Chapter Five: The Secret Manual

After lingering in the pavilion, enjoying the gentle breeze from the lake, the sun gradually climbed higher. A matron emerged from the courtyard where Qin Muchuan and Gu Qiulan resided. She stopped at a distance, not entering the pavilion. Qiaoyun went to her and inquired about her purpose.

It turned out that Lady Zhou had sent her stewardess to relay instructions from Lady Zhou regarding preparations for Gu Qiulan’s return to her parental home the next day. After exchanging a few words with Qiaoyun, the stewardess waited quietly at the side.

Hearing Qiaoyun’s report, Gu Qiulan realized the importance of the matter. “Husband, what do you think…?”

“My mother made a special point of sending Madam Chen. We’d best return quickly. The preparations for the homecoming cannot be taken lightly.” Qin Muchuan smiled. “If we’re negligent, I worry my old father-in-law might just keep you at the Gu residence and not let me bring you back. Where would I ever find such a virtuous and gentle wife as you again?”

Rest assured, husband, my father is more afraid you won’t bring me back! Gu Qiulan gently fanned herself, her eyes full of laughter as she gazed at her husband. Suddenly recalling her mother’s admonitions before the wedding, she quickly lowered her gaze and feigned a shy expression.

Qin Muchuan, delighted by her demure manner, glanced at Madam Chen standing nearby. After a moment’s thought, he took Gu Qiulan’s hand, and together they strolled back to their little courtyard, hand in hand.

“So, Muchuan and his bride truly are in perfect harmony?” Lady Zhou, half-reclining on a chaise, slowly opened her eyes, her expression unreadable.

“Indeed, Madam. This servant saw it clearly—our young lord and the young mistress are a match made in heaven, a pair of golden children and jade maidens,” replied Madam Chen respectfully.

Lady Zhou’s lips curved into a faint smile. “If that is so, it is very good.” She asked, “And what of those servant girls?”

Madam Chen, seeing her mistress’s evident contentment, surmised that she was satisfied with the new daughter-in-law. She replied, “The young lord’s usual attendants have not been seen around him lately.”

“His personal maids aren’t attending him? Where have they gone to shirk their duties?” Lady Zhou’s tone grew stern.

Madam Chen hesitated, her expression awkward. “The steward in the storeroom said Qianqian and Yue’er went there on the young lord’s orders to help Granny Zhuang transcribe the young mistress’s dowry inventory.”

Lady Zhou’s face darkened instantly. She knew her son’s character well—Muchuan was straightforward and never concerned himself with women’s affairs, let alone issuing instructions for maids to help with dowry lists. These two little maids must be quite cunning. Then her thoughts turned to Gu Qiulan. A woman’s dowry was an important asset for her entire life; if she managed it so carelessly, how could she be expected to manage the household in the future? Lady Zhou realized she might have relaxed her vigilance too soon.

“She brought only one stewardess with her?”

“Yes,” Madam Chen replied, equally puzzled. The young mistress had only been in the house for two days, and that Granny Zhuang was always smiling, but who knew what her true nature was?

Lady Zhou was somewhat displeased, feeling that the Gu household might have been a bit negligent in this marriage arrangement. Still, she could hardly expect them to send more servants after the wedding. Yet, as the new daughter-in-law had just arrived, she herself could not reasonably send her own people into their courtyard immediately. Lady Zhou massaged her temples. The younger generation was inexperienced; she would need patience to teach them.

She would observe for a few more days. If Gu Qiulan proved unable to manage, then, even at the risk of gossip, she would assign some experienced matrons and several senior maids to maintain the proper standards of the founding Duke’s household.

Meanwhile, in the small courtyard, Qin Muchuan and Gu Qiulan were carefully reviewing the gifts to be prepared for her return home. Gu Qiulan had never had much patience for such household matters, but Qin Muchuan, surprisingly, was meticulous and attentive. For the sake of the capital’s most handsome man, Gu Qiulan endured it. Since he had fled on their wedding night, surely he wouldn’t run off again tonight. She resolved to endure for the sake of the evening feast.

Unbeknownst to Gu Qiulan, Qin Muchuan had his own motives. He wanted to use her return home as an excuse to sneak off to the estate to gamble. But recalling his neglect during the wedding, and his vanishing act on their very first night, he realized that even the most forgiving woman might not take it well. Though Gu Qiulan seemed understanding, Qin Muchuan felt he owed her extra kindness to assuage his guilt.

Qianqian, watching the couple’s intimacy, felt a growing pang of jealousy, twisting her handkerchief until it was wrinkled beyond recognition. Well, newlyweds are always sweet—for three days, at least. Soon enough, the young master would grow tired.

Gu Qiulan played the role of the virtuous wife for the entire day. Only when Qin Muchuan left to inspect the gold pig for the homecoming did she finally relax. The gentle smile she had maintained for him instantly collapsed. “I’m tired. Qiaoyun, you stay and attend me,” she said coolly.

Qianqian blinked in surprise, momentarily dazed, until Yue’er hurriedly dragged her away. Qiaoyun smiled knowingly—these two little beauties were quite amusing.

“Miss, if you’re tired, you should take a nap. Besides, the lady said you don’t need to pay her respects or serve tea these few days.”

