Chapter 140: The Banquet
When it came to adding items for Ji Can, Jinchao naturally had little to contribute. She was merely there to join in the festivities.
By the next day, the gilded wedding invitations had been sent out one after another. The Ji family began their final preparations. Light snow was falling, and the estate was adorned with lanterns and decorations. Paper cuttings were pasted on the lattice windows and leaking windows, while red silk lanterns hung everywhere. The servants had all changed into maroon sleeveless jackets or cotton robes.
Jinchao helped Ji Wu Shi prepare red envelopes, wrapping silver bullion or ten-tael silver notes inside to reward the prominent maids and matrons or the children who came to pay their respects. Over the past few days, many old relatives of the Ji family had arrived from Baoding, along with wealthy merchant families from Yanjing who were on good terms with the Ji family, as well as colleagues of Master Ji and the second master of the Ji family. Guests filled the doors, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. More red envelopes needed to be prepared.
On the day before the groom’s procession, Ji Can and his entourage changed their clothes, and the servants carried whole pigs and sheep in large red and gold lacquered dowry boxes to the Chen family in Wanping to urge the preparation of the dowry. Ji Can was extremely awkward but was eventually forced onto his horse by Ji Yun, An Songhuai, and the others.
Meanwhile, the Ji family began setting up tents and testing the kitchen stoves to host a banquet for relatives and friends who came to offer congratulations.
It was at this time that Gu Dezhao arrived, bringing five hundred taels of silver as a gift, along with a red coral bonsai and a pair of mutton-fat jade ornaments. After presenting his gifts at the Affairs Office, he spoke with Master Ji and then went to pay his respects to Ji Wu Shi.
Ji Wu Shi’s expression darkened at the sight of him, as she couldn’t help but think of Madam Ji’s death.
Gu Dezhao looked embarrassed. As he was in mourning, he wore only a brown straight robe as a sign of respect. Seeing Jinchao chatting with Liu Shi nearby and paying him little attention, he couldn’t help but feel lonely.
Finally, a servant came to fetch him, saying Master Ji had invited him for a drink. He stood up to bid farewell and said to Gu Jinzhao, “After the banquet, there’s no need to rush back… but you must return before the end of the month.” He paused, then added, “Take good care of your grandmother!”
Gu Jinzhao said goodbye to him, “…You should go and have a drink with Uncle. It’s a good chance to help out.” Many of the guests were wealthy or noble, and the Ji family had to be cautious. However, there were few male members in the Ji family. Ji Can and Ji Yun had already left to urge the dowry preparation, leaving only Master Ji and Ji Yao to entertain guests in the outer courtyard.
Just as Gu Dezhao left the eastern courtyard, Madam Xu arrived with Xu Jingyi.
Ji Wu Shi had a maid bring over a stool and warmly took Madam Xu’s hand to chat. “I was just wondering when you’d arrive! Later, we’ll have a banquet here to avoid the crowd in the western courtyard.” Madam Xu smiled along but couldn’t hide her worry. Ji Wu Shi glanced at Xu Jingyi and noticed her eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
Ji Wu Shi lowered her voice, “…What’s wrong with Yi-jie?”
Madam Xu sighed, finding it difficult to speak. “It’s about Yi-jie’s marriage… I heard the Luo family’s eldest son is quite improper—all the maids in his household have been taken as concubines… And that’s not all. Yesterday, his carriage was passing through Qingfeng Lane when someone blocked the road and didn’t move aside in time. The Luo heir rushed out of the carriage and whipped the person half to death…”
Gu Jinzhao looked up upon hearing this… So the Xu family knew about these matters involving the Luo family.
Yet they still planned to marry their daughter into such a family—clearly, they were desperate…Xu Jingyi sat beside them, tears silently streaming down her face without a sound. Feeling her own impropriety, she turned to wipe her tears with a handkerchief.
Ji Wu Shi had long known what kind of person the Luo family's eldest son was and couldn't help but sigh. "Their family's roots were crooked to begin with—how could the sprout grow straight? If you'd listened to me, old sister, she shouldn't have married into the Luo family no matter what!"
Madam Xu also wept uncontrollably. "There was no other choice. If Yi-jie doesn't marry now, she'll end up an old maid at home. She doesn't have a full brother to support her in the future when I'm gone... Old sister, you don't understand. Now everyone's spreading rumors that our Yi-jie has a terrible temper, which is why she can't find a husband. When I spoke with Madam Luo, she acted as though her family was the one making a sacrifice..."
The real problem was that Madam Xu hadn't borne a son. Xu Jingyi couldn't even choose to remain unmarried for life.
At this point, Madam Xu wiped her tears and forced a smile. "This is your family's joyous occasion, old sister. Why am I bringing up such matters?"
Ji Wu Shi sighed helplessly and turned to Jinchao. "Why don't you take Yi-jie for a walk outside? I'd like to speak with Madam Xu privately."
Jinchao had been wanting to stretch her legs as well. The western courtyard was bustling with activity now, but she wouldn't be able to attend on the wedding day itself. Taking Xu Jingyi's hand, she suggested cheerfully, "Why not come with me to see the western courtyard, Yi-jie? They've set up tents there. If we're lucky, we might even snag some treats."
Xu Jingyi nodded at Jinchao with a faint smile and murmured her thanks.
Her fair complexion, though not blessed with striking features, softened pleasantly when she smiled—an expression Jinchao had rarely seen in her previous life.
