Passing through the corridor, separated by the sea of unbloomed crabapple trees, Zhang Tingyu saw the scene at the pavilion ahead.

Today, Gu Huaixiu had switched to wearing a pastel blue robe and was standing next to Gu Zhenguan, seemingly speaking with Zhang Ying. Whatever they were discussing must have been amusing, for it transformed Zhang Ying’s usually stern face into one full of smiles.

As Zhang Tingyu walked closer, he overheard their conversation.

“Huaixiu is just too fond of playing. Her mother, when she was alive, was also a talented woman. I just don’t understand how she grew up to be so undisciplined. Most days, it takes half the day just to get her to write something. I still remember your eldest son’s penmanship was excellent. Although daughters should not be compared to sons, my daughter’s handwriting is still full of scribbles and doesn’t resemble a girl from a family of literary background. I, being soft-hearted, can’t bear to punish her. I’ve been thinking of hiring a tutor to discipline her properly.”

Gu Zhenguan spoke casually, while glancing at Gu Huaixiu’s unpleasant expression, feeling quite pleased.

This girl was just too unruly. She behaved well in public, but at home, where nobody was watching, she would become uncontrollable. He couldn’t let this opportunity pass to criticize Gu Huaixiu. Without others around, he wouldn’t have as good a chance.

Gu Huaixiu cared a lot about appearances — both her own reputation and that of Gu Zhenguan. She gritted her teeth and held back her words, waiting for the topic to pass so she could seize the moment to take her leave.

But she had miscalculated. Zhang Ying, Gu Zhenguan’s long-time friend, stroked his beard after being praised for his eldest son’s penmanship. He suddenly proposed, “There’s no need to worry or even bother to hire an outside tutor. My eldest son, Tingzan, is a good ten-plus years older than your daughter and could serve as her teacher.”

Both Zhang Ying and Gu Zhenguan were bosom friends who spoke to each other freely and candidly. When Zhang Ying made the suggestion, Gu Zhenguan’s eyes lit up immediately. He had always liked the Zhang family’s sons, especially Zhang Tingzan, courtesy name Youchen, who had passed the imperial examination in his early twenties — quite extraordinary. Assigning such a person to be Huaixiu’s tutor would indeed be a great fortune for her.

Without further hesitation, Gu Zhenguan responded, “That would be a great honor. If this girl doesn’t listen, Youchen can discipline her as he sees fit.”

“…”

Gu Huaixiu opened her mouth, but facing the smiling eyes of Zhang Ying and Gu Zhenguan, she found herself speechless.

Finally, reality dawned on her. It felt like these two elders were ganging up on her.

The bitterness in her mouth spread, and she didn’t feel like speaking. Zhang Ying, still grinning, asked her, “Does the young lady of the Gu family object? Could it be that you think my son lacks the ability?”

His son, who had passed the imperial examination in his early twenties: how could she dare to say anything against him? And she certainly couldn’t offend Zhang Ying. So, reluctantly, she nodded and replied politely, “Uncle Zhang, you must be joking. I am deeply flattered by your kindness. How could I ever have such thoughts? I am truly grateful.”

“Then it’s settled. My eldest son is free these days as well. My daughter has already married, leaving her courtyard empty. Why not have it cleaned up and let Youchen start at the academy tomorrow?”

With just a few exchanges, Zhang Ying had arranged everything neatly.

Gu Zhenguan nodded in agreement too, while Gu Huaixiu had no right to say “no” and could only sulk.

Just as they finished discussing, Zhang Tingyu arrived. He had overheard his elder brother becoming Gu Huaixiu’s tutor, and upon seeing her, Huaixiu quickly made her farewell to avoid any awkwardness.

Gu Zhenguan nodded and suggested that she didn’t need to leave the estate. Yet, Huaixiu still slipped away through the other side of the stone pavilion.

Zhang Tingyu only caught a glimpse of the side of her face, a face even more stunning than the day before.

Without lingering, he stepped forward and saluted Gu Zhenguan, “Your son greets Father and Uncle Gu.”

Zhang Ying asked, “Is there something you need?”

Zhang Tingyu presented a letter that had already been opened and inspected. Zhang Ying took it, his brows furrowing as he read.

Gu Zhenguan chuckled, “Looks like another court matter.”

Zhang Ying sighed and squeezed the letter. The contents weren’t classified, so he shared it with Gu Zhenguan. “Yuanping, you know well: back when serving His Majesty, there were two who were particularly favored — myself, and Xu Qianxue. He’s a son of a former prime minister and also the teacher of Nalan Rongruo, a mutual acquaintance.”

“He’s a man devoted to power, no doubt.”

Nalan Rongruo, Gu Zhengguan’s old friend, had indeed mentioned Xu Qianxue before.

“Before I was stripped of my position, starting from the 27th year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign, Xu Qianxue was repeatedly impeached. This year, he finally lost everything,” said Zhang Ying, annoyed, handing the letter to Gu Zhenguan.

Gu Zhenguan glanced at it. Xu Qianxue had sent a letter to Shandong Governor Qian Yu and had tried to cover up an embezzlement case involving a Ministry of Personnel official. As a result, Xu Qianxue was finally dismissed from office.

“When you were disgraced back then, he played no small part. Now that he’s fallen, your return to court may come sooner than expected.”

