Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Ji Hanyi had been back at the Gu Residence for two days. In accordance with her maternal grandmother’s wishes, they were still keeping her divorce a secret from her mother. She had visited her mother once yesterday, but when she went over this morning, she merely remained outside and asked Chunju about her condition.
During the bitter cold earlier, Madam Gu had stayed indoors all day and hardly fallen ill. Now that the weather was warmer, a single trip to the garden had brought on another headache.
Madam Gu’s health had never recovered after she ingested arsenic. Her constitution was so weak that even a minor ailment was a serious illness for her.
Ji Hanyi stood at the courtyard gate as Chunju came out and reported softly, “Don’t worry, miss. The madam is simply sleeping more than usual. She even ate half a bowl more than she did yesterday.”
“She’s had headaches before as well. She’ll recover after resting for a few days.”
Even after hearing this, the worry in Ji Hanyi’s eyes did not ease much. She had Rongchun hand over the prepared packets of medicine, then said quietly, “The physician said Mother’s constitution is too weak. What matters isn’t how much she eats at once. It’s fine for her to eat smaller portions more frequently.”
Chunju promptly nodded. “Don’t worry, miss. We’ll remember.”
Only then did Ji Hanyi cast another glance into the courtyard before turning away and heading toward Yichun Courtyard, which her maternal grandmother had prepared for her.
Yichun Courtyard was in the eastern compound beside the rear garden. It had once been the Eldest Young Lady’s courtyard, and its location was quite pleasant.
On the way, Ji Hanyi asked Rongchun whether any letters had arrived at the front gate that day.
Rongchun shook her head. “I went and asked. Nothing has arrived yet.”
Two days had already passed since they left the Ji Family, yet there had still been no word from the Xie Family. Ji Hanyi could not help feeling uneasy.
Her most pressing concern now was to divorce Xie Yuheng as soon as possible. If she did not hurry, there was no telling what else might happen.
Just as she was thinking this, word came from the front gate. A letter had arrived from the Xie Family.
Ji Hanyi promptly accepted it. It had been sent by Nanny Lin.
Nanny Lin could read and write a little, but not much, so the letter was simple. In essence, Xie Yuheng had regained consciousness. A physician had examined him and said he had vomited blood because he had been overwhelmed by worry and grief.
Ji Hanyi remained expressionless.
What did Xie Yuheng have to grieve over?
He had finally gotten exactly what he wanted.
Ji Hanyi put the letter away, returned to her courtyard, and wrote a letter to Old Madam Xie.
Although Ji Hanyi no longer trusted anyone in the Xie Residence, Old Madam Xie was at least somewhat reasonable.
In the letter, Ji Hanyi stated her decision as tactfully as she could and asked whether she might visit the day after tomorrow to discuss the divorce again. If Xie Yuheng remained determined to refuse, she would take the written pledge First Master Xie had signed years ago and lodge a complaint with the Office of Transmission.
The Office of Transmission could submit petitions directly to the emperor. Ji Hanyi did not care if the matter became a public scandal, though she would have preferred not to take things that far.
Ji Hanyi knew Xie Yuheng cared deeply about his reputation. This affair might not be grave enough to destroy his official career, but neither Xie Yuheng nor the Xie Family would ever be able to rid themselves of the stigma of breaking their word.
She also knew Old Madam Xie had always attached great importance to the family’s reputation. Old Madam Xie weighed every matter carefully. Although she no longer managed household affairs, she understood everything that happened in the Xie Residence perfectly well.
Besides, Ji Hanyi’s family had long since fallen from prosperity. Faced with the choice between forcibly keeping a legitimate wife with no powerful family behind her and ruining his own reputation, Xie Yuheng would know which to choose.
Even if Xie Yuheng still refused, Old Madam Xie would understand just how resolute Ji Hanyi was.
Old Madam Xie believed every woman ought to swallow her grievances for a lifetime to preserve the appearance of marital harmony, but that had never been true.
At the very least, Ji Hanyi was unwilling to do so.
As soon as she finished writing the letter, Ji Hanyi had someone deliver it to the Xie Residence.
