With such a grandmother who dotes on her grandson, Gu Lan's days at the Marquis Mansion became increasingly carefree.
Under the pretext of wanting to study diligently at the Imperial Family school, she asked Zijin to find historical books of the Yan Country for her and began seriously understanding this era.
The Yan Country possesses papermaking and printing techniques, and the font used is a combination of clerical script and regular script. Although it's a bit daunting to read, there are no major reading obstacles.
With the scent of red sleeves adding fragrance and a maidservant serving ink, Zijin fed Gu Lan a crystal grape stored in an ice chest.
Gu Lan took the opportunity to touch Zijin's small hand, teasing her a bit.
"So sweet." Gu Lan smacked her lips on the grape.
Zijin blushed and said, "Is the young master talking about the crystal grapes sent by Madam?"
Gu Lan blinked her bright, captivating eyes: "It's Zijin that's sweet."
Zijin: ...
"Young Master, here are the 'Yanyun Record' and the 'Marquis Mansion's History' you requested." A handsome young servant placed two scrolls on the table and, upon witnessing the scene, shook his head and left.
Alas, the young master has become increasingly free-spirited...
The young servant's name was Zipei, and like Zijin, he also grew up accompanying the Young Master Gu.
However, Zipei did not know Gu Lan's true gender.
Now at fifteen, Gu Lan, in Madam Zhou's eyes, has reached the age of budding feelings. She's afraid her daughter might be led astray by men, so within the inner courtyard of the legitimate son at the Marquis Mansion, are only maidservants and matrons, and only Zijin knows the Young Master is a woman.
Gu Lan: Young Master Gu's reputation is being harmed.
With so many beautiful young ladies, the original owner could not enjoy them; only she could protect them.
Zijin, holding a handkerchief imbued with a fresh floral scent, gently wiped Gu Lan's sweat. Seeing the marks she had made on the scroll, she said comfortingly, "Young Master can finally settle down to study, and your literacy has greatly improved."
Gu Lan lifted her head and asked, "Zijin, don't you think women should support their husbands and educate their children rather than just reading books?"
Zijin was taken aback, looked around, then cautiously answered:
"Though I am a woman, having studied and learned to read with the Young Master since childhood, I've never felt inferior to Zipei or other boys. That's the benefit of education.
And now, your identity is male, so naturally, you should study. Even as a woman, with your challenging identity, you must read even more. If one day..."
Zijin's voice trembled slightly.
"If one day, you resume your identity as a woman, you can show the world that what men can do, we women can accomplish too."
After she spoke, seeing Gu Lan's lack of response, her gaze became uneasy, and she quickly lowered her head.
"This servant is of limited knowledge; please disregard my crude and unrefined words, Young Master."
In the past, she feared to say such things to the Young Master. But ever since the recent awakening after falling into the water, the Young Master has shown much improvement and change. Just now, looking into the Young Master's eyes, she couldn't help but speak her mind.
Gu Lan looked at Zijin, and after a while, smiled calmly.
The sunlight pouring in through the window cast a golden halo on the snow-white robe of the Young Master, shining resplendently. Her red lips raised, with a faint, carefree smile between her brows, like a scene in an ink painting, beautiful beyond words.
Her slender, fair fingertips fell upon the book in her hand, pointing to a line of inked words, her voice clear and pleasant:
"This book mentions that forty years ago, the Qiangrong invaded the Northwest Border, and Princess Chang'an led troops to repel the enemy, being conferred the title of General of Breaking Prison by Emperor Zhao. Later generations praised her: 'Adorned with rouge, she commands military spirit.'"
"Zijin, you are right. What men can do, women can. Even the Emperor's school now includes princesses and commandery princesses, and in the future, there will be more and more women."
Zijin's eyes widened with slight redness, she spoke softly, "Young Master, if you had thought this way before, life wouldn't have been so unbearable."
Previously, the Young Master was unruly and in conflict with Madam, largely because she identified as female but was forced to disguise as male, leaving her wallowing in self-pity. Over time, instead of becoming a lady of the house, she absorbed the bad habits of official sons.
Gu Lan ruffled Zijin's hair, her voice clear and filled with an undeniable strength that made Zijin believe:
"Since I am the legitimate son of Dingyuan Marquis, I'll shoulder the responsibilities as I should, irrespective of gender. Having brushed close to death, I've come to understand this principle."
If I desire freedom, I must pay the price.
She cherishes her current life and loves this Marquis Mansion, so she must escape her original fate.
Because,
If everything follows the original book's development,
This Dingyuan Marquis Mansion,
Will cease to exist!