Chapter 11: It’s Not Good! The Young Master Went to the Spring Breeze Pavilion!

Liu Yuru slept through the night, awakening still clutching the banknotes. She lay unmoving, her heart hollow and numb, unwilling to dwell on anything.

The emotional outpouring of pain and anger had subsided, leaving behind a desolate bewilderment about the future. What had she been clinging to all these years? How could she possibly move forward?

For all her wit and cunning, she was but fifteen—a mere child by life’s long measure. Fifteen marked the age of adulthood, yes, but it was far too young to weather the trials of the world.

One could master the Four Books and Five Classics in fifteen years, but not cultivate a heart resilient enough to face life’s tribulations.

Liu Yuru didn’t want to struggle anymore. She surrendered to despair, lying abed, refusing to move, speak, or eat—wanting nothing.

Gu Jiusi didn’t dare to provoke her either. The moment the servants unbarred the main door, he bolted.

He had spent the night agonizing over his decision. He would not meekly accept his fate; he would defy Gu Langhua! He would extinguish the flame of Liu Yuru’s affection!

His actions would be his rebellion!

So, at night, he gathered his hidden stash of money from the bridal chamber, changed his clothes, and fled the Gu residence as soon as the servants opened the gate.

The Gu family’s servants were startled by the speed at which their young master escaped. After staring at each other for a moment, they hurriedly reported to Gu Langhua.

Gu Langhua and Jiang Rou had just risen. When Gu Langhua heard that Gu Jiusi had run away, he dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “Let him run. But what of our daughter-in-law? Is she well? She didn’t run away, did she?”

The steward, momentarily dumbfounded, replied, “No, Young Madam has not.”

Not a concern for the son, but such worry for the daughter-in-law?

Relieved to hear of Liu Yuru’s presence, Jiang Rou and Gu Langhua exchanged a sigh of relief. Jiang Rou remarked, “So long as our daughter-in-law is here, it’s fine even if Jiusi ran away.”

Steward: “…”

This son probably isn’t their biological child.

Gu Jiusi, oblivious to his parents’ leniency, ran with all his might, not daring to stop. He sprinted to his most frequented tavern and went to a private room. He called someone to send messages to Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun, drank some wine, and only then did he finally feel a semblance of security.

He waited in the tavern for his buddies. Half an hour later, the two young masters arrived, their clothes in disarray. After closing the door, the three exchanged a look. A brief silence followed, broken by Yang Wenchang, who cupped his hands and offered, “Congratulations, congratulations…”

“Don’t congratulate me,” Gu Jiusi lamented, pressing his hand to his forehead. “I feel like my head is about to burst.”

“What’s there to burst about?” Chen Xun sauntered to the table, poured himself a cup of wine, and consoled, “It’s just marrying a woman, it’s not a big deal. Isn’t Liu Yuru merely coveting the title of Madam Gu? Grant her the title, and in the future, we can play however we want. There’s no need to fret.”

“No,” Gu Jiusi said in agony, “it would be good if she were just after money. The problem is, I just found out last night that she’s not here for the money.”

“Then what is she after?” Yang Wenchang was perplexed. The three had long assumed Liu Yuru was just after the money. There seemed to be no other explanation.

Gu Jiusi lifted his head, sighed, and said with a tinge of regret, “She’s after me.”

“She wants revenge?” Yang Wenchang blurted out, surprised. “Isn’t that a rather steep price to pay?”

“No,” Gu Jiusi said earnestly, “she harbors affection for me.”

Chen Xun spat out a mouthful of wine, spraying it all over Yang Wenchang’s face.

Chen Xun hurriedly said, “Sorry, sorry, I was too shocked.”

Yang Wenchang wiped his face impassively and turned to Gu Jiusi. “I’m too shocked, too.”

“Who wouldn’t be?” Gu Jiusi took a sip of wine. “In this life, emotional debts are the hardest to repay. If she wanted money, it would be fine, but she wants my heart. I don’t know what to do.”

“You want her to give up on you?” Yang Wenchang understood Gu Jiusi’s meaning.

Gu Jiusi nodded. “The sooner she gives up, the better. Otherwise, the deeper she falls, the more difficult it will be for me.”

“That’s easy,” Chen Xun said hurriedly, “it’s very simple to make a woman give up on you.”

“How?” Gu Jiusi looked over.

Chen Xun chuckled meaningfully. “Spend three days at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, and I guarantee she’ll give up on you.”

Gu Jiusi fell silent.

