Unlike her elder sister, Gu Yaofang, Gu Huaixiu was naturally mischievous and spirited. Perhaps it was this vibrant personality, combined with her sharp tongue and easy charm, that had made her a particular favorite of Gu Zhenguan. As a result, he indulged her freely. Since her antics had never led to any serious trouble, she was left to her own devices without much restraint.

Qingdai, her maid, felt a shiver run down her spine, entirely caused by Gu Huaixiu’s act at this moment.

Elder Miss Yaofang could often be seen holding a medicine bowl, speaking in a voice that always seemed on the verge of fainting—a sight that caused many to compare her to “a frail willow, delicate and weak.” But the way Gu Huaixiu had mimicked her sister’s mannerisms just now was uncannily perfect, down to the last faintly trembling gesture.

Not only Qingdai, but even the two men outside felt a faint chill.

Zhang Tingyu couldn’t help but be amused. Just moments earlier, he had overheard the two women chatting, and it was nothing like the dignified display they were putting up now. Gu Huaixiu’s reputation had indeed preceded her. Though he wasn’t any less intelligent than his elder brother, it didn’t take him long to size up the situation. With a knowing smile, he replied, “Miss Gu, you’re too kind.”

In truth, Gu Huaixiu was exhausted from the long journey and had initially planned on resting at the teahouse. However, upon learning that Zhang Ying had sent his son to escort her, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of frustration. All those compliments she had dished out about Old Master Zhang must have been for nothing — it seemed she and Zhang Ying were not on the same page.

Reluctant though she was, Gu Huaixiu had no choice but to play along.

As Qingdai lifted the bamboo curtain of the teahouse, the Zhang brothers stepped back, allowing room for a maid in a green satin jacket with twin-looped buns to emerge. The maid quickly stepped to the side, revealing a young lady who held a circular fan, painted with delicate orchids, that concealed the lower half of her face.

Her lithe figure and refined grace immediately captured attention. She wore a light lotus-colored blouse with a pale yellow skirt embroidered with butterflies. The ensemble radiated the soft elegance of a lady from the waterways of Jiangnan. Peeking out from behind her hair was a parted bun adorned with simple hairpins. Her skin was pale as snow, and her bright, lively eyes sparkled beneath the shade of the fan. Although her face was half-hidden, her graceful demeanor and air of refinement easily explained why she was known in the capital as the “renowned third Miss Gu.”

Aside from her beauty, there wasn’t much else.

Gu Huaixiu, unaware of what others thought of her, had always been quite clear about how they perceived her.

She glanced at the two men, offering a short bow. “Greetings to you both.”

“Greetings, Miss Gu,” replied Zhang Tingyu and his brother in unison, before inviting her to the carriage. Only after watching Gu Huaixiu and her maid step inside did they both exhale quietly, relieved.

Inside the carriage, Qingdai, still recovering from the recent scare, clutched her chest and whispered, “That was terrifying! Did you see those two young masters? Miss Yaofang is truly blessed—”

Before she could finish, Gu Huaixiu gave her a teasing smack with the fan, casting a warning glare without uttering a word.

Having served Gu Huaixiu for so long, Qingdai understood her mistress’s temperament well. It dawned on her immediately that her earlier remarks might have been overheard by the young masters, particularly the flirtatious banter Gu Huaixiu had exchanged earlier at the teahouse. Who knew if the Zhang brothers had caught wind of it? It was a careless slip.

“I’ll punish myself.”

Qingdai quickly turned meek, half-kneeling beside Gu Huaixiu in the carriage with a sweet, ingratiating smile.

Gu Huaixiu merely sighed, lightly pinching Qingdai’s cheek in mock reprimand. In a firm but quiet tone, she spoke, “Later, no talk of marriages, understood? I’m here purely to keep Father company on a carefree trip to Tongcheng. My reputation already leaves much to be desired; stirring up talk about the Zhang family is the last thing I need.”

It was rare to hear such seriousness from Gu Huaixiu, and Qingdai couldn’t quite grasp her mistress’s reasoning. She gazed at her quizzically, listening as Gu Huaixiu elaborated.

“Besides, my elder sister has high standards. Although Zhang Ying lost his official post last year, my father still respects the Zhang family. But my sister? She may seem clever, but she’s a fool. The moment she learns about this, there’s no way she’ll agree to it. When that happens, Father’s plans will be disrupted, and things will become awkward for both families.”

As Gu Huaixiu spoke in hushed but clear terms, her usual playful expression was replaced by rare determination.

Qingdai, speechless, realized the truth in her mistress’ words. Thinking back to Miss Yaofang’s temperament, she could now see how accurate Gu Huaixiu’s judgments were. “So, what you mean is…”

“You’re so easily spooked!”

Gu Huaixiu suddenly caught herself, realizing she had said more than intended. But given the words had already left her lips, there was no use in taking them back now. At the very least, she had to give Qingdai fair warning—one careless misstep could cause irreparable trouble. Softening her tone, Gu Huaixiu leaned back into the cushioned seat, lazily tapping her fan against her palm.

“Just remember to speak and act carefully. I’ve already made one mistake, but if you cause me any more headaches, I won’t be so lenient next time.”

“Yes, Miss. I won’t bring up the eldest Miss again,” Qingdai replied rapidly, nodding as though her life depended on it.

The mention of her sister soured Gu Huaixiu’s mood.

Gu Zhenguan had only brought her on this trip, leaving propriety unheeded. If she had known the Zhang family would be involved, she might have faked an illness just to avoid coming.

