Chapter 150: Growth
After paying respects to Madam Feng, Jinchao accompanied Gu Jinrong to the side courtyard in the west wing. Gu Jinrong lived in the easternmost part, while Gu Jinxiao and Gu Jinxian resided in the western section. The Imperial Academy had just concluded its term a few days prior, so both of them happened to be in the west wing as well.
Gu Jinrong's room had been arranged by Second Madam. In the study stood a writing desk, a long table, two Dongpo chairs, and a blue-glazed enamel Prunus vase placed by the window. There was also a slightly worn purple bamboo brush holder filled with brushes of various sizes. Jinchao said to him, "Once you've