The Spring Breeze Pavilion, the most renowned pleasure house in Yangzhou, was a place Gu Jiusi had frequented. However, he typically visited with Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun, not out of any particular fondness for such establishments. He preferred gambling houses and taverns over the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Of the four vices—eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring—he enjoyed all but the last.

But he had money, and wherever he went, he was treated as a VIP. Once, to celebrate Yang Wenchang’s birthday, he had splurged a thousand gold at the auction for the top courtesan’s first night, solidifying his reputation in the pleasure quarters.

For a woman, what could be more devastating than her husband going to a brothel the day after their wedding?

And for Gu Langhua, what could be more infuriating than his son visiting a brothel the day after the wedding?

Gu Jiusi pondered briefly before nodding and said to Chen Xun, “Okay, let’s go to the Spring Breeze Pavilion!”

With that, Gu Jiusi eagerly led Chen Xun and Yang Wenchang to the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

After arriving at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, the manager presented the courtesans, lining them up in rows. Approaching Gu Jiusi, he inquired respectfully, “Does the young master have any preferences? The ladies here possess various talents: singing, dancing, playing the zither, reciting poetry, playing pitch-pot… If you have any preferences, I can make recommendations.”

Gu Jiusi, after a moment of contemplation, looked up and asked, “Are there any skilled at playing leaf cards?”

The manager, taken aback, uttered a confused, “Ah?”

Gu Jiusi continued, “Are there any who are good at gambling?”

Manager: “…”

Is he here to call for girls or to gamble?

However, since Gu Jiusi was an esteemed guest, the manager quickly called over girls who were fond of cards, dice, and drinking. Gu Jiusi enthusiastically had them set up a gambling table and, amidst the music and merriment, gleefully began to gamble.

While Gu Jiusi found his amusement, Liu Yuru lay motionless in bed.

She knew he had left. Where to, she didn’t wish to know. What she should do next, she did not care to ask herself. Anyway, life was already like this, and she no longer possessed the will to manage anything.

Propriety and rules felt like distant echoes now. She retreated into herself like a turtle seeking shelter in its shell, oblivious to the world outside.

Yin Hong, concerned by her mistress’s prolonged silence, entered the room to check on her. Seeing Liu Yuru lying in bed, staring blankly at the bedside, Yin Hong grew alarmed. She gently nudged her mistress, saying timidly, “Miss?”

Liu Yuru remained silent. Yin Hong closed the door and hurried to the bedside, speaking urgently, “Miss, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“Miss, say something,” Yin Hong pleaded, holding her hand anxiously. “What did the young master do to you last night? Why are you still wearing your wedding gown? Did you…”

Yin Hong trailed off, then whispered, “Did you not consummate the marriage?”

Liu Yuru lowered her eyes. Seeing her reaction, Yin Hong quickly said, “Miss, answer me. I’m scared.”

“Yin Hong…” Liu Yuru rasped, “he wants to divorce me…”

“What?!” Yin Hong exclaimed in shock.

Liu Yuru curled up on the bed, raising her hand to cover her face as she continued hoarsely, “He said he doesn’t like me. In the future, he will find someone he likes. He wants to treat that person well, so sooner or later, he will divorce me.

“He told me to prepare myself…”

“Yin Hong…” Liu Yuru’s body trembled slightly. “What should I do? What can I do…”

If she were divorced, what would she do with her life?

If she wasn’t favored in the Gu family, what would happen to her mother?

Her mother had personally arranged her dowry, bringing a substantial amount of wealth. If the Gu family did not support her, and her father’s favor shifted back to Concubine Yue, how would her mother live?

These thoughts and the bleak future ahead filled Liu Yuru with despair.

Yin Hong was also panicked. She looked at her mistress for a long time before finally saying, “Miss, the young master… the young master must be speaking out of turn! Don’t be sad. They proposed this marriage.

“Madam Gu is very kind. She’s very satisfied with you, and she won’t let Young Master Gu act recklessly. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be sad, okay? Young Master Gu simply doesn’t know your worth yet. When he does, he’ll love and cherish you. How could he possibly divorce you?”

Liu Yuru remained silent, lying in bed, unmoving. Whether Yin Hong’s words were comforting or truthful, she knew the answer deep down.

She had already cried and had no more tears to shed, but what she could do in the future and how she should handle it, she really had no idea.

Yin Hong’s attempts to coax her into eating proved futile. Liu Yuru remained in her original posture, seemingly consumed by despair. She sighed and continued, “Miss, even if you don’t eat, you should still get up and offer tea to Madam Gu and Old Master Gu. You just arrived. You should maintain some propriety. Otherwise, people will gossip.”

