Tianchao envoy Gu Gongsuo (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Cui Tongbao
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Half a month later, the fourth son of the Guo family was born again, this was Guo Shaotao. The entire Guo family was filled with joy. On the day of Guo Shaotao's hundred-day celebration, the Guo family decorated with lanterns and held a grand banquet. Madame Chen Xingkai personally brought gifts to congratulate the future in-laws on adding to their family and prosperity. The scorching summer had already passed, and Guo Songtao and his younger brother Kuntao were studying under Guo Jierui. Guo Songtao was now focusing on the study of literary composition and rules. Meanwhile, Guo Kuntao began systematically studying the "Four Books." Under Guo Jierui's guidance, Guo Songtao's literary writing had made significant progress.
The autumn wind returned, day after day grew colder, and the changing of seasons often brought physical discomfort. Guo Songtao's future bride, Chen Sirong, was also feeling slightly unwell. In the past, Guo Songtao would not have paid much attention, or perhaps not at all, but now things were different—there was a marriage engagement. If Chen Sirong were healthy and free from illness, Guo Songtao would not have been so concerned, but now that she was sick, he felt uneasy if he didn't visit her. When Zou Xiansao came to ask Guo Jiaobiao to treat Chen Sirong, he sought his father's permission and went to the Chen family together. The young Miss Chen's illness was an old condition, and as long as the right medicine was prescribed based on her symptoms and current health, it could be controlled, but the root of the illness could never be completely removed.
The Guo family father and son arrived at the Chen family's mansion and were quickly invited inside by Madame Chen. The clever Zou Meier had already run inside to report to the young Miss Chen: "Miss Chen, Miss Chen, the young master is here!" "Which young master?" "Your (prosperous matchmaker)!" "Go away, go away." Chen Sirong blushed and shifted, trying to sit up. Chen Longrui, standing beside her, propped her back with a pillow, allowing her to lean against the bed. "Sister," Chen Longrui said, "every time you're idle, you write his name on paper. Now you don't need to write it—just look at him with your eyes." "Don't make me angry anymore, I'm not feeling well." "'Anger'?" "No, it should be 'blessing.' If my (white horse prince) comes, I'll be overjoyed—I can't possibly be angry?" "Wow, sister, it's autumn, why are you feeling so spring-like?" Chen Sirong laughed gaily after saying this. "Alright, you're teasing me. I'll go find my 'brother-in-law' and see if you still dare to say such nonsense." "Alright, sister, stop playing around. Please don't call him—look at me, 'The curtain is rolled by the west wind, and the person is thinner than the chrysanthemum.' I really don't want him to see me like this." "I can't decide for you, Guo Xianqi is here to see you—how can you refuse him? If he doesn't get to see you, he won't be at ease when he goes back..." "Miss Chen," Zou Meier said, "Mr. Guo is here." The second Miss Chen Longrui quickly stepped forward to greet him, while the young Miss Chen Chen Sirong leaned against the bed, trying to rise to greet him, but Guo Jiaobiao quickly stopped her: "Rong'er, no need for formalities—just stay lying down. Let me examine you."
After finishing the examination, Guo Jiaobiao took her pulse and then looked at her face. "It's still the old illness," he said. "There's no special medicine for this condition right now, but my current prescription can control it, so there's no major concern. Rong'er, you need to rest more and avoid catching a cold. I'll go to the other room."
Soon after, Zou Meier signaled to the second Miss Chen, who came over to ask what was happening. Zou Meier said, "The young master wants to see Miss Chen." The second Miss Chen agreed. Zou Meier then went out to guide Guo Songtao to the needlework room. "Miss Chen, the young master is here," Zou Meier said. "The young master is here, please come in." The young Miss Chen Chen Sirong shifted slightly, and the second Miss Chen helped her sit properly. "The young master, please sit." Guo Songtao sat a short distance from the bed, his eyes taking in the room as he inhaled a faint fragrance. At this moment, Chen Longrui was still standing beside Chen Sirong. Zou Meier gave another signal, and the second Miss Chen quietly slipped out with Zou Meier.
"Miss Chen," Guo Songtao said, "I heard you were sick and came to see you specially." "I thought you had forgotten about me." "Miss Chen, do you think of me as someone who is unfeeling?" Guo Songtao seemed a bit agitated. After pausing for a moment, he added, "I believe as long as you and I are healthy and safe, everything will be fine. As long as we think of each other in our hearts, that's enough. I'm studying now and will take the exams in a year or two, so I need to make the most of my time and study hard. In the future, I also want to take the provincial and imperial examinations. Therefore, if I can't visit you for a while, I hope you won't blame me."
"A man should have ideals and ambitions, prioritizing his future. How could a young woman dare to blame him? But sometimes, when I'm idle, I can't help but feel this way." "In truth, all men have feelings. After finishing my studies at night, sitting alone in my study room, facing half a wall of moonlight and a window of stars, sometimes I too can't help but be moved." "Is that so? I thought this kind of feeling was only for women—I never expected that men could also have such complex emotions. It seems I've been misled by Li Yilian." "Miss Chen, you're still a follower of Li Qingzhao? That's rare." "Again, you're mocking me with your great talent." "Guo Xianqi is a talented man, and Chen Sirong is a beauty—doesn't that fit perfectly? I prefer a poem from the Book of Songs called 'The Reeds': 'The reeds are green and lush, white dew turns to frost. The person I adore is on the other side of the water.'"
"I don't study the Book of Songs much, but I'm familiar with this one." "Miss Chen, I think you're not only beautiful but also very intelligent. If you were born a man, you would surely be as handsome as Pan An and as talented as Sima Qian." "Then wouldn't you be missing a beauty?" "But I'd have more brothers or rivals." "Forget it. With my 'The curtain is rolled by the west wind, and the person is thinner than the chrysanthemum' appearance, how can I compare to Pan An? This is just teasing me." "Guo Xianqi would never dare?" "Young master—" "Wait," Guo Songtao interrupted, "you call me young master, and it feels awkward. We're not strangers, so from now on, call me 'Xianqi.' To make things simpler, I'll call you 'Rong'er' too. How about that, Rong'er?" "Alright, young master. Oh, wait—Xianqi."
Guo Songtao and Chen Sirong laughed as they talked in the room. After Guo Jiaobiao finished his examination, he returned to the living room to explain Chen Sirong's condition to Chen Xingkai and his wife. Guo Jiaobiao said, "This seasonal reaction has no special cure right now, but as long as it doesn't worsen, it won't be life-threatening. Now, Rong'er has a marriage engagement with a young man of the same age, and she will be the future daughter-in-law of our Guo family. How could I not do my best to treat her?"
"Ai," Madame Chen sighed, "Rong'er is such a wonderful daughter, but she suffers from such a strange illness—truly worrying." "Mr. Guo, please have some tea." After Zou Xiansao poured the tea, she stepped aside, standing between the second Miss Chen and her own daughter. "Madame Chen, there's no need to worry too much," Guo Jiaobiao comforted. "Rong'er's body shows no unusual reactions. As long as you pay a bit more attention during the spring and autumn when the weather changes, there won't be any problems."
"I pray that heaven will protect Rong'er." Madame Chen clasped her hands together in prayer. Chen Xingkai and Guo Jiaobiao then discussed some social matters, such as the increasing number of opium dens in Changsha City, which was a cause for concern. Although neither wore hats or insignia, they were quite concerned about national affairs. As the saying goes, "When the country faces decline, every man has a responsibility."
The second Miss Chen Longrui and Zou Meier listened to the adults' conversation for a while and found it quite boring. They went to the kitchen with Zou Xiansao to prepare medicine for the young Miss Chen.