Chapter 46: Fanfare
Gu Ningxi endured the bland taste of the vegetarian diet for so many days and the distracting noises made by the monks chanting in his ears.
He was excited and a little bit nervous as he prepared to visit the Tao manor.
Under the amusing counselling service of Shihua and Shishu, he finally decided to wear a snow-blue thin ink bamboo-patterned silk robe, with a bamboo-shaped white jade hairpin in a scholar’s hair bun.
It was all because of his servant boy’s incessant persistence saying,
“Master dress up, If you’re not handsome then you won’t be able to win over the madam.”
He neatly combed his sideburns and shaved off the mustache around his lips, and the decadent aura in his body was finally swept away.
The boys dared to say that the wound on their master’s face still had a slight white mark, although it looked distressing, but if you cover it up, it will be perfect.
So they urged Zhuyue to fetch the half-empty powder box that Madam didn’t take away, took advantage of Gu Ningxi’s hesitation, and directly pounded a layer of fine powder on his face.
Gu Ningxi was about to remove it from his face, but he heard a sincere sentence from Shishu,
“Master, believe me, the powder really improves your complexion and looks good! I’m not lying.”
Shishu stood up with a thumbs up, so Gu Ningxi stroked his cheek slowly and hesitantly.
‘That’s right, I can’t distinguish between beauty and ugliness, I have eyes but I can’t see. The only face that I can see clearly is Mo Qiqi’s. I don’t know how to compare, and judge, how I really look like.’
He vaguely remembered that the lady once praised him, ‘My husband’s complexion is really fair, like cold jade, which makes me envious.’
If he applied this powder, he should look whiter.
So once he go to meet her like this, will she… Will she look at his face for a while longer?
❖
Gu Ningxi rode on his carriage and rushed to the gate of the Tao Manor.
He wanted to go to the gate of the Tao Manor immediately, so he went there before sunset.
He heard the voices of people outside the carriage along the way, and smelled the fragrant and hot air from the slits of the carriage curtains. It actually gave him a festive feeling.
The past five days of mourning for Brother Mo, was too long.
He felt that he had been away from the world for a thousand years, but in fact, if he really counted, it was only a few days.
He felt ridiculous, yet he kept repeating the same thing over and over again until the last day.
He doesn’t know how the lady has been doing after their separation, or if she’s been well during this period of time.
‘Did she… Think of me?’
‘How does she feel when she thinks of me?’
‘Will she miss me as much as I do?’
Most of the clothes that the lady left behind were ginger-yellow clothes.
According to the housekeeper, they’ve been moving away the clothes she left in the Gu Mansion.
He wondered, since the Lantern Festival is tonight, will she be wearing a red dress for the occasion, or will she choose to wear something else?
Will he be able to identify her accurately?
After thinking about this, Gu Ningxi’s palms broke out in cold sweat.
However, most of his wife’s clothing, food, housing, and transportat items are still in his own mansion.
So does she feel convenient or satisfied living in her parent’s house?
When he heard about it from the housekeeper, he intuitively ordered him to quickly pack up all his wife’s belongings, and send them to her, so as not to embarrass her.
However, when the words was about to leave his lips, Gu Ningxi swallowed them back again.
He was sitting in the carriage, waiting for the gatekeepers to come in to report.
He thought about, if the lady asked why he came, then he could use those things she left as an excuse.
Isn’t it better?
❖
“Jushi, the third miss hasn’t come back yet, but she sent someone to tell us that she and Miss Gu went to the teahouse for supper, and they will return after eating.”
Qingfang told Tao Xinhe softly.
Tao Xinhe put down the heavy divorce letter, which showed the part of the property divided for herself, she was also holding a few account booklets in her hands.
She put them all back into the small copper-clad sandalwood box in the corner of the room, pressed them on the bright red dowry list more than three years ago, covered them, and locked them tightly.
She handed the key over to Qingfang casually, then raised her hand to press on her neck.
She gently closed her eyes, tilted her head and shoulders back slightly, and flicked her long and slender fingertips as if dancing around her neck bones.
She then said “Hmmm“, indicating that she heard it.
Qingfang put the key away solemnly, walked lightly behind Tao Xinhe who was sitting on the armchair, took over to help her knead the soft flesh of her neck, and continued,
“Young Madam, I remembered your instructions and sent someone to ask a question every hour. However, I just heard that lady Hong had fallen asleep, and haven’t woken up yet.”
Tao Xinhe felt that her tense muscles was relieved a bit, and she shook her head from side to side, with a pleasant smile on her lips, and said,
“Thanks for being here, Qingfang. Since my sister-in-law is asleep, then don’t disturb her. Tell the people in the kitchen not to turn off the stove, so they can serve her hot soup and rice once she wakes up. What about father, is the study room still lit?”