Now that they had arrived in Tongcheng, with her father staying at Zhang Ying’s residence, all she could hope for was to stay out of any complications.

If she was lucky, she might avoid being dragged into the mess. The last thing she needed was Yaofang accusing her of meddling yet again.

When Gu Huaixiu had first crossed into this scholarly household, she had believed that her father’s modest status might not afford her riches, but at least it would save her from worldly concerns. What she hadn’t anticipated was inheriting a frail, perpetually ill sister with a temperamental nature. It was like handling a piece of fragile porcelain that everyone worried might chip at the slightest touch.

As for herself, Gu Huaixiu kept her distance, treating her elder sister like a slow-moving elderly lady crossing a road—always careful to maintain some separation. Too afraid that Yaofang would once again find some fault in her, Gu Huaixiu had already suffered once under her sister’s cruelty and had no interest in reliving that ordeal.

The more Gu Huaixiu thought about it, the more her bitterness grew. It was quite possible that her infamous reputation was something she might owe only to her sister.

Yet despite this swirling discontent, Gu Huaixiu maintained her nonchalant demeanor. She rested lightly back against the cushions of the carriage, giving no sign of the storm within her. Qingdai, too, unaware of her hidden thoughts, settled into a light nap.

By now, Zhang Tingyu and his brother were riding alongside the carriage in silence as it followed the winding road. It wasn’t until the break of dusk, just before the moon ascended the night sky, that they reached the gates of Tongcheng.

Tongcheng, situated in the picturesque southern province of Anhui, was famed for its tranquil waterways and scenic beauty.

Zhang Ying’s ancestral estate lay in the nearby Longmian Mountain, about six miles outside of the town, though he also owned a town residence. Before inviting Gu Zhenguan for old times’ sake, Zhang Ying had sent word to have the town house prepared for his guests. As the carriage approached the city under the fading sunset, Zhang Tingyu surveyed the scene from horseback. “My father has arranged a residence for Miss Gu. If it pleases you, Miss, we can take you there now. What do you think?”

Gu Huaixiu, long awake, subtly nodded, “I’ll leave everything to your capable hands, Second Master Zhang.”

Zhang Tingyu arched his brow. This lady was sharp.

After all, the brothers had never met her before today, and his elder brother had certainly never seen her before. Yet Gu Huaixiu had seamlessly recognized him as the second brother—”Second Master”—rather than using the general “Young Master Zhang.” Clearly, she had already figured out who he was.

A mere beauty with no brains? Zhang Tingyu was beginning to doubt that assumption.

Back at the teahouse, Gu Huaixiu had made a few bold remarks, especially a particular comment that stuck with him.

“No matter how talented the Zhang family sons are, they’ll never match up to Old Master Zhang Ying. He is a grand Confucian scholar of the Qing dynasty, favored by the Emperor. Though he’s fallen for the time being, he could regain his post by tomorrow.”

Zhang Ying, once a powerful Minister of Rites, had fallen from grace in the political court, and many had eagerly cut ties afterward. The formerly bustling estate had since grown desolate.

Gu Huaixiu’s jest concealed a sharp insight. Her words—‘he could regain his post by tomorrow’—suggested that she had more faith in Zhang Ying’s relationship with the Emperor than even his own sons did.

Pushing aside his musings, Zhang Tingyu directed the coachman to the residence. After a short journey of about a quarter of an hour, they arrived at their destination.

The route had been smooth, so Gu Huaixiu felt refreshed as she descended from the carriage. Along the stone-paved road, she noticed patches of moss and nearby children playing. The alley where the house was nestled seemed quiet and serene.

The large wooden gates opened as the carriage pulled up before the stone steps. The coachman led the horses away as servants followed Gu Huaixiu toward the residence.

“Thank you for your efforts, Young Master Zhang,” Gu Huaixiu said as she prepared to take a step inside.

Unexpectedly, she paused.

Zhang Tingyu had just finished tethering his horse nearby.

His younger brother, Zhang Tinglu, ever the mischievous one, couldn’t resist casting curious glances at Gu Huaixiu, trying to catch a glimpse of her famed beauty. However, her face remained artfully hidden behind her fan, frustrating his attempts.

At that moment, Gu Huaixiu turned her head slightly, revealing the slender alabaster curve of her neck, some strands of hair falling delicately out of place. She suddenly addressed Zhang Tingyu, “I fear I made the two of you wait too long at the teahouse. I hope you will both pardon me.”

Zhang Tinglu was about to respond when Zhang Tingyu cut him off swiftly.

As amused as he was, Zhang Tingyu remained composed. “You didn’t trouble us at all, Miss. My brother and I hardly waited. There’s no fault on your part.”

Gu Huaixiu’s fingers, which were tightly clasped around the handle of her fan, relaxed only slightly. With a faint smile, she remarked, “Then I suppose I was simply too polite.”

Not missing a beat, Zhang Tingyu deftly shifted the conversation, “Nightfall is approaching. Please, Miss Gu, head inside and rest.”

Putting his overthinking aside, he went off to supervise the last-minute preparations for the house.

The residence, though modest, was charming, flanked by well-kept gardens and boasting an elegantly simple layout typical of Jiangnan architecture.

After confirming everything was in place, the Zhang brothers bid farewell, leaving to return to their family home before the city gates closed. Qingdai and the servants moved quickly to tidy the rooms, and soon after, Gu Huaixiu entered her chambers with a sigh.

The moment she stepped inside, she dropped her fan onto the finely carved rosewood table and collapsed dramatically into a chair, wailing in exasperation, “It’s all over…”