Chapter 146 [VIP]
Gu Zhizhuo made a face at him.
"Young master, let's ignore him."
As she spoke, she took out a box of cinnabar beads to show him.
The cat's pupils instantly narrowed to slits, and its tail began to wag wildly.
Gu Zhizhuo picked up a bead to entice it: "You want this?"
"Mimi".
Gu Zhizhuo didn't give it the cinnabar bead, fearing it might swallow it. Instead, she took a slightly larger red agate bead and tossed it to the ground. The cat excitedly pounced on it, and as the bead rolled, the cat chased after it, running around the pavilion.
These cinnabar beads were specially polished by Gu Zhizhuo and he had just received them before going to Yihe County.
She sat there and strung the beads together one by one with a red string.
Xie Yingchen had two more glass lamps brought over, their wicks made to shine brightly, and placed them beside her.
Wang Xing continued the previous topic, saying, "The latest type of musket you want, I'll have to ask the ship's manager. These things are strictly controlled by the foreigners, so they're not easy to buy."
"Why don't we find a few more merchants, buy some parts from each of them, bring them back, and assemble them ourselves?"
"In that case, we can give it a try."
Gu Zhizhuo strung the cinnabar into a bracelet. They also discussed most of the details. In addition to the new type of firearm, Wang Xing promised to bring back two newly improved spinning and weaving machines for him next time. Xie Yingchen also asked the Wang family to take a few people with them when they went to sea.
After getting tired of playing with the beads, Shenmao lay sprawled out on her back, resting her head on Xie Yingchen's arm.
"Young master, your hand."
Xie Yingchen extended his hand.
Gu Zhizhu put the bracelet on him: "You can't take it off."
Then, I counted out eighty-one peace charms, folded them one by one, and put them into a red lucky bag.
"Hang it up."
Xie Yingchen was very obedient and hung it together with the jade pendant at his waist.
Is that all? Wang Xing recalled how he was hung up like the thousand-year-old cypress tree at Taiqing Temple back then, and silently shed a tear for himself.
"Cousin, this is for you."
Gu Zhizhuo didn't forget him either, and handed him another amulet before closing the wooden box.
The box full of talismans was almost half empty in an instant.
Wang Xing was shocked: "He got eighty-one, and I only got one?"
"My cousin is lucky; he'll definitely live to be a hundred and ninety-nine, so he won't need this."
"Yes, yes, if I accidentally don't survive, I'll come looking for you, right?"
Despite his words, Wang Xing still put the amulet into his pouch. He looked at the sky and said, "Shall we go?"
Gu Zhizhuo poked the cat's head: "Shouldn't you go home?"
If we don't go back soon, that man will get anxious.
The cat rolled over sleepily, sat up, and shook its fur. It first rubbed against Gu Zhizhuo, then against Xie Yingchen. As it rubbed, it seemed to smell the fake Su (note), and became so excited that its whiskers stood up. It licked the fake Su again and again, and even nibbled on the back of his hand, leaving two shallow tiger tooth marks.
Finally, it passed by Wang Xing again, and Wang Xing nuzzled its head, waiting for it to rub against him.
Snap!
The cat slapped him on the face and pushed him far away, swearing as it meowed.
Wang Xing: ?
Gu Zhizhuo was extremely satisfied and praised, "Cousin is indeed very lucky."
The cat is a good cat; it goes home to keep its owner company when it gets dark.
It stretched and walked with its head held high and its tail held high.
Gu Zhizhuo escorted them all the way to the ceremonial gate, watched them board the carriage, and saw the carriage leave before returning to his own courtyard.
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.
After washing up, Gu Zhizhuo took out his counting rods and compass, sat cross-legged on the cool mat in the small study, and did a bunch of random calculations. He found that the hexagrams were different every time, so he finally gave up and went to sleep.
The trip to Yihe County was quite tiring. After returning home and settling down, she slept until the sun was high in the sky. Seeing that it was still early, she buried her head in her sleep again.
When I woke up again, it was already dark.
It was dark, which meant it was still dark tomorrow. This thought flashed through Gu Zhizhuo's mind, and he fell asleep again.
This time, I got a full night's sleep.
I slept for a day and a night and felt refreshed.
I'm hungry too.
Gu Zhizhuo liked to take advantage of the breaks between meals to handle some unimportant matters, and Qiongfang was used to it. She first told her about Xizi's condition. As Gu Zhizhuo had instructed before leaving, Baijitang would visit her every seven days to check her pulse and prescribe medicine, and she had now recovered quite well.
