Practice makes perfect. Gu Yaoniang and Gu Xingzhi knelt together in the main hall, where the angel stood right beneath the plaque that read "First Merchant" and read out the decree.
The implementation of the flying silver project went very smoothly, greatly pleasing the Emperor, who bestowed many rewards. The angel proclaimed the decree, and the Gu family expressed their gratitude. Looking at the "Number One Merchant" plaque hanging high in the Gu family's main hall, the angel secretly nodded in approval of the Gu family's understanding.
This is how one truly shows gratitude for the Emperor's favor.
Gu Xingzhi saw the person out the door, while Gu Yaoniang led her people to put away the rewards one by one in the courtyard.
Rare paintings, calligraphy, and jade ornaments were stored in an inventory and would be taken out when needed. What was truly remarkable were the jewelry bestowed as a reward, all of which featured designs rarely seen in the common people.
In fact, Gu Yaoniang is the only officially recognized mistress of the Gu family, so Gu Xingzhi left all the jewelry to Gu Yaoniang to manage herself.
Gu Yaoniang, however, still picked out some things that were suitable for Qiaoniang and placed them aside.
When Gu Xingzhi returned, he saw Gu Yaoniang holding a piece of silk and gesturing with it. On the small table were several pieces of darker-colored fabric, clearly styles more suitable for men's clothing.
Look at you!
Hearing Gu Xingzhi's voice, Gu Yaoniang turned around and stood up. She retorted indignantly, "What's wrong with me? Second Uncle is one of the most respectable people in Shuojing. I'm just a country girl who hasn't been to the city for long. I've never seen the world before, so naturally everything seems strange to me."
Gu Xingzhi laughed and was about to reach out and pat her: "Sharp-tongued and sarcastic."
Gu Yaoniang snorted, dodged Gu Xingzhi's hand, and continued to organize the register of rewards.
-
Insects chirped, and a ray of light shone into the Gu family's old house. The roof tiles were somewhat dilapidated, and the main gate seemed much dimmer than it had been three years ago.
Gu Yaoniang gently pushed the wooden door and found that it was not locked. She only used her fingertips to apply a little force, and the door slowly opened with a creak.
She stepped over the threshold, walked around the screen wall, and went into the house.
The old tree in the yard still stands tall, but it seems to have aged. Although its branches and leaves are still lush, they droop and exude a sense of despondency in its twilight years.
Gu Yaoniang pulled her fox fur cloak tighter around herself, vaguely feeling that the scene before her was somewhat strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was out of place.
She hasn't been home in so long!
Although she exchanged letters with her family every month, they never actually met in person. The longing in her heart had already taken root, and she couldn't wait to see her parents.
Gu Yaoniang's steps quickened. She entered the main hall, only to find that the new furniture her second uncle had replaced when she left was gone. The house still had the same set of tables and chairs that had been used for more than ten years, exactly as she remembered.
Gu Yaoniang felt very strange.
It was still early. If Gu Yaoniang were at home in the past, this would be the time when the Gu family would be having breakfast in the dining room.
Then, Mr. Gu would go to work at the county government office.
Gu Yaoniang didn't see her parents in the dining room, so she went around to the back kitchen, but still couldn't find them.
She entered the kitchen and found several empty bowls on the stove, covered in a thick layer of dust. Startled, she looked into the pot and saw a similar layer of ash. Even the chopsticks casually placed to the side were covered in a thick layer of dust.
Gu Yaoniang immediately felt flustered and anxious.
"Father! Mother!"
She started shouting.
As she walked, she went through every corner of the house, pushing open every door.
The Gu family's house wasn't large, and she quickly explored every corner of it. None of the doors were locked; she simply pushed them open gently, but there was no sign of Mr. and Mrs. Gu, only a profound silence.
Gu Yaoniang's panicked voice echoed above the Gu family mansion, followed by a faint echo that lingered in her ears. The entire mansion seemed devoid of any living presence, quiet and still.
She became increasingly panicked and ran out of the Gu family's gate, wanting to ask her neighbors what had happened at their house.
But she was in such a hurry. As she stepped out the door, she stumbled and tripped on the threshold, losing her footing and falling to the ground.
Gu Yaoniang cried out in surprise and closed her eyes.
"My wife! My wife!"
Gu Yaoniang opened her eyes groggily. Before her were the familiar gauze curtains of Tinglan Residence. The candlelight inside was dim, and the slightly upturned curve of the curtain hooks cast shadows on the inner wall, swaying gently with the flickering candlelight.
She turned her head to look in the direction from which the sound came.
Bi Shuang's worried expression came into her view. Bi Shuang leaned over to look at her, her face appearing somewhat obscured by the candlelight.
Gu Yaoniang blinked, somewhat dazed, still unsure of where she was.
Seeing this, Bi Shuang became even more worried: "My lady, are you having a nightmare?"
Gu Yaoniang stared at the bed curtains, lost in thought.
It turns out that what happened just now was all a dream...
"What time is it?"
Gu Yaoniang's eyes were not very clear, but she already understood that she was in the Gu residence in Shuojing. She had never been home before and had never seen the house deserted.
It was already past midnight.
Bi Shuang kept her voice as low and gentle as she answered, while going to the table in the outer room to get a cup of water and handing it to Gu Yaoniang: "Would you like some water, Madam?"
Gu Yaoniang sat up, took the teacup from Bishuang's hand, and unconsciously rubbed it in her hand.
Bi Shuang simply stood to the side without making a sound to disturb them.
After some time, Gu Yaoniang asked, "Bishuang, do you miss home?"
Bi Shuang paused for a moment, a coldness of inscrutable meaning flashing across her face, before regaining her composure and replying softly, "This servant does not remember. Now, this is my home, Madam's side."
Gu Yaoniang looked up at Bishuang with some surprise: "Don't you remember anything?"
Bishuang hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly: "This servant doesn't remember. This servant was sold when I was very young, I don't remember."
Gu Yaoniang's gaze softened even more as she looked at her.
After a while, Gu Yaoniang said softly, "Bishuang, I miss home. You know what? My house is so beautiful. Bishuang, shall I take you to see my house?"
Gu Yaoniang sat on the bed, hugging the quilt and looking at Bishuang. Bishuang chuckled and replied softly in a voice like soothing a child, "Okay, everything is fine. My wife, go to sleep."
-
Gu Yaoniang ultimately failed to return to Qingyun County to visit her parents this winter.
The autumn imperial examinations are usually held in August, and the results are usually released when the osmanthus blossoms are in full bloom. This year, because the court was busy with the matter of sending silver, although the date for taking the autumn imperial examinations was not postponed, the date for releasing the results was delayed by several months.
This is extremely inappropriate.
Not only were the candidates losing patience, but the officials in charge of this year's exam were also extremely anxious. The list had been submitted long ago, but with no official confirmation from above, those in charge dared not post it!
Logically, the results for this exam should have been posted before the end of the year. But it was already the twelfth lunar month, and the candidates waited and waited at the entrance of the examination hall, rubbing their hands, but still did not see the red banner they were hoping for.
It wasn't that there weren't any hot-blooded candidates who wanted to cause trouble, but they were all suppressed by the government with a strong hand.
There was a palpable sense of unease in the capital city of Shuojing.
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