CH 8

Chapter 8: Clarity

Qingfang talked about the clothes again:

“When this slave wore the ginger-yellow clothes, the three maids in the main room, Liu Guang, Chayue, and Zhuyue, were envious. Liu Guang reminded me that those dresses aren’t appropriate for my current position. They looked too luxurious, and even I’m embarrassed to wear it.”

Liu Guang and the three other maids were originally maids from the Gu’s Mansion. Since Qingfang entered the mansion with Tao Xinhe, they have consciously respected her.

So Qingfang didn’t expect that when she wiped her remaining tears away last night, and entered the maid’s room, she would receive a persuasion from Liu Guang. She seemed to have been waiting for her for a long time.

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Liu Guang said that Qingfang doesn’t look suitable with the expensive clothing, and that only the mistress can wear these kinds of dresses. She also said, that only the Mistress’s cold, glamorous, and pale complexion would be able to hold this type of Ginger Yellow color. She said that maid’s like them could not compete with the bright moon. As their current positions are like dusts on their master’s eyes.

Seeing Qingfang thoughtful, Liu Guang went on to say more blunt advice, which was inconvenient to pass on to the masters.

All in all, what Liu Guang meant was that she had served Gu Ningxi for nearly ten years ever since she was a child, and she deeply emphasized that this master is just like an immortal in a painting, and that he won’t be easily moved by external things, calling him a wooden person would not be an understatement.

She was afraid that if Qingfang climbed into the master’s bed, the master would get mad and make a fuss, and more importantly, she might get rejected by the mistress.

Qingfang didn’t have this kind of thought at all, so she naturally appreciated Liu Guang’s reminder, and also likes Liu Guang’s honesty and effort.

When she found an opportunity this morning, she gave her opinion to Tao Xinhe:

“You are planning to pick one of the three maids to help you as a first class maid right? This servant thinks that Liu Guang is the most suitable.”

“Well, you’ve always been good at taking care of the little maids. After the Lantern Festival of the first lunar month, if you see that she has made no mistakes, then you can raise her as a first class maid.” Tao Xinhe agreed. She still doesn’t know how much Liu Guang can help her in the future.

Qingfang knelt down and saluted, “I thank Madam on behalf of Liu Guang.” Noticing Tao Xinhe’s disinterest, she obediently changed her title back to Madam.

At this time, a surprised male voice came from outside the door:

“Are you called Liu Guang?”

Both Tao Xinhe’s master and servant heard the sound, the door was pushed open, and in front of them was Liu Guang with her head bowed and holding a red dress in her hands.

She saluted and crouched, revealing even more that the stalwart man behind her was Gu Ningxi with loose hair and a long robe.

The master is unique and unparalleled in style. Even though he was tired in the morning and his clothes were disheveled, Gu Ningxi still elegant and beautiful. He showed the temperament of a gentleman like an orchid1 to the fullest, and he also had a romantic charm of the Wei and Jin Dynasties. He always unconsciously and domineeringly occupied the attention of others.

Tao Xinhe knew that Gu Ningxi was looking for her, and the first feeling in her heart was joy. Then she hated herself for not being able to keep her composure, she bit her lips, and angrily glanced away, not looking at him anymore.

Gu Ningxi stepped in through the door, He slowly walked over, his gaze was on guard, but he didn’t speak.

Liu Guang quickly explained: “Madam, this servant is taking clothes and passing by the main room, the Lord stopped the servant to ask where Madam was, so I guided the master and told him where you were.”

Tao Xinhe heard from Liu Guang that the three maidservants serving Gu Ningxi in the mansion were all hired by Old Madam Gu.

Liu Guang’s original name was Pan Guang, and she asked her mistress Tao Xinhe to give her a new name a few days after her wedding, so she changed it later.

Madam Gu named the servants with names with meanings like Climbing the light, chasing the clouds, chasing the moon. In Madam Gu’s mind, the purpose of these young women she sent to take care of her grandson are quite clear. Which light to climb, which cloud to chase, and which moon to chase.

Tao Xinhe reluctantly admitted from the bottom of her heart that Gu Ningxi was indeed as bright as the moon and clouds just by looking at his appearance and bearing. So even if the mouth was full of lies, he was still like gold and jade!

