Song Chuzhao led Gu Fengjian toward the garden.
It was strange. The two of them had just walked down this road the previous night, but the feeling of walking through the streets during the day was completely different, even a little unfamiliar.
Last night, after dark, the road was quiet. Song Chuzhao had only paid attention to the thick mud under her feet and the pedestrians slowly returning home on either side of the empty street.
Because Fan Chongqing and the others had been teasing her, she didn’t dare stand too close to Gu Fengjian. When they weren’t talking, they could be as far apart as half a meter.
Now, the sun was high in the sky, shining brightly. Everywhere she looked, there were people. Afraid of being separated by the crowd, she walked shoulder to shoulder with Gu Fengjian.
Yet, there were still people in a hurry, pushing past them from behind, shoving Gu Fengjian into her arms. Song Chuzhao reached out to steady him, keeping her distance.
They were both dressed in fine clothes, and Gu Fengjian was now wearing the hair ornaments of an unmarried girl. Walking together, many people on the road cast their eyes upon them.
Song Chuzhao had seen this kind of look many times on the border. Whoever glared at her, she would glare back, not letting them see any sign of weakness, giving them no chance to gossip.
Song Chuzhao was busy killing people with her eyes when she suddenly felt a weight on her arm. She turned her head to see that Gu Fengjian had taken her arm. She looked up and met his gaze, which was fixed on her. He smiled brightly, his smile shining in the sunlight.
Gu Fengjian rarely smiled so openly. by carpreads.pages.dev
Song Chuzhao felt no aversion to his closeness, nor did she find it strange. Instead, she thought to herself: Fifth Son Gu… was so sweet.
The road from the He Mansion to the garden was actually not short. But when they reached the end today, Song Chuzhao felt like it had only been a moment.
The garden was usually open to the public for sightseeing. After everyone left last night, the Ministry of Rites had sent people to clear the banquet hall and clean it.
Song Chuzhao went directly to the gardener in charge, wanting to ask him if he had seen a jade ornament. The man listened to their explanation and turned around to take a small cloth bag from the cabinet.
The gardener handed the bag over, saying, “I did find it, but it was broken when I found it. The Ministry of Rites’ people found it while cleaning last night and left it with me. I thought someone might come looking for it, so I kept it.” To avoid being accused of keeping it for themselves, they kept all found items, even if they were damaged. After all, those who attended the literary banquet yesterday were all young men from prominent families, and none of them carried cheap things.
Gu Fengjian took it and saw that one of the leaves next to the gourd had been broken.
Fortunately, it had only broken in half.
Unfortunately, a small piece seemed to be missing from the middle. That piece was probably irretrievable, as it was too small.
This little gourd was something Song Chuzhao had taken out of her pocket. It was originally Gu Fengjian’s. At the time, Gu Fengjian had many ornaments hanging on him, and he didn’t seem to have any particular fondness for this gourd. It was only when she pointed at it and said it looked fun that he noticed the little trinket.
…Although she didn’t know when it became a gift from her, since Gu Fengjian seemed to cherish it, it wouldn’t be right to discard it casually. Song Chuzhao comforted him, saying, “I’ll go find someone to see if they can fix it. If the craftsman is skilled, maybe they can make it even more beautiful.”
Gu Fengjian wrapped the object in a silk handkerchief and put it away, saying, “I’ll ask my senior sister to fix it. She’s best at this.”
Song Chuzhao was surprised, “You have a senior sister?”
Gu Fengjian glanced at her, as if he thought she was making a fuss, “I also have a senior brother.”
Song Chuzhao exclaimed, “You have a senior brother?!” Your sect is quite complete, isn’t it?
Gu Fengjian said calmly, “Yes. But my senior brother is probably a fool. He later ran off to become a monk.”
Song Chuzhao: “…” It sounds like you’ve left out a lot of the story.
The two of them bid farewell to the gardener and returned the way they came.
Song Chuzhao hadn’t had time to properly admire the garden yesterday. Now, following Gu Fengjian, she found it very winding, but the scenery was indeed unique, and the lake water was exceptionally clear.
On the quiet forest path, Song Chuzhao, with the tree shadows overhead, couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Fifth Son Gu, where is your senior sister? Why don’t you go see her? Are you close to her? What’s her name? Is she a wandering sorcerer? Is she powerful? What if she sees you and recognizes that I’m not who I should be?”
It was clear she had been holding it in for a long time. Gu Fengjian turned his head and smiled at her.
Song Chuzhao realized her mistake, “Maybe you should answer the first one first?”
“She’s about to return to the capital. We’re not close, but we’re not enemies either. We haven’t seen each other in a long time. Her name is Lieshui. She doesn’t need to be told, she knows about this. I don’t know if she counts as a Daoist.”
Gu Fengjian said, “I sent her a message, asking her to come back and see what’s going on with you and me. If even she doesn’t know what to do, I doubt anyone else in the world could help.”
Song Chuzhao, hearing him speak of her as someone so powerful, asked, “Did she reply? What did she say?”
Gu Fengjian: “She just said, ‘Oh.’”
Song Chuzhao was confused: “What does ‘Oh’ mean?”
“‘Oh’ means it’s interesting,” Gu Fengjian summarized. “If she finds it uninteresting, she’ll say ‘No.’ If she herself has no solution, she’ll reply ‘Go away.’”
