Chapter 2 | Days of Being a Constable in Ancient Times

Looking at her three daughters-in-law and several grandchildren, she collected herself and spoke bluntly:

“All right, stop crying. Go wipe the blood off Ah He, and put the burial shroud Head Constable Liu and the others brought back on Third Son so he can leave this world clean.”

“Hold it in, every single one of you. Not a single tear is allowed to fall on Third Son, or he won't be able to let go of his family and will be trapped as a wandering ghost.”

“The neighbors will be coming to help soon. Now isn’t the time for crying. Settling Third Son’s funeral affairs comes first—let him have a proper departure.”

Gu Qingyun wiped her tears, sniffled, and stood up.

“I’ll go fetch water.”

...

Gu He’s funeral was modest. After the wake was kept at home for two days, he was buried in the ancestral graves on the mountain behind the village.

In an era where human life was cheap, being able to afford a coffin already meant a household was doing well; most people were simply wrapped in a straw mat and buried straight away.

The reason Gu He had lost his life this time was that while escorting prisoners, someone had ambushed the prisoner wagon. Several constables had died, and he was among them.

Once Gu He’s affairs were laid to rest, the family sat clustered together in somber silence, no one speaking a word. After a long while, Old Lady Zhang looked at her three daughters-in-law.

“You all know what I need to talk about. Old Third is gone, but the rest of this large household still has to live. Someone from our family must take over the Constable post in the county seat.”

“The reason our family lives better than others is because this livelihood gives us standing. Now, we must discuss which branch will send someone to fill this post.”

“Our family will do as we always have: whichever branch fills the post may keep thirty percent as private savings, while the rest goes into the communal fund.”

Eldest Aunt Lady Zhao, Second Aunt Lady Wu, and Gu Qingyun’s mother, Su Yunniang, all lowered their heads in silence, not uttering a word. The younger generation, including Gu Qingyun, kept their heads bowed as well.

After waiting a long while without anyone speaking, Old Lady Zhang cut straight to the point:

“Since none of you will speak, I will simply designate someone.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Eldest Aunt Lady Zhao dropped to her knees on the ground.

“Mother, both my husband and my eldest son, Yize, took this post, and both lost their lives! Now I only have my two boys, Yiyun and Yifeng, and my girl, Qingyu.”

“Yiyun has been frail since childhood—he can’t handle this job. Yifeng is still too young! You can’t make me lose another son after already losing my husband and eldest boy! Mother, I can’t bear it!”

Second Aunt Lady Wu and Gu Qingyun’s mother, Lady Su, dropped to their knees as well. Though neither said a word, Old Lady Zhang knew their thoughts.

Yet this entire household had to survive. If someone did not take over the post, what would they eat or drink? This was the family’s greatest source of income.

The eldest branch had already lost two men, while the second and third branches had each lost one. Currently, aside from the eldest branch’s two sons, the other two branches had only one son each. Old Lady Zhang weighed the options in her heart for a moment, then sighed.

“Eldest Daughter-in-Law.”

Hearing her mother-in-law’s words, Lady Zhao went limp and slumped to the ground as if all strength had drained from her, nothing left in her eyes but despair.

“Your branch...”

“I’ll go,” Gu Qingyun’s voice rang out at the same time as Old Lady Zhang’s.

The moment Gu Qingyun spoke, everyone in the room turned to look at her in stunned silence. Only Old Lady Zhang frowned at her.

“Qingyun, you are a girl, and there are still men in this family. Our household hasn't become so spineless that we need an eleven-year-old girl to prop up the doorframe.”

Gu Qingyun offered a faint smile to Old Lady Zhang and the rest of the family.

“Grandmother, do you think there's anyone better suited than me? None of my brothers have martial skills higher than mine. I've already mastered the saber technique Father taught me, and my strength far exceeds that of ordinary people. I have the ability to protect myself, so me going is the best arrangement.”

“Besides, both of my older male cousins are currently arranging their marriages. We can’t have their future brides living in constant terror every day. With my skills, keeping myself safe won’t be an issue.”

Looking at this twelve-year-old girl, Lady Zhao felt a pang of guilt, yet she could not bring herself to suggest sending her second son, Yifeng, instead. What mother had the heart to send her own child to his death?

