♂?，，

  Chapter 1

  The twelfth lunar month is bitterly cold, with several days of continuous snowfall, and a thick layer of snow has accumulated on the ground.

  The bright moon hangs high in the sky, pouring down like a waterfall, and the ground is covered with a layer of frost, reflecting a cold white light. This washes away the hustle and bustle of the Zhou Dynasty imperial city during the day, leaving all things quiet and peaceful at dawn and dusk. Except for the sound of the night watchmans bell, the entire Shengjing is left with only serenity and peace.

  It was already three quarters past midnight, but the lanterns in the Xiyu Pavilion in the rear courtyard of Yongning Marquiss residence were still lit.

  Miss Ming Xuan, the seventh young lady of the Gu familys three houses, wore a thick sable coat, her expression focused as she bent over the desk copying scriptures. Although her hands and feet had long been frozen stiff, the strokes of her brush were not at all careless. She carefully put down the last few strokes, making sure there was no mistake, before daring to put down her pen.

  Xue Su, who was standing behind her, hastily handed over the hand warmer and poured hot tea, "Its freezing outside, and Miss has been copying scriptures for half the night. Although its a filial piety to the old lady, you also need to take care of your body, quickly drink some hot tea to warm up your stomach."

  Gu Ming Xuan took a sip of the hot tea, and a warm feeling spread from her throat to her body. The temperature transmitted through her palms also caused her icy stiff limbs to relax gradually. "There are still two more articles left, I must hurry up and finish them. Tomorrow, my grandmother will send Yan Qiuqiu to Qingliang Temple to burn incense, its just right to entrust her to bring them over together."

  Her eyes were slightly deep, "Sixth sister spent a lot of money to get the rare embroidery of Golden Needle Lady, Phoenix and Peony for grandmothers birthday; Eighth sisters birthday gift is a Long Life Jade Ruyi, the jade material was given by the imperial concubine, and asked the craftsmen of Bao Ge to carefully carve and polish it, which is extremely precious."

  In a few more days, it will be the birthday of Old Lady Zhu of Yongning Marquis Manor.

  In the past two years, there were many things happening in the mansion. With both national and family filial piety on my shoulders, I also encountered the new emperors ascension to the throne. Due to the three branches incidents, everyone was worried that the marquis title would not be stable, so all birthdays, big or small, passed quietly. However, now that the Marquiss position is secure, and Eldest Uncle Gu Yongning has received favor from the current emperor, two months ago Third Sister Mingfu was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort due to her pregnancy, this birthday must be grandly celebrated.

  When the time comes, guests gather together, and the gifts sent by several young masters and ladies in the government office cant help but be taken out for comparison.

  Liu Jie Minghe was the eldest daughter of the second branch, and although her second uncle Gu Changming only held a minor position in the Ministry of Revenue, his wife, Madame Jian, was the only daughter of the Marquis of Fuchun. When she married into the Yongning Marquiss household, her dowry procession stretched for ten miles, with so many gifts that they were almost overflowing from the sedan chairs. Who in Shengjing didnt know that when the Marquis of Fuchun married off his daughter, he was willing to give away half of the marquisate as a dowry?

  Second Aunt is wealthy, Sixth Sister Minghe can afford to spend a large sum of money searching for rare and precious embroidery.

  Ba Meis father was the master of the Gu family, a hereditary official, and the current Duke of Yongning. He was also the emperors trusted minister and the father of the noble consort. Ba Mei lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her eldest uncles wife, Lady Luo. Although she was born out of wedlock, she was still spoiled and pampered as she grew up.

  The Grand Mansion has the noble concubines assistance, so even the rarest and most precious jade can be found.

  Gu Mingxuan quietly sighed, the three houses of the Gu family were already in name only, she had neither wealth nor power to borrow, so she could only use this foolish momentum to make a desperate attempt.

  For months, almost every night, I had to copy until midnight, and finally, on the desk, ninety-seven volumes of the Diamond Sutra were piled up. After completing the last two chapters, making a total of ninety-nine volumes, I entrusted them to the abbot of Qingliang Temple to distribute to kind men and women. Then, in the name of Madame Zhu, the wife of Yongning Marquis, I set up a shed at the foot of Qingliang Mountain to offer porridge and comfort the villagers.

  Although this gift is insignificant, grandmother will surely be delighted.

  Her pure filial piety to make her grandmothers good name known is something that, even if compared to the finest embroidery or the rarest beautiful jade, no one would despise its thinness, and not a single thread of it can be picked at.

  The grandmothers doting love was her foundation for standing firm in the Marquis residence.

  The ladies opinions of her would affect her future. The three-year mourning period had passed, and for the sake of her younger sisters futures, her grandmother wouldnt keep her around for too long. This birthday banquet was so high-profile, if she were to be criticized by others, it would make things even more difficult for her marriage prospects.

