Chapter Twelve
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Shortly after the carriage left the Qi family’s salt shop, Xiao Guimu turned to Gu Yuren and asked, “Brother Yuren, are we really leaving Yang City just like this?” Gu Yuren was still lost in the sorrow of parting with Qi Qiongqiong. His eyes gazed out the window as he said softly, “Didn’t we agree beforehand to stay at the countryside farmhouse for a while before returning to Yang City to sit the martial provincial examination?”
Xiao Guimu hesitated briefly before continuing, “Brother Yuren, it seems you and your brother have forgotten something very important!” Gu Yuren turned his head and asked, “Sister Guimu, what is it? Please speak plainly.”
Xiao Guimu pondered and said, “Brother Yuren, I heard that your biological mother, Aunt Lou Mingxuan, still lives in the Nietai Mansion in Yang City. You two have been apart from her for nearly twenty years. Don’t you miss her at all? Moreover, since we’re about to leave Yang City, don’t you want to see her one last time before we go?”
At the mention of their mother Lou Mingxuan, Gu Yusheng’s tears welled up. He sobbed softly and said to Gu Yuren, “Brother, I have dreamed of seeing Mother all these years. Why don’t we go to the Nietai Li Mansion now?”
Seeing his younger brother’s tear-streaked face, Gu Yuren couldn’t help but shed tears himself. He lifted the carriage curtain and said to the driver, “Uncle coachman, please turn the carriage around. Let’s first go to the Nietai Li Mansion, then head out of the city to the countryside.”
The coachman, who had overheard their conversation, replied loudly, “Very well.” With a slap on the horse, he turned towards the Nietai Li Mansion.
The carriage soon arrived before the stone lion gate of the Nietai Li Mansion. Several carriages and sedan chairs were parked along the roadside.
Gu Yuren said to the driver, “Uncle coachman, please turn right into Bianmen Street.”
The coachman responded clearly, “Understood.”
The carriage stopped on Bianmen Street. Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Qi Guang, and Xiao Guimu alighted.
Gu Yuren entered a small shop by the street to buy some gifts, then approached the gatehouse and handed over a letter of introduction along with the gifts.
Shortly after, an elderly man dressed as a steward came out and asked, “Who wishes to see our Fifth Madam?”
Gu Yuren hurried forward and said, “It is us.”
The old man asked, “Who are you? What is your relationship with the Fifth Madam?”
Gu Yuren wanted to say they were the Fifth Madam’s biological sons, but fearing unnecessary trouble, he replied casually, “We are children of the Fifth Madam’s cousin, and often receive her kindness. We just finished the provincial civil exam in Yang City a few days ago and are preparing to go to the capital for the metropolitan exam. We came to bid the Fifth Madam farewell.” He then handed over Gu Yusheng’s letter of introduction.
The steward squinted at the two letters for some time, then smiled and said, “Among you, one is the top scorer in the provincial exam, the other a successful candidate—remarkable indeed!” He tucked the letters into his sleeve.
Gu Yuren quickly said, “Thanks to the Fifth Madam’s blessings, we brothers were fortunate to pass, so we came to express our gratitude.”
The steward awkwardly said, “Gentlemen, your timing is unfortunate. My lady passed away in her hometown. My master has ordered the Fifth Madam and the young masters to return home for mourning.”
Xiao Guimu quickly asked, “May I ask, Uncle steward, is the young master in white still at the residence?”
The steward replied, “Who? The one in white? Oh, you mean our young master Li Muwen? He has also followed the Fifth Madam back home to observe the mourning.”
Xiao Guimu asked again, “When will young master Li Muwen return to Yang City?”
The steward said, “People say mourning lasts three years. Our young master Muwen will return to Yang City after three years. You know, his martial arts are exceptional. He was supposed to take the martial provincial exam this year, but now he must observe mourning and will have to wait for the next one in three years.”
Hearing this, Xiao Guimu murmured, “So Li Muwen was also going to take the martial exam…”
Gu Yuren hastened, “Since the Fifth Madam is not here, we must take our leave. Sorry to trouble you, Uncle steward.”
The steward said, “Not at all! Come back in three years!”
Fate seemed cruel. Gu Yuren and Gu Yusheng longed to see their mother, but their visit was in vain. Reluctantly, they left Bianmen Street, took the carriage out of the city, and went to the farmhouse to stay temporarily.
The next day, Xiao Guimu used the excuse of buying daily necessities in the city to register for the martial provincial exam under the name of Li Muwen at the Yang City Gongyuan. Upon returning to the farmhouse, she didn’t say a word about it—truly audacious!
