Chapter 5: Shu Hua

Gu Jiu Si remained silent. Understanding is one thing, but being able to control it is another. However, this is something she certainly cannot express.

At the beginning, everyone who saw Chen Mubai's daily life could not help but be drawn to her. They would often shout for Gu Jiusi, thinking she was a favored person by Chen Mubai, and they all respectfully addressed her as Miss Gu. Later, it was unclear whether Chen Mingmo intentionally leaked the information or if there were indeed many busybodies, but the fact that she was placed by Chen Mingmo beside Chen Mubai spread, and she immediately became labeled as a "traitor" who was eating from both sides. It seemed that Chen Mubai was also intentionally or unintentionally opposing her. Thus, whenever they met again, others would always mockingly call her Gu Jiusi, while everyone waited to see Chen Mubai's reaction. However, Chen Mubai remained completely unresponsive, everything continued as usual. Since she was his person, he would use her as he saw fit, doing whatever was necessary.

Despite his inner resistance, Gu Jiu Si still agreed verbally

Just as I stepped out of the courtyard, I saw Chen Muxiao standing in the corner, smiling. "Indeed, she is worthy of being by Mu Shao's side; the young master truly pales in comparison."

Gu Jiu Si turned around and frowned, should we arrange for them to get acquainted? How should we arrange it? Should we just send them to bed? You must know that Chen Mu Bai is a proud person with a cleanliness obsession, right? If you dare to let someone touch his bed, he will make sure you bleed on the spot. Moreover, the most important point is that he does not lack for women.

Chen Muxiao was completely unconcerned and continued to ask, "Have you seen Shu Hua?"

Gu Jiu Si nodded, but Chen Mu Xiao sighed, "I truly do not wish to come to this place, but as you know, according to seniority, I am Shu Hua's sister-in-law. The Shu family has asked me to pave the way for the young lady, and I cannot refuse. I really do not understand what the old man is thinking. How could that fellow Chen Mu Bai honestly acknowledge some childhood engagement? It is truly laughable. Do you think the old man is becoming more confused as he ages?"

Chen Muxiao spoke to herself for quite a while, as if suddenly recalling something, "Oh, right, do you need to rush back? You go ahead and get busy, we can chat another day"

Chen Mingmo did not show any signs of pity, "Although I really like this set of tea utensils, if one piece is broken, the entire set becomes useless and should be discarded, don't you think?"

Targeting a person's soft spot was the first lesson Gu Jiu Si learned from Chen Ming Mo, and it was also the most effective tactic. Chen Ming Mo threatened her with her father's safety, and this personal pain made her realize the importance of understanding everyone's weaknesses

Shu Hua does not have the airs of a young lady, "You are Mu Shao's person, just call me Shu Hua. I know that when they see you, they all have to address you as the Ninth Miss."

The weather is getting colder, and I wonder how your father's health is doing

Gu Jiu Si raised his gaze to look at the girl in front of him, whose features were delicate and beautiful, with bright eyes and white teeth. He quickly searched his mind for the name Shu Hua, and judging by Chen Ming Mo's attitude, it seemed to be related to that Shu family

Although this statement seems to be directed at Shu Hua by Chen Mingmo, Gu Jiusi can discern that it is actually meant for her

He swayed, making Gu Jiusi feel dizzy. Gu Jiusi could not stand the look of schadenfreude on his face, so she raised her head to look at Chen Mubei and spoke softly, "Young Master, the matters you wish for your father to know were probably already known to him and the Tu family last night. As for the matters you do not wish for him to know, he likely knows those as well. I would like to remind you, albeit presumptuously, that the Dong family, no matter how close, is still of the Dong surname. Do not forget that you are of the Chen surname."

Gu Jiu Si smiled but did not speak

Gu Jiu Si was taken aback; the title "Miss Jiu" refers to Chen Mu Bai.

Early the next morning, Gu Jiusi stood in the courtyard of the Chen family's old residence. The green pine tree in the courtyard looked just as it did a few years ago when she first arrived at the Chen family, its branches laden with accumulated snow, yet still standing tall and resilient

Gu Jiu Si was nonchalant, responding in a lukewarm manner. She knew that from the moment he agreed to Chen Ming Mo's conditions, she should have anticipated today's dilemma.

Gu Jiu Si's brows did not move, but Shu Hua was startled, "Uncle Chen, this is your favorite tea set!"

However, Chen Mubai turned cold in front of many people, his eyes filled with the harshness of wind and frost, "Is Gu Jiusi someone you called?"

Regardless of how dull Chen Muyun may be, he has more or less sensed Chen Mingmo's taboo regarding the Dong family over the years. He has been very cautious about recent events, yet has he still been discovered?

Gu Jiu Si felt a tightening in her heart, gritted her teeth, and her face involuntarily flushed slightly. A sense of humiliation surged within her, and she steeled herself to reply, "Yes."

The tea cup that Chen Mingmo was originally holding suddenly fell to the ground, accompanied by a crisp sound, melting a patch of snow with the spilled tea. Before the two girls could react, Chen Mingmo swiftly pushed the entire tea set off the table, causing it to crash to the floor

Upon hearing this, Chen Mubei's expression immediately changed, "What do you mean by that?"

Since then, apart from Chen Mubai, no one else has directly called her by her name, but respectfully referred to her as Miss Jiu.

Chen Mingmo's movements in Tai Chi are neither hurried nor slow, "You have been by Mu Bai's side for quite some time, so, have you not yet figured out his temperament?"