  Gu Mingxuan spread new paper on the desk, turned his head and smiled slightly at Xue Su, "If youre tired, go with Dan Hong to warm up my bed, dont sit here guarding me, its cold at night, these past few days have been menstrual, shouldnt be frozen."

  She puckered her mouth, "Up and down in the Jade Washing Pavilion, pointing at the manipulation, if I get sick, what should I do?"

  Her voice was soft and gentle, with a hint of playful teasing. Xue Su heard it and didnt know why, but her eyes suddenly turned red.

  She was originally a third-class maid in the old ladys house of Antai Courtyard, and three years ago when she was transferred to Xiyu Pavilion, it happened that the third house encountered changes.

  At that time, she was just a little girl and didnt understand what was going on. All she knew was that the new emperor had ascended to the throne, and everyone said that the second miss would become the empress and rule with her mothers authority. However, before the imperial edict could be issued, something happened to the third old master, causing the second miss to lose her chance at becoming empress. She was banished to a cold palace by an imperial decree and didnt last long afterwards.

  She didnt know what crime the Third Master had committed, but she did see with her own eyes that the Left Supervisor who was in charge of arresting the Third Master was Han Xiu, the fiancé of Seventh Miss.

  On the day of the wedding, he wore official robes and held a sacred edict, accompanied by feathered forest soldiers carrying hand-held crossbows. In front of all the guests, he tore up the marriage certificate, had someone escort the Third Master away with his head held high, not only causing the Yongning Marquis Manor to lose face, but also taking away all the dignity of Seventh Miss.

  Miss Qi was so angry that she hit the pillar and fainted, it is said that she stopped breathing on the spot, fortunately, there was a royal doctor among the guests who treated her and she came to after a while.

  Marquis Hou brought out the iron certificate bestowed by the previous emperor and barely preserved the honor of the Yongning Marquis Manor, but Third Masters life was still lost.

  The three wives could no longer withstand the blows and died in a few days.

  The Emperors hunting trip, Fourth Master Gu Yuanjing broke into the imperial hunting grounds to avenge his father, collided with the current emperor, and was sent to the Western Frontier Army as a soldier. At that time, Rouran was in chaos, it was the most critical moment on the front line. The fourth master went and disappeared without a trace, he is the only male heir of the three houses, although he is born out of wedlock!

  Xue Su watched as Seventh Miss slowly gasped, endured, and hid her true nature in this difficult situation, shedding her former carefree appearance, gathering her elegance, yielding with humility, and exhausting her filial piety. Only then did she finally gain the trust and protection of Old Madam, relying on this love to stand firm in the Hou Manor, where no one dared to bully her.

  She thought so, her eyes became softer and softer, she squatted down, added a few pieces of silver frost charcoal to the purple gold tripod furnace beside the book case, poked the charcoal fire to make it more prosperous, and then said, "There is Dan Hong warming the quilt enough, I cant sleep on either side, so Ill accompany Miss to rest."

  Gu Mingxuan knew her intentions and no longer persuaded her. Just as she was about to pick up her pen again, she heard a commotion coming from the Dongnan corner of the Moon Brocade Pavilion. At first, it was just a bit louder than usual, but later on, there were mournful cries and wails.

  She frowned and ordered Xue Su, "Tell Seasonal Mother at the gate to go and find out what happened."

  The two daughters of the eighth uncles concubine, Ming Jin and Ming Wei, lived in the Moon Brocade Pavilion.

  She was originally separated by a house, and she didnt want to get involved in more things. But this movement made such a big noise, and the Xiyu Pavilion was so close, and she happened to not have fallen asleep yet. If someone didnt go ask, it would be hard to avoid being criticized for her cold personality.

  Her grandmothers birthday is approaching, and she doesnt want to give those nosy women an opportunity to gossip.

  It wasnt long before Xue Su hurried back, her face looking somewhat heavy. "The Moon Brocade Pavilion is in an uproar, both the Hou and Old Madams residences have been alarmed, several sturdy maids are blocking the way, not allowing anyone to enter. Seasoned Mother heard someone say that Eighth Miss had hung a white silk and was going to hang herself, fortunately she was rescued."

  She saw Gu Mingxuans face was not right and hurriedly said, "Seasonal aunt didnt ask further and went back."

  Yu Ge is in an awkward situation, this kind of obscure matter cannot be involved.

  Gu Mingxuan furrowed her brow, how did she suddenly think of going to throw herself into the river? Was it before her grandmothers birthday banquet...

  She thought for a moment and suddenly raised her head to ask, "Have there been any unusual visitors at the mansion in recent days?"