By late afternoon, as the sky was beginning to darken, Ji Hanyi was chatting in her maternal grandmother’s courtyard. They were discussing how the New Year festivities had just ended and how they would visit a temple the next day to pray for blessings. The Third Young Lady and Fourth Young Lady were also seated nearby. With warming charcoal burning in the room, the atmosphere was cozy and lively.
Gu Yan had stopped by Heshengzhai on his way back from duty and brought home almond Buddha’s hand pastries and lotus blossom pastries. Since the young ladies happened to be together, they shared the treats among themselves.
Only eight-year-old Gu Wanrong asked curiously, “Second Elder Brother, you’ve never bought almond Buddha’s hand pastries before. Why did you suddenly bring some home today?”
Concubine Bai, who was seated beside Gu Wanrong, hurriedly tapped her twice on the mouth and chided her under her breath, “What do you know? Those are Miss Yi’s favorite.”
It was no secret that Ji Hanyi loved almond Buddha’s hand pastries. Back when the Ji Family was still prosperous, her two maternal aunts by marriage had even made them for her personally.
Gu Xun stood to one side, watching Ji Hanyi. Dressed in pale blue-green, she held a pastry in one hand and had turned slightly sideways as she ate with quiet concentration. He let out a soft chuckle.
Old Madam Gu looked at Gu Yan, who was still standing, and said, “Don’t just stand there. Sit down for a while.”
Gu Yan rarely spent time with the young ladies of the household. He studied diligently and worked tirelessly at the Imperial Academy, all in hopes of turning around the Gu Family’s difficult circumstances.
He had consistently earned the highest marks all the way to the present, yet he had never allowed himself to relax.
He understood the importance of connections in official circles. If he wished to climb higher, merely doing his duty well would never be enough. Since he also needed to cultivate relationships, he rarely had much free time to spend at the residence.
Now that Old Madam had spoken, however, Gu Yan smiled. He had been standing not far from Ji Hanyi, so he naturally sat down beside her.
With the slightest shift of his gaze, he saw the silver chrysanthemum hairpin set at an angle in Ji Hanyi’s hair, along with a single flower hairpin adorned with red agate and pearls.
His hand tightened. From the corner of his eye, his gaze involuntarily drifted lower, settling on the gemstone-studded begonia earring beside her jade-white skin.
Emotions churned within him, but he calmly returned his gaze to the front, betraying nothing of where he had been looking.
Seeing that so many people had gathered for once, Old Madam Gu decided to keep everyone there for dinner.
Just then, however, an older maidservant hurried in from outside. The moment she entered, she announced, “The Eldest Master of the Xie Family has arrived.”
No one had expected Xie Yuheng to come at this time — not even Ji Hanyi.
Xie Yuheng had never shown any concern for what she went through in the Gu Family. He had hardly even asked after her mother’s illness.
Old Madam Gu asked the servant woman, “Did he come alone, or did he accompany someone here?”
The servant woman hurriedly replied, “Eldest Master Xie came alone.”
“There are several servants following Eldest Master Xie, and they brought quite a few gifts. Each of them is carrying a stack of boxes piled high, and everything looks valuable.”
Old Madam Gu’s expression darkened. “Hanyi was married to him for three years, yet he never once came to visit. He clearly looks down on the Gu Family. There is no need for him to come here putting on a show now. The Gu Family has no need for his paltry gifts.”
The servant woman looked troubled. “When Eldest Master Xie sent someone in with the message, he also said that if he could not see the young cousin today, he would not leave. He said he would keep standing outside.”
She continued, “I also heard from the servants at the front gate that Eldest Master Xie looks very unwell, as if he is seriously ill. They’re afraid something might happen to him right at the gate.”
The room fell silent as soon as she finished speaking. All eyes turned toward Ji Hanyi, who had yet to say a word.
Gu Yan glanced at Ji Hanyi, his lips tightening on his usually gentle face.
Ji Hanyi knew her grandmother had remained silent because she was waiting to hear what she wanted.
Her answer was clear. Shaking her head, she said, “My decision to divorce Eldest Master Xie will not change. There is no longer any need for us to meet.”
“Even if we do meet, it should be with relatives from both families present so we can discuss the divorce.”
Old Madam Gu nodded. “We could have made a clean break with the Xie Family last time, but something just had to happen to him. There truly is no need for you to see him now.”
