Chapter 91
Chapter 91
Meanwhile, Ji Hanyi returned to the Gu Residence. It was already deep into the night by the time they arrived, but the lanterns outside the gates were still burning brightly. The household had clearly been waiting for their return.
Old Madam Gu had yet to sleep, still awaiting news. Gu Xun and Second Madam had stayed with the Old Madam to wait. Third Young Lady and Fourth Young Lady had originally intended to keep her company as well, but Old Madam Gu had sent them both back to rest, allowing neither to remain.
On the way to the Old Madam’s courtyard, Madam Zhang made no attempt to hide her displeasure. She walked ahead of everyone else, muttering under her breath. Though her voice was not loud, it carried clearly through the still night.
“After all this trouble, it’s already past midnight. How many hours are we supposed to sleep now?”
“The Old Madam isn’t in good health either, yet she’s been dragged into this mess and is still waiting for news. What sin did I commit to never have a single peaceful day?”
She gave another cold laugh. “Just wait and see. Now that we’ve completely fallen out with the Xie Family, do you really think we’ll have any peaceful days ahead?”
After saying this, Madam Zhang suddenly stopped. Turning around, she saw Gu Yan still walking beside Ji Hanyi and immediately frowned at him.
“Why are you coming with us? Aren’t you on duty tomorrow?”
“You’re not like the others. You hold an official post and have to report early. You can’t afford to slack off in the slightest. Go and get some rest. There’s nothing here that requires your attention.”
Gu Yan’s gaze fell upon Ji Hanyi beside him.
She had drawn her luminous white cloak tightly around herself. Beneath the faint moonlight and the wavering glow of the glazed lantern, her lovely features were serene, yet beneath her delicate brows lay a silence that made his heart ache.
His mother’s words must have hurt her.
Ji Hanyi glanced ahead, then stopped as well and looked up at Gu Yan. “Aunt is right. I’ve already taken up far too much of Cousin Yan’s time tonight, and I feel guilty about it. The matter has been settled, so Cousin Yan should go and rest. Don’t let this interfere with your official duties tomorrow.”
Gu Yan’s heart clenched. A wordless anguish choked him, leaving him unable to speak.
Ji Hanyi took the lantern from his hand, then instructed the servants behind them, “Hurry and escort Second Master back. You don’t need to follow me anymore.”
That graceful figure passed slowly before his eyes, close enough to touch. Her pale gauze garments drifted through the darkness with every elegant step. His gaze followed her receding silhouette, the tightness in his chest refusing to ease. He could not even make himself move, staring after her in a daze.
Up ahead, Madam Zhang saw Ji Hanyi approaching while her son remained rooted to the spot. She raised her voice again. “There’s no need for you to escort us. Hurry and go.”
Gu Yan lowered his head, but he could not stop himself from glancing at Ji Hanyi’s back out of the corner of his eye. She never once turned around. Only under his mother’s watchful gaze did he finally leave.
Upon returning to his room, he drew a small handkerchief from inside his robe.
It had fallen from Ji Hanyi’s sleeve when Xie Yuheng grabbed and struggled with her earlier that night. Gu Yan had not picked it up quickly enough, and it had been trampled twice.
Dust now stained the once-pristine white handkerchief, dimming even the lifelike begonia blossoms embroidered upon it.
He raised the handkerchief to his nose. Ji Hanyi’s faint, delicate fragrance immediately enveloped him. Gu Yan drew a deep breath and clenched the cloth tightly between his fingers.
Just then, the sound of an attendant bringing in hot water came from outside. Gu Yan’s eyes darkened. He leisurely tucked the handkerchief back inside his robe before walking over to the washstand.
Ji Hanyi and Madam Zhang had already arrived at Old Madam Gu’s courtyard. Madam Zhang had not spoken another word along the way, the trace of impatience on her face entirely undisguised.
Once they reached the Old Madam, Madam Zhang recounted everything that had happened, then added, “Fortunately, we happened to run into Marquis Shen. I’d long heard that Marquis Shen handles matters impartially. Although no formal hearing was held after we went to the Censorate, for some reason, Xie Yuheng actually agreed to the divorce after all.”
