After exchanging glances for a moment, everyone turned their eyes to Liu Yuru. Liu Yuru gave a light cough, set down the mutton, clapped her hands, stood up, and walked to the room's door, speaking gently, "Husband, are you hungry?"
"Haven't eaten all day—what do you think?" Gu Jiusi was irritated by her question. Hearing his displeased tone, Liu Yuru felt an inexplicable joy inside; the frustrations of the past few days seemed to lessen with Gu Jiusi's unhappiness. She secretly thought this was wrong—she didn't approve of deriving her own happiness from others' suffering. So she restrained that small bit of inner delight and continued, "Then I'll release you now, but once you're out, you must obediently recite 'Xue Er' completely before eating. Do you have any objections, husband?"
Gu Jiusi was about to curse, but at the last moment, reason stopped him. He knew that arguing further would only prolong his hunger indefinitely. Liu Yuru was well-fed and content while quarreling with him; no matter how sharp his tongue was, it couldn't hide the fact that he was dizzy with hunger. So he took a deep breath, bending with the circumstances, and said, "Fine, hurry up!"
Liu Yuru had someone release Gu Jiusi. As soon as he saw the roasted mutton in the courtyard, his eyes fixed on it, and he rushed straight toward it. Liu Yuru was about to stop him when she heard Gu Jiusi begin reciting fluently, speaking at an extremely fast pace while quickly pouring himself wine and grabbing meat. Then, under everyone's astonished gazes, he ate and recited simultaneously.
After finishing, Gu Jiusi let out a burp, took a sip of wine, and finally calmed down. He looked up at Liu Yuru with a rather proud expression, saying, "So, how about it? Impressed, aren't you? Admiring me?"
Liu Yuru watched his demeanor, suppressing a smile, thinking the person before her was like an immature child, eagerly seeking praise for a small achievement.
She gave a light cough, walked over to Gu Jiusi, and pushed two cold dishes toward him.
Once Gu Jiusi had eaten and drunk his fill, feeling satisfied with life, he stood up, waved his fan, and said, "Alright, I'm off to sleep."
"Husband," Liu Yuru's voice called from behind. Gu Jiusi shuddered; just hearing the word "husband" now made him fearful. Sure enough, Liu Yuru continued, "Why not let me explain what your life will be like from now on?"
"No, not necessary, not allowed, thanks."
Gu Jiusi spoke rapidly, lifting his leg to escape. Liu Yuru remained seated, speaking gently, "I don't want to lock you up."
Hearing this, Gu Jiusi's step froze mid-air. Liu Yuru swirled the tea in her cup, gazing at the moon reflected in it, and said softly, "Come back."
Gu Jiusi took a deep breath and indeed returned, crestfallen.
Liu Yuru first led Gu Jiusi to bathe, then had him change into the clothes prepared in advance. Gu Jiusi was forced into a plain-colored long gown, with a headband inscribed "Diligence" tied around his forehead, and then made to kneel before Liu Yuru.
Nowadays, chairs and stools were common in public areas like the main hall or functional rooms like the study, but in other private spaces, kneeling remained the primary posture.Liu Yu Ru sipped her tea, gazing contentedly at Gu Jiusi kneeling before her with a face full of suppressed fury and resentment.
She had to admit, Gu Jiusi’s appearance was truly exceptional.
People often praised Ye Shi’an for his refined and elegant demeanor, comparing him to a plum blossom immortal. Yet, in Liu Yu Ru’s eyes, when it came to sheer physical beauty, Gu Jiusi was the one who truly embodied an ethereal grace.
His eyebrows were like distant mountains, his eyes resembled peach blossoms, and even dressed in such plain and simple clothing, nothing could conceal the striking allure in his features.
His looks tended toward the feminine, but the sharp angles of his bone structure lent him a handsomeness that exuded a luxurious, almost floral and moonlit beauty.
