Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter 47
Capital City.
The day after Lü Xun, Lady Zhou, Lü Qianqian, and little Yuyu arrived in the capital, the current sovereign appointed Lü Xun as the Prime Minister.
During this period, Prime Minister Lü was almost daily summoned to the palace for state affairs. Although Chancellor Qin’s faction still held most positions in the Three Departments and Six Ministries of the Southern Han government, the wise and resolute emperor had already replaced the leading officials. Now, the Minister of War was Yang Wenhua, the Minister of Revenue was Ding Jishan of the Wei royal household, the Minister of Works was Zeng Sheng, the Minister of Justice was Situ Ce, the Minister of Personnel was Chen Gong, and the Minister of Rites was Shi Hao. The Vice Censor-in-Chief was Ding Tixing, Ding Jishan’s son. The father and son Ding family holding office simultaneously was considered a positive sign of harmony. In short, the current court was firmly under the emperor’s control. Today’s main discussion concerned the fugitive Wang Pu.
Half a year ago, the Censorate’s Director Ding had reported on Wang Pu, the brother-in-law of Chancellor Qin and Transport Commissioner of the Two Streams Circuit. The emperor had issued a strict investigation order. Upon searching Wang Pu’s residence, officials found wealth exceeding half the national treasury. Now, Wang Pu was fleeing in fear of punishment, his whereabouts unknown. The government had issued orders to arrest him across the land, but no trace of the fugitive had been found.
Wang Pu was a "big tiger," a corrupt official who had abused power for many years, committing all manner of evil. He deserved death long ago! Once a man forgets his original intention, he loses himself. In his youth, Wang Pu was also a man with great ambition, determined to serve the nation. After ten years of study, he passed the imperial examinations alongside Chancellor Qin Miao. Qin Miao was the top scorer, and Wang Pu’s eldest sister admired his talent deeply, inviting Qin Miao to their home. Soon after, Wang Pu’s sister became Qin Miao’s wife. Later, Qin Miao rose to be Prime Minister, and with such a powerful brother-in-law, Wang Pu was promoted from a junior clerk to Transport Commissioner of the Two Streams Circuit. Backed by the Prime Minister, Wang Pu grew reckless.
He abused his power to amass wealth and forcibly seized beautiful women, even taking others’ wives and concubines. The retired emperor, fond of exotic flowers and stones in his youth, was flattered by Wang Pu, who persuaded Qin Miao to convince the emperor to establish a dedicated transport route for these flowers and stones. These were collected by local officials and transported mainly by water to the capital on fleets of ten ships, known as the Flower and Stone Tribute. To gather these treasures, any household possessing ornamental plants or stones would have them confiscated by officials who sealed them forcibly. During seizure, officials often demolished homes without compensation. Items sealed by the government had to be handed over without payment, and the owners were responsible for their safekeeping until removal; failure meant charges of great disrespect. Whether damage occurred was at the officials’ sole discretion, who exploited this to extort the poor. The impoverished could only borrow money to bribe the officials, plunging into debt with no escape; refusal meant imprisonment and a dead end. The term “Flower and Stone Tribute” was coined by Wang Pu during his tenure. He served more than six years in the Two Streams Circuit, during which the people said, “The sky over the Two Streams Circuit has risen six feet higher!”
At the Palace of Tranquil Governance, the emperor paced before the dragon throne. He considered Wang Pu a malignant tumor in the Southern Han bureaucracy that must be excised. That Wang Pu had fled filled the emperor with anger. Glancing at Liang Zhui, the Prefect of the Capital City, who knelt before him, the emperor frowned and asked, “Have all the imperial guards sent out been recalled?”
Liang Zhui replied, “One battalion remains tracking the fugitive.”
The emperor smiled gently. “Tracking? When not even a shadow is seen! Where is the trail? How to pursue? Stop wasting effort and recall them all!”
Liang Zhui’s face darkened as he solemnly said, “As Your Majesty commands.”
Liang Zhui was a relative of the Empress Dowager Pi, whom the emperor respectfully addressed as his maternal uncle, showing great esteem. Yet, Liang Zhui was illiterate. The emperor often wondered why, among thousands of officials, the retired emperor had appointed such a man as Prefect of the Capital.
“Clearly, it’s time to replace the incompetent officials in the court.”
The emperor sat back on the throne and waved his sleeve. Liang Zhui hurriedly bowed, “I take my leave.”
