How the Women of the Gu Family Handle Things
Madam Lin knew full well that Gu Xingyan was the type who’d actually drag every belonging from their rooms out and sell it for cash. Left with no choice, she handed him a five-hundred-tael banknote and said, “Husband, you’re going to Wangxiang Pass—I also prepared another one-hundred-tael note and twenty taels of loose silver for you.”
Gu Xingyan frowned. “That’s all we’ve got?”
Madam Lin dabbed at her eyes. “If you want to know how much your third brother spent marrying a princess, go ask your big brother.” If her husband actually dared ask Gu Xingnuo such a thing, she’d voluntarily walk out of this marriage!
Gu Xingyan had never cared about money before. He’d always left it to others. Now, with Madam Lin crying, he felt lost. “We can’t possibly only have this much, right?”
Madam Lin cried harder. “When you go to Wangxiang, I’ll be here alone in the capital with Xu’er. All his toys and snacks, the tributes we give Grandfather, Grandmother, and Mother—all that money comes from us! What are we supposed to live on in the days ahead?”
Gu Xingyan sat there in silence for a long time.
Madam Lin glanced at him, then softly suggested, “Third Brother has plenty of silver. Perhaps we could…”
“Enough,” Gu Xingyan cut her off sharply. “Don’t even think about the princess’s money. Have I ever touched your dowry?”
Madam Lin immediately shut her mouth.
Gu Xingyan said, “Didn’t you say you prepared a hundred and twenty taels? Bring it here.”
Madam Lin walked to the luggage she had prepared for her husband, took out a one-hundred-tael banknote and twenty taels of silver, and placed them on the table.
Gu Xingyan glanced at it, then said, “You keep this. Use it yourself.”
“Husband—”
But Gu Xingyan took the five-hundred-tael note and strode out of the room.
Madam Lin collapsed onto a chair, tears finally spilling down her face. Of course she had more money. But she couldn’t take it out. She had to plan for the future of their branch of the family—and for their son. Without silver, how would they survive the days to come?
Gu Xingyan returned to the old master’s study just as the physician had left to write prescriptions for Gu Xingnuo.
The old master said, “Good, you’re back. Help your big brother to his room.”
Gu Xingnuo said, “Grandfather, I’ll wait until Xinglang and the princess return.”
“The doctor said your injury is serious,” the old master shook his head. “I’ll wait for them. You go rest.”
Gu Xingyan immediately panicked. “Is it that bad?”
The old master waved him off. “Just get your brother back to bed. The imperial physician will be here soon.”
Gu Xingyan quickly brought in two servants to carry Gu Xingnuo back to his room.
Just then, Gu Xinglang and Yu Xiaoxiao returned home. The moment Gu Xinglang stepped through the gates, he sensed something was off and asked the steward, “Did something happen?”
The steward, already briefed by the old master and Gu Xingnuo, quickly shook his head. “Third Young Master, the Marshal is waiting for you and the princess in the study.”
Gu Xinglang glanced at Yu Xiaoxiao, who looked exhausted. “Why don’t you go rest? I’ll meet with Grandfather and come right back.”
Yu Xiaoxiao yawned. “I’ll go too. We should say goodnight properly.”
Hearing they had returned, the old master ordered snacks prepared for the couple.
Yu Xiaoxiao entered and cheerfully called out, “Grandpa, we’re back!”
The old master waved her over to sit and looked at her face. Just like Gu Xingnuo had said, the little granddaughter-in-law really was exhausted. “Eat something, then go rest,” he told her kindly. “You must be tired.”
“I’m not,” Yu Xiaoxiao lied with a straight face, even as she swayed from fatigue.
The old master turned his eyes to Gu Xinglang—he had chosen not to tell him anything yet.
Meanwhile, back in Gu Xingnuo’s room, Gu Xingyan had placed the five-hundred-tael note on the bedside table. “Big Brother, it’s not much, but take this and use it.”
Gu Xingnuo glanced at the money. “You asked your wife for this?”
“I can’t not give anything, right?” Gu Xingyan retorted. “The family needs funds.”
Gu Xingnuo sighed. They needed a lot more than this. “Forget it. Take it back to your wife.”
Gu Xingyan scowled. “You think it’s too little?”
“Stop with the nonsense,” Gu Xingnuo said. “Why would I want your money?”
“Use it!” Gu Xingyan argued. “You think helping Old Wu and the others doesn’t cost money?”
“This is a family matter,” Gu Xingnuo said sternly. “Take your money back. We haven’t fallen so low that we need your private savings.”
“Don’t lie to me!” Gu Xingyan huffed. “My wife says the house is broke.”
“She manages the accounts now?” Gu Xingnuo was annoyed. “What does she know?”
“She’s in the house every day—how would she not know?” Gu Xingyan insisted. “If you don’t take the money, I’ll toss it.”
“I can’t control you anymore, can I?” Gu Xingnuo muttered, growing angry again.
Gu Xingyan darted out of the room—no way he was taking that money back!
Madam Sun, Gu Xingnuo’s wife, entered once Gu Xingyan had gone. She looked at the banknote on the table and asked, “Second Uncle brought silver?”
Gu Xingnuo nodded. “Once he and Grandfather leave for the frontier, find a chance to return it to Second Aunt.”
“Yes.” She sat beside him and said, “I heard about Old Wu and the others.”
“You arranged their meal?” Gu Xingnuo asked.
Madam Sun nodded.
“I’ll handle this,” Gu Xingnuo said.
Madam Sun then pulled a small wooden box from her sleeve and opened it in front of him. Inside were fifteen hundred-tael banknotes. “Here’s fifteen hundred taels. Use it, husband.”
“You…”
“You’ll take care of the veterans, right?” she asked.
Gu Xingnuo nodded. “Of course I will.”
“I still have some jewelry,” she added. “Tomorrow, I’ll get someone to appraise it and sell it.”
Gu Xingnuo wanted to decline, but they were desperate for funds.
“I won’t pawn it,” Madam Sun smiled. “So you better start earning money fast and buy it all back.”
Gu Xingnuo reached out and held her hand.
“Whatever the case, we need to put out the fire first,” she said as she gently tidied his disheveled hair. “The household still has food, but we can’t let Old Wu and the others starve. Winter’s almost here, the frontier is harsh. You need to come up with a plan—this can’t be delayed.”
Gu Xingnuo sighed deeply and pulled his wife into his arms, murmuring softly, “Thank you.”
Little Pink Starfish 
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