When Gu Youning and the others reached the back courtyard, Gu Youning said, "Let's go see my mother first, have a chat with her, and give her some pastries and dried fruits."
Sun Feng'an naturally agreed, and the couple headed to the back kitchen, which was bustling with activity at the moment. Someone who saw Sun Feng'an called out, "Madame Gu, your son-in-law is here!"
Old Madame Gu hurried out of the kitchen. Seeing her daughter and son-in-law arrive together, she eagerly asked about the trip to the tomb palace.
Gu Youning recounted everything she had experienced one by one, and mentioned that she had received rewards. Old Madame Gu was so delighted she couldn't close her mouth: "If you could secure a permanent position in the residence, we'd never have to worry again."
Positions in the prince's residence were all registered on record and reported to the imperial clan. Once your name was on the list, you would never be without work, and you'd never have to worry for the rest of your life. This time, Gu Youning had accompanied Concubine Zhou to the tomb palace only to fill a temporary vacancy, lending a hand—it was by no means a lasting arrangement.
Gu Youning smiled and said, "There's no rush. We'll just wait for the right opportunity."
She then took out all the various rewarded items to show Old Madame Gu. Leaning toward her own mother, Gu Youning slipped over the small fine trinkets, and kept some of each kind of pastry for her as well, which made Old Madame Gu repeatedly protest, "I don't lack for these things here. Take them home—your mother-in-law will be pleased to see them too."
Gu Youning also cut a piece of the plain gauze for Old Madame Gu, telling her to make a garment of it to wear next to her skin.
Seeing the plain gauze, Old Madame Gu knew it was a fine item and said, "The weather's getting hot. Yueqiu has trouble moving around and often sits there reading. Our house doesn't get much airflow—it's so stuffy. I'm afraid he'll make himself ill from it. I'll use this to make him something to wear against his skin—it's breathable."
At this point, Sun Feng'an noticed some servants and maids looking over curiously, so he generously took out some dried fruits and shared them with everyone, saying only that these were rewards Gu Youning had received from the Old Consort Dowager, and inviting everyone to have a taste.
Hearing this, everyone naturally asked about it, and Sun Feng'an took the opportunity to tell the story. Amid their astonishment, they all praised her profusely.
Old Madame Gu's face glowed with pride, and she smiled so widely she couldn't close her mouth.
After everyone had chatted lively for a while, the couple prepared to leave, and Old Madame Gu stuffed two large bundles of pastries into their hands.
She had landed the good job of making the Qingming Festival pastries this time, so naturally there were plenty of leftovers—more than anyone could eat, and they would simply go to waste once the festival passed. Naturally, the servants each took some to give away as favors.
The couple carried the plain gauze and a large bundle of things back home. By this time, Sun Feng'an's Mother had already heard the news, and seeing them come through the door, her face broke into a smile: "How rare—you've actually brought me some face."
Hearing the commotion, Sun Yu'e lifted the curtain and came out. The moment she saw the plain gauze, she pounced on it, unable to put it down.
Seeing this, Sun Feng'an's Mother laughed, "We'll make you an outfit—"
Before she could finish, Gu Youning cut in, "Mother, try these pastries. These were rewarded from the palace, and these were made by my mother."
She promptly brought out the pastries. Sun Feng'an's Mother, curious, tried them, while Sun Yu'e still clung to the plain gauze, refusing to let go, and said gleefully, "This one's mine!"
With that, she hugged the plain gauze and headed for her own room.
Gu Youning shot Sun Feng'an a glance.
Sun Feng'an understood her intentions and quickly called out to stop Sun Yu'e: "Yu'e, if you like it, later have your sister-in-law take out some fabric and have garments made to wear next to the skin for you and for Mother. Nothing's as comfortable as clothes worn against the skin."
Sun Yue immediately became displeased, pouting: "But I want to make a pleated skirt. This would make such a pretty pleated skirt."
A pleated skirt?
Gu Youning was naturally reluctant. What was a pleated skirt? It only looked good with dense pleats, and that was the most fabric-hungry style there was. Once one pleated skirt was made, there'd hardly be any of this plain gauze left!
She found it amusing but said nothing, just waiting to see how Sun Feng'an would discipline his sister.
If he didn't, she certainly wouldn't let it go.
Sun Feng'an had already been trained up by Gu Youning, so hearing this, he naturally knew she was unwilling. He hurriedly tried to persuade his sister, even trotting out Gu Youning's own arguments, but Sun Yue wouldn't listen.
She stamped her foot in grievance: "Then can't I just wear it at home? Or when we go out for outings—I won't wear it to the manor."
Tears were about to fall as she said: "I just want a pleated skirt. That's the only thing that looks pretty."
Seeing her like this, Sun Feng'an felt for her, and looked helplessly at Gu Youning.
Gu Youning pretended not to notice.
Truthfully, if they had asked nicely, she might have gritted her teeth and given it up. But that entitled attitude made her uncomfortable—she simply refused to give an inch.
