19. This Foolish Fish (Third Night)

The Gu family seemed to have returned to its former tranquility. Even the Lady Cui, who had been unwell, improved daily after her trusted servant, Old Madam Duan, recovered from her injuries. Master Gu Zhong busied himself in the workshop, repairing ink pellets that had suffered from dampness and discoloration. Following the method provided by Gu Fei, he managed to restore and sell the ink pellets anew each day, growing increasingly delighted as he watched each batch of ink pellets as if counting shining silver coins.

At the same time, Gu Zhong agreed to Gu Fei’s request for a small ink-making workshop. Craftsmen began renovating, conveniently choosing the Lotus Fragrance Garden beside the Azure Ink Courtyard. The walls were broken through to merge the spaces, and the necessary equipment for ink-making was prepared without much trouble.

Gu Fei rarely left her courtyard, spending most of her days in the Azure Ink Courtyard. The Lotus Fragrance Garden had a lively pond, home to many koi fish. To accommodate the new ink workshop, the pond had to be filled in, leaving the koi without a home. Gu Fei instructed Old Madam Ku to find a water jar, which was placed beneath the eaves, and she took a keen interest in raising the koi herself.

Her obsession was such that if she remembered in the middle of the night that she had forgotten to feed the koi, she would get up, light a lantern, and drop food into the jar.

Old Madam Ku shook her head at this, refraining from reminding Gu Fei that koi were not so easily starved. As expected, within a few days, one morning, after preparing breakfast, Old Madam Ku heard Gu Fei’s startled cry.

Agile as ever, she rushed from the kitchen to find Gu Fei leaning over the jar, her pale slender fingers poking at a koi floating belly-up, her expression confused. Gu Fei even asked, “How did it die? I fed it every day, how could it starve?”

Old Madam Ku was both amused and exasperated, and even Danqing beside her struggled to hold back laughter. After teasing Gu Fei, Danqing kindly explained, pinching the dead fish’s swollen belly, “Miss, look, the koi’s belly is so round—it wasn’t starved, it was clearly overfed.”

Gu Fei’s almond eyes widened in surprise. “Overfed? This foolish fish couldn’t eat that much—why didn’t it just stop?”

Danqing chuckled, scooping the dead fish out with a net, changing the water, and then instructing, “Miss, feed the koi every two or three days, just a small handful at a time. They’re easy to keep.”

Gu Fei clapped her hands in praise. “Excellent! If these foolish fish survive ten days, let’s plant some small water lilies in the jar—fish and lotus together, what a lovely sight it would be.”

Danqing was left speechless, glancing at Old Madam Ku, who had smartly taken her basket and gone to the workshop.

Leaving aside Gu Fei’s strange fondness for living creatures she couldn’t seem to keep alive, within a few days, as the koi in the jar dwindled from a dozen to three or four, Master Gu Zhong arrived at the Azure Ink Courtyard.

Gu Fei seemed to have expected his visit. She welcomed him graciously into the flower hall, instructing Danqing to serve tea.

Gu Zhong’s face was alight with joy, revealing his good mood. “Fei, your method worked wonders. In these past days, the batch of damp, discolored ink pellets have all been restored and sold—the losses were but a few. The Gu family has truly escaped this catastrophe.”

Gu Fei smiled modestly and did not claim credit. “I merely spoke a few words; the rest was all thanks to your supervision, Uncle. You’ve grown thinner—surely you’ve worked hard lately.”

Gu Zhong enjoyed hearing this, stroking his fine beard and squinting with delight. The more he looked at Gu Fei, the more obedient she seemed. “Hard work, indeed, but it couldn’t be helped.”

Changing the subject, he continued, “I came today to ask your opinion on restoring your ancestral status. If all goes well, in half a month we’ll perform the blood recognition ceremony, and I can add your name to the family registry. After all, the Gu family is thin in numbers—not as prosperous as other clans.”

Gu Fei’s expression remained calm and her breath steady. She replied, “Restoring ancestral status is important. As you arrange, Uncle, I have no objections.”

Though she said this, Gu Fei saw clearly that Gu Zhong was not truly seeking her opinion. He was merely informing her, unwilling to sour relations after she had helped the Gu family out of crisis. It was a gesture to save face.

Gu Zhong appreciated Gu Fei’s sense and tact. He didn’t even touch the tea, rising at once. “If so, I’ll begin preparations. There is much to be arranged for opening the ancestral shrine.”

Gu Fei did not detain him, instructing Danqing to see him out, then sat in the flower hall for a while, thinking.

Old Madam Ku slipped in, her face filled with worry. “Miss, what will you do if the blood recognition ceremony goes forward? I only ever wanted you to have a safe place to recover; I never thought so far ahead, but now…”

Gu Fei waved her hand, cutting her off. “It’s not a dead end yet—there are ways.”

She added with a mocking smile, “Do you really think Gu Zhong remembered this only after his busy days? He wants to bind me to the Gu family’s ship. Don’t worry, Old Madam Ku. So long as Gu Zhong is convinced I can make ink, I won’t hide it. Even if he knows I’m not of Gu blood, he’ll have to acknowledge my place here.”

Seeing that Gu Fei had her own plans, Old Madam Ku said no more when Danqing returned.

So, over the next few days, Gu Fei continued as usual, tending to her health and feeding the koi. Yet for some reason, despite the fish being lively, none survived long under her care, dying one after another.

Frustrated yet unwilling to give up, Gu Fei instructed Old Madam Ku to buy more koi from the workshop. She refused to believe she couldn’t keep even one alive.

Soon after, Gu Fei received an invitation from Lord Mo Cheng, inviting her to the regular ink appreciation gathering at the Little Mo Ink Workshop.

Gu Fei gladly accepted, but this time, she did not appear at the ink appreciation itself. Instead, she spent half the day in a private room with Mo Cheng, discussing matters unknown even to Old Madam Ku. Yet as they departed, Mo Cheng no longer seemed oppressed as before, but smiled familiarly at Gu Fei.

Gu Fei, unreserved, called him “Fatty Mo Five,” and Mo Cheng, smiling, was not offended. He even patted her hair with a kind, elder’s smile, laughing together.

Some things, Old Madam Ku knew not to ask, and pretended they had never happened.

Upon their return to the Gu residence, a servant informed them that a young gentleman had come to visit the Azure Ink Courtyard.

Gu Fei found it odd—she knew no young gentry in Yizhou. Old Madam Ku’s heart skipped a beat, fearing for Gu Fei’s reputation, and gathered other servants to return to the courtyard together.

But before they reached the Azure Ink Courtyard, they encountered the gentle and soft-spoken Third Miss Gu Rou.

Gu Rou smiled, brushing a stray lock from her ear, and lowered her gaze to ask with concern, “Fifth Sister, is your health much improved? I was just on my way to visit you in the Azure Ink Courtyard.”

Hearing this, Gu Fei’s heart tensed. Third Miss Gu Rou was actually the biological daughter of Gu Jiang of the second branch. By rights, she should resent an “illegitimate daughter” like Gu Fei, yet every time they met—only twice thus far—Gu Rou had been unfailingly gentle and amiable.

“Thank you, Third Sister. I’m truly surprised and delighted,” Gu Fei replied, her expression unchanged, eyes narrowed in polite response.

Gu Rou said nothing more, smiling as she took over from Old Madam Ku to push Gu Fei’s wheelchair herself, personally escorting her toward the Azure Ink Courtyard.