Chapter 50: Who Guards Against Thieves for 1,000 Years?

Gu Jinghui said, "Everything depends on Mother’s arrangements."

Old Madam Gu replied, "Then you don’t have to worry about it in the future. If these two kids feel uncomfortable, let them come to me. The real task for you and Yuan’er is to give me grandchildren as soon as possible."

Lady Zhao and those twins were under her and Nanny Rong’s care, so why did they keep seeking out the old masters?

Gu Jinghui nodded heavily.

"With Mother’s care, what is there for your son to worry about?"

Old Madam Gu continued, "The customs at the Northern Border are open. Lady Zhao probably doesn’t want to stay in mourning for her late husband. Once she’s past mourning, this old woman will personally arrange a good marriage for her. These days, just avoid her a bit. If any servants in the mansion start spreading baseless rumors, I certainly won’t forgive them."

Gu Jinghui felt relieved.

He recalled that both his Sixth Sister-in-law and Seventh Sister were involved, and couldn’t help but complain, "Mother, these rumors all spread from Sixth Sister-in-law and Seventh Sister. If it weren’t for Yuan’er reminding me, saying that I just returned triumphantly, how could these rumors arise unless they were targeting me? Only then did I investigate and realize that it wasn’t just ignorant people gossiping."

Old Madam Gu tightly held her prayer beads, incredulous, and asked, "Are you saying that these words were spread by Sixth Sister-in-law and Treasure Bead?"

Gu Jinghui repeated what Gu Shiliu had said.

Old Madam Gu was stunned for a moment and said, "You brought Lady Zhao and those two children back from the Northern Border, even I worried you might take Lady Zhao as a concubine, fearing you’d make a muddle. This is not to blame others, but Treasure Bead speaking nonsense outside is truly inappropriate."

Gu Jinghui said, "She needs proper discipline. I’ve already had Sixteen enter her in the Qiqiao Festival embroidery competition. If she doesn’t place, she’ll stay home to embroider properly."

Old Madam Gu was also angry about Gu Baoshu’s loose tongue, which made Gu Jinghui’s marriage talks difficult.

She originally thought people rejected her son because of his age.

Little did she know there was more behind it all.

But fortunately, it ended up being Qin Yuan.

It was a blessing in disguise.

"Alright," Old Madam Gu no longer indulged Gu Baoshu, saying, "She should get her marriage settled soon, and curb her temper. Otherwise, I’ll have a headache."

It’s easier for a man to say, but a woman marrying is like starting life anew.

No matter how favored at her parents’ house, she has to start over at her in-laws’.

She cannot be spoiled any longer.

Old Madam Gu suddenly said, "Would it be alright for Baoshu to learn from Yuan’er?"

Gu Jinghui was momentarily taken aback and said, "Then I’ll check Yuan’er’s opinion."

He didn’t readily agree to it.

In this, Old Madam Gu was pleased, nodding, "Go ask. If Yuan’er isn’t willing, then forget it; it’s just Baoshu’s own misfortune."

Gu Jinghui acknowledged and prepared to leave.

Old Madam Gu called him back, saying, "Ask Yuan’er about that story, I want to hear it."

"I understand, Mother."

After Gu Jinghui left, Old Madam Gu called in Nanny Rong who was waiting outside and said, "Just now, Hui’er called me ’Mother.’

Nanny Rong asked in surprise, "You’ve coaxed the Marquis for so many years and he never called you that—why now?"

"I suppose he’s anxious, calling me ’Mother’ to help make a decision."

Old Madam Gu laughed heartily.

"This daughter-in-law is really well-chosen. Yuan’er calls me ’Mother’ every day, and Hui’er followed suit in just a few days. He was so proper from a young age, refusing to call me ’Mother’ after a certain age."

Nanny Rong said, "The Marquis now knows how to act spoiled. Back when he was young, he was fond of it too, until the Old Marquis disciplined him, and he changed."

Old Madam Gu replied, "Don’t bring that old thing up to spoil the mood."

Nanny Rong smiled, "The Marquis was scared by Fengxuan Pavilion. If it were before..."

If it were before, Gu Jinghui would have stoically carried on with a sour face.

Mention of Fengxuan Pavilion piqued Old Madam Gu’s interest, "When that woman arrived, I knew she was scheming. I never thought she’d dare act on such schemes. Bai Que was also swayed by her, hiding many things from us, nearly allowing her to succeed."

Nanny Rong said, "Bai Que’s mind is crooked. Better send her to the estate; otherwise, marry her off to serve elsewhere."

Old Madam Gu nodded.

Lady Zhao, being the late benefactor’s wife, resided in the Marquis Mansion with her children, and couldn’t be treated lightly or harshly. If neglected, rumors could sully the Marquis’s name, making people think he’s ungrateful.

But if kept this way, who knows what might happen.

No thief lasts a thousand years, nor can one guard against them for a thousand years.

Old Madam Gu asked Nanny Rong, "I remember there was a maid called Zihe who went with Bai Que at first; why hasn’t she been seen since?"

Nanny Rong thought for a moment and said, "Zihe left shortly after, claiming her parents were ill. She took leave to care for them, and Old Madam generously rewarded her with silver and a half ginseng root."

Old Madam Gu said, "Send someone to check how her parents are. If they’ve recovered, she should return to serve soon."

Nanny Rong nodded.

Introducing someone suddenly now might arouse Lady Zhao’s suspicion.

Zihe is certainly more suitable.

"I’ll have Qiujie check it out. That child is attentive and considerate. If Zihe can’t return, at least we might learn something else."

With Old Madam Gu’s words in mind, Gu Jinghui put down his concerns and hurried back to Wutong Garden to find Qin Yuan.

"Third Brother, Third Brother."

Gu Jinghui stopped, seeing Gu Jingjun coming around from behind the Taihu Stone rockery with scratches on his face.

"What happened to you?"

Gu Jingjun, usually meticulous, now had scratches across his face, his clothing crumpled with smudges, as if he’d rolled in some filthy place.

"Ah, don’t ask," Gu Jingjun said, reaching out, "Third Brother, could you lend me some money?"

Gu Jinghui was about to reach into his pocket for the silver note but stopped, "What do you need it for?"

Gu Jingjun urged anxiously, "Good Third Brother, don’t ask, I’ll repay you immediately once I get the money."

"If you don’t explain, I won’t lend it."

Marquis Gu worried his Sixth Brother might have done something foolish, borrowing to buy a musical courtesan.

In that case, Sixth Madam Gu would surely come crying, and their mother wouldn’t spare him.

"Why is Third Brother so stingy?" Gu Jingjun, usually gentle, raised his voice sharply with a hint of bitterness, "Did that woman go crying to Mother again? Otherwise, you wouldn’t treat me this way."

Marquis Gu didn’t hide, "Indeed, your wife cried for ages, saying she’d been crying since last night, claiming you took in a song courtesan and now want to buy a pipa player. Mother had a headache from it early, and it wasn’t until your sister-in-law consoled her. You have several children already, yet still so unruly, I can’t indulge you anymore."

Gu Jingjun retorted angrily, "Third Brother, you can set fires, but when you have a celestial-like sister-in-law, you still want to bring in Lady Zhao. We’re all men, why won’t you help me?"