Chapter Five
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Yin Yuanyuan stood in the center of the courtyard, eager to tell Xiao Guimu all about the urgent, makeshift role she had to play as a midwife seventeen years ago. She spoke quickly and urgently, feeling a bit dry in her throat and wanting a drink of water. Qi Qiongqiong hurried back to the living room to pour a cup of tea and handed it to her mother, saying, “Mother, you’ve been standing for so long, aren’t your legs tired?”
Yin Yuanyuan took the tea from her daughter and took several sips before saying to Xiao Guimu, “Guimu, let’s all go back to the living room and sit down. I’ll continue telling you there.”
The living room was brightly lit.
As soon as Xiao Guimu sat down on the wooden couch, she asked, “Madam, nothing bad happened afterward, did it?”
Yin Yuanyuan sat on the wooden couch, laughing heartily as she patted Xiao Guimu’s shoulder. “Although I’m not a midwife, I have given birth myself—several times, in fact. I know the process and how to handle childbirth. In the end, thanks to Heaven’s blessing, both mother and child were safe.”
Tears welled in Xiao Guimu’s eyes as she said, “They say childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell. I, Xiao Guimu, was able to come into this world safely thanks to your grace, Madam. This kindness I will remember for all my lives. But I still don’t understand why you named me ‘Guimu’?”
Yin Yuanyuan bent down, massaging her calves, then said, “I can tell you’re a girl blessed with both beauty and wisdom, as radiant as the stars themselves. I just told you such a long story—do you really not understand, or are you pretending?”
Xiao Guimu shook her head. “I really don’t understand.”
Yin Yuanyuan glanced at Xiao Guimu, then at the dining table in the next room. She sipped her tea and continued, “That night was chaotic, and I didn’t even get a good look at your mother’s face. After everything was settled, it was already late at night, and I was exhausted. I went straight to bed and slept deeply. The next day, I woke up late and, upon entering the delivery room, saw a beautiful young woman sitting by the bedside nursing a baby. I looked her over carefully—she was stunning. Remember, the night before, she appeared as a pregnant woman in tattered clothes, her face and limbs covered in grime. I later learned she had rubbed herself with a mixture of horse urine and carbon powder along the way for safety.”
“I checked the baby girl—healthy and normal! Then I examined the mother—no problems. I was happy, and your father and mother were even happier.”
“That noon, my husband Qi Wei returned from a long trip. Senior Brother Gu Datong and Uncle Xiao Tianjian told us about their experiences over the years and revealed the true identities of Xiao Tianjian and Zhao Rouya. Gu Datong repeatedly urged us to keep this a secret. So, for seventeen years, no one in Yangzhou has known their real identities.”
“That night, we held a lavish welcome banquet. Xiao Tianjian was moved to tears and asked me to name his newborn daughter. I thought of Zhao Rouya’s appearance when she first arrived—dirty and ragged—and of her harsh fate and indomitable spirit. I fervently wished that this newborn girl would grow up healthy and free from hardship, and that Zhao Rouya would one day see the light of day again. Thus, I named her Xiao Guimu.”
Before Yin Yuanyuan could finish, Xiao Guimu knelt down with a thud before her and said, “Thank you, Madam, for bestowing me with this name! I will remember your great kindness forever in this life and beyond. Alas, I am but a girl and have no way to repay your grace. I earnestly beg you to allow me to stay at the Qi family’s salt shop. I wish to serve you for life. May I?”
Yin Yuanyuan quickly helped Xiao Guimu up and said, “Absolutely not.”
That evening, the Qi family’s salt shop held a banquet to reward all the workers.
After the feast, Qi Wei and Yin Yuanyuan returned to their bedroom. Once inside, Yin Yuanyuan exclaimed, “Xiao Guimu is so graceful and elegant, far more beautiful than her mother Zhao Rouya ever was in her youth. With such beauty, I wonder which lucky man will marry her one day?”
Qi Wei replied, “She grew up with Gu Yusheng, childhood sweethearts. I’ve heard she really likes that boy. She should be a good match for him.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “I don’t think they’re fated. Our Yao’er also grew up with Gu Yusheng, and I can tell that boy only has eyes for her. Not long ago, I privately had someone check their horoscopes—they’re a perfect match, truly made for each other.”
Qi Wei said, “But our Yao’er loves the masked hero and has sworn she will marry no one else.”
Yin Yuanyuan scolded, “You’ve spoiled her rotten. Now not only is she blind, but she’s stubborn too! For all we know, that masked hero might be a ghost or a man—who knows? Even if he’s a man, you don’t know what he looks like, where he lives, or if he’s already married. What if you find him and he’s single and outstanding—but doesn’t want to marry her?”