Having sorted out her mood, Tao Xinhe smiled lightly, and nodded to the little maid: “You’re tired, it’s just right, come and help me put the dress on.”

Gu Ningxi moved after hearing her voice, and confirmed that the person wearing the moon-white undershirt was his own wife. He walked slowly to Tao Xinhe’s side.

He was secretly comparing the woman’s figure to the figure in his memory. After confirming that it was in fact the same. Gu Ningxi finally opened his mouth and said affectionately:

“When I opened my eyes this morning, I found that the lady was not in the room. This husband was so anxious. Why did you come to the side room after washing, it’s so cold all the way, it’s not good to freeze my wife.”

He wanted to hug his wife’s shoulders as usual, but Tao Xinhe turned around and walked to the two maids, and opened her arms for them to assist her with her clothes.

“Seeing that you were sleeping soundly, I am afraid that I will make a noise when I wash and change clothes, disturbing your sleep. You should go back to the main room and tidy yourself up. You look so unseemly now.” Tao Xinhe pulled her hair out of her collar, and said casually.

Gu Ningxi frowned slightly, he squinted his eyes, covered the clear light. He clearly felt the lady’s indifference.

Is she still angry about last night? Is she mad at himself for coming home late? For mistaking the wrong person? Or was it the rouge marks?

Gu Ningxi thought about it, maybe it was because he was still drunk last night and didn’t speak clearly, which made the lady depressed.

“My lady, this husband made a mistake. Let me tell you about yesterday’s situation in detail, okay?” Gu Ningxi softened his tone, coaxing her sincerely and gently.

But Tao Xinhe replied:

“Isn’t that just repeating the same old tune? I understand, you don’t need to explain anything.”

She refused to listen to the lies fabricated by her husband. She sat down and ordered the maids to comb her hair.

Gu Ningxi looked at Tao Xinhe deeply for a long time, as if he wanted to engrave the lady wearing the watery red dress today in his mind.

He didn’t dare to ask or think about why the lady no longer wore ginger yellow, he could only distinguish the details of the lady’s clothes today with his heart.

Gu Ningxi watched from the side without saying a word, Tao Xinhe’s chest was rising up and down, she hated his gaze and did not want to show weakness, instead she straightened her back properly.

The lady wears a short jacket with a curved collar and pinched waist. She was also wearing a six-panel floor-length skirt of the same color. The whole set should be cut from silk cloth of Hongmao Town Fabric, Hongmao Town Fabrics have cherry blossoms, thickened with engraved silk and darkly printed precious flowers. The neckline and cuffs are decorated with lake blue cloud and water patterns. Gold embossed color thread were used to sew the hem of the skirt.

It turns out that there are many small and ingenious ideas in women’s jackets and clothing. Gu Ningxi realized that he has been relying on colors for so long that he had forgotten his original observation skills.

He smiled bitterly to himself, he was spoiled by his wife too much.

Seeing Tao Xinhe let the maids fiddle with her head and face. Her hairstyle is definitely not the usual bun. Gu Ningxi knows that he should not disturb a woman while she’s trying to wear her clothes, so he can only explain later.

Gu Ningxi reluctantly moved his steps back to the main room. He was still worried that he might commit the same mistake and not recognize the lady when they meet again later.

He had Chayue and Zhuyue prepare his bath and clothing. He has always been self-reliant so he never asked them to assist him while he bath.

***

The husband and wife both ate breakfast in silence, because the Gu family always paid attention to food without speaking to maintain health, so Gu Ningxi was full of words waiting to be uttered after the meal.

Just after rinsing, the servants came from the old Gu’s mansion. It turned out that the old lady heard that her grandson had recovered, and asked Gu Ningxi to come over to the mansion today to visit her.

Even if Gu Ningxi was distressed, He still had to go. He can’t refuse the call from an elder.

While picking up the annual gift list that the lady put on the table for the old Gu’s mansion, Gu Ningxi asked Tao Xinhe softly if she wanted to go to see her grandmother together.

In the past, he didn’t need to mention it, the lady would always be by his side. But today, the atmosphere between the two of them was not right, and he didn’t know if she would come.

