Chapter 3: Even a Clay Figure Has Its Temper

As Gu Xiyan walked along, he remembered the Fourth Young Mistress’s smile from earlier.

Suddenly, it dawned on her—someone as astute as her, how could she not know? Moreover, she managed the household and had extensive connections. Those matrons excelled at currying favor with the powerful and pushing down the weak, so they would naturally go out of their way to flatter her in her presence; there was no way they wouldn’t have shared that news with her.

So she had actually known all along and was simply pretending to be unaware.

Gu Xiyan smiled bitterly, thinking to herself, how fortunate she hadn’t spoken up. If she had, it would only have embarrassed others for no reason and left her feeling humiliated.

By this time, she had already reached the main hall. A maid noticed her and lifted the old, soft silk curtain for her, announcing inside, “Sixth Madame is here.”

Gu Xiyan slightly nodded in thanks before stepping inside, immediately enveloped by a warm, cozy atmosphere.

A residence as vast as the Duke’s estate had been built gradually over time. The elderly lady’s quarters were old, longstanding structures—not particularly large, yet exquisitely crafted. Every brick bore intricate carvings, clearly a testament to meticulous craftsmanship.

Between the inner and outer rooms, a row of green gauze partitions stood along the central seam. Typically, visitors were received in the outer section, while the two rooms served as bedchambers.

On the table sat a purple clay teapot from Yangxian, inside which were narcissus seedlings. Against the west wall, a long table with raised ends was arranged, upon which statues of Daoist deities were respectfully displayed.

The old lady reclined half-leaning on the couch, holding dominoes in her hand and smiling, filling the entire room with cheerful laughter.

Gu Xiyan gave a quick glance around and noticed that it wasn’t just the second and third wives in the room, but also a few unmarried young ladies.

Gu Xiyan knew she was the one who would dampen the mood, yet she had no choice but to brace herself, step forward, and respectfully bow.

The third wife was attending to the old lady by the couch and, upon seeing Gu Xiyan, immediately darkened her expression, her face full of disgust.

The old lady was quite amiable, smiling at her as she beckoned, “Sixth wife of the Yuan family, have a seat. They’re playing dominoes with me, but my eyes are tired and not what they used to be. Help me keep an eye on the tiles.”

Gu Xiyan smiled bravely and said, “Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law has a matter to seek your guidance on, and I must ask for your mercy and help.”

Her words caused the second wife beside her to look over in confusion, while several younger sisters-in-law stared at her in astonishment. The third wife, however, immediately frowned in wariness, her eyes filled with disbelief—this normally submissive young wife, how dare she rebel?

Upon hearing this, the old lady leaned back slightly, carefully examining the patterns on the domino tiles in her hand, and said rather indifferently, “If you have something to say, just speak.”

Gu Xiyan could feel that everyone’s eyes were on her—her sister-in-law, the elders.

She also wished she could speak with the old lady in private, to plead, to cry, even if it meant losing face. But now, there was no such chance.

She could only lower her eyelids slightly and recount the entire incident as it happened, in front of everyone.

Actually, her father had been dismissed from his official post and taken into custody, and her mother had fallen seriously ill. The old lady was aware of all this; she had merely frowned at the time and then casually sent someone to accompany Gu Xiyan back home to mourn.

After giving the instructions, the old lady began discussing the new snacks for the evening with the fourth young mistress beside her, smiling all the while. Gu Xiyan walked out of the step, tears in her eyes, faintly hearing the laughter from inside.

Now, as the past was brought up again, the old lady didn’t even seem to frown; she merely replied somewhat impatiently, “So your sister-in-law took her two children and sought refuge with her brother.”

Gu Xiyan nodded. “Yes, but her brother isn’t doing well these days either, and he can’t provide for the three of them. That’s why she thought of coming to the imperial capital to see…”

By the end, Gu Xiyan’s voice grew softer and softer. She was truly feeling a bit guilty.

The Duke of Jingguo’s household is one of noble lineage and inherited wealth; the current Duchess is the beloved daughter of the Dowager Empress, a princess of the highest status. In the capital, where high-ranking officials and nobles gather, this family stands among the very best.

