acting
In winter, it gets dark early. If someone in a household comes home late, someone at home will worry and wait at the door for them to return. Usually, it's the matriarch of the household who is very close to the family. She will be filled with anxiety and worry, and she will only be able to show a smile when she sees the person.
Gu Sidu has been returning home late these days. The servants say that sometimes he is not released until the third watch of the night, and sometimes he does not return home until dawn.
Daoyun remembered that when Gu Sidu came home a little late before, his family would be worried sick, but now they weren't worried anymore. Why was that?
The family said, "Now that the head of the family has been promoted, naturally no one can make things difficult for him. His life is not in danger. This time, he was held back by enthusiasm."
"Holded back by enthusiasm?" Jiang Yufan asked curiously.
"Yes, we also asked the head of the family. He said that the imperial examination will be held in the spring, and the head of the family will still be in charge of these matters. As a result, many families with members who are going to take the imperial examination want to curry favor with Lord Gu so that they can have more convenience in the future."
Then these scientific expeditions would be extremely simple.
The servant said to Jiang Yufan, "Bodhisattva, they've been too arrogant lately. Do they really think we have no one in our family? If you ask me, you should just wait at the door and let people know that the Gu family has women."
Jiang Yufan was not the mistress of the house, and she didn't know whether Gu Sidu would return home early while she stood at the door. However, she knew that if she took the lead, she would be inextricably linked to Gu Sidu.
At that time, she couldn't explain herself clearly, which probably caused Gu Sidu some trouble. But this also indirectly proves that Gu Sidu wasn't lying; he was indeed experiencing these troubles.
After everyone left, Jiang Yufan pondered for a moment and said to Daoyun, "How long has it been since Lord Gu last came to see us?"
“It’s been a few days now. I’ve been keeping an eye on things these past few days. Every time Lord Gu comes back, he looks unhappy and locks himself in his room.”
Who can be happy doing things they don't like? Nobody will be happy.
"But Buddhist nun, I don't understand why these people are so eager to curry favor with Lord Gu and insist on marrying their daughters to him."
Why can't we use other methods instead of interfering in Master Gu's private affairs?
"Using money won't work. Lord Gu has a great reputation, so others certainly won't choose this method. The only way to get Lord Gu to help is through marriage."
Once you become family, you can't refuse; once you're part of the family, you must share both honor and disgrace.
"Oh, is that so? Lord Gu is in such a pitiful state. Should we help him?"
How can I help? How can I help him? Should I play the role of Lord Gu's wife and shield him from these social engagements? Isn't that exactly what Gu Sidu asked me a few days ago?
At the time, Jiang Yufan didn't think it was a big deal, but now it seems that these people are not restraining themselves and may harm Gu Sidu.
It was already late at night, but Jiang Yufan had not fallen asleep. She spread out another sheet of paper: "Daoyun, if you are sleepy, go to sleep first. I can't sleep, I want to practice my calligraphy some more."
I want to wait a little longer.
Daoyun yawned. She knew the Buddha was having trouble sleeping and was thinking about how to help Gu Sidu. She also knew the Buddha was waiting for Gu Sidu. She said, "Okay, then Buddha shouldn't wait too late."
Jiang Yufan nodded. While copying the scriptures, she wondered if she should help Gu Sidu. Pretending to be the lady wasn't out of the question. After all, it was just an act. As long as she could spread the word and make those people give up, she could also help Gu Sidu solve the problem of being fawned over. It would also be a way of repaying some of the help Gu Sidu had given her before.
After the scriptures were copied, Jiang Yufan became more and more determined in her heart.
She has to help Gu Sidu.
Gu Sidu wasn't returning too late today. The servant was dozing at the door when the night watchman came around and happened to pass by. Gu Sidu was returning at that moment. He gently patted the servant's head, making him look up. The servant looked up and his eyes widened the instant he saw Gu Sidu.
"Master, the master is back!"
"Shh, keep your voice down." Gu Sidu gestured for silence, told the servant to lock the door, and quietly went back to his room. He was afraid that if the servant made a sound, it would disturb the others and prevent the Bodhisattva from getting a good night's sleep.
He planned to tiptoe back to his house and get some sleep, but as soon as he got inside and passed the entrance to the courtyard, he saw a figure standing right where he was sure to pass, as if waiting for him.
Gu Sidu saw it clearly; it was a Bodhisattva.
Jiang Yufan had only come out for some fresh air and to look up at the moon, but she soon heard a faint noise. Sure enough, when she peeked out, she saw Gu Sidu.
Caught red-handed, Gu Sidu smiled and said to Jiang Yufan, "Bodhisattva, you haven't gone to sleep yet? I just went out for a walk to admire the moon. I'm going back to sleep now. Bodhisattva, you should go to sleep early too. It's getting late and it's cold outside."
"Has Lord Gu been truly exhausted these past few days?" Jiang Yufan asked.
"It's alright, I can still bear it." Gu Sidu shook his head.
