Chapter 138: Ji Mei
The Ji family's carriage was adorned with hollow silver incense balls at the front, causing pedestrians to steer clear from a distance. After crossing the canal and turning, the carriage proceeded along the bluestone path upward toward the bustling shop district of Gulan Lane.
Upon seeing the Ji family's carriage approach, the head steward of the Ji family's restaurant came out to greet them, ushering the three into a private room on the second floor. Soon after, a server brought up a pot of pine nut and almond tea, accompanied by snacks such as honey cakes, dried peanuts, crispy fish, and crab roe steamed buns. Although Jinchao had accompanied Ji Can here, in reality, she could do little more than sit by the window and admire the scenery outside. Even if she wanted to explore, she would inevitably be surrounded by a crowd of maids and guards, making it quite inconvenient.
None of the three had eaten breakfast before leaving, so the tea snacks were a welcome treat.
The head steward needed to discuss matters with Ji Yao, so the two stood behind a potted Japanese black pine. Ji Yao stood straight with his hands behind his back, listening attentively before instructing, "…With the twelfth month approaching, it's only right to stock up on more ingredients. And for the family banquet, delicacies like fish maw and abalone must not be lacking. Draft the list and show it to me tomorrow…"
The head steward respectfully acknowledged the orders and withdrew. Shortly after, a young attendant came up: "Second Young Master, Third Young Master is currently browsing at Jushan Residence outside. Hearing you're here, he sent me to inform you—they'll be over shortly!"
Jinchao recalled that the last time she saw Ji Yun, they were on their way to visit a lecturer at the Imperial Academy.
Ji Can said to her, "…They must be returning from visiting Master Zhang. I don’t know why it took so long—over two months! I bet Ji Yun was just freeloading. When he comes up, you can tease him properly."
Ji Yao, however, hesitated. Ji Yun was accompanied by two other young masters from noble families, so Gu Jinzhao might need to withdraw for propriety.
Before he could say anything, Ji Yun's group arrived upstairs.
The three young men, accompanied by a few page boys, looked travel-worn.
"I rushed back after receiving Grandmother's letter," Ji Yun said with a smile. "How could I miss your wedding? I happened to see some new inkstones at Jushan Residence and picked one as your gift…"
Ji Can glared in outrage. "Have you no shame?!" Jushan Residence was his bookstore. The Ji family's young masters never paid for anything there—everything was put on credit, and no one had ever repaid him a single coin.
An Songhuai, who had followed them upstairs, laughed. "…You're about to get married, yet you still speak so rudely to your elder brother."
Ji Can flushed. "Well, he should at least pay back what he owes me first…"
An Songhuai's gaze, however, lingered on Gu Jinzhao. She sat quietly by the window, holding a teacup, her eyes fixed on the bustling Gulan Lane below. The steam from the tea curled upward, veiling her long, delicate eyelashes. Her face was as smooth and fair as polished jade.
Ji Yun spoke to him, "…This is my second brother." An Songhuai had mentioned wanting to meet Ji Yao.
Only then did An Songhuai snap out of it, inwardly scolding himself. The young lady's silence was clearly a sign of maintaining propriety—why had he been staring?He then exchanged greetings with Ji Yao, "...It's a pity we didn't meet last time you visited." Ji Yao was quite renowned among the young masters of noble families. At the age of twelve, he had already been checking accounts with the chief manager of the Huizhou Trading Company, handling each entry with fluency and clarity, his mental calculations faster than the abacus-wielding accountants beside him. Back then, even the seasoned chief manager of Huizhou Trading had been pressured into a cold sweat by him.
Although An Songhuai was a provincial graduate, he scoffed at the traditional hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. In his view, someone like Ji Yao was the truly intelligent one. That so-called top scorer of the northern metropolitan examination, Chen Xuanqing, was nothing more than a bookish blockhead!
Ji Yun was just about to mention Chen Xuanqing.
"...Wasn't he following behind us? How did he disappear in the blink of an eye?"
An Songhuai collected himself, forcing his gaze away from the window. With a smile, he said, "I told him his clothes were too shabby, but he wouldn't listen. Just now, when our Seventh Young Master Chen entered, the attendants downstairs stopped him, thinking he was some poor scholar from who-knows-where."
Ji Yun was both amused and exasperated: "...You saw it and didn't even help him!" Just as he was about to go downstairs to bring him up, they heard Chen Xuanqing's voice, "This robe was a gift from Master Zhang. How can it be shabby?"
His tone was as calm and gentle as ever.
Gu Jinzhao sighed inwardly. Why were all the people she least wanted to see appearing one after another? And she couldn't even avoid them.
Chen Xuanqing's cloth shoes made light, quick sounds on the stairs. By the time he reached the top, everyone could see him clearly. He wore a plain blue cotton robe, his hair tied with a wooden hairpin, looking exceedingly modest. Not even a bookboy accompanied him. Tall and slender, he indeed resembled a poor scholar from a humble background.
Upon learning that this was the famed Seventh Young Master of the Chen Family, the legitimate eldest son of Third Master Chen, Ji Yao also scrutinized him carefully. Though Chen Xuanqing's attire was unremarkable, his demeanor was as refined as distant mountains, his features strikingly handsome. His bearing was extraordinary, like that of a young master from an old scholarly family untouched by worldly vulgarity.
Chen Xuanqing exchanged greetings with Ji Yao, smiling. But when his gaze shifted and landed on Gu Jinzhao sipping tea nearby, his smile faltered.