Watching the scene, Sun Feng'an's Mother pulled a long face and sneered: "It's just one bolt of plain gauze. If Yu'e likes it, let her use it. Why treat it like treasure! Why don't you look at how you got that reward in the first place—wasn't it me who swallowed my pride and secured that job for you two?"
Sun Yue immediately felt vindicated and looked at Sun Feng'an smugly: "Mother said so—the plain gauze is mine now!"
Sun Feng'an glared: "You!"
Sun Yue stuck her tongue out at him, gave a mischievous smile, and carried the plain gauze back to her room.
Sun Feng'an's Mother muttered beside them: "Feng'an's wife, if I come across any good fabric later, you can have it. Yu'e is still young—just indulge her."
Gu Youning said nothing about this. Back in their room, she calmly put away various items and prepared to wash up.
But Sun Feng'an felt terribly guilty, hovering around her: "My mother just talks that way. Don't take it to heart."
Then he added: "Yu'e can't keep things to herself, and she was spoiled growing up. Don't lower yourself to her level."
Gu Youning spread out the bedding, then looked up and said flatly: "It's late at night—shouldn't you be resting? I never said I was angry with anyone."
The more she said this, the guiltier Sun Feng'an felt, and he could only mumble: "I'll buy you something good later. Something even better."
Gu Youning: "It's just one bolt of plain gauze. Would I really take that to heart?"
Sun Feng'an looked at her, clenching his fists, his face flushing red: "Trust me. I say what I mean and I mean what I say."
Gu Youning said lazily: "Forget it. Even if you found a better bolt, it wouldn't come to me anyway. Really, your mother has a point—that job was secured through her efforts, so now that something's come of it, it should go to her."
Sun Feng'an fell silent. In the dim lamplight, he gazed at his wife, who seemed utterly indifferent, and said: "I've wronged you."
He knew she cared, but she had no way to say anything. It was his failure that left her unable to keep that bolt of plain gauze with a clear conscience.
Gu Youning was watching Sun Feng'an too. She could see his guilt, and it made her feel much better—at least someone knew that in this moment, she truly had been wronged.
She sighed. "Don't dwell on it. I kept some for my mother too. As for myself, what would I use that I wouldn't otherwise? It's late. Let's rest."
But Sun Feng'an kept looking at her. "What can I do now? As long as it makes you happy, I'll do anything."
His voice was hoarse, his gaze sincere. He truly wanted to make amends.
Gu Youning's heart stirred. "Since you put it that way—if I asked for a phoenix from the sky or a dragon from the sea, that would be putting you in a difficult spot. But there's something readily available right now. A few days ago I tried to find it but couldn't. Go find it for me."
Sun Feng'an hurriedly asked, "What is it?"
Gu Youning mentioned the book that Gu Yueqiu wanted. "Just go and get it for me."
Sun Feng'an said, "It's just a book. I'll find it for you!"
Gu Youning actually smiled. "Good. I'll be waiting."
The couple went to bed and soon settled down. Gu Youning closed her eyes, but she couldn't sleep.
Recollecting everything that had happened that day, she did feel some grievance over the plain gauze, but not much.
It was a luxury reserved for titled consorts. As the wife of a household servant, if she wore a dress made of such fine tribute gauze, it would only invite trouble. Besides, luxurious fabrics were delicate and troublesome—threads would pull after just a couple of wears, and they couldn't be casually washed with water. So it was just as well not to have it.
On the other hand, Sun Feng'an's willingness to help find the book her brother wanted comforted her greatly.
Perhaps she disliked this man, perhaps she resented him, but in fairness, he wasn't entirely useless.
That day, when he handed out dried fruits at his mother's place, he was giving her face and backing up her mother as well.
Moreover, she had also ended up with a string of red musk beads—the ones Sun Yue hadn't taken.
Musk was inherently precious, and under the current dynasty's prohibition, it couldn't be used freely among common folk. Household servants of a prince's residence like them could hardly ever obtain it. Now that she had it, she could quietly play with it in her box, and on languid summer days, wearing it could clear the mind and sharpen the senses.
At breakfast the next morning, Sun Yue was enthusiastically talking about wanting dresses, and urging Sun Feng'an's Mother to find her some job so she could stroll around the residence.
Gu Youning kept her head down and said nothing, attentively serving Sun Feng'an's Mother at the meal, fulfilling her duty as a daughter-in-law.
Sun Feng'an ate with his head down, expressionless, making no sound either.
Sun Feng'an's Mother suddenly felt the atmosphere was a bit off. She glanced at Gu Youning and said, "You're a married woman now. You must look at the long term. Later I'll try to find you a good position too—would good things ever be lacking for you?"
Gu Youning said, "Whatever you say, Mother."
Sun Feng'an's Mother said, "In a few days I'll pay my respects to Her Ladyship the Consort Dowager and mention your matter, try to secure you a proper position at the very least."
