Chapter 127: Backing Her Up
Before long, a maid from Madam Feng's side came to deliver a message, summoning Gu Jinzhao to her quarters.
Jinchao changed her clothes and freshened up before heading to the eastern courtyard.
Madam Feng had set up a table in the flower hall, where Gu Lan, Second Madam, and Fifth Madam were already gathered. Song Furen wore a brocade jacket with a subtle floral pattern, paired with gold earrings inlaid with yellow tourmaline and a mourning hairpin in observance of national mourning. Song Furen had always favored lavish attire, so this was already considered quite subdued for her.
Gu Lan, however, was not wearing the pale pink satin jacket from the previous day but instead a simple and thin upper garment. She stood beside Madam Feng with tears in her eyes, though a faint smile lingered on her face.
After Song Xiang announced her arrival, Madam Feng beckoned Jinchao over and said to Song Furen with a smile, "...Chaojie is here!"
Jinchao approached and greeted everyone in turn. Madam Feng then pulled her close and said, "Chaojie and Lan Er have always been the closest of friends, so I thought it fitting for her to meet you as well." Turning to Jinchao, she added, "Your second sister's maternal grandmother rarely visits, and she has brought many gifts for you girls. They’ll be sent to your rooms later."
Jinchao found Madam Feng’s enthusiasm somewhat excessive. Even if Song Furen held the title of a fourth-rank noblewoman, there was no need for Madam Feng to fawn over her like this. Then, observing Song Furen’s attire—though she was in mourning, her gold earrings were inlaid with yellow tourmaline, and the brocade bore a peacock pattern—these were ornaments befitting a third-rank noblewoman!
Jinchao recalled that before the emperor’s passing, Lord An had retired, leaving the position of Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review vacant. It seemed Lord Song had now successfully claimed that post. No wonder Song Furen had the confidence to come to the Gu household—Lord Song was now the third-rank Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, a man Lord Chen intended to promote. Who would dare look down on their family now?
Song Furen harbored deep resentment toward Gu Jinzhao and had no intention of treating her kindly. She completely ignored Jinchao and instead said to Madam Feng, "...Lan Er has always been timid by nature, and I find this temperament quite troubling. What is she to do if others try to bully her? I heard that Lady Cao the Third even came to the Gu family to propose a match between Lan Er and the eldest son of the Mu family. Surely Old Madam Gu didn’t agree, did she? What kind of man is that Mu heir? Marrying into such a family would only harm our Lan Er."
Madam Feng had already discussed the matter with Second Madam. Once the formal matchmaker arrived, they would finalize the engagement.
Now, hearing Song Furen’s words, she could only force a smile and say, "Of course not! Lan Er has already come of age, yet she remains unbetrothed. It worries me deeply..."
Song Furen smiled. "Old Madam Gu’s affection for Lan Er is plain to see."
And how could she not see it? In the bitter cold, Gu Lan didn’t even have a proper winter jacket to wear. She had grown noticeably thinner, and it pained Song Furen to the core.
"...If it were someone more ruthless, they’d surely nitpick Lan Er’s manners and attire. They might even seize the opportunity to make trouble and punish her with menial labor!" Song Furen’s words were a veiled jab, and Second Madam’s expression darkened instantly.
However, Madam Feng remained unaware of the conflicts between Second Madam and Gu Lan, assuming Song Furen was merely joking.
Song Furen then had her servants bring over a palanquin. "I’ve long heard of Old Madam Gu’s devotion to Buddhism, so I thought to gift you a statue of Maitreya carved from Old Mountain Sandalwood."After the silk cloth was lifted, everyone saw an exquisitely carved Buddha statue. The Old Mountain Sandalwood's surface was smooth and lustrous, with flowing grain patterns—such a sheen couldn't have been achieved without decades of care. While sandalwood Buddha statues were common, finding one made from such aged material was rare.
Madam Feng was delighted. She owned a bracelet made from the same aged sandalwood, which she treasured too much to wear often. She hadn’t expected Song Furen to gift her something so precious! Smiling gratefully, she instructed a servant to put it away.
Song Furen continued, "My visit today isn’t just to bring gifts. Our family’s master has recently grown close with Lord Chen, who has now been promoted to Minister of Revenue. He wishes to introduce Gu Langzhong to Lord Chen, as such a connection would greatly benefit his career. Unfortunately, Gu Langzhong isn’t home today, so I must ask Old Madam Gu to relay this message… I’d also like to spend some time with Lan Er and share a few private words. Since her mother’s incident, we grandmother and granddaughter haven’t had much chance to bond."
Madam Feng nodded repeatedly and, for the first time, took Gu Lan’s hand with a smile. "…Keep your grandmother company! She rarely visits."
After dismissing the others, Madam Feng kept only Second Madam behind for a private conversation.
Gu Jinzhao then returned to Beautiful Embroidery Hall.
Song Furen’s visit had a clear purpose—to bolster Gu Lan’s standing.
But merely letting others know Gu Lan had such a grandmother wasn’t enough. She also dangled a significant benefit for the Gu family: Gu Dezhao’s potential career advancement. The late Gu patriarch had once held the prestigious third-rank position of Crown Prince’s Guest and was posthumously honored as a second-rank Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor—the height of the Gu family’s glory. Now, Second Master Gu held the fourth-rank position of Assistant Censor, overseeing the Five Cities Censorate, which commanded the Five Cities Garrison Command under the Ministry of War. His role was somewhat nominal.
As for Gu Wuye, without Fifth Madam’s presence, he would have been entirely insignificant in the Gu household.
Madam Feng was fixated on restoring the family’s prestige. With Second Master Gu’s prospects limited and Gu Dezhao’s involvement in the Prince of Yanping incident seemingly ruining his chances, the sudden connection to the Chen family through the Songs offered new hope. If Gu Dezhao could forge ties with Third Master Chen, might he not rise to become a third-rank Vice Minister of Revenue—a position of real power?
With such an offer, how could Madam Feng remain unmoved?
Gu Jinzhao pondered at length. If the Song family truly benefited her father’s career, she wouldn’t object. But in her past life, Song Yiniang had become her father’s principal wife—had Song Daren ever helped him secure an official post? Unlike Song Furen, Song Daren was shrewd and discerning. He had long recognized her father’s lack of capability and wouldn’t have facilitated such connections.
Most likely… these promises were fabrications by Song Furen herself, meant only to secure Gu Lan a better position.
Gu Jinzhao wasn’t yet sure what Gu Lan intended, but with Song Furen’s backing, she would surely seek greater advantages. As long as Gu Lan didn’t cross her, Gu Jinzhao would let her be.
After some thought, Gu Jinzhao personally prepared a few pastries for Madam Feng in the small kitchen and sent Caifu to deliver them to the eastern courtyard.
Meanwhile, Song Furen had just entered Yixiang Courtyard, where Gu Yi naturally came to pay respects. Maids and servants knelt in rows.Behind Song Furen followed servant women carrying items. Her sharp, triangular eyes swept over the crowd before she slowly asked, "Which maids and servants are yours?"
Gu Lan pointed out Mu Jin, Chunjiang, and Chunxi.
Song Furen felt her anger flare to the point of physical pain in her sides. No matter how lowly Gu Lan's status was, she was still the Eldest Miss of the Gu family! Even Gu Yi, another concubine-born daughter, had four maids and two servant women. Gu Lan's standing was higher than Gu Yi's, yet she only had three maids—two of whom were barely nine or ten years old!
The Gu family was truly too cruel!
Song Furen raised her voice sharply, "Lan Er's maids shall all be rewarded!" Attendants immediately stepped forward, distributing high-grade red envelopes. Gu Yi, standing nearby, visibly paled but said nothing. Only after Song Furen and Gu Lan had entered the house did she quietly instruct one of her maids, "...Find an excuse to sweep the corridor eaves and linger near the main hall... Listen for whatever you can."
The maid was clever—she grabbed a broom and began sweeping near the main hall under the pretense of cleaning.
Gu Lan's two maids, sitting happily on the veranda counting the money from their red envelopes, didn't notice the eavesdropping girl at all.
Once inside the inner chamber, Song Furen and Gu Lan embraced and wept bitterly. Ever since hearing about her daughter's miscarriage and subsequent mental breakdown, Song Furen had suffered nightly heartache. Yet her husband, Lord Song, had forbidden her from visiting the Gu residence. As more news about Gu Lan's mistreatment reached her, her anguish only deepened.
Her own daughter in such a state, and now her beloved granddaughter—she couldn't even stand up for her properly. Forced to watch helplessly as Gu Jinzhao, Old Madam Gu, and the others bullied her. And now they wanted to marry her off to that fool Mu Zhizhai for political gain? Absolutely not!
When Song Furen finally learned of this latest outrage, she erupted in a furious confrontation with Lord Song. Only then did he relent and allow her to visit Gu Lan.
This visit shocked Song Furen to her core. Gu Lan, a proper young lady, dressed more poorly than Madam Feng's maids. Her quarters were cramped and shared with Gu Yi, with only Mu Jin as a truly capable attendant.
After expressing endless sympathy, Gu Lan wiped her tears and smiled faintly. "With Grandmother here, I'm not afraid of them anymore... Did Grandfather say anything about this visit?"
Song Furen shook her head. "That stubborn old man—I won't even bother discussing him. He refused... As for those claims about your father seeking connections through Lord Chen, that was my own fabrication. I feared they'd mistreat you after I left, so I wanted you to have some leverage."
Gu Lan felt a pang of disappointment. She'd suspected those words didn't sound like her grandfather's.
Song Furen took her hand conspiratorially. "Don't be afraid. If you want to deal with Gu Jinzhao and secure your future, do you know the best method?"
Gu Lan had considered many approaches, but when it came to truly effective strategies, she drew a blank.
With meaningful emphasis, Song Furen advised, "Think about this—any stepmother would naturally despise the children from the first wife's marriage. If we could arrange for your father to marry a proud, ambitious new wife... I doubt Gu Jinzhao would survive the torment."
Gu Lan hesitated. "I understand the principle, but... how would we accomplish this?"
Song Furen waved dismissively. "You needn't trouble yourself with the details... I'll handle everything for you."She brought up Gu Lan's marriage again, "...Now that you're a daughter of a concubine, even if you don't marry Mu Zhizhai, you won't be able to marry into a good family. What's more, with the rumors about the Mu family circulating beforehand, it's bound to be even harder. There's nothing your grandmother can't help you with, but this... I don't know what to do..."
Gu Lan felt a pang of sorrow at the thought, but she quickly forced a smile: "What do I have to fear? When it comes to reputation, Gu Jinzhao is far worse off than me, and now she's the eldest daughter in mourning attire. At least I still have suitors coming forward, while she doesn't even have a single marriage proposal!"
When Song Furen heard Gu Lan say this, she hesitated. Speaking of Gu Jinzhao's marriage prospects...
She actually had a brilliant idea in mind.
Third update today, the author is really working hard—where are the pink votes? Didn't see any~
Also recommending good friends' works: Kan Hai De Yu Er's "Noble Families of Generals" and "Joyful Events in the Household," both are domestic drama novels.
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