"The headmistress of the girls' school praised Sun Tianshou for being quick and efficient and doing a good job. When Young Master Zheng went back last time, he rewarded him with ten taels of silver, which he immediately took to Baijitang to pay off some of the medicine costs."
"If he wants to pay it back, let him," Gu Zhizhuo said, eating his chicken noodle soup. "There's more."
“There are some posts from the days you’ve been away.”
Gu Zhizhuo finished the last sip of soup, then picked up a pearl and jade bun: "Tell me about it."
"The Ninth Miss of the Song family invites you to the Flying Flowers Banquet on the third day of next month."
Gu Zhizhuo thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
"The eldest daughter of the Duke of Chengen's mansion invites you to her birthday banquet, which will be held on the eighth day of next month."
Oh?
When was this post published?
Qiongfang covered her mouth and smiled: "Before you come back."
So that's how it is. If it were now, Sun Nian probably wouldn't even be in the mood to hold a birthday banquet.
"I'm not going."
She and Sun Niansu didn't have much of a relationship. She was probably invited because of Ji Nanke. She wasn't that free to go and keep someone company.
Qiongfang continued, "And the Marquis of Anyang's residence..."
Gu Zhizhuo asked Xuezhong to serve her a small bowl of porridge, which she ate slowly with the steamed buns. Without looking up, she gave instructions to everyone and said, "Go and draft replies for these families."
Qiongfang responded.
Drafting the visiting cards was always Qiongfang's job. She took the visiting cards and went downstairs first.
After finishing the bowl of porridge, Gu Zhizhuo was finally less hungry. He put down his chopsticks, stretched lazily without any regard for appearances, and slept very comfortably.
Qingmei brought her some tea to aid digestion.
"Take it to the study."
Gu Zhizhuo didn't want to go out. She was too lazy to even comb her hair. She just tied her hair into a ponytail with a hair tie and went to the study, where she sat down on the bamboo mat.
I've used up most of the amulets I had, but thankfully, I still have cinnabar and yellow paper in the cabinet.
Gu Zhizhuo simply stayed in the study and spent the whole day drawing talismans.
Drawing talismans requires concentration and careful control of the brush tip to complete the patterns. After ruining several attempts, Gu Zhizhuo's tense nerves gradually relaxed. Then, with a flick of the brush, the final stroke was completed, resulting in a perfect peace talisman.
Huh?
Gu Zhizhu tilted her head and looked at the tip of her pen. Just a moment ago, she had sensed a mysterious change in the flow of energy.
This amulet looks the same as before, yet it also seems quite different.
Gu Zhizhuo put the amulet into his purse, planning to take it to his master for a look in a couple of days.
She calmed down and continued drawing.
From peace charms to tranquility charms, mystical charms, and then to less frequently used house-protecting charms and wealth-attracting charms, I drew about ten different kinds, but none of them had that same mystical feeling as before.
From noon until almost sunset, Gu Zhizhuo finally put down his pen.
She picked up the counting rods and cast another divination, but still got no result. Gu Zhizhuo held the counting rods thoughtfully when Qiongfang's voice sounded from outside: "Miss."
"Come in. "
Qiongfang opened the door and walked past the discarded talisman paper on the ground without glancing at it. She smiled and said, "Miss, your husband sent someone to tell you that your cousin met Consort Shu today. He personally took her to Hanzhang Palace, so you can rest assured."
That's good. Gu Zhizhuo nodded.
"My son-in-law also said that he has tentatively arranged to meet Prince Li at Tianxi Tower tomorrow at noon. If you don't have time, we can reschedule."
"Let's do it tomorrow." Gu Zhizhu put away the counting rods. "It's better to finish it sooner."
Gu Zhizhuo didn't want there to be an "outsider" in the mansion.
Qiongfang agreed, "This servant will go and report back immediately."
"etc."
Gu Zhizhuo called her over and handed her two lucky bags: "These are for you and Qingmei."
Qiongfang happily accepted it: "I'll take it to Qingmei."
After Qiongfang left, Gu Zhizhuo stretched his limbs, put all the newly drawn talismans into the peach wood box, and tidied up the remaining yellow paper and cinnabar.
The sky was darkening as dusk approached, with only a lingering orange hue on the horizon.
Gu Zhizhuo went to bed early.
