Chapter 1: Young Miss Gu

Gu Wensheng rode hard, whipping her horse to gallop all the way back to the Gu estate in Luoyi.

By the end, she could barely remember how many cities she had passed or whom she had encountered. She only remembered that the world was dim that day, the air filled with what looked like shredded goose feathers. As far as the eye could see, there was only a vast, blinding expanse of falling snow, making it difficult to even discern the road ahead.

The torches held by the soldiers illuminated the entire long street in a crimson glow. Wensheng did not look at their faces, each bearing a different expression. Upon reaching the street corner, she vaulted off her horse, dropped the reins, and gave the animal a gentle pat on the back, signaling it to leave on its own.

The horse had been with Wensheng for over half a year. It seemed to understand that this parting would be their last; it let out a mournful whinny that carried far into the silent night, causing a stir among the otherwise grim-faced men on the street.

Wensheng’s gaze cut through the crowd and landed at the end of the long street. The gates of the Gu estate stood wide open, and the steps leading into the manor were covered in messy mud and footprints.

"Who goes there?" a voice barked from across the way.

Wensheng followed the sound and saw several men, clearly the leaders, heading toward her.

By now, the men had used the torchlight to make out her features. One of them looked stunned: "...Little Nine?"

Wensheng replied calmly, "It is I. I wish to enter to persuade my grandfather. I hope you will grant me this convenience, *shixiong*."

The man’s expression turned complex, and he stepped aside. "Very well, this is truly... Pass the word down: let her into the estate."

Wensheng nodded. "My thanks for your consideration." Without another word, she tightened her black cloak and walked briskly toward the Gu estate.

The heavy snow fell silently, clinging to the hem of her fluttering robes. With every step she took, it was as if white velvet flowers were blooming one after another against the black fabric.

The *shixiong* watched her retreating figure, momentarily lost in thought. A man beside him asked curiously, "Isn't the Ninth Young Master of the Gu family already locked in the dungeon? Which Gu Nine is this?"

The *shixiong* murmured, "The Gu clan has been a prominent family for over three hundred years, with branches spreading far and wide. This is the beloved daughter of the Sixth Master, Gu Junxiao—the Ninth Miss of the Gu family."

The man was startled. "A woman?" He turned back abruptly, but by then, Wensheng had already entered the Gu gates. It was too late to get a better look, so he clicked his tongue and said, "What incredible nerve. Does she not know that Gu Junxiao died two days ago?"

The *shixiong* did not answer. The men fell silent, their hearts filled with a mixture of emotions, all of them turning to gaze toward the Gu estate.

A month ago, the frontier general Tian Ben had suddenly raised an army, launched a surprise attack, and captured Luoyi, declaring himself emperor. From the day Tian Ben took control of Luoyi, waves of people had been sent to the Gu estate to demand their surrender. The Gu clan of Luoyi was one of the most prestigious noble families in the world, with three hundred years of history and marital ties and old acquaintances spanning the entire imperial court. They were connected to every famous scholar and official; if the Gu clan surrendered to Tian, the situation would surely descend into even greater chaos.

No one expected the head of the Gu clan, Gu Heng, to be so foul-tempered and stubborn, valuing his reputation more than his life. When Tian Ben personally visited to ask for a Gu daughter’s hand for his eldest son, the old man had splashed a cup of hot tea right in his face. That same day, three unmarried Gu girls took their own lives to prove their resolve. Enraged, Tian Ben imprisoned Gu Heng in the Gu family’s Chanji Pavilion, vowing to make him watch with his own eyes as the Gu clan was wiped out.

No one had expected Gu Wensheng, who had been away from Luoyi when the disaster struck and had luckily escaped, to rush home at such a time.

Could it be that she intended to persuade the old master to agree to her marriage into the Tian family to resolve this crisis of annihilation?

Wensheng met no resistance as she reached the Chanji Pavilion.

The old servant, Gu Jiang, stood silently by the door like a withered tree. Seeing her, his eyes lit up, and he whispered inside, "Master, it is the Ninth Miss."

The pavilion was filled with the scent of incense, and the windows were half-open, allowing the wind, snow, and a few plum blossom petals to drift inside. On such a cold day, Gu Heng wore only a thin white robe, kneeling before a long desk with his zither laid across it.

The tension Wensheng had been holding in her heart all the way here finally snapped. Her eyes reddened as she called out, "Grandfather!"

Her grandfather had always taken good care of himself. When she left home, most of his hair had still been black. Yet, after only half a year, his hair and beard had turned completely white. His expression was one of bitter sorrow, and he looked no different from any other frail old man.

Gu Heng slowly frowned. "Sheng'er, why have you returned at such a time?"

Wensheng forced a smile. "Grandfather must be lonely living in this high pavilion. Sheng'er has come back to keep you company."

"Nonsense. At my age, why should I need a child like you to worry about me?" Gu Heng shook his head.

Neither of them mentioned the family members who had already met their tragic ends.

"What is the situation outside Luoyi?"

"The imperial army will arrive soon, but I heard many rumors on my way back, all claiming that our Gu family has already surrendered to the Tian rebel."

Gu Heng smiled faintly. "So, you risked your life to rush back and see the truth for yourself? Tian Ben plays a clever game. Rest assured, Grandfather will not let that traitor have his way."

Wensheng knelt behind her grandfather. Back in the Gu home, at this moment, her heart suddenly felt at peace.

Gu Heng gestured to the old servant. Gu Jiang bowed in acknowledgment and slowly retreated, closing the door behind him for the grandfather and granddaughter.

Gu Heng pressed his fingers against the zither strings, and the instrument let out a sharp *zheng*. "Junxiao once wanted to teach you the zither, but you insisted on running off to learn painting from your Thirteenth Uncle. Since we have a little time left, I shall play a piece, and you can listen and tell me what you think."

Wensheng obeyed. Having been immersed in such things since childhood and possessing a good memory, she could usually recall the general impression of any piece she had heard. However, the piece Gu Heng was playing now was one she had never heard before.

Wensheng felt a bit dazed. When Gu Heng finished the piece, he looked up and asked, "Well?"

Wensheng thought for a moment. "Is what Grandfather played... 'Deep Water in the Cold Pool'?"

Gu Heng’s eyes held a smile as he looked at her. "The highest good is like water. It may suffer setbacks, yet it is pervasive and never gives up. It may be tainted, yet it only needs to pause for a moment for the silt to settle and clarity to return. That is why the sages compare it to a gentleman..."

Wensheng was deeply moved. In her eyes, her grandfather had always been a stern, old-fashioned man. No matter how famous her uncles were, they would act like mice before a cat in his presence, not daring to breathe. She had never expected to hear him speak so freely at a time like this.

"Sheng'er, have you decided... to stay with Grandfather?" Gu Heng’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

The old servant, Gu Jiang, had been gone for quite a while. Wensheng had excellent hearing and caught the faint sounds coming from outside the door. She shifted forward, leaning against her grandfather, her eyes bright. "Grandfather, if I start learning the zither now, is it too late? Please, teach me."

Gu Heng was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Good child, come before me."

Wensheng sat up straight. Gu Heng sat behind her, taking her left hand to teach her how to press the strings to produce the notes. "Your father taught you the seven strings and five tones long ago. Grandfather will teach you a few simple fingerings. Come, this is *li*, and this is *cuo*..."

Amidst the intermittent sounds of the zither, the crackling of fire grew louder and louder. A scorching heat wave surged toward the grandfather and granddaughter from all sides.

That night, a towering fire erupted in the Chanji Pavilion, illuminating half of Luoyi. The Gu family of Luoyi was reduced to ashes in the blaze.