“Where are you going?” Gu Yanshan demanded. “I have something to say to you.”
Little Lijiao tugged gently at Zhou Du’s sleeve. “Sister‑in‑Law… Elder Brother seems greatly concerned. I can visit Second Brother by myself.”
Zhou Du smiled reassuringly at the child. “Courtesy goes to those who spoke first. I promised Lijiao we would visit Second Brother and I do not break my word.”
She turned back to Gu Yanshan. “If it is not urgent, pray wait a little while.”
What urgent business could he possibly have? Judging by the storm upon his face, it was more likely another quarrel over Song Qingqing with his father. Let him cool his temper. She was not his punching bag.
“You !” Gu Yanshan sputtered.
Not urgent? Even if it were not should she not place him, her husband, before all else? What importance could visiting his younger brother hold?
Zhou Du walked out hand in hand with Lijiao, leaving him staring at their cheerful, retreating figures his chest tightening with fresh irritation.
Gu Yanshan caught sight of the tea left upon the table, and poured himself a cup to soothe his temper.
The fragrance was pure and bright, lingering sweet upon the tongue cooling, calming, exquisite. He could find no fault with it.
He poured another cup. “What tea is this?”
The young maid in attendance bowed respectfully. “It is called Snow‑Blossom Red, my lord a rare black tea from the snowy peaks of Wumeng. It is brewed with dew gathered at dawn from lotus leaves.”
Gu Yanshan nodded. He had heard of it an ounce worth more than gold, so rare that wealth could scarce buy it. He had never expected to find it served so casually here.
He scoffed. “She lives like royalty.”
Such priceless tea brewed and poured as though it were common water! A scholar who loved tea would have held a feast in its honor and written a dozen poems in praise of such a cup.
“I had thought Qingqing the most cherished and favored lady I knew… yet compared to Zhou Du, she is nothing.”
A pang of jealousy and regret pricked at him. Very well, he told himself. Henceforth I must cherish Qingqing all the more. She shall never know neglect.
Lijiao walked quietly beside Zhou Du, her steps lagging.
“What troubles you, Lijiao? Are you tired?” Zhou Du asked gently.
Lijiao shook her head. “Not tired… but Elder Brother looked so angry. It frightens me a little.”
Children felt such things keenly.
“He is not angry with us,” Zhou Du soothed. “He is troubled by other matters, that is all.”
“Lijiao what sort of man is your Elder Brother?”
Lijiao tilted her head thoughtfully. “He is a great hero.”
Zhou Du nodded. “Indeed. He fights to protect our land and our people a true hero. And great heroes are never unreasonable, nor angry without cause. Are they?”
“No!”
Gu Yanchuan’s courtyard was modest and somewhat secluded quiet, neat, and perfect for study.
“Second Brother! We have come to see you!” Lijiao’s voice rang out, bright and free.
Gu Yanchuan laid down his books and hurried out to greet them. “Little Sister! Sister‑in‑Law! What brings you here?”
Zhou Du smiled and motioned for her attendant to present the gift box. “Lijiao has been speaking of you. She tells me you have a sweet tooth and so I have brought you a few pastries to try.”
Gu Yanchuan flushed with embarrassment. To love sweets was hardly a manly virtue something he had shared with no one but his little sister. And now she had told his sister‑in‑Law.
Lijiao looked up at him with hopeful eyes. “They are delicious, Second Brother truly. Please try them!”
Gu Yanchuan sighed inwardly. Yet how could he disappoint his sister, who thought only of him?
The day was fair and bright. Servants laid out the pastries and tea upon a stone table beneath the great banyan tree in the courtyard.
“Which one do you like best?” Lijiao chattered happily.
Gu Yanchuan pointed to two plates.
Zhou Du looked surprised. “Your taste is remarkably like my brother’s. He loves exactly those two lotus seed and red bean cake, and osmanthus ginseng cake.”
Gu Yanchuan gave a faint, self‑deprecating smile. “To share even a passing resemblance to the Master of Boat and Wilds is honor indeed.”
Zhou Ze known as the Master of Boat and Wilds had begun composing verses at four, and his poetry was known across the land by eight. At fifteen, his Ode to Boat and Wilds had made him the most celebrated young scholar in the capital. Free and noble in spirit, it was said that even if he possessed the looks of a third‑place graduate, his talent would still shine first above all.
Zhou Du waved her fan gently. The silk peach blossoms in her hair trembled in the breeze, looking almost alive.
She turned to him, unhurried. “Father tells me you study most diligently. Do you intend to sit for the Imperial Examinations?”
Gu Yanchuan sat up straight and answered earnestly. “You flatter me, Sister‑in‑Law. I am merely slow and studious striving to make up for what I lack.”
Zhou Du observed him: courteous, modest, steady. Motherless, overlooked by his father, born to privilege yet without indulgence he applied himself with purpose and clear ambition. A young man of great promise, wasted in neglect.
“Have you found a tutor?”
Gu Yanchuan shook his head. “The masters of our clan school teach us faithfully enough.”
Zhou Du sighed to herself. The Marquis was truly blind! Two sons and he doted on one while neglecting the other. The clan masters could prepare a student only as far as the provincial examinations. Beyond that, they had no skill. Gu Yanchuan was already fourteen. Younger sons of other noble houses all had private tutors of renown. Yet this boy sat in a crowded classroom mixed with children of every age, taught by men who could not guide him to the heights.
How could one neglect a boy’s education!
“The road to high office is steep,” Zhou Du said plainly. “No man travels it alone. I shall see to it that you have a proper tutor.”
It was not soft‑hearted charity. She had been taught since childhood: a house stands strong only when all pull together brothers united, sisters caring for one another. The House of Yong Ning seemed cursed scant children, divided hearts, and little bond with kin. A clan falls when its numbers dwindle and its people turn apart.
Gu Yanchuan was a seed of great promise. She would not let him wither. Now that she was part of this house, she would see it thrive not drag her own family down through neglect and foolishness.
Gu Yanchuan stared, stunned and moved beyond words. “Sister‑in‑Law… you do so much for me. I… I have no way to repay such kindness.”