  Xue Su had not yet spoken, when Dan Hong, who was warming the bed, hastily replied, "I know what Eighth Miss is worried about."

  Although there was no one else in the house, she still lowered her voice and said, "Yesterday I went to Yian Hall to ask Douzhu sister for an embroidery pattern, and happened to hear Mo Gen and Die Luo talking nonsense. Mo Gen said that our eldest aunts body is not good, and its likely that she wont make it past next spring. Madame Hou is heartbroken about her two grandsons from her eldest daughter, so she wants to choose a young lady from our family to marry into the Jianan Earls household as a substitute wife. Eighth Miss has been raised by Madame Hou since childhood and is the most trusted, Die Luo sister guessed that it must be her."

  Jianan Bos wife, Gu Mingru, was the eldest daughter of Yongning Houfu. She was once considered a renowned lady in Shengjing, and many noble young men competed to marry her. After careful selection by Madame Luo, the wife of Yongning Hou, she chose the young heir, Jianan Bo Liang Jin.

  Liáng Jūn was the only son of Grand Princess Ning Jing, and before his time, the previous emperor had been very fond of this nephew. He was in charge of everything, although he looked like a jade gentleman, but inside he had a wolf-like heart, not only greedy for wealth and beauty, but also loved to humiliate and beat women, every year in the estate of Marquis Jianan there were always women being carried out.

  Just because he is a royal relative, those are also private matters in the backyard. Even if there are occasional impeachments by the censor, the previous emperor loved him, and the current emperor has been friends with him since childhood and cannot bear to move him, so they all leave it undecided and do not issue it.

  These things, how could Yongning Marquis and his wife not know?

  At that time, they were eager to make this marriage, but it was because of Liang Juns noble birth and the late emperors favor towards him. Now, with my elder sister not yet cold in her grave, they are already planning to marry another Gu girl off to him, all because of the close relationship between Liang Jun and the current emperor since childhood.

  Poor Gu Mingru, the daughter of a noble family, only because her parents were greedy and met with bad luck, was married off and in just seven years, she would be gone, like incense disappearing into thin air.

  Gu Mingxuan let out a soft sigh, "So thats how it is."

  Eighth sisters temperament is proud and arrogant, she has never been willing to be someones concubine. In the future, with a legitimate wife and son in place, her own sons will be suppressed for their entire lives. The reputation of the Marquis of Jianan is well-known outside, and the precedent set by her elder sister is before her. If she were to marry him, it would only be repeating the same mistake. If Auntie really had such intentions, its no wonder Eighth Sister would make a scene.

  But this move ultimately fell into a disadvantage...

  Originally, I wanted to take advantage of my grandmothers upcoming birthday to put this matter aside, so I made a big fuss and caused a scene, making it impossible for my aunt to force her again. My grandmother now knows her intentions and will not sit idly by either.

  If Ba Mian had made up her mind not to, could Da Bomu still force her with a knife? Even if she went to An Taiyuan to secretly ask for her grandmothers help, it would be better than being forced into a desperate situation, which would not only hurt her grandmothers feelings but also tear apart the mother-daughter relationship between Ba Mian and Da Bomu.

  The support of ones birth family is how important for a woman from a noble house?

  Ba Meis actions were equivalent to cutting off her own arms.

  Gu Mingxuan shook his head, "Not worth it."

  The expression on Xue Sus face became even more solemn, and she asked hesitantly, "But if the eighth young lady is not willing to marry, will Madame Hou set her sights on you instead?"

  The six young ladies in Yongning Houfu have already settled their marriages, with the sixth lady and the prince of Qingping County having agreed to marry, but the wedding has been delayed due to the princes mother being ill. The ninth lady was born to a courtesan and was raised outside the manor until she was brought back two years ago; her low birth makes it difficult for her to marry into a high-ranking family. The tenth lady, Mingyu, is also from the second wifes side, but as the second madam is strict and proud, she will not allow her daughter to marry down. The rest of the ladies are still young.

  If Miss Eight is unwilling, then Miss Seven...

  The three houses are in name only, and the seventh young lady has no one to rely on. She is already seventeen this year, and its not easy to talk about marriage at her age. Moreover, she was once jilted on her wedding day, which became a laughing stock in Shengjing. Although the old madam dotes on her, she still has to consider the overall situation. Perhaps if Madame Hou persuades her a few more times, this marriage can be settled.

  Gu Mingxuans expression was stifled, her face seemed to be covered with a layer of frost, after a long time, she finally exhaled a long cold breath, she composed herself, without saying a word, and continued to copy scriptures at her desk.

  The lanterns of Yu Ge Pavilion burned throughout the night in the bleak and cold wind.

  Complete works txt download, full text free, e-book, remember 77 reading books