She had arranged to meet Prince Li at noon. Half past 9 a.m., Xie Yingchen came to the mansion to pick her up.
Once on the carriage, Gu Zhizhu first checked that his lucky bag and cinnabar bracelet were both on properly, then looked around and, not seeing the kitten, asked with some disappointment, "Where's the cat?"
Xie Yingchen twirled a stray strand of her hair behind her ear with his fingers and pulled her down to sit: "The cat didn't come."
He chuckled softly and said to her, "I ran into Chief Eunuch Shen this morning. He asked me if I wanted to borrow his cat for a few days."
Even without Xie Yingchen's further description, Gu Zhizhu could imagine how sarcastic Shen Xu's tone was just from those few words. She burst out laughing, her smile as bright as spring flowers.
Gu Zhizhuo tugged at his sleeve and asked with great interest, "Has Shen Mao stopped talking to him lately?"
“At first, it only stayed for an hour or two, but it got longer and longer each day. These past few days, I went to Wenyuan Hall early in the morning, and Shenmao came and stayed until dark.”
"On the day I went to pick you up, the cat probably couldn't find me at the Wenyuan Hall, so it went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to look for me."
“This morning, Chief Eunuch Shen came to catch the cat.”
Xie Yingchen had only been at Wenyuan for a short time, and the cat was still rolling around and acting cute, when Shen Xu barged in, asked that question, and then picked the cat up by the soft flesh around its neck and carried it away.
Gu Zhizhuo was amused.
Shen Xu is usually hypocritical; he's just unhappy that the cat isn't home every day.
She buried her head in his shoulder and chuckled softly, her shoulders trembling slightly with laughter.
Xie Yingchen gently patted her back, afraid that she would choke on her saliva.
"Young master, I've thought it over."
Gu Zhizhuo looked up at him, the smile on her lips not yet completely gone, but her face was serious, giving Xie Yingchen a bad feeling.
"Young master, starting tomorrow, take your cousin with you wherever you go."
Xie Yingchen: "..."
"Is it okay?" Gu Zhizhuo shook his arm, his voice rising at the end and even twirling.
Xie Yingchen: "..."
He didn't want to spend all his time with Wang Xing!
But how could he refuse her looking like that? Xie Yingchen's heart was pounding. He cleared his throat and said gently, as if nothing was wrong, "Cousin Wang Xing rarely comes to the capital, so he should at least look around, shouldn't he?"
"I heard that Cousin Wang Xing is here to meet Princess Shang? He should spend more time with Danling."
"How can I let him keep following me?"
That makes a lot of sense.
Gu Zhizhuo hesitated.
"How about this," Xie Yingchen persisted, trying to coax him further, "If you're worried, you can stay with me?"
Huh?
"Have you been busy lately?"
Gu Zhizhuo thought about it carefully and realized there wasn't one. After sending Gu Yan away, she could have some free time.
"You're skilled, and with you by my side, I feel at ease." Xie Yingchen hooked his little finger around hers, his tone intoxicating, "What do you say?"
Gu Zhizhuo's earlobes burned from being teased, and her mind was completely on him.
"Fine! From today onwards, I'm not going anywhere."
She would perform three divinations for the young master every day, and she was always right at least once.
A smile graced his brows, and Xie Yingchen's eyes were gentle.
When they got off the carriage, he was still smiling. He took her hand and helped her down, their fingers intertwined, his palms filled with her body heat.
Xie Yingchen had already reserved a private room at Tianxi Tower.
Today is an even number, and Gu Zhizhuo remembered that Gui Niangzi should be at Tianxi Tower. She looked around at the musicians waiting in the lobby but didn't see her, so she stopped the waiter and casually asked him a question.
"A customer just ordered Gui Niangzi."
The waiter led the way.
Xie Yingchen raised an eyebrow: "Gui Niangzi?"
"Her pipa playing was superb; I wanted to hear her play another piece, but unfortunately I didn't."
Tianxi Tower faces the street on one side and a large garden on the other. There are only four elegant rooms in total. It is a two-story building built in the garden by the lake, which is particularly quiet and secluded.
They arrived at the perfect time, a quarter of an hour before noon, when Prince Li was already there. Seeing that they had finally arrived, he put down his teacup and said, "Please sit down."
The waiter bowed and closed the door for them.
"Your Highness."
Gu Zhizhuo curtsied and sat down with Xie Yingchen at the lower end of the table.