As Liang Zhui departed, Prime Minister Lü approached, cupping his hands in respect. “Your Majesty, I have a suggestion.”
“Please, old minister, speak.”
“May Your Majesty, for the Empress Dowager’s sake, confer the title of Prince of Leisure upon Prefect Liang Zhui.”
The emperor smiled at last. “Your suggestion aligns perfectly with my own thoughts!” Turning to the Secretary Su Ji, he ordered, “Draft the edict: confer the title Prince of Leisure on Liang Zhui.”
Lü Qianqian’s first order upon arriving in the capital was to have the prime minister’s study freshly refurbished. She spent these days arranging books alone, placing the many volumes brought from their ancestral home onto the shelves. The books and large desk had originally been transported from the capital to the old home and now returned, but due to insufficient transport, the desk had remained behind, leaving no place to display her father’s treasured scholar’s tools—brush, ink, paper, inkstone—which troubled her greatly. Early this morning, Lady Zhou told Lü Qianqian that the carpenter had delivered a new large desk.
Lü Qianqian eagerly asked, “Where was it placed?”
Lady Zhou gave her a sharp glance. “It’s already in the study.”
Overjoyed, Lü Qianqian rushed to the study.
That night, the study was brightly lit through the night. Lü Qianqian sat before the large desk, deeply focused. Her left hand turned pages while holding a brush, seemingly taking notes or commenting. Lü Qianqian had become a true bookworm.
The study door was half open. Through the crack, one could faintly see a corner of the flower bed. There, a small boy sat on a stone slab holding a bamboo flute in one hand, eyes tinged with loneliness. In his other hand, he carefully held a pair of jade bracelets given by Gu Yusheng to his mother—once treasured, now tossed by her on the bedside.
The boy’s gaze often drifted toward the study, filled with longing for his mother’s company. He wished the study’s light would soon go out, and his mother would come out, stroke his neck, and say, “Little Yuyu, it’s late. Let’s go back to rest. Tomorrow you must rise early; I will take you to the Osmanthus Garden to see your father!” This boy was Gu Yuyu, whose first thought upon arriving in the capital was to see his father.
As night deepened, dew soaked Gu Yuyu’s clothes, yet the study’s light remained on, and his mother kept writing at the large desk.
Gu Yuyu brushed the dew off and, bowing his head, returned to his room to rest.
In truth, Lü Qianqian was racing to complete a book titled How the Southern Han Economy Can Rise. Recently, when the emperor summoned Prime Minister Lü to court, he often lamented, “I am troubled by the slow development of the Southern Han economy!” Prime Minister Lü felt ashamed, unable to devise a leap forward strategy. Returning home daily, he sighed to Lü Qianqian, “Girl, your father’s talents have faded!” “Draft my resignation—tomorrow I shall retire!” Seeing his helpless expression, Lü Qianqian immersed herself in study, reading many economic texts and deriving ideas. She decided to write them into a book for her father to present to the emperor.
The next noon, Lady Zhou rushed into the study in tears. “Miss, little Yuyu is missing!”
Lü Qianqian’s mind went blank.
At dusk, the envoy’s party entered the capital.
Gu Yuren looked at the Rainbow Bridge ahead, reined his horse, and asked, “Deputy Envoy Qi, where shall Princess Zhao Yue stay tonight?”
Qi Qiongqiong secretly cursed him for ignorance. After traveling over two months, he still did not know Zhao Yue was his junior sister. Yet she felt pleased—her husband’s heart belonged only to her. She smiled gently and said, “Master, you decide.”
Gu Yuren frowned. “It’s late. Better to let her stay overnight at the Bauhinia Pavilion. After the morning court tomorrow, we can decide.”
The Bauhinia Pavilion was the court’s reception for foreign envoys. Temporarily lodging Zhao Yue there was wise and reasonable. Qi Qiongqiong admired her husband’s pragmatic style and replied, “Your order is my command.”
Gu Yuren smiled, cracked his whip, and spurred his horse over Rainbow Bridge.
That day, inside and outside the Osmanthus Garden, lanterns and banners festooned the gates; drums and music filled the air; guests poured in. It was the auspicious wedding day of Gu Yuren, Vice Minister of Rites, and Princess Duan Zhao Yue.
The marriage was arranged by the retired emperor and officiated by the Ministry of Rites. Except for Qi Qiongqiong, officials Xie An, Guan Yi, and Qi Yaoyao were assigned as dedicated greeters.
