Gu Fengjian awoke, and Third Aunt Song came again.
This time, Gu Fengjian had regained his spirits and personally stood guard in the courtyard to block people.
He moved a bamboo chair over. It was unclear where he had found it, but it was as simple and unassuming as his dilapidated courtyard. He sat with his legs crossed, his gaze cold and piercing as he gestured to the servants to move everything out of his way, leaving no obstruction.
Third Aunt Song came over and, seeing his posture, couldn’t help but recall his extraordinary martial prowess, her heart sinking. She clutched the white handkerchief in her hand, but still forced a smile and approached Gu Fengjian to greet him.
Third Aunt Song had not slept a wink the entire night, tossing and turning, unable to find peace.
When Third Girl Song had told her about going to complain to Fu Changjun, she had been terrified. Since then, she had been very well-behaved, avoiding any trouble and refraining from even a single sarcastic remark.
She had been walking on eggshells, hoping to avoid the whole matter. But before Gu Fengjian could even file a complaint, Fu Changjun had stumbled upon the situation himself and even uncovered the hidden truth.
This was even worse than if Third Girl Song had gone to complain herself! She couldn’t imagine what kind of torment her husband would face upon his return.
Third Aunt Song felt a bitter taste in her mouth, resentment brewing within her.
Heaven was her witness! Those servants who had spread rumors about Song Chuzhao’s misconduct were not acting on her orders! She had merely known about it but had not stopped them, as she didn’t consider it a serious matter.
She had no grudge against Third Girl Song, nor any shared interests. Why would she deliberately make things difficult for her? Even her usual lack of courtesy towards Third Girl Song was simply to appease Old Madam Song.
She herself didn’t even bear the Song surname. Living under the watchful eyes of the old lady, how could she be careless? She had no choice!
As for Old Madam Song, Third Aunt Song believed that while she disliked Song Chuzhao, she wouldn’t want to miss out on the marriage with the Gu family and wouldn’t do anything so unnecessary.
Therefore, Third Aunt Song had a pretty good idea who it was that couldn’t stand the sight of Song Chuzhao and had subtly instructed the servants to resort to such underhanded tactics.
But while she knew, others didn’t! by carpreads.pages.dev
Now that the matter had escalated, the instigator was completely blameless, while her husband and son were the ones bearing the consequences. She was the only one cast as the villain, leaving her feeling utterly unbalanced!
Just like now, Old Madam was unwilling to do anything, while she had to come groveling to Song Chuzhao to apologize.
Their third branch wasn’t born to be humiliated. Why should they endure such injustice?
Third Aunt Song had already cursed those individuals countless times in her heart, but she still had to force a smile and say, “Third Girl, you keep these things. They were meant for you anyway.”
Gu Fengjian also smiled, remaining seated and looking up at her. “How can you say they were meant for me? I can’t accept such expensive gifts from Third Aunt. Let’s forget it.”
Third Aunt Song continued to smile. “They’re not from Third Aunt. These are gifts from the He Mansion for you. They were kept with the Old Madam before, and she didn’t give them to you. Last night, my son reminded me, and I remembered. I rushed over to collect them. Take a look and see if there’s anything you like.”
“Oh—” Gu Fengjian suddenly understood. “So they’re from the He Mansion.”
He stood up.
Third Aunt Song was overjoyed. She was about to tell someone to carry the things inside when Gu Fengjian stretched out his long arm and stopped her again. “Thank you, Third Aunt. Unfortunately, my courtyard is too small to hold so many things. Chundong.”
Chundong, who had been hiding for a while, came running out from behind the door, beaming. “Chundong is here!”
Gu Fengjian said, “Go get a notebook and help me record all the gifts. I’ll take in the ones I like, and for the ones I don’t, I’ll tell my maternal grandfather later and let him decide whether to take them back or let me dispose of them.”
Third Aunt Song was taken aback. She forced a smile and said, “Why do you need to record gifts? It’s just a gift.”
Gu Fengjian looked puzzled. “Don’t you record gifts? How else will you return the favor next time?”
Third Aunt Song said, “These are gifts from your elders, from Master He. He cares about you. There’s no need to return them.”
Gu Fengjian nodded. “Yes. I’ve never met my maternal grandfather, and he cares about me so much. I’m very happy. But after all, we’re family. It’s better to tell him what I like, so he won’t send unnecessary things next time.”
