After returning to her home in the county seat, Gu Qingyun found Old Lady Zhang and the others preparing the evening meal. Gu Qingyun reached out, pinched a piece of dried radish, and popped it into her mouth, making a sharp crunching sound.
“Grandma, here is the gift money from our neighbors in Shiwa Village. They said it's too far, so they won't be coming on the day of Cousin Yifeng’s wedding.”
Gu Qingyun placed the gift money on the stove and listed out who had given it and how much for Old Lady Zhang.
Old Lady Zhang picked up the money and tucked it into her blouse.
“Fine, I’ve got it. Was everyone in the clan doing well?”
At this mention, Gu Qingyun grew animated.
“Grandma, you wouldn’t believe it. I ran into Cousin Gu Si today. He’s changed so much. It’s like a farmhand has turned into a scholar—he's so refined now.
His frame was never particularly sturdy to begin with, but looking at him today, he seemed a bit thinner and fairer than before. The way he speaks is also like night and day compared to how he used to be.”
Old Lady Zhang and Lady Su paused their cooking as they listened. Old Lady Zhang, in particular, was wary; strange and sinister things happened often in the countryside, and she had seen her fair share.
She even remembered someone from a neighboring village who had fallen into the Ghost Path. He would wander the village every night, howling until the roosters crowed the next morning. During that time, every household would hide inside and refused to come out before the sun had even set.
After six months or so, a Daoist passed through and did something about it; only then did the howling stop. She couldn't even describe that sound—it wasn't like a human, nor was it like an animal. Just hearing it was terrifying.
Now that her granddaughter possessed skills similar to that Daoist, hearing such things made her immediately pull Gu Qingyun aside.
“Have you looked at that child, Gu Si? Is he possessed by something, or has he been hexed? Why would he change so much all of a sudden? This isn’t right.”
Gu Qingyun made a face.
“Grandma, my first thought was the same as yours. I looked over every inch of my cousin, but I didn’t find any problems. I even questioned Grand-Aunt indirectly.
She said he’s been like this for about ten days now, eating and sleeping well, and nothing strange has happened. If something were truly wrong, Grand-Aunt would certainly be more worried than us; she probably would have sought someone to look at him already. So, don't you worry needlessly.”
“There are enough grandkids in this house for you to worry about. Besides, Cousin Gu Si is definitely much more charming now.
If he keeps himself up, gains a bit of learning, and changes into the long robes scholars wear, people might actually mistake him for a man of letters when he goes out.”
Old Lady Zhang’s expression was hard to describe. What was wrong with her granddaughter? She loved looking at beautiful people, and now she was heaping praise on her own cousin with no sense of maidenly reserve or modesty. She looked at Gu Qingyun with an increasingly strange gaze.
“Grandma, do you know what his tone and mannerisms are like now? He speaks the Official Speech with such perfect, clear pronunciation. And his movements are as smooth as flowing water.
He even saluted me—not the common way, but like a true scholar. It was truly a sight to behold. Unlike my brothers at home, each one rougher than the last. Although they’re all handsome enough, compared to Cousin Gu Si’s form, they’re still completely outclassed.”
Old Lady Zhang’s face darkened, and she spoke through gritted teeth.
“And you still say nothing is wrong? How is this nothing? It’s as if he’s become a different person. There hasn't been a scholar in the Gu family for generations. Since when did Gu Si start acting like one? Be honest with your grandma: what is going on with Gu Si? Is there still hope for him?”
Gu Qingyun raised her hand as if swearing an oath.
“There really is no problem. He hasn't been possessed, nor is there any Yin energy in his body. Perhaps his intellect has just been enlightened, making him a better person.”
Lady Su, busy at the stove, brought over a large bowl of radish and bone soup and handed it to Gu Qingyun.
“Alright, as long as nothing is wrong, that’s for the best. Take this to the main hall; dinner is about to be served.
Yifeng and Qingyu should be back soon. Business has been good lately, and sometimes they don't even return until after mealtime because they're so busy earning silver.”
Lady Zhao and Lady Wu exchanged a glance, both snickering. Only Qingyun could leave their mother-in-law so helpless; listening to them talk was always a delight.
...
“Yu-lang, today we shall learn the Di Zi Gui. Read after me: Di Zi Gui, the Sages' teachings. First, be filial to parents and fraternal to siblings...”
A woman wearing a red bridal gown sat across a desk, teaching the man opposite her to read word by word. She carefully explained the meaning and stroke order of every character with great dedication.
Occasionally, her gaze would fall upon the man, and a smile would unconsciously bloom on her face.
The woman spoke with a gentle, tender voice. Although only her profile was visible, one could tell from her fair skin and elegant, shapely nose that she was quite beautiful.
Furthermore, the exquisitely crafted beaded hairpins in her hair complemented her every smile and expression, making her appear even lovelier.
Gu Si, sitting at the desk and studying, couldn't help but stare blankly at her. Seeing the woman glare at him with feigned anger, Gu Si gave a bashful, guilty smile.
“Good Qiong Niang, don’t be angry. I’ll work hard at my studies. I’ll definitely have this Di Zi Gui memorized tonight. You mustn't be cross with me.”
The woman shot him a playful look, her voice charming.
“Still talking? Hurry and memorize it. If you can’t recite it, you’ll be punished.”
Seeing that she seemed truly a bit upset, Gu Si quickly lowered his head to read, not daring to let his mind wander further.
After a long while, Gu Si recited the Di Zi Gui fluently and even wrote it out several times with a brush. Only then did he pull the woman into his arms as if claiming a reward.
“Qiong Niang, look, I can recite and write it now. Since I’ve been so diligent, is there a reward?”
“What kind of reward do you want?”
The woman’s voice was coquettish as her jade-like hands naturally looped around Gu Si’s neck.
A fragrant, soft beauty in his arms caused his breathing to quicken instantly. His gaze fell upon her pink, tender lips, and he could no longer restrain himself, lowering his head to kiss her.
The woman’s eyelashes fluttered reflexively, and her hands around his neck tightened. At the moment their lips met, Gu Si felt his soul tremble, and his ears couldn't help but turn red.
Seeing how incredibly obedient she was in his arms, the atmosphere made him lose all control, and he became increasingly forward.
He pushed the woman back onto the desk, his hands eagerly reaching into the red bridal gown. The touch of her perfectly proportioned, ivory skin made his eyes turn red with desire.
“Oh, you can't.” The woman reached out a hand to stop his further advances.
Gu Si panted heavily, urgently kissing her lips and neck, moving downward.
“Good Qiong Niang, just give yourself to me. Haven't we already written our marriage certificate and bowed to Heaven and Earth? We are husband and wife in every sense of the word.”
The woman bit her lip and shook her head gently.
“It is not yet time.”
Gu Si felt a flash of disappointment.
“You’re always teasing me. When will it finally be time?”
“You will know in the future.”
Shortly after Qiong Niang finished speaking, Gu Si woke up from his dream. He looked at his own body and gave a bitter smile. After resting on the bed for a moment to steady himself, he pulled a gold hairpin from under his pillow and held it in his arms, falling into a peaceful sleep.
He was no longer afraid like he had been when he first picked up this gold hairpin. His wife, Qiong Niang, was the gentlest soul. After all these days, his body hadn't felt the slightest discomfort; his wife would never harm him.
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