Chapter 26
Gu Ying was startled for a moment, then smiled and said, “It’s fine, I didn’t really mind it that much anyway. After all, Miss Huo is Young Master Hou's cousin.”
Huai An was relieved, “That’s good then.”
He had previously thought Second Miss’ reputation was not good and that she was silly and foolish. But now he felt that Second Miss was a frank person, at least unlike the other young ladies in the household who only crowded around the Eldest Young Master like hungry tigers pouncing on prey.
Indeed, one needs to hear and see for themselves before making judgements about others.
The Eldest Young Master was handsome and came from a good family, and now he also had military achievements to his name, so countless girls were eager to throw themselves at him.
But Second Miss tread a different path.
It was evident she was brave and scheming, and didn't get close to the Eldest Young Master purely because of his good looks.
He had a strong premonition that if she could marry the Eldest Young Master in the future, she would definitely be able to heal the perpetual wound in the Eldest Young Master's heart.
...
On the way back to the residence from the West Market.
Gu Ying couldn't put down the new saddle she got, and polished it repeatedly.
Previously, in order to win Jiang Yin's affection, she had started learning to read and write, do needlework, and gradually forgot all the military strategies and martial arts her father had taught her.
Now, having returned to her youth, it was a good time to pick these things up again.
She no longer forced herself to do things she didn't like just for the sake of men. She only wanted to live for herself in this life, and do things she was willing to do.
Recently, Yanzhi felt her young miss was becoming more and more different.
She woke up and slept early every day, practiced martial arts, rode horses, and read and wrote before and after sleep.
The weapons her father had left for the young miss were finally put to use.
Moreover, the young miss was more attentive to Young Master's illness than before, personally going to the Basking in the Wind Pavilion every day to feed Young Master medicine and food, bathe and clothe him. Today, Yanzhi brought back the dregs of medicine given to Young Master and handed them to Gu Ying, “These are the dregs from Young Master's daily medicine. Young Miss, take a good look, see if there's anything fishy going on.”
Gu Ying took the medicine dregs and examined them carefully, sniffing them, but did not detect any strange odors, “First, wrap these up properly with something.”
Yanzhi couldn't help but grumble, “Young Miss, when will we finally be able to move Young Master to Dusk Snow Pavilion?”
Dusk Snow Pavilion had an elegant snow view. Gu Ying set up an umbrella under the plum tree in the courtyard, with a small mud stove next to it simmering warm jade wine.
She leaned back in a rocking chair reading a medical book, “Since Yanzhi is so anxious, why not do it today?”
Tomorrow would be the grand Winter Hunt, and every household was busy preparing for the next three days of hunting to make a good impression.
The Gu household was no exception.
Mrs. Liu had been busy early in the morning preparing everything Gu Jiacao needed for the hunt, from big things like horses, saddles, bows and arrows, to small things like clothes, jewelry, rouge, and even the servant girls, maids and guards who would attend him were carefully chosen.
Aunt Zhao was also busy for Gu Shuang.
Even Wang Auntie, who usually had no presence in the Gu household, was preparing outfits for her children Gu Wan and Gu Ming.
Once everything was ready, they would all go to the Longevity Hall to receive instructions from Old Madam Gu, as the Winter Hunt was the biggest event of the year in the Eastern Li Dynasty.
At that time, all the princes and nobles of Bianjing would participate, and for many households, the young ladies saw it as a great opportunity to find future husbands.
Gu Ying was the most relaxed of all in the Gu household.
She thought for a moment, then got up and casually threw the military book on the small bamboo table, “Let’s go to Longevity Hall.”
Yanzhi raised her chin proudly, “Young Miss is finally taking action!”
Gu Ying wasn't exactly taking action. After all, moving Gu Ning out of Basking in the Wind Pavilion would disrupt many people's interests, and someone probably wouldn't let her have her way so easily.
But at the very least, she wanted to test the waters first.
...
She was the first to arrive at Longevity Hall. Just as she reached the door, she saw Aunt Zhao leading Gu Shuang and several maidservants over.
Aunt Zhao now revered Gu Ying like a goddess. When she saw her, her eyes lit up like two balls of fire. She rubbed her lower abdomen and smiled at her, “Second Miss, you're here so early?”
Gu Ying smiled gently, “Auntie, you and Fourth Younger Sister are also quite early.”
Aunt Zhao pulled Gu Shuang over to pay respects to Gu Ying.
Gu Shuang didn't used to like Gu Ying much, but recently she had developed some good feelings towards her. The other day, Gu Ying even sent her a painting, which she quite liked. “Second Sister... have you prepared everything for the hunt?”
Gu Ying smiled. “All prepared.”
Yanzhi silently rolled her eyes. Other than the saddle and bow, they hadn't prepared jackshit in Dusk Snow Pavilion.
Gu Shuang bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before pulling Gu Ying's sleeve.
Gu Ying knew she had something to say and patiently waited.
Gu Shuang was peace-loving by nature and would absolutely not meddle in other’s affairs unless provoked.
After thinking it over, she decided to give Gu Ying a reminder, “Second Sister, everyone at the hunt will be outsiders. You’ll have few people by your side, with only Yanzhi serving you. You must be extra careful.”
Gu Ying smiled and squeezed Gu Shuang’s chubby hand, “Don’t worry Fourth Younger Sister, Grandmother won’t let me go to the hunt with only one servant.”
After all, it concerned the reputation of the Gu household. How could Old Madam purposely make her appear poor and pathetic?
Gu Shuang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Gu Ying understood her situation, it was fine.
She would help however she could, but most of it still depended on Gu Ying herself.
Aunt Zhao touched her belly and exchanged a look with Gu Ying. Gu Ying nodded to indicate she understood. The three of them then entered the warm pavilion in Longevity Hall together.
It was severely cold in winter, so the warm pavilion was filled with thick curtains and warm air.
Rich incense permeated the pavilion. Old Madam Gu wore a long brown coat embroidered with fortune and longevity patterns. A headpiece studded with emerald was fixed into her dignified hairstyle as she sat on the kang by the south-facing window, leaning against a red sandalwood table as she looked over the account books.
Aunt Zhao led Gu Shuang and the others to sit in chairs below.
Gu Ying paid her respects to the Old Madam and gently said, “Grandmother, the weather has been getting colder lately. Ying has been thinking, it would be better to move Ning to recuperate in Dusk Snow Pavilion.”
At this, Old Madam's attention shifted from the account books, her shrewd old eyes glinting sharply.
She was silent for a moment without answering.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside, followed by Mrs. Liu pushing the curtain aside and walking in, “Oh my, our Second Miss is becoming more and more promising.”
Swaying her hips, she walked up to Old Madam Gu, bowed and paid her respects, “Paying respects to Mother.”
Behind her was also Wang Auntie.
Wang Auntie usually had little presence. She quickly paid her respects and sat down with her two children.
Old Madam Gu's gaze sunk back into the account book.
The matter of moving Ning Ge out naturally fell onto Mrs. Liu as the lady of the household. “Ying, it’s not that Auntie wants to scold you, but people say men and women shouldn’t share seats after seven. You’re almost old enough to be capped, and Ning Ge has also passed ten years old. Even though you are siblings, how is it proper for Ning Ge to move into your courtyard?”