Chapter 5: Gu's Family

Congratulations on your victory~ I reluctantly added a new chapter to the draft. From now on, I dare not attempt to tease the clever readers anymore~o(╯□╰)o

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It took more than half a month to travel from Lin'an to the capital, and everyone was very tired. Mrs. Zou and Xu Zheng fell asleep as soon as they touched the pillows.

Xu Jinyu had hardly slept last night and was exhausted today, so she lay in bed without feeling sleepy. Her gaze unconsciously fell on the light-colored canopy, her thoughts wandering far away.

She was going to stay at the Marquis of Weinings' residence for a year.

During this year, she had to muster all her energy to deal with everything. Dealing with Little Zou was of course a priority, but she couldn't be too hasty. Careful planning was necessary to ensure a decisive blow that would leave Little Zou unable to turn the tables...

Chu Xia had been quietly accompanying her for a long time and couldn't help but ask, "Miss, why haven't you slept yet? Is something on your mind?" She had cried and been unusually silent last night, which made Chu Xia worry involuntarily.

Xu Jinyu came to her senses and saw Chu Xia's concerned eyes.

They quietly overlapped with the tearful yet determined eyes in her memory.

Xu Jinyu's heart was filled with mixed feelings, but mostly with gratitude. Grateful that she had awakened at this age, grateful that none of the tragedies had occurred at this moment.

"Perhaps it's because I feel unsettled in a strange place, so I can't sleep for a while," Xu Jinyu smiled and said, "Chu Xia, come up here and chat with me."

Chu Xia was the daughter of Xu Jinyu's nursemaid and had grown up with her since childhood. This time, the nursemaid was left in Lin'an to look after the Xu family, while Chu Xia came to Bianliang with Xu Jinyu.

The two were close in age and were like sisters when they were together privately. Chu Xia smiled and quickly took off her clothes to sleep next to Xu Jinyu.

Chu Xia, who was lively and talkative, said, "Miss, I used to think Lin'an City was good, but today, coming to Bianliang has really opened my eyes. The Marquis of Weinings' residence is more than five times larger than our house in Lin'an! The maidservants in the Marquis's residence are also quite impressive. That Han Yu, her attire is almost on par with the young ladies of ordinary official families..."

Xu Jinyu smiled, "Are you complaining that I, as your mistress, am treating you unfairly?"

Chu Xia giggled, "Miss, you know I didn't mean that. I just feel that everything in the Marquis's residence is different!"

"Indeed, it's different," Xu Jinyu's voice was calm and leisurely, but it inexplicably carried a profound meaning, "We've just arrived, and when we stay here for a long time, you'll have plenty of opportunities to broaden your horizons."

Chu Xia didn't sense anything unusual and enthusiastically continued to chatter about trivial matters.

The familiar voice and the warmth of her presence made Xu Jinyu feel extremely at ease.

Her emotions gradually relaxed, and drowsiness crept in.

Chu Xia yawned and carefully leaned her head over, and the two of them, mistress and servant, snuggled together and gradually fell asleep.

...

The next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Zou and her son went to Tinglan Courtyard. Soon, Ji Man also came to pay her respects to Little Zou.

Both Little Zou and Ji Man appeared calm, as if the verbal confrontation from last night had never happened.

Ji Man, however, lacked sophistication and maintained a cold demeanor, showing little regard for Ji Man.

As Ji Man's cousin, Xu Jinyu naturally should have stood on Ji Man's side. With a smile, she engaged Ji Man in conversation, "Cousin Ji, the style of the silk dress you're wearing today is quite unique. I've never seen it before!"

This remark struck a chord with Ji Man.

Ji Man couldn't help but feel proud and said with arrogance, "This is the most popular style in Bianliang this year, and it originated from the palace. You wouldn't have seen it in Lin'an."

Xu Jinyu's eyes revealed a perfectly measured envy, then she whispered, "Cousin Ji, could you lend me this silk dress? I'd like to make one for myself."

Ji Man's vanity suddenly swelled, and she graciously replied, "I've made four of these dresses, and our figures are similar. If you like it, I'll give you one. I'll have it sent over this afternoon."

"Really?" Xu Jinyu looked pleasantly surprised, "Thank you, Cousin Ji."

Just a dress could bring such joy! She was indeed from the small city of Lin'an, and her words and actions revealed a touch of pettiness.

Ji Man thought with a hint of disdain, but looking at Xu Jinyu's beautiful face, she didn't feel as annoyed as before. Having a cousin who always flattered her around might not be a bad thing after all.

Dealing with such impulsive, irritable, narrow-minded, and foolish people didn't require much effort.

