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Trouble
Translated by atsam
Edited by atsam
“I feel ashamed to say this,” Su Zheng said, looking embarrassed. “When I left home this time, I intended to go to the capital to prepare for next year’s imperial examination. Unexpectedly, there was an accident on the way and I fell into water, losing my luggage, all of my books and notes.
“I really had no choice but to visit and trouble you. I have heard that uncle’s knowledge is excellent. If I can obtain uncle’s advice and his permission to transcribe some of the books from his collection, I couldn’t thank you enough.”
It turned out to be so!
Gu Jiu anxiously asked, “Is biaoge alright?”
Su Zheng shook his head. “Thank you for your concern, biaomei. I only fell into water. It’s not a big problem.”
Gu Jiu relaxed, smiling. “It’s good that your okay. Biaoge, you can stay here in peace. Don’t worry about anything else. If you have any difficulties, send someone to gege at once. Gege, isn’t that right?”
How could Gu Ting object to this? He nodded repeatedly. “Meimei is right. Su biaoge, if you have any problems, don’t hesitate to tell me immediately.”
Su Zheng said gratefully, “Thank you, biaodi, biaomei.”
Gu Jiu said, “Biaoge is too courteous. I just didn’t expect you to have met Xie jia‘s father and son at the city gates coincidentally.”
Su Zheng nodded. “I also didn’t expect to meet them there. It is neither a festival nor a special occasion. I didn’t expect them to visit at this time.”
Clearly, Su Zheng was also very concerned about the purpose of Xie jia’s father and son.
“I know about this,” Gu Ting said loudly. “Xie er laoye‘s visit is about Xie jia‘s property. Xie jia’s ancestral hometown is in Xizhou in Jiangnan. I heard a butler say that Xie jia has bought a lot of property in Xizhou this year. Xie er laoye has spent half his time this year in Xizhou. This time, he was passing by Jinzhou on his way to the capital.”
Gu Jiu raised her brows and smiled, speaking with insinuations, “From Xizhou to Jinzhou, then to the capital. This route is really long-winded. Xie er laoye is really considerate of Xie taitai.”
Su Zheng smiled. He realised that Gu Jiu biaomei had also paid attention to the abnormality of Xie jia‘s father and son.
Gu Jiu biaomei must certainly be worried, ba, worried that their stepmother Xie shi would take advantage of this time to stir up trouble.
He looked at Gu Ting and Gu Jiu with some concern. “Biaodi, biaomei, will you be alright?”
Gu Ting slapped his chest. “Biaoge, be at ease. We will be okay.”
Gu Jiu smiled without speaking. Silly brother. Today, he was nearly led by the nose by the taitai and he still dared to say that they would be okay.
Xie er laoye took the trouble of travelling such a long way to Jinzhou certainly not with the simple purpose of visiting Xie shi.
Gu Jiu’s brows moved. Su biaoge was discerning, as expected. He understood her worries at once.
Looking at Su Zheng, she said, “Thanks for your concern, biaoge. In this fu, gege is doing well and can go out frequently. As for me, I’m like a blind person with my eyes open. I am completely unaware about the affairs within the fu. Even if the taitai had any plans, it is impossible for me to know about them.”
Listening to this, Su Zheng frowned. “All these years, biaomei has been wronged.”
Gu Jiu shook her head. “I don’t feel wronged. I feel fortunate growing up safe and sound.”
She had a open and candid smile on her face.
Even though she hadn’t uttered a word of complaint, Su Zheng felt sad listening to her.
Living helplessly under the stepmother’s thumb, how could she not feel sad?
He didn’t know how many invisible swords and storms she had experienced in order to grow up safely. Su Zheng opened his mouth to speak, truly wanting to do something for his cousins.
“If biaomei is facing any trouble, as long as I am able, biaomei shouldn’t hesitate to ask.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Thank you, biaoge. With the Xie jia‘s visit, the fu will certainly be lively the following days. If you have an problems, biaoge should send someone to inform me.”
Su Zheng nodded, his heart like a mirror. “Xiao Jiu biaomei, be at ease. I understand.”
Li Chuan, the manservant, entered. “Reporting to shaoye, guniang, biao , shaoye, the living arrangements have been made.”
Gu Jiu said, “Since that is so, biaoge should settle down soon. If you need anything, send someone to gege right away.”
Gu Ting nodded. “Su biaoge, don’t be polite with me.”
