Although the old lady saw that Gu Liyue was safe and sound, she was still a bit displeased upon hearing that she had been punished by Princess Jing to kneel. She pulled Gu Liyue over and inspected her up and down, asking worriedly, "Does it hurt?"
Gu Liyue shook her head. "It doesn't hurt. Grandmother, don't worry about me."
The old lady heaved a sigh. "For no reason at all, why did Princess Jing pick on you? No, I'll find a way to ask her later. Daughter-in-law Yan is familiar with Princess Jing. I'll ask her to inquire."
Mrs. Jiang quickly responded, "Mother, rest assured. I'll make the arrangements."
Gu Liyue originally wanted to say that Princess Jing had done it because of Jiang Yue and Jiang Yingyue. But then, thinking of Qi Manyan's words, she felt that if she said so, it would seem as if she were complaining to her family, which didn't seem appropriate. Oh well, it wasn't a big deal anyway.
On Chinese New Year's Eve, every household hung red lanterns and pasted Spring Festival couplets. Naturally, there were also couplets in Gu Liyue's courtyard.
As soon as she got home, Gu Liyue saw Yuniang and Yuanyuan bustling about pasting couplets and a lot of paper-cuts.
Yuniang was beaming from ear to ear. She pulled Gu Liyue aside and gestured, "Your parents in heaven must be happy."
They surely would be. In previous New Year's Eves, the dishes in the Liu family were especially sumptuous. Gu Liyue and Yuniang would be busy from morning till night. Only after the entire Liu family had finished eating could they have a hasty meal. They weren't qualified to eat fish and meat. Even for the New Year's Eve dinner, it was just a bit more white rice and a few pickled radishes than usual.
After they had finished cleaning up, Gu Liyue and Yuniang could only hug each other for warmth. However, during those few days of the New Year, Mrs. Miao wouldn't force Gu Liyue to do embroidery, so she could enjoy a few days of ease. Yuniang taught her a lot of paper-cutting skills.
Gu Liyue nodded with a smile. "Yuniang, shall we go inside and do some paper-cutting together?"
Yuanyuan volunteered, "Miss, I can do paper-cutting. I can make a lot of patterns."
The maids then fetched red paper and scissors and sat around Gu Liyue, chattering away merrily.
Yuniang watched everyone with a gentle smile. These days, she had been living very comfortably. She no longer had to worry about Gu Liyue's well-being or work hard herself. Even when she couldn't sit still and wanted to find something to do, the maids and servants in the courtyard would immediately take over the tasks and wouldn't let her do them.
She also had two maids to serve her, but she wasn't quite used to it and still did everything herself.
The old lady had summoned her several times. She had called in people who could understand sign language to ask her about the life when the third master's wife was still alive. Every time Yuniang finished signing, the old lady would be in tears.
Yuniang thought that these were truly Gu Liyue's family. She had truly lived up to the trust of the master and the mistress and had raised Gu Liyue to such a great age.
Gu Liyue noticed the redness in Yuniang's eyes and quickly asked, "Yuniang, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
Yuniang quickly shook her head. She picked up the scissors and cut out a big Chinese character "Xi" (happiness).
...
During the New Year, people would pay New Year calls everywhere. The old lady of the Gu family was in much better spirits. She discussed with her two daughters-in-law that they would take Gu Liyue to visit their acquaintances. However, after they had visited their relatives on the first day of the New Year, Gu Liyue fell ill on the second day.
All was in a flurry. The doctor examined her carefully but couldn't diagnose any specific illness. However, Gu Liyue was vomiting and having diarrhea and was so ill that she couldn't even get out of bed.
The old lady of the Gu family was extremely worried and paced around anxiously. By the end of the day, there were blisters on the corner of her mouth.
It was Mrs. Jiang who pondered for a long time before soothingly asking Mrs. Qin to take the old lady back. She herself patted Gu Liyue's hand and whispered, "Liyue, it's the New Year. Everyone is supposed to pay New Year calls."
Gu Liyue was extremely weak. She nodded with difficulty. "Auntie, did the doctor prescribe any medicine? After taking the medicine, I may get better tomorrow and then I can..."
Mrs. Jiang saw Gu Liyue's teary eyes and her attempt to be strong. She felt very sorry for her. She wiped the cold sweat off Gu Liyue's face and said, "You're so ill. Don't think too much. Just focus on getting better. Your Second Aunt and I have discussed it. Since the family recognition banquet hasn't been held yet, it doesn't matter if you don't go out to pay New Year calls. You must get better soon. If you're still ill for the family recognition banquet on the 20th of the first lunar month, it'll be embarrassing."
Gu Liyue's eyes lit up. She nodded repeatedly. "Okay, Auntie. I'll surely focus on getting better."
Mrs. Jiang had a lot of things to do. She gave a few more instructions and then left with her maids.
The maid was puzzled. "Madam, why did you tell the young lady that it's okay not to go out to pay New Year calls? Didn't the old lady say that this was a good opportunity to introduce the young lady to others?"
Mrs. Jiang shook her head. "You've seen it too. The young lady's illness came about so strangely that even the imperial doctor couldn't diagnose it."
The maid asked in confusion, "Madam, do you mean that the young lady is faking her illness?"
Mrs. Jiang sighed. "If she were faking it, I wouldn't be so worried. This child is very honest and timid. I'm afraid she was bullied at the palace banquet and now she's afraid to go out. The imperial doctor naturally can't diagnose an illness of the mind. She'll have to come to terms with it on her own. Well, go and send a message to the Second Madam and the Fourth Young Master. If they have time these few days, ask them to accompany the young lady more. After the eighth day of the first lunar month, invite the children of other families who are more amiable to come and play with her."
The maid agreed as she was told.
Mrs. Jiang added, "Oh, by the way, I've heard that the young master of the Princess Dowager's mansion has a very good relationship with Liyue. Send someone to ask him when he's free and invite him over."
Normally, children wouldn't have time to visit their friends until after the eighth day of the first lunar month. But on the fifth day, Lin Zhijie came to visit with several large boxes of gifts.
He was dressed in a red robe, looking very festive. He had a cute and chubby face that was very endearing.
Old Master Gu picked him up with one hand and waved a long spear with the other, making Lin Zhijie burst into laughter.
When Gu Liyue rushed out, she was scared out of her wits. She shouted repeatedly, "Ajie, stop fooling around. Get down quickly. My grandfather is old. How can he hold you up?"
Old Master Gu didn't care at all. He said proudly to Gu Liyue, "Liyue, don't be afraid. Your grandfather has always been very strong. When I was young, I carried a strong bull over the mountains for two days and two nights just to provide extra food for the soldiers. Not to mention Ajie's small build. Even if you and Ajie were together, I could still hold you up."
Even so, when he put Lin Zhijie down, he was a bit out of breath.
Gu Liyue didn't expose him. She pouted and said, "Grandfather, I know you're very strong and you exercise every day. But I'm afraid of heights. I wouldn't dare let you try."
Old Master Gu burst into laughter again. He asked with concern, "Are you feeling better, girl Liyue?"
Gu Liyue scratched her head shyly. "I'm much better. It's all my fault. I made you worry for nothing."
Lin Zhijie was used to playing around. He didn't care about their conversation. He excitedly ran over and picked up the long spear that Old Master Gu had just waved.
He exerted all his strength, but instead of lifting the long spear, he fell flat on his bottom.