Chapter Twelve: Entering the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard

“My name is Ayu. Third Grandfather, why do you look so young?” Gu Weiyu tilted her head curiously.

“Hahaha—” Gu Jun was thoroughly amused by Gu Weiyu’s words.

No one can resist being told they look young, and men are no exception.

He pulled out a wooden puppet and handed it to Gu Weiyu. “Ayu, little girl, take this toy and play with it.”

Standing nearby, Gu Hui couldn’t help but show a flicker of surprise. The little wooden puppet looked ordinary, but it was actually a rare first-grade automaton, unmatched by anyone below the fifth level of Qi Refining.

It seemed the family head was very fond of Ayu. Truly, flattery never fails!

Gu Weiyu knew none of this. She lowered her head to look at the puppet—a chubby and adorable little wooden figure that immediately tugged at her heartstrings. She accepted it with delight. “Thank you, Third Grandfather!”

Gu Weiyu’s poised and gracious demeanor pleased him greatly. He beckoned to Gu Qingyun as well and gifted him a small dagger.

“From today onward, Ayu, you will be the Gu family’s Little Eleven, and Qingyun, you will be Little Twelve. Have you both remembered?” Gu Jun looked at the two children.

Gu Weiyu and Gu Qingyun both nodded to show they understood. Only then did Gu Jun turn to Gu Hui. “Which branches do Ayu and Qingyun belong to?”

Gu Hui was prepared and answered calmly, “Family head, Ayu is from the eldest grandfather’s branch, and Qingyun is from the seventh grandfather’s.”

“Very well, take them down. Remember to send word to their respective grandfathers.” Gu Jun waved his hand.

“Uncle Sixteen, if I miss my parents, can I go home?” After leaving the courtyard, Gu Weiyu couldn’t help but ask.

“Of course you may, but only after you succeed in drawing qi into your body,” Gu Hui stopped and looked at the two children. “From tomorrow, you will both begin cultivating in Yanxi Hall. Remember: cultivate diligently and keep a low profile; do not stir up trouble, but do not be overly meek either!”

Gu Weiyu straightened at his words. From the sound of it, Yanxi Hall was not as simple as it seemed!

Gu Hui said nothing more and led the two to their respective residences.

The three stopped outside a small courtyard, where a ten-year-old maid in blue was waiting by the gate. Upon seeing them, she hurried forward and bowed.

Gu Hui looked at Gu Weiyu. “Little Eleven, you will live here. She will be your personal maid, responsible for your daily needs and taking you to Yanxi Hall for cultivation.”

Gu Weiyu nodded to show she understood, and only then did Gu Hui take Gu Qingyun away.

“What is your name?” After seeing them off, Gu Weiyu finally turned to the quietly waiting maid.

“Your maid, Crescent, greets Miss Eleven.” Crescent curtseyed respectfully.

Gu Weiyu nodded and looked toward her new residence—Emerald Bamboo Courtyard. “Sister Crescent, get up. Let’s go inside.”

Crescent quickly stepped forward to open the gate. Gu Weiyu, hands clasped behind her back like a little adult, strode into the courtyard. From now on, this would be her domain!

Inside was a small bamboo grove, beside which stood a two-story bamboo house.

At the entrance, a small bamboo table and a lounge chair were set out. Peering inside, the furnishings were all made of bamboo as well, perfectly matching the courtyard’s name.

Gu Weiyu was delighted. She was about to go upstairs for a look when a knock sounded at the door. “Sister Crescent, see who it is.”

Crescent went to answer and soon returned with a large food box. “Miss, your lunch has arrived.”

Hearing this, Gu Weiyu suddenly realized her stomach was empty. She’d only had a bun in the morning and was already famished.

Crescent seemed to notice her hunger and swiftly arranged the dishes from the box, filling most of the table.

Steamed perch, sweet and sour pork, steamed rice flour pork… The dishes, served in delicate crystal bowls, were enough to make her mouth water at a glance.

Crescent served Gu Weiyu a bowl of rice and set it on the table. “Miss, please eat!”

“Sister Crescent, come join me at the table,” Gu Weiyu called casually as she sat down, picking up a pair of jade chopsticks.

Crescent turned pale with shock and waved her hands in refusal. “Thank you for your kindness, Miss, but your maid has already eaten.”

Gu Weiyu hadn’t expected such a reaction. She was indeed very hungry, so she said no more and began eating in earnest.

Only after Gu Weiyu finished did Crescent step forward to clear the table. “Miss, I’ll be back in a moment.”

Gu Weiyu nodded slightly and went upstairs alone. The upper floor had a bedroom and a study with a meditation cushion and bookshelf. Standing by the bamboo window, she happened to spot Gu Qingyun in a nearby courtyard. “Little Twelve—”

Gu Qingyun looked up, his face lighting up with joy. “Sister Eleven!”

Gu Weiyu waved at him with a cheerful smile. As they chatted, Crescent returned, and Gu Weiyu went downstairs.

“Sister Crescent, where are you from?” Gu Weiyu asked curiously as she lounged on the chair, rocking gently.

“Miss, I am also of the Gu family, but a mortal without a spiritual root,” Crescent replied with a smile. “In the Gu household, only those with spiritual roots are ranked among the young masters and ladies. For us mortals, serving a mistress is already a great fortune.”

Gu Weiyu looked at Crescent in surprise. So they were technically kin! But remembering how Crescent had turned pale just at her invitation to eat together, she dared not call her cousin, lest the girl fall to her knees.

Crescent was perceptive and seemed to guess her thoughts. “Miss, mortals and cultivators have different destinies. You will understand in time.”

Gu Weiyu nodded quietly. Are mortals and cultivators truly so different? She thought of her parents, both without spiritual roots, and suddenly felt rather downcast.

That afternoon, Gu Weiyu had Crescent show her around the area and even visited Gu Qingyun. The two agreed to go to Yanxi Hall together the next day.

As night fell and stars dotted the sky, Gu Weiyu sat by her upstairs window and sighed softly—she missed her parents and little Shitou so very much.

“Miss, you must be at Yanxi Hall at the sixth quarter of the Mao hour tomorrow. You should sleep early,” Crescent advised softly from her place by the bed, hearing Gu Weiyu’s sigh.

Gu Weiyu lay in bed, clutching the puppet the family head had given her, and forced herself to sleep. She would have to wake early tomorrow.

Having risen so early today, she soon drifted off.

“Miss, it’s already the third quarter of the Mao hour…” Crescent’s voice came as Gu Weiyu still dreamed, murmuring, “Mother, Ayu wants to sleep a little longer…”

Crescent couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. But since today was the first day at Yanxi Hall, she couldn’t allow any delay and finally steeled herself to drag her from bed.

Gu Weiyu washed her face and finally woke up, gulped down a bowl of porridge, and set off—just in time to meet Gu Qingyun, who had come looking for her. The two set out together for Yanxi Hall.