“Zhaozhao! You’ve come!”
The mansion doors swung open, and Master He and Madam He practically flew over.
Though the two elders had streaks of white in their hair, they were still sprightly.
Song Chuzhao was about to greet them when Master He rushed straight to Gu Fengjian, wrapping him in a hug.
Song Chuzhao was taken aback, and Gu Fengjian was equally surprised.
He wasn’t used to being close to people at home. Even Madam Gu and Fourth Son Gu rarely had intimate contact with him, so his surprise and awkwardness were genuine.
Master He was brimming with emotion, but he tried to appear calm. He smiled with a fatherly air and introduced himself, “Zhaozhao, I am your maternal grandfather.”
Gu Fengjian chuckled and bowed, “Maternal grandfather.”
Madam He pointed to herself expectantly.
Gu Fengjian turned to her, “Maternal grandmother.”
Madam He nodded. by carpreads.pages.dev
Master He said, “Yes, yes, she is your maternal grandmother.”
Both sides scrutinized each other.
Master He asked, “How is your mother doing outside?”
Gu Fengjian replied, “She is well.”
“Are you settling in well in the capital?”
Gu Fengjian said, “I am settling in.”
“If there’s anything inconvenient or if you need anything, you can come to your maternal grandfather. What have you been up to these past few days?”
Gu Fengjian patiently answered each question.
Song Chuzhao was left out in the cold. She turned her gaze away, her heart feeling empty as she observed the He Mansion.
She hadn’t paid much attention before, but now she was shocked.
She thought the red silk streamers at the entrance were strange enough, but the mansion’s sudden change in decor was even more startling.
When she had visited before, the path from the main gate to the living room was spacious and empty. It was similar to most other mansions, with simple, understated colors.
But now, flower pots lined the path. They held chrysanthemums and roses, along with a few plants she couldn’t identify. Every four or five steps, there was another pot, clearly newly purchased. They added a splash of color to the path.
In addition, there were several uniquely shaped rock formations on either side. On the front porch, several brightly colored paper lanterns hung.
All the new decorations were completely different from the original style.
A group of tall servants stood in a line, their backs bent, their teeth bared in wide smiles as they watched them.
Song Chuzhao was about to shiver when someone grabbed the back of her collar. It felt like being caught red-handed after causing trouble. She nervously turned her head and saw Fu Changjun.
Fu Changjun said, “I saw you fighting the other day, and now, look at this, we meet again.”
Madam He finally pulled herself away from her endless inquiries and asked with concern, “Fifth Son Gu fought? Why did you fight?”
Gu Fengjian quickly said, “Someone was saying bad things about me, and she couldn’t stand it.”
Master He said, “Wasn’t that a good fight then?”
Fu Changjun: “…”
Master He carefully sized up Song Chuzhao. Song Chuzhao straightened her back and presented her appearance to him.
Master He said with doubt, “Who did you fight with? Were you injured? Was it serious?”
Song Chuzhao: “…” You doubt my abilities.
Fu Changjun said, “Second Young Master Fan stood there and let him hit him, he didn’t fight back.”
Master He was puzzled, “Why?”
Song Chuzhao: “…Because I convinced him with reason.”
Madam He believed her, and patted Master He, saying, “Don’t forget that Fifth Son Gu is a scholar, how can he be like you martial artists?”
Master He nodded and said, “It’s alright.”
The steward went over and carefully closed the door. Master He finally came to his senses.
“Why are you all standing at the door? We’ve been talking for a while. Look at my memory, hurry up and go inside! Come, this way.”
He walked in front, arm in arm with Madam He, using this action to hide his inner turmoil.
“There’s a lake up ahead, with some fish fry in it. If you want to fish, you can go there.”
Madam He pushed him.
Master He didn’t notice, and continued, “There are also horses in the backyard. Our He Mansion is big enough, we’ve cleared out the whole area around the wall for you. If you’re bored, you can go horseback riding. I heard from your mother that you’re a very good rider. We also have a good horse in the mansion, brought by your Uncle Fu.”
Madam He was unhappy, and gave Master He a pinch. The latter finally fell silent.
She had no words for this clumsy fellow!
Earlier, they had agreed that once they arrived, they would invite them to the hall for a chat. When Zhaozhao wanted to leave, they would invite her to go horseback riding and fishing to see the sights, so that she could stay longer.
This old He clearly hadn’t listened, he was just putting on a show for her!
Master He licked his lips and looked at Fu Changjun innocently.
Madam He asked, “Are you two hungry? Have you had breakfast?”
Gu Fengjian had actually eaten a little before coming, but fearing that the elders would feel awkward, he said, “I’m a little hungry.”
Master He said happily, “You haven’t eaten well!”
Then he felt something was wrong, and changed his words, “You should still eat on time. But it’s alright today, your grandmother and I bought some pastries at home. Go ahead and eat some.”
He included Song Chuzhao, who was standing there as a backdrop.
Master He was very awkward towards his granddaughter, but he had a lot of experience dealing with other young people.
He went around and took Song Chuzhao’s hand, and started asking questions like an elder at the door. He was just as concerned about the Gu family’s affairs, even a little serious, after all, this was a future in-law, he had to be careful.
Song Chuzhao seized an opportunity and took out the gift.
Master He opened it and took a careful look, then carefully searched for words of praise, and expressed his gratitude to her.
Song Chuzhao chuckled.
Mother said that her maternal grandfather was very imposing when he was young. He had spent time on the battlefield and carried the aura of blood. He always had a cold face, commanding respect without needing to speak. Even his name was a common remedy for infant colic. Even she was afraid of him.