Shortly after Gu Yuren and Qi Qiongqiong left for Dali, Gu Yusheng, serving as Transport Commissioner of the Two Streams Circuit, was summoned back to the capital as Minister of War. He and his wife Qi Yaoyao and daughter Gu Nono traveled over a month back to the capital. Yet, within ten days of his new post, the emperor ordered him as chief envoy to lead a delegation to Tartary to negotiate and sign a peace treaty defining borders with the Southern Han. Thus, Gu Yusheng was absent from this auspicious day; otherwise, he might also have been a greeter.
Qi Qiongqiong was the lady of Osmanthus Garden. Her husband’s taking a second wife stirred mixed feelings, but as a general and official, she had to observe court protocol. Though unwilling, she smiled to welcome guests. Early that morning, she and two maids, Meng Jin and Meng Yin, inspected the bridal chamber, touching pillows and drawing curtains. Then she went to the street entrance to watch for the bridegroom’s arrival.
The bridal party had yet to return, and Qi Qiongqiong sat alone in her room, lamenting, “Damn it, I’ve become a rabbit!”
Guan Yi entered and shook her head. “Sister, you’re only trapping yourself.”
Qi Qiongqiong sighed, “Guan Yi, what do you call this?”
Guan Yi said, “Who knows? Maybe you got your wires crossed! I heard in Dali, Yuren’s elder brother refused her. You brought home a breathtaking beauty on your own, so now, you pale-faced woman, you’ll just have to drink soup.”
Qi Qiongqiong self-mocked, “Soup’s better than nothing! Who told me to be such a fool?”
Maid Meng Jin burst in, “Madam, Minister Liao of Rites came to congratulate you! Please come out to receive him.”
“Alright.” Qi Qiongqiong hurried out.
Why such grandeur? Even the Minister of Rites came to congratulate.
It was because—
The morning after the delegation’s return, at the splendid Palace of Tranquil Governance, Gu Yuren reported to the youthful, vigorous emperor the successful conclusion of talks and the treaty with Dali, praising the envoy’s efforts. Then the reinstated Prime Minister Lü Xun eagerly stepped forward and read aloud a yellow silk edict: “By imperial decree, the envoy has completed the horse trade agreement with Dali and enhanced Southern Han’s prestige. The three principal envoys are commended: Shi Hao is appointed Minister of Rites; Gu Yuren is appointed Vice Minister of Rites; Qi Qiongqiong is appointed General of the Pacifying Far West. So it is ordered.” All bowed deeply.
Lü then read another edict: “Duan Zhao Yue is granted official status. Formerly a Dali princess, she embraced Southern Han culture and was adopted as the emperor’s foster daughter, becoming Princess Zhao Yue of Southern Han. As she and Vice Minister Gu Yuren fell in love, she is officially betrothed as his second wife. All wedding rites shall be handled by the Ministry of Rites and announced publicly. So it is ordered.” Duan Zhao Yue knelt and thanked, henceforth known as Duan Zhaoyue.
Cheers filled the hall.
Yet two officials stood dumbfounded: Gu Yuren and General Qi Qiongqiong. Both deeply felt everything had been prearranged, including the earlier embassy mission to Dali.
That night.
Page 2
The guests had all departed Osmanthus Garden.
Qi Qiongqiong had just returned to her chamber when a drunken Gu Yuren staggered in.
She snapped, “The bridal chamber is to the right; this is my bedroom.”
Gu Yuren, flushed and squinting, said, “I’m drunk; I need you to sober me up…” and reached to embrace her.
Qi Qiongqiong blushed and said, “Go to the bridal chamber. There’s a beauty there to help you sober up. Hurry!”
But Gu Yuren held her tightly. “No! You always sober me up when I’m drunk. Tonight, you do it first, or I won’t go.”
Qi Qiongqiong, struggling for breath, grabbed his arms, frustrated and anxious. Softly she said, “You stubborn fool! Please release me so I can bolt the door first…”
His eyes flashed fire; mumbling, “Alright, alright, I’ll let go…”
The night deepened.
Gu Yuren finally entered the bridal chamber.
Duan Zhaoyue sat veiled by her bridal cover.
Seeing him, she eagerly asked, “Brother Gu, did you see my mother today?”
Gu Yuren was fully sober. “Who is your mother? Why do you call me Brother Gu?”
She coquettishly said, “Gu—no, I should call you husband! My mother is your uncle’s wife, Princess Zhao Chuoyun of Bashu! She said she would attend our wedding today, but I’ve kept my veil down all day and haven’t seen her.”
