Jiang He's words left Ye Yun momentarily stunned. Seeing her dazed expression, Jiang He belatedly realized she was a junior. He waved his hand dismissively and chuckled, "Just teasing you. Furong," he beckoned to the maid waiting nearby. Two maids hurried over to support Jiang He. Glancing at Ye Yun, he instructed the remaining maid, "Fetch Miss Ye an outer garment. The night wind carries a chill—she shouldn't catch her brother's illness while tending to him."
Without another look at Ye Yun, he leaned on the maids and allowed them to escort him back to his room.
Ye Yun stood in the courtyard for a moment before collecting herself. She had attendants help Ye Shi'an up. When they reached the entrance, Jiang He's maid was already waiting with an outer garment. Upon seeing Ye Yun, she presented the garment with a smile. "This cloak is borrowed from the young madam. She hasn't worn it yet—I hope you don't mind, Miss Ye."
Ye Yun nodded, studying the maid. Jiang He was usually accompanied by four maids, and this one—apparently named Bai Zhi—was the most delicate and elegant among them. Meeting her gaze, Ye Yun said respectfully, "Thank you."
The maid blinked in surprise, never expecting such words from a young lady of noble birth. Ye Yun draped the cloak over her shoulders and boarded the carriage.
Inside, Ye Shi'an was slumped in drunkenness. As Ye Yun entered, he cracked his eyes open and murmured hoarsely, "Yun'er, your brother will find you a good family someday."
Ye Yun froze briefly before listening to his drunken ramblings. "From now on," he slurred, "your brother won't let anyone bully you again."
Ye Yun lowered her gaze. After a long silence, she finally responded, "I'm living well, brother. Don't worry."
As Ye Yun escorted Ye Shi'an away, Gu Jiusi emerged from the Purification Chamber, his hair damp with moisture. Liu Yu Ru took a cloth to dry it for him.
While tending to him, she remarked casually, "Your uncle just borrowed a garment from me, saying it was for Yun'er. He's truly considerate—not only thinking to get her extra clothing, but even realizing that as Ye Yun, she couldn't properly wear garments from his maids."
"Naturally," Gu Jiusi snorted lightly. "Just think how many girls he's charmed in his lifetime. My mother says even as an infant he'd only let beautiful women hold him. By fourteen or fifteen, the line of women smitten with him stretched from the Eastern Capital to Yangzhou. When he spent time in Yangzhou at sixteen, he didn't need to reveal his status—his face alone was enough to captivate local girls. So you tell me—isn't he attentive and considerate toward women?"
Liu Yu Ru frowned slightly. "How old is your uncle exactly?"
Gu Jiusi chuckled. "Take a guess."
"He must be at least thirty-three?"
After serious contemplation, Liu Yu Ru ventured her estimate. Gu Jiusi shook his head. "Thirty-six."
Liu Yu Ru stared in genuine surprise. Gu Jiusi sighed before continuing, "I know what you're thinking—you want to matchmake Ye Yun with him. But this matter... I think you should set it aside for now."
"Why so?" Liu Yu Ru asked, perplexed.To be honest, she hadn't deliberately intended to matchmake them. It was only when Jiang He sent clothes to Ye Yun that she suddenly recalled this matter. Ye Yun was still young and needed to settle down eventually. Spending a lifetime alone would be acceptable if it were her own choice, but Liu Yu Ru clearly knew that this was never the life Ye Yun wanted.
Jiang He was a good man—experienced, capable, and most importantly, given his temperament, he would certainly not mind Ye Yun's past and might even appreciate her for it.
Hearing Liu Yu Ru's question, Gu Jiusi thought for a moment before finally saying, "Do you know why he has never married?"
Liu Yu Ru didn't quite understand. Gu Jiusi continued, "I don't actually know the specifics. But I do know one thing: when I was young, I once saw a memorial tablet in his residence. The tablet had no name on it, but he kept it there all along. No one knew who it was for. My mother guessed it was someone he loved."
"Someone he loved?"
"Yes." Gu Jiusi nodded and went on, "My mother said he wasn't always unwilling to marry. When he was sixteen, he told his family he intended to marry a girl, but he never mentioned it again afterward. When his family asked, he simply said she had died. Several years later, he suddenly placed this memorial tablet in his residence. Aside from a courtesan who bore him a daughter, he never had any legitimate children. His family has brought this up many times over the years. I heard my grandfather once beat him so severely he was bedridden for a month, but it still didn't change his mind. So, don't even think about matchmaking them. If Ye Yun has any thoughts in that direction, advise her not to pursue it. Over the years, I've seen plenty of girls who tried to chase after him."
These words weighed heavily on Liu Yu Ru. Gu Jiusi glanced at her and, seeing her seemingly worried, quickly added, "Don't dwell on this. Today is my coming-of-age ceremony—what are you planning to give me? Let me tell you, anything half-hearted won't satisfy me."
Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru pursed her lips and smiled. She stood up and said, "I've had it ready for you for a while."
With that, she went to a nearby cabinet and retrieved a wooden box.
