109. Dare to Sell Oneself

That night was pitch black, with no moon in the sky.

Gu Fei did not return to her room. Instead, she sat beneath the eaves in the courtyard, watching the shadows of varying depths flicker uncertainly in the darkness. All the blackness reflected in her eyes, becoming an eternal, unfathomable depth—much like her mood at that moment, sinking into a bottomless abyss, devoid of warmth from sun or moon.

Nightingale brought a brocade stool and sat beside Gu Fei, fanning herself intermittently with a small fan. After a while, she looked at Gu Fei’s silent expression and pondered aloud, “Miss, I’ve never understood why they are always plotting to harm you in secret?”

Being young and untainted by the world’s murkiness, she naturally found it difficult to comprehend why so many around them were so antagonistic toward Gu Fei.

Gu Fei glanced back at her, a faint smile curving her lips, warmth flickering in her eyes. She reached out to touch the small maid’s bun atop Nightingale’s head and replied calmly, “It’s quite normal. You often calculate others’ moves too. Everyone lives in a constant struggle for their own desires and greed. If you don’t scheme against others, others will scheme against you. That’s just how people are.”

Nightingale furrowed her brows, contemplating for a moment. A confused and puzzled expression appeared on her delicate face before her eyes suddenly lit up. “Like when you buy other servants in the future, and White Egret and I must fight them to remain by your side—is that how it works?”

After speaking, she looked at Gu Fei with a complex expression.

Gu Fei nodded, her gaze drifting into the void as she nearly whispered to herself, “I once thought that doing what you love and being with someone who loves you in return would be enough. Struggling? I disdain such things. But just because you don’t plot against others doesn’t mean they won’t plot against you. People are always like this…”

Her voice trailed off into silence.

Nightingale nodded as if somewhat understanding. Then, with a heavy thump of her small head, she assured Gu Fei, “Don’t worry, Miss. I will supervise White Egret and Aunt Ku to learn martial arts well, and I will study hard to read and write. I won’t let outsiders bully you anymore.”

Such pure, yet solemn promises were exactly what Gu Fei least wished to hear. She never believed that relying on anyone could guarantee a worry-free life. Nor did she share the common hopes of girls from noble families—marry, bear children, secure a powerful husband, and live peacefully ever after.

In her bones flowed a rebellious spirit that challenged the world. The deep love between her deceased parents was a treasured memory. Thus, if she could not achieve “mutual care and affection, a lifetime bound together as one,” she would rather choose solitude than settle for anything less.

Seeing Gu Fei lost in thought, Nightingale carefully rose and tiptoed back to her room. There, she roused the dozing White Egret and scolded, “Lazybones, if you keep slacking off, when other maids come to the Miss’s side, your position will be in jeopardy.”

Nightingale was clever; even their casual conversation hinted at deeper motives.

White Egret frowned, pouting with dissatisfaction. “Sister, do you really think you’re the Miss’s maid?”

Her words caught Nightingale off guard. A fierce look flashed across her youthful face before she slapped White Egret’s head. “Don’t say such nonsense again! If I hear it, I’ll skin you alive!”

Though White Egret was strong with her fists, Nightingale’s wit and cunning were formidable. White Egret feared her twin sister, knowing her sharp mind.

Seeing White Egret’s annoyed expression, Nightingale softened her tone. “Don’t think about anything else. Our contracts are with Miss; we belong to her. Didn’t you see… never mind, with your pig-headedness, you wouldn’t understand. Just listen to me and act accordingly. Following Miss won’t bring us harm. I can tell she protects those close to her.”

White Egret nodded in acknowledgment.

Satisfied that her not-so-bright sister was at least salvageable, Nightingale said, “Go now. Tonight, Aunt Ku and Brother You have gone to do errands for Miss and haven’t returned yet. Be alert and watch out for the First Lady’s side.”

With that, she left to fetch some warm snacks from the kitchen. Watching White Egret obediently pick up the red tassel spear and stand guard outside the courtyard, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Miss, have some snacks. Aunt Ku and Brother You probably won’t be back for a while, so don’t go hungry.” Nightingale smiled gently, offering Gu Fei a piece of her favorite rose pastry.

Gu Fei did not hide many things from her two maids, though she never stated them outright. Whether one grasped the underlying truth depended on one’s own perception. She nodded approvingly at Nightingale’s words, took the small plate, and gracefully bit into the pastry.

Immediately, the rich fragrance of rose blossomed on her tongue, mingling with the crisp pastry crust, sparking a desire for another piece.

Just as she reached for a second, Nightingale smiled brightly and handed her a small cup of medicinal broth. “Miss, Aunt Ku instructed me to give you some along with the pastry.”

Gu Fei’s gaze circled the rose pastry, then smiled as she took the cup, stirring the silver spoon and sipping carefully.

Raised by Madam Mo from a young age, she was well versed in etiquette. Even in the simple act of drinking soup, her movements were elegant and refined—likely no less graceful than a princess in the palace.

“Miss, your posture is truly lovely,” Nightingale couldn’t help but say.

Gu Fei said nothing, waiting until she finished the medicinal broth, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief before softly replying, “If you and White Egret want to learn, I can teach you, but it will be tough.”

Nightingale glanced toward the courtyard gate, which was shrouded in darkness with no sign of White Egret. Considering White Egret’s reckless nature, the thought of her learning martial arts made Nightingale’s teeth ache. As for herself, she was quite interested. “Forget White Egret; better let her train with Aunt Ku to protect Miss in the future. I’ll learn from Miss.”

Gu Fei smiled at Nightingale’s bright eyes and nodded. “Alright. Once the trade guild ceremony is over and things settle down, I’ll teach you.”