Xie Yingchen ordered a fruit syrup for Gu Zhizhuo. Before she could even drink it, Prince Li cut to the chase: "Miss Gu, I invited you here because of Gu Yan."
Regardless, Prince Li still looked embarrassed when the name "Gu Yan" was mentioned.
Gu Zhizhuo did not respond.
That's how business works; you can't let the other party think you have a good relationship and then try to drive down the price.
Prince Li wanted to settle this matter as soon as possible. He remembered the price Gu Zhizhuo had asked for when he sold the Ji family to the emperor. Although it was a bit greedy, it was reasonable upon closer inspection. He said, "Gu Yan has been in the Gu family for six and a half years. If all his expenses are doubled, plus two imperial estates, what do you think?"
If it were anyone else, they wouldn't dare to negotiate with the royal family, but Gu Zhizhuo was different.
She placed her fingers together on the octagonal table, leaned back in her armchair, and a half-smile played on her lips.
Despite being a prince and old enough to be Gu Zhizhuo's grandfather, Prince Li felt inexplicably inferior after being glanced at by her phoenix eyes, and his aura was suppressed by more than one level.
Indeed, even if Gu Yan was so biased that he was blind and deaf, it was still the emperor's fault, and his own family was in the wrong.
Prince Li cleared his throat and pressed on, "Miss Gu, what do you think?"
"Your Highness," Gu Zhizhuo said with a smile, "forgive my bluntness, but is silver important to Your Highness's household?"
Look at what they're saying! Of course, silver is important. Prince Li isn't the kind of pedantic scholar who sees gold and silver as worthless things. Even the Ministry of Revenue is fretting over silver every day, so what right does he have to complain about it? But to say he's obsessed with silver is another matter. At their level of power, as long as he doesn't rebel, he won't lack silver.
Now that you mention it, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion must be the same. Prince Li smiled helplessly; the little girl really was blunt.
She was telling him that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was not short of money, and that he shouldn't think he could easily get rid of her with a mere amount of silver.
“Your Highness,” Gu Zhizhuo sighed softly, “Alas, my grandmother has cherished Gu Yan since he was a child, raising him with utmost care for so many years. Now, suddenly, she says that Gu Yan is not our child. My grandmother is truly heartbroken; she has cried several times. Alas, my grandfather and grandmother had a very deep bond, and my grandfather’s spirit in heaven cannot rest in peace.”
"The effort I've put in over six and a half years cannot be measured in gold or silver. Don't you agree?"
Prince Li gave an awkward laugh.
Let alone Madam Gu, even his own most beloved grandson is still his youngest grandson. If he were to tell him now that the grandson isn't his, no amount of money could make him let it go.
But what else could he give besides gold and silver?
What is the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion lacking?
Prince Li suddenly had an idea. He tentatively asked, "The gold and silver will remain the same. I can decide that the heir will immediately inherit the title. Miss Gu, what do you think?"
As the heir apparent, Gu Yican's succession to the title required imperial approval. However, the emperor had been holding it back for three years, and even now, three years after the death of the Duke of Zhenguo, the heir apparent is still the heir apparent.
Gu Zhizhu smiled. Prince Li thought he had hit the nail on the head and was about to promise her that he would get it done as soon as possible when Gu Zhizhu raised her hand to interrupt him.
She said, "My elder brother is the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, personally appointed by the late emperor. The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has not committed any rebellion, and the title rightfully belongs to my brother. Your Highness cannot simply use a matter that is perfectly reasonable to erase the grievances suffered by the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Prince Li: "..."
Miss Gu is truly remarkable. With just a few words, she made him feel that the price he paid was far too low. No wonder even someone as shrewd as Gu Baibai insisted on waiting for his niece to return before discussing the matter further.
"However, Your Highness is advanced in years and has just recovered from a stroke. You also have to go through the trouble of taking care of the Emperor's affairs. I don't want to make things too difficult for Your Highness."
Prince Li stroked his long beard and nodded in satisfaction. Miss Gu was quite considerate.
“Since Your Highness has mentioned a noble title, that’s fine too.”
Gu Zhizhuo sat up straight, instantly transforming from a nonchalant attitude to a serious one, and even Prince Li couldn't help but show a solemn expression.
"Is it too much for my Duke Zhenguo's mansion to ask for a royal title?"
A note from the author:
Note: Catnip is recorded as "false perilla" in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica).
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