Gu Yuren was shocked. “Aren’t you a Dali princess? How come you’re the daughter of my uncle’s wife?”
Duan Zhaoyue explained, “Husband, Qi Qiongqiong knew this long ago. Didn’t she tell you?”
Gu Yuren hesitated. “She said something, but I wasn’t paying attention…”
“Did you see my mother today or not?” she asked.
Frankly, he replied, “I’ve never met my mother-in-law. Even if she stood before me, I wouldn’t recognize her! Oh, Guan Yi and Xie An are close to her; I’ll ask them.” He moved to leave.
Duan Zhaoyue grabbed him back. “Wait!”
“I’m just going to ask…” he said.
“Ask tomorrow. It’s late. They’ve been busy all day and likely asleep. My mother said she wanted to come quietly and leave quietly. Even if she came, she wouldn’t let Guan Yi and the others know.”
Gu Yuren nodded. “Makes sense. Since she promised to come, she must have, but we just didn’t see.”
Duan Zhaoyue sighed, “Whether she comes or not, today I, Duan Zhaoyue, have married! But you, husband, have worn your veil all day. Can you take it off now?”
“Sorry! I got distracted and forgot the main event!” Gu Yuren unveiled her.
Under the red candlelight, she was a thousand times more beautiful than by day.
Gu Yuren stood quietly, admiring his second wife. “She’s like a rose about to bloom, radiant and delicate.”
Admiring her, he pulled her close. “Zhaoyue, many fine men exist. Why did you choose me—and as your second husband?”
She nestled close, whispering, “That’s a hard question! First, blame our ancestor, swordsman Lou Sanfeng, who decreed that girls trained in Lou-style swordsmanship must not marry out. Second, I saw you years ago and was already enchanted!”
Gu Yuren exclaimed, “Really? Where?”
“In the Royal Jade Garden. That year, missing my mother, I secretly came to the Southern Han capital. There, I saw you practicing horse lance with your royal cousin.”
Gu Yuren suddenly understood. “Oh, you’re the little girl holding the horse! You were precocious even then!”
Duan Zhaoyue blushed, gently bumping his chest with her head.
Gu Yuren held her tighter. “Fate truly exists! I felt déjà vu when I saw you, never guessing we’d become husband and wife…”
Her trembling body grew warm. “Husband, for our fate, let’s sleep early.”
“All right.” Gu Yuren drew down the silk canopy.
The next morning before dawn, Gu Yuren knocked on Xie An’s door.
Having slept soundly, Xie An woke confused by the pounding, hurried to dress, and opened the door. “What’s the matter?”
“Not urgent. Just asking if you saw my mother-in-law yesterday.”
Xie An groaned, “Knocking so early, I thought the earth was caving in! And it’s for this?”
“Enough chatter! Did you see her or not?”
“Yes. She came, bringing gifts: a white jade Guanyin statue, a tall hat, a pair of shoes, and more.”
Gu Yuren smiled. “The gifts don’t matter; it’s good she came.” He turned to go to the bridal chamber, still lost in last night’s sweetness.
Xie An laughed. “You look happy! Wait, I have something to say.”
Gu Yuren stopped and turned. “Speak quickly.”
Xie An said, “Yesterday, Prime Minister Lü’s daughter, Lü Qianqian, also came with gifts and a little boy named Gu Yuyu. When asked who his father was, the boy cleverly replied: ‘My father is Gu Yusheng.’”
That day, little Yuyu came alone to Osmanthus Garden but found no father and returned to the prime minister’s residence, where Lü Qianqian, furious, beat him.
Gu Yuren lunged forward, covering Xie An’s mouth. “What nonsense are you spouting?”
Gu Yuren knew the family secrets of Gu Yusheng and Lü Qianqian were known to all elders except Qi Yaoyao, and none dared mention them to her for fear of chaos.
Xie An pulled away, speaking earnestly. “I’m not lying! Yesterday, after seeing the boy, Qi Qiongqiong said Gu Yuyu resembled Gu Yusheng’s brother-in-law…”
Gu Yuren again tried to cover Xie An’s mouth. “Yaoyao is probably awake now…”
“Brother-in-law, let him speak,” said Qi Yaoyao behind.
Gu Yuren smiled wryly. “Yaomei, sorry to wake you so early. It’s your brother’s big mouth causing a fuss.” He winked and made a face at Xie An.