Qingfang nodded.
Tao Xinhe calculated the time from dinner to now, and arranged for the kitchen servants to deliver a bowl of sesame seeds to the study in about three quarters of an hour.
As for Muxian, he is far away in the academy. He’s currently out of reach, and they can only wait for the two days when he returns home at the end of the month, to take care of him.
“Jushi, you have stayed up so late, would you like some sweet soup?” Qingfang suggested.
Tao Xinhe subconsciously reached out and touched her abdomen, but she didn’t feel hungry, she then thought of another thing,
“Qingfang, according to the past, shouldn’t it be time for my little days to arrive?”
Qingfang nodded.
Why wouldn’t she keep this matter in mind for her master?
(T/N: ‘Little days’ means Menstruation.)
As a personal servant girl, although she is not married, she is very clear about the hidden worries of her master, but this is God’s will, who can interfere?
Just at this time, the servant reported outside the room,
“Gu Sicheng is outside the gate of the mansion, and wants to see Jushi Tao.”
Annoyance came to her heart immediately, Tao Xinhe stood up, Qingfang wasn’t able to close her hands on time, and it slid all the way from her master’s neckline to her waist.
It made Tao Xinhe feel as if she had been slapped on the back, and she flinched slightly.
Qingfang hurriedly knelt down to make amends, Tao Xinhe forced a smile and said,
“It was an accident, get up quickly.”
Then, Tao Xinhe asked someone to come over and ask,
“Did Gu Sicheng hand over a post?”, “Did he say whether he was looking for my father or me?”, and “What was his intention?”.
The servants answered one by one, and Tao Xinhe felt even more depressed,
“…Gu Sicheng said that he wanted to congratulate Jushi on a happy festival in person, and also asked you what to do with the things you left in the Gu’s residence?”
(T/N: Gu Ningxi…)
Tao Xinhe couldn’t help but sneer It’s too far-fetched, does he think he’s coaxing a child?
After she calmed down a little, she ordered her servants to go out and send her words,
“Just say, it doesn’t matter if it’s the festival or not. They’ve already discussed the important matters during their separation, and the follow-up details had its own arrangements, so he doesn’t have to bother. The Tao Family and Gu Family has nothing to do with each other. It’s already late at night and it’s inconvenient for people to see guests, please tell him to go back to the Gu mansion.”
The servant nodded, and was about to turn around and leave, when Tao Xinhe added,
“Wait a minute, change the last sentence to ‘Please leave on your own’, As for whether he returns to the Gu Mansion or not, it has nothing to do with us. Also tell him this as well, Gu Sicheng must have understood the truth about melon fields and plums. So tell him to not come to the Tao Manor again in the future.”
After seeing the servants get up and go away, Tao Xinhe sat and leaned back again, she unconsciously pouted her lips, and said with gritted teeth, as if she was talking to herself or complaining to her beloved maid Qingfang,
“Wasn’t this person very peaceful a few days ago? What is the hysteria tonight? Aren’t things already messy enough?”
❖
He only waited for a moment, but it seemed like he had been waiting for a whole day, and what Gu Ningxi waited for was a cold reply instead.
“Oh, plums in the melon field? I… I understand.”
Gu Ningxi tried his best to maintain his spirit, and responded,
“We really are not in a relationship where we can come and go frequently nowadays. I understand, I… I will try my best to pay attention in the future.”
Gu Sicheng, who was fluent in speech, stumbled and talked incoherently in front of the gatekeeper of the Tao Manor, making the gatekeeper lower his head, but he glanced at him several times out of the corner of his eye.
“Then… Then, I will leave and I won’t disturb your residence anymore.”
The chilly wind that’s been raging from the past few days had finally recovered, and Gu Ningxi regained his sonorous and refined voice.
He said his farewell after clearing his throat.
It sounded pleasant to the ears, and the gatekeeper smiled again and again,
“Please go slowly.”
Gu Ningxi’s carriage was about to turn around, but when he was about to put down the curtain, he suddenly halted.
He then saw a group of people coming around the street corner and moving straight to the Tao manor.
It was quite eye-catching so they caught his attention immediately.
These are four middle-aged men with refined physiques.
They were wearing the same black clothes, exquisite fabrics with a few patterns.
They should be capable and dignified servants of a wealthy and noble families.
One of them at the head, was holding a two-foot-long carved wooden box in his hands.
The two people in the middle, were carrying a revolving lantern half the height of a person together.
It was exquisitely crafted and dazzling, as if lighting up the entire Tao Manor.
