Chapter 145: Rejection
It wasn’t appropriate to discuss the marriage proposal directly in front of Gu Jinzhao. As noon approached, Madam Feng had Fuling prepare lunch in the banquet and rest area.
Her mind was still occupied with the matter.
Early that morning, Madam Wang had arrived with several boxes of pastries. The Gu and Wang families didn’t interact much, so Madam Feng was quite surprised. After inviting Madam Wang to the western chamber for a conversation, she learned bluntly that Madam Wang had come to propose a marriage between her eldest son and Gu Jinzhao.
Madam Feng found Madam Wang’s approach rather improper—it was clear she didn’t hold Gu Jinzhao in high regard. But even if one didn’t think much of someone, basic courtesy shouldn’t be neglected! Was it so difficult to send a respected matchmaker? Yet she had come in person.
Setting that aside, the match itself wasn’t bad.
That young master Wang had a terrible temper—he had even beaten a maid to death. But he was still young then, wasn’t he? Once married, he would surely learn to restrain himself! As the legitimate eldest son of the Assistant Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, his status was respectable enough to match Gu Jinzhao.
The most important point, however, was that Gu Jinzhao’s reputation wasn’t stellar either—otherwise, she wouldn’t still be unmarried at nearly sixteen. Dragging this out wasn’t a solution. If a suitable match could be secured, it would bring stability. Once Gu Jinzhao was married off, it would be easier to arrange marriages for the other girls of the third branch. Moreover, their Lianjie’er was to marry the legitimate son of a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion… Having an unwed cousin like Gu Jinzhao would only invite gossip!
So despite Madam Wang’s poor attitude, Madam Feng greeted her with a smile, thinking it best to settle this match if possible.
She would have to discuss it with Gu Dezhao when he returned from his official duties.
After lunch, Madam Wang announced her departure. Madam Feng tried to persuade her to stay: "We don’t often have the chance to meet—who knows, we might soon be in-laws. Why not stay a few more days? I’d love to tell you more about Chaojie’s virtues."
Madam Wang smiled. "There are matters at home I must attend to. But don’t deliberate too long, Elder Madam. If not for the matchmaker’s assurances, I wouldn’t have come to propose to your Gu family in the first place! Your daughter’s ill repute precedes her—truthfully, she’s barely worthy of our Zan’ge. I’m not boasting, but if my son wanted to choose, there are far better matches out there. I’m only doing this out of respect for your family’s scholarly reputation."
Had it not been for Song Furen’s suggestion, she wouldn’t have come at all.
In truth, it was her son who, upon hearing Song Furen mention Gu Jinzhao, thought marrying such a beauty would be quite agreeable. He had urged Madam Wang to agree to the match—otherwise, she would have resisted longer.
Madam Feng had endured the entire afternoon, but this nearly made her lose her composure. No one had begged her to propose! Who did she think she was, putting on such an insincere act? This was hardly the attitude of someone seeking a marriage alliance—she might as well have pointed fingers and called it charity!
If there were so many better matches, then go find them! Everyone knew about her son’s scandals—did she really think she could act superior?
But thinking of how no one else had come to propose to Gu Jinzhao, and considering Lianjie’er and the future marriages of the Gu family’s younger generation, Madam Feng swallowed her anger. They would discuss this further—if it could work out, so be it.
After lunch, Madam Feng instructed Fuling to escort Madam Wang out through the Chuihua Gate.Luo Yongping happened to be in the capital managing the newly opened Su-Hang silk shop. Upon receiving Mama Xu’s urgent letter, he immediately sent his subordinates to investigate. By the time the reply arrived, it was just past noon. Caifu hurried over to the eastern courtyard to show Gu Jinzhao the response.
Lord Wang had married Madam Wang when he was still a poor scholar in the Hanlin Academy, and they had never conceived. After turning thirty, he took several concubines, but they only bore daughters. It wasn’t until Madam Wang was in her thirties that she finally had a son, Wang Zan, whom she spoiled excessively, leading to his current unruly behavior.
Before proposing to Gu Jinzhao, Madam Wang had already arranged numerous marriage prospects for her son, all from respectable families with good virtues. Naturally, none of them were willing to consider Wang Zan, so none of the proposals succeeded.
The reason Madam Wang considered proposing to Gu Jinzhao was due to Song Furen’s persuasion. Otherwise, Madam Wang would have continued picking and choosing among the daughters of noble families, hoping to secure a golden match for her son, and would never have considered Gu Jinzhao.
Seeing that Madam Feng remained silent, Gu Jinzhao continued serving her the lamb lung soup as usual, all while pondering Madam Wang’s marriage proposal.
Even if Madam Wang hadn’t come with a proposal, she would still need to consider her own marriage prospects.
In her past life, Chen Yanyun had proposed to her in the spring of next year. But this time, Gu Jinzhao had no intention of marrying into the Chen Family. She absolutely did not want to see Chen Xuanqing again, nor did she wish to retread the path of her previous life. The Chen Family, with its three inner branches and seven outer branches, was far from simple. Moreover, she had little interaction with Chen Yanyun in her past life and still didn’t understand why he had married her. She had no desire to return to the complexities of the Chen household.
Her grandmother had once considered arranging a marriage between her and Ji Yao, but Gu Jinzhao recalled Ji Yao’s deep affection for the fourth young miss of the Earl of Yongyang’s household in her past life. She had no wish to tear them apart. Marrying her might not bring Ji Yao happiness, and she didn’t want to force such a match.