Qi Wei quickly said, “Please calm down, my dear. Actually, I see things just like you do. You must have been worried about Yao’er’s affairs a lot recently. But as the saying goes, destiny governs marriage. You don’t need to fret too much—let nature take its course.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “But I am her mother! If not me, then who will worry about her?”
Qi Wei chuckled, “Alright, alright! You’re right. You just keep worrying then. But I was out all day handling business today and am a bit tired. May I go to bed early?”
Yin Yuanyuan laughed and scolded, “Not allowed! Blame your stubborn daughter—her matters always trouble me!”
They then undressed and got into bed.
Although middle-aged, both were martial artists in robust health. Once in bed, intimacy was inevitable.
Late into the night, deep silence enveloped the room.
Qi Wei lay on top of Yin Yuanyuan’s smooth, pale body, moving steadily.
Suddenly Yin Yuanyuan asked, “Husband, have you heard any news of our senior sister Zhao Chuoyun?”
Qi Wei stopped moving, whispered near her ear, “No. Ever since she left Senior Brother Sima Xi, she’s disappeared without a trace. Even Sima Xi doesn’t know where she is. How could I?”
Yin Yuanyuan asked, “Have you exchanged letters with Sima Xi lately?”
Qi Wei said, “No. Last year I sent him several letters through a messenger, but I never got a reply.”
Yin Yuanyuan sighed, “It’s been years since we last saw them. I miss the father and daughter terribly. I wonder how Jian Nan’er is doing now?”
Qi Wei said, “I heard Sima Xi’s new wife is very virtuous and loves Jian Nan’er dearly.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “Jian Nan’er must be seventeen now, a grown young lady. I wonder what she looks like!”
Qi Wei laughed, “No need to worry about that. Think about it—Sima Xi is a handsome man, Zhao Chuoyun a peerless beauty. Their daughter must be a beauty as well.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “If only she looked as good as Xiao Guimu! But Bashu is thousands of miles from Yangcheng. How will we ever bring her here for marriage?”
Qi Wei said, “We’ll send a carriage and ship to Bashu to bring her back.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “Our son Qi Guang still hasn’t had a marriage match arranged.”
Qi Wei replied, “That’s your fault! Years ago, Senior Brother Gu Datong and I went to Bashu to find goods. We saw little Jian Nan looking charming, so I asked Gu Datong to arrange a match with Sima Xi. It’s been ten years. I wanted to announce it to the family, but you wouldn’t agree. To this day, no one in Yangcheng knows about this except Gu Datong, us two, and our son Qi Guang. When I wanted to tell him, you stopped me.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “He was just six then—what would he understand? What good would it do to tell him?”
Qi Wei said, “Last year when Guang passed the provincial exam, I wanted to tell him, but you still wouldn’t allow it.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “Our son passed at seventeen—truly a young prodigy with a limitless future. He’s working hard to prepare for the imperial exam and won’t stop until he makes the honor roll. I can’t let him get distracted by this.”
Qi Wei said, “Looks like the marriage with Jian Nan can only happen after Guang’s name is on the honor roll.”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “Exactly.” Suddenly she tightened her hold around Qi Wei’s waist. “I’m itching all over! How can you keep talking and not move?”
Qi Wei quickly silenced her mouth with his own and began moving in rhythm.
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Yin Yuanyuan writhed excitedly, her fair skin flushed a deep crimson. Her beautiful and fair face had turned deep red as she mumbled, “Husband, how wonderful it would be if we had two Guang.”
That night, Gu Yusheng and Xiao Guimu both stayed overnight at the Qi family salt shop. The next morning, Gu Yusheng rose early and left without breakfast. The streets were quiet; shops on either side had not yet opened. He hurried along the street to the prefecture’s official stamping office to meet his eldest brother, Gu Yuren.
As Gu Yusheng neared the street corner, he stopped. From afar, he saw Xiao Guimu standing in the middle of the street, looking around—he knew she was waiting for him.
Gu Yusheng hadn’t wanted her to know where he was going today. He observed her for a moment and noticed her back was turned to him. He judged that she hadn’t seen him yet. So, keeping his eyes on her, he quietly walked along the street behind her, planning to slip away unnoticed.
But as he passed behind her, Xiao Guimu suddenly spun around and shouted, “Trying to ditch me? No way!”
Gu Yusheng stopped and cursed, “Do you have three eyes? Your neck’s got eyes too?”
Xiao Guimu retorted, “You’re the one with three eyes—walking without looking where you’re going, only eyes for me!”
Gu Yusheng said, “You’re so eye-catching, who else would I watch?”
Xiao Guimu spread her arms to block his way. “Don’t try that. Tell me, where are you going so early?”
