Chapter 129: Peeping
Jinchao returned to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall with Qingpu, who suddenly knelt down behind her with a thud.
Turning around, Jinchao saw Qingpu kneeling straight, her gaze resolute. "Miss, Qingpu absolutely refuses to marry. If Tai Furen insists, this servant would rather scar my face and ruin my appearance than comply. I promised Old Madam Ji... to serve you always."
In the western chamber, Caifu and Baiyun, who were attending to their duties, gasped softly upon hearing this, clearly puzzled by what was happening.
Jinchao asked the two to leave first. She sighed and personally helped Qingpu up. "If you scar your face, Grandmother might think I put you up to it, that I’m dissatisfied with her arrangements. Neither of us would benefit from that." Qingpu’s temperament was too unyielding, too stubborn. "There’s always a way to resolve things. As long as I’m here, no one will dare to marry you off arbitrarily."
Qingpu looked up at Jinchao, her eyes slightly red. "It’s not that this servant dreams of marrying into a good family... It’s just that I worry—what if someone bullies you when I’m no longer by your side? Caifu and Baiyun are kind-hearted, Yuzhu is clever. Though I may be foolish and lack sweet words, I do have some martial skills to protect you..."
Jinchao felt a pang of sorrow listening to this. Qingpu had never been the smartest among her maids—Caifu and Yuzhu were the truly clever ones. Yet she was closest to Qingpu, bound by the intimacy of their childhood. Though Jinchao was now the legitimate young miss of the Gu family, in Qingpu’s eyes, she was still someone who could be bullied and needed protection... Such loyalty was rare!
Holding Qingpu’s hand, Jinchao said, "I understand... Don’t worry too much. Things will work out when the time comes. There’s always a way."
In truth, Jinchao knew that once Madam Feng set her mind to something, it would be difficult to quell.
The next day, when Jinchao went to pay respects to Madam Feng, she unexpectedly saw her father there as well. Madam Feng was speaking with him in the study. Standing under the corridor, Gu Jinzhao could faintly hear their conversation.
"That tavern in Sanhe is truly inappropriate... Though it brings in good money, you are a Scholar of the Two Boards. Your second brother is also a Censor-in-Chief—how can you engage in such business? Go back and think it over. In my opinion, it would be better to open a jade shop or a bookstore..."
When Gu Dezhao emerged, he noticed Jinchao waiting outside and smiled. "Your grandmother told me you gifted her a Su embroidery of Magu presenting longevity. It seems your needlework has improved again..."
Jinchao curtsied. "When making something for Grandmother, one must put in extra care. I’ve also made a six-panel cap for you, Father. Come by when you have time to try it on."
She wanted to discuss the Sanhe tavern with him. Although the tavern belonged to her father, the manager and chefs were all provided by the Ji family. She didn’t wish for him to convert Xiangyun Tavern into some bookstore—the location was prosperous; how would a jade shop or bookstore suit it? Madam Feng cared too much about family prestige, no wonder the Gu family was increasingly living off their dwindling resources.
...Jinchao feared her father’s assets would be dragged down as well.
Moreover, the people there had worked for the Ji family their entire lives. Now that they were under her father’s care, would he simply dismiss them to fend for themselves?Gu Dezhao was very pleased to hear this. In the past, Madam Ji often made hats for him because he was prone to headaches when the weather turned cold—an ailment only she knew about. He always wore the hats she made... The hexagonal cap on his head now was already too old.
Gu Dezhao touched his hat and suddenly felt a pang in his heart.
The hats Madam Ji made were all worn out now...
Jinchao entered the study. Madam Feng was chatting with Song Xiang, laughing heartily. When she saw Jinchao approaching, she beckoned her over immediately: "Chaojie, you’ve come at the perfect time. Accompany me to the western courtyard... The second son of Grand Academician Yao, Yao Wenxiu, has come to visit. Let’s go see him."
Jinchao recalled Second Madam’s words—Young Master Yao had arrived today after all.
She couldn’t help but think of events from her past life. Gu Lian had come running back to the Gu family in tears. Yao Wenxiu had come to take her back. The two had pushed and shoved until they ended up in a scuffle—Gu Lian had scratched Yao Wenxiu’s face, and Yao Wenxiu had kicked Gu Lian’s leg. The Gu family members couldn’t even pull them apart. Not only that, but Gu Lian had then turned around to claw at Lan Zhi’s face, calling her a vile servant, a treacherous and ungrateful wretch.
At the time, Jinchao had just returned to the Gu family from the Chen family for a visit. The whole scene had been both ridiculous and pitiful.
Madam Feng changed into a more formal jacket and had Gu Jinzhao support her as they went to the western courtyard.
The second young master of the Yao family had already paid his respects to Second Master Gu and was now drinking tea in the banquet and rest area. Gu Lian was also seated nearby, clearly dressed in her finest—a light yellow cloud-and-butterfly-patterned lined jacket, a lilac upper garment, and an eight-panel dyed moonlit skirt. She accessorized with a blue scented sachet and a cyan jade pendant, wearing only light makeup with a single kingfisher ornament pasted between her brows, making her appear exceptionally fresh and delicate.
Yao Wenxiu, on the other hand, was handsome and refined, his smile even more striking. Tall in stature, he wore a bluish-gray straight robe.
Second Master Gu inquired about his Eight-legged essay and praised him highly: "...Young Master Yao will undoubtedly return as a provincial graduate after the next autumn examinations!"