Gu Qiulan felt not just weary but also a tingling in her scalp. “Quick, take off all these… these ridiculous things from my head and hands. My scalp is killing me. I can’t believe those girls love wearing all this junk every day. What’s the point? A few chests of gold are far more pleasing to the eye.”

“What did you just say, Miss?”

“I said a few chests of gold…”

“No, before that.”

“What’s the point of wearing this stuff?”

“Before that!”

“Uh…” Gu Qiulan lowered her head and mumbled, “Didn’t I just say something about those silly girls…”

“Miss!” Qiaoyun, flustered, twirled in distress. “Madam warned you countless times before the wedding—don’t let your true nature slip!”

Gu Qiulan grinned sheepishly. “But there’s no one else around. Relax, stick with me and you’ll eat well, dress well, and be surrounded by handsome men. One to help you dress in the morning, another to keep you warm at night. I even asked Tiger to get me some good books—‘Pairing of Mandarins and Ducks,’ ‘The Goddess’s Seat’—mmph—”

Qiaoyun clamped her hand over Gu Qiulan’s mouth. If she let her continue, who knew what outrageous things she’d say! Suddenly, Qiaoyun’s arm was seized, and she was flung onto the bed by Gu Qiulan’s deft move. In midair, Qiaoyun twisted, using her palm to push off the bed’s edge, landing nimbly. Just as she steadied herself, she dodged to the side—a sharp swipe grazed her ear, slicing off a lock of her bangs, which fluttered to the floor.

Qiaoyun’s face darkened. “Gu—”

“Qiulan, have you gone to sleep?” Qin Muchuan entered the room, seeing only Qiaoyun.

“Young master, the young mistress has just lain down.”

Behind the screen, Gu Qiulan lay on the bed, seemingly fast asleep. Qin Muchuan sat beside her, gently brushing the stray hair from her forehead, a soft smile on his lips.

Qiaoyun was puzzled.

“People say noble ladies are delicate, but who would have thought a short walk in the garden would tire her so? Let her rest. See to her well, and make sure everything for her homecoming is ready. When she wakes, send word to my study.”

“Yes, young master.”

After a while, hearing all was quiet, Gu Qiulan carefully opened one eye and met Qiaoyun’s darkened face. Unbothered, she asked, “He’s gone?”

“He’s gone!”

Gu Qiulan sat up with a sudden leap, patting her chest. “That was close! Qiaoyun, do you know how dangerous that was just now? You used too much force! You’re not a Black Rider anymore, you’re a little maid now. A little maid! You must be gentle and frail. I told you to learn from Qianqian and Linglong Yue’er—learn the orchid fingers! Look, orchid fingers!”

“Orchid fingers? Do you even have those?”

“Qiaoyun.” Gu Qiulan abruptly grew serious.

“What is it?” Qiaoyun tensed.

“You just said a very vulgar word.”

…Damn it, she’d just been called vulgar by Gu Qiulan.

“In the future, even if you’re itching for a spar, keep it quiet.”

Qiaoyun rolled her eyes—who was the one who started it?

Gu Qiulan ignored her and immediately began to roll about on the bed, squealing inwardly. Ah! Qin Muchuan just touched her forehead, didn’t he? He did!

Watching her mistress’s antics, Qiaoyun felt utterly exhausted. The madam had chosen her as a dowry maid for her composure, but now Qiaoyun thought—how was she supposed to survive this?

Gu Qiulan dashed to the sandalwood cabinet, rummaging for her precious booklets. Spotting Qiaoyun still in the room, she tossed one over. “Good friend, of course I’ll share the good stuff with you!”

“Bedroom Secrets… skills…” Who the hell wants to share this with you! Qiaoyun exploded, shredding the book to pieces before storming out.

Gu Qiulan sorrowfully gathered the shreds. “That’s worth dozens of taels of silver. If you don’t like it, don’t tear it up. Sigh…” Was Qiaoyun not interested in men? But she never seemed interested in women either.

Gu Qiulan nursed her aching head, carefully stashing the fragments away. Next time she saw Tiger, she’d have him piece it together. She didn’t mind.

At last, the evening she had been waiting for arrived.

Having missed her wedding night, Gu Qiulan was determined to make up for it tonight.

“Gentle as water—a little woman must be as gentle as water!” she silently recited the secret techniques her friends had taught her for becoming irresistible to men—the first rule: be gentle as water!

Qin Muchuan noticed Gu Qiulan seemed distracted at dinner and grew concerned. “Qiulan, what’s wrong?”

“Water…”

“What?”

“Uh… I…” Gu Qiulan blinked.

“Young mistress, are you thirsty? This soup is excellent,” Qianqian interjected.

“Yes, I am thirsty, I’d like some soup.” Gu Qiulan smiled, realizing it was Qianqian who spoke, not Qiaoyun.

Qianqian ladled some soup and, after offering it, withdrew demurely, casting a flirtatious glance at Qin Muchuan.

Gu Qiulan took a sip, warmth spreading through her belly, growing oddly intense…

“Young mistress?” Qianqian approached as Gu Qiulan’s expression changed.

Qin Muchuan grew worried. “What’s wrong?” He shot a suspicious look at Qianqian, who panicked—she hadn’t done anything!

Gu Qiulan could only smile wryly—of all nights, why did her monthly visitor have to come now?

Gentle as water…

What utter nonsense!