Gu Yusheng and Xiao Guimu had been inseparable since childhood. When she was timid, he acted as her older brother, always protecting her. As they grew, Xiao Guimu fell in love with Gu Yusheng, but his heart belonged to Qi Yaoyao, leaving both feeling uneasy. Now grown, Xiao Guimu was strong-willed and a bit stubborn, still clinging to Gu Yusheng, who treated her like a beloved sister.
Gu Yusheng had no choice but to be honest. “I’m going to the prefecture stamping office to see my eldest brother. I have something important to discuss.”
Xiao Guimu brightened. “I haven’t seen Big Brother Yuren in a long time either! I’ll go with you.”
Gu Yusheng frowned. “Didn’t you say you wanted to find a place in Yangcheng to open a restaurant? Aren’t you looking anymore?”
Xiao Guimu tilted her head. “Of course I am, but I’m not familiar with Yangcheng’s layout. Big Brother Yuren has lived here longer and works in the prefecture. I want to ask him to introduce me around.”
Gu Yusheng realized he couldn’t shake her today, so he turned and walked away.
Xiao Guimu asked, “Where are you going?”
Without looking back, Gu Yusheng said, “To the prefecture office.”
The walk to the prefecture was not short.
By late morning, Gu Yusheng and Xiao Guimu were still weaving through the streets.
The street was bustling with noise and crowds. At first, they walked quickly, moving from one street to the next, breaking into a sweat. Then they slowed their pace.
Gu Yusheng stopped at a weapons stall, bent down, picked up a curved sword, and swung it a few times. “How much for this sword?”
“Three taels of silver, fixed price.”
“Too expensive!”
“Sir, you get what you pay for. It’s not expensive!”
Gu Yusheng put the sword back on the ground.
Xiao Guimu stepped closer. “You shameless brat, have you ever been to the prefecture office?”
Gu Yusheng replied, “Today’s my first time.”
Xiao Guimu asked, “Is this street the way to the prefecture office?”
Gu Yusheng said, “I just asked—it is.”
Xiao Guimu asked, “How much farther?”
Gu Yusheng said, “I don’t know.”
At that moment, Gu Yusheng regretted not asking how far the prefecture office was from the Qi family salt shop before leaving home. Had he known, he would have rented a carriage!
After walking so long, his feet ached. He wanted to find a place to sit and rest.
Suddenly, shouts echoed through the street. People quickly moved to the sides, knowing what the shouts signified.
Gu Yusheng grabbed Xiao Guimu’s hand and pulled her behind the weapons stall. Like everyone else, they craned their necks to watch the street entrance.
Soon, banners blotted out the sky. Rows of officers, guards, and attendants marched past. A grand official sedan chair led the procession, standing out prominently. Behind it followed a dozen smaller sedan chairs and nineteen carriages. Beside the last sedan chair, a gentleman rode a white horse, both horse and rider dressed in white.
Standing next to Gu Yusheng, Xiao Guimu silently counted, “Mother, so many people! I counted—there must be no fewer than two hundred!”
Gu Yusheng had lived in Yangcheng as a child but had never seen such an impressive scene. He politely asked a scholarly-looking middle-aged man nearby, “Excuse me, sir, who is this high-ranking official to warrant such pomp?”
The man saw Gu Yusheng’s scholar’s attire and returned the bow. “I’m not sure, but I heard this is the new Prefect Li arriving to take office.”
Gu Yusheng thanked him and continued with the crowd.
Xiao Guimu tugged his sleeve, pointing ahead. “Look, shameless brat.”
Gu Yusheng followed her finger to see the last sedan chair stop by a shopfront. A dignified and beautiful middle-aged woman stepped out and approached the shopkeeper, seemingly asking about something.
Gu Yusheng stopped and studied the woman from afar, pondering where he had seen her before. She looked very familiar.
Xiao Guimu tugged his sleeve again. “Why are you spacing out? That lady looks noble. And look, the white-clad rider on the white horse must be her daughter. They’re both so elegant!”
Gu Yusheng took a closer look at the “white-clad lady” and cursed, “You silly girl, how can your eyes be so bad? That rider is a young gentleman, not a lady in white!”
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Xiao Guimu realized her mistake, blushing deeply. “Yusheng, he’s clearly a gentleman. Why does he dress like a woman?”
Gu Yusheng glanced again at the white-clad young man as he mounted his horse. The middle-aged woman was boarding her sedan chair. He thought he might know the young man too.
Seeing Gu Yusheng lost in thought, Xiao Guimu tugged his sleeve, “Come on, it’s not your mother. Why are you daydreaming?”
By afternoon, Gu Yusheng and Xiao Guimu finally reached the street with the prefecture office.
