Chapter 146: The Marriage Proposal
Madam Feng had nearly made up her mind but still summoned Second Madam and Fifth Madam to discuss the matter.
Second Madam, observing Madam Feng's expression, sensed that the old lady was not pleased with this match. In terms of status alone, it was indeed a good marriage, but when considering Wang Zan's character, even she felt uncertain. After a moment of thought, Fifth Madam spoke up: "Marriages are decided by parental authority and matchmakers' words. Though Lord Wang is not from a noble family, he didn't even observe basic etiquette—hardly befitting his title as a Scholar of the Two Boards. It goes without saying that this match is unsuitable."
Second Madam shot Fifth Madam a glance. While her words were reasonable, they were far too blunt.
Madam Feng, of course, didn’t mind. She nodded, her mind already made up.
When Madam Wang returned a few days later, she would be directly refused.
Just then, Gu Lian came to pay her respects, calling Madam Feng "Grandmother" before sitting beside her. Madam Feng took her hand and smiled. "You look so happy—did you get something nice again?"
Gu Lian giggled and shook her head. "Your granddaughter heard someone proposed to Jinchao cousin, so I’m delighted!"
How could she not be? If Gu Jinzhao married off, she would once again be the only legitimate daughter in the household, with Grandmother and Mother doting solely on her. The moment her maid mentioned the news, Gu Lian had rushed over.
Madam Feng tapped her forehead. "You’re already betrothed—where are your manners? This match won’t go through, so don’t get too excited..."
Gu Lian frowned in confusion. "Why not? No one else has proposed to Cousin. Shouldn’t we seize the chance? Besides, with her terrible reputation, what good family would even want her? Last time I spoke with Seventh Miss Li, she even asked about Cousin Jinchao—I was too embarrassed to answer!"
Such words spilled from her lips without hesitation!
Second Madam quickly hushed her and bowed apologetically to Madam Feng. "...The child speaks without thinking."
Madam Feng sighed. "You’re her mother. If she lacks discretion, you must guide her. At home, it’s one thing, but if she marries into the Yao family and still talks like this, what will they think? If only she were half as sensible and well-behaved as Chaojie... That poor child. If not for her tarnished reputation, she could have married into a good family too."
Second Madam assented and later reprimanded Gu Lian sternly. Privately, however, Gu Lian grumbled to her maid, "It’s the truth—why can’t I say it?" Still fuming, she decided to seek out Gu Lan for a chat.
The aristocratic circles of Daxing were small, and news of the proposal spread quickly. Ji Wu Shi had long instructed the managers of the Ji family’s shops in Daxing to keep an eye on any developments regarding Gu Jinzhao’s marriage prospects. As soon as word got out, a shopkeeper dispatched a messenger to deliver the news to the Ji family in Tongzhou.
When Ji Wu Shi heard that Madam Wang had proposed to the Gu family, she nearly choked on her tea.
Mama Song hurriedly patted her back to help her recover. Waving her off, Ji Wu Shi ordered, "Fetch Second Young Master for me at once!"
What madness had seized this Wang family? How dare they propose to Jinzhao! That Wang Zan—what kind of man was he to even think he deserved their Chaojie?
A toad lusting after swan flesh! The audacity—did they even know their own worth?Upon hearing from the shopkeeper that Madam Wang had come to propose a marriage without even hiring a proper matchmaker, and that the Gu family hadn’t outright refused, Ji Wu Shi was so furious she felt a pain in her liver. The person she cherished most—how could the Gu family treat her so disrespectfully!
She had originally invited the Countess of Yongyang, planning to visit in a few days. Now she had to act quickly, lest the Gu family sell off Jinchao without her knowledge.
Ji Yao came immediately upon hearing the news. Ji Wu Shi explained in a few words: “…Forget about formalities with the Gu family. You go ahead to the Gu residence first and pay respects to your uncle. I’ll head straight to the Earl of Yongyang’s residence, and we’ll make the marriage proposal the day after tomorrow!”
Ji Yao responded solemnly and went out to have a servant fetch his horse immediately.
As night fell, Ji Yao rode out of the Ji family estate.
He recalled that day when he took little Jinchao out to play. She wasn’t afraid at all, swinging her little legs as she sat by the river watching the boats.
His heart was just as tangled now.
He wondered how Gu Jinchao was doing. Would she be afraid, hearing she was to marry Wang Zan?
She had never been afraid of anything since childhood, always bold.
Back when they were together at the villa by the Xiang River, he had kept his distance. She had said self-deprecatingly, “Second Cousin doesn’t like Jinchao—I know. You don’t have to help me. I won’t tell Grandmother.”
Ji Yao wanted to explain to her that he did like her. Even if it was just following Ji Wu Shi’s orders, he would admit it. What was there not to admit? What good was stubborn pride? He just wanted to protect her always, no matter what others thought!
A mere eldest son of the Wang family, and with such a reputation—what right did he have to marry her?
Ji Yao pressed his lips tightly together.
The galloping horse sped down the official road toward Daxing in the capital region.