Xu Jinyu smiled contentedly, her thoughts leisurely drifting.

Birds of a feather flock together!

Ji Man occasionally glanced at the two people who were whispering and laughing, showing no expression on her face, but inwardly sneering. She probably had misjudged the situation yesterday. With someone like Xiao Zou, how could the relationship between her and her nieces be good?

...

Led by Xiao Zou, the group quickly arrived at Shallow Cloud Residence.

Gu's personal maid, Bi Luo, respectfully greeted them, "This servant pays her respects to Madam, to the two young ladies, and to Madam Xu's son and daughter." Everyone knew about the Xu family's arrival at the residence. Although Bi Luo hadn't seen the Xu family members, she could guess their identities.

Bi Luo was a maid that Gu had brought with her when she got married. She had a calm temperament and a beautiful appearance, and she was already over twenty years old, but she still hadn't been married off.

Xiao Zou nodded and asked, "How is the princess consort's health today?"

Bi Luo's gaze dimmed slightly as she replied in a low voice, "She just took her medicine and had a small bowl of rice gruel for breakfast."

"Go in and tell her that I and Madam Xu have come to see her together," Xiao Zou said calmly. "If she's not feeling well, she shouldn't force herself to get up."

Bi Luo acknowledged and then led everyone inside.

Pushing open the door and lifting the pearl curtain, they entered the inner chamber.

It was early spring, and the weather was gradually warming up, but the room still had thick curtains hanging, making the light appear dim. There was a faint scent of sandalwood in the room, but it couldn't cover up the medicinal smell.

A frail young woman was sitting on the bed, covered with a thick silk quilt from the waist down.

She was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a sickly appearance. Her face was pale, and her once beautiful features had become so thin and gaunt that they were almost unrecognizable. Her slender wrists were shocking to see.

This frail young woman was Gu.

Gu and Xiao Zou's gazes briefly met in the air.

After their brief eye contact, they both looked away.

No one else noticed, but Xu Jinyu secretly sneered. Xiao Zou rarely visited Gu, and it was definitely not as simple as outsiders imagined... It was just that Xiao Zou was very good at hiding her feelings, and Gu had to force herself to conceal the sordid affair, so no one knew about it.

Gu's lips curved into a faint smile as she weakly called out to her mother-in-law.

Xiao Zou smiled gently and said, "Your aunt is here with Zhen'er and Jin'niang to see you."

Gu looked at them apologetically and said, "I've been bedridden due to my poor health and can't get up to greet my aunt. Please forgive me."

"If you're unwell, just stay in bed and rest. It would be inappropriate to say such things," Xiao Zou said with a smile. "As for the three of us, we'll be staying at the Marquis's residence for a long time, so we may cause some inconvenience."

Gu smiled and said, "Aunt, when you come to the Marquis's residence, it's like being at your own home. Just feel free to stay, and don't worry about causing any inconvenience." Her gaze fell on Xu Jinyu and her sister, and she expressed admiration, "Zhen cousin and Jin cousin are both outstanding in appearance and demeanor, truly exceptional. Aunt is truly blessed."

Before Xiao Zou could modestly decline, Gu smiled and instructed Ji Man and Jiyu, "Second sister, third sister, I've been bedridden all day and can't get up to greet my aunt and cousins. You two must take good care of them."

In just a few words, it was a comforting message.

Even though she was seriously ill in bed, Gu still showed the dignity of a princess consort.

Ji Man smiled and agreed. When Gu had married into the family, she hadn't even been ten years old, and she had never been close to Xiao Zou, but she had gotten along quite well with her sister-in-law, Gu.

Jiyu, on the other hand, was more distant from Gu. She casually responded, showing that she didn't really care.

With only female relatives in the room, Xu Zhen, as the only male, couldn't help feeling a bit awkward and hadn't said much. Xu Jinyu was even more cautious, standing to the side with a smile, listening to the superficial pleasantries.

Gu forced herself to look spirited, but soon weariness appeared in the corners of her eyes and on her brows.

Xiao Zou was about to take her leave when a young maid quietly entered and whispered a few words to Bi Luo.

Bi Luo walked to the bedside and said in a low voice, "Princess consort, Madam Gu has brought Fourth Miss to see you." Madam Gu was Gu's birth mother, and Fourth Miss was Gu's own younger sister.

Gu's spirits lifted, but she didn't immediately ask someone to invite Madam Gu and her daughter in. Instead, she looked at Xiao Zou.

Regardless of the many grievances between Xiao Zou and Gu, they couldn't show any disrespect on the surface. Xiao Zou immediately stood up and smiled, "My mother-in-law is here. I'll go out to greet her."