Chapter 2 Mother and Son Alone in the World

Mrs. Zhou, the steward’s wife, often shuttled between the inner and outer courtyards of the estate, helping to relay messages and such.

Gu Xiyan hurriedly got up and rushed out, taking two steps at a time, only to see Sister-in-law Zhou as soon as she stepped outside.

She instinctively looked past Mrs. Zhou and spotted a woman with her head bowed. The woman wore a faded floral-patterned padded jacket, her entire demeanor exuding exhaustion, clearly worn out from a long journey.

It was none other than Meng Shuhui, her sister-in-law from her maternal family!

Gu Xiyan felt a surge of sorrow, tears welling up in her eyes.

Meng Shuhui was gentle by nature and had always been affectionate toward her. The bond between the two sisters-in-law was deep and strong. In Gu Xiyan’s memory, her sister-in-law was elegant, soft-spoken, and always wore a faint, warm smile.

But now, after enduring so much hardship, her face was pale and gaunt, almost as if she had become a different person!

Her heart ached sharply; she stepped forward to meet her: “Sister-in-law!”

Seeing Gu Xiyan, Meng Shuhui was visibly overwhelmed with both sorrow and joy. She tried to speak, but her lips trembled without a word.

Mrs. Zhou, standing nearby, understood the situation at once and smiled, saying, “How foolish of me not to recognize that this is the Sixth Mistress’s family relative. Please forgive the oversight. Now that it’s confirmed, I’ll quickly inform the others outside.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Shuhui cautiously said, “I’ve troubled you greatly. My two children are waiting at the gatehouse. May I bring them in?”

Aunt Zhou smiled and said, “Of course, of course. I’ll have someone fetch them right away.”

As soon as Aunt Zhou left, Gu Xiyan hurriedly pulled Meng Shuhui into the room. “What on earth happened, sister? What’s going on?”

Only when she took her hand did she realize how cold and rough it was, no longer the soft and delicate hands of the past.

Her heart ached even more: “Sister-in-law, you’ve suffered so much.”

Upon hearing her cry, Meng Shuhui’s own tears began to stream out: “Xiyan, along the way here, I was practically begging. I finally made it to the entrance of the Duke’s residence, I—”

She sobbed as she spoke: “I truly had no other choice but to come find you.”

Gu Xiyan quickly asked what had happened, and only then did Meng Shuhui wipe her tears and begin to tell Gu Xiyan about all the matters at home.

When Gu Xiyan’s father had his accident, the family had already sold off everything they could. Later, when Gu Xiyan’s mother fell ill and both parents passed away one after the other, the household was left utterly destitute and even burdened with debt. It was only by using the silver Gu Xiyan had sent over that they managed to barely patch up the holes.

After Meng Shuhui had arranged the funerals for the two elderly, she sought refuge with her maternal brother in Ningzhou. This brother was kind-hearted, and Meng Shuhui managed to get by decently. However, the good times didn’t last long—her brother was cheated out of money in a business deal, plunging him deep into debt, and the family’s circumstances took a sharp turn for the worse.

Naturally, her sister-in-law was displeased by this, and over it, she frequently quarreled and fought with her husband.

At this point in the story, Meng Shuhui forced a bitter smile and said, “At first, I thought I could just endure it for a few days—if I worked harder, I could help support the family. But in the end, I just couldn’t stay any longer…”

She lowered her head slightly, her expression tinged with a deep sense of sorrow.

At the sight of this, Gu Xiyan immediately guessed the situation.

With her brother’s family struggling, her sister-in-law naturally grew dissatisfied. Most likely, she must have said something later that made it impossible for Meng Shuhui to bear the shame any longer, leaving her with no choice but to seek refuge with him.

Gu Xiyan’s heart ached, and he felt a tightness in his chest. He had no choice but to comfort Meng Shuhui, promising that he would find a way to help.

Meng Shuhui added, “I was also thinking that after coming to the capital, perhaps you might have a way. After all, my brother was cheated, and the other party has some connections in the Ningzhou Prefecture, making it impossible to seek repayment. If you could lend a hand here, there might still be hope.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiyan inquired further and learned that this uncle of hers ran a shop. It sounded like he had been cheated by local ruffians and scoundrels, and though the matter itself wasn’t too serious, for ordinary people, stepping into the yamen was like being blindfolded—there was truly no way to seek help.

As they spoke, the nephew and niece were finally brought in. The two little ones were so thin and bony that only their big, jet-black eyes stood out. However, they had clearly been well-taught by their mother. Upon seeing Gu Xiyan, they respectfully bowed and called her “Aunt.”

The two children were eight and six years old, respectively. Gu Xiyan had only seen them last year when she rushed back for her parents’ funeral. Seeing them now, she felt a mixture of affection and deep pity. She quickly asked them to sit down and had Chunlan and Qiusang bring some fruit for them to eat.