His seemingly casual remark stirred up a thousand waves in Gu Jiu Si's heart. The hands she had placed by her side quietly clenched into fists, and the face that was usually calm and unruffled showed a hint of cracks. "I am sorry, Old Chen, it is all my fault"

She is the daughter of the Shu family, a family that she cannot afford to provoke. A frivolous approach will not suffice, and Chen Mubai is someone who detests being "arranged" the most. Moreover, it must be done without leaving any traces, presenting yet another challenge

Gu Jiu Si smiled and then left, and as she walked away, she could still hear Chen Mu Xiao muttering, "What's going on? This girl is becoming less and less talkative..."

Gu Jiu Si was lost in thought when Chen Ming Mo had already sent Shu Hua away and spoke in a calm and unhurried manner, "She is the most favored daughter of the Shu family, just returned from studying abroad. Since childhood, she has been betrothed to Mu Bai, and now that both children have grown up, it is time to put this matter on the agenda."

While speaking, she raised the teacup but did not bring it to her lips. She glanced at Gu Jiu Si and said, "This is Shu Hua, Shu Hua, she is ... ... "

Gu Jiu Si simply listened without speaking; in fact, she greatly appreciated Chen Mu Xiao's personality, which was uncontentious and straightforwardly cheerful

After speaking, he quickly turned and left. Just as he stepped out of the garden, he saw Chen Muyun walking this way

This time, she did not wait for Chen Muyun to regain his senses before walking away.

Chen Mingmo then got up slowly and said, "Alright, it's getting late, that kid should be getting up now, you should head back quickly."

It seems that Old Chen has begun to question her. Back then, Chen Mingmo arranged for her to be by Chen Mubai's side as part of a strategic move. How could someone as astute as Chen Mubai not notice this? In the initial years, perhaps Chen Mubai was dismissive or still lacked influence, and everything seemed acceptable. However, in recent years, his behavior has become increasingly erratic, seemingly targeting her, making it increasingly difficult for her to navigate her position in front of Chen Mingmo.

Chen Mingmo's expression immediately filled with a smile, resembling a kind and gentle elder, "Alright, alright, I will give it a try"

Cruel, yet it is the most effective

Just a few steps away, Gu Jiu Si heard Chen Ming Mo call out to her, "Jiu Si, you are a clever person. In fact, to gain control over a man, schemes and strategies are the methods of men, while women have their own means. Have you been visiting Mama Li regularly?"

"Young Master." The Chen family has always been divided into factions; Chen Muyun and Chen Mubei are not on the same side. Gu Jiusi sees no need to be polite with him, so after exchanging a greeting, she intends to leave.

Chen Mubei waved the newspaper and magazine in front of Gu Jiusi, saying, "Our Young Master Mu is in the headlines again. I specifically brought this for the old man to see. Would you like to take a look as well?"

Who would have thought that Chen Mubei would block her path, "Oh, isn't this the Ninth Miss? How is it that our dear Young Master Mu is also here?"

Until one day, at the coming-of-age ceremony of a young master from a prominent family in the city, a group of debauched youths, having drunk too much, began to behave recklessly and escalated their teasing of Gu Jiusi from mere banter to outright harassment

Seeing Chen Muyun's reaction, Gu Jiusi was very satisfied. He retracted his earlier sharpness and, with his eyes lowered, respectfully asked, "May I leave now?"

Chen Muxiao is the cousin of Chen Mubei, and she is probably the most moderate person in the Chen family. She is very kind-hearted and has long since married out of the Chen family, distancing herself from this fiery pit

Now another Miss Shu has been brought in, probably intending to abandon her as a pawn. However, before discarding the piece, one must still ensure the safety of the young lady. ... Yet, if she becomes useless, and her father is still in Chen Mingmo's hands ...

If these words were spoken by someone else, they would certainly not be taken as good words. However, when these few sentences are accompanied by an innocent and pure smile, Gu Jiu Si found himself momentarily unable to grasp what Shu Hua truly meant.

Gu Jiu Si smiled and nodded politely, "Miss Shu."

Gu Jiu Si, feeling physically and mentally exhausted, hurried back home. Before even entering the door, he heard Chen Mu Bai throwing a tantrum, causing his eyelids to twitch again

Chen Mingmo looked at her for a few seconds, and seeing that she had no objections, continued, "If I intervene, Mu Bai will definitely resist. Find an opportunity for them to get acquainted. This time, do not make any mistakes again"

Gu Jiu Si greeted with a smile, while Chen Mu Xiao affectionately put her arm around her shoulder, "Did the old man scold you again"

Shu Hua's voice carried a hint of laughter as she quickly said, "I know, she is the prominent figure beside Mu Shao, Gu Jiu Si"

Uncle Chen! A clear and melodious female voice broke the silence, and soon a young girl approached with a tray, saying, "I have brewed a pot of tea, would you like to try some?"

No. Gu Jiusi did not wish to engage in further entanglement with him and hoped to conclude the conversation swiftly

In the cold winter season, just after a snowfall, with the temperature extremely low, Gu Jiu Si felt as if his face was about to freeze stiff and his legs were on the verge of breaking from standing, when Chen Ming Mo, who had been practicing Tai Chi, finally spoke up

Gu Jiu Si listened silently, a cold smile forming in her heart. What a childhood betrothal, it was merely a phrase concocted for the sake of a marriage alliance