Su Zheng nodded, getting up. “Thank you, biaodi, biaomei. I will now retire.”
“Biaoge, take care. Li Chuan, serve cousin well.”
“Xiaode understands.”
Once he left, Gu Jiu sat down again. “Gege, sit down. I have something to tell you.”
Gu Ting listened to her words and obediently sat down. “Meimei, what’s the matter?”
Gu Jiu waved her hand, letting Qing Mei and the others leave.
Then she asked, “What do you think about Su biaoge?”
“He’s very good!”
Gu Jiu looked at Gu Ting with a smile that didn’t seem like a smile. “Just very good?”
Gu Ting laughed sheepishly, “Meimei, you know I’m stupid. Don’t talk in riddles. Speak directly, ba. If you tell me to guess, I won’t be able to guess.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Gege, you should also read many books.”
“If you tell me to read books, it’s equal to killing me. You know that if I read, my head aches.”
Gu Ting had a pained expression on his face. To him, reading was a form of torture.
Gu Jiu pursed her lips, smiling. “Okay, ba! I won’t force gege to read. Did brother pay attention to Su biaoge’s clothes today?”
Gu Ting blinked. “Now that sister mentions it, I remember that his clothes seemed very old.”
Gu Jiu said, “Su biaoge certainly didn’t want to visit wearing such old clothes. But they are already his most presentable clothes.”
“Ah?” Gu Ting was clearly startled.
Gu Jiu continued, “Su biaoge falling into the water must be true. He must have lost not just his luggage, books and notes, but also all his money and belongings. Su jia’s life should be very difficult now. In order to send Su biaoge to study in the capital, I think they must have exhausted almost all their silver.
“Therefore, after the accident, Su biaoge couldn’t return home for help and could only visit us with a thick face and ask for help. But with Su biaoge’s self-esteem, he found it embarrassing to talk about his grievances and just asked to transcribe books.”
Gu Ting remembered, “So this means that Su biaoge neither has money nor presentable clothes?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “So we have to help Su biaoge get through this difficult time. Su biaoge is Su jia’s hope. If he succeeds in the future, uncle and aunt can also lead a better life. If Su jia rises, gege and I can also see better days in this fu. In the future, when gege marries and starts his career, he can also have the backing of relatives.”
Gu Ting said, “I have not thought so far. Whether uncle and the others want to help me or not, it’s their business. But I can certainly not watch indifferently as Su biaoge is in trouble. Meimei, tell me, ba, how can we help? Giving money or something else?”
Gu Jiu laughed, her smile reaching her eyes. “I knew that brother is someone who attaches great importance to feelings and righteousness.”
Gu Ting looked smug. “Naturally! Meimei must know that everyone outside calls me the loyal and righteous san shaoye. Not like that wily and deceitful liu di.”
Gu Jiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Looking at Gu Ting’s colourful demeanour, he could as well become the owner of dye workshop.
Seeing his enthusiasm, she asked, “Gege, how much money have you collected over the years?”
Gu Ting was stunned, then laughed guiltily, “Not much, not much.”
“Not much is how much? Gege gets fifteen taels of silver every month according to the rules. Along with gifts and rewards, don’t tell me you haven’t been left with a single coin.”
According to Gu jia‘s rules, once a man reached the age of fourteen, he would be given fifteen taels from five taels of silver. This was because once a boy grew up, he couldn’t avoid social interactions.
Gu Ting laughed awkwardly. “Sister, don’t laugh at me. I’m now broke. I only have ten taels on hand.”
Gu Jiu’s expression changed. Laughing, she said, “Ten teals is not much. In a few days, you will receive the monthly silver. At that time, you will have twenty-five taels on hand. I will add to it. Then, gege must think of a way to send it to Su biaoge.”
Gu Ting asked, “With Su biaoge’s stubborn self-esteem, how can he ask for money?”
Gu Jiu said, “Just say that you want to lend it to him. Later, when he is well-off, he can return it to you. In addition, gege must have new, clean clothes which you haven’t worn yet. If you find a chance, send it to Su biaoge.”
Gu Ting nodded. “Meimei, relax, I will do this matter well.”
“Also, the matter of Su biaoge borrowing books to transcribe, gege must take it seriously by all means. For scholars, books are extremely important.”
Gu Ting suddenly had a big headache. For him to go to the study to request for books, wasn’t it the same as butchering him?
Gu Jiu secretly laughed, looking at her brother’s deflated appearance.