As the second month approaches, the mansion has prepared Sun Cakes, freshly delivered from the kitchen this morning. Decorated with little chickens molded from glutinous rice flour and adorned with red and green lotus petals also made from glutinous rice flour.

The two children gazed at the Sun Cakes, their eyes gleaming with excitement and mouths watering. However, they still glanced at Meng Shuhui for approval.

Gu Xiyan said, “Go ahead and eat, there are no outsiders here.”

Only after Meng Shuhui gave a slight nod did the two children eagerly grab the cakes, devouring them ravenously as if they were starving.

Gu Xiyan felt even more distressed and quickly instructed Chunlan to bring some food, then gave the child a hand warmer and moved the incense burner closer so they could warm up.

The little niece, Jing’er, opened her pair of dewy eyes, hugging the hand warmer with a sweet expression on her face: “Auntie, it’s so warm here!”

Hearing these words, Gu Xiyan almost burst into tears on the spot.

Little Jing’er was quite beautiful; her nose and mouth resembled Meng Shuhui’s, but her eyes and brows seemed to carry a hint of her own features. Looking at her made Gu Xiyan feel a sense of familiarity—this was a child connected to her by blood.

Since Gu Xiyan had no children of her own, and now as a widow, there was no hope of having any, she felt a deep affection for this pair of young siblings. A tender, bittersweet emotion swelled in her chest, making her long to wrap them in her arms and cherish them.

Just then, she took Little Jing’er’s hand, noticing how red and cold it was, and called for a maid to bring a towel and some warm water.

She washed their hands and faces with peach kernel soap for both her and Ming’er, dried them personally with a towel, and applied hibiscus ointment to their hands.

This hibiscus ointment was blended with sheep tallow and pearl powder, making it ideal for winter use to prevent chapping.

After all this care, the young children looked much cleaner and tidier, and only then did Gu Xiyan feel slightly comforted.

Beside her, Meng Shuhui had also washed up using the leftover water from the child’s bath. She had tidied her hair briefly at Gu Xiyan’s dressing table, and traces of her former grace and calm could still be glimpsed.

She sighed and said, “We arrived here covered in dust and grime, truly unbecoming. I fear it would invite ridicule and, by extension, tarnish your reputation.”

Gu Xiyan replied, “What are you saying, sister-in-law? You came such a long way alone with your child—who knows how much hardship you endured along the journey. How could I possibly care about a mere loss of face?”

She offered a reassuring smile and added, “Sister-in-law, I’ll have a maid fetch some more food from the kitchen. It’s breakfast time now, and the household is preparing special holiday spring boxes. You and the child can have a taste while I go ahead to greet the Old Madam. I’ll report to her and see how best to arrange matters.”

Meng Shuhui fell silent for a moment before speaking carefully, “Xiyan, I came to seek refuge with you because I truly had no other choice. Enduring hardship myself is nothing, but I have two children to think of. Our parents are no longer here, and your elder brother cannot return. The Gu family’s only hope now lies with this pair of children. No matter what, I must raise them well, which is why I thought of coming to you, hoping for at least some support. But now, looking at this estate…after all, it’s a high and influential household…”

She lowered her head with a bitter smile and sighed, “If it truly isn’t feasible, I’ll just have to think of another way.”

Gu Xiyan saw the embarrassment and helplessness in Meng Shuhui’s eyes, and his heart tightened with a mix of sorrow and pain.

Clearly, she too had witnessed the wealth and favoritism of influential households, knowing that those beneath them judged people by their status. Because of her shabby attire, she did not appear to be a lady from a wealthy family, which led to obstacles at every step—even just trying to enter and acknowledge her relatives.

Through the servants and matrons’ words, she also sensed that as a widow, she held little weight in the household and was looked down upon by those below. In such circumstances, she felt that her coming here to seek refuge was a burden.

This realization made Gu Xiyan feel so wretched she could die.

This was her sister-in-law from her maiden family, who had weathered storms alongside her brother for eight years. She had taught her needlework, guided her in making pastries, spoken gentle words, offered earnest advice, and had even handled her parents’ funeral arrangements with utmost filial piety and responsibility!

The children she brought along were her own brother’s flesh and blood. Now that her maiden family had fallen into ruin, they had nowhere else to go. With no other choice, they had almost resorted to begging along the way, finally arriving at the Duke’s estate in the cold, early hours of a spring morning.

With what hopes they must have come, only to be met with such a cold reception—how disheartened they must feel now!

At that moment, little Jing’er, as if sensing something, held onto a piece of cake and stopped eating, simply opening her big eyes wide and watching carefully.

The caution and anxiety floating in the child’s clear eyes stabbed once more at the heart of her, as the child’s aunt.