He pressed his lips together, feeling that he shouldn't have come up at all.
Ji Yao, however, invited everyone to sit. An Songhuai began recounting their experiences over the past few months. The residence of Instructor Zhang had not been easy to find—he didn't live in some ordinary alley but on a mountain in Huo County, Tongzhou. The mountain path was steep and treacherous, surrounded by desolate wilderness. At the summit stood a small, seldom-visited temple, and Instructor Zhang's dwelling was right beside it.
They had presented Third Master Chen's name card, and the instructor had warmly received them. Hearing that Chen Xuanqing was the top scorer of the northern metropolitan examination, he had even insisted on discussing contemporary essays with him. "Broad Principles" was the most profound subject in the Imperial Academy's curriculum. Instructor Zhang lectured to them during meals or took them deep into the mountains, enduring harsh conditions. While Ji Yun and he had at least brought bookboys along, Chen Xuanqing had gone alone, even having to borrow clothes from Instructor Zhang when his own wore out.
That was how he ended up looking like a penniless scholar now.
After some conversation, Chen Xuanqing spoke up, "Why don't we go downstairs to see the goods at the Gulan Market? The streets are already lined with New Year lanterns and firecrackers—it looks quite lively..."
Ji Can interjected, "What's so interesting about that? Come to the Gulan Market during the Lantern Festival—that's when it gets truly lively."
Noticing that Gu Jinzhao had remained silent, Ji Can turned to her with a smile, "Cousin, don't you think so?"Chen Xuanqing had intended to avoid Gu Jinzhao, but with Ji Can bringing it up, he found it awkward to voice his thoughts.
Jinchao had originally been keeping to herself, but upon hearing Ji Can's remark, she pondered for a moment before speaking: "I used to visit often as a child, but now I barely remember much. There were the most varieties of lanterns—toad lanterns, hibiscus lanterns, hydrangea lanterns, and snowflake lanterns lining the streets. The larger ones included the Shipo Lantern depicting an immortal subduing evil spirits by dropping a feather fan, the Liu Hai Lantern showing him carrying a golden toad playing with a treasure, and the Green Lion Lantern bearing priceless jewels—all exquisitely crafted..."
Jinchao spoke slowly, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. An Songhuai listened intently and chimed in, "Though they were all beautiful... my favorite was the Green Lion Lantern. I even got one as a child and hung it in the courtyard for a whole month."
Ji Yao glanced at An Songhuai. The latter's expression was earnest as he spoke to Gu Jinzhao, yet his tone carried a hint of caution.
Ji Yao found it peculiar—this An Songhuai... seemed unusually attentive to Gu Jinzhao.
Since they had run into Ji Yun and the others, they didn't linger long. After purchasing what they needed, they returned to the Ji family.
Ji Yun and his companions first went to pay respects to Ji Wu Shi, coincidentally meeting Ji Mei, who had just returned from Jizhou. Ji Mei was the eldest daughter of Master Ji and was now married with children of her own.
Ji Wu Shi teased Ji Yun and the others with a smile: "...Look at you all, appearing like beggars. Go clean yourselves up before coming back."
She instructed Mama Song to arrange long-term accommodations for Chen Xuanqing and An Songhuai in the west courtyard's side rooms, where they would stay until after the wedding banquet.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinzhao observed Ji Mei. She wore a green brocade jacket with gold floral embroidery, her hair styled into a smooth Round Bun adorned with a simple gold hairpin and beaded headband, her ears graced by a pair of sapphire earrings. She bore some resemblance to her aunt. Yi Ge'er tugged at her fingers playfully; he appeared younger and chubbier than Chun Ge'er.
Ji Wu Shi informed Ji Mei about her aunt's passing, to which Ji Mei sighed deeply. Taking Jinchao's hand, she said, "...Aunt was such a gentle soul, to have left so soon... Cousin, you've had it hard. If you ever face difficulties, don't hesitate to tell me."
Ji Mei had been raised by her aunt Song Shi and was always well-mannered.
Jinchao's impression of Ji Mei was faint, only vaguely recalling that this elder cousin often liked to give her treats, always smiling and kind-hearted. Back then, Jinchao had been ungrateful, even resenting her elder cousin for stealing their grandmother's affection. She had once cut up a rabbit-shaped toy Ji Mei gave her and tossed it into a brazier. When Ji Mei entered and saw the remnants of the burnt rabbit fur, she never uttered a word of reproach.
Jinchao replied, "Elder Cousin, there's no need to worry. Jinchao isn't facing any hardships... I see Yi Ge'er is growing well. How old is he now?"
Ji Wu Shi had a maid bring Yi Ge'er over. The child gazed blankly at Ji Wu Shi before timidly turning to call Ji Mei 'Mother,' to which Ji Mei responded with a reassuring smile.
Ji Wu Shi then said to Jinchao, "Yi Ge'er is just two months younger than Chun Ge'er... I could still carry him when he was born, but now I can't manage it anymore!" She placed Yi Ge'er between herself and Jinchao, urging, "Quick, let your aunt hold you." Yi Ge'er sucked on his fingers, glanced back at Ji Mei, and called 'Mother' again, his timid demeanor endearing yet hesitant to move.Ji Mei said, "Yi Ge'er, if you don't behave, you won't get any amber candy tonight."
Only after hearing this did Yi Ge'er stretch out his arms pitifully and say, "...Auntie, hug." Everyone was amused by him.
Jinchao smiled and picked him up.
Somehow, she vaguely remembered... in the end, Yi Ge'er didn't seem to live past five years old.
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