Such a distinguished and cultured family places great importance on avoiding anything ominous, always seeking good fortune and auspicious signs. Yet all that had befallen her maiden family could only be described as “being charged with crimes,” “having their properties confiscated,” and “piling up mountains of debt.” Not to mention that her sister-in-law from her maiden family had been driven to desperation, nearly reduced to begging.

For the distinguished ladies who dwelled in such splendor and the pampered young misses raised in comfort, this was an entirely different world.

Nevertheless, Gu Xiyan took a deep breath and mustered the courage to say, “My sister-in-law from my maiden family arrived this morning. Head Servant Zhou’s wife took her to my room, and she is now resting. That’s why I said I came here to ask for the Old Madam’s instructions.”

She pursed her lips slightly, speaking in a tone that carried a faint smile yet felt strangely unfamiliar even to herself: “In the past, I exchanged letters with my sister-in-law, and we often mentioned how the Duke’s residence is a household renowned for its compassion toward the poor and vulnerable, accumulating merit through acts of kindness. Especially the Dowager Duchess—she possesses the kindest heart in the entire realm. That’s why, now that I have arrived at the gates of the Duke’s residence, I hope the Dowager Duchess, out of familial affection, will show compassion and guidance, and point her toward a clear path.”

After they left, the room fell into an almost eerie silence, so quiet that even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard—except for the gentle, rhythmic scraping of the teacup lid against its porcelain edge, made by the elderly madam as she sipped her tea.

Gu Xiyan kept her gaze lowered, listening to the subtle and graceful sound.

Even without looking up, she could picture the old madam perfectly—poised, composed, and utterly self-possessed. She reclined comfortably on the sandalwood chaise longue, her plump figure radiating serenity. Peibai knelt beside her, massaging her feet, while the attending daughters and daughters-in-law stood close by, ever watchful of her mood. Having endured life’s hardships for decades, the old madam now possessed official honors, wealth, and dutiful children—there was truly nothing left for her to worry about. Her days revolved around simple pleasures: what to eat, what to drink, and how best to amuse herself.

To be honest, Gu Xiyan envied the old lady deeply. She also wished she could be that kind of elderly noblewoman, but she wasn’t. She was merely the one standing before the old noblewoman—anxious, trembling, and still the one who stirred aversion.

With her heart in her throat, she waited quietly, waiting for her emotions to rise and fall with every move of the elderly lady.

After a good long while, she finally heard the soft sound of a teacup gently placed upon the table.

A very light sound, carrying the composure typical of an elder from a prestigious family, blending perfectly with the warm, cozy atmosphere in the room.

At this moment, the old lady slightly raised her sagging eyelids and said slowly, “In normal circumstances, family members should indeed visit back and forth. Now that something like this has happened at your maiden home, we should have sent someone over to ask your sister-in-law how she has been settling things, and at the very least offer some help—that would be the proper course. Now that your sister-in-law has come herself, since a relative has visited, we naturally need to show hospitality.”

As Gu Xiyan heard the earlier words, she still held a glimmer of hope, but upon hearing “hospitality,” she felt her heart slowly sink.

After that, she heard the old lady ask the second madam, “Why haven’t you mentioned anything since the relative arrived?”

There was a tone of reproach in these words, and the second madam hurriedly replied, “Since the New Year, the affairs of the estate have been busy, one task after another, and it’s only just been dealt with. Looking up, it’s already almost the second month. The rituals and visits for each household, the social connections and entertaining—all must be managed carefully. In recent days, we’ve also been busy packing away winter clothing and bedding, checking the utensils and decorations, and it’s all been such a rush that we haven’t even caught our breath. Who would have thought we would have overlooked your sixth daughter-in-law’s family? It really is inexcusable.”

Gu Xiyan naturally dared not offend the second wife and was about to speak when the third wife interjected, “Such a trivial matter is hardly worth troubling the old madam over. Had you just mentioned it to me, and brought your sister-in-law to my place, could I not have handled it for you? Those who know might say you and the old madam are particularly close, but those who don’t might think I, as the mother-in-law, have mistreated you.”