Now, this martial god was being so polite to a junior, clearly giving face to his granddaughter.
…Although the form was not quite right, the essence was that he was giving her face. She was happy inside.
The group sat down in the living room, and the servants began to bring out the pastries.
Song Chuzhao took one look and realized that the “a little” was truly an understatement.
The table was overflowing, with at least twenty different kinds of pastries. Sweet, savory, crispy, soft, they had everything. It seemed they didn’t know what they liked, so they simply bought everything.
Everyone sat around a table, and Master He was so excited that his face turned red.
Fu Changjun remained silent, simply accompanying them.
Song Chuzhao sat next to him, feeling like he was secretly putting pressure on her, but she had no evidence. Wanting to find a topic to relax, she asked, “Master He, how is your health these days? I heard you had a cough a while back. Are you feeling better now?”
Master He’s smile suddenly froze, his expression visibly sinking. Song Chuzhao thought she had said something she shouldn’t have, and she immediately felt uneasy. She reflected on it and couldn’t find anything wrong.
“Cough. Being old, getting sick is common.” Master He glanced at Gu Fengjian, hinting, “My body isn’t as strong as it used to be. This time, I was especially ill. When I was delirious, I saw blurry images, like I saw Wanwan and Zhaozhao. A few days ago, I heard that Zhaozhao was really coming, and my heart was so happy that I recovered quickly.”
Song Chuzhao: “…” Isn’t it a little late to start acting now?!
He scared the life out of her!
Gu Fengjian cooperated, saying, “Grandfather, you need to rest. Remember not to catch a cold. I will come to see you often when I have time.”
Master He was about to smile, his lips already curving upwards, but someone reminded him, and he forcibly stopped, leaving a wry smile on his face. He sighed heavily and nodded, saying, “Alright, thank you for your concern, Zhaozhao. Grandfather will definitely rest.”
Gu Fengjian and Song Chuzhao exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
Song Chuzhao resigned herself to her fate. She pointed at the pastries, gesturing for him to take some.
Let’s cheer the old man up. Look how lonely he is.
Gu Fengjian picked up a piece nearby and offered it, saying, “Grandfather, have some food.”
“I can’t eat anymore.” Master He’s sturdy body suddenly became frail, his back ached, his legs were sore, and his stomach was upset.
“Sigh, I have no appetite, and I haven’t had any strength lately. You eat. Eat, eat. Later, Grandfather will drink two bowls of tonic and be full.”
Song Chuzhao turned around helplessly and accidentally noticed the steward standing behind her, nodding vigorously at Master He.
Song Chuzhao: “…” Is your act a little too much?
This is clearly a “Hongmen Banquet*”!
TN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_at_Swan_Goose_Gate
Gu Fengjian managed to hold back his laughter and took the pastry for himself.
Master He also realized that his acting might have affected their appetites. He coughed and asked, “Zhaozhao, are you getting used to life at the Song Mansion? How are the Song family treating you?”
Gu Fengjian carefully wiped his hands and lifted his face, his expression changing.
He first looked deeply at Song Chuzhao, making her feel a sense of mission.
Then he looked deeply at Master He, pausing at the right moment, nodding with a sense of bearing the burden, saying, “I’m doing well.”
Master He successfully read the micro-expressions. He clearly didn’t believe it, and nervously said, “Really? Don’t lie to your maternal grandfather!”
Fu Changjun looked at Song Chuzhao with interest, waiting for her to respond.
Song Chuzhao patted her chest, her expression serious yet tinged with worry, and said, “Zhaozhao, you should tell the truth in front of Master He.”
Gu Fengjian frowned, “There’s nothing to say. I’m fine. Don’t let maternal grandfather worry about me.”
Master He: “Fifth Son Gu, you speak!”
Song Chuzhao hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Old Madam Song is an elder, and Fifth Gu, as a junior, shouldn’t be interfering. But Zhaozhao… Miss Song, in the Song Mansion, she truly cannot be said to be well.”
Song Chuzhao tentatively said, “My mother was initially worried that Third Miss wouldn’t be able to take care of herself, and she didn’t have any trustworthy maids, so she sent her personal maid to help. The maid only went for a day, and then she came back crying and reporting that Third Miss was being neglected in the Song Mansion, living in a secluded courtyard in the corner. There was nothing in the room, only some old furniture.”
“What!”
Master He raised his hand and slammed it on the table, making a loud bang.
The steward standing outside instantly straightened, his whole body tense. He stared with wide eyes, gesturing to Master He.
Master He looked down and saw a suspicious palm-shaped indentation on the table.
He remained silent for a moment, trying to pretend nothing had happened. He pulled over a nearby plate to cover the crack.
Master He said with a heavy heart, “Your maternal grandfather is so heartbroken. How could they treat you like this?”
The steward exclaimed, “Master, please don’t get angry. Your health isn’t good!”
At this time, Third Master Song, who had been drilled by the Imperial Insignia Guards for two days, returned to the Song Mansion, supported by servants, looking weak.
He was old, how could he endure such torment? When he returned, his limbs were weak, and he collapsed onto a chair, unwilling to move.
The first thing Third Master Song asked when he saw someone was, “Where is Third Miss? Did you apologize to her? Did you explain everything clearly?”
Third Aunt Song hung her head, almost bursting into tears, “She’s gone!”
Third Master Song: “How could she be gone?”
“She’s just gone!”
The strings in Third Master Song’s mind were about to snap.
Author’s Note:
A table full of Oscar-worthy performances.
Fu Changjun: I’ll just watch.