Third Aunt Song wanted to say more. “It’s mainly the thought that counts. You’re doing this…”
Gu Fengjian, however, did not give her a chance to prattle on, and said to himself, “There are so many gifts, it’s not convenient to travel with them before they are sorted. Third Aunt, where did these things come from? Take them back first. When Chundong has finished sorting them, I will go and get them. What do you think?”
Third Aunt Song hesitated.
She thought that Third Girl Song was not stupid, and must have guessed that some of the gifts were missing. She was deliberately using this method to force her to return them.
Since ancient times, there has never been such a thing as forcing someone to accept a gift. Her insistence would only lead to awkwardness.
She had discovered earlier that this Third Girl Song was more cunning and difficult to deal with than she was.
But why was this trouble still on her?
Why was it still her? Why should she be the one to pay?
Third Aunt Song’s heart felt like it had exploded. After the explosion, it returned to a state of calm. It felt much better.
She sank her face, and at that moment, she had the courage to break the pot and drop it all.
“Then move them. Your second sister and grandmother seem to have taken some things. I will go and ask them later. Or Third Girl you can go and ask yourself.”
She had indeed taken a few things herself, and they were all intact. She could return them. She didn’t want to get involved in other people’s affairs.
Gu Fengjian witnessed the entire process of her changing her face, and saw through her complex inner journey. It was truly fascinating. He nodded and said, “Alright. Thank you, Third Aunt.”
Third Aunt Song, wearing a hastily changed garment, walked past the main hall. Her brow was furrowed with exhaustion. As she reached the corridor, she saw Song Shiwen emerging from her room with a servant girl carrying a qin.
In the past, when Third Aunt Song saw Second Miss Song’s carefree elegance, she found it refined and interesting. But after yesterday’s incident, seeing her go out to play the qin as if nothing had happened made Third Aunt Song feel uncomfortable.
Don’t you know what you’ve done?
Third Aunt Song deliberately made her footsteps heavy as she approached Song Shiwen.
Song Shiwen smiled faintly and said, “Third Aunt, good morning.”
Third Aunt Song said, “It’s not morning. I haven’t slept all night.”
Song Shiwen said, “Then Third Aunt should get some rest.”
“I have something on my mind, I can’t rest,” Third Aunt Song said. “Shiwen, do you remember the few pairs of earrings and a hair ornament you took from Old Madam? Those were actually Third Girl’s things. Old Madam got it wrong and gave them to you.”
“Oh?” Song Shiwen said in surprise. “I didn’t know. I just thought they were beautiful, so I took them. But I have so many things in my room, I just put them down casually and don’t know where they are. I will go back tonight and look for them for Third Aunt.”
Third Aunt Song said, “Why don’t you go now? Your sister is waiting.”
“Is my sister in a hurry?” Song Shiwen said. “If my sister really wants those earrings, I have others. I will choose a few and give them to her as compensation.”
Third Aunt Song’s mouth twitched, but she quickly smoothed it out. She thought, how can the price be the same? Those were all the best things chosen by Master He. What you’re giving back are things you don’t even like.
Third Aunt Song said, “Those were gifts given to her by others, they are different. It has to be the original ones.”
“That’s really inconvenient,” Song Shiwen raised her head and said innocently. “I will go and talk to grandmother and see what we can do.”
Third Aunt Song gritted her teeth, almost letting out a hiss.
She knew that Second Miss Song was cunning, but she never disliked her. In this world, everyone who wants to live a good life has to be a little calculating. At least these people are polite to you on the surface, making you feel comfortable.
But when you encounter someone who deliberately pretends not to understand you, you really want to punch them!
Of course, Third Aunt Song didn’t dare to actually hit Song Shiwen. After being rejected, she could only go back dejectedly and turn to find Old Madam Song.
Old Madam Song listened to her finish, then said with annoyance, “How can Song Chuzhao have such a deep mind? What is her intention? She refused to accept it last night, and she still refuses to accept it today. Does she want me to beg her?”
Third Aunt Song said, “Those were originally meant for Third Miss. It’s only right to return them.”
