Chapter 130: Calculations
In the evening, Jinchao returned to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall. Caifu had prepared a bowl of Red Bean Sweet Soup for her in the small kitchen, adding several spoonfuls of sugarcane juice, making it exceptionally sweet and fragrant. Thinking that her father, Gu Dezhao, would likely be hungry after returning from the Six Ministries office later, Jinchao used the sweet soup to prepare a bowl of sweet glutinous rice balls for him.
Sure enough, Gu Dezhao arrived straight from the office without having eaten.
After finishing a warm bowl of glutinous rice balls, Gu Dezhao sat down with his eldest daughter by the brazier. He asked her a few concerned questions about how things had been with Madam Feng.
He then added, "...Your grandmother has always been strong-willed, but she’s never treated you poorly. Some rare items were given to you before even Lian jie er received them. She’s just not particularly affectionate by nature—you’ll get used to it."
Jinchao remained silent. Madam Feng treated her well, at least much better than she did the other concubine-born daughters. However, the kindness Madam Feng showed her was different from the love her maternal grandmother had given her. Madam Feng’s true affection was reserved for Gu Lian.
Jinchao instructed Qingpu to bring over the hexagonal hat for Gu Dezhao. He took it and fell silent for a moment.
Jinchao then brought up the matter of the Sanhe shops: "I saw the account books for Xiangyun Restaurant at Grandmother’s place. Are all the properties under your management now overseen by her?"
Gu Dezhao was surprised Jinchao had seen them. After a moment’s thought, he replied, "After all, we’ve returned to the Gu family. The properties in your grandfather’s hands aren’t excessive—they’re just enough to cover our household expenses. Since coming back, your grandmother hasn’t shortchanged us in any way."
Jinchao smiled faintly. "Father, I’m not saying these resources shouldn’t be shared. But you shouldn’t completely relinquish control either. Grandmother isn’t entirely knowledgeable about business matters. You’re the one who truly understands which shops are profitable and which managers are reliable. The profits still go into the family coffers—it’s not as if we’re keeping them for ourselves."
Gu Dezhao found his daughter’s reasoning sound, but since he had already handed the accounts over to Madam Feng, he couldn’t very well demand them back now.
Gu Jinchao continued, "Take Xiangyun Restaurant in Sanhe, for example. It’s located in a bustling area—perfect for a restaurant. If Grandmother insists on converting it into a bookstore or something similar, how much profit could it possibly generate? The managers, stewards, and chefs there have served us for decades, some even since the Ji family days. If the restaurant closes, what will become of their livelihoods?"
In truth, Jinchao had another thought. While Madam Feng managed the account books and profits, the property deeds and land contracts were likely still in her father’s possession. If Madam Feng converted the restaurant into a bookstore, she could replace the staff with her own people—wouldn’t that make it easier to take full control of the establishment?
Gu Dezhao hadn’t forgotten that these people originally came from the Ji family. Without the Ji family’s support, would these shops have prospered as they had?
He couldn’t afford to disappoint these loyal old servants.
Gu Dezhao nodded. "I understand what you’re saying, Chaojie. But it would be awkward to reclaim the account books now..."
Jinchao smiled. "There’s no need to take them back. Just instruct the managers to prepare two sets of accounts—one for Grandmother and one for you. For any major decisions, they should write to you for approval. As for the monthly profits, they can continue being deposited into the Gu family’s shared funds. Doesn’t that make sense?"Back when Father first left the Gu family, what possessions did he have? All his current wealth was accumulated over these years. Now, contributing the monthly earnings to the family coffers counts as their contribution to the Gu family. Madam Feng is unreliable—it's better for those assets to remain in Father's hands.
Gu Dezhao found this reasoning very sound and went to discuss it with Madam Feng that very night. The restaurant in Sanhe still needed to continue operating.
Jinchao was still thinking about Madam Feng's intention to dismiss Qingpu. She summoned Mama Xu and Mama Tong for consultation. There were many maids and serving women in Madam Feng's eastern courtyard compound. With some sweet pastries and silver bullion as bribes, they could be persuaded to report if Madam Feng suddenly sent stewards or managers from the household to inspect. Mama Tong and Mama Xu had just left when Yuzhu announced from outside that Third Miss had arrived.
Gu Yi rarely visited her here.
Jinchao hurriedly asked Yuzhu to invite her in. There was still some Red Bean Sweet Soup left from earlier, so she had a bowl brought for Gu Yi as well.
Gu Yi was dressed neatly, wearing a dark blue kesi cloak, her hair slightly damp from the night dew. She had grown taller, nearly surpassing Jinchao in height.
"...I've been meaning to visit Elder Sister these past few days, but never found the right opportunity," Gu Yi said as she removed her cloak. A maid immediately took it and held it near the brazier to dry off the moisture.
Jinchao took her hands—they were indeed ice-cold—and asked Qingpu to fetch a hand warmer. "The weather's getting colder," she said. "You shouldn't come over at night like this. If there's something, just send a maid with a message instead of making the trip yourself."
