Having remained silent for a while, the tense expression on Gu Yaofang’s face slowly faded away. “Is that so?”

Feigning ignorance to Gu Yaofang’s struggles, Gu Huaixiu instead spoke with a hint of admiration, “Of course. The second son of the Zhang family—who in the capital doesn’t know of the illustrious Zhang family? The elder Zhang Ying holds a favored position in front of His Majesty, and all of their sons are outstanding. Not to hide it from you, elder sister, but I’ve met the second son myself. He’s handsome, talented, and full of grace.”

The more gleeful Gu Huaixiu appeared, the more Gu Yaofang suffered internally. Yet, this pain was well concealed. She couldn’t afford to show it, so she only tightened her grip on the thin silk quilt lightly. “What good is the Zhang family anyway? I’ve heard about them. Last year, Zhang Ying fell out of favor and was dismissed. They’re no longer as influential as before. That family is merely a hollow shell now. How could I not know? Why try to deceive me?”

If Gu Yaofang hadn’t been right in front of her, Gu Huaixiu might have burst into laughter then and there. So short-sighted, she thought. Even with all her scheming, what does it matter?

With a slight smile, Gu Huaixiu replied, “Elder sister, you’re mistaken. Father holds high regard for the second son of the Zhang family, even if you’re dissatisfied with this marriage arrangement. And even if you’re not fond of it, surely father’s judgment can’t be wrong. For our Gu family, being proposed to by the Zhang family is, by all accounts, a fortunate match.”

Gu Zhenguan had asked her to persuade Yaofang. Even though she knew it would be in vain, Gu Huaixiu went through the motions for the sake of her conscience, not toward her sister but toward her father. The old man only wanted the best for his daughters, and since Gu Huaixiu had benefited from him for over a decade, she felt obligated to assist in whatever way she could.

Besides, whether she spoke or not, the outcome would remain the same. So why not use this moment to explain things about the Zhang family and make Gu Yaofang feel even more defeated?

Watching as Gu Yaofang fell silent for a while, clearly not wanting to engage, Gu Huaixiu kept talking nevertheless.

“Elder sister, now that you’ve recovered, Father received your letter in Tongcheng. He sent me to persuade you to agree to this marriage. It’s for your own good. Families like the Zhangs are hard to come by. Given the decline of our own family, it’s due to your reputation for talent and virtue that there are still so many suitors. Now that you’re well, marrying soon would bring joy to everyone in the household.” Gu Huaixiu took a breath. “Besides, the Zhang family is not as bad off as you think.”

This last comment directly contradicted Gu Yaofang’s earlier words. Gu Yaofang raised her head, finally glancing at Gu Huaixiu. Her lips curled weakly as she spoke in a soft voice, “Sister, I know you’ve never been fond of me. I’ve also heard others say you’re uneducated and lacking in virtue. Though I’m your elder sister, my poor health kept me from guiding you. Let’s set that aside for now. You might spin your tales for others, and they’d believe you, words packed with such sweet rhetoric that no one could tell fact from fiction.” She paused, her voice growing colder. “But don’t play that game with me. Bring it out here, and it’s like showing off your swordsmanship in front of a master.”

“Lacking in virtue?” Gu Huaixiu mused. After all, wasn’t it Gu Yaofang who had spread the rumor that Gu Huaixiu was involved in an illicit affair? The ability to twist the truth to this level—it was truly impressive. As for showing off in the wrong place? Gu Huaixiu’s shoulders shook in amusement. It had been so long since she spoke to Gu Yaofang that she had forgotten how narrow-minded her sister had become, living in her own little bubble of admiration. Gu Yaofang seemed to genuinely believe she was the paragon of talent and dignity.

There were countless others more talented than her, and the daughters of high-born families didn’t act so conceited.

“Elder sister,” Gu Huaixiu said calmly, “I’m merely relaying Father’s wishes. It’s up to you whether you trust my words. But I will say them either way.” She kept seated without storming off, her hand lightly resting on a red lacquered mahogany table, her earlier lazy composure returning.

Seeing this posture, a look of disdain flickered in Gu Yaofang’s eyes. Normally, such careless behavior would be considered ill-bred, but Gu Huaixiu was so accustomed to it that somehow, it suited her. It even came off as a kind of natural elegance.

“I must say,” Gu Huaixiu continued, “Zhang Ying was one of His Majesty’s right-hand men during the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories. Can you point to a single official who hasn’t faced some kind of reprimand? To err is human. Those who learn from their mistakes rise even higher. The Zhang family is still on good terms with our father, and he is an excellent judge of character. Why do you remain so stubborn, elder sister? Even if the Zhangs may have temporarily fallen from grace, they still possess numerous businesses and properties. The eldest Zhang son is now a jinshi, serving in the Hanlin Academy. And the second son, well, he’s a gifted scholar and righteous man, surely worthy of you.”

“Worthy?” Gu Yaofang let out a cold laugh internally. How could the Zhang family marry someone like me? If I revealed my secrets, the Zhangs would probably kneel before me! What is the Zhang family worth in the grand scheme of things?

