Gu Shi Yi nodded, and the two entered the front courtyard, into Sixth Master Huang's study. After settling down, Sixth Master Huang was the first to mention the female corpse unearthed in the residence,
"It is truly thanks to Miss Gu that I was able to find out the reason for the lack of male descendants in my house. Speaking of which, I do feel quite ashamed..."
Sixth Master Huang sighed,
"This is also a debt of frivolity that I incurred when I was young. That woman was a Concubine I took in years ago. Her ancestors were once Great cultivators, but by her generation, her family had already declined, and she was the only one left. Meeting her, alone and helpless, I took pity and brought her into my household. I did indeed dote on her for a while..."
The story of the big house's backyard was all too common: the woman, favored by Sixth Master Huang, became the target of Madam Huang's jealousy. Eventually, she was poisoned and buried in the backyard, and a considerable sum of silver was used to dispatch a ne'er-do-well from the city. When Sixth Master Huang returned to the residence, he was told that the Concubine had run off with a man. Enraged, he sent people to search far and wide, but to no avail. As time passed, he pushed the matter out of his mind, and Madam Huang never expected that the woman was pregnant when buried, laying a hidden danger for the Huang Residence. Thus, for many years, she herself bore no sons, nor did any of the Concubines she took in. Only with great difficulty did one Concubine risk her life to give birth to a daughter, who was always sickly. Indeed, this was retribution!
Hearing this, Gu Shi Yi thought to herself,
"It seems that the Jade Token must have been passed down in that woman's family. Having resolved such a significant issue for Sixth Master Huang, taking a Jade Token is certainly not too much!"
Thereupon, she nodded and said,
"Now that the matter is resolved, surely there will be an increase in the number of descendants in Sixth Master's household, bringing prosperity!"
Sixth Master Huang rose and bowed to Gu Shi Yi,
"This is all thanks to Miss Gu!"
With that, he clapped his hands and called for a servant,
"Bring in the gifts I have prepared to thank Miss Gu!"
Several young men immediately entered the study carrying trays, placing them one by one on the desk. Sixth Master Huang pointed to the gold, silver, and three parchment deeds on top,
"Here are one hundred taels of gold and a thousand taels of silver, as well as a mansion and two shops. I hope Miss Gu will not disdain them and will accept them graciously!"
What a grand gesture!
Gu Shi Yi's eyes gleamed, and she swallowed, eager to take these items. Yet, thinking of the task she had to do, her face twitched with the pain of regret, and after a long moment, she gave a wry smile and said to Sixth Master Huang,
"Sixth Master, I must be honest with you, I really want to accept these gifts..."
"Then take them. If you don't, it is I who will be uneasy," he replied.
Gu Shi Yi still wore a wry smile,
"But as someone engaged in Wandering Cultivation, accepting this gold and silver would actually damage my virtue..."
Nonsense Cultivation!
She feared she might die before she had the chance to enjoy them!
Sixth Master Huang, whether truly convinced or merely feigning belief, wore an admiring expression,
"Miss Gu is indeed a person of high moral standing!"
Once again, Gu Shi Yi smiled wryly,
"If Sixth Master really wishes to thank me, perhaps you could do me a favor instead..."
"Oh?"
Sixth Master Huang's expression turned serious,
"Please speak. Although I, Huang Liu, am not much of a big shot in Blue Moon City, if there is anything you need, I will surely find a way to acquire it!"
Gu Shi Yi waved her hand,
"It's not that I need anything special. I just ask that Sixth Master Huang find a way to let me into the Sun Family. It doesn't matter if I'm there to do odd jobs or act as a cook. Just let me into the Eldest Young Madam of the Sun Family's courtyard to work!"
Sixth Master Huang was taken aback,
"That's..."
After thinking for a moment, he said,
"Please forgive my audacity, Miss Gu, but may I ask why?"
Gu Shi Yi recounted the excuse she had fabricated earlier,
"Sixth Master is known for his generosity and righteousness. Having received life-saving grace from you, I dare not deceive you with falsehoods. The truth is, my Great Cultivation master has some connections with the Eldest Young Madam of the Sun Family, and my descent from the mountain is to settle some old accounts on behalf of my teacher. The matter concerns my master's secrets, so I cannot divulge more to Sixth Master, but I assure you that this is definitely not a malicious act!"
So saying, she naturally requested Sixth Master Huang's help, making it clear that she would not cause trouble that could implicate him.
After listening, Sixth Master Huang pondered for a while and then nodded,
"This is indeed not difficult. The Sun Family in Blue Moon City, like the Gu Family, recruits servants every one to two months. Arranging for Miss Gu to go there is surely feasible. One concern is that it may be too modest a position for Miss Gu, and the other is that it will take some effort to specifically place Miss Gu into the Eldest Young Madam's courtyard. Please give me a few days!"