The two young women, accompanied by their maids, arrived at the western courtyard just as the banquet was beginning. The second aunt invited them to sit in the flower hall and served them walnut candies and peanut brittles. Xu Jingyi gazed absently at the lively scene outside.
The second aunt explained with a smile, "Today's banquet features bird's nest prepared two ways. The savory version is stewed with shredded ham, bamboo shoots, and chicken broth. The sweet version is simmered with rock sugar or steamed with pigeon eggs. Shall I have some brought for you?"
Some guests had arrived days early, enjoying different banquet menus daily. But for the Ji family to host such extravagant bird's nest feasts on this scale was truly exceptional.
The second aunt sent for two bowls of sweetened bird's nest.
Xu Jingyi praised the dessert's exquisite texture—silky smooth, sweet but not cloying.
Meanwhile, Gu Jinzhao's attention was drawn outside the flower hall where the eldest uncle was conversing with a vaguely familiar man. Though she couldn't immediately place him, the uncle's deferential manner toward this plainly dressed guard seemed odd. However low his position, the uncle still held the office of Prefectural Vice Magistrate—why show such respect to a mere guard?
When Jinzhao inquired, the second aunt explained, "...He's from the Chen Family, likely one of Chen Ge Lao's guards. Remember—even a prime minister's gatekeeper ranks as a seventh-grade official. These are not men to offend."
After brief words, the eldest uncle's expression turned grave. He summoned the second uncle, and both hurried toward the front courtyard.
Someone of considerable importance must be arriving.The second aunt took Jinchao's hand with a smile. "Why don't I take you to see your fourth cousin's bridal chamber... It's rather dull just sitting here. Would Miss Xu like to join us?"
Xu Jingyi shook her head with a gentle smile. It wouldn't be proper for her to go, so she preferred to stay seated here for a while.
Gu Jinchao hadn't yet seen Ji Can's bridal chamber. She had only heard her grandmother mention how splendidly it was decorated. Leaving a maidservant to keep Xu Jingyi company, she followed the second aunt to view the bridal chamber.
Ji Can's new quarters were located beside Master Ji's residence—a three-section, seven-rafter courtyard connected to the eldest uncle's courtyard by a winding corridor. The windows and pillars in this courtyard had been freshly painted black, adorned with pendant ornaments, and fitted with new lattice windows. Outside the leaking windows bloomed a wintersweet tree in full glory. Maids and elderly servants bustled about the courtyard, hanging lanterns decorated with the double happiness character.
Jinchao followed the second aunt into the eastern chamber, which had been completely renovated. Inside stood an exquisitely crafted bed inlaid with mother-of-pearl, draped with red bed curtains embroidered with the four blessings and ruyi patterns, and hung with a gilded lotus-shaped incense burner on five silver legs. The western chamber's heated kang was spread with blue satin bedding embroidered with seasonal floral designs, flanked by two Dongpo chairs. The curio cabinet displayed an array of vases and potted plants.
"This is a matron from the Chen family, here to assist with the arrangements," the second aunt said, pointing to a woman in a maroon satin sleeveless jacket. The matron curtsied to Jinchao.
The woman wore bamboo-patterned gold bracelets and spoke with refined manners—likely the wet nurse or stewardess of the Chen family's Second Miss. She had come to help decorate the bridal chamber according to her young mistress's habits from home, ensuring comfort after the move.
The matron had something to discuss with the second aunt and drew her aside.
Jinchao took Qingpu out to the main hall, where light snow had begun to fall again. The plants outside the corridor were already dusted with fluffy snowflakes. Qingpu handed Jinchao the warming hand stove, eyeing the snowfall with concern. "This snow looks like it might get heavier..."
Jinchao shook her head. "No need for the hand stove. The western chamber should have a fire burning. Let's go take a look there—we can warm up at the same time." The western chamber served as a study. It was Ji Can's habit to keep his study comfortably warm during winter, as he enjoyed reading leisurely books. Jinchao had borrowed several volumes on epigraphy and connoisseurship from him before.
Stepping into the study, Jinchao found it indeed warmed by a brazier. A writing desk stood near several curio cabinets filled with books. By the window rested a long table bearing an incense burner and a cloisonné vase. On the wall hung a painting depicting rolling mountain ranges and an eastward-flowing river—a composition of grand majesty.
"This painting is truly remarkable," Qingpu remarked to Jinchao. "I never realized that besides Third Young Master's talent, Fourth Young Master's brushwork could be so outstanding as well."
Jinchao burst into laughter. "This doesn't look like Fourth Cousin's work at all! Getting him to read is one thing, but making him pick up a brush would be torture!"
She remembered Ji Can's former tutor—a retired Hanlin Academy scholar who had mentored several provincial graduates in his lifetime. The old scholar had once described Ji Can as "brilliant but lacking diligence." Despite frequent canings from his tutor, Ji Can's calligraphy remained mediocre at best, and his painting skills even more ordinary.
Jinchao examined the inscription beside the painting: "The other peaks look dwarfs under the sky." The characters were written in the standard Taige style favored by scholars—precise, vigorous, and naturally imposing. Such mastery could only be achieved through decades of practice. The painting was likely a gift from some venerable scholar Ji Can had solicited.Jinchao looked at it and said softly, "The painting is grand, but this kind of 'ascend the summit, dominate all peaks' ambition seems too pretentious if placed on an ordinary scholar... I think an Ink Bamboo Painting would be far more elegant."
As she finished speaking, she heard a faint cough behind her, seemingly a man's voice.
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