DBB – Chapter 19: The First Day of the New Year

Gu Lan sat quietly in her room, lost in thought. Ever since she had noticed Gu Jinchao’s strange behavior, she had been feeling uneasy. She had confided in her mother, who simply reassured her—since things had already unfolded this way, she should remain composed. After all, the advantage was still in their hands. As long as she played her cards right, what was there to fear from Gu Jinchao?

Her mother’s words had soothed her. As long as she held firm control over Gu Jinrong, and once Ji Shi passed away, wouldn’t the entire Gu household belong to her and her mother?

Tonight, she had invited Jinrong to stay up late with her for the New Year vigil. He had originally agreed but later sent word that he wouldn’t be coming. He had always cared about her the most—when she mentioned liking ivory carvings, he had spent countless hours learning the craft just to please her! Why had he suddenly gone back on his word?

Gu Lan knew that her younger brother was the type who yielded to gentleness rather than force. If he had refused, then she would simply wait—surely, the little brother she had raised would soften and come to her eventually.

When she heard that Jinrong had arrived, she secretly thought, As expected, he still cares about me. She hurried to welcome him, inviting him inside for tea and pastries.

As they chatted, Jinrong suddenly asked, “Second Sister, if you heard the line ‘Chang’e should regret stealing the elixir; amidst the boundless sky and sea, her heart lingers every night,’ what would you think of it?”

Gu Lan smiled. “Chang’e stole the elixir—of course, she deserved her punishment. That’s only right.”

Jinrong felt that she hadn’t fully understood the meaning of the verse, but before he could say more, Ziling entered, bringing a tray of crispy, flower-shaped pastries. Noticing the bruises on her maid’s face, he frowned—her cheeks were still swollen, the marks of a harsh slap clearly visible. The sight was unsettling.

“What happened to you?” he asked.

Gu Lan sighed softly. “I hadn’t intended to tell you, but since you’ve noticed… Ziling offended Eldest Sister and was punished. I was there but couldn’t stop it. There was nothing I could do.” Then, as if recalling something, she quickly added, “But don’t go confronting her like last time. If you and Eldest Sister argue again, it will only sour your relationship.”

She had deliberately instructed Ziling to hold off on applying any salve to reduce the swelling—just so Jinrong would see it.

Jinrong’s brows furrowed. “Eldest Sister shouldn’t have gone that far, hitting someone so viciously.” For some reason, he recalled Jinchao’s expression when she had recited that verse earlier. Could she really be so heartless? Then again, he remembered how she had always been quick to punish servants, constantly scolding and berating them. It wasn’t entirely surprising. “Eldest Sister has a bad temper. Just avoid provoking her.”

Gu Lan’s hand, holding a piece of food for him, froze slightly before she forced another smile.

“I know,” she said gently. “But did you hear about how she punished her maid the other day?”

Jinrong nodded. The incident had spread through the household—he had heard something about it but hadn’t paid much attention. After all, it was just a servant.

“That girl had been serving her for years. But when her brother fell gravely ill and had no money for treatment, she begged Eldest Sister for a small loan. Jinchao refused, saying, ‘She eats my food, wears my clothes, and now she expects me to take care of her family too?’”

Gu Lan’s voice softened, as if reluctant to continue.

Jinrong’s expression darkened. “And then?”

Gu Lan sighed. “She had no other choice. Desperate to save her brother, she stole a jade thumb ring—one Eldest Sister never even used. But she was caught on the spot…”

Jinrong’s voice tightened. “What happened to her?”

“Tied up and beaten beyond recognition,” Gu Lan said, her tone mournful. “I heard about it later and thought, She’s always been a quiet, honest girl. She must have been desperate. Surely, she didn’t deserve to be beaten to death for this? I tried to intervene, but I was powerless… In the end, my maid was punished too.” She gave a faint, bitter smile. “It was my own foolishness. I should have known better.”

