Chapter 128: Betrothal
Madam Song left the next day, leaving many gifts for Gu Lan. When Gu Lan went to pay her respects to Second Madam the following morning, she noticed a significant change in Second Madam's attitude toward her. Second Madam had prepared honey-glazed pastries, vinegar-braised yellow sprouts, and a bowl of thin-skinned, meat-filled wontons for breakfast.
The previous day, Second Madam had remained in the eastern courtyard, where Madam Feng had reprimanded her harshly. Madam Feng questioned how she managed the household affairs, asking why a proper young lady like Gu Lan had no winter coat to wear and why she had neglected such a matter. She scolded Second Madam for allowing Madam Song to witness such an embarrassment, as outsiders might assume the Gu family had fallen into decline if even their young ladies lacked proper winter attire.
Second Madam dared not retort. In truth, Madam Feng had always treated Gu Lan harshly, but she only lashed out at Second Madam now to save face in front of Madam Song. Second Madam knew better than to argue back—Madam Feng’s temperament was such that defiance would only invite further trouble.
Though inwardly pleased, Gu Lan showed no outward signs of triumph. After breakfast, she dutifully served Second Madam tea, displaying no arrogance despite her newfound favor. This demeanor somewhat eased Second Madam’s resentment—had Gu Lan acted presumptuously, Second Madam would have harbored even greater animosity toward her.
Later, Gu Lian arrived after practicing the pipa, eager to perform for Second Madam.
Gu Lan listened and praised her, "Like pearls cascading onto a jade plate—I’ve finally witnessed such mastery."
Gu Lian giggled and handed the pipa to Lan Zhi, who stood nearby in attendance. She then turned to Gu Lan and remarked, "…I see you’re not wearing the satin coat my mother gave you. Didn’t you say you adored the color and style?"
After Madam Song’s departure, Madam Feng had sent several maidservants to deliver a heap of gifts to Gu Lan and even assigned her own second-tier maid, Song Luo, to serve her. The very night Song Luo arrived, Chunjiang and Chunxi—Gu Lan’s former maids—became as meek as rabbits, scurrying to obey every command.
Gu Lan smiled gently. "I couldn’t bear to wear the coat Second Aunt gifted me just yet. I’m saving it for the New Year celebrations."
Gu Lian then clung to Second Madam’s arm and chirped, "It’s all thanks to me! I spoke to you, and now Lan Er has a winter coat! I knew you loved me best—you remember everything I say, Lian jie er."
Second Madam glanced at Gu Lan, who responded with a serene and gracious smile.
Gu Lan hadn’t revealed the truth to Gu Lian—and had even framed the situation in Second Madam’s favor. This made Second Madam feel somewhat ashamed. She had assumed Gu Lan had manipulated Gu Lian into pleading on her behalf. But now, upon reflection, Gu Lan didn’t seem the type to do so.
Second Madam was generally aware of the Gu family’s affairs. The young ladies of the household had their struggles. Gu Jinzhao, at least, was a legitimate daughter with her father and the distant Ji family in Tongzhou backing her, ensuring the clan treated her with respect. But Gu Lan had no such support—her birth mother, Concubine Song, had fallen into disgrace…
Second Madam recalled seeing Concubine Song the previous year—a woman of such elegance and grace.
What truly mattered now, however, was that Gu Lan had the Song family’s backing—and the Song family’s influence clearly affected Gu Dezhao’s future prospects. Second Madam had no choice but to treat Gu Lan with greater consideration.Gu Lian soon grew tired of playing the pipa and begged to visit Madam Feng to see her grandmother. Second Madam naturally allowed it, adding, "...Let Lan Er go with you." This was to prevent Madam Feng from thinking she mistreated Gu Lan.
Gu Lian was overjoyed. She loudly instructed Lan Zhi to fetch her rose-pink floral-patterned lined jacket to wear for paying respects to Madam Feng.
Gu Lan glanced at the bright and beautiful jacket but said nothing.
Meanwhile, in the eastern courtyard, Gu Jinzhao was helping Madam Feng organize the account books on the Curio Cabinet. Madam Feng had been exhausted from her recent busy schedule and was taking a short nap in the inner chamber. Jinzhao tidied up the scattered account books.
Madam Feng had a habit of keeping everything under her control when managing the household. Though Second Madam oversaw the inner courtyard affairs, Madam Feng still kept a tight rein on her. As for the Gu family's various shops and workshops, she personally reviewed every single transaction. The monthly allowances for each household and courtyard were all scrutinized by her.
At her age, the old madam should have been enjoying the pleasures of doting on grandchildren. Unfortunately, there were no suitable legitimate grandsons for her to teach, and she disdained raising the two illegitimate ones. With nothing else to occupy her time, she naturally fixated on these matters.
Jinzhao couldn’t help but smile at the thought—Madam Feng certainly didn’t mind living a tiring life. Then she noticed a stack of account books deliberately hidden beneath a celadon-glazed Prunus vase adorned with longevity motifs. The books bore the words "Sanhe" and "Xiangyun."
Her father owned a lucrative restaurant called Xiangyun Lou in Sanhe...
She moved the vase aside and gently opened the account books. Sure enough, she recognized the shopkeeper’s name.
Madam Feng’s maids stood by the door, occasionally casting wary glances at Jinzhao as if afraid she might steal something.
Beneath the first stack was another thick pile with identical covers—likely all her father’s records. These should have been under his review, so why were they here with Madam Feng? And why had she hidden them beneath the vase? Was she afraid Jinzhao might see them?
Many thoughts flashed through Jinzhao’s mind. If her father had handed these over to Madam Feng, then she was now managing his affairs. It was probable that all his shops had fallen into her control. Since they had returned to the ancestral home, his properties naturally became part of the Gu family’s assets... There was nothing unreasonable about that.
Jinzhao placed the vase back.
Before long, Gu Lian and Gu Lan arrived to pay their respects, just as Madam Feng awoke. She pulled them both to sit beside her and instructed Song Xiang to bring out a newly acquired box of bone-in abalone rolls. Jinzhao had heard Madam Feng mention that Gu Lian adored these delicacies, but they were rare, so Madam Feng usually saved them especially for her.
Along with the abalone rolls, Song Xiang also served candied tangerines, Pine Nut Candy, and preserved olives.
Madam Feng beckoned Jinzhao over as well, and the maids set out porcelain plates for all four of them. Gu Lian quickly picked up a piece of abalone roll and placed it in Madam Feng’s plate, then another in Gu Lan’s, smiling sweetly. "Grandmother has worked hard—you should eat first."
Madam Feng teased her, "...As if someone might snatch them from you. Your cousin Jinzhao hasn’t gotten any yet—don’t play favorites."Gu Jinchao also found it baffling; Gu Lian harbored a faint hostility toward her. Although she had never done anything to Gu Lian, sometimes people's dislike could be stark and inexplicable. She smiled lightly and said, "We're all sisters here. Cousin Lian is just being affectionate with me."
Madam Feng was pleased with Gu Jinchao's understanding. After enjoying the bone-in abalone rolls, Gu Lian noticed Song Xiang standing nearby. Song Xiang was tall and radiant, with a gentle oval face, full lips, and a meek demeanor.
Gu Lian spoke to Madam Feng, "I feel like Song Xiang has been serving Grandmother for a long time. She must be sixteen now, right?"
Madam Feng replied, "Song Xiang has been with me since childhood. She’s almost seventeen now. I’ve been thinking it’s time to release her from service, but I haven’t found a suitable match yet. The servants in the household are too lowly, and the stewards are all married. It might be better to marry her off to a steward at the villa or a shop manager. That way, she won’t be mistreated."
Song Xiang blushed deeply but couldn’t interject while her mistress spoke. Only after Madam Feng finished did she murmur softly, "This servant is willing to serve Tai Furen forever."
Madam Feng laughed heartily, "You may want to serve me forever, but I’d hate for others to say our Gu family held you back. It wasn’t until Lian jie er mentioned it today that I thought of this, but I’ve actually been considering it for a while. I just haven’t found the right person yet."
Gu Lan had remained silent until now. At this point, she set down her chopsticks and said with a smile, "Speaking of maids, I recall that Eldest Sister has one who’s also past seventeen. Eldest Sister dotes on her and hasn’t released her from service... It must be the one who accompanied her here. Is her name Qingpu?"
Her gaze shifted to Qingpu standing behind Gu Jinchao.
Gu Jinchao shot a cold glance at Gu Lan. The situation had barely improved, and she was already scheming against her. Even if Qingpu were to marry, it should be to someone reliable and kind-hearted, chosen by Gu Jinchao herself, so as not to ruin Qingpu’s life. Who knew what kind of match Madam Feng might impulsively arrange?
Madam Feng, indeed, seemed intrigued.
She scrutinized Qingpu, who lowered her head.
Madam Feng said, "I’ve noticed her often these past few days. Chaojie rarely has such a good maid. Never mind her looks—she’s spirited and obedient. The other day, when we were setting up the chrysanthemum display in my courtyard, she even helped move them... Now that she’s older, it’s not fitting for her to keep serving. Why don’t I arrange for her to marry someone in our household? What do you think, Chaojie?"
It would raise eyebrows if a maid remained in service past a certain age without being married off.
Jinchao clenched a silk handkerchief in her sleeve but maintained a faint smile. "This girl is dull and wooden—she only serves me because I’m not particular. Grandmother, don’t be fooled by her... She’s hardly what you’d call sensible."
Gu Lan chuckled again, "Eldest Sister, don’t slander Miss Qingpu like that. When you were in Shi’an, didn’t she assist you in everything?... Miss Qingpu even knows some martial arts, which is even rarer."
Madam Feng frowned at this. A maid serving a young lady from a scholarly family shouldn’t have martial skills. In her eyes, young ladies from such families, even if they didn’t study music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, should adhere to feminine virtues and teachings, with maids who carried an air of refinement.
Gu Jinchao knew Madam Feng’s preferences well.She continued, "Look at what Lan Er is saying. She doesn't have any martial skills. She's just a bit stronger than the average maid and can help me with tasks. Lan Er has never been fond of visiting my place at home, so how could she possibly notice whether my maid has martial skills or not?"
Gu Lan could only smile faintly. "Perhaps I misremembered. But Qingpu is already of age, Eldest Sister. You shouldn't keep her indefinitely."
Gu Jinzhao maintained her smile. "Lan Er is overthinking this. Naturally, I have plans for my own maid. Qingpu has served me for many years—it would be unfair to her if I carelessly assigned her to someone else."
Madam Feng glanced at Qingpu again but said nothing more.
Gu Lan dropped the matter of Qingpu. After finishing the pastries, she returned to the western courtyard with Gu Lian.
PS:
Thank you to sznurse and Jiang Lengshi for the pink votes, and to Xiao Yuanzi for the Scented Sachet~~
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