Qi Yaoyao coldly said, “Brother-in-law, stop covering for Gu Er. I knew about him and Lü Qianqian before I left for Jingnan with a letter.”
Gu Yuren was shocked. “How did you find out?”
Qi Yaoyao said, “I accidentally read a letter from Lü Qianqian to Gu Yusheng.”
Gu Yuren said, “But I never saw you upset then.”
“Pretending,” Qi Yaoyao’s eyes filled with tears. “Who could blame us? We are descendants of the Lou-style sword. Who commanded me to journey thousands of miles from Yangzhou to marry Gu Yusheng in the capital? No blame but myself! Indeed, you two brothers are handsome and charming! Look, besides my sister’s devotion to you, she even helped you marry a second wife yesterday.”
Gu Yuren said remorsefully, “I hurt your sister’s heart.”
Qi Yaoyao pouted. “By then, my heart was broken. I opposed everything Gu Er did: he disliked birds, but I kept them and spent money meant for Mongolian larks on cheap sparrows. Yet in Jingnan, seeing Xiao Guimu and Yuru’s positive spirits shamed me. I hated and humiliated myself, wishing to die early. Traveling with two maids in a blizzard, I fell into a valley breaking my leg and caused Bai Yun and Cai Yun to lose their lives!”
Qi Yaoyao wept bitterly, drawing Qi Qiongqiong, Guan Yi, and Duan Zhaoyue to comfort her.
Guan Yi patted her back. “Sister, crying won’t help! You should curse Gu Yusheng toward Tartary until you’ve made him a dog’s fool!”
Qi Yaoyao laughed bitterly through tears. “Does anyone comfort you like that?”
Guan Yi said, “One more.”
Qi Yaoyao asked, “Who?”
Guan Yi replied, “Guard Xie’s wife, Guan Yi.”
Half a year later, Gu Yusheng returned from Tartary to the Southern Han capital.
Qi Yaoyao took charge, choosing an auspicious day for Gu Yusheng to marry Lü Qianqian and personally brought Gu Yuyu back to Osmanthus Garden to acknowledge his lineage.
At the Palace of Tranquil Governance, morning court.
The sky was dim, yet the hall was brightly lit.
The palace steward called, “Present business or dismiss.”
Prime Minister Lü, wearing his purple imperial robe and jade belt, holding an ivory tablet, stepped forward and addressed the emperor, “Your Majesty, the Three Thousand Friesian Warhorses purchased by the Yongzhou Horse Purchasing Office arrived yesterday at the Western Military Camp on the city outskirts.”
The emperor smiled. “Perfect timing! Where is Vice Minister Gu Yuren?”
Gu Yuren stepped out, bowing. “Your Majesty, at your service.”
The emperor declared, “Minister Gu, I appoint you Commander of the Cavalry. Starting tomorrow, report to the Western Military Camp for cavalry training.”
Gu Yuren knew these horses were spoils of his successful embassy to Dali—the first batch, with many more expected under the agreement. Previously, the Western Camp had only a few hundred horses, with over ten thousand soldiers rarely training with mounts; few officers understood cavalry. He would need the emperor’s support.
Gu Yuren knelt, “I accept, but the camp lacks cavalry officers. I respectfully ask Your Majesty to assign capable aides.”
The emperor asked, “Do you have recommendations?”
Gu Yuren asked, “Must they be court officials?”
The emperor nodded, “Not necessarily. If skilled in cavalry training, I can appoint them.”
Gu Yuren said, “I recommend General Qi Qiongqiong, Princess Duan Zhaoyue, Guard’s wife Guan Yi, and Minister Gu Yusheng’s wife Qi Yaoyao as my assistants.”
The emperor smiled. “Minister Gu, you recommend all your own relatives!”
Gu Yuren replied, “As the ancients said: ‘When appointing outside, do not avoid enemies; when appointing inside, do not avoid kin.’ I earnestly beg Your Majesty to employ them.”
The emperor happily decreed, “Grant Duan Zhaoyue the rank of Guerrilla General, Guan Yi as Cavalry General, Qi Yaoyao as General Pacifying the West, alongside General Qi Qiongqiong. All assigned to the Horse Military Office at the Western Camp, effective tomorrow. So it is ordered.”
Gu Yuren knelt, thanking.
After court, Prime Minister Lü invited Gu Yuren to walk together.
Outside the Palace Gate, Gu Yuren waited at the left square of the imperial road.