Ziling chimed in, “Miss, please don’t blame yourself. If it weren’t for you pleading with Eldest Miss to spare Liuxiang’s life, she might have been beaten to death! At least she was only cast out and handed over to the authorities. That was a far better fate.”

Jinrong’s whole body went cold.

“She… really is that cruel? Completely heartless?”

Gu Lan gently took his hand, her voice barely above a whisper. “You mustn’t confront her about this. Last time you questioned her, she suspected it was me who told you. Since then, she hasn’t looked at me kindly. Perhaps that’s why she took her anger out on Ziling…” Tears welled in her eyes. “Poor Liuxiang… If she hadn’t been desperate to save her dying brother, she never would have ended up like this…”

Jinrong shot to his feet, pacing in agitation. His hands were shaking. “She’s truly as ruthless as a viper…”

Seeing Gu Lan’s worried face, he quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry, Second Sister. I won’t ask her anything this time.”

He only resented that he had such an elder sister! And every day, he had to pretend to get along with her, even in front of their mother. It was unbearable! He should tell their mother about this—she ought to rein in Gu Jinchao… No, that wouldn’t do. Mother was already gravely ill. If she knew what Jinchao had done, she would be furious, and that might worsen her condition.

Jinrong returned to Jingfang Pavilion in a foul mood. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It’s the New Year, and Gu Jinchao nearly beat a maid to death—just because she wanted to save her brother!

He sat up. Last time, he had misjudged his sister. But this time? He needed to confirm the truth himself.

As soon as dawn broke, he sent his pageboy, Qingxiu, to find a maidservant who worked near Qing Tong Courtyard.

The girl, a young sweeper from the stables, was terrified when summoned by the young master. She trembled as she knelt before him.

Jinrong wasted no time. “Tell me everything about Liuxiang’s punishment.”

The little maid stammered, “I—I don’t know much… But the stable nanny said that Liuxiang’s brother fell ill, and she… she stole the young lady’s gold… and was caught…”

Jinrong’s heart grew colder. “And then?”

The girl was on the verge of tears. “I-I don’t know… Liuxiang went mad. She wasn’t making any sense… In the end, she was just cast out.”

Gu Jinrong pressed further, his voice colder now. “Did she go mad from the beating?”

The maid hesitated. She was only a sweeper; it was already a rare blessing that the stable nanny had shared anything with her. But then—sausages! She suddenly remembered something—the fragrant taste of the cured sausages she had eaten. The stable nanny had boasted about it before, and now the girl simply repeated what she had heard, parroting the words:

“She was beaten… Miss Qingpu is terrifying when she punishes someone! The stable nanny helped too. And the young lady even rewarded them with sausages and braised goose!”

Hearing this, what else was there to misunderstand?

Gu Jinrong’s heart went completely cold. So this is who she truly is…

And to think—he had actually doubted himself earlier, wondering if perhaps Gu Jinchao wasn’t such a person. How ridiculous!

He had Qingxiu reward the little maid with a few coins. Overjoyed, she clutched them tightly and scurried off. Jinrong, however, remained standing by the lattice window of his study, staring at the bright lanterns flickering outside. A storm of disappointment and anger churned within him.

Meanwhile, Jinchao returned to Qing Tong Courtyard at the hour of the rabbit (5–7 AM). After sleeping for only half an hour, she rose again.

The first day of the new year had arrived. The longevity lantern hanging from her eaves still burned steadily. Caifu, her maid, reported with a cheerful face, “I watched it all night, Miss—it stayed bright the whole time.” Her cheeks were flushed, likely from the cold wind.

Jinchao smiled and praised her, rewarding her with a pair of gold earrings inlaid with red gemstones. Caifu, flustered, stammered, “M-Miss, I only wanted to ensure your peace and longevity…” The longevity lantern was meant to bring blessings, after all.

