69. The Art of Spending Money

Gu Fei was somewhat speechless. Gazing at the frail young man before her, whose features were even more delicate than a girl's, she felt for the first time that she might have made a mistake.

You Hu wore a gentle smile, seemingly able to read her thoughts. The corners of his lips curled as he spoke, "Miss, are you having second thoughts? But the deed of indenture is written in black and white—it's already signed."

Beside them, You Er immediately shouted, "Miss, are you going to send my elder brother away? I won't stand for it—"

But before he could finish, You Hu slapped his arm and scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting? The young miss is a person of great honor. She would never do something as base as going back on her word."

Gu Fei hadn't uttered a single word and yet was already cornered by their flattery, left with no way out.

A glint of amusement flashed in her jet-black eyes. She suddenly found this scholar rather interesting. Leisurely, she said, "I never keep useless people around. I can take you in, but what can you do?"

You Er tried to speak, but You Hu waved a hand to silence him. With refined courtesy, he bowed to Gu Fei and said, "I am a scholar. I imagine you have no shortage of those who can read and write, so I won't boast of that. However..."

He paused, a hint of embarrassment coloring his porcelain-pale face. "However, should you wish to know anything at all—any news or information—I can use silver to buy it for you. Of course, I can also serve as your advisor."

Such a claim was no small thing; it was far beyond the reach of an ordinary frail scholar. Gu Fei's expression turned serious. She had no wish to probe further into his background and, after a moment's thought, said, "You know how to spend silver? That is a rare skill indeed."

You Hu pretended not to catch the mockery in her tone and replied with a smile, "Thank you for the compliment, Miss."

Gu Fei snorted and said nothing more.

Aunt Ku, observing her expression, noted that she did not look displeased. Relieved, she boldly handed over the silver to the procuress, thus purchasing You Er and the twin sisters, along with the scholar, You Hu.

Suddenly, four new people were added to the Qingmo Courtyard. There were not enough household items for all, and Aunt Ku, needing to escort Gu Fei back to the Gu residence, had no time to make preparations. So, as soon as they stepped out of the procuress's door, she tossed a pouch of silver to You Hu and instructed, "This silver is for you to buy what you need. Of the four of you, you are the most capable, so I leave it to you. When everything is bought, go straight to the Gu residence and return to Qingmo Courtyard. No one will stop you."

Regardless of how the four reacted, Aunt Ku showed no fear that they might abscond with the silver. Confidently, she pushed the wheelchair around the corner and returned to the Gu residence.

When the two were out of sight, You Hu tossed the silver pouch lightly in his hand, a meaningful smile playing at his lips. You Er, standing beside him, unobtrusively took a half-step back to join the twin sisters, lowering his head in silence.

After a long moment, You Hu said softly, "Let us go. We mustn't keep the young miss waiting."

When Gu Fei returned to Qingmo Courtyard, she had not yet reached the door when she saw Gu Zhong sitting outside, his face dark as thunder. She paused, surprised that Gu Zhong had been pushed to such desperation that he had cast aside all pretense.

Gu Zhong was silent, his gaze darting, but he was first to speak. "Fei, is the current state of the Gu family’s shop your doing?"

Such words, of course, could not be admitted. Gu Fei motioned for Aunt Ku to wheel her past him into the courtyard. "Uncle, you give me too much credit. I’m not so capable."

Before he could reply, she cut him off, "I've just come back and am exhausted. If there's nothing else, I’d like to rest."

Gu Zhong was fuming but dared not show it. Taking a deep breath to quell his anger, he tried to keep his tone neutral. "Fei, you organized the auction, and you know the outstanding orders for incense ink. It’s been days. When you are free, could you come to the shop and instruct the master craftsman, so the batch can be finished and delivered on time?"

For Gu Zhong to ask in such a conciliatory manner, Gu Fei was the only one who had ever warranted it all these years.

But Gu Fei was unmoved, replying lazily, "Uncle, let’s discuss it tomorrow afternoon. I’ll give you an answer then."

Though he did not get a direct answer, it was at least a response. Gu Zhong’s anxious heart eased a little, and he left without another word.

Gu Fei looked after his retreating figure, the corners of her lips curling into a sly, chilly smile.

You Hu and the others arrived later that evening, all of them in new clothes with a small bundle apiece. The twin sisters’ cheeks were tinged with excitement.

Gu Fei was not one for ceremony and dispensed with any formal instructions; Aunt Ku would relay her taboos and rules as needed.

At last, You Hu presented the leftover silver and recited the expenses in detail. Gu Fei nodded to herself. Though he seemed a frail scholar, scholars had their uses. Besides, he had cost her nothing, so she had no reason to object.

Of the twins, the elder, Nightingale, could read and write, while the younger, Egret, preferred wielding swords and sticks. One was quiet, the other lively. With a little training, they would prove useful.

Gu Fei left their instruction to Aunt Ku, having no experience herself.

As for You Er, she first gave him an ink hammer and told him to try it out. He swung it with such vigor that, though the hammer was not large, it seemed he could split mountains and break stones.

But Gu Fei shook her head; You Er’s wild, unmethodical strikes would not do. She could not count on him just yet, nor risk him picking up the technique through careless imitation. There was a process to be followed.

The easiest to settle was You Hu. Given a room, he adapted seamlessly, immediately pulling out a book to read, with not the slightest awareness of his servant status.

For a while, Qingmo Courtyard bustled with life. Compared to the former quiet with only Gu Fei and Aunt Ku, the place now seemed almost too small.

The night passed uneventfully.

At dawn the following day, Yizhou’s Ink Guild was thrown into an uproar because of a formula delivered by Feng Lizhi. It was only half a formula, but anyone could see it was a new ink recipe perfected from the medicinal ink base. In all the years of ink-making, never had a new ink appeared. Though this formula was not exactly self-invented, the ink pellets made from it were a new variety.

Feng Lizhi explained that the formula was an introduction: if the person who perfected it could join the Ink Guild as an Ink Envoy, they would offer the complete formula to the guild.

The position of Ink Envoy required years of service. One began as a mere ink servant and, after ten years, could become a candidate for Ink Envoy—yet even then, only those with unique skills who won the approval of three-quarters of the guild would be appointed. Even Feng Lizhi, after so many years, had yet to qualify.

The guild members coveted the formula, yet hesitated. Feng Lizhi then produced the prepared incense ink, and nothing more needed to be said. That Gu Fei would enter the Ink Guild was now a foregone conclusion.

Even as Feng Lizhi sighed in admiration, he could not help but respect Gu Fei’s cunning—every move she made had anticipated the others’ reactions, without a single misstep.

Within half a day, under Gu Fei’s careful manipulation, news that the Ink Guild had acquired half a formula—one that could produce incense ink—spread to every ink-making family, especially to those who had prepaid for incense ink at the Gu family’s shop.

By the time Gu Zhong heard, it was too late. Many came with their contracts, demanding their silver back.

Gu Fei had secured so many advance orders at the auction because her incense ink was rare and her craftsmanship exquisite. Now that both advantages were gone, the Gu family shop was thrown into crisis.

Gu Zhong hated Gu Fei bitterly, but he knew that if the Gu family was to survive, he would have to rely on her.