At that moment, Gu Yan rose and stepped into the center of the room. “Grandmother, I’ll go out and make things clear on Cousin Yi’s behalf.”
Old Madam Gu nodded. “That would be best. Just pass along exactly what Hanyi said.”
Gu Yan nodded and headed outside.
Seeing him leave, Ji Hanyi hurriedly rose and followed him. “Cousin Yan.”
Gu Yan stopped beneath the lantern just beyond the threshold. Ji Hanyi approached with light, graceful steps, the delicate curve of her slender waist swaying through the gathering dusk. His mouth suddenly went dry. He stepped back, positioning himself beside the doorway where those inside could not see him.
Ji Hanyi did not notice what he had done. As soon as she reached him, she said, “Xie Yuheng coughed up blood last time, and the servant woman just said he looks unwell. Cousin Yan, all you need to do is ask him to leave. If he refuses, send someone to the Xie Residence with a message. There is no need to argue with him or shove him around. If anything happens, you won’t be able to clear yourself afterward.”
Gu Yan understood what she meant. Ji Hanyi was worried he might end up in trouble.
His warm, refined eyes lowered slightly. Looking into her concerned eyes, he smiled faintly and said in a low voice, “You don’t need to worry about me, Cousin Yi. I know where to draw the line.”
His deep, measured tone gave Ji Hanyi a moment’s pause. She looked up at his steady, reassuring eyes, wondering when he had changed so much.
Gu Yan was only half a year older than her. She still remembered how unruly and mischievous he had been as a boy. Though he had always done well in his studies, he had loved sneaking up behind her to frighten her.
Later, trouble befell both his father and the Gu Family. Ji Hanyi had been busy caring for her mother and was deeply dispirited. She had also understood that, as someone dependent on another household, she had to tread carefully, so she rarely left her courtyard.
Now, taking a good look at Gu Yan after all this time, she suddenly realized that the boy in her memories was long gone.
Then again, how could anyone remain unchanged forever?
Gu Yan had matured remarkably well, becoming steady and dependable. Her grandmother often praised him too. At least the Gu Family still had someone exceptionally capable.
Reassured by his words, Ji Hanyi stepped back to let him go first.
Gu Yan merely smiled. “The wind outside is chilly. I’ll wait until Cousin Yi goes back inside.”
Ji Hanyi paused, once again marveling at how thoughtful Gu Yan had become. She turned and went in first.
Gu Yan watched her retreating figure, his gaze darkening slightly. When Concubine Lin emerged with the Fourth Young Lady, a faint smile returned to his face. He gave Concubine Lin a single glance before heading outside.
Xie Yuheng was still waiting in the cold wind. The servants at the front gate had made no attempt to invite him into the gatehouse to shelter from the wind, leaving him standing outside despite the bitter chill.
The servants behind Xie Yuheng were indignant. What right did the Gu Family have to bar their Eldest Master outside? Even the First Master of the Gu Family held a lower official rank than their Eldest Master. What airs were they putting on?
But Xie Yuheng turned a deaf ear to their muttered complaints. He merely stared blankly at the vermilion gates. When they finally opened, the despondency in his eyes vanished, and he took two quick steps forward.
Instead of Ji Hanyi, however, a tall, slender figure in blue-green robes emerged.
Xie Yuheng did not recognize the newcomer. Then again, he barely recognized anyone in the Gu Family.
When the man approached, Xie Yuheng greeted him with a courteous cupped-hand salute. “Master Gu.”
The man introduced himself. “I am Gu Yan, Cousin Yi’s second older cousin.”
Xie Yuheng had no interest in listening to any of that. He immediately demanded, “Where is Hanyi? Tell her to come see me.”
Gu Yan smiled faintly. “Cousin Yi is occupied at the moment. Eldest Master Xie, you should come another day.”
Only then did Xie Yuheng’s gaze settle on Gu Yan’s face and the smile that did not reach his eyes.
He could tell what the Gu Family’s attitude was. With a cold laugh, he said, “Hanyi and I are not yet divorced. It is only right and proper that I should see her.”
“Moreover, the people of the Gu Residence have barred me outside. Is this the Gu Family’s idea of hospitality?”