Emptying the Gu House

When I returned to my courtyard, Cherry was already back.

The Northwood matter had gone smoothly.

The world was unstable.

No one could guarantee lifelong comfort.

But if we could escape the busy city, we might gain peace.

Northwood was remote, surrounded by mountains, rich in water and fields.

A suitable place to build a safe retreat.

I ordered Cherry to continue raising the price and secure the land quickly.

At the same time, I discussed breaking the engagement with Father.

“Father,” I said, “I’ll spend these days packing in the Gu residence. Hire more guards at home. Once we break the engagement, we lose our supposed protector. We must be careful of people taking advantage.”

Father patted my head silently.

“Nannan, it is Father’s fault.”

“I valued Old General Gu’s friendship and sent you to the Gu family, thinking they could protect you.”

“I did not expect his descendants to become like this.”

I comforted him.

To be honest, I also did not understand how the boy I once knew had grown into this man.

Maybe I had never known the real Gu Yuzhi.

Packing was quick.

Although the Gu family did not value me, all household matters had been handled by me.

They called it training me to manage a household early.

In truth, they made my father subsidize the Gu family.

The Gu family might be military nobility, but in these chaotic times, they were not rich.

Now, with one wave of my hand, I emptied everything House Su had purchased.

What remained of the Gu residence was only a shell.

“Xiaocui,” I ordered, “tell everyone to move faster. Everything in this courtyard goes today.”

A guest arrived.

“Sister Su, what are you doing?”

Liu Ruyu walked toward me delicately.

I immediately ordered maids to support her.

I only wanted to live my rich life peacefully.

No palace-style fighting, please.

She seemed surprised by how afraid I was of her falling.

Her smile stiffened.

Then her gaze fixed on the jade bracelet on my wrist.

I followed her eyes, understood, and stretched out my hand.

“Sister Liu, with such a precious body, why come here? As you can see, I’m moving. There isn’t even a place for you to sit.”

This was true.

Looking around, even the pillars were gone.

I had ordered them packed too.

After all, who could refuse a pillar inlaid with luminous pearls?

Liu Ruyu still stared at my bracelet.

I smiled awkwardly.

“Oh, look at me. Sister, marrying General Gu is your blessing. I have nothing good to give you.”

Then I reached into my clothing and took out a small green bead.

Her expectant smile froze.

I acted troubled.

“Sister, why won’t you accept it? This is a top-grade item from the Northern Border.”

“The interior uses the best embedded pearl, and the whole bead is wrapped in jade powder. Light, thin, and hard to break.”

“I only have a few left. For General Gu’s sake, this one is yours.”

Her expression eased slightly, though dissatisfaction remained.

After she left, Cherry ran over angrily.

“Miss, why give her something so good?”

I laughed and pointed at Cherry’s waist.

Cherry looked down at the string of identical green beads and grinned.

“Miss, you’re so clever. You described it so beautifully I almost believed it.”

I reminded her to be careful.

We merchants must be cautious.

One small thing can become a large loss.

Still, unease grew in my heart.

The Gu family would not swallow this insult so easily.