Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 106

Liang Huai Yu waited anxiously for her daughter to finish reading the letter before sighing softly and taking her daughter’s hand.

“The Emperor intends to reward you. I suspect Gu Huai Zhong’s arrival is to officially acknowledge you again,” Liang Huai Yu’s brows furrowed slightly, “Ah Nan, although we’ve left the capital, we are still within the territories of the Qi dynasty. If we offend the Emperor, I fear we won’t be able to stay in Kuizhou anymore.”

“We could go to the Liang dynasty,” Gu Yu Qi suggested. She had originally chosen Kuizhou for its strategic location being well connected in all directions. If things did not work out, they could flee to the Rouran or even the Liang dynasty if necessary. She had been learning the Rouran language and believed she could speak it fluently within half a year.

“But…” Liang Huai Yu started to say but ended up sighing deeply, “But we are, after all, people of Qi dynasty. Going against the Emperor’s wishes would be seen as blatant rebellion. If the Emperor pursued the matter, even if we fled to the Liang dynasty, we wouldn’t have a peaceful life there.” Her parents were both buried in Qi dynasty’s territory. If they truly angered the Emperor, it was uncertain what the future might hold. Leaving the Qi dynasty and going to the Liang dynasty was not entirely out of the question, but when could they ever return to the land of the Qi dynasty?

“So, does Mother mean for me to return to the capital and accept the Emperor’s reward?” Gu Yu Qi frowned slightly.

She would do whatever her mother decided.

It was just that she had not anticipated that a mere prescription for treating the plague would bring her such trouble. Had she known earlier, she would have preferred to let Zhang Wan Yi claim the credit in this lifetime.

All she wanted was a peaceful and serene life. It was enough for her to just take care of her mother and this big family. Yet, it seemed an invisible force was constantly pushing her back.

“Even if we change our names and move to Daliang, what will you do in the future? Are you going to spend the rest of your life with me?” Liang Huai Yu looked at her daughter’s beautiful face, feeling waves of bitterness and heartache.

Originally, she was worthy of everything best in this world. She was so intelligent, so filial, and so beautiful. Yet now, she was wandering around unrooted with her and even her status had plummeted.

If possible, Liang Huai Yu would rather bear all the hardships herself, but she wanted to secure a bright future for her daughter.

Now, there was an opportunity right in front of her. As long as she followed Gu Huai Zhong back to the capital, then honour, status, rewards, everything will follow. Where would there still be worry about her daughter not being able to marry? If she were alone, she naturally would not want to return to that place she had barely escaped from. But what about Gu Yu Qi?

Gu Yu Qi’s eyes dimmed. She stood up and curtseyed to Liang Huai Yu, “It’s all up to Mother to decide.” With that, she turned and left her mother’s room.

Liang Huai Yu was left alone sitting in the room, lost in thought.

Gu Yu Qi’s mood was really at its lowest. She sent Yan Zhi away, wanting to just be alone in quiet.

She wandered aimlessly inside the residence and unknowingly walked to the pavilion in the middle of the artificial lake.

She pushed the door open with her hand, only to find that there was already someone inside, wiping the strings of a zither. Seeing the door being pushed open, his hand holding a white silk handkerchief paused slightly. He wore a robe as white as the moonlight which gently ruffled in the breeze, creating faint ripples, much like the surface of the water outside the pavilion.

“Why are you here?” Lou Xiao looked at Gu Yu Qi with some surprise, “Aren’t you usually at the construction site at this time of the day?”

Gu Yu Qi was taken aback at first and intended to turn around and leave. However, she still walked in, as if driven by some inexplicable force. She sat down opposite Lou Xiao and sighed deeply.

“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?” Lou Xiao’s eyes held a hint of gentle amusement as he asked softly.

“Mhmm,” Gu Yu Qi nodded. She wanted to confide her troubles to someone, but she did not know who to turn to. Her mother had different thoughts, and she could not impose her own ideas on her mother.

Yan Zhi by her side would have been a good listener, but she was a bit too straightforward. She feared that she might go and tell Liang Huai Yu.

The other maids were all busy with their own tasks. Now looking around, it seemed she was the one with the most leisure time. Oh, right, there was also this Rouran language master of hers, who seemed quite idle.

“Let me play you a piece,” Lou Xiao lightly plucked the strings with his slender fingers, producing a crisp sound, “Though my music may not necessarily dispel all worries, at least it will be pleasant to the ear.”

“Alright,” Gu Yu Qi was in no mood to listen to music, but she could not outright reject someone else’s good intentions. She managed to force a smile and nodded.

Lou Xiao tested the tone with a note and then began to play.

Under his skilled fingers, the strings seemed to come alive. The notes leapt and merged into a continuous melody. The sound of the zither was hauntingly beautiful, with a measured pace and carrying an indescribable power, seemingly able to soothe restless hearts and bring peace to the listener.