Tao Xinhe really shook her head and declined, she said a lot of beautiful words, and that what the old lady wants to see most is her grandson, so they can talk privately as they please. There are a lot of chores in the house waiting for her to deal with, and she can’t go away.

She has been taking care of her husband for a long time, she Felt very tired and wanted to be lazy and rest in the mansion. Gu Ningxi didn’t know how to retort.

“He Niang, I’m going see my grandmother, I’ll come back as soon as possible. Wait for me, can we have lunch together? I really have a lot of things I want to discuss with you.” He spoke slowly according to etiquette. He looked pitifully at his wife.

“Go quickly.” Tao Xinhe was noncommittal, waved her hand and stopped looking at him.

***

After Gu Ningxi left, Tao Xinhe only felt relieved. Seeing Qingfang’s worried face, she patted the hand of the loyal servant girl to show that she knew what she’s doing, and then she dealt with the affairs inside and outside the house in an orderly manner.

Tomorrow is the new year, and after that is the first lunar month, there are festivals and lively gatherings every day, this is the most important event.

It won’t be too late to pursue the husband’s mess after that. She Tao Xinhe can afford to let it go, and she won’t force it.

Thinking of her natal family, Tao Xinhe remembered that now the younger sister-in-law Hong was in charge of the manor, and that she would be in charge of the new year celebration, so she might encounter many obstacles. Then she thought about it, and ordered her servants to arrange for her to go back to her mother’s house in the afternoon to help her take care of it.

Not long after, another news came from the outer courtyard, saying that the shopkeeper of Xiangyang Restaurant came to pay a special visit to Gu Sicheng2.

Tao Xinhe was a little surprised, Xiangyang Restaurant had no relationship with their house, how could they catch up with them?

For some reason, Gu Ningxi’s words about being drunk with his colleagues in the restaurant came to mind last night. Tao Xinhe remembered that Xiangyang Restaurant was opened on a bustling street not far from the Ministry of Rites, and couldn’t help but chuckle. Could it be that my husband really told the truth?

So what, I saw him meeting Qiniang privately with my own eyes, and the charge for changing his mind could never be escaped. He lied before his illness that the etiquette department was busy, which is also a previous evidence. Tao Xinhe pressed her heart down, not knowing what kind of news she wanted to hear, so she asked her servants to invite the shopkeeper in.

The proprietor of Xiangyang Restaurant had a beaming, round, chubby face. It was the first time he saw Tao Xinhe, but he knew her very well. The strings of auspicious words of early New Year greetings did not stop at all. Male guests like to drink Baijiu Lihuabai, Luofuchun, etc.3, and there are also many peach blossom wine, Qianmengjiu, Putaoche, Yuhuachun, Raorenxiang, etc. that are suitable for women.

Qingfang, who was still on the sidelines, interrupted the shopkeeper’s announcement, and asked for Tao Xinhe’s stead:

“I don’t know what’s the shopkeeper’s business for coming here?

” Seeing Madam Gu Sicheng’s beautiful face, I was so happy that I almost missed the business.”

He presented the willow wood lacquer box with the emblem of Xiangyang Restaurant engraved with it to Qingfang, and she gave it to Tao Xinhe.

Tao Xinhe didn’t know why, so she lightly opened the lock of the wooden box, and when she opened it, she saw a neatly stacked scarf on the top.

It was the eggplant purple cotton scarf that she saw the other women helping her husband straighten yesterday!

Why did the scarf come back from the shopkeeper of the restaurant?

Unwilling to take another look at the scarf, she closed the cover with a “snap”, Tao Xinhe quietly adjusted her breathing to calm down.

She squeezed the corner of the box tightly, and her tender palms were so painful and red that she could regain her concentration and listen carefully to the ins and outs from the shopkeeper:

“Madam Gu, I think you know that the Ministry of Rites made reservations at our small wine shop last night. They came in together with Master Gu, who was dragged by his sleeve by other other adults.”

***

TL NOTE:

See he wasn’t lying. They just really need to talk about it. There’s no need for divorce really. Haish, though I really think it wouldn’t be that easy.