She sighed, sounding quite helpless. "At the end of the day, to get positions for you all, don't I still have to sacrifice this old face of mine!"
Gu Youning lowered her head and said nothing.
Just then, there was suddenly a commotion outside—it was Old Madame Gu.
Gu Youning was surprised and hurriedly rose to greet her, while Sun Feng'an's Mother reluctantly composed her face and exchanged pleasantries.
Old Madame Gu had serious business to discuss: "First thing this morning, I learned that a night-duty wife in the residence has just left, and they're looking to fill the vacancy. I thought Youning needs to find a proper position as soon as possible. If she wants it, while no one knows yet, we should hurry over and claim it."
Hearing this, Sun Feng'an's Mother immediately frowned: "Night duty isn't much of a job."
Old Madame Gu smiled and said, "To be honest, it's not a particularly good position. But I figure, with this opportunity, we should get in first and at least claim a spot. This position also has to be reported to the principal manor—the pay comes from the official coffers."
In this dynasty, princely residences received salaries and provisions from the court according to rank, and the maids, servant women, stewards, and menial workers in the residence were all registered positions with official pay. So working in a princely residence was strictly one radish, one hole—once the quota was full, no new people were added. To bring in someone new, one had to wait for an old position to open up.
As far as Old Madame Gu was concerned, seeing an opening, she naturally couldn't wait to secure it for her daughter immediately.
Sun Feng'an's Mother was about to say something more when Gu Youning spoke up: "If we can get this position, it's naturally a good thing. Mother, Feng'an, I think we should register as soon as possible, before anything changes overnight."
Sun Feng'an hesitated a little: "It will mean staying up late. I'm afraid it will be too hard on you."
Gu Youning said, "Of course it will be a bit hard, but at this moment, if Mother were to go ask Consort Dowager for some position, I'm afraid it might not even succeed. Now here's a chance that can be secured without Mother having to humble herself and beg anyone—what is a little hardship for us juniors compared to that?"
Her words were measured and unhurried, and quite considerate on the surface, but Sun Feng'an's Mother heard them as a slap to her face.
Just moments ago she had used this very point to put her daughter-in-law in her place, and now, in the blink of an eye, her daughter-in-law had blocked her with it. Clearly, Gu Youning was roundly mocking her for being incapable—unable to secure a respectable position through her connections.
She gave a cold sneer: "Since you're so eager to go, who's stopping you?"
Old Madame Gu, listening from the side, could see her in-law giving her daughter the cold shoulder, and she was naturally displeased. She spoke up at once: "In-law, it's not that Youning is set on going—it's simply that there are no good openings otherwise. We know you're concerned, in-law, but she went along to the tomb palace before and showed her face before Her Ladyship the Consort Dowager, yet in the end she didn't secure any decent position, and in the end she'll just have to suffer hardship herself."
Then she let out a very, very long sigh: "Come to think of it, it's our fault as parents for being so incapable—unable to secure a position for our child."
Though she said this, she was clearly needling Sun Feng'an's Mother for refusing to lift a finger, and it infuriated her. She immediately said in a mocking tone: "If you have such ability, in-law, don't look out for Youning alone. You ought to think of a way for Yueqiu too—at least find him a proper position."
These words struck Old Madame Gu right where it hurt most—a crippled man, what position could he possibly secure?
Old Madame Gu flared up at once, rolling up her sleeves and charging forward: "In-law, what kind of nonsense are you spouting!"
Sun Feng'an and Gu Youning, seeing this, had no choice but to hurry over and pull them apart.
Before leaving, Old Madame Gu was still fuming: "I can see Feng'an is a good one, but his mother is truly a piece of work. When I married into their family back then, I never saw any benefit from them—instead, here you are, having to put up with that old woman's moods!"
Gu Youning hurriedly soothed Old Madame Gu, and after much coaxing, her anger gradually subsided. Then she asked, "This position—what are your thoughts on it?"
Gu Youning said, "Naturally, I'll do as Mother thinks best."
Old Madame Gu was satisfied. "Night duty is naturally a bit tiring, but if you can get into the inner compound, that's a good thing overall. I can look out for you too—Granny Hu, who manages the matter, has long been on familiar terms with me. I've already quietly done her small favors before, so I'll have her look after you. Work this job for a while, and once I spot something better, I'll find you a way to switch."
Gu Youning nodded. "Mm, I'll just follow Mother's arrangements."
She had originally been wary of Prince Duan, but after what happened at the burial palace, she understood in her heart that she was already a servant of Prince Duan's household—there was no hiding from it. All she could do was play the fool and do whatever needed doing.
Besides, spending all day at home managing the household wouldn't necessarily win her any favor. If she relied on Sun Feng'an's Mother to find her a position, who knew how she'd be manipulated—she might even have to hand over her monthly wages.
With work her own mother found for her, she could hold her head high, without having to depend on others' moods every day.