Auntie Liu smiled mysteriously. “Just wait and see—Xiao Fei must be lucky. I’ve lived for so many decades; how could I not foresee this?”
The two exchanged glances, their eyes alight with secret delight.
When one person succeeds, the whole family benefits. If they clung to Gu Fei’s coattails, they’d have nothing to worry about in the future.
The village chief didn’t know what the two women were whispering about, but he sighed inwardly. The Gu family’s second son is truly fortunate.
His wife was right—if they could latch onto the young prince, success would follow.
The village chief began recalling where the ancestral tomb of Gu Zhang’s family was buried. After some thought, he remembered: the plot lay at the foot of the mountains, facing the river—excellent *feng shui*!
Come to think of it, his father was buried nearby, so the *feng shui* must be just as favorable!
Yet the village chief couldn’t make sense of it. With a sigh, he returned to weaving bamboo baskets.
*
Gu Fei had no idea that the villagers saw her as a future big shot.
She rose early and opened the shop, but no customers came. Soon dozing off behind the counter, she was roused when Master Zhou entered, holding a little girl.
The child was adorable, dressed in a pink brocade jacket with her hair tied in two little buns—like a doll from a New Year’s painting.
Gu Fei’s fatigue vanished at the sight. “This must be Xiao Yu! Come here, sweetheart—let your auntie hug you.”
Xiao Yu wasn’t shy. As Master Zhou set her down, she toddled toward Gu Fei with open arms.
Gu Fei quickly fetched a candy and popped it into the girl’s mouth. “Oh my, our Xiao Yu is just too precious!”
After some playful banter, Gu Fei turned to Master Zhou. “Brother Zhou, do you know any jade merchants? I’d like to buy some uncarved jade—nothing high-end, just mid or low-grade pieces.”
Master Zhou pondered. “I do know someone, but he went west to procure goods before the New Year. When he returns, I’ll take you to him.”
As they spoke, Old Man Huang emerged from the backyard.
Gu Fei eyed him—he seemed rejuvenated by the good news. Today, he was impeccably dressed: a silk robe, neatly combed hair, and a freshly shaved face. He looked a decade younger.
Gu Fei teased, “Uncle Huang, you’re so dashing today! I almost feel bad calling you ‘uncle’—it makes you sound old!”
Old Man Huang grinned. “If you’d rather call me ‘Brother Huang,’ I won’t object!”
Master Zhou burst out laughing. “Pah! Look at those wrinkles! You’re lucky to be ‘uncle,’ let alone ‘brother.’ Dream on!”
Old Man Huang’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at Xiao Yu, clearly smitten.
Xiao Yu chirped, “Grandpa Huang!”
He chuckled and teased her before asking, “Xiao Yu, I heard quite a ruckus at your place last night. Were your parents arguing?”
The night before, Sister Dan and Master Zhou had quarreled over some “little vixen,” and the neighbors had caught snippets.
Xiao Yu blinked, candy bulging in her cheek. “They weren’t fighting! Mama and Baba were just singing!”
The room erupted in laughter. Gu Fei couldn’t resist kissing her. “You’re just too clever!”
“I’ve got Sister Cao at home too. When she visits, I’ll have her play with you.”
Amid the merriment, the girl from yesterday stepped out from the back door.
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