7. The Steadfast Mother Still Shows Her Skill

Old Master Gu Zhong was indeed ill, but not to the point of being bedridden. When he arrived, his face was flushed and he coughed lightly. Most peculiar of all, Second Master Gu Jiang was supporting him as they entered together.

Madam Cui could only swallow her grievances. She shot a glare at Gu Fei, then moved to stand behind Old Master Gu Zhong, saying nothing more.

Madam Duan was trembling all over. She knew that now the matter had reached the old master, there would be no room for leniency.

Old Master Gu Zhong’s sharp gaze swept the room, his presence commanding even in silence. He pointed at the Daoist and spoke with authority, “Who can tell me what is going on here?”

Gu Fei raised an eyebrow. The rumors of her being an ill-fated person had long since spread, not only throughout the Gu household but across the entire city of Yizhou. She did not believe for a moment that Gu Zhong had not caught wind of it. This was not her place to speak, so she lounged back in her wheelchair, quietly scrutinizing the Gu brothers. She had not met many members of the Gu family before.

Madam Duan burst into tears, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy. “Master, please see the truth! I only had the household’s best interest at heart. There has been unrest in the residence, so I invited a master to perform a ritual. I was misled by malicious words, blind to the truth, and brought misfortune into the house. For the sake of my years of service to Madam, I beg you to spare me this once.”

Gu Zhong was furious beyond measure. Pointing at Madam Duan, his hand shook with rage. Unable to contain himself, he raised a foot and kicked her to the ground. “So, you’re a bully, are you? You say our Gu family has produced a demon? In broad daylight, I would like to see where this demon is!”

“Master, spare me! I won’t dare ever again…” Madam Duan clung to Gu Zhong’s leg, her hair disheveled, clothes in disarray, utterly wretched.

Gu Fei watched coldly, a sneer escaping her lips. Her gaze lingered on Second Master Gu Jiang, her eyes narrowed so that not even the color of her pupils was visible.

Perhaps sensing her scrutiny, Gu Jiang turned his head and met her gaze. His heavy-jawed face was devoid of expression; he could not even be bothered to feign a smile.

Gu Fei had already taken the measure of these Gu family members. She nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with Nurse Ku.

Nurse Ku stepped forward, her sallow face full of solemnity. “Master, Second Master, my young lady’s reputation has already been ruined. This old servant’s conduct is truly wicked. This morning she even led others to the Qingmo Court to drive my young lady out, calling her an ill-omened person to spare the household further misfortune…”

Here, Nurse Ku paused, smoothing her silvered temples with a sigh. “Just days ago, my lady heard of the ink pellets in the warehouse growing mold from the damp. She was even discussing with me that, if the household truly fell on hard times, she once had a passing acquaintance with the prestigious Mo family of the capital—a dynasty of ink-makers for a hundred years. Perhaps she could find a way to help.”

“In any case, it seems that won’t be necessary now. I have already packed her things. These past two weeks and more, I thank Master and Second Master on my lady’s behalf for your shelter. If fate allows, perhaps we shall meet again someday.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Nurse Ku turned to wheel Gu Fei out.

From beginning to end, Gu Fei kept her head bowed and remained silent. Her flawless, jade-like face showed only a cold, unreadable indifference, making it painful to behold.

At the mention of the “Mo family of the capital,” Old Master Gu Zhong was taken aback. He instinctively glanced at Gu Jiang, who also wore a puzzled frown. At once, Gu Zhong called out, “Wait, Fei, what are you doing? Now that you’ve returned to the Gu family, this is your home. Your father and siblings are here—where else would you go?”

Whether it was true or not, the shrewdness of a merchant prevailed in Gu Zhong’s words as he sought to keep Gu Fei.

Gu Fei turned her head away, her voice low and steady. “I am an ill-omened person. I do not wish to bring trouble to the household—”

“Nonsense!” Gu Zhong cut her off before she could finish. “This disaster was stirred up by that wretched servant. I’ll deal with her myself today, and let that serve as justice for you.”

With that, Gu Zhong turned to the guards and ordered, “Take her away—thirty strokes of the rod, life or death, it’s all the same to me!”

“Master, spare me! Madam, save me…” Madam Duan, terrified out of her wits, stretched her hand towards Madam Cui, but the guards dragged her away before she could break free.

Madam Cui’s face went pale, her eyes filled with sorrow. Madam Duan had once nursed her; for years she had been her right hand. Her lips parted, ready to plead with Gu Zhong, but he gave her no chance.

“Madam, you are too soft-hearted. You’re in charge of the household’s affairs. You must be strict, or mistakes will happen.”

Hearing this, Madam Cui felt the world spin, but could only nod in agreement. “Yes, I understand.”

Gu Zhong stroked his beard with satisfaction, his stern features now softening as he looked at Gu Fei. “Fei, are you feeling better? Hurry back and rest. You’ve been out too long, and you’re not fully recovered. A chill will do you no good.”

Anyone unaware would have thought Gu Zhong was her doting father.

Gu Fei nodded, then softly addressed Second Master Gu Jiang, “Father, I am very happy to be home.”

Only two or three people understood the hidden meaning of these words. Gu Jiang was certainly one of them. His face tightened, a fleeting gleam in his small eyes, gone in an instant. “Mm,” he replied, neither warm nor cold.

With that, Gu Fei signaled Nurse Ku to wheel her back to Qingmo Court, leaving the rest of the Gu household behind, giving no mind to what others thought.

As Gu Fei departed, Danqing hurriedly lowered her head and followed.

Catching sight of her, Nurse Ku smiled and said, “Danqing, those clothes of the young lady’s that were thrown out likely can’t be worn anymore. Go see if the embroiderers have anything ready-made.”

Danqing looked up and nodded with a faint smile.

Once Danqing was gone, Gu Fei lifted her chin, a wry smile playing at her lips as she looked at Nurse Ku. “Nurse, what was with that Daoist? Why did he suddenly go mad in broad daylight?”

A shadow of intrigue flickered at Nurse Ku’s mouth. She leaned in and murmured in Gu Fei’s ear, “Just a little something from the underworld. I slipped it to him—worked like a charm.”

Gu Fei understood, then added, “So, you’re an expert in the martial arts as well?”

Nurse Ku did not deny it, only smiling, knowing Gu Fei was suspicious by nature. Words were often less convincing than actions, and she’d show her in good time.

Meanwhile, once Gu Zhong saw Gu Fei had gone, his face immediately darkened. He waved his sleeve, ordering the Daoist taken away. Once everyone else had been dismissed, his first act was not to scold Madam Cui, but to raise his hand and slap Gu Jiang across the face.

“Hmph! Some daughter you’ve brought back!” he snapped.

Gu Jiang, shorter and stouter than his brother, instantly bore five bright red finger marks on his fleshy face, as though branded by a hot iron. He only moved his lips, spat out a mouthful of blood, and cast Gu Zhong an inscrutable glance before turning and leaving.