Chapter 147: Marrying You
Gu Jinzhao encountered Ji Yao walking toward her on the outer courtyard path.
The sky was still dim with dawn, and she noticed snow clinging to his jet-black hair and the front of his robes. His lips were pale from the cold.
When he saw Gu Jinzhao approaching, Ji Yao stopped and gazed at her.
She quickened her steps and asked, "Second Cousin, why have you come?"
Frowning, she didn’t wait for his answer before pressing further, "In such heavy snow... has something happened to Grandmother?"
The only reason she could think of for Ji Yao braving such a storm was Ji Wu Shi. A chill ran through Gu Jinzhao—her grandmother was getting older. Could something have happened suddenly? No, that couldn’t be. In her past life, her grandmother had been perfectly fine at this time!
Ji Yao looked at her and smiled.
Jinchao was wrapped in a white fox-fur cloak, her face nestled in the fluffy collar, a rabbit-fur hat perched atop her head. Her skin was as fair as jade, her clear eyes reflecting the faint light of the snowy morning. She looked serene, yet slightly puzzled.
Hadn’t he rushed here in such haste precisely to see if she was safe? Now that he had, his heart settled.
"Grandmother is fine," he said. "Cousin Jinchao, I came to speak with you about something else."
Relieved that her grandmother was unharmed, Gu Jinzhao invited Ji Yao to the warm pavilion—it wouldn’t do to stand talking in the middle of a snowstorm.
She instructed Caifu to bring him hot tea. The pavilion was not only warm but also adorned with potted camellias in the corners, exuding an air of refined springtime. As Ji Yao sipped his tea in silence, Gu Jinzhao grew suspicious. If not for her grandmother, why would he have come through such harsh weather?
She noticed the melted snow dampening his dark hair and the pallor of his hands as they gripped the teacup, veins faintly visible on the back.
After a moment of contemplation, Ji Yao finally spoke. "Cousin Jinchao, I heard about Madam Wang’s marriage proposal for Wang Zan." He paused, then continued, "A man like Wang Zan is not someone you should marry. If the Gu family insists on this match, it would only drive a wedge between hearts."
Had news of the proposal already reached Tongzhou? Gu Jinzhao doubted it—more likely, her grandmother had people keeping an eye on her affairs. As for Wang Zan, she had no intention of marrying him. But why had Ji Yao come all this way to say such things?
Had her grandmother sent him here to intervene in her marriage prospects?
She decided it was best to distance Ji Yao from the matter. Her marriage shouldn’t keep dragging him into trouble.
Jinchao nodded. "I understand what you’re saying, Second Cousin. But matters of marriage are for my father and grandmother to decide. You needn’t worry—"
Ji Yao looked at her intently, his voice low and urgent. "Are they really trying to marry you off to the Wang heir? Someone like Old Madam Gu wouldn’t care about your happiness after the wedding!" The words churned in his chest before he finally blurted out, "Forget them. I’ll marry you."
Gu Jinzhao froze.
But Ji Yao only grew more resolute. "If I marry you, you won’t have to wed Wang Zan. No one will gossip about you anymore."
Had he braved the snowstorm, traveling all the way from Tongzhou to Daxing, just to tell her, "I’ll marry you"?Gu Jinzhao was both amused and exasperated. Ji Yao actually knew about Madam Wang's marriage proposal for her. His urgent visit was likely prompted by their grandmother, who, upon hearing of Madam Wang's proposal, feared Jinzhao might have been slighted and thus sent Ji Yao to propose instead. But this was entirely unnecessary.
She paused before speaking: "Second Cousin, there's no need for such words. I understand perfectly well. You're constrained by Grandmother's wishes, and this proposal is likely not of your own volition." Back when she was disciplining the estate managers at the villa, Ji Yao hadn't even lifted a finger to help. Would he truly come to marry her now? "Don't trouble yourself over this. I'll explain matters to Grandmother personally. As for Wang Zan's proposal, there's no need for concern—the Gu family has no intention of accepting it."
Ji Yao smiled faintly: "Cousin Jinzhao, you've misunderstood."
Previously, he hadn't wanted to marry Gu Jinzhao. Now that he had come to propose in earnest, she was the one unwilling to accept.
He had anticipated this reaction but showed no urgency. Instead, he said: "Had I been unwilling, I would have stopped at a posthouse during the heavy snowfall on the road and waited until morning to continue. Braving the snowstorm, I came precisely to speak with you first."
Ji Yao gazed at her with a smile, his eyes holding an expression she had never seen directed at herself before.
Resolute. Entirely gentle.
Could his meaning now be... that he genuinely wished to marry her? Gu Jinzhao was startled by her own conjecture.
She had seen that look in his eyes before—in her past life, when he had gazed at the Fourth Miss of the Earl of Yongyang's household with that very same expression.
The Fourth Miss had held a swaddled infant in her arms while discussing with Gu Jinzhao the making of a new embroidered little jacket for the child. Ji Yao hadn't even glanced at her then, wholly absorbed in the sight of his wife and child, utterly content.
Gu Jinzhao felt bewildered. In this life, reborn as she was, Ji Yao had never met the Fourth Miss of the Earl of Yongyang's household. Why then was he willing to marry her now? What of the Fourth Miss? What of his child?
Those people and events had never existed, had never come to pass.
Before she could speak, Ji Yao stood up: "The day after tomorrow, the matchmaker Grandmother has engaged will come to propose formally." His eyes brimmed with warmth. "It would be improper for me to see you again before then, so I must take my leave now. Once your mourning period ends, I will marry you."
Without waiting for her response, he lifted the curtain and stepped out of the greenhouse.