She barely suppressed the bitterness and desolation in her heart, forced out a smile, and said to Meng Shuyu, “Sister-in-law, after all the hardships you and the child have endured to get here, where can you possibly go now? Our parents are gone, my brother is not here—you can only rely on me. No matter how poorly off I am, I won’t let you and the child go hungry. How could I possibly spare that one bit?”

She reached out to touch Little Jing’er’s braids and said with a smile, “Little Jing’er, enjoy your food. Auntie will go out for a while and be back soon.”

Little Jing’er blinked her eyes and nodded obediently.

Beside them, Meng Shuhui watched with reddened eyes.

Gu Xiyan soothed the two children and instructed Chunlan to look after them before going aside with Meng Shuhui to talk.

She smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, you wait here for now. I’ll go speak with the old lady. Whatever happens, I’m here, so don’t worry too much—otherwise the children will sense it and feel uneasy. Don’t underestimate them just because they’re young; they’re sharp and observant. There’s no need to let them carry unnecessary fears for nothing.”

Meng Shuhui hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. “Actually, I’m not afraid of hardship—I can survive no matter what. It’s just the two children that worry me.”

Gu Xiyan replied, “I understand completely. You can rest assured. For now, I’ll have a maid pick out some of my old, clean, and less eye-catching dresses for you to change into. Once I return, you can all come with me to see the old lady.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Shuhui recognized Gu Xiyan’s thoughtful consideration and quickly added, “I understand. I’ll also tidy up the children’s hair before we go.”

Gu Xiyan gave a reassuring smile, then called for Qiusang and carefully instructed her. She told her to fetch the spring box from the kitchen later and give it first to her sister-in-law and the child, adding a few more detailed reminders. Qiusang agreed to each one.

Meng Shuhui was so touched by her thoughtfulness that her eyes reddened. She could only hate herself for causing trouble for Gu Xiyan.

Gu Xiyan took just one young maid with her as she hurried back to the Shou’an Hall.

Along the way, she walked briskly. Occasionally, when she encountered the steward’s wife or an elder nanny in the household—those with some reputation—she would greet them briefly and offer a slight smile.

It was evident that everyone was somewhat puzzled, as they all knew she, being a widow, usually adhered strictly to the rules, rarely leaving her courtyard except to pay respects. Yet today, she had ventured out for a stroll.

She feigned ignorance and continued walking forward.

Upon entering the Shou’an Hall, the sound of cheerful laughter could be heard from afar. As she drew closer, she happened to see the Fourth Young Lady standing under the eaves of the corridor, chatting with several maidservants, each holding vibrant, colorful kites in their hands.

The Fourth Lord of the estate belonged to the second branch of the family. Though still young, he had demonstrated remarkable scholarly talent from an early age. By the time he reached the age of capping, he had already passed the imperial examinations and become a *jinshi*. With the backing of the Duke’s estate, he easily secured a position as a sixth-rank official (*yuanwailang*). For someone his age, his future prospects were considered exceptionally bright.

The Fourth Young Lady comes from the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness’s household, being the eldest legitimate granddaughter of the current Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness. With her cheerful and lively disposition, she loves to talk and laugh, and coupled with her esteemed background, Such a daughter-in-law naturally wins the affection of everyone in the household. Currently, Fourth Mistress is assisting with managing household affairs, making her the most dazzling and prominent figure.

In the past, those who felt downhearted would least want to show their faces before such a successful person; there was simply nothing to talk about.

But now, Gu Xiyan has matters to attend to. Considering that Fourth Mistress oversees the household management, if she could lend a helping word, things might just become easier to accomplish.

She too came forward with a smile: “Fourth Sister-in-law, I could hear laughter and chatter from far away. What’s everyone talking about?”

The fourth young mistress turned at the sound of her voice and beckoned her over. “Come and take a look. This year’s kites are really beautiful.”

Gu Xiyan reluctantly set aside her worries and stepped closer to look. Indeed, the kites were exceptionally lovely—peony swallow kites crafted from thin silk and colored with rich, vibrant hues. If flown into the sky, they would undoubtedly be striking.

She quickly remarked, “In previous years, I never saw such beautiful ones.”

The fourth young mistress smiled and said, “This year, my natal family specifically sent a steward south to invite a skilled craftsman to make kites. I must say, his craftsmanship is truly excellent—he created such beautiful designs. I thought it would be fun to have him make a few for us to play with as well.”

Gu Xiyan nodded, “That would be wonderful, of course.”

The fourth young mistress continued, “You may think this one looks nice, but you should have seen the one I saw at my natal home yesterday. It was a full thirteen feet long, with a bamboo frame, wind-catching scoops, and even gongs and drums that clanged and chimed in the wind. When they lit the nine-linked lanterns at night, oh, it was truly magnificent!”

