Guizhi was only twelve, her cheeks still round with baby fat. Because of her quick wit, Gu Qingzhao had promoted her ahead of time to the rank of second-class maid. Now she supported Cuiliu with one hand, while her eyes darted to the items scattered on the floor. “Sister, where are you going?” she asked as she helped her up.
Cuiliu hurried to gather the things, replying, “Miss ordered me to deliver these to the Fourth Young Lady.”
Guizhi’s eyes flickered. She knew about this. The items had been sent from the cousin in Liaodong, and yesterday Miss had instructed that some of the finer pieces be given to the Fourth Young Lady.
It should have been delivered yesterday, but Cuiliu’s family had come to visit, and she had delayed. By reason, it was natural to send them today instead.
But Guizhi thought differently. What could be given yesterday should not be given today.
By now Cuiliu had already packed the things and was heading out. Guizhi frowned, then turned and ran straight to the main chamber. She ran so fast that her shoe caught on the threshold, nearly sending her sprawling.
Barely steadying herself, she blurted out, “Miss, Cuiliu is not of one heart with you!”
Gu Qingzhao had just reached out to steady her, worried she might fall. At the words, she froze. “What do you mean?”
Guizhi quickly recounted what she had just seen, then added, “On ordinary days it would be nothing. But today, after you quarreled with the Fourth Young Lady, shouldn’t she have asked you first? The way she rushed out—it looked as though she feared the Fourth Young Lady might miss out on her share.”
Gu Qingzhao gave a cold laugh. “I had forgotten about that. I thought she had already delivered them yesterday.”
In truth, for her it had already been two lifetimes. No matter how sharp her memory was, she could not recall every trifle from her past life.
“Someone, stop Cuiliu. Bring back the things.”
After ordering the servant women outside, Gu Qingzhao turned back to Guizhi.
At that moment, Guizhi sniffed hard—the air was thick with osmanthus fragrance. Her eyes strayed toward the golden osmanthus rolls on the side table, but only for a glance. No matter how much she craved them, she could not covet her mistress’s sweets.
Gu Qingzhao found her amusing, like watching a child. “These pastries came from the main kitchen. I don’t care for them. Take them away—you girls can share.”
Guizhi’s eyes lit up. “Yes, thank you, Miss.”
Though she said “share,” Chunlan and the others disliked sweets, so in the end Guizhi got them all.
A little while later, Cuiliu returned with the rosewood box.
Gu Qingzhao stared at the contents for a moment. These were the gifts her cousin had sent from Liaodong. She had chosen the best pieces, intending them for Gu Qingjin.
In her past life, most of her treasures had gone to Gu Qingjin. Because her third uncle had died saving her father, her father had always told her that their branch of the family owed the third branch. So her sacrifices had seemed only natural.
Gu Qingjin never had to ask—she would rush to deliver them herself.
Gu Qingzhao’s face grew darker. No one knew she had returned from hell itself, a vengeful spirit come to collect debts.
“Miss, I…I didn’t think so much. I only remembered yesterday’s order hadn’t been carried out. Please forgive me.” Cuiliu’s plea for mercy pulled Gu Qingzhao back from her thoughts.
“Is that so? I thought you were worried the Fourth Young Lady might miss out on her share.” Gu Qingzhao lifted her teacup, took a sip, and spoke with casual indifference.
Cuiliu quickly replied, “Miss sees clearly. I would never think such a thing. I only wished to carry out your orders faithfully. I am your servant, devoted entirely to you.”
Gu Qingzhao set down her cup, resting her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. Her long lashes lowered, casting faint shadows beneath her eyes. “Since you say so, I’ll believe you this once. But in the future, be more attentive. If it happens again, I will not be lenient.”
Her tone sharpened. “This time, for your carelessness, you’ll kneel in the courtyard for two hours.”
Her gaze shimmered with lazy brilliance. She could have used this incident to dismiss Cuiliu outright, but that would have been too easy. Better to keep her for now.
After Cuiliu went out to kneel, Gu Qingzhao rewarded Guizhi with a bracelet and two boxes of pine-nut candy. Guizhi thanked her happily, clutching the sweets with a grin before hurrying off to Doctor Liu to gather news.
By the time night had fallen, Guizhi returned in haste, her childish face flushed with excitement she could not hide.
Seeing her expression, Gu Qingzhao guessed the matter was much as she had suspected. “Concubine Wan’s pregnancy truly has problems?” she asked, reclining on the couch and setting her book aside.
Guizhi shook her head, drank a cup of water, and then explained, “I found Doctor Liu and looked at the medical records. Concubine Wan’s pregnancy shows no issues. But just as I left, people from Qingyi Courtyard came to fetch him. I followed quietly and slipped in through the back gate—something had indeed happened there. Miss, are you clairvoyant? How did you think to investigate Concubine Wan’s pregnancy?”
Guizhi chattered excitedly, but still hadn’t gotten to the point.
Gu Qingzhao pressed her, “Speak plainly. What happened in Qingyi Courtyard?”
Guizhi then recounted everything in detail. As she spoke, Gu Qingzhao listened carefully, piecing it together with memories from her past life.
By the time Guizhi finished, Gu Qingzhao had already formed her plan.
The next morning, when Gu Qingzhao rose, breakfast was already laid out. She had not slept soundly the night before, always fearing her rebirth was only a dream, that she might wake to find herself back in those days of torment. So today she rose later than usual. She meant to eat, then pay her grandmother respects.
But just as she ladled porridge into her bowl, Chunlan slipped in quietly to report: “Miss, Prince Cheng has arrived. The Duke is receiving him in the outer hall. A servant has gone to summon the Old Madam—it seems they mean to discuss yesterday’s scandal.”
Gu Qingzhao scooped porridge with her spoon, steam curling upward. “Is the Fourth Young Lady behaving herself?”
Chunlan replied, “She knelt in the ancestral hall all night. A quarter of an hour ago, the Old Madam ordered her back. I heard that early this morning, Third Madam went to Cihui Hall in tears.”
Gu Qingzhao nodded and continued her breakfast. She did not hurry to go over—this was not a matter that could be settled in a moment. Leisurely, she finished a bowl of vegetable porridge, ate two meat buns, and drank a cup of milk tea. By the time she rose, changed her clothes, and headed toward the outer hall, two quarters of an hour had passed.
At the entrance of the outer hall, Gu Qingzhao was about to instruct a servant to announce her when she heard a voice from inside—the voice of Prince Cheng, Qin Jingming.
“Old Madam, I have long admired the Third Young Lady and will never agree to dissolve the betrothal. But I will take responsibility for the Fourth Young Lady as well. I shall petition His Majesty at once: while marrying the Third Young Lady as my principal consort, I will also accept the Fourth Young Lady as a secondary consort. The sisters entering Prince Cheng’s household together—spoken of, it would be a fine tale. With my status, surely it cannot be said to disgrace the two young ladies of the Gu family.”