Old Madam Song stood up, her face dark, and said, “It’s not that I’m unwilling to give them, it’s that she’s unwilling to take them! Finding such an excuse, isn’t it just to make me look bad? Putting on such an act, is she trying to make the servants in the mansion laugh at me and Shiwen?”
Third Aunt Song was a little flustered, unwilling to comply, and persuaded, “Mother, we are in the wrong now. I have already returned the things, you should come with me.”
Old Madam Song waved her sleeve, impatiently saying, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t return them. Could I really keep her things? We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
Third Aunt Song said, “But my husband is still in General Fu’s hands. He specifically instructed me yesterday! If I don’t act according to his words, won’t he punish me when he returns?”
“Can that Fu Changjun really eat my son? He is my son, of course I care about him, you don’t need to tell me!” Old Madam Song said, “Just tomorrow! Sending them over now, it’s as if she can control me. No way!”
The inner courtyard of the Song Mansion was in an uproar, but Gu Fengjian’s place was relatively peaceful.
Third Aunt Song had finally learned her lesson, knowing to bother others and not annoy him. Unfortunately, her fighting skills were not good. She had cried to Old Madam for a while, reasoned with her, and played the victim, but she couldn’t persuade the Old Madam.
She was good at reading people’s expressions, accustomed to bullying the weak and fearing the strong. She was afraid of truly angering Old Madam and causing trouble for herself, so she didn’t make too much of a fuss. She planned to buy some delicious food the next day, come to Gu Fengjian to say a few nice words, apologize to him, and let the matter pass.
Third Aunt Song thought, it’s only one night, how much worse can things get? Just let Old Madam and the two Song sisters calm down, it’s good.
She didn’t know that Gu Fengjian was planning to go to the He Mansion the next day.
Early the next morning, Gu Fengjian had Chundong call him up. Not wanting to encounter the servants outside, the two left directly from the side gate.
Song Chuzhao also woke up early and walked to a street corner near the He Mansion to wait.
When the two met, the morning sun was just rising from the horizon, casting a warm orange glow overhead.
The three of them smiled when they saw each other.
Song Chuzhao couldn’t help but smile foolishly thinking about what would happen next, Gu Fengjian smiled with her. Chundong was secretly smiling.
Gu Fengjian rarely had such a relaxed state, but when he saw Song Chuzhao, he felt as if there was nothing in the world worth being unhappy about. His mood improved a lot as he smiled.
The hawking sounds nearby became louder. Song Chuzhao calmed down a bit and led Gu Fengjian towards the He Mansion.
Chundong really wanted to tell Song Chuzhao about what had happened in the Song Mansion these past two days, but afraid of disturbing their peace, she forcibly held back.
When they reached the front of the He Mansion, Song Chuzhao frowned and whispered, “This He Mansion is different from when I came here before.”
Gu Fengjian asked, “What’s different?”
“Everything is different!” Song Chuzhao pointed and said, “Have you ever seen red silk hung on the stone statues at the entrance? There’s no happy occasion.”
Gu Fengjian understood and smiled, “It’s probably to make the house look more lively.”
“Of course it’s to welcome our miss.” Chundong said, “It seems General He really likes miss!”
Song Chuzhao used the bottom of her shoe to grind on the ground: “Ugh, how embarrassing is this?”
Chundong said, “Young Master, this is prepared by Master He for miss, what are you embarrassed about?”
Song Chuzhao: “…” You don’t understand.
Chundong, that’s great, there’s also a day when you don’t understand things.
Chundong took the initiative to say, “Since young master is here, Chundong will go back with peace of mind.”
Gu Fengjian handed the loose change in his pocket to Chundong. “Go out and have a look around. The Song Mansion might be a bit chaotic today. If you’re not happy, you don’t have to go back.”
“Thank you, Miss!” Chundong bowed to him. “I’ll go back to the Gu Mansion first. I’ll come back to pick you up later.” She needed to find someone to talk to! She was bursting with things to say!
Seeing that her mind was already wandering, Gu Fengjian chuckled, “Go ahead.”
Chundong ran off quickly. Song Chuzhao said, “Shall we go in then?”
Gu Fengjian nodded, took two steps, then remembered something important. He pulled her back and asked, “Did you bring a gift?”
Song Chuzhao said, “I did!”
She took a small, long box from her sleeve and opened it for him to see. Inside was a writing brush.