"Can you bear it?" Jiang Yufan paused deliberately. "I was even thinking of a way to solve Lord Gu's current worries and share his burdens."
"What?!" Gu Sidu's eyes widened, his peach blossom eyes sparkling with excitement. He said to Jiang Yufan, "Bodhisattva, I need it. I can't stand it anymore. I need the Bodhisattva."
"Bodhisattva, save me!"
Sure enough, Gu Sidu was easily tempted and quickly changed his mind. Even Jiang Yufan couldn't help but lower her head and laugh out loud.
Under the moonlight, Jiang Yufan saw Gu Sidu come forward and stand beside her. She said to Gu Sidu, "Lord Gu, I am very grateful for your help in the past. These past few days, I have seen how hard you have been working, and I was thinking if I could help you relieve some of your worries."
"So, Bodhisattva, have you agreed to pretend to be my wife?" Gu Sidu clenched her hands, clasped them together, and looked at Jiang Yufan with great hope.
Jiang Yufan nodded, her ear tips turning red. Just as Gu Sidu was about to feel smug, she said, "By the way, there are some things we need to discuss first."
"I agree to everything!" It was truly rare for the Bodhisattva to agree, so what other requests could Gu Sidu possibly make? He waved his hand generously.
"Agree to anything?" Jiang Yufan hadn't even said what her request was yet, and Gu Sidu hadn't even thought about it. Wouldn't he regret it?
"Yes, I'll agree to anything." Gu Sidu hadn't yet realized what kind of problems she was about to encounter.
"That's interesting," Jiang Yufan said with a smile. She raised her head and said, "You can't touch me. Stay an inch away from me. I'll only appear by your side. You'll have to cover up everything else. I'll stay in my little courtyard tonight."
Jiang Yufan witnessed Gu Sidu's face gradually darken. This was something Gu Sidu would find difficult to do and would easily be exposed, so Gu Sidu would absolutely not agree to it.
But just now, Gu Sidu agreed to whatever she said.
Gu Sidu regretted her quick tongue.
"Bodhisattva, I didn't say anything just now, so you didn't hear anything." Gu Sidu blinked.
"Really? I think I heard something?"
“Oh, Bodhisattva, you misheard me,” Gu Sidu nodded solemnly, denying what he had just said. He simply said, “Bodhisattva, please rest assured, I will definitely receive the respect I deserve. Please grant my request.”
Gu Sidu can also act cute.
Jiang Yufan looked at Gu Sidu and, having teased him enough, she pulled the net away and said to Gu Sidu, "What can I do for Lord Gu?"
Gu Sidu really needed Jiang Yufan. Gu Sidu went to Jiang Yufan's room first. He had a lot to say to the Bodhisattva, but if the Bodhisattva kept standing in the wind, she would definitely catch a cold. Gu Sidu didn't want the Bodhisattva to get cold.
Recently, the Vice Minister of War invited him to his home to meet his daughter. This Vice Minister of War was not one to pretend. His eldest son had just finished the imperial examination and was waiting for the metropolitan examination next spring. If the marriage was arranged, Gu Sidu would have no choice but to do his best to help the Vice Minister of War's eldest son.
Gu Sidu made many excuses to delay, which is why he sometimes didn't go home until dawn.
"Can't you take this opportunity to run away?" Jiang Yufan asked.
“I can’t beat him,” Gu Sidu said, feeling wronged. “If I could beat him, I would run away too, but I have to see him every day, and I can’t disobey him.”
Ah, that sounds really pitiful.
“Bodhisattva, I have already told them that I have a wife, but they do not believe me. I just want to invite this daughter of the Vice Minister of War out in the name of my wife. This way, I can make them give up and also deter others.”
"All you have to do is go out to dinner with me, pretend to be my wife, and put on a show for me, okay?"
It didn't seem difficult. Seeing how hard Gu Sidu had worked these past few days and how haggard he looked, Jiang Yufan couldn't bear it and finally agreed. She had originally wanted to give Gu Sidu the sandalwood prayer beads she had been stringing together, but Gu Sidu felt it was too late and took his leave before Jiang Yufan could bring them out.
They left quite quickly, so Jiang Yufan could only carefully put away the sandalwood and wait until later to find a suitable place to consecrate it before giving it to Gu Sidu.
Tonight, I can finally sleep peacefully. Many things happened tonight, but when Daoyun heard Jiang Yufan's instructions the next day to have someone bring some rouge and face powder, Daoyun was stunned.
"Buddha Maiden, what are you doing?" Dao Yun had never seen Jiang Yu Fan dress herself up so meticulously, even putting her hair up in a bun.
Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, Jiang Yufan, relying on her memories of her time at home, put her hair up and said calmly, "I'm going to play the role of Gu Sidu's wife."
"What?" Dao Yun almost dropped her sword. She thought she had misheard and asked again, "You promised Lord Gu?"
"Did Lord Gu come here last night?"
After Jiang Yufan nodded, Dao Yun completely lost his mind.
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