Chapter Eight
A few days ago, Gu Datong had been so busy preparing for his eldest son Gu Yuren’s wedding that he barely had time to sit down and enjoy a puff of waterpipe smoke.
The groom-to-be, Gu Yuren, was quite the absentee manager—he came home one day to inform his father that he was ready to marry, and the very next day returned to the Yangzhou government office to resume his duties. In less than a month, Gu Datong managed to organize such a grand wedding; one couldn’t help but admire his efforts! It was the peak season for salt harvesting, and there were many daily tasks at the salt fields that required his attention. Fortunately, Xiao Tianjian helped by taking over all the trivial matters at the salt fields, freeing Gu Datong to focus on the wedding preparations. His youngest son, Gu Yusheng, ran errands—purchasing items, making arrangements, inviting guests—Gu Datong merely gave instructions while Gu Yusheng rode out to handle the tasks. As for decorating the bridal chamber and acquiring bedding, Zhao Rouya and the ever-resourceful Aunt Wang took charge, with assistance from Gu Yuru and Xiao Guimu. Still, after a whole month of continuous toil, Gu Datong appeared utterly exhausted. Thankfully, the wedding proceeded smoothly and majestically, allowing Gu Datong to finally breathe a sigh of relief. That very morning, he woke with a beaming smile, joy written all over his face, murmuring to himself: “From today onward, the Gu family has a lady of the house again!”
After washing up, Gu Datong returned to his own room and sat comfortably on the wooden chair by the bed, enjoying a leisurely smoke of his waterpipe. Contentedly, he entered the storeroom, retrieved the account book and keys, and placed them on the Eight Immortals Table in the main hall. Then he sat by the table, waiting for the newlyweds to offer tea.
No sooner had Gu Datong settled than Gu Yuren led Qi Qiongqiong into the room, and both knelt before him. Qi Qiongqiong held the tea cup with both hands and bowed, saying, “Father, please have some tea!” Gu Datong quickly accepted the cup, took a sip, then handed it back to her, saying, “Yuren, Qiong, may you be united in heart forever and enjoy a century of harmony.”
In unison, Gu Yuren and Qi Qiongqiong replied, “Thank you, Father!”
As Gu Datong picked up the account book and keys from the table, he said to Qi Qiongqiong, “Qiong, from today on, you’ll be managing our family’s storeroom.” With that, he handed them over.
Qi Qiongqiong hastily declined, “Father, I really can’t.”
Gu Datong asked, “You’re now the eldest daughter-in-law of the Gu family. Why say you can’t?”
She replied, “I’m too young, and I’ve just joined the family—I can’t handle such a large household.”
Gu Datong said, “Qiong, I know you’ve always managed accounts back at your family’s home. The bookkeeping here is simpler than at your family’s salt shop, and with your intelligence, managing this household will be a breeze. Moreover, this family has long lacked a lady of the house; only with you here can it be complete. So you must take charge.”
Qi Qiongqiong said, “Father, I’ve never liked managing households!”
Gu Datong replied, “Qiong, like you, I’m a martial artist and dislike managing the household as well. But what choice do we have? Consider that over the years, I’ve been both father and mother—please take on this responsibility.”
After a moment’s thought, Qi Qiongqiong said, “Since you put it that way, Father, I’ll obey your wishes.”
Hearing this, Gu Datong immediately placed the account book and keys in her hands and said, “Qiong, from now on, this household relies on you.” He patted Gu Yuren on the back with a smile and then exited the main hall.
Everyone assumed Gu Datong would head towards the salt fields, but today was different.
In the past, whenever Gu Datong left, he always carried a salt rake on his shoulder. Today, however, his shoulders were empty. Hands clasped behind his back, he walked leisurely along the sandy path leading to the sea. His steps were light, the exhaustion from a month’s hard work having vanished.
The sandy path was more a trail than a road—formed by the footsteps of those who gathered seafood. It connected to the beach, all covered with gleaming white sea sand.
Gu Datong paused at the white sandy beach. The sea breeze brushed his face, refreshing his spirit. He kicked up some fine sand, watching it swirl and drift ashore with the wind.