They were in mid-conversation when suddenly a startled shout came from outside the courtyard, followed by Brother You rushing in, carrying Aunt Ku hastily.

Gu Fei was shocked, and Nightingale quickly put down the tray of snacks and hurried behind Gu Fei, pushing her wheelchair forward.

“What happened to Aunt Ku?” Gu Fei asked.

Brother You’s face lacked its usual boisterousness for the first time before Gu Fei. Setting Aunt Ku down, he answered, “Miss, that scoundrel Mo Ge Yi has experts around him as well. Aunt Ku was gravely injured but managed to kill one of them.”

White Egret helped Aunt Ku sit beneath the eaves on the steps. The flickering, dim light revealed Aunt Ku’s face, pale and lined with fine wrinkles. Blood traces stained her lips, and she frowned in pain with closed eyes.

Gu Fei’s gaze dropped to Aunt Ku’s waist and abdomen, where blood steadily seeped out from a deep wound—a puncture, clearly severe.

“Do you have any healing ointment, You Hu?” Gu Fei remained composed, knowing this was no time to call a doctor, nor to reveal that she had arranged for the killers to eliminate everyone near Mo Ge Yi that night.

“Yes,” Brother You nodded and swiftly dashed into You Hu’s room. Shortly after, he returned with several medicine bottles. “All here. It’s enough. No need for a doctor, Miss.”

Gu Fei nodded. Closing and reopening her eyes, her expression was calm once more. “White Egret, boil hot water. Brother You, help take Aunt Ku to her room. Nightingale and I will apply the medicine.”

The small Qingmo courtyard bustled with activity. Gu Fei, annoyed by Brother You’s clumsiness, sent him out to guard the yard after laying Aunt Ku on the bed.

During the time Gu Fei’s own leg injury was healing, she observed how Aunt Ku bandaged wounds and even read a medical text, so she knew a little.

Nightingale handed her scissors, and without hesitation, Gu Fei cut the torn garment around Aunt Ku’s waist and abdomen. Using a clean, warm compress, she roughly cleaned the wound, sprinkled medicinal powder, and finally wrapped it tightly with gauze.

Her mobility limited, many tasks had to be done by Nightingale, yet even so, it took a full half hour to bandage Aunt Ku properly.

The bleeding soon stopped, and Gu Fei sighed in relief. The moment she relaxed, fatigue washed over her. She signaled Nightingale to wheel her out and instructed the two maids to take turns keeping watch through the night. Then she summoned Brother You to inquire about the events of the evening.

Though slow-witted, Brother You understood the gravity of the situation and recounted every detail.

After the trade guild ceremony concluded, Gu Fei returned to Qingmo courtyard. After some thought, she had Aunt Ku and Brother You, along with skilled fighters brought from Linlang Pavilion by Zi Yuan, strike directly at the people surrounding Mo Ge Yi.

Linlang Pavilion had long since obtained intelligence, so this time Gu Fei struck first and hard, leaving no room for hesitation, catching Mo Ge Yi utterly off guard.

According to Brother You, among those brought from the capital by Mo Ge Yi, there was one expert, five top-tier fighters, and the rest were insignificant.

Thus, Gu Fei succeeded. Just as Mo Ge Yi barely realized what was happening, Aunt Ku, despite her grave wounds, managed to kill the sole expert.

Gu Fei’s side suffered slight losses, but nothing serious. Coupled with Aunt Ku’s severe injury, they had decisively won against Mo Ge Yi.

Gu Fei instructed Brother You to rest well, then returned alone to her room. She leaned on the edge of the bed, eased herself onto the mattress, removed her outer garments, and pulled the quilt over herself to finally rest with some peace.

The next day, she was awakened by the noise in the courtyard. Nightingale brought in hot water and informed her, “Miss, the eldest young master of the Gu family has come to invite you to attend today’s trade guild exchange meeting.”

Gu Fei expressionlessly wiped her face. “Decline. Tell him I’m unwell and won’t attend the exchange meeting.”

“Understood.” Nightingale acknowledged, then spoke to White Egret by the door, who promptly went to refuse Gu Min.

After dressing under Nightingale’s care, Gu Fei glanced at Aunt Ku, who had regained consciousness. She comforted her to rest well, assuring that she would always be accompanied by Brother You and need not worry.

With much to do that day, Gu Fei did not linger but went straight to the kitchen for breakfast.

Unseen by her, no sooner had she left Aunt Ku’s room than Brother You, tall and sturdy as an iron tower, slipped in like a cat.

Hearing the movement, Aunt Ku turned her head just in time to see a medicine bottle flying toward her face. Dodging with a tilt, she heard a sneer, “What a cruel ploy, winning the Miss’s trust. If I’d known, I’d have injured myself too.”

Aunt Ku’s eyes flickered, her brows furrowed with anger as she stared silently at Brother You, who stood in the shadows.

Brother You lifted his head disdainfully. “You might fool others, but not me. Don’t say you couldn’t dodge that strike. Even if it came a few more times, you’d remain unscathed. The Miss even gave you the young master’s healing medicine—feeding a dog meat is such a waste!”

Though his words were cutting, Aunt Ku’s anger softened. She turned toward the gauze canopy and spoke softly, “Do you think the Miss trusts me now? Wrong. She trusts no one. When necessary, she even doubts herself, willing to betray herself.”

[Author’s Note:]

The update schedule has been quite irregular lately. I apologize to everyone; recent affairs have kept me preoccupied, leaving little energy for writing.

Going forward, I will better manage my time to stabilize the update frequency.