Gu Jinchao heard that after Madam Feng had called two aunts for a talk, the eastern courtyard fell completely silent. She knew then that the marriage arrangement had fallen through. She sighed in relief but didn’t truly settle. Her marriage was still a major concern—whether it was to a well-behaved son of a noble family or a scholar from a humble background, she wouldn’t be mistreated. She’d have to rely on Shopkeeper Luo to keep an eye out; the Gu family couldn’t be trusted.
Qingpu came to blow out the lamp and tucked her in. Jinchao lay awake for a while, staring at the ceiling before slowly drifting off. In the middle of the night, she was startled awake by rustling sounds outside. Gu Jinchao got up, draped a fox-fur cloak over her shoulders, and opened the lattice window to see heavy snow falling outside.
The snow was so thick it had broken a branch off the leafless locust tree in the courtyard. The roof and steps were already blanketed in a thick layer of snow, and the night sky was filled with countless jade-like snowflakes swirling in the air, making the courtyard gate indistinct in the white haze.
Qingpu, sleeping in the adjoining room, heard the noise and quickly lit a candle to check. “Miss, why are you up? It’s snowing heavily—it’s freezing…”
But Gu Jinchao said, “Look, there are lights outside. Either something’s happened in the estate, or someone has arrived.”
Just beyond the residence was the outer courtyard’s Affairs Office.
But who would come in such heavy snow? Gu Jinchao felt something must have happened and wanted to wait and see.
Qingpu indeed saw lanterns lit in the outer courtyard. Worried about the snow, she turned to the western side room and soon returned with a hand warmer and Jinchao’s satin-lined jacket for her to change into. Gu Jinchao watched for a while, but no sounds came, though the lights remained unextinguished.She asked Xiuqu, who was on night duty, to go outside and check.
After a while, Xiuqu returned and said to her, "I saw the main gate open. Someone came to visit. They handed a name card to our master. It seems to be someone from the Ji family..."
Gu Jinzhao frowned. Who from the Ji family would come on such a cold, snowy night? Could it be an urgent matter?
Jinchao glanced at the sky, which was already half-lit. After a moment's thought, she instructed Qingpu to fetch water for washing up. She wanted to go to the outer courtyard to see what was happening.
Ji Yao hadn't expected such heavy snow in the middle of the night either. By the time he arrived at the Gu residence, he handed over his name card and was invited by the Affairs Office manager to wait in the side room. Only after warming himself by the stove did his frozen hands gradually regain feeling. Upon hearing the maid's report, Gu Dezhao immediately invited Ji Yao to his study.
Seeing Ji Yao's gray squirrel fur cloak covered in snow, Gu Dezhao had a servant take it away to dry. He personally invited Ji Yao to sit and served him a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the cold. "Nephew, is there some urgent matter that brings you here through such a storm...?"
Ji Yao held the teacup for a long time before speaking to Gu Dezhao. "Uncle, to be honest, I've come to propose marriage."
Gu Dezhao was astonished. "Propose marriage?"
He nearly blurted out, I have several daughters—which one are you proposing to? He'd never heard of such a way to propose, coming in the middle of a snowstorm. How urgent could it be? It wasn't as if the marriage would sprout wings and fly away—was there really such a hurry? Why not find a proper matchmaker and choose an auspicious day to make the proposal?
Gu Dezhao had initially thought something had happened in the Ji family. Now, hearing Ji Yao mention marriage, he was at a loss for words.
Ji Yao continued, "I wish to marry cousin Jinzhao. My grandmother has already asked the Countess of Yongyang to act as matchmaker, and she will come the day after tomorrow. I came late at night to explain things clearly to you, Uncle—please don't let cousin Jinzhao marry Wang Zan." He paused, then added, "I'd like to see Gu Jinzhao."
Gu Dezhao still hadn't recovered from his shock.
What was he saying... He wanted to marry Gu Jinzhao?
Gu Dezhao asked stiffly, "Have you... heard about Madam Wang coming to propose to Chaojie? Is that why you're here to propose?" Gu Dezhao wondered if Ji Wu Shi had sent Ji Yao to propose in order to help Chaojie out of her predicament. But they had already decided not to accept the Wang family's proposal.
What was the point of Ji Yao doing this!
He wanted to explain this to him, but then Ji Yao said, "This isn't a decision I made rashly." He had been thinking about it ever since he learned of it at thirteen. Ji Yao smiled. "I'd like to speak with Jinzhao first. Would that be all right?"
Gu Dezhao watched as Li Guanshi led Ji Yao to the inner courtyard before suddenly standing up.
Shui Ying was startled. "Master, what's the matter?"
But Gu Dezhao laughed. "I was worrying about Chaojie's marriage—what was there to worry about! Quickly prepare for me to wash up. I need to see Tai Furen!" Ji Yao wanted to marry Gu Jinzhao—this was the best possible outcome. The Ji family was no less prestigious than any noble family. Ji Yao was handsome and outstanding in character—countless matchmakers had worn out the Ji family's threshold proposing matches for him, yet Ji Yao had never accepted any.
If Chaojie married Ji Yao, wouldn't that be a glorious affair!
What was Wang Zan compared to that? He wasn't even fit to be mentioned in the same breath as Ji Yao.
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