Madam Zhang then looked at Old Madam Gu. “As your daughter-in-law, I may offend some people by saying this, but the Xie Family does hold some influence at court. I never wanted Hanyi’s marriage into the Xie Family to end in divorce in the first place. Now that the divorce has gone through, the two families have completely fallen out. The Master of our household is still away from the capital. What if the Xie Family puts obstacles in his way and makes sure he can never return?”
She gave another soft snort. “If you ask me, a person can’t live merely to vent a moment’s anger. Life is long. Who can afford to care only about the present? And who do you have behind you to back you up?”
Old Madam Gu couldn’t help looking at Ji Hanyi, who sat off to one side. Ji Hanyi’s head was slightly bowed, her hands resting on her knees as she sat quietly without a sound. The round floral motifs embroidered in the Suzhou style on her pink high-collared robe were faintly visible, making her look all the more pitiable.
Old Madam Gu turned back to Madam Zhang. “What is the point of saying all this now? Was the Xie Family a place she could possibly stay?”
“If Xie Yuheng can betray her now, then one day he’ll favor a concubine over his wife. Why should Hanyi remain in the Xie Family and endure such humiliation?”
“The Xie Family may be riding high now, and Xie Yuheng may have bright prospects, but our Hanyi is no less worthy.”
“And there is no point talking about the future right now. No one knows what the future will bring.”
Old Madam’s words left Madam Zhang with no way to continue. She glanced again at Ji Hanyi, who was sitting beside Old Madam Xie, but the resentment in her heart did not ease.
Just look at what Ji Hanyi’s father had reduced the Gu Family to! As though one sickly burden were not enough, now they had a divorced woman to support as well. Madam Zhang must have accumulated terrible karma to be saddled with all this.
Her eldest son would not be coming home this year either. Not long after spring begins, his concubine would be due to give birth, which would mean yet another expense.
Then there was her own daughter, who would soon be married. If Madam Zhang did not prepare a generous dowry, her daughter might end up being looked down upon by her husband’s family just as Ji Hanyi had been. She could barely keep up with the affairs of her own household. How could she possibly concern herself with anyone else?
Madam Zhang knew better than to argue further with Old Madam Gu, but her expression remained defiant. With a quiet snort, she turned her head away.
Old Madam Xie took in Madam Zhang’s demeanor. Though her conduct was indeed disrespectful, Madam Zhang had long been responsible for all affairs large and small in the Gu Residence. Given the household’s current state, Old Madam Xie wished to reprimand her but lacked the strength to do so. Instead, she said, “Now that Hanyi has left the Xie Family through divorce, I can finally rest easy.”
“It is getting late. You should go and rest.”
Then, looking at Madam Zhang, she added pointedly, “These past few days seem even colder than before. Make sure the charcoal is properly distributed to every courtyard. Don’t let any young lady or Master go cold.”
Madam Zhang immediately caught the implication in Old Madam Gu’s words. “What fault is Old Madam finding with me now? Would I deliberately let anyone freeze? Even if someone was overlooked, I work myself to the bone managing the food and clothing of this entire household. Surely an occasional mistake is unavoidable?”
“If Old Madam thinks I’m doing such a poor job, then let my sister-in-law manage this whole household instead. I’ll wash my hands of it. Who wouldn’t prefer an easy life?”
Old Madam Gu frowned, but she truly had no energy to deal with Madam Zhang’s tantrum. Waving a hand, she said, “Enough, enough. I merely gave you a reminder. Why make such a fuss? Go on.”
Still visibly disgruntled, Madam Zhang hastily took her leave of Old Madam and walked out.
Once they were outside, the older maidservant accompanying her went over to Madam Lin and quietly asked, “Was Old Madam reminding you to send charcoal to Yichun Courtyard tomorrow morning, Madam?”
Madam Zhang snorted coldly as she continued forward. “Send them what? Isn’t each Master and every unmarried young lady in the residence more precious?”