She then turned to the old madam and added, “Old madam, in my humble opinion, since this concerns Yuan’er’s in-laws—those of a younger generation—there’s no need to disturb your peace. We can naturally take care of this matter ourselves.”

She was, of course, utterly humiliated, feeling that Gu Xiyan, as a daughter-in-law, had brought shame upon the family and wishing she could sever ties. But now, in front of the old madam, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Upon hearing this, the old madam gave a slight nod. “Very well, let it be handled as my third daughter-in-law suggests. I am getting on in years; why should I trouble myself with so much? All of you, please take on more responsibilities and let me rest a bit.”

Gu Xiyan’s heart turned completely cold.

She knew that Second Madam could utter flowery words of praise, but would not offer any help, while Third Madam would only mock and deride. Boldly, she had pleaded her case before the Old Madam, and now, with just a few simple words, she had been brushed aside.

It was what she had expected, but still, it left a sour taste in her heart. It hurt.

Though her spirits were utterly dejected, she forced herself to stand tall, put on a smile, and said a few polite words to the Old Madam—words she hardly understood herself.

Seeing her like this, the old lady actually felt a bit of pity.

She never liked this granddaughter-in-law to begin with—from a minor official’s family, and barely half a year after entering the household, she had “overcome” such a fine grandson, which broke her heart…

Now that her maiden family had gotten into trouble, how could the estate possibly accept the family members of a criminal?

But after all, the heart is made of flesh; she felt this granddaughter-in-law was pitiful too.

So she instructed the maid Taimei beside her, “Go to my bedside, open that small inlaid box, and fetch a pouch of silver ingots for your Sixth Young Mistress.”

Gu Xiyan’s mind was still in a daze; she didn’t quite grasp the old madam’s meaning.

The old madam smiled kindly and said, “Since my dear relative’s sister-in-law has traveled all this way and brought the child along, take this silver back to buy some fruit for the little one to enjoy.”

Gu Xiyan pressed her lips together and nodded. She understood that the old madam was using a pouch of silver to send her on her way, and she felt completely at ease, relieved of any further obligation or concern. Yet, it also occurred to her that having silver was a rather good thing—after all, who would give away silver so readily and without reason?

She lowered her head, smiling as she expressed her thanks.

Soon after, Daimao led Gu Xiyan behind the screen and handed her a bundle of silver wrapped in a handkerchief.

Gu Xiyan didn’t know how much was in it, but it felt plump and full, so she gratefully accepted it and thanked Daimao once more.

Daimao was the most trusted maid by the Old Madam, and naturally, all the branches of the family treated her with respect.

Dai Mao gave a gentle smile: “You’re too kind, Sixth Madam. The wind is likely to pick up soon. You’re dressed lightly, so you should head back early.”

Gu Xiyan thanked her again before tucking the handkerchief away and walking around the screen. Outside, she heard her own maid, Ping’er, standing under the corridor eaves, surrounded by several maids and older servants eagerly questioning her.

“What exactly does your mistress’s sister-in-law look like? I heard she was dressed in tattered rags?”

“My godson works right outside the second gate. When he got off duty today and came back, he said he was startled as soon as the gate opened—he thought it was a beggar. Who would have guessed it was actually the Sixth Young Mistress’s family members.”

“The Sixth Young Mistress always seemed like a respectable person. Who would have thought her family had fallen to such straits? Coming here now, they’re probably just here to sponge off her.”

Ping’er, after all, was still young—just a little girl of twelve or thirteen. How would she know how to handle such a situation? All she could do was shake her head repeatedly: “No, that’s not it. They’re not here to sponge off her, and they’re not beggars.”

Her words only made everyone burst into laughter.

Gu Xiyan found the whole situation both ridiculous and infuriating to hear.

These maids and elderly servants all belonged to the old lady’s quarters. When juniors entered the old lady’s room, even the cats and dogs demanded respect, and the maids, attendants, and elderly servants all thought themselves superior. Now they were blatantly gossiping, showing not a shred of dignity.