Gu Yi shook her head with a smile. "Second Sister wouldn't notice me coming at night. I wouldn't trust a maid to relay these matters."
...What exactly did Gu Yi want to say?
Jinchao grew serious and had Caifu close the doors to the eastern chamber, leaving only the two of them inside.
Gu Yi then began: "...The other day when Song Furen visited, she was speaking with Second Sister in the main room. Something seemed off, so I had a maid eavesdrop... Though Song Furen and Second Sister spoke in hushed tones, some words could still be heard. It seems Song Furen wants to act as a matchmaker to find Father a new wife."
Jinchao frowned upon hearing this. Though Father was still in mourning and couldn't remarry immediately, he could still become engaged. If it were just Song Furen's doing, that would be one thing, but with Madam Feng also hoping Father would soon have more children... What kind of woman would Song Furen find for him? Certainly someone who would benefit Gu Lan while bringing Jinchao nothing but harm.
As the legitimate eldest daughter, there was nothing more troublesome to a stepmother than the children from the previous marriage.
If they chose someone narrow-minded, they might not even tolerate Jinrong's existence as the legitimate eldest son.
Jinchao inwardly acknowledged Song Furen's cunning—since she couldn't interfere directly in Gu family matters, why not find someone who could?
Gu Yi looked at her worriedly. This news had left her unsettled too. Whatever wife Song Furen selected would surely be unfavorable to them—but what could Elder Sister possibly do about it?
Jinchao spoke slowly: "None of us can stop Father from remarrying... But if Song Furen wants to interfere, why can't we do the same?" Madam Feng would undoubtedly push Gu Dezhao to remarry—better to take the initiative into their own hands.Gu Yi didn't stay long before returning.
Jinchao, however, was preoccupied with thoughts of her father remarrying. If Father were to take a new wife, daughters from respectable noble families would certainly refuse the match. It would be better to consider daughters from minor noble families or illegitimate daughters. She couldn't think of anyone suitable at the moment, and likely neither could Song Furen.
When Mama Xu returned, Jinchao instructed her to gather information about marriageable young women in Yanjing and to keep an eye on Song Furen to see if she was recently looking at potential candidates.
Several days passed like this. By mid-October, it was time to remove the national mourning attire.
Madam Feng hosted a vegetarian feast in the eastern courtyard, where the entire Gu family gathered for a banquet to mark the end of the national mourning period.
Jinchao helped organize the feast. Since Madam Feng disliked meat and preferred tofu and vegetables, Jinchao had cultivated leeks, tender cucumbers, and flat beans in her greenhouse, all fresh and vibrant. The vegetarian banquet was exquisitely prepared, earning Madam Feng's delight, who even rewarded Jinchao with a pair of Prunus vases.
Young Master Yao was also about to leave the Gu household. Gu Lian was reluctant to part with him and seemed unusually subdued during the banquet.
After arranging the dishes, Jinchao noticed Gu Lian listlessly poking at the tender tofu in her bowl, complaining coyly to Madam Feng, "Cousin Jinchao's dishes are too bland. I can't eat anymore. I'd like to take a walk by the waterside pavilion."
Young Master Yao had just mentioned going for a stroll by the waterside pavilion, which explained Gu Lian's restlessness. Madam Feng said nothing and nodded her permission.
Glancing at the seats, Jinchao noticed not only Young Master Yao's absence but also Gu Lan's.
Suddenly recalling Gu Lan's bashful demeanor around Young Master Yao, Jinchao decided not to join the banquet immediately. Instead, she called Yuzhu over and instructed, "Follow this path and check the waterside pavilion. If you see Young Master Yao... come back and tell me."
Yuzhu scurried off, and Jinchao finally took her seat to eat.
Yuzhu was gone for a long time. Only after Young Master Yao had left did she sneak back to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall.
Upon returning, Yuzhu claimed to be thirsty. Caifu poured her a large cup of hot tea, which Yuzhu gulped down before speaking to Jinchao.
"Eldest Miss, guess what I saw..." Yuzhu said excitedly. "Our Second Miss ran into Young Master Yao and was talking with him in the pavilion! I couldn't hear what they were saying, probably discussing scholarly matters. Then Second Miss slipped, and Young Master Yao caught her by the shoulders. He let go quickly... but he seemed flustered afterward. Then Cousin Lian arrived, and the three of them walked off chatting and laughing..."
Jinchao's lips twitched. The pavilion floor was made of wooden planks—how could Gu Lan have slipped? And Young Master Yao had held her shoulders?
That "slip" couldn't have been easy.
Besides, it was during the vegetarian feast—what was Gu Lan doing at the waterside pavilion?
If anyone claimed Gu Lan hadn't planned this, Gu Jinchao wouldn't believe it for a second.
Young Master Yao was already betrothed to Gu Lian. What exactly was Gu Lan scheming?
P.S.:
Third update... I'm about to collapse. I really am a slow writer, huh? TT
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