Taking a step back, she had substantial wealth at her disposal—not just her mother’s dowry but also her own private funds. If she disregarded status, marrying a lesser-born son of a noble family or a scholar from a humble background would be perfectly fine. Gu Jinzhao carefully considered her options. Even if no suitable candidate appeared, she could remain unmarried. She had a younger brother and her mother’s dowry to rely on. What harm was there in living a leisurely, affluent life?
Of course, remaining unmarried was the least desirable option, as an unwed woman living at home would inevitably invite gossip.
Gu Jinzhao had already made up her mind. Once she declined the Wang family’s proposal, she could start looking for a suitable match herself.
But first, she had to deal with the Wang family’s matter.
Judging by Madam Feng’s demeanor, she seemed somewhat displeased with Madam Wang as well.
After finishing feeding Madam Feng the lamb lung soup, Gu Jinzhao asked, “Madam Wang doesn’t usually visit us, so why did she come to see you today? I heard she even brought you a box of lotus-seed-sized pearls from the South Sea…”
Madam Feng looked at Gu Jinzhao, recalling how she had tearfully confided in her during the incident with Song Xiang. After all, she was her legitimate granddaughter. While she could treat Gu Lan poorly, if she mistreated Gu Jinzhao, others might accuse her of favoritism…
Besides, this child had been nothing but dutiful to her, even more filial than Gu Lian. Though it was a granddaughter’s duty, no one else was as thoughtful and attentive as her.Madam Feng had her sit beside her and said with a smile, "Grandmother won’t hide it from you—Madam Wang came to propose a marriage. She wishes to arrange a match between you and their eldest legitimate son... Grandmother hasn’t decided yet. I’ll wait for your father to return from his office and ask for his opinion. Then I’ll discuss it with your second and fifth aunts..."
Gu Jinzhao looked surprised before lowering her voice to say, "That Young Master Wang... I’ve heard of him! He has a violent temper and once even beat a maid to death..."
Madam Feng nodded, then patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Grandmother will consider everything carefully for you. If this matter isn’t settled properly, we’ll drop it. If it is, there’s no need to rush... If you marry into their family, Young Master Wang wouldn’t dare lay a finger on you. Young men are naturally impulsive—he’ll calm down as he grows older. Your second uncle was also hot-tempered as a child, but now he’s very composed."
Wang Zan wouldn’t dare? Wang Zan had even raised his fist against his own mother—was there anything he wouldn’t do?
Gu Jinzhao thought to herself but sighed aloud. "They say it’s a marriage proposal, but Madam Wang didn’t even bother to invite a proper matchmaker. Though my reputation outside isn’t the best, isn’t her behavior also disrespectful to our Gu family..."
Hearing this, Madam Feng’s suppressed anger flared up again. "Madam Wang has indeed gone too far! Don’t concern yourself with it. If their family truly wishes to marry you, it won’t be that simple. Our Chaojie isn’t so desperate that she must cling to their household!"
Wang Zan was hardly a decent match!
Gu Jinzhao wiped her eyes, which had reddened. She then whispered, "Grandmother, to be honest, Chaojie would rather marry a poor scholar than endure such humiliation... If Wang Zan were truly a good man, he wouldn’t still be unmarried at his age. Moreover, though Lord Wang is the Assistant Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, he has no prospects for further promotion. Young Master Wang has yet to pass the provincial exams—he’s unlearned and lazy. How could such a family last long... I don’t mind for myself, but I wouldn’t want to drag down my two cousins in the future."
Gu Jin Xiao and Gu Jinxian were also preparing for next year’s provincial exams.
Madam Feng frowned deeply, realizing she had only considered the marriages of her granddaughters and not the future careers of her grandsons. If, as Gu Jinzhao said, Wang Zan had no hope of passing the exams, what if he used Gu Jinzhao’s name to burden the Gu family later?
She had nearly married Chaojie off for the sake of immediate wealth! She couldn’t risk harming the Gu family’s century-old foundation.
When Gu Dezhao returned from his office, Madam Feng went to discuss the matter with him.
Gu Dezhao frowned upon hearing it. "Mother, this marriage must not be agreed to! What kind of man is Wang Zan? Even if I were to marry Chaojie off, it should be to a proper young man. Besides, Madam Wang didn’t even invite a matchmaker for the proposal—she clearly doesn’t value Chaojie..."
Madam Feng nodded. Gu Jinzhao’s words had already made her feel this match was unsuitable.
Still, she had come to discuss Gu Jinzhao’s situation with Gu Dezhao. "...I understand. I think we should decline. But you must also make plans for Chaojie’s marriage."
Gu Dezhao smiled. "Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping an eye out. Even if it’s not a wealthy family, I’ll find her a virtuous and talented young man."The news of Madam Wang coming to propose a marriage for Gu Jinzhao had reached the ears of the various branches of the Gu family, and Gu Lan was also informed.
When Mu Jin reported the news to her, Gu Lan was utterly stunned: "...Did Madam Wang come in person?"
Mu Jin nodded.
Gu Lan's expression darkened: "How could Grandmother find someone so unreliable? She didn't even bother to send a proper matchmaker..."
Was this the attitude one should have when proposing marriage? It seemed Madam Wang didn’t take the Gu family seriously at all. Gu Jinzhao could easily use this as a reason to reject the proposal, and even Madam Feng wouldn’t be able to say much. The Wang family was truly absurd—with their son’s notorious reputation, what respectable family would be willing to marry their daughter to him? And yet, this was the attitude they took when proposing. If not for the Wang heir’s decent status, Madam Feng probably wouldn’t have entertained the idea at all.
Gu Lan bit her lip. To be honest, her grandmother wasn’t very reliable. Relying on her to secure a future for herself might prove rather difficult...
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