Fengjian stood there, letting her examine him. He heard her sigh and say, “Ah, no wonder I thought something was different. You’ve lost weight.”
Gu Fengjian: “…” Was she crazy? Did she not remember what she looked like?
Gu Fengjian said, “Chundong is exaggerating. It’s not like that.”
But Song Chuzhao didn’t believe him. She thought it couldn’t be like this. She had been so well taken care of at the Gu Mansion. How could Gu Fengjian suffer alone?
She pulled Gu Fengjian to a nearby table and whispered, “Tell me the truth, are you able to eat enough?”
She remembered her own appetite, touched her ear, and blushed slightly. “I seem… to eat quite a lot? Can you actually afford to feed me?”
Gu Fengjian paused, curiously asking, “What would you do if I couldn’t afford it?”
Song Chuzhao immediately reached into her clothes, finally taking out all her silver and handing it to Chundong.
“If the Song Mansion continues to treat you this way, don’t argue with them. Just go out and buy some delicious food. Don’t wrong yourself. If the money isn’t enough, I’ll give you more. If you want anything else in the room, get it. Listen to Fifth… Third Girl.”
Chundong was stunned. Her gaze darted back and forth between the string of large coins in her palm and Song Chuzhao’s face. Finally, she blurted out in confusion, “Huh?”
Gu Fengjian rested his hand on the table, his shoulders shaking so much that he could barely stand upright.
Song Chuzhao was embarrassed. Even a smile from Gu Fengjian made her realize that what she had done was inappropriate.
She used to buy her own food. Why couldn’t she do that now?
She quickly took the money back and tucked it into her sleeve, only muttering, “Oh.”
Chundong also came back to her senses and laughed, “Fifth Young Master, you’re really something. You’re usually so calm and collected, but when you see Third Miss, you lose your composure.”
Song Chuzhao thought to herself, they’re not measured by the same ruler, so the inches and fractions they measure out will naturally be different.
Gu Fengjian was still laughing, “I wasn’t serious.”
“I was serious when I asked, but you’re teasing me!” Song Chuzhao held it in for a while, but she couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop laughing!”
Gu Fengjian then straightened his face and said, “You can leave the silver with me. Chundong needs some silver for her daily errands.”
Song Chuzhao: “So, are you going to take it or not?”
Gu Fengjian said, “If you give it to me, I’ll take it.”
“Then why are you laughing at me!” Song Chuzhao mumbled as she reached for the silver, “It was yours to begin with.”
Song Chuzhao hadn’t brought much money with her when she left. Hearing Gu Fengjian ask for money, she felt like she wanted to give him everything valuable she had on her. She fumbled around and even took out the jade pendant she was wearing.
Chundong stood there dumbfounded, watching Song Chuzhao’s actions. She wanted to stop her, but Gu Fengjian leaned back against the table and gave her a cold glance.
That look was so chilling that Chundong remembered Fifth Young Master’s usual gaze and shivered involuntarily, swallowing her words.
In the end, a pile of things was laid out on the table.
Madam Gu knew that Song Chuzhao was visiting the Song Mansion today, so she had specially prepared a lot of jade ornaments for her, wanting her to be dazzlingly wealthy. Now, all those things were here.
Gu Fengjian hadn’t expected her to bring out so much. After his surprise subsided, he pressed his fingers against a few of the items and asked, “Do you have a favorite?”
Song Chuzhao looked around and pointed to a small, green, gourd-shaped pendant, “This one. It looks pretty fun.”
Gu Fengjian: “Oh.”
Song Chuzhao thought he would keep the pendant for her, but Gu Fengjian specifically picked up the jade pendant and the silver, and told her to take the rest back.
Song Chuzhao broke out in a sweat. She heard Gu Fengjian say, “Then I’ll… put it away for you?”
Song Chuzhao nodded. She bent down and whispered, “I’ll pay you back for whatever I use.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Gu Fengjian replied in a low voice, “Fifth Son Gu has money. He can support himself.”