That same morning when Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Qi Guang, and Xiao Guimu left the Qi family salt shop for the countryside farmhouse, far away in their southern coastal hometown, the young master in white, Li Muwen, was clamoring to leave home to return to Yang City and sit the martial provincial exam.
He knelt before Fifth Madam Lou Mingxuan, pleading, “Mother, please let Muwen go. Muwen wants to return to Yang City for the martial exam. If I don’t leave now, I’ll miss it!”
Three years ago, Li Muwen had passed the martial county exam but broke his leg in a riding accident just before the provincial exam and missed the martial provincial exam.
Lou Mingxuan looked at her pitiful son, who knelt like a girl before her, and said, “Muwen, begging won’t work. Your eldest aunt has passed away, and according to court rules, you must observe mourning at home for three years.”
Li Muwen was anxious to the point of tears.
He continued, “Mother, what kind of ridiculous rule is this? Look, my second and third aunts are old and sickly now. If something happens to them in three years, wouldn’t I have to observe mourning here forever?”
Lou Mingxuan scolded sharply, “How can you curse your second and third aunts like that?”
Li Muwen hurried to defend himself, “Mother, I’m just making an example…”
Before he finished, Lou Mingxuan raised her palm and slapped him sharply across the face. “You brat, how dare you argue! From now on, you’ll kneel here and think about why I hit you. If you don’t understand, keep kneeling!” She then left the room.
Li Muwen, always obedient to his mother’s orders, responded with two “Yes, ma’ams.”
He knelt and touched his burning cheek, beginning to reflect. Yet, his mind did not dwell on why his mother had struck him but instead filled with vivid imaginings of the upcoming martial provincial exam in Yang City. He asked himself, “Who will be the martial champion from the southern province this year? The prince of Nan’an is a brute—strong but unskilled with the spear! The young master of General Cao is flashy but lacks real power! Huang Sanjia from Dongshan is skilled and open-minded, but he’s indifferent to officialdom and likely won’t take the exam this year…”
“If it weren’t for mourning, I, Li Muwen, could have taken this year’s martial provincial exam. Maybe the champion would have been me!” he muttered aloud.
Indeed, about twenty days later, the southern province’s martial champion was declared as Li Muwen from the coastal town. But it wasn’t the real Li Muwen—it was the “fake Li Muwen,” Xiao Guimu disguised as a man, taking his place!
Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Qi Guang, and Xiao Guimu had been living in the farmhouse for over ten days. The three new civil candidates lived like gentlemen of their status, spending their days training or eating. Xiao Guimu, the little servant, busied herself daily with shopping, cooking, and laundry, lively and content. Observant Gu Yusheng noticed that since Xiao Guimu’s return from the city, she no longer quarreled with him and her eyes shone brightly.
By mid-September of the lunar calendar, the exotic kapok trees burst into bloom.
Early one morning, Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, and Qi Guang arrived early at the Gongyuan examination hall, lining up outside to undergo inspection by the gatekeepers.
Once inside, all three took the morning archery test, the noon cavalry spear test, and the afternoon strength test. They passed each event one by one, awaiting the final announcement.
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Qi Guang stood under the pavilion drinking water, his face radiant.
He happily approached Gu Yuren and said, “Brother-in-law, it seems listening to you was right! Now the three of us are both civil and martial candidates!”
Gu Yuren, always composed, cautioned his brother-in-law, “Brother Guang, don’t get carried away when away from home.” He deliberately emphasized “away from home” because they were still in Yang City, where acquaintances might be present.
Qi Guang caught the hint and quickly lowered his head to drink.
Gu Yusheng came over and said, “Brother, the metropolitan exam is soon. Once we receive our certificates, let’s depart for the capital immediately.” He referred to the metropolitan civil exam.
Gu Yuren had little expectation for the metropolitan exam but, as an ambitious person, replied, “Second brother, no need for you to remind me!”
At that moment, the martial champion final was underway.
Qi Guang stood on tiptoe, staring repeatedly at the arena. He gasped to Gu Yuren, “Brother-in-law, look at the arena… it’s… no! It’s Xiao Guimu!”
On the arena, two candidates battled for the martial champion title. One was Xiao Guimu, disguised as a man. Gu Yuren had long suspected this. He was initially shocked but quickly steadied himself, thinking, “Since it’s come to this, I must accept it.”
Qi Guang, thinking Gu Yuren hadn’t noticed, pointed at the stage and whispered, “Brother-in-law, it’s the one wearing blue clothes…”
Gu Yuren quickly grabbed Qi Guang’s finger and whispered, “Brother Guang, I already know! Stop talking!”
Qi Guang fell silent, trembling.
Gu Yusheng patted Qi Guang’s back and said, “Looks like this girl is crazy!”