Su Yunniang rose, rushed over to Gu Qingyun, and seized her hands tightly.

“You child, what are you saying?! How old are you? The yamen is full of grown men. Do you really think it’s fitting for you to go? How will you ever get married in the future?!”

Gu Qingyun embraced Su Yunniang.

“Mother, it’s fine. I never wanted to marry anyway. Truly, the chances of surviving are only higher if I go. Don't worry, I’ll train hard, and in the future, I’ll bring you and the whole family to live in the county seat so we can all be together.”

She wasn’t lying. In her previous life, she had died young and never married; in this life, she had no desire to either. Besides, as long as she diligently practiced her cultivation techniques, who knew how long she might live?

Unfortunately, her cultivation manual could not be passed on to others, and none of her older brothers or sisters had managed to achieve anything from the body tempering method, suggesting it required a specific constitution.

A flicker of tenderness and pity passed through Old Lady Zhang’s eyes. She looked at Gu Qingyun, hesitated, and finally let out a heavy sigh.

“Then let Qingyun go.”

Her Qingyun was not inferior to any boy. Out of so many grandchildren, she was the only one with supreme martial talent. Though an old woman like her didn’t understand martial arts, when Qingyun sparred with Third Son, it had been obvious that Third Son struggled to keep up.

Considering her father's pride, the girl had always pulled her punches. Perhaps Qingyun truly could change the Gu family's fortunes and put an end to throwing away lives to keep this post.

Having said her piece, she looked back at her three daughters-in-law.

“Go prepare the evening meal. Qingyun has to take up the post tomorrow, so make something hearty for her tonight.”

For a family like theirs, even if called "hearty," the food wouldn’t be lavish by any means.

After all, there were over a dozen mouths to feed. Still, compared to families forced to sell their children or go hungry, their circumstances were exceptionally good.

For dinner, they specially added some pork cracklings to the dishes. Old Lady Zhang was not overly rigid.

Knowing her granddaughter was a martial practitioner who had to report for duty tomorrow, she needed meat and fat to have strength, so the grandmother waived the rule requiring her to abstain from meat during mourning.

“Qingyun, come to my room after dinner. Since you're reporting to the county yamen tomorrow, Grandma will give you some silver. You’ll definitely have to pay for your own meals there.”

Gu Qingyun nodded.

“All right, Grandma.”

Knowing Gu Qingyun was leaving to take the post, the four women in the family did not sleep a wink, staying up all night to tailor a set of black martial attire for her.

The fabric was something her father had brought back last time. It was durable and wear-resistant, perfect for duty, and cut in a style similar to the yamen uniform.

Gu Qingyun was over six chi tall, and wearing the outfit, she looked heroic and dashing. With her sharp, handsome features and height comparable to any man, one could hardly tell whether she was a boy or a girl.

Lady Su and Gu Qingyun’s elder sister, Gu Qingling, straightened her clothes with rimmed red eyes, managing a strained smile.

“My child, take care of yourself in the county seat. If anything happens, don’t foolishly rush to the front. You must protect yourself.”

“Little Sister, you must stay safe and sound.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not like you don't know what I'm capable of,” Gu Qingyun said, patting her chest with immense confidence in her abilities.

Old Lady Zhang emerged from the kitchen with Lady Zhao and Lady Mo, calling over:

“All right, don’t waste time. An ox cart is leaving the village for the county seat—let Qingyun hitch a ride.”

Gu Qingyun took the food wrapped in oiled paper handed over by her eldest aunt and second aunt, waving to them.

“Grandma, Aunts, Mother, get some rest after breakfast. I’ll come back to visit you on my days off.”

“Sisters, look after the elders at home. When I get paid, I’ll buy you all hair flowers!”

Seeing her spirited demeanor, much of the worry in Old Lady Zhang’s heart receded.

“All right, stop your chatter and get going. The ox cart won’t wait long for you.”

“Understood, I’m off!”

Gu Qingyun replied as she strode swiftly out of the courtyard. Her second cousin Gu Yiyun, third cousin Gu Yifeng, fourth cousin Gu Yilei, and elder brother Gu Yihan carried her luggage and saw her out.

“Qingyun, I’m sorry. Forcing a girl like you to take on such dangerous work...” Gu Yifeng said with a face full of shame, and the other three brothers looked equally remorseful.