Standing quietly by the sea, he gazed out over the calm waters, thinking, “If only the sea were always so peaceful.”
He wandered aimlessly along the shoreline, shaped like a crescent moon. At the eastern end of this crescent was the famed Thousand-Layer Cliff. Over the years, whenever Gu Datong faced setbacks or felt downcast, he would climb to the top of that cliff to look out at the sea and relieve his stress. Looking toward the cliff’s eastern side, he murmured, “It’s been a long time since I last climbed the Thousand-Layer Cliff. Nothing pressing today—perhaps I’ll sit there for a while.”
Soon, Gu Datong arrived at the foot of the cliff. The tide had just receded, leaving the rock face damp and slippery. He touched the wet stones, finding them slick, so he crouched down to tighten his shoe laces before beginning the climb.
As he climbed, memories of his late grandmother’s home surfaced. Her house was also by the sea, with a rocky shore—not as famous as the Thousand-Layer Cliff, but still familiar. As a child, Gu Datong often visited his maternal home with his mother. His uncle and aunt once took him climbing the cliff there. His uncle was a timid, cautious man whom Gu Datong never liked, but his aunt was a talented woman who once taught him poetry on the rocks—a memory still vivid. Her name was Mu Mingxuan, and Gu Datong adored her. When the capital fell, his uncle died young, and his aunt disappeared without a trace.
After about half an incense stick’s time, Gu Datong finally reached the top of the Thousand-Layer Cliff. Sitting on the highest rock, he gazed at the sea. Many seagulls soared above, and distant fishing boats flickered like tiny islands amidst the waves. Gu Datong loved the flying gulls. Drawing a deep breath of the salty sea air, he felt an unprecedented lightness of heart, gradually growing somewhat intoxicated. For nearly twenty years, this was the first time he felt such ease.
Looking down at the crescent-shaped beach below, he saw an elderly man wearing a bamboo hat, riding a donkey backward at a leisurely pace along the sand. Many immigrants from the Central Plains settled in Yangzhou’s coastal region, and some elders still wore traditional Central Plains attire.
“Why is he riding the donkey backward?” Gu Datong wondered aloud.
He couldn’t help but recall his late master and father-in-law, the old swordsman Lou Sanfeng, who also liked riding his donkey backward and often wore a bamboo hat. The martial world called him “the Eccentric.” His behavior was indeed peculiar. He had only six disciples—three boys and three girls—one of whom was his only daughter, Lou Mingxuan, Gu Datong’s former wife. The Eccentric loved his daughter more than his own life, teaching her martial arts and swordsmanship from a young age, as well as literacy.
The Eccentric only ever addressed his disciples by the last character of their given names, adding the suffix “-er.” He called Gu Datong “Tong’er,” Zhao Chuoyun “Yun’er,” Sima Xi “Xi’er,” Qi Wei “Wei’er,” and Yin Yuanyuan “Yuan’er.” Over time, he forgot their surnames entirely, except knowing “Xuan’er” was Lou’s daughter.
The Eccentric had moved several times. His initial home was by the sea. Whenever he taught, he would bring his disciples to the beach because the wide, smooth, soft sand was safe for falling. He also believed practicing swordsmanship facing the sea not only increased effectiveness but broadened their horizons and minds.
He divided his six disciples into three pairs, each consisting of a boy and a girl. Initially, Gu Datong trained with Zhao Chuoyun, Sima Xi with Lou Mingxuan, and Qi Wei with Yin Yuanyuan. Youthful and naïve, they played and tussled together. But as they grew older, Qi Wei and Yin Yuanyuan developed feelings for each other. Zhao Chuoyun liked Gu Datong, but Gu Datong was infatuated with Lou Mingxuan. The Eccentric was aware but turned a blind eye. Beyond noninterference, he rearranged the pairs: Gu Datong trained with Lou Mingxuan, and Sima Xi with Zhao Chuoyun. Sima Xi was a taciturn boy from Bashu, and Zhao Chuoyun was a cold girl—a fitting pair. Yet during training, Zhao often fought fiercely, even injuring Sima Xi severely, but Sima Xi never complained. When the Eccentric asked, Sima Xi always said, “Master, it’s an accident—no problem.”