Having observed her mistress these past few days, Caifu found herself growing more and more devoted to Jinchao. She was kind to her servants, yet steady and sharp-witted. Staying up all night guarding the lantern didn’t feel like a burden at all.

So, it is now the sixth year of Longqing.

Since it was the first day of the new year, she had to dress festively. Qingpu selected a light red satin jacket embroidered with celestial cranes and paired it with a golden hairpin set with lotus-shaped gemstones—one Jinchao rarely wore. As she sat before the bronze mirror, her reflection revealed lips like blooming roses, jade-like skin, and eyes shimmering with light, as if reflecting a cascade of stars.

Qingpu, caught in a daze, failed to put on Jinchao’s earrings.

Jinchao chuckled, teasing, “Why are you staring?”

Snapping out of her trance, Qingpu’s face turned red. “Miss, you’re truly beautiful—I got lost for a moment.”

Jinchao only smiled, saying nothing. She had long ceased to care about matters of appearance.

At the hour of the dragon (7–9 AM), offerings of meat and vegetarian dishes were placed before the ancestral tablets. Paper money, along with gold and silver ingots, were prepared for burning as part of the ceremony. Led by her father, the entire household gathered for the New Year’s rituals.

After the ancestral rites, the children knelt to pay respects to their parents. Once the formalities were completed, Gu Xi pulled Gu Yi over to Jinchao, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Elder Sister, let’s make ‘Nao Rang Rang’ together!”

Their father chuckled. “You two never used to invite your eldest sister to play these games.”

Gu Xi whispered shyly, “But Eldest Sister is so good with her hands—hers will be the prettiest!”

Gu Lan, standing beside their father, was dressed in a blue brocade jacket woven with golden flowers. The soft glow of the morning sun made her pale face look as luminous as the moon. Watching Gu Xi cling to Jinchao’s sleeve, she found it… odd.

Gu Xi had always been timid. Aside from Gu Yi, she never clung to anyone. And yet, now, she was holding onto Gu Jinchao’s sleeve without hesitation.

Smiling, Gu Lan spoke lightly, “I haven’t made ‘Nao Rang Rang’¹ in so long either. Xi’er, would you like Second Sister to join in as well?”

Gu Xi, the youngest and naturally shy, was used to being teased.

“Second Sister can join too, of course…” But as soon as she spoke, she noticed Gu Lan’s expression shift. Even their father’s smile faded.

Nervously, she wondered if she had said something wrong.

Sensing her unease, Jinchao patted her hand reassuringly. With a playful smile, she teased, “If you want to join, Second Sister, you’d best hurry, or we won’t wait for you!” Then, turning to her father, she excused herself, leading Gu Xi and Gu Yi back to Qing Tong Courtyard.

There, they began making ‘Nao Rang Rang’—paper ornaments cut from black gold paper in the shapes of butterflies, moths, and grasshoppers. Some were as large as a fist, others as tiny as coins. They adorned their hair with the decorations, making for a festive sight.

Jinchao carefully arranged a cluster of them in Gu Xi’s twin buns. The little girl giggled with delight.

Gu Yi, though more reserved, had a small smile as she observed them.

The three sisters made plenty of ‘Nao Rang Rang’ to share with the maids and servants in various courtyards.

After a while, Gu Xi tugged at Jinchao’s sleeve and asked, “Second Sister said she’d come, but she still hasn’t. Did I say something wrong just now…?”

Jinchao shook her head. “She’s probably busy with something else. Don’t overthink it.”

1. ‘Nao Rang Rang’ (闹嚷嚷) is a traditional Chinese New Year folk craft, where children and young women cut festive ornaments from colored or black-gold paper in the shapes of butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, and other auspicious symbols. These paper decorations are then playfully worn in the hair or pinned to clothing as a way to celebrate the lively spirit of the New Year. The name “Nao Rang Rang” itself conveys a sense of joyful noise and bustling excitement, reflecting the festive atmosphere of the holiday. ↩︎