But Gu Yaofang knew it was a waste of breath to reason with someone as short-sighted as Gu Huaixiu. Feeling drowsy, she lazily covered a yawn and said, “Sister, there’s no need for more words. Even if I wanted to marry, I must account for my health first. I’m feeling tired now. Qingxi, see the Third Miss out.”

“Yes, Third Miss, please this way.” Qingxi gestured politely.

Gu Huaixiu wasn’t offended that her good counsel had been rebuffed.

Gu Yaofang obviously thought every word from her was with ill intent. It wasn’t worth more talk. Gu Huaixiu could only pity her father, Gu Zhen’guan, for caring so deeply for a daughter so intent on ruining herself.

With that, Gu Huaixiu stood up and followed Qingxi out. She paused briefly in the garden corridor to find Qingdai already waiting for her. Qingdai must have finished chatting with the young maids by now.

Qingxi, lowering her head, spoke softly, “Elder Miss is not feeling well these days and has been rather listless. Please forgive her, Third Miss.”

Gu Huaixiu casually waved it off. “No matter. My elder sister has always been cold and harsh. I’m accustomed to it. Take care of yourself.”

She glanced at Qingxi, whose neck still bore faint red marks despite her change of clothes.

It wasn’t her place to interfere with what went on in Gu Yaofang’s courtyard. Huaixiu gave a brief word of caution, but said no more, and soon left with Qingdai in tow.

As Qingxi watched Gu Huaixiu and Qingdai leave, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of resignation. Her thoughts were interrupted by Meifang calling from inside, “Qingxi! The Elder Miss needs you!”

“I’m coming,” she responded quickly, hurrying back inside.

Far ahead, as Gu Huaixiu rounded a corner in the flower garden, she paused and turned to glance back briefly, seeing Qingxi retreat into the house.

She suddenly asked Qingdai, “What do you think of how my elder sister treats her most trusted maids?”

Though Qingdai was carefree, she was also observant in some matters.

Touching her own neck, she mused, “I have always had the sense, ma’am, that the Elder Miss doesn’t treat Qingxi very well. It seems none of the maids in her service are ever truly happy. Ah, they’re all just starting to resemble her—harsh and bitter. I can’t say for sure, but if you ask me, ma’am, things can’t go on like this. Sooner or later, something bad is bound to happen.”

“Something bad?” Gu Huaixiu frowned slightly, deep in thought, before continuing on her way back to her own courtyard.

Her quarters were in the west wing of the rear residence, quite far from Gu Yaofang’s quarters—the farthest away in the entire household. As they rounded the walkways, they passed two blossoming Prunus triloba trees in the front yard. The pink blooms clustered together, vividly beautiful.

Gu Huaixiu wasn’t one for poetic musings on flowers. She merely glanced at them in passing as she entered her quarters. The first thing she said as she sat down was, “Where’s Xiao Shifang? It’s almost noon—shouldn’t the meal be ready by now?”

Truthfully, after returning to the Gu family, there was but one thing that truly pleased her—eating.

Qingdai replied, “While you were visiting the Elder Miss, ma’am, I had already notified the kitchen. The food should be arriving any moment now.”
In the Gu household, the family usually dined separately.

If Gu Yaofang ate the most luxurious meals, Gu Huaixiu undoubtedly ate the most exquisite.

She wasn’t a big eater, but she was very particular.

Of everyone in the household, Gu Huaixiu only ate food prepared by one chef who cooked exclusively for her. It was said this young chef, named Shifang, was only fifteen and quite a prodigy, discovered and saved by Gu Huaixiu. Though taciturn, Shifang passionately dedicated himself to culinary arts. Clearly, he specialized in “the craft of cooking.”

Gu Huaixiu chuckled with delight. “Those visits to the Zhang family were pure torture. If I ever do marry, Xiao Shifang has to come with me. Otherwise, I’d probably starve at my in-laws’!”

Qingdai laughed aloud. “I’ll go check outside, ma’am. Please wait a moment.”

Gu Huaixiu nodded as she took a sip of tea. Before long, the voices of Qingdai calling out to “Madam Zhang” and “Xiang’er” rang from outside. Not long after, a full array of dishes was brought in.

Madam Zhang originally attended to Gu Yaofang. However, Gu Yaofang had dismissed her for being too coarse. As a result, Madam Zhang had been assigned to Gu Huaixiu’s quarters.

“Miss, you’ve slimmed down so much on your trip—probably didn’t eat well while away. Xiao Shifang was saying, had we known you’d returned, he would have prepared even more dishes for you!”

Gu Huaixiu glanced at the feast laid out and indeed, there was no shortage of offerings.

She washed her hands in a basin held by Xiang’er and picked up her chopsticks. “Zhang Mama, you and Xiang’er don’t have to tend to me right now. I’ll send for you when I’m done. Qingdai, give them the gifts I brought back from Anhui.”

The meal consisted of dishes like sweet-and-sour carp, crispy pork ribs, steamed lotus root with white jade powder, eight-treasure meatballs in egg drop soup…

Ah, life is so enjoyable—why bother with the likes of Gu Yaofang, that foolish woman, already beyond saving? Life’s greatest pleasures… indeed, summed up in one word: eating!