At that moment, the battle drums thundered, and cheers erupted.
The martial champion contest finally ended.
The chief examiner stood on the arena and announced, “The southern province martial champion is: Li—Muwen from the coastal town.”
Thunderous applause echoed throughout the examination hall.
Gu Yusheng smiled and murmured, “What kind of game is this?”
Gu Yuren, already drenched in cold sweat, replied, “Second brother, this is no game! This is a daring act that could lead to execution and implicate others!”
Gu Yusheng said, “Brother, since it’s come to this, let fate decide!”
Qi Guang’s legs still trembled as he said, “Brother-in-law, shall we go collect the certificates?”
The sun had set.
In a farmhouse on the outskirts of Yang City, Xiao Guimu held a candle in one hand and carried the prepared dishes to the dining table with the other.
Gu Yuren sat at the table and scolded, “Sister Guimu, you say the martial champion title belongs to Li Muwen in white? That’s absurd! Do you know Li Muwen is observing mourning? One cannot take the provincial exam during mourning, do you understand?”
Gu Yusheng rubbed his neck and said angrily, “Sister Guimu, you’re harming yourself and others! That head of yours won’t stay on your neck for long!”
“You’re reckless!”
“You act without thinking!”
“This could bring disaster on the Xiao family, the Gu family, Qi Guang’s Qi family, and Li Muwen’s family if the court investigates!”
“Do you think the exam hall is a sandy salt field?”
…
Gu Yuren and Gu Yusheng berated Xiao Guimu relentlessly, tears streaming down their faces, pitiful to see.
Qi Guang was the most afraid of making a girl cry. He said to Gu Yuren and Gu Yusheng, “Brother-in-law, Senior Brother Yusheng, Sister Guimu already knows her mistake!”
Gu Yuren glanced at Xiao Guimu and said, “Sister Guimu, you should return to the salt fields tomorrow.”
Xiao Guimu shook her head, “No! I won’t go back to the salt fields. I will accompany you to the capital and serve you! This is decided by Uncle Gu. You can’t send me away.”
Gu Yuren said again, “But now you’re the martial champion. How dare we let you serve us!”
Hearing this, Xiao Guimu wiped her tears and asked, “Brother Yuren, do you really want to send me away?”
Gu Yuren nodded.
Xiao Guimu took off the apron hanging on her body, threw it on the table, and said, “If so, I will leave tomorrow morning. After I go, I will tell Uncle Gu and Lord Qi about your unauthorized participation in the martial exam.”
Wei Guang quickly said to Gu Yuren, “Brother-in-law, the matter has already happened. Sending her back to the salt fields won’t help. Better let her come with us to the capital. If problems arise, we can discuss solutions together. What do you think?” He kept signaling Xiao Guimu with his eyes.
Xiao Guimu immediately knelt before Gu Yuren, grabbed his arm, and shook it while saying, “Brother Yuren, Sister Guimu knows her mistake! From now on, I will follow your orders and never act recklessly again!” She put on a pitiful expression.
Gu Yuren said, “You stubborn girl, those tricks won’t work! I need to think about this tonight. I’ll tell you tomorrow if you stay or go.” Then he picked up his bowl and ate ravenously.
The next morning, after packing, Xiao Guimu sat in the courtyard waiting for Gu Yuren to come out.
Just as she sat down, Gu Yusheng appeared, carrying a knapsack, and said, “Champion, let’s go! What are you waiting for?”
Xiao Guimu asked, “Where to?”
Gu Yusheng smiled, “Of course towards the capital!”
Xiao Guimu was overjoyed. She quickly slung on her pack and followed closely after Gu Yusheng, teasing, “Looks like the three of you can’t do without this little servant anymore!”
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Gu Yusheng nearly lost his temper again and turned to glare fiercely at Xiao Guimu.
Xiao Guimu stuck out her tongue and hurried toward the stables to lead the horses.
After mid-September, the weather grew mild then gradually cooler. The temperature difference between day and night was large, making camping outdoors somewhat uncomfortable. But since rainfall decreased after September, it was ideal for travelers.
Time was pressing.
Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Qi Guang, and Xiao Guimu rode tirelessly day and night along the official road from Yang City to the capital. Gu Yusheng’s sweat-blooded horse always led. Gu Yuren knew his younger brother was the top civil scorer and was aiming for the metropolitan examination the following January. He feared missing it. Gu Yuren understood completely. So whenever Gu Yusheng urged onward, Gu Yuren never dared suggest resting.
Yet, as a girl, Xiao Guimu’s stamina differed from the boys, though she was trained in martial arts. Gu Yuren had to take care of her. So daily, he deliberately held back the horse a few strokes, falling behind last. Qi Guang never intended to lag but couldn’t catch up with Xiao Guimu, who often raced ahead of Gu Yusheng.