Gu Datong and Lou Mingxuan also gradually fell in love—a fact the Eccentric quickly discerned. One day, he took Gu Datong aside and said, “Tong’er, I advise you to give up. Xuan’er will eventually be in the imperial palace—maybe even a noble consort.” Gu Datong ignored the warning and continued pursuing Lou Mingxuan.
When Gu Datong turned eighteen, the Eccentric moved again—from the seaside to the outskirts of the capital. Soon, all six disciples graduated.
On their graduation day, the Eccentric told Gu Datong again, “Tong’er, stop chasing after Xuan’er. Return to your noble household to marry and have children.”
Gu Datong replied, “Master, Tong’er and Xuan’er love each other. I beg you to bless us.”
The Eccentric scolded him, “I told you before to stop courting Xuan’er, but you did as you pleased. This is your final warning—stop or see what happens!”
He meant what he said. When the emperor held a selection for palace maids, the Eccentric sent Lou Mingxuan into the palace. Yet she did not become a noble consort or even a talented maid; she ended up as the personal attendant to Princess Rouya. Gu Datong, unwilling to be far from Lou Mingxuan, took the martial examination; after passing, he joined the imperial guards.
When the Northern Cultivator attacked the capital, Lou Sanfeng sacrificed himself—covering the retreat of Gu Datong and Lou Mingxuan, dying under a volley of arrows.
By now, the moon had risen high, and more seagulls flew over the sea. Gu Datong still sat atop the highest rock of the Thousand-Layer Cliff, lost in thought, tears streaming down his face. He murmured, “Life is unpredictable. Those past events are unbearable to recall.”
Looking up at the sky, he stood and shouted, “Lou Mingxuan, where are you now? Do you know you’re a grandmother? Your eldest son has married!”
The morning after the Qi family’s salt shop wedding—and while Gu Datong was shouting atop the cliff—a young man in white rode a horse escorting a sedan chair through Yangzhou’s streets. An hour later, they arrived at the Qi family salt shop.
A young maid approached the sedan chair, lifted the curtain, and said, “The Qi family salt shop has arrived. Fifth Madam, please alight.”
The lady stepping out was none other than Lou Mingxuan, the very woman Gu Datong had called to the heavens. The young man in white on the white horse was her youngest son, Li Muwen.
Lou Mingxuan looked up at the shop sign and the open door, suddenly anxious. Without prior notice, she hurried inside.
Yin Yuanyuan, the Qi family salt shop proprietress, had already noticed the official sedan chair and guessed it was no ordinary customer. She stepped out and asked, “Madam, whom do you seek?”
Lou Mingxuan stopped and looked up, instantly recognizing the approaching woman as her long-lost junior sister Yin Yuanyuan but hesitated before asking, “Sister, are you Yin Yuanyuan, the owner of this salt shop?”
Yin Yuanyuan replied, “Yes. Madam, you are...?”
Before she could finish, Lou Mingxuan grasped Yin Yuanyuan’s hands, tears welling up: “Junior Sister Yin, I am your senior sister Lou Mingxuan!” Then she broke down in tears.
Yin Yuanyuan scrutinized Lou Mingxuan from head to toe and asked, “Are you truly my senior sister Lou?”
Lou Mingxuan didn’t answer directly but urgently asked, “Junior Sister Yin, eighteen years ago, did our senior brother Gu Datong ever come to your home?”
Yin Yuanyuan held Lou Mingxuan’s hands tightly and said, “Don’t worry, Senior Sister Lou. Brother Gu and the children did visit the Qi salt shop back then.”
Lou Mingxuan clutched Yin Yuanyuan’s hands anxiously, “Where are they now? Are they still alive?”
Yin Yuanyuan reassured her, “Rest assured, Senior Sister Lou. They now live at the Yangzhou salt fields—not only alive but doing well.”
Lou Mingxuan continued, “Is the little girl alive as well?”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “Are you asking about Yuru? She’s alive and is already a young lady!”