Gu Jiusi grew excited, curious about what Liu Yu Ru had in the box. She placed it in front of him, pursed her lips into a smile, and said, "Guess what it is."
Gu Jiusi thought for a moment, feeling a little thrill inside.
He coughed lightly, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Is it a sachet?"
The kind embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in water.
Liu Yu Ru shook her head. "Better than that. Guess again."
Even better?
Gu Jiusi immediately straightened his expression and continued, "Is it a love knot?"
The kind you braid yourself.
Liu Yu Ru shook her head again. "More practical than that."
"Then... is it shoe inserts?"
The kind you embroider yourself.
Gu Jiusi frowned. He wasn't particularly keen on receiving that—Liu Yu Ru had given him some before, and he hadn't found it thrilling.
"Think again."
This time, he truly couldn't guess. He had no idea what else a woman could possibly give her husband in a wooden box.
Seeing that he couldn't figure it out, Liu Yu Ru decided not to press him further and opened the box. As soon as she did, Gu Jiusi froze. Inside was a token, with a stack of papers tucked beneath it.
"What is this..."Gu Jiusi stared blankly at the contents inside, unable to speak. Liu Yu Ru tucked her hair behind her ear and took out a token, speaking calmly: "This is the Black Jade Token. With this token, all the shops under my name will treat it as if they're seeing me. I've privately established an academy and trained a group of guards. In a few years when these children have grown up, they will all obey you when you show them this token."
Gu Jiusi listened in a daze, then watched as Liu Yu Ru brought out several deeds, continuing: "These are the deeds to my shops—Floral Visage, Immortal Fragrance, and the subsequent merchant fleets. All the businesses I've handled, I've given you shares in them. You're twenty now, you should have some assets of your own."
As she spoke, Liu Yu Ru lifted her eyes to look at Gu Jiusi. He stared blankly at the items before him, showing neither joy nor anger. Liu Yu Ru felt somewhat uneasy, hesitating for a moment before slowly saying: "I don't know if you'll like it, but I've always been a practical person. When I wanted to give you gifts, I didn't know what to choose. I originally prepared silver for you, but felt that silver would be gone once spent, unlike these assets. In wealthy families, these things should have been given to you by your family. Since you're serving as an official, you need certain things, but given the family's previous circumstances, your parents couldn't provide them. So I've been making plans for you in my heart."
"Actually, it's not necessary..." Gu Jiusi's voice was somewhat hoarse. He lowered his gaze to look at the deeds before him, forcing a smile. "Yu Ru, you make me feel so useless."
Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru was taken aback. She fell silent, an indescribable ache welling up in her heart.
"They told me too," she said quietly, "that as a woman, planning so much for my husband might not be appreciated, that he might even think I'm too domineering. But I always felt I should do more for you. I know these things don't need to be done by me—you brought Huzi from Youzhou to the Eastern Capital to set up informants for you in the city, and you have your own guards too, but..."
Liu Yu Ru didn't finish her sentence, sighing instead as she looked up at Gu Jiusi: "Please don't mind, it's not that I think you're incapable. I just want to be worthy of you, to do more for you."
Hearing this, Gu Jiusi slowly smiled. He reached out and gently drew her into his embrace. Liu Yu Ru leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
His shoulders had broadened considerably, taking on the form of a young man. Leaning against him, she heard him say: "Yu Ru, there's nothing about you that's unworthy of me. Don't always think that way."
"You've become so remarkable now," Liu Yu Ru sighed. "Jiusi, sometimes when I look at my uncle, I wonder what you'll be like in the future. Every time I think about it, I feel uneasy."
"That old rascal has ruined me," Gu Jiusi covered his head with his hand, somewhat helplessly saying. "Yu Ru, actually, most of the time I'm the one thinking—how did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful woman, and how can I ever repay you?""There aren't many things you like. When it comes to money, you earn it yourself and won't let me help. You assist me in everything, yet I can't do much for you. You've thought of everything for me and placed it before me. Every time you do this, I think, how can you be so good? Just when I believe this is the best I'll ever see, you show me an even better version of yourself. If anyone should feel uneasy, it should be me."
"I can't give you what you like, only keep accepting your efforts. What should I do about this?"
Hearing these words, Liu Yu Ru looked up at him.
Gu Jiusi wore a smile on his lips, but it was filled with helplessness, as if he had no solution for her.
He's too handsome, Liu Yu Ru thought to herself as she gazed at him.
Even after marriage, even though he was hers, every time she looked at him, she felt an indescribable new sensation.
At this moment, one leg was crossed to stabilize his posture while the other was bent with his hand resting on it. His long hair flowed loosely, wearing a simple inner garment with a moon-colored robe draped over it. He lowered his head, his gem-like eyes completely focused on her. They were so close that when the wind blew, the fragrance of flowers mingled with his hair gently brushing against her face, like his silent touch.
Liu Yu Ru couldn't help but blush. She buried her head in his chest again, wrapping her arms around him, and whispered softly, "What I like, you've already given me. Don't overthink it."
"Hmm?"
Gu Jiusi made a questioning sound. Listening to his steady heartbeat, Liu Yu Ru murmured like a mosquito's buzz: "I like you."