Lü congratulated him, “Congratulations, Commander Gu! You’re a true businessman!”
Gu Yuren bowed. “Why say that, Prime Minister?”
Lü laughed, “You bowed once at court saying, ‘I accept,’ and all those women in Osmanthus Garden without rank became officials! You’re a master of business, a sure profit and overflowing harvest!”
Gu Yuren said, “‘All’? Not quite! Lü Qianqian is still a commoner.”
Lü said, “Qianqian doesn’t know martial arts. She’ll be the housekeeper of your Osmanthus Garden. And she’s very capable!”
Gu Yuren said, “We’ll all be serving at the military camp. The children will have to rely on her care.”
Lü said, “Rest assured, Qianqian will care for them. But nephew, you’re cruel! These women will serve in the military, and war means death. Do you want them all to sacrifice for Southern Han?”
Gu Yuren said, “It’s their ideal and wish. The emperor knows and has long wanted to give them opportunity. Today’s request was only to give Your Majesty a reason.”
They reached the gate where sedan chairs waited.
Lü climbed into his carriage. “Nephew, your parents and in-laws in Yangzhou have waited decades for this chance. You owe them a reason too.”
Gu Yuren leaned close. “Prime Minister, you hold high office and have many chances to find reasons.”
Lü laughed and scolded, “You little rascal, seek your own filial piety and don’t fool me!” Then withdrew his head.
Gu Yuren smiled slyly and turned toward his horse.
At that moment, Gu Yusheng had returned from Tartary and attended morning court with his brother. After court, he left earliest.
Gu Yusheng arrived at the horse tethering stable, where Gu Yuren saw him from afar, holding his horse’s reins in one hand and a whip in the other, warmly smiling.
The next morning, the newly minted generals from Osmanthus Garden prepared to report to the Western Military Camp.
Women always reminded their children before leaving.
Qi Yaoyao knelt, tidying daughter Gu Nono’s dress. “Nono, my treasure, I’m off to earn military pay. No more freeloading at home to annoy your father.” She glanced at her husband.
Gu Nono, just five, did not understand parting. She blinked wide eyes, thinking, “Mother’s general uniform is so pretty; the beast’s head on the armor is interesting.”
Qi Yaoyao redid the sash, “Sweetheart, while I’m away, be good. Listen to your father and second mother; don’t upset them, okay?”
Nono nodded, touching the beast’s head on her mother’s armor.
“Don’t touch that!” Qi Yaoyao glared. “Girls should be gentle, like your brother Yuyu—refined and lovely—not like your brothers Big Treasure and Second Treasure, always playing with swords and spears, naughty and troublesome!”
Nono’s bright eyes asked, “Mother, you’re a girl too. Why do you always play with swords and spears?”
Qi Yaoyao answered without thinking, “Because I’m a woman, not a girl!”
Nono blinked. “That’s nonsense! Wasn’t a woman once a girl?”
Qi Yaoyao was speechless.
Under the Osmanthus tree, Guan Yi hugged her son Xie Fang, kissing him wildly. “My little cutie, your face is so tender and white, kissing you is like eating an apple! Sigh! Your father’s whiskered face is so annoying, like prickly bark—impossible to bite.”
Xie Fang blushed, pushing his mother’s hands away, glancing sideways at Big Treasure and Second Treasure, anxiously, “Mother, stop! Big Treasure and Second Treasure are watching!”
Gu Yuren and Qi Qiongqiong heard him and smiled at each other.
Gu Yuren said, “You should tell our two boys a few words too!”
Qi Qiongqiong turned and loudly called, “Big Treasure, Second Treasure, come here!”
The two boys ran over. “Mother, what’s up?”
Qi Qiongqiong said, “Big Treasure, Second Treasure, kneel to your uncle.” They dropped to their knees before Gu Yusheng.
Qi Qiongqiong said, “Your father and mother are serving. They have no time to teach you Lou-style swordsmanship. You two must apprentice under your uncle to learn.”
The brothers bowed to Gu Yusheng. “Greetings, Master.”
Gu Yusheng helped them up. “Qi Qiongqiong, no need for such ceremony among family.”
Qi Qiongqiong said seriously, “Second brother, it’s necessary! They are your disciples now. I ask you to teach them not only Lou-style swordsmanship but your unique skills.”
Gu Yusheng nodded. “Qi Qiongqiong, your disciple Yusheng will do so.”
End of Chapter 47.