Hearing this, Lou Mingxuan exclaimed joyfully, “Really? I, Lou Mingxuan, have worth!” Then suddenly she let go and collapsed, fainting.
“Fifth Madam, what’s wrong?” the young maid panicked. “Young Master, come quickly! Fifth Madam has fainted!”
Li Muwen rushed over, lifting his mother and calling, “Mother, what’s wrong? Mother, please wake up!”
Yin Yuanyuan pressed Lou Mingxuan’s philtrum and urged, “Senior Sister Lou, wake up! Please wake up!”
Everyone panicked, calling out and massaging her until Lou Mingxuan slowly regained consciousness. The grievances of eighteen years surged like a breaking dam or a tumultuous sea wave crashing within her chest. She muttered, “I’ve suffered so much...” and then wept bitterly.
Twenty years—7,300 days and nights—of suffering no one else could understand. Throughout this time, Lou Mingxuan longed for her three children: were they alive? Where were they now? She had often yearned to escape her prison and search for them, but as a sold slave with no freedom, she remained trapped.
Surrounding Lou Mingxuan were Yin Yuanyuan, Li Muwen, the Li family’s young maid, as well as Qi Wei, Qi Yaoyao, Qi Guang, the salt shop employees, and the Qi family servants. They listened to her piercing, heart-wrenching cries, tears falling in sorrow.
After about half an incense stick’s time, Lou Mingxuan calmed down. Yin Yuanyuan informed her that the salt fields were only a day’s journey from Yangzhou city. She also told her that besides the Gu family, the salt fields were home to Xiao Tianjian and his wife and their daughter Xiao Guimu.
Lou Mingxuan suddenly knelt before Qi Wei and Yin Yuanyuan, saying, “Junior Brother Qi, Junior Sister Yin, your senior sister Lou is forever in your debt. Please accept my deepest thanks!” With that, she bowed deeply.
Yin Yuanyuan quickly helped her up, saying, “Lou, please don’t be like that! You know, not only are we fellow disciples now, but our children are in-laws as well!”
Lou Mingxuan asked, “Why do you say that?”
Yin Yuanyuan said, “Senior Sister Lou, my Qiong has married your Yuren!”
Qi Wei added, “The wedding was just yesterday.”
Lou Mingxuan asked in surprise, “They married yesterday?” Only now did she carefully observe the Qi family courtyard—both inside and outside were festooned with lanterns and double happiness symbols.
Yin Yuanyuan pointed to a large double happiness character in the main hall, “Yes. Senior Sister Lou, you’re a day late—you missed their wedding.”
Lou Mingxuan said, “Junior Sister Yin, I’m such a fool! I’ve been in Yangzhou for a month but only now can I find you!” Tears streamed down her face again.
Yin Yuanyuan comforted her, “Senior Sister Lou, it’s alright. They return to the groom’s home tomorrow. You can stay here tonight and meet them then.”
Lou Mingxuan wiped her tears, looked at her youngest son Li Muwen standing nearby, and happily said, “Good! I’ll stay here tonight and wait to drink their wedding return banquet wine...”
Before she finished, a voice outside the shop called, “Reporting to Fifth Madam: Lord Liuantai has sent word. There is an urgent matter at the mansion. Fifth Madam and Young Master are requested to return promptly.”
Upon hearing this, Lou Mingxuan’s smile vanished. She murmured, “When will I ever have freedom?”
Knowing that official families were not ordinary, and that ‘urgent matter’ could mean something grave, she dared not delay. Hastily, she bade farewell to Qi Wei and Yin Yuanyuan, and took Li Muwen back home.
Upon her return, Liuantai told her, “Fifth, the madam of the main household has passed away back home. Several young masters must return for the funeral. The journey is long and dangerous. Since you are skilled in martial arts, intelligent, and reliable, you will oversee their affairs while they are away.”
Lou Mingxuan understood. The official’s primary wife had died. She was one of Liuantai’s minor concubines and had to obey him. She quickly packed and the next day led dozens of Li family members back to the ancient coastal town.
[End of document.]