Song Chuzhao pondered this, her expression strange. “Your sect’s people, they speak quite profoundly.”
Gu Fengjian: “It’s just her.”
Gu Fengjian didn’t have much of an impression of his senior sister anymore. He only remembered her extremely light-colored pupils and her perpetually pale complexion, which always startled him. Because her gaze was always devoid of ripples, when she stared fixedly at someone, people would say she looked like a dead person.
Though Lieshui had a cold temperament, she held grudges. She would secretly remember those who spoke ill of her, and when she had nothing better to do, she would bring it up and scold them. As a result, aside from Gu Fengjian, she didn’t make many other friends.
Fu Donglai’s disciples were all intelligent, and Lieshui was especially bright. Perhaps it was true that “excessive brilliance leads to injury,” for her health was very poor. Even her voice lacked strength, and her breathing seemed like she was on the verge of death. He wondered if she was doing better now.
Because they both disliked Fu Donglai, they had often gathered together to gossip about the villain’s misdeeds. Lieshui spent most of her energy on this.
Song Chuzhao: “Then why did you say you didn’t know if she counted as a Daoist?”
Gu Fengjian said, “My senior sister’s temperament can be considered extreme. She followed Fu Donglai to learn Daoist arts, studying astronomy and geography, making her a half-Daoist, but she didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits, and she hated those who pretended to be supernatural. After Fu Donglai died, she left on her own, traveling around, occasionally sending me a few letters and sending some money along.”
Song Chuzhao was surprised: “She sends you money?” The Duke Gu’s mansion doesn’t lack money, does it?
“Mm.” Gu Fengjian said, “My senior brother lives a simple life, donating all his money to repair the Buddha statues in temples. My senior sister felt sorry for him, so she often helped him out. She also felt bad for leaving me out, so she often sends me things too.”
Song Chuzhao thought his senior sister sounded like a very interesting person.
Gu Fengjian said, “Since the year before last, she has reminded me to be careful, to stay indoors as much as possible, saying that something big might happen to me. But she couldn’t tell me exactly what it was. So after I sent her the message, she should be prepared.”
Song Chuzhao: “I see…”
Song Chuzhao, hearing that there was a lead, felt a surge of joy, but beneath the joy, a hint of indescribable regret arose.
She felt that living as Fifth Son Gu was very carefree, a carefree joy like poisonous candy. It was addictive to eat, but sooner or later, you had to quit.
It was as if she was about to return to being the ill-mannered Third Girl Song.
However, this feeling only flashed through her mind, and Song Chuzhao hid it quickly. She turned her head, smiling at Gu Fengjian, who was lost in thought, “Let’s go, let’s go out!”
When they reached the garden gate, a group of people were standing outside, gathered around the paper lanterns hanging above, engaging in lively discussions.
In the center, naturally, was Gu Fengjian’s lantern.
Gu Fengjian overheard some of the conversation and realized that the group of scholars were reciting his poem, doing so with great emotion. His expression immediately became uncomfortable. He pulled Song Chuzhao, wanting to leave quickly.
Song Chuzhao found it amusing and deliberately said, “How long will this poem be hanging here? Fifth Son, aren’t you going to listen? They’re all praising you. I also think your poem is well-written. Don’t you like it?”
Gu Fengjian remained silent, quickly leaving her behind, only stopping when they reached the street.
Song Chuzhao caught up to him, seeing that he was still a little awkward, and smiled, “I’ll treat you to food. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever treated you to a meal.”
Gu Fengjian said flatly, “Oh.”
Song Chuzhao: “…” I know, it means interesting.
Song Chuzhao pointed forward with her finger, “No need to choose, just anywhere.”
The eatery was located near the garden, the largest shop in the area. Many scholars passed by on a regular day, but even more so today. When the two arrived, a large group of scholars, young and old, were gathered in the shop, just like the young men outside the garden, their faces flushed with excitement as they spoke.
The shopkeeper was happy to accommodate them, and even specially joined a few tables together for them.
The two chose a secluded spot by the wall, sat down, and ordered food.
Song Chuzhao asked, “What do you like to eat?”
Gu Fengjian said, “Nothing in particular.”
Song Chuzhao already knew the answer after asking, because she remembered that Gu Fengjian had to be careful about what he ate. The food prepared for him at the Gu Mansion was mostly bland.
Gu Fengjian pretended to ask casually, “What about you?”
Song Chuzhao thought back. The most common food at the border was actually various vegetables. After all, poultry was precious there, and they were reluctant to slaughter them for food. Fish or river delicacies were even rarer.
So, her favorite was…
Song Chuzhao: “Meat!”
Seeing her serious expression, Gu Fengjian’s face finally relaxed a bit. He called over a waiter and ordered everything, from roast pork to roast goose to roast chicken, and added a few light dishes. Then he asked for the food to be served.
As the two sat waiting for their food, the shopkeeper brought a pot of hot tea. Song Chuzhao picked up a pair of chopsticks and happened to hear the scholars outside talking loudly, mentioning her name.
“You all say that Third Girl Song’s calligraphy is elegant, and that she must be a person of grace. In my opinion, she is completely defying the proper conduct of a woman! How can a woman be like her?”