If you look carefully, you will find that the surface of the lamp is exactly the pattern of the four beauties dancing, and the candles burning inside almost had no shadows.
The painting of those beauties were also quite impressive.
The last person was holding four or five small and lovely lanterns.
At a rough glance, there are rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, purse lanterns, tiger head lanterns…
None of them are repeated, and each has its own pleasing features.
Gu Ningxi ignored the subtle coolness that came from the middle of the night, and stopped the carriage for a while.
He watched this scene, unconsciously guessing, who came to the lady’s house to deliver these lanterns, they actually came over in such a grand way, maybe, it’s someone he knew? A relative?
The man’s voice was as loud as a bell, and he said to the gatekeeper of the Tao Manor,
“Please report to your master’s family that Jichang Bo has sent several lanterns your manor, in celebration of the festive season.”
The gatekeeper scratched his head, since the eldest lady returned to the manor, and the young lady was already in bed.
There would be no scenes of calling friends or going out to a banquet during this lantern festival, and that the Manor was destined to be deserted.
It was also true for the first half of the night, so the gatekeepers were pretty idle, who would have thought that at the end of the hour, the former son-in-law of the master would come over to wait for a while, and then Ji Chang Bo would send over gifts with great fanfare, and they still had to pass over the news inside.
They’re already exhausted.
Ji Chang Bo’s servants looked straight ahead, but took out a few scattered copper coins and forced them to the gatekeeper’s hands, telling them to use it to buy some hot soup later.
The gatekeepers smiled all over his face immediately, he even said to wait for a moment, and one of them went inside to report.
He even walked faster and more willingly.
❖
After hearing the name “Ji Chang Bo” clearly, Gu Ningxi was puzzled, his eyes reflected the brilliance of the lanterns, and he thought back in his heart.
The couple first met Ji Chang Bo, Cheng Shicheng for the first time on the sixth day of the first Lunar month. It was for Ning Niang’s marriage, they talked politely with each other, and they didn’t have such a deep friendship.
How come Ji Chang Bo suddenly formed such a friendly relationship with the Tao Manor in less than ten days?
They even sent them lanterns during a festive season?
Gu Ningxi understands everyone in the Tao Manor to some extent, it can’t be that father-in-law or his brother-in-law suddenly got acquainted with Ji Changbo, right?
So, that only leaves the lady…
Could it be that these lanterns are aimed at his lady?
No, no, although Gu Ningxi didn’t understand why his heart was beating wildly, he still tried his best to calm down and counted it on his fingers.
Maybe it’s related to Qiangniang, his lady’s unmarried little sister?
The coachman comforted the horse again, and raised his head softly to ask for instructions,
“Master, shall we go?”
Gu Ningxi mentally knew that no matter who the Tao Manor was in contact with, he had nothing to do with it.
The lady had sent a message to drive him away, and he should turn around and leave quickly.
However, there was always some curiosity or unwillingness In his heart, so he responded softly,
“Wait a little longer.”
Not long after, the gatekeeper brought out the master’s words.
Although it was not as loud as Ji Chang Bo servant’s voice, Gu Ningxi felt that the sound penetrated from his ear canal to his heart, and stirring it. Making him wish he had just left earlier and didn’t hear these words.
The gatekeeper said,
“Our eldest young lady, Tao Jushi is currently in charge. After this little one reported it, Jushi said, thank you for the love, we should not receive it, and resign, but the since Mister had reminded her to ‘Let things go’ before, she thought about it carefully, and this time it will be accepted, please go back to tell Mister, that Jushi and the Tao Manor is embarrassed to receive this deep love and friendship.”
Gu Ningxi didn’t even have the time to think deeply, When did Ji Changbo, a powerful man who had faded from his memory, say something meaningful like “Let things go” to his wife?
Was it before or after they separated?
Where did they meet and what did they talk about?
Gu Ningxi involuntarily gritted his teeth, tightened his jaw, knitted his brows, and listened quietly.
The servants of the Ji Chang Bo mansion really laughed a few times, and responded,
“That’s great! Our master said that the Lady of your mansion is straightforward, and he won’t let this little ones take these gifts back. The lanterns are to be distributed at your Manor’s discretion. In addition, our master recently collected some high-quality Aloe water spices, and they are in this box, so please hand them over to Jushi Tao…”
“This… You didn’t tell us earlier, that there are spices as well?”
The gatekeepers hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether to take it or not.
“Aloe water Spices”, this keyword, clearly floated over Gu Ningxi’s ears.
How close was Ji Chang Bo to his wife that he could even smell the fragrance on her body?
Or, did she personally told him that she often uses this spice?