Gu Xiyan had never seen such a kite before, but hearing the fourth young mistress describe it, she naturally praised it enthusiastically.

After discussing the kite, the Fourth Young Mistress looked at Gu Xiyan and asked, “I saw you paying your respects earlier, but you’ve already left?”

Gu Xiyan knew that now was the right time to bring up the matter, so she smiled and said, “I was just about to mention it to you, Fourth Sister-in-law. There’s something I’d like to ask the Old Mistress for guidance on, and I was hoping you could help me and speak on my behalf in front of the Old Mistress—”

She had only spoken halfway when a stewardess approached from the other side, saying urgently, “Young Mistress, I finally found you!”

The stewardess’s voice was loud, and her words immediately drew the attention of many people nearby.

Gu Xiyan’s words were stifled right there.

She shifted her feet, thinking to wait a little longer, but when the stewardess arrived, she went on at length: the first day of the second month was for worshipping the sun, the second day marked the Dragon Raising its Head, they had to prepare green pouches and all kinds of fruits, and also send gifts to various families who came and went—all of which required drawing up a list and so on.

The Fourth Young Mistress gave instructions to the stewardess, but as she spoke, she suddenly noticed Gu Xiyan still waiting at the side and offered an apologetic smile: “No helping it—we’re already into the second month, with all the social obligations and messy little details, there’s just so much. Everything has to go through me here, it’s terribly busy.”

Gu Xiyan then forced a slight curl of her lips and smiled: “Fourth Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard.”

Fourth Young Mistress looked at Gu Xiyan. “Oh right, you had something to say earlier. What was it?”

The stewards, serving women, and maids all looked over.

Under so many watchful eyes, Gu Xiyan knew she couldn’t speak.

This was Old Madam’s Shou’an Hall. She had come to seek Old Madam’s instructions, yet she would be speaking to a young mistress-in-law first. As a junior, even in charge of household affairs, it was improper for her to say anything first.

She could only say, “It’s not anything urgent. Let me go see Madam first.”

Fourth Young Mistress smiled and replied, “That’s fine, but the old lady has just finished her breakfast, and now our Madam is attending to her.”

Gu Xiyan was a bit surprised; she hadn’t expected Second Madam to still be there. After hesitating slightly, she still asked, “And what about our Madam?”

Fourth Young Mistress continued to smile. “She’s there too.”

Gu Xiyan’s smile could no longer be maintained.

Her mother-in-law was not an easy person to get along with. The third branch of the family had never been as strong as the first and second branches. In the current generation, the eldest branch followed military paths and achieved great success on the battlefield. The second branch followed scholarly pursuits, with members passing the imperial examinations. Yet, the son of the third branch had not even managed to keep his life. How could she possibly come to terms with this?

Unable to make sense of it, she needed an outlet for her frustration. That was why she would be harsh and sarcastic toward Gu Xiyan, even saying things that pierced her heart. It was as if seeing Gu Xiyan distressed or in tears would somehow ease her own pain.

She would accuse Gu Xiyan of bringing misfortune upon her husband, convinced that if her son had not married someone from a modest background, perhaps the tragedy could have been avoided.

When Gu Xiyan was attending to her, she would suddenly raise her eyes and stare at Gu Xiyan for a long time, then grit her teeth and say, “How did the old duke’s debt fall on our third branch!”

Gu Xiyan feared this mother-in-law and did not dare to ask her for help. Without even opening her mouth, she could already imagine how she would mock and ridicule her, call her an ill omen, and even drag in her parents, her sister-in-law, and her entire family!

But now, it seemed she could only approach the elderly lady in front of her mother-in-law to bring up this matter.

Seeing Gu Xiyan dazed and distracted, the fourth young mistress asked, “Sister, what’s wrong? Are you still going to see the elderly lady?”

Gu Xiyan suddenly snapped back to attention, lowered her head with a light smile, and said, “I should still go and have a look.”

The Fourth Young Mistress replied, “Alright, then you go ahead. I still have matters to attend to here, so I won’t accompany you over.”

Taking her leave from the Fourth Young Mistress, Gu Xiyan lowered her head and walked quickly with light, rapid steps toward the main hall.

As Gu Xiyan left, the Fourth Young Mistress looked up. Under the ornately carved covered corridor, Gu Xiyan wore a moon-white crossover collar jacket and a subtle-patterned cotton skirt. Her hair was simply tied up, adorned only with a plain silver hairpin without any carving, giving her an overall look of simple and unadorned elegance.

As for this younger sister-in-law, she was naturally quite familiar with her, and she still remembered how delicately beautiful she had been when she first entered the Duke’s estate. Back then, she truly didn’t know any better.

At this thought, she let out a soft laugh, withdrew her gaze, and instead spoke to the steward’s wife: “You are clever indeed, arriving at just the right moment.”