“For what?” Chang Kang asked, puzzled. Gu Mingsheng said, “Since we accidentally saved her, it must be fate. Let’s bury them together.” Chang Kang sighed to himself, thinking that although the young master was a bit foolish, he had a good heart. He quickly agreed, picked up the body, and followed Gu Mingsheng. The master and servant dug a pit, buried the two bodies, and Gu Mingsheng thought it would be fitting to provide some burial goods, otherwise, they would be poor ghosts even in death, which would be pitiful. So, he took off his jade pendant, jade finger ring, and some silver, placing them beside the bodies before covering them with soil. Shovel by shovel, they buried the bodies, creating two small mounds. Squatting on the ground, Gu Mingsheng spoke to the sister of the one who had died for Zhou Cai, “You took the punishment meant for my sister; now I’ve given you a proper burial to make amends for our debt. Go and reincarnate into a good family, preferably as a boy, and never again be a woman.” Turning to the other small mound, he said, “The same goes for you.” “Young Master, we should head back; it’s getting dark,” Chang Kang said, looking at the sky. Gu Mingsheng nodded, then addressed the two, “I’m leaving now, stay together and don’t remember me.” I’m afraid of ghosts.
By the time they returned to the Gu residence, night had fallen, and Gu Mingyue was holding a lantern, anxiously looking out at the door. Seeing his sister standing in the wind, Gu Mingsheng hurried over, “Sister, why are you waiting here? You could have waited inside.” “I was worried about you. Brother, are you hurt again? Did you get into another fight?” Gu Mingyue, unaware of what her brother had been doing, assumed he had gone out to brawl, seeing him covered in dirt and injuries. Gu Mingsheng didn’t explain and simply said, “I’m sorry for making you worry, sister. I’m fine, don’t worry.” “Let’s go back to the house, I’ll treat your wounds,” Gu Mingyue said, pulling her brother back into the house. Her warm, soft hands made Gu Mingsheng feel at ease; he followed her step by step, reminiscent of when they were children, wandering through the streets together. Memories of childhood flashed before his eyes, as if in the blink of an eye, they had both grown up. But for the past fifteen years, it had always been his sister protecting him. Gu Mingsheng squeezed his sister’s hand tightly, saying, “Sister, from now on, let me protect you.” “Okay,” Gu Mingyue replied with a smile, her beauty radiant, like the first clear day after winter snow, captivating to behold. Gu Mingsheng thought of their mother. He had never seen her, but inexplicably, he saw her shadow in his sister. Their mother had died giving birth to him, and he couldn’t protect her then; henceforth, he must protect his sister.
☆、A Tragic Woman’s Life Turns Joyful
“He buried another person too?” Gu Jinghan was surprised upon hearing Chang Kang’s report. Chang Kang nodded, “Yes, Master. The young master initially mistook the body, but later he had me take it out and bury it as well.” Though foolish enough to mistake bodies, he was, after all, kind-hearted.
The next day, at breakfast. “You passed yesterday’s test. Today, you’ll go back to the shop to sell goods, just five items will do,” Gu Mingsheng said, slurping his porridge, addressing his son. Gu Mingsheng beamed with joy, “Thank you, Dad.” “Is your injury okay?” Gu Jinghan, finding his son somewhat more agreeable today, showed some concern. Gu Mingsheng laughed, “It’s nothing, just a minor injury.” See, his father still cares for him; he was only angry because he had caused trouble before, but now that he’s obedient, he’s still the apple of his father’s eye. “Hmm,” Gu Jinghan glanced at him, then took away the dried fish in front of him, “Don’t eat this fish.” Thinking he was still his father’s favorite, Gu Mingsheng was stunned. He loved fish, and his father wouldn’t let him have it! Fine, if not fish, then he’d have some meat. As he reached for the meat, it was gone. “Don’t eat this meat either.” Gu Jinghan placed the fish and meat in front of his daughter, “Mingyue, eat more fish and meat, you’re too thin.” Gu Mingyue smiled, “Thank you, Dad.” “No need for thanks, eat up, it won’t taste good when it gets cold,” Gu Jinghan said lovingly to his daughter, then turned to his son with a stern face, “You just drink plain congee.” Gu Mingsheng, who also loved meat, was speechless. His father no longer doted on him, now favoring his sister. Although he couldn’t be jealous of his sister, he still felt hurt. Dad, can you love me again?
“Dad, why won’t you let my brother eat fish and meat?” Gu Mingyue asked quietly after her brother left. Facing his daughter, Gu Jinghan couldn’t bear to lie, “His injuries will worsen if he eats fish and meat.” Though there’s no rabies now, wounds still need proper care, and even if he’s foolish, he’s still my son; I can’t let him die from a stray dog’s bite. “So, Dad was looking out for my brother,” Gu Mingyue said with a smile. She knew that no matter how many times her brother got into trouble, her father’s love for him wouldn’t diminish. However, her brother, who had grown in body but not in mind, might not understand this. How frustrating.
“Dad, I’ll go check on my brother,” she insisted, needing to explain to him so he wouldn’t misunderstand their father. “Leave him be, we’re expecting guests today, you’re not to go anywhere,” Gu Jinghan said.
“Guests?” Gu Mingyue was puzzled, “Dad, who’s coming?”
Gu Jinghan smiled mysteriously, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Intrigued by her father’s demeanor, Gu Mingyue stayed put, waiting for the mysterious guest. She usually spent her days reading, practicing calligraphy, painting, doing needlework, and learning tea ceremonies and flower arranging; she was disciplined, so she had plenty to do. But as she got busy, she forgot about the guest.
Until her maid, Zixiang, ran in excitedly to report, “Miss, the Xie family has come to propose marriage.”
She was arranging flowers when she paused, a smile creeping onto her face, “Really?”
“Really, it’s the eldest son and his wife from the Xie family,” Zixiang replied.
Gu Mingyue was surprised, “Aren’t the eldest son and his wife in the capital? Why have they come together?”
The parents of the Xie family had passed away years ago, leaving only two brothers. The eldest son had married his cousin and moved to the capital, while the second son, Xie Er, stayed in Yun City to manage the family business.
“I heard it was Xie Er who specifically invited them back for the proposal, and they’ve brought the most famous matchmaker in Yun City,” Zixiang said with a laugh. “Miss, it shows how much Xie Er cares for you.”
“Stop that nonsense,” Gu Mingyue chided, lowering her head in embarrassment, though her heart was filled with sweetness. In the traditions of the Shun Dynasty, when a man proposes, it is sufficient to have a matchmaker, but the presence of elders signifies a high regard for the woman’s family. The fact that Xie’s brother and sister-in-law traveled from the capital to propose marriage shows their great value for Gu Mingyue. Seeing her mistress shy, Zixiang stopped teasing her, “Miss, let me go and listen to what they’re saying.” She then ran off happily. Now, Gu Mingyue’s vase of flowers was in complete disarray, with petals scattered all around. In the main hall, Gu Jinghan was conversing with the Xie family.
“I only have one daughter, whom I’ve always cherished dearly, thus I was reluctant to marry her off early. Before I knew it, she was already seventeen. It’s fortunate that my nephew’s family does not mind, and I should be grateful. Moreover, with the Xie family’s excellent background and my nephew’s distinguished career in the capital, it’s our Gu family that is climbing the social ladder. I should have readily agreed to this marriage.”