As Liu Yu Ru quietly observed him, it suddenly occurred to her that, if she looked on the bright side, although Gu Jiusi was undeniably frivolous, he had a good temper, striking looks, and considerable wealth. This marriage might not be such a bad deal for her after all.
After all, she was merely an average-looking, overlooked daughter from an ordinary family. If not for this twist of fate, she and Gu Jiusi would never have been matched.
Seeing Liu Yu Ru remain silent for so long, Gu Jiusi lifted his eyes impatiently and said, “If you have something to say, say it quickly. I’m tired and want to sleep.”
“Oh,” Liu Yu Ru snapped out of her thoughts. “It’s like this—I’ve spoken with your former tutor about your academic progress and have devised a plan for you. From now on, you will sleep at midnight and rise at dawn. I will hire a highly respected Confucian scholar to teach you the Four Books and Five Classics exclusively; another instructor to explain the current state of affairs in the world; and a polymath to teach you practical skills like accounting and distinguishing grains. Finally, your parents will personally guide you in business dealings.”
Hearing this, Gu Jiusi drew a sharp breath and declared firmly, “You’re trying to kill me!”
Ignoring his outburst, Liu Yu Ru continued, “This is your daily schedule. I will wake you up on time each day and accompany you to your lessons. Confucian studies will be held every morning for approximately two hours, while politics and miscellaneous subjects will alternate in the afternoon, each for one hour. In the evenings, I will study with you to complete the assignments left by your teachers. Every five days, I will accompany you to the shops to observe how your parents manage the business. Each month, you will have three days of rest to use as you wish, but you are not permitted to visit brothels or gambling houses.”
“Only three days?” Gu Jiusi raised his voice. Liu Yu Ru smiled and replied, “Does the young master feel that’s too long and might hinder your progress? Should we reduce it to one day?”
“No, no, no,” Gu Jiusi quickly waved his hands. “Three days is just fine.”
Liu Yu Ru nodded and went on, “During this time, you must abstain from alcohol and frivolous activities. I will review all your social invitations—appropriate ones will not be obstructed, while inappropriate ones will be declined. To ensure your peace of mind, I will redecorate the rooms you frequent and have already prepared a new wardrobe. Those flashy, colorful clothes from before are not conducive to cultivating your character. From now on, you will wear the same outfit as today.”
“Isn’t that a bit…” Gu Jiusi forced a bitter smile. “Wearing the same set every day isn’t ideal.”
“No problem,” Liu Yu Ru said with a smile. “I have prepared thirty identical sets for you. You can change into a fresh one each day, guaranteed to look exactly the same.”
Gu Jiusi: “…”
Well played. You’re ruthless."Do you have anything to say, my lord?" Liu Yuru looked at Gu Jiusi's resentful gaze while gently swaying the fan in her hand. Gu Jiusi restrained himself again and again, holding back his words, until he finally blurted out, "Liu Yuru, what exactly are you planning to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Are you trying to torment me to vent your anger?"
Gu Jiusi mustered his courage and spoke aloud: "That's why you came up with this method to force me to study."
Liu Yuru didn't respond. She twirled the round fan in her hand, and after a long while, she said, "Does my lord know that all the honor and disgrace in Yuru's future life rest entirely upon you?"
"If my lord becomes wealthy and successful in the future, Yuru will share in that prosperity; if my lord falls into poverty, Yuru will suffer alongside you. All my former friends know about my relationship with the Ye Family. Now that I've married you, who knows how many of them are watching and laughing at my expense."
As she spoke, Liu Yuru turned to look at Gu Jiusi, a bitter smile appearing on her face: "If you prove to be better than Ye Shi'an, they naturally won't have anything to say. But if you turn out worse than Ye Shi'an, their mockery and criticism will be inevitable. I am ultimately an ordinary person who wants to live a glorious and dignified life. So I hope you can surpass Ye Shi'an, to give me a day when I can hold my head high without being ridiculed."
Hearing this, Gu Jiusi was somewhat surprised. Awkwardly, he said, "Well... I could buy you many beautiful clothes, hairpins..."
"Those are useless."
Liu Yuru took a sip of tea and said calmly, "My lord may have money, but haven't you suffered enough ridicule over these years?"
Gu Jiusi was taken aback. Liu Yuru's words traced a faint pain in his heart.
Actually, he didn't know how to define this pain. He felt it should probably hurt deeply, but he had already grown numb to it.
When he was young, he had also dreamed of becoming someone great. But after being constantly compared to others and mocked for so long, he had grown accustomed to it. He thought it was better to be a good-for-nothing playboy than to strive hard only to be ridiculed again.
Liu Yuru watched him quietly, leaning forward slightly to study him as she said, "Actually, you're very intelligent. You understand everything I'm saying. You could have become an outstanding talent and shouldered great responsibilities - you just don't want to."
"I can't..."
Gu Jiusi felt somewhat embarrassed. It was rare for someone to praise him so sincerely. He quickly said, "I'm really no good at studying. Find another way, and I'll help you save face through that."
"The times are changing, you know that, right?" Liu Yuru suddenly interjected, "The Emperor hasn't attended court for three months. Your uncle is eager to form an alliance with the princess. Your parents are anxious to make you study. Haven't you noticed these changes, my lord?"
Gu Jiusi remained silent. Listening to Liu Yuru's words, he felt a heaviness in his heart. Liu Yuru continued, "Your parents will eventually grow old. Even if you don't consider yourself, you should think about them and about me. If someday they are humiliated and bullied, if I am mistreated, and you can only stand by helplessly watching - would you still feel it doesn't matter?"
"Everything you're saying," Gu Jiusi weighed his words carefully, "I understand. But that day will never come..."
"Because your parents will plan everything out for you, is that it?"
Liu Yuru laughed. Gu Jiusi said nothing. Though there was laughter in Liu Yuru's eyes, it seemed as if she could see right through him: "Is that something you're telling yourself for comfort, or what others have told you to comfort you? Are you afraid to face reality, or are you truly unaware of what's happening?"Gu Jiusi lowered his gaze, this time, he was finally left speechless.
In all his years, it was the first time he refrained from joking. He quietly stared at the water cup before him, listening as the woman said, "The reason I urged you to study wasn't out of desperation—it's because I know you're capable. I know how much effort Ye Shi'an put into his studies, and I also know how intelligent you are."
"Everything Ye Shi'an can achieve, you can too. It's just that you've never tried."
"I can't."
"You can," Liu Yuru asserted. Gu Jiusi raised his eyes to look at the girl before him. Her gaze held no trace of retreat as she met his, and the two of them stared at each other in silence.
Gu Jiusi's eyes flickered slightly. Liu Yuru suddenly declared, "If you can surpass Ye Shi'an, become a high-ranking official, and earn me an Imperial decree bestowing an honorific title, I'll forgive you."
She seemed to understand his innermost thoughts clearly, knowing his most vulnerable spot.
The reason he had always yielded, why despite all his mischief and antics he never crossed the line, and even secretly conceded to her, was because deep down he knew this marriage had come about due to a careless joke he once made.
His guilt made him retreat unconditionally, yet he couldn't help but struggle with petty tantrums.
She understood all too well this childlike kindness and restlessness of his.
Gu Jiusi was somewhat taken aback. He suddenly realized that this girl before him seemed to understand him better than even his own parents.
His gaze was direct and unguarded. Liu Yuru felt her heart race under his straightforward stare. Unaccustomed to being looked at so directly by a man, she lightly coughed and averted her eyes.
The night breeze, carrying the scent of flowers, brushed past, gently tousling the girl's hair against her clear complexion.
Steadying herself, she finally spoke again, "Gu Jiusi, even if it's just for me, could you give it your best shot?"
Author's note: Gu Jiusi: For my wife, charge ahead!!!
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