Chapter 35

Initially, Gu Jiu Ling exhausted her efforts to save Zhou Fu's son, just to keep an eye in the Gu household. She had left the Gu family, but past matters weren't over; some games are only fun when played slowly. Gu Jiu Ling gave Jiu Yue a look; Jiu Yue helped Madam Wang sit in a chair and brought tea and snacks. Such treatment of a servant made Madam Wang feel that the eldest miss had given her enough face; she hurriedly rose, made a bow, then sat down and said: "In reply to the eldest miss, the one guarding the east side gate of the Gu Xiang Fu is my distant relative; these past few days I've discovered that the Second Miss and Wanru of the Rui Wangfu have been in contact."

Gu Jiu Ling frowned slightly, her eyes deepening a few degrees. She didn't understand why Su Wanrou was so hostile toward her; after the last minor punishment, had she still not learned her lesson? Normally, the Rui Wangfu and the Gu Xiang Fu had nothing to do with each other—how could the two of them have become so close, unless… Gu Jiu Ling's lips curled in a sneer. Madam Wang continued: "I found it strange, so I had my husband secretly follow them; in the teahouse I saw the two enter a private room for a confidential talk, with a maid guarding outside, so he couldn't get too close."

"Perhaps I, an old woman, am overthinking, but I should still inform the eldest miss."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded and had Jiu Yue take a packet of silver to hand to Madam Wang. Madam Wang hurriedly declined: "This is out of the question; the eldest miss saved my son's life—a recreation of kindness—how could I possibly take these?"

Gu Jiu Ling stood up, shoved the silver packet back into her hand, patted her hand, and said: "You and Zhou Fu's couple are considered old servants in the Gu household, but you're too honest; Lin Shi doesn't value you either, and I know these years have been hard for you."

"Keep the silver; now that your son's illness is cured, after the New Year you can arrange a marriage and will need expenses—take it!"

"Tha… thank you, eldest miss!"

Madam Wang was instantly overwhelmed with gratitude, kneeling before Gu Jiu Ling and kowtowing. Jiu Yue escorted Madam Wang out, but upon returning she saw her master's expression was grim and dared not speak. Gu Jiu Ling set down her teacup and said: "Jiu Yue, go investigate—don't worry about spending money—I need to find out exactly whom these two, Su Wanrou and Gu Nanxiang, have met these past few days and where they went."

"With money in place, there's no news that can't be bought!"

"Yes!"

Jiu Yue quickly responded. Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives—just then, Su Wanrou's gentle voice came from outside: "Is the Princess Consort in? Or are you resting?"

Gu Jiu Ling nodded at Jiu Yue, who hurried out to lift the curtain. As Su Wanrou entered, Jiu Yue greeted her with a bow. Su Wanrou wore an xiang-fei-colored dress, her hair styled in a half-moon bun with a jade hairpin, looking utterly charming and radiant. Behind her followed the maid Hongyu, carrying a box and lowering her head as she entered, though she bowed excessively. Gu Jiu Ling rose to meet her, out of respect for Xiao Yin's face; otherwise she wouldn't bother with her. Yet she had no desire to engage this woman, who clearly wasn't planning to let her off. Su Wanrou stepped forward, bowed to Gu Jiu Ling, and before speaking her eyes reddened slightly; she took out a handkerchief, covered her mouth, and spoke with a hint of sobbing: "These past few days I've been ill and haven't paid my respects to the Princess Consort; earlier it was my ignorance, and I beg the Princess Consort's forgiveness."

Gu Jiu Ling blinked—what a partner, crying on cue; damn, even without an Oscar this acting wouldn't pass. She inhaled, suppressed her inner disgust, quickly supported her arm and smiled: "Forget it, no need to dwell on the past; come, come, sit and talk—I just happen to have some new tea for you to try."