Blood rushed to Gu Xiyan’s face. She knew she should hold back, should pretend not to have heard, but she was too angry.

So she tucked the bag of silver ingots into her bosom, then pushed aside the embroidered cotton curtain and walked out without any expression.

The maids and servants all froze abruptly, standing there dumbstruck.

Even though they had been gossiping behind others’ backs, they never expected to be caught red-handed like this. No matter what, Gu Xiyan was a proper young mistress, officially titled and appointed—completely different from them as mere servants.

Gu Xiyan stood on the steps, her gaze coolly sweeping over their faces, noting the patches of red and embarrassment on their cheeks and their slightly awkward smiles.

This time, it was their turn to feel awkward and flustered.

Gu Xiyan gave a soft chuckle, withdrawing his gaze and turning to Pinger instead. “I went inside to pay my respects to the old madam, and left you here to wait properly. Who gave you the freedom to waste your time gossiping and wagging your tongue?”

Pinger, being young, didn’t understand and lowered her head, feeling utterly wronged.

Gu Xiyan said coldly, “Don’t think that just because you’re dressed in gold and silver, you’re truly a lady or a mistress. Even if they flatter you, a sparrow can never become a golden swallow, and dogtail grass will never bloom like a peony. It’s only because the mistress or lady has favored you that you have your current status. Yet, you don’t know what’s good for you—gossiping and criticizing here and there—you’re really overstepping the courtesy extended to you!”

Pinger panicked, her tears about to fall.

The maids and matrons standing nearby naturally understood this as a thinly veiled rebuke aimed at them. Having been caught red-handed just moments earlier, they were at a disadvantage and, despite their unpleasant expressions, could hardly retort. They simply stood there awkwardly.

Gu Xiyan, with his slender fingers gently lifting the hem of her skirt, descended the steps in a composed and graceful manner before raising her head and striding away without so much as a glance back.

Ping’er wiped her tears with her sleeve and hurriedly followed after her.

Seeing this, the maids and matrons looked even more uncomfortable. They exchanged uneasy glances among themselves, but found nothing to say.

Meanwhile, Gu Xiyan was walking at a brisk pace, her feet moving like the wind. In just a few steps, she had already passed through the hanging flower gate and entered the garden.

The cool breeze of early spring swept over her, bringing a moment of clarity. The hot blood that had rushed to her head slowly receded.

She knew she had acted impulsively and offended people—not just one, but a whole crowd. But there was no helping it. When she saw them gossiping and belittling her like that, she couldn’t contain her anger.

If only her husband were still alive, if only she had a child by her side, she would never have fallen into such a pitiful state.

But she truly had nothing to rely on, nothing at all. Now that she had vented this anger, she would likely face even more trouble and awkwardness ahead.

Thinking of this, Gu Xiyan halted her steps, reaching into her embrace to feel the silver in her pocket. Though it bulged slightly, she vaguely knew it couldn’t amount to much.

Just then, Ping’er hurriedly caught up with her. The young maid had run in a fluster, her eyes rimmed red, looking both aggrieved and uneasy.

Gu Xiyan then said, “What I said earlier wasn’t meant as a scolding for you. You just happened to be in the way. I know you’ve been wronged—don’t cry now. Once we return home, I’ll have Qiu Sang give you some fruit to eat.”

Ping’er was taken aback for a moment, then quickly nodded, wiping her tears as she said, “Ping’er understands. I won’t pay them any mind from now on.”

Gu Xiyan thought to herself that this little maid was still speaking like a child. Without dwelling on it, she continued forward until she reached the lakeside. Seeing a pavilion there with lush water plants nearby, she found it to be a rather secluded spot.

She instructed Ping’er, “Stand here and keep watch for anyone coming and going.”

Ping’er promptly replied, “Yes, I’ll keep watch.”

Gu Xiyan walked to the side of the pavilion and, shielded by the railings and pavilion structure, took out the bag of silver from his robe.