But it was still far, and Xiao Guimu refused to go on. She stood at a distance, staring only at the two stone lions guarding the gate.
Gu Yusheng urged, “Come on, let’s go ask around at the Yin Hotel ahead.”
Xiao Guimu stepped back. “Yusheng, I won’t go. You go ask by yourself.”
Gu Yusheng asked, “Why not?”
Xiao Guimu said, “The two lions at the gate have their mouths wide open and eyes like copper bells staring at me. It makes me uneasy.”
Gu Yusheng cursed, “Those are stone lions, not real lions. What are you afraid of?”
Xiao Guimu hid behind him. “Yusheng, I’m just scared! Please don’t force me…”
Gu Yusheng looked back and saw her shivering—not pretending—and comforted her, “Alright, alright. You stay here still. I’ll go ask by myself.”
Gu Yusheng went alone to the Yin Hotel but soon returned.
Xiao Guimu asked, “Did you get in touch with Big Brother Yuren?”
Gu Yusheng said, “They said the stamping office has closed for the day. I should come early tomorrow.”
Xiao Guimu asked, “Where are we going next?”
Gu Yusheng said, “We haven’t eaten lunch yet. Aren’t you hungry?”
Xiao Guimu said, “I’m starving!”
Gu Yusheng said, “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s find a restaurant and eat our fill.”
Xiao Guimu asked, “Are you paying?”
Gu Yusheng said, “Of course.”
Because of long days working in the salt fields, Gu Yusheng’s skin was tanned, but his handsome features and robust build stood out even more in scholar’s robes.
When he led Xiao Guimu into a restaurant, a guest greeted him, “Yusheng, little brother, three years have passed. Do you still recognize your elder brother?”
Gu Yusheng saw it was Cai Chengyou, a renowned old scholar in Yangcheng. They had met three years earlier during the academy entrance exam. Cai Chengyou, over fifty, childless and unmarried, was a lifelong bachelor. He had repeatedly attempted the provincial exam but never succeeded. He made a modest living selling calligraphy and paintings on the street. He was generous and enjoyed drinking and chatting with young men. Gu Yusheng, a young scholar with good oratory and martial skills, was much admired by Cai. They had become close friends despite the age difference.
Gu Yusheng smiled and asked, “Old Bookcase, why aren’t you guarding your stall? Why come to drink here?”
Cai Chengyou said, “Soon after your exam, the stall closed. Su Zhaomo, an official in the stamping office, was my childhood classmate. He liked my calligraphy and invited me to manage the literary archives there. Your brother Gu Yuren knows this. Hasn’t he told you?”
Gu Yusheng said, “My eldest brother stopped returning to the salt fields after failing the autumn exam. I haven’t seen him in three years.”
Cai Chengyou looked at Xiao Guimu and asked, “Who is she?”
Gu Yusheng said, “She’s my cousin, here visiting relatives in Yangcheng.”
Cai Chengyou examined Xiao Guimu carefully and said, “Yusheng, your cousin has the look of a heroine.”
Gu Yusheng laughed, “Old Bookcase, she’s just a girl who gathers seafood.”
Cai Chengyou invited them to sit together. Old friends reunited after a long separation, drinking and chatting happily.
Cai Chengyou asked, “Yusheng, have you seen your elder brother?”
Gu Yusheng said, “We came to find him today, but it was too late—the office was closed and we couldn’t meet.”
Cai Chengyou said, “It wouldn’t have mattered if you came early. The stamping office is closed today. Your brother isn’t on duty.”
Gu Yusheng asked, “Old Bookcase, today isn’t a holiday or festival day, so why is the office closed?”
Cai Chengyou replied, “Because today is the auspicious day the new Prefect Li takes office. The higher-ups ordered all ranked officials to attend the ceremony, and those without rank get the day off.”
Gu Yusheng asked, “Who is this new Prefect Li, that all officials must welcome him?”
Cai Chengyou said, “Li is a third-rank official, lower than the second-rank provincial administrator. But that’s not the point.”
Gu Yusheng asked, “Then what is?”
Cai Chengyou said, “During the great famine in the Central Plains, many officials embezzled relief supplies. Only Li used his surplus grain to save countless lives. After the famine, the court punished many corrupt officials by execution. Li was praised by the Emperor for his integrity. His reputation is why all the officials come to welcome him.”
Gu Yusheng nodded. “I see.”
After they finished their meal, Gu Yusheng and Cai Chengyou both insisted on paying the bill. The restaurant owner said the young lady’s meal was complimentary.
Cai Chengyou glared at Xiao Guimu, “You’re just a girl—why are you paying for the two of us?”
Xiao Guimu replied, “Old Bookcase, please don’t be upset! As you said earlier, this girl has the look of a heroine!”