In truth, Gu Yu Qi did not particularly like the music of this era. From the perspective of a time traveller, this music was too soft, almost like a lullaby. Although she was proficient in the music of this era, it was only because she forced herself to learn it, simply to gain fame in the noble ladies’ circles.

Yet now, as she sat there listening to Lou Xiao’s music, she found herself somewhat enamoured with this slow-paced tune.

Serenity!

Though there was sound, it gave off a remarkably tranquil atmosphere.

The music flowed out from the pavilion, drifting across the surface of the lake. Bit by bit, Gu Yu Qi’s restless mood slowly settled.

As the piece ended, Gu Yu Qi slowly came back to her senses and smiled warmly at Lou Xiao, “Thank you, Young Master.”

“I only played a tune on the zither, no need for thanks,” Lou Xiao replied with a light smile.

“How is the scenery in Daliang?” Gu Yu Qi could not help but ask curiously.

“Daliang is in the north, so it’s not as picturesque as the Qi dynasty, but the northern region has its own majestic scenery,” Lou Xiao said, “If you wish to go, I can be your guide.”

“I want to go, but…” Gu Yu Qi’s expression turned subdued as she spoke, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. But now, it seemed like she would not be able to go.

“If you want to go, just go. Life is short, why confine yourself to one place?” Lou Xiao said, “Living free and uninhibited is what matters most.”

As Lou Xiao finished speaking, Gu Yu Qi looked at him with a strange gaze.

He seemed to have voiced her inner thoughts once again.

“If there were wine, I would toast Young Master,” Gu Yu Qi sighed lightly. Then she said sincerely, “What Young Master said is exactly what I’ve been thinking. I thought I could achieve such a state in this life, but now it seems a bit difficult.”

This life? Lou Xiao obviously noticed Gu Yu Qi’s choice of words, but he only felt a slight surprise and did not dwell on it further, thinking it was just a slip of the tongue.

After all, what normal person would think that Gu Yu Qi was an old monster who had experienced three lifetimes?

Gu Yu Qi hesitated, “If you had to leave Kuizhou, where would Young Master go?” She looked at Lou Xiao with a slightly envious gaze, asking curiously.

“Haha. In this vast world, the four seas are my home, so naturally I could go anywhere,” Lou Xiao laughed as he stood up. Then he walked to the edge of the pavilion and pushed open the window. The breeze from the lake swept in, lifting his hair and the hem of his clothes, giving him an ethereal and elegant air.

Gu Yu Qi, feeling somewhat envious, also stood up and opened another nearby window, letting the cool breeze from the lake blow in. She leaned against the railing of the pavilion, lazily swirling her fingers on the surface of the lake, creating ripples that spread out in all directions.

“I wish I could be like Young Master,” Gu Yu Qi said, her voice heavy with emotion, “But the rules imposed on women in this world are too strict.”

“Do you know that in Daliang, we have female officials?” Lou Xiao also turned sideways and leaned against the railing, smiling at Gu Yu Qi.

“I know, it’s mentioned in books,” Gu Yu Qi rested her chin on her hand, “But there are still many restrictions on female officials in Daliang. You must have a recommendation letter from a prestigious family to take the exam,” she raised her eyes and looked at Lou Xiao, “Even if I wanted to go to Daliang and become a female official, where would I find a prestigious family to write a recommendation letter for me? Writing such a letter would entail considerable responsibility, you know?”

Although Daliang was not as harsh on women compared to the Qi dynasty, and women could indeed serve in official positions, most of these positions were insignificant. There were so many women in Daliang, how many of them could truly achieve high-ranking positions? However, it was true that there were several female generals in the history of Daliang. Their deeds had long been mythologised and circulated as legends. Gu Yu Qi was well aware of this.

The reason she chose Kuizhou was precisely because of this aspect of Daliang.

However, the selection criteria for women seeking office in Daliang were still quite strict. For Gu Yu Qi, obtaining a recommendation letter from a prestigious family alone was enough of a challenge. Prestigious families would not easily write such letters for commoner women, and even if they did, it would typically be for their own daughters.

Gu Yu Qi had never even considered becoming an official or anything like that.

“If you so desire, with what you’ve learned from me, your talents will surely find a place in Daliang,” Lou Xiao said slowly, “It’s just a matter of whether you’re willing to take that step.”

Lou Xiao’s gentle tone penetrated Gu Yu Qi’s heart word by word, causing her thoughts to stir.

Yes, why could she not find a way to pursue this path?

The reason Liang Huai Yu was in such a dilemma was precisely because of her current background, which did not match well with any reputable family. Why should she rely on her background in the Qi dynasty? If she could earn her own glory in Daliang, Liang Huai Yu would not have to consider whether to return to the Qi dynasty.

But this idea, as good as it sounded, could not extinguish the immediate crisis.

Gu Huai Zhong was kneeling outside the door, and whether or not she followed him back to the capital was already an urgent matter. Where would she find the time to pave the way for herself?