Although the servants at the He Mansion had said it wasn’t necessary to bring a gift, how could Song Chuzhao really not bring one?
“I originally wanted to get a ginseng root or something else, so I won’t be making a mistake. But Madam Gu saw it, she knew I was coming to the He Mansion. So she gave me this.” Song Chuzhao explained, “Madam Gu said that the He Mansion doesn’t lack anything, and General He has seen many rare and precious treasures in his lifetime. So it doesn’t matter what you give, as long as it’s fitting for your status.”
Gu Fengjian nodded. He was relieved.
He was about to walk inside when Song Chuzhao pulled him back again and sniffed around his neck.
“You smell so good,” Song Chuzhao laughed. “What good things did Chundong put on you?”
Gu Fengjian: “…”
He didn’t want to talk and deliberately walked away.
Song Chuzhao mumbled, “Just ignore me.”
Gu Fengjian turned back with a look of resentment, as if he had been choked. Finally, he blurted out, “Do you like it?”
“I do like it,” Song Chuzhao said generously. “But don’t worry, I won’t compete with you for Chundong.”
Gu Fengjian said, “…Competing for Chundong is nothing.”
They walked up the steps and were about to raise their hands to knock on the door when Gu Fengjian quickly pulled Song Chuzhao back.
Gu Fengjian: “I almost forgot to ask you. If your maternal grandparents ask you what you want in the future, what you want to do, how will you answer?”
Song Chuzhao’s words, Old Master He may not be able to satisfy them. So no matter how absurd, he shouldn’t mind.
Song Chuzhao: “I…”
She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.
“I grew up on the border, learning martial arts all year round. I don’t like what ordinary girls like. I want to do things that ordinary girls can’t do.” Song Chuzhao said, “What do you think I should say?
Gu Fengjian smiled, “Answer however you want.”
Song Chuzhao thought carefully for a moment, then said, “I also want to serve my country! I don’t necessarily have to go to war and fight on the battlefield. But I want to do what I can, and I can do a lot. What do you think?”
She tilted her head and looked at Gu Fengjian quietly.
Gu Fengjian also put on a thoughtful expression, then laughed, “I think your idea is amazing. It would scare a lot of people if you said it out loud.”
Song Chuzhao burst out laughing.
She thought Gu Fengjian’s idea was even more frightening than hers.
Fifth Son Gu is truly wonderful.
Gu Fengjian’s gaze softened. He said, “Go in.”
“What about you?” Song Chuzhao asked. “What do you want to do in the future?”
“Me?” Gu Fengjian paused, then said, “I haven’t decided yet. It’s probably similar to you.”
Song Chuzhao said, “Probably where? How are we different? Let’s discuss it. Maybe we’ll end up on the same path.”
The two of them chatted outside, unaware of the more than ten people inside the He mansion, just a door away, who were suffering in a fiery inferno.
“They’re coming! They’re coming! They’re coming!”
“They stopped again.”
“Judging by the sound, they must be about to knock!”
“…It seems they’ve retreated.”
“There’s no sound now.”
Master He stood up, then sat down again. He stood up again, but this time he couldn’t sit down.
He was furious.
“Why haven’t they come in yet? Didn’t you say they were already at the door? Are you trying to deceive me?”
The steward who delivered the message said with a wronged expression, “They are at the door. It’s just that they’ve been hesitating for some reason.”
Master He pointed at him and said, “How can they still be at the door! It’s only three steps from the door to the entrance! I can jump over in one step!”
Madam He said nervously, “Is she afraid? Does she want to leave?”
The steward immediately said, “No, no. Miss must be talking to Fifth Son Gu.”
Master He said, “What’s there to talk about outside? Isn’t it windy outside? Come in and talk. There’s plenty of food inside!”
Madam He said in annoyance, “If you have the guts, go outside and say that to her face! Call her in! You’re always making noise. I can’t hear anyone else!”
Master He said, “I—you’re still saying this to me now!”
Fu Changjun scratched his forehead and said helplessly, “Why don’t I go out and take a look?”
Master He stopped him again, saying, “No, no. Let them finish talking first. Don’t make her think we’re eavesdropping on them.”
Fu Changjun: “…” But you are eavesdropping.
At that moment, a knock on the door, like a heavenly melody, echoed through the air.
Master He took a deep breath.
“Open the door!”