Liu Yuru didn’t speak. She then closed her eyes. “Just say I’m ill,” she sighed. “Right now, I’m truly… very tired.”

Yin Hong didn’t dare to push her mistress any further. She went out to relay the message.

Jiang Rou and Gu Langhua exchanged a glance upon hearing the news.

As Yin Hong stood silently, Gu Langhua felt a pang of awkwardness. Clearing his throat, he said, “Since Yuru is unwell, let her rest first and come when she’s better. I sent Jiusi out on some errands today, so he left in the morning. Tell Yuru not to take it to heart.”

Just then, a servant rushed in, panting. “Master, it’s not good! The young master went to the Spring Breeze Pavilion!”

Gu Langhua, Jiang Rou: “…”

Gu Langhua’s expression turned extremely grim, while Jiang Rou coughed uncomfortably, turning her head. Yin Hong secretly clenched her fists.

Going to a brothel on the second day of the wedding… even for a dissolute young master, this was… too outrageous!

After a moment of stunned silence, Gu Langhua grabbed a staff and stormed out to beat Gu Jiusi. Jiang Rou, however, reached out to stop him, saying gently, “Old Master, you cannot beat him forever. He is a married man now. You cannot discipline him as you would a child.”

“This brat! If I don’t rein him in, will he not run wild?!” Gu Langhua roared.

Jiang Rou led him back to his seat and said with a smile, “Old Master, allow me to handle this. Don’t be angry. Have you not beaten him enough in the past two years? While he may act recklessly, he knows his limits.

“Before, when he was unmarried, such beatings were acceptable. But if you drag him back and punish him now, how will he and Yuru coexist?”

Gu Langhua hesitated a bit. Jiang Rou persuaded, “He was already unhappy with this marriage, feeling that Yuru and we had schemed against him. If you side with Yuru today, how will Jiusi perceive her? Outside interference in marital matters only breeds chaos. It is easy to bring him back and beat him, but it will turn Yuru and Jiusi into enemies.”

Gu Langhua finally relented and turned his head away. “Then you go and handle it. Let us see what you can do.”

“This matter doesn’t depend on us,” Jiang Rou said with a smile. “It depends on Yuru.”

Gu Langhua fell silent.

Jiang Rou stood up. She turned to look at Yin Hong, who was waiting for Madam Gu to cause trouble for Young Master Gu. However, Jiang Rou said gently, “Is your miss available to receive guests now?”

Yin Hong was taken aback. Jiang Rou continued, “Since she will not come to me, I shall go to her.”

With that, Jiang Rou summoned attendants and a physician, then left the room.

By the time Yin Hong reacted, Jiang Rou had already reached the door. She didn’t dare say too much and could only follow her to Liu Yuru’s chamber.

Liu Yuru lay asleep, unaware of their arrival. Jiang Rou entered quietly, careful not to disturb her. She approached the inner chamber and found Liu Yuru facing away, curled up on the bed in her wedding gown.

The situation was clear, and Jiang Rou could not help but sigh. She moved to stand before Liu Yuru.

Sensing a presence, Liu Yuru opened her eyes and slowly turned her head, finding Jiang Rou gazing at her with a gentle expression.

“Yuru,” Jiang Rou said with concern, “I heard you were unwell and came to see you. Are you feeling better?”

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Author’s Notes:

[1]

Gu Jiusi: “Hahaha, I escaped from the Gu residence! I left my wife! I’m free! I’m going to find happiness! Gambling all day, happy as an immortal. Gambling for a while makes me happy; gambling all the time makes me happy! As long as I have enough money, sadness can’t catch me~ La la la la la~”

Liu Yuru: “Bring me a knife.”

Gu Jiusi: “…”

(Kneels with a thud)

Gu Jiusi: “Wife, it was all Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun who forced me to go!”

Yang Wenchang, Chen Xun: ???

[2]

Reporter: Please describe how fast your young master was when he fled the Gu residence.

Gu family servant: I didn’t see clearly. Later, the steward told me it’s called escape velocity.^[1]Escape Velocity: The lowest velocity which a body must have in order to escape the gravitational attraction of a particular planet or other object. For example: The escape velocity from Earth is … Continue reading

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Translator’s Note:

The author’s notes always cracks me up.

Today is three full chapters because the chapter didn’t exceed 3k word count. It’s tiring to translate over 3k in one sitting. I’m the type to either finish the document directly or else it will sit in my folder for days before I get the motivation to continue. That’s why I cut the previous chapters in half. Anyway, that’s how it will be going forward. 

Thank you for reading!