These words made Gu Jiusi pause for a moment. After a brief silence, he couldn't help but laugh heartily. Feeling the vibration in his chest and hearing the young man's uncontrollable laughter in the night, Liu Yu Ru didn't dare look up.
"Liu Yu Ru, oh Liu Yu Ru," Gu Jiusi said, "I'm completely fallen for you in this lifetime."
He feared he would never find another girl so sincere yet so captivating.
After the coming-of-age ceremony, Gu Jiusi took three days off. When he returned to court, the list of officials responsible for the Yellow River Renovation had been announced.
The Yellow River Renovation was the most costly project since the founding of Great Xia, and Fan Xuan regarded it with utmost importance. Gu Jiusi had thought that Luo Zishang would be in charge of this renovation, since he proposed the plan and secured the funding. Others sent along would merely be observers.
However, when the imperial edict was announced in court, Gu Jiusi heard his own name.
"Order the Minister of Revenue Gu Jiusi to lead the Vice Minister of Works Luo Zishang in overseeing the Yellow River Renovation project..."
Gu Jiusi frowned and glanced at Fan Xuan on the throne.
Fan Xuan appeared somewhat weary. Regarding this decree, there was clearly no room for alteration, which was why he hadn't informed Gu Jiusi in advance.
After court adjourned, Gu Jiusi went to see Fan Xuan. As soon as he entered the imperial study, he heard Fan Xuan say: "I know what you're thinking."
Gu Jiusi swallowed his words. Fan Xuan, reviewing memorials, said calmly: "The Ministry of Revenue is very busy right now. You've just become Minister and need to stabilize the ministry. It's not suitable for you to be away. I understand your concerns."
"Then what was Your Majesty's consideration in having your servant oversee the Yellow River Renovation?"
Gu Jiusi frowned. Being transferred away from the Eastern Capital during such a critical period, leaving before even solidifying his position as Minister of Revenue - what did Fan Xuan mean by this?"Repairing the Yellow River is a major undertaking," Fan Xuan spoke calmly. "Jiusi, you're young and your foundation is unstable. You need to accomplish some practical deeds to establish a place in the hearts of the people. Once you have that position, others in the court will have to think twice. Luo Zishang is desperately repairing the Yellow River for this very reason."
Gu Jiusi listened quietly. Fan Xuan set down a memorial and rubbed his forehead. "I want to promote you, so I'm entrusting this matter to you. The most important thing is that the Yellow River affair is of great significance. I've pondered it over and over, and I'm not at ease with Luo Zishang solely in charge. If he harbors ulterior motives and manipulates this matter, what should we do if something goes wrong later?"
Hearing this, Gu Jiusi's expression immediately turned serious. Fan Xuan continued, "As for the Ministry of Revenue, it's after all in the Eastern Capital. Vice Minister Jiang He's capabilities are sufficient to handle it, so you needn't worry."
After Fan Xuan finished this series of statements, Gu Jiusi understood.
Fan Xuan had never trusted Luo Zishang, and as someone Fan Xuan intended to cultivate, Gu Jiusi needed to be given an opportunity to prove himself. Therefore, Fan Xuan was putting him in charge of the Yellow River project. Luo Zishang had already secured the funds and provided the blueprints; even if he were removed at the last moment, it wouldn't matter. Thus, changing the person in charge at this stage was something Luo Zishang couldn't oppose. Meanwhile, placing Jiang He as Vice Minister of Revenue in the Ministry—where Jiang He already had deep roots in the Eastern Capital and was Gu Jiusi's uncle—meant that even if Gu Jiusi went to repair the Yellow River, Jiang He would certainly help him manage the Ministry of Revenue.
Therefore, for Gu Jiusi to undertake the Yellow River repair, both internal and external obstacles had been cleared.
Gu Jiusi didn't know when Fan Xuan had started planning this. Perhaps from the moment Jiang He was appointed as Vice Minister of Revenue, preparations had begun to give Gu Jiusi a chance to establish himself among the people—and Luo Zishang had conveniently presented himself.
Looking at Fan Xuan before him, Gu Jiusi suddenly felt a sense of respect. He bowed respectfully to Fan Xuan and said, "Your subject will not fail Your Majesty."
"Regarding the Yellow River repair, the hardest part isn't the money, nor is it the specifics of how to repair it," Fan Xuan said calmly. "It's the relationships among the officials throughout the entire process. I grant you the Son of Heaven's Sword. When you go, you must not only repair the Yellow River but also investigate the accounts of the three provinces along its route. This journey is likely to be fraught with difficulties, so you must be extra cautious. Take Lu Yong with you; in matters of human relations, you should listen to him."
"Your subject understands," Gu Jiusi said with a grave expression.
Fan Xuan nodded and said no more, only adding, "Good that you understand. Is there anything else you wish to ask?"
Gu Jiusi remained silent. Fan Xuan looked up at him, and after hesitating for a moment, Gu Jiusi knelt down and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."
Fan Xuan was taken aback, then after a moment, he laughed. "You, child."
His tone softened, like that of an elder, as he said to Gu Jiusi, "Go now, don't delay."
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