Gu Jinzhao stared after him, dumbfounded. He hadn't given her the slightest chance to speak. By the time she rose and went outside, Ji Yao had already passed through the courtyard gate, his footprints in the snow soon obliterated by the heavy snowfall.
Returning to the warmth of the room, she gazed absently at the snow beyond the lattice window. The maids had risen and were now sweeping the steps, bustling between the western annex and the small kitchen to light stoves and heat water. Though dawn had broken, the snow showed no sign of stopping.
Gu Jinzhao's thoughts lingered on Ji Yao. She hadn't expected him to genuinely want to marry her.
If she were to marry, Ji Yao would naturally be the best choice. His character was impeccable, and with their grandmother's protection, she would live securely. Yet she couldn't bear the thought of separating him from his past life's wife... and in her heart, a fissure remained—the sense that Ji Yao should belong to the Fourth Miss of the Earl of Yongyang's household, that he was merely her cousin. In her past life, when she had fallen into such dire straits, he had often sent his wife to check on her.
But if this life was truly starting anew, if Ji Yao had never met the Fourth Miss, did those past events still hold any meaning?Gu Jinchao hesitated. If she didn't marry Ji Yao, what other suitable candidate could she find?
Ji Yao had braved such heavy snow to come. How could she refuse such sincerity? Moreover, even if she could refuse, what about her grandmother? What about her father?
Having lived two lives, she had encountered too many such dilemmas.
Gu Dezhao and Madam Feng discussed Ji Yao's proposal to marry Gu Jinchao.
Madam Feng was overjoyed: "...Thank goodness we didn't agree to the Wang family's proposal!" Although there was discord between the Gu and Ji families, she would be delighted if Gu Jinchao could marry Ji Yao. The Ji family's status was not lacking at all, especially with Master Ji holding the fifth-rank position of Prefectural Vice Magistrate. Compared to them, what was the Wang family worth?
If this marriage could be arranged, they could also take the opportunity to mend relations with the Ji family.
Establishing ties with the Ji family would be beneficial for the Gu family—if nothing else, their business ventures would improve significantly...
After turning it over in her mind, Madam Feng concluded that this marriage arrangement was simply perfect!
When the Earl of Yongyang's wife visited on the third day, Madam Feng received her in the banquet and rest area. The Countess wore a pale purple orchid-embroidered pink jacket with a sapphire-blue horse-face skirt, adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with amethyst, exuding elegance and dignity. Her words were gentle, and within a few sentences, she broached the subject of the marriage.
"...We've been old friends with your family for years, and as neighbors, I've practically watched Chaojie grow up. I thought I might be more suited to speak on this matter, so I took the liberty of acting as the matchmaker. The Ji family's second young master is Chaojie's cousin—a man of impeccable character and talent. His household is spotless, without even a Bedroom servant girl. As for our Chaojie, she is gentle, respectful, and harmonious. You are truly blessed, dear sister. With such a flourishing family, your granddaughter's marriage is naturally of great concern. If you find this proposal acceptable, I will relay your response to the Ji family..."
The Countess spoke so smoothly that Madam Feng listened with great satisfaction.
She invited the Countess to stay for lunch, and in the afternoon, they watched chrysanthemum displays and called upon the second and fifth aunts to join them for a game of mahjong. Finally, Madam Feng smiled and said to the Countess, "I must discuss this with my granddaughter first. I will give you a reply in a few days."
The Countess returned quite pleased. Although Madam Feng hadn't agreed outright, she felt the matter was as good as settled. She instructed her attendant to relay the news to Ji Wu Shi.
The Countess's visit had been deliberately high-profile, following Ji Wu Shi's instructions, precisely to humiliate the Wang family.
Sure enough, within two days, the noble families of Daxing knew about it—and not just them. The news even spread to the aristocratic circles of the capital.
Madam Wang was so furious that she smashed her favorite gilt-decorated famille rose teacup at home, declaring she would sever ties with Madam Song: "...Just look at what she's done! No sooner had I made my proposal than someone else rushed to their doorstep—this is a blatant slap in my face! How is my Zan supposed to hold his head up now?" She fumed further, "That Ji family's second young master must be out of his mind to take a liking to Gu Jinchao. If not for their cousin relationship, I doubt this marriage would even happen!"
She no longer mentioned visiting the Gu family or waiting for Madam Feng's reply. Humiliated, Madam Wang not only resented the Gu family but also held a grudge against Madam Song.
When Madam Song heard about Ji Yao's proposal to the Gu family, she was utterly astonished.She immediately clicked her tongue in astonishment: "This Ji family matriarch... she really knows how to go all out!..." The Ji family matriarch must have heard about the Wang family's marriage proposal and sent her own grandson to propose, just to help Gu Jinzhao out of this predicament.
The maid reported that Madam Wang had returned the pair of cloisonné earrings inlaid with red gold that she had gifted.
Song Furen was also filled with resentment at the memory: "That woman... utterly petty and narrow-minded!" The thought of Madam Wang's disdainful expression when she had gone to discuss Gu Jinzhao's marriage prospects made Song Furen's blood boil. After all the effort she had put in, Madam Wang had gone ahead and proposed herself—utterly brainless! What a waste of such a splendid match! Song Furen said to the maid, "Forget about her. Someone like her won't amount to much anyway. I originally wanted to help Lan Er... but now there's nothing we can do. Let's just wait and see!"
P.S.: The consecutive chapter releases are causing serious subscription skips. I've decided that from now on, I'll space them out by half a day. Barring any unexpected issues, there will be another update tonight.
Also, please vote with your pink tickets—today's the last day! Mwah!
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