Zhang Ying shook his head, stowing the letter away. “Let my son know to inform his elder brother about becoming Miss Gu’s tutor, teaching reading and writing. As for court matters, we’ll deal with them after returning to the capital.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Tingyu withdrew respectfully, lost in some thoughts as he departed.

Gu Zhenguan, meanwhile, was quite satisfied, watching the dignified bearing of Zhang Tingyu. “Your sons… each one more outstanding than the last — cultured, with a grace comparable to the sun and moon. Truly gentlemen in nature.”

Both men were pleased with the arrangement between Zhang Tingyu and Gu Yaofang, Gu Zhenguan’s eldest daughter. Since Zhang Tingyu was already Gu Zhenguan’s future son-in-law, the more he saw, the more he admired him.

Laughing heartily, Zhang Ying added, “You don’t see his flaws. It’s because you’re not familiar with him. This son of mine, whether it’s his literary skill, intellect, or strategy, surpasses his elder brother. But…”

Upon hearing Zhang Ying’s trailing words, Gu Zhenguan grew curious. “What’s this hesitation about? If you’re going to criticize my daughter’s future marriage, I may reconsider.”

“Come now, you misunderstand!” Zhang Ying sighed. “My other sons display their talents outwardly, but this one hides it within. His temperament is too similar to mine, and he may be a bit too calculating…”

These were the concerns of a father. Thinking of his own less-than-promising sons, Gu Zhenguan consoled him, “Children have their own paths ahead. Why worry unnecessarily? I find him fine as he is. Let’s get back to our game.”

Gu Zhenguan, who saw nothing wrong with Zhang Tingyu, couldn’t have known that Gu Huaixiu actually pitied the man.

To be paired with someone like Gu Yaofang — Zhang Tingyu’s difficult days were only just beginning.

As she strolled the garden, led by a Zhang family servant, Huaixiu took a rest at a nearby spot. The servant discreetly retreated, giving Huaixiu space to speak with her maid.

“This has turned into a disaster. Lady, why would your father suddenly assign you a tutor? What on earth is he planning?” the maid asked nervously.

Huaixiu absentmindedly scratched at the silver embroidery on her sleeve, slow and indifferent. “Well, they can’t be planning to marry me off to Zhang Tingzan, so I’m not worried.”

She paused, somewhat at a loss. “I’m just worried about… this situation in general.”

Gu Zhenguan had an odd fixation on her learning to read and write. After her mother’s passing, discipline had fallen by the wayside, leading him to bring in an outsider in hopes of instilling some order.

After all, Huaixiu wasn’t getting any younger, and with Gu Yaofang about to be married, if Huaixiu’s reputation didn’t improve, she would have trouble finding a good match.

In this era, beauty alone wasn’t enough. Good families sought virtuous brides — something Huaixiu clearly wasn’t known for.

That same beautiful face only seemed to provoke her elder sister’s disdain.

Now, with a tutor in place, Gu Zhenguan hoped Huaixiu would rein herself in. This way, they could say that the third daughter of the Gu family had reformed, making her more marriable.

Gu Huaixiu understood her father’s good intentions. But understanding was one thing; whether she would follow through was something else entirely.

Yesterday, during a casual conversation between Gu Zhenguan and Zhang Ying about their children’s marriages, news had already been dispatched back to Wuxi. It would return in just a few days.

Huaixiu couldn’t help but laugh, imagining Gu Yaofang’s reaction when she heard the news.

“If you ask me, Zhang Tingyu really is the perfect choice for a husband. Marrying him to the eldest miss is simply a waste,” her maid, Qingdai, grumbled. She had complained about this a dozen times, clearly still holding a grudge.

Huaixiu had heard it so often that she could hardly take it anymore. “How many times have I told you? Don’t go blabbing about these things outside.”

“Well, Lady, you told me not to talk about you and the Zhang family. I’m talking about the eldest miss and Zhang family,” Qingdai clarified.

Huaixiu almost fainted in frustration. “What are you, a wooden-headed fool?”

Qingdai pouted, scowling, and mumbled under her breath, “They all say the eldest miss has virtue and talent, and you have a bad reputation. I just don’t see it! It’s always the eldest miss—”

“Enough.” Huaixiu’s gaze sharpened as she glared coldly at Qingdai.

Qingdai sulked. She vaguely knew the origins of the rumors but didn’t understand why Huaixiu allowed her elder sister to trample on her reputation. Despite her indignation, Qingdai could only admit defeat. “Qingdai has overstepped.”

“Alright. I was harsh. Don’t take it to heart,” Huaixiu sighed, looking out at the setting sun upon the lake. “Every debt comes due in the end. Just wait and see.”

Once news reached Wuxi about the family engagement, it would undoubtedly create a scene.

With someone as strong-willed as Gu Yaofang, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she got so furious that she fell ill again.

As Huaixiu walked back toward the corridor, the Zhang family servant waited in the distance. Thinking about Zhang Tingyu, whom she had glimpsed earlier, she murmured softly, “I do feel sorry for my elder sister…”

Then, inexplicably, she added under her breath, “Still, it’s Zhang Tingyu who truly tugs at my heart.”

Qingdai, thinking about her lady’s new role as a student under Zhang Tingzan, couldn’t resist adding her own remark.

“Honestly, your servant feels sorry for you, my lady.”