Su Wanrou froze, looking at Gu Jiu Ling's pleasant expression, as if she truly had forgotten their past grudge. Gu Jiu Ling personally poured her tea, served snacks, and smiled more warmly than when seeing her own father. Acting, who can't do it? In the jianghu, drifting, who needs a knife to kill? It's all about acting! Su Wanrou's eyes flickered slightly, she took the box and presented it to Gu Jiu Ling: "Princess Consort, these are the palace flowers I newly obtained; I brought a few stems for you."

"Thank you, Wanru; someone, bring my bracelets—anyway I have plenty, pick a few to wear."

Gu Jiu Ling was wealthy and generous; giving away bracelets meant opening a full large box and picking at random. Su Wanrou gazed at the rows of jade bracelets, her heart bleeding with resentment—what's so great about having money? The Prince married you only for your wealth! Though she harbored that hatred, she still selected a few. Inside, the masters got along exceptionally "harmoniously"; Jiu Yue and Hongyu waited outside. Jiu Yue glanced at the scar on Hongyu's forehead; Hongyu lowered her head even more. "Sister Hongyu, are you hurt?"

Jiu Yue asked. Hongyu's face flashed with panic, then she lowered her head a bit more, though a hint of hatred flickered in her eyes. Su Wanrou had exposed her appearance, merely bestowing her with ordinary ointment—useless, and gave her no time to rest, dragging her out to socialize. Other maids found Su Wanrou's tools awkward, but only Hongyu used them effectively; yet Su Wanrou completely disregarded that she, too, was a person, sixteen or seventeen, the age when one loves beauty. "I accidentally bumped it, thank you, Sister Jiu Yue, for your concern," Hongyu's voice tightened. Jiu Yue blinked, then turned and entered the back room where the master kept various medicines, all under her charge. She took out an ointment; its packaging was peculiar, bearing some strange symbols like ghostly script, which Hongyu couldn't decipher. Jiu Yue placed it in Hongyu's hand and whispered: "My mistress says Hongyu Miss is clever; a lady's face bearing a scar is never beautiful—this ointment works well, try it."

She reinserted the ointment into Hongyu's hand. Hongyu immediately felt somewhat relieved, quickly slipped the ointment into her sleeve, and this time her gaze toward Jiu Yue held more sincerity: "Thank you, Sister Jiu Yue!"

She then composed herself, lowered her voice to almost a whisper: "These days, Princess Consort, stay alert."

She spoke extremely fast, as if casually mentioning it; so quick that if Jiu Yue didn't listen carefully she might miss it. Jiu Yue nodded, realizing that this time Su Wanrou and Gu Nanxiang had teamed up to dig a pit for her mistress. It was merely a scheme of two inner-residence women, easy to uncover; a few days later Jiu Yue returned with news: "Report to my master!"

Jiu Yue's complexion was poor; the more she discovered these past days, the more it made her tremble with anger. "Have a sip of water, speak slowly," Gu Jiu Ling said, noticing Jiu Yue's odd expression, and quickly poured her a cup of honey osmanthus water, which she herself had brewed sweet. Jiu Yue took a few sips and whispered: "In reply to my master, I dared not use others; I spent silver to hire a few little beggars to run errands, and indeed uncovered quite a bit."

"'Su Wanrou and Gu Nanxiang met a few times, then no longer; however, Gu Nanxiang's maidservant and several ruffians from the southern part of the city met, those ruffians…' Jiu Yue's face darkened severely as she gritted her teeth: 'They're all managers of the southern city brothels.'"

"After Su Wanrou met Gu Nanxiang a few times, they never saw each other again, but the maidservant beside Gu Nanxiang and several hooligans from the southern part of the city met, those few hooligans..." Jiu Yue's face darkened severely as she gritted her teeth and said: "They're all the ones managing the brothels in the southern part of the city."

Gu Jiu Ling's brows knotted tightly, her eyes icy. "Ha! So they've arranged a nice place for me? Are they afraid I'll lack men?"

Gu Jiu Ling's brows knit tightly, her gaze icy. "Hah! Sure enough, they arranged a nice place for me? Are they afraid I'll lack a man?"