Gu Yuren admired silently, “This girl outshines many men!”
Along the way, Gu Yuren noticed that Gu Yusheng didn’t lead more often than Xiao Guimu.
Thank heavens!
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, Qi Guang, and Xiao Guimu finally arrived in the capital.
They lodged at the Bathhouse Courtyard.
The next day was New Year’s Eve.
Early morning, Xiao Guimu first bought rice and flour from the rice shop, then pork and chives at the market, and finally a load of firewood and charcoal at the alley’s wood and coal market. She hired two porters to carry everything into the Bathhouse Courtyard’s kitchen.
After tidying her room, she began writing Spring Festival couplets and pasted them on the doors of two rooms.
In middle age, she had already learned to knead dough. She washed the pork and chives, minced the pork, chopped the chives finely, put them in a bowl, added salt and dark soy sauce, and mixed it evenly. She prepared pork and chive filling for dumplings to be made that evening.
She lit a fire in the stove with the purchased firewood. The flames blazed, warming the room.
She entered the room where Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, and Qi Guang slept, intending to wake them. But after calling more than ten times, they all said they were sleepy and wanted to keep sleeping.
By evening, the capital was filled with a strong New Year’s atmosphere.
Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, and Qi Guang still slept soundly.
Xiao Guimu also slept deeply in her warmly prepared servant’s room, not waking until the second day of the New Year.
In the Yang Prefecture salt fields.
New Year’s Eve.
Gu Datong, Zhao Rouya, and Xiao Tianjian worshipped their ancestors together and then had their New Year’s meal.
In the dining hall, the large round table was lit by a great marine lamp. The light illuminated the entire room and cast the shadows of the three diners on the walls.
The table was large and laden with delicacies but felt cold and lonely.
Gu Datong and Xiao Tianjian drank quietly, both thinking of their children far away. Xiao Tianjian especially missed his only daughter, Xiao Guimu.
Suddenly, Zhao Rouya spoke, “Brother Datong, do you remember the first time we met?”
Gu Datong replied immediately, “Of course! It was also New Year’s Eve. I hid behind the rock garden waiting for Lou Mingxuan for a long time before she came out, unexpectedly you had quietly followed her.”
It turned out Zhao Rouya was the little princess of the late Emperor Shizong. Her birth mother was a beautiful consort who died from hemorrhaging during childbirth. The late emperor entrusted her to a childless virtuous consort who raised her in Rouya Palace. After Lou Mingxuan entered the palace, she became Zhao Rouya’s personal maid. After Gu Datong became a palace guard, he tried every means to see Lou Mingxuan.
Zhao Rouya smiled and said, “I always knew about your frequent meetings! Back then, I was young and not yet betrothed to Tianjian, and knew little of matters between men and women. I found it rather novel to see you and Sister Mingxuan cuddling and biting each other.”
Gu Datong said, “Sister Rouya, you scared me half to death in the stone cave! When you shouted, ‘Guard Gu, stop! You can’t bully Sister Mingxuan!’ I knew we were done for, that we’d be beheaded!”
Zhao Rouya laughed, “And yet your head is still on your shoulders, isn’t it?”
Gu Datong continued, “You even jumped out and stood between me and Lou Mingxuan shouting, ‘Get lost or I’ll tell my father…’ Luckily, Mingxuan covered your mouth, or others would have heard.”
Zhao Rouya asked, “Brother Datong, do you know why I kept this secret?”
Gu Datong said, “Because you didn’t want us to die!”
Zhao Rouya said, “By nature, I should have reported this to the emperor, but Mingxuan said, ‘Little ancestor, if you tell the emperor, guard Gu and I will both die, and you’ll never see me again!’ I couldn’t bear to lose Lou Mingxuan, so I kept the secret.”
Xiao Tianjian laughed, “But now you’ve told me.”
Zhao Rouya smiled, “Prince Xiao, that was the previous dynasty’s affair; it has nothing to do with the current dynasty. It’s fine to talk about it now.”
Gu Datong laughed, “Good thing you didn’t say anything then, or no one would have rescued you from Beizhen later…”
At the mention of “Beizhen,” Zhao Rouya’s expression turned as if plunged into an ice pit.
As a girl, Zhao Rouya was pure and elegant, as clear as jade and water. Yet, with the Beizhen invasion, the country was broken and the family destroyed. She became a slave of the Beizhen people, suffering endless humiliation in the “Laundry Courtyard.” Remembering that hellish past always tore her heart apart.
She sat by the table, tears quietly falling.
After a while, she murmured, “I hope Guimu is doing well in the capital…”