Seeing them whispering, Chundong knew she was in the way and quietly tried to leave the courtyard. As she reached the edge, Miao’er happened to come in with a broom, asking, “Miss, do you need the courtyard swept?”
Gu Fengjian looked up and said to the outside, “No. You both go out.”
Miao’er bowed and retreated with Chundong.
Song Chuzhao watched their retreating figures, then looked around the courtyard belatedly and realized that it was much cleaner.
Gu Fengjian took the initiative to explain, “Miao’er swept it.”
Song Chuzhao couldn’t believe it, “How could she be so obedient?”
She narrowed her eyes, thought about it for a moment, and concluded, “There’s a conspiracy! She’s pretending to be sweet in front of you. Don’t believe her!”
“There are many ways to make people obey, especially someone like her.” Gu Fengjian didn’t want to waste time on Miao’er. He asked, “I heard Fourth Brother took you out. Did he take you anywhere dangerous?”
“It’s nothing serious.”
There were no outsiders in the courtyard, so Song Chuzhao relaxed a bit, sitting down opposite him in a carefree manner and telling him about the events of the past two days.
After listening, Gu Fengjian remained silent for a long time before saying, “I can’t shoot arrows.”
“What?” Song Chuzhao was startled, her pupils trembling. “Then… why did your fourth brother ask you to shoot arrows?”
Gu Fengjian knew his elder brother well: “Perhaps he wants you to help him scold someone.”
Song Chuzhao was confused: “Ah?”
“That way, even if he loses, he can still save some face,” Gu Fengjian said. “Or, if he loses, he can just deny it.”
Song Chuzhao hesitated, unable to find a word in her entire vocabulary to accurately describe Gu Fengwei, this extraordinary person. After much deliberation, she could only manage to say, “Your fourth brother is truly… extraordinary.”
Seeing her flustered, Gu Fengjian laughed: “Don’t mind him, he always acts like that.”
Gu Fengjian remained calm, but Song Chuzhao couldn’t.
“What should I do?” Song Chuzhao said. “Your fourth brother didn’t seem to say anything. I thought he was easygoing. Now it seems he’s a master of acting. Could it be that he’s already noticed something unusual?”
Gu Fengjian reassured her: “Maybe not. When I was younger, I didn’t live with them for a while, so I know some things he doesn’t, and I can always make excuses. Besides… Fourth Brother wouldn’t tell Father about this.”
Song Chuzhao: “Why?”
Gu Fengjian picked up the teapot from the small table, his fingers tracing a circle around the rim of the cup. “Father used to forbid me from learning martial arts.”
“Why?” Song Chuzhao was puzzled. “Your fourth brother learned. I saw him, he’s pretty good. You’re not in good health, you should learn too, it’s good for your health.”
Gu Fengjian fell silent again, lost in thought.
When Song Chuzhao thought he wouldn’t speak, Gu Fengjian finally said softly, “The master said I would use martial arts to break the law.”
Song Chuzhao: “Which master?”
Gu Fengjian paused again: “The fortune teller master.”
Song Chuzhao blinked, her voice clear and strong as she spat out a curse: “That’s a fraudster!”
She was absolutely certain, her anger burning, and she emphasized again and again: “He’s definitely a fraud! A shameless fraud! I know he’s lying even without seeing him!”
Gu Fengjian looked at her, a smile breaking out on his face: “Yes, he is a fraud. Everyone in the world knows he’s a fraud now, but he was once a very influential figure.”
Song Chuzhao was indignant: “How many people has he harmed? How unlucky you are to have encountered him.”
Gu Fengjian nodded, poured a cup of tea, and sighed: “I guess I’m really unlucky, I always meet scammers. I mentioned one to you the other day, and now I’m mentioning another. I always end up talking about scammers.”
Song Chuzhao: “…”
Song Chuzhao touched her nose: “Well… not that often, right? Some people can change.”
Gu Fengjian looked at her across the cup, his eyes slightly curved: “Yes, I believe that.”
Author’s Note:
It’s 6000 words!
Chundong: The couple I ship is definitely real!