Chapter 44: Hope
The journey from Shi'an to Mount Xicui followed a post road lined with green mountains, clear waters, and rural farmlands. The rice paddies had just sprouted lush green shoots, and between the crisscrossing paths, one could see weeping willows dipping into the water and peach blossoms scattered across the fields.
Upon reaching the foot of Mount Xicui, everyone disembarked from their carriages and saw that the Zu family's carriages had already arrived. Second Madam stood waiting for them at the entrance to the ancestral tombs. The young ladies of the Gu family curtsied to her, and Second Madam gestured for them to rise. "Let's go up now," she said. "Second Master is waiting for us above."
The last time Jinchao and the others had visited the Zu family, they had only caught a distant glimpse of Second Master and hadn't had the chance to pay their respects.
The group, accompanied by maids, matrons, and servants, began ascending the stone steps up the mountain.
Mount Xicui was the ancestral burial ground of the Gu family. Adjacent to it, the Zu family had funded the construction of a temple called Lingbi Temple to safeguard the prosperity of the Gu lineage. The Gu family visited frequently, and the stone steps were kept clean and well-maintained, with pavilions built every hundred steps. A small courtyard had also been constructed near the burial grounds.
Villagers who came to Lingbi Temple to offer incense would respectfully step aside at the sight of the Gu family. The Zu family owned vast farmlands around Mount Xicui, and many villagers relied on their patronage for their livelihoods.
The young ladies, raised in sheltered seclusion, were soon panting from the climb. The sun was particularly strong that day, and even Jinchao found it uncomfortable. Glancing back, she saw Gu Xi and Gu Yi supporting each other as they trudged along, while Gu Lan was drenched in sweat. Gu Jinxian and Gu Jin Xiao, however, appeared completely at ease.
Ye Xian, on the other hand, seemed to be struggling. His already pale complexion had taken on a sickly pallor.
Second Madam turned and was startled at the sight. "Young Master Ye," she asked, "would you like to rest for a while?"
Ye Xian waved his hand as if to say something, but his chest heaved violently, and before he could utter a word, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted. The group immediately crowded around him, but Gu Dezhao remained composed. "Step back, everyone!" he ordered, then instructed two servants to carry Ye Xian to the nearest pavilion. They laid him flat and loosened his collar.
The young ladies prepared to withdraw out of propriety, but Jinchao stole a sidelong glance.
Fifth Madam was frantic with worry, her hands trembling as she pulled a porcelain bottle from her sleeve. She shook out a few tiny crimson pills, each the size of a grain of rice, and fed them to Ye Xian with water.
Second Madam couldn't help but remark, "Has the young master not fully recovered? Why did he insist on coming up the mountain with us?"
Fifth Madam wiped her tears as Ye Xian's breathing grew labored. She patted his chest to help him catch his breath. "He told me he was fine," she said anxiously. "I didn't know... What if something happens..."
Father, standing nearby, motioned for the steward to go ahead and inform Second Master of the situation.
Ye Xian suddenly coughed violently several times before his breathing gradually steadied.
Jinchao noticed the faint glimmer of tears in his eyes. He sat up, and Fifth Madam immediately embraced him, patting his back soothingly as if comforting a child. But Ye Xian pushed her away and stood up, his face deathly pale, like jade on the verge of cracking. Without a word, he stepped out of the pavilion and continued his ascent up the mountain.
Everyone looked to Fifth Madam for guidance.
She shook her head to indicate that he would be fine, and the group followed after him.
Gu Lan then approached Fifth Madam and asked softly, "Fifth Aunt, I had no idea Cousin Ye's condition was so severe..."Fifth Madam smiled bitterly and shook her head. "That's not all. Several times, his breath scattered, frightening me out of my wits. Because of this illness, he could never run and play with other children since childhood. When the son of the neighboring General Fuyuan went horseback riding, he could only watch longingly from the side... Yet he is an especially proud person who dislikes others seeing his vulnerable side the most..."
Gu Lan gazed at the figure walking ahead—a slender, tall youth with black ribbons and ivory-white robe fluttering in the sunlight. His back was straight, his posture as elegant as jade, yet it made her feel inexplicably sorrowful.
Upon reaching the mountain-top estate, Jinchao and the others first paid respects to Second Master, who appeared more dignified and bore little resemblance to Gu Dezhao.
Hearing that Ye Xian had suffered an episode while ascending the mountain, Second Master reproached Second Madam a few words before instructing Ye Xian to rest in the banquet and rest area. However, Ye Xian shook his head and said, "I wish to visit Lingbi Temple." Second Master then assigned Gu Jinxian, two attendants, and a steward to accompany him to the temple.
The remaining group proceeded toward the gravesite, followed by servants carrying spirit money, paper ingots, and cooked sacrificial offerings. After paying homage to their ancestors, Second Master personally took up tools to clear weeds from the graves. The fathers and Fifth Master planted willow trees around the area. Once the tomb-sweeping was completed, everyone returned to the estate, where the young masters began playing cuju. The young ladies wished to stroll and enjoy the scenery they had missed along the way.
Gu Lan suggested, "Why not visit Lingbi Temple to pray and enjoy the greenery at the same time?"
Gu Lian cheerfully linked arms with her and said, "There's a willow tree I planted at Lingbi Temple—let me show you!"
Seeing their enthusiasm, Fifth Madam led them, surrounded by a large entourage of guards and maids, to Lingbi Temple.
The path from the estate to the temple wound along a mountain trail, with cliffs on one side and ivy-covered rock faces on the other. Below, endless rice fields and farmhouses stretched into the distance, and even the canal of Tongzhou Baodi could be seen far away—a breathtaking view.
Though not large, the temple was renowned on Mount Xicui, with thriving incense offerings and ancient cypresses towering around it. The abbot personally welcomed them inside. The moment Gu Lian entered, she eagerly pulled Gu Lan to see her willow tree. Jinchao glanced around the temple and noticed Gu Jinxian standing near the bell tower.
Fifth Madam approached him and said, "...I brought your cousins to pray. Since you haven’t eaten, we can have a vegetarian meal here at the temple. Where is your uncle?"
Gu Jinxian replied, "I’m not sure... probably in the Heavenly King Hall."
Fifth Madam allowed the girls to explore on their own but insisted they remain accompanied by maids and guards, then went to arrange the meal with the guest-prefect monk.
Jinchao, wishing to burn incense for her mother, headed toward the Grand Hall with Qingpu.
Outside the Grand Hall grew podocarpus and flat pines. Inside, the gilded statue of Sakyamuni, with compassionate eyes, shimmered under candlelight. Jinchao knelt on the cushion, hands clasped in sincere prayer, her snow-white embroidered skirt spread like a lotus on the wooden floor.
Just as Ye Xian stepped in, Qingpu was about to speak, but he raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay silent.
After silently reciting her prayers, Jinchao took the incense from Qingpu and offered it. Turning, she was startled to find Ye Xian standing with his hands behind his back, quietly watching her. She had intended to avoid him, yet here they were, face to face."Uncle, are you here to offer incense too?" Jinchao said with a smile. "Qingpu, quickly prepare incense for Uncle."
Ye Xian stared at Gu Jinzhao for a long time, his gaze almost icy. Then he softly asked her, "Do you pity me?"
Jinchao found this baffling: "What is there to pity? You're the legitimate heir of Marquis Changxing's household, destined to inherit the title. Your grandfather is the esteemed Dean of the Imperial Academy, revered by many with countless disciples. Favored by the late emperor, you were named heir apparent at birth—others can only envy you!"
Besides, you'll wield immense power in the future, able to kill whomever you please. Few dare oppose you except Zhang Ju Lian. Who would dare pity you? That would be courting death.
Ye Xian looked at Gu Jinzhao. Her stunning beauty was accentuated by the golden light in the grand hall. Yet she seemed indifferent to it, dressed plainly and gazing at him calmly with perfect composure.
His expression softened, a slight smile curling his lips as he asked again, "What were you just praying to the Buddha about?"
The heir apparent was actually making conversation with her... Jinchao really wanted to leave. Her original intention was to minimize contact with Ye Xian as much as possible. Forget cultivating goodwill—she only hoped he wouldn’t hold any grudges against her in the future.
After some thought, she replied, "My mother is gravely ill. I was just praying for her recovery." She had many more wishes but felt it too greedy, certain the Buddha would disdain her. So she kept it to this one plea—if only her mother could live, she’d be content. Everything else could come later.
Ye Xian fell silent for a moment before asking, "Your mother is seriously ill?"
Jinchao nodded. "Didn’t you know, Uncle? Fifth Aunt came this time specifically to see my mother."
Ye Xian’s brows furrowed deeply. "You didn’t tell me sooner!"
Jinchao felt a twitch in her forehead—wasn’t this common knowledge? Why would she need to inform the heir of Marquis Changxing personally? She said softly, "My mistake. I should have notified you first."
Ye Xian sensed a hint of sarcasm from Gu Jinzhao but didn’t mind. He continued, "You really should have told me first. Half a year ago, my mentor Xiao Qishan was still in Yanjing. Had he examined your mother, there’d surely be no issue!"
Jinchao was stunned. "What did you say?"
Delighted to see her composure slip, Ye Xian’s smile widened. "Mr. Xiao Qishan is from Puding, Guizhou, a master of medicine. But he prefers seclusion atop remote mountains, shunning worldly affairs."
Xiao Qishan? She’d never heard of him! Jinchao couldn’t contain her excitement. If he could cure her mother, whether she’d heard of him was irrelevant.
"Is his medical skill truly exceptional? Can he cure my mother? Where is he now?"
Ye Xian patted Jinchao’s shoulder lightly. "Listen to me."
"When I was two, I nearly died of illness. The imperial physicians all said I wouldn’t last half a year. My grandfather personally went to Guizhou to seek him out. Years earlier, Grandfather had saved his life, so he agreed to treat me. That’s how I’ve lived these extra decades."
"Whether he can cure your mother, I don’t know. But prolonging her life for several years should be possible. However, he’s currently deep in the mountains of Guizhou. I’ll need to send someone to fetch him. The mountain paths are treacherous—the shortest round trip would take over a month."
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