When Madam Feng entered the banquet and rest area, everyone greeted her. She first introduced Gu Jinzhao, and Yao Wenxiu nodded at her with a smile, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before shifting away. Madam Feng then engaged Yao Wenxiu in conversation, asking after his mother’s well-being. Gu Jinzhao stood behind Madam Feng, thinking to herself that, on the surface, Yao Wenxiu truly seemed outstanding in every way. He answered Madam Feng’s questions respectfully, not the least bit arrogant despite his status.
After chatting for a while, Madam Feng invited Yao Wenxiu to the flower hall for some refreshments—this was to give him and Gu Lian a chance to exchange a few private words. But Gu Lian, feeling terribly shy, lifted her skirt and hurried out, saying she would join them later. Madam Feng said dotingly, "This child is actually embarrassed."
Yao Wenxiu smiled and remarked, "Second Miss Gu has a dignified temperament and a pure heart."
Madam Feng also felt that the granddaughter she had raised was beyond reproach—innocent and utterly endearing.
The group proceeded to the flower hall, where maids soon brought out tea and snacks.
It was only then that Gu Lian arrived, holding Gu Lan’s hand and walking shyly behind her. Gu Lan wore an ivory-white jacket embroidered with intertwining branches and a pale green pleated skirt. Her dark hair was loosely tied up, adorned only with a white magnolia hairpin and a pair of crescent-moon earrings. If Gu Lian was charming and adorable, Gu Lan was elegant and refined, with an added touch of grace. She had always suited such understated attire, effortlessly outshining the elaborately dressed Gu Lian beside her."Lian jie er insisted on dragging me along... Greetings to Grandmother." Gu Lan curtsied, her posture as delicate as a willow swaying in the breeze.
When Gu Lan looked up, she saw a handsome young man in a bluish-gray straight robe watching them. He stood with his hands behind his back, smiling at them—what an elegant young gentleman!
Yao Wenxiu stepped forward, inviting Gu Lian and Gu Lan to sit, then instructed the attendant standing nearby to bring over an embroidered box. He had brought something for Gu Lian.
It was a pair of paperweights carved from mutton-fat white jade, exquisitely crafted with flawless, warm jade—a rare treasure indeed.
"My father heard I was coming and retrieved this pair of paperweights from the storeroom, saying they were for Second Miss Gu's reading and writing. I wasn't aware there were two young ladies in the Gu family, so I didn't prepare gifts for both. My apologies for the oversight."
His words were perfectly tactful. Gu Lian replied softly, "...Then thank your father for me."
Gu Lian's response was rather inappropriate, causing Madam Feng's smile to stiffen momentarily. She quickly had the gifts put away and asked Yao Wenxiu if he planned to stay longer.
Yao Wenxiu replied, "I originally came to Daxing to find a fine inkstone at Jushi Pavilion. Staying a few more days would be ideal."
Gu Lan smoothed a loose strand of hair by her ear and said gently, "Jushi Pavilion does indeed have a fine selection of inkstones. I once happened upon a yellow-stone inkstone with ice-crackle patterns there—made of Mozi stone, which produces ink as smooth as oil or lacquer. It's quite rare."
Yao Wenxiu glanced at Gu Lan and remarked with a faint smile, "This young lady of the Gu family knows quite a bit about inkstones. Yellow-stone inkstones are rare to begin with, and those made of Mozi stone are the most precious. I'd love to see yours someday if you have the time."
Under his gaze, Gu Lan felt her face grow warm, her heart inexplicably fluttering.
She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper in Yao Wenxiu's glance...
Gu Jinzhao, listening nearby, was inwardly astonished. Since when did Gu Lan, who had always disliked studying, know so much about inkstones? The dust on the books in her study was layered thick. And that mannerism, that expression—it was unmistakably the demeanor of a lovestruck maiden.
Gu Jinzhao glanced at Yao Wenxiu again, only to notice him looking under the stone table... directly at Gu Lan. Jinzhao calmly turned to sip her tea and indeed spotted Gu Lan's small satin shoes peeking out slightly from beneath her embroidered skirt.
This second young master of the Yao family certainly had refined tastes—sneaking glances at a young lady's feet!
Madam Feng was quietly reprimanding Gu Lian and didn't notice Gu Lan's behavior.
After some more conversation, Second Master Gu sent someone to fetch Yao Wenxiu. He had prepared a banquet for him in the banquet and rest area.
Jinzhao returned to the eastern courtyard with Madam Feng, while Gu Lian and Gu Lan went back to Second Madam's Xianya Hall.
Gu Lian took out the pair of mutton-fat jade paperweights Yao Wenxiu had given her, examining them carefully. Though delighted, she couldn't help complaining, "Bringing such a gift... It's not good for girls to be too literate. Grandmother only had the female tutor teach me the 'Three Character Classic' and 'Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child' for basic education. What use do I have for a pair of paperweights?"
Gu Lan said, "That Young Master Yao is truly extraordinary. While others give jewelry to women, he gifted you paperweights. As expected of the son of Grand Secretary Yao. With such a fine fiancé, you really shouldn't complain."Gu Lian laughed upon hearing this: "He begged my uncle to marry me. He likes me so much that I reluctantly agreed!" Then she sent a maid to Second Master Gu's study to fetch a stack of Chengxintang Paper, as she intended to practice her calligraphy more often to avoid being looked down upon by Young Master Yao.
Yet Gu Lan couldn't stop thinking about the way Yao Wenxiu had glanced at her—his eyes brimming with warmth, as if filled with deep affection.
What was so likable about Gu Lian anyway? Young Master Yao probably didn't even spare her a second thought! He was the son of the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory, with outstanding looks and refined manners. Such a fine husband belonged to Gu Lian...
Why did all the best things always go to Gu Lian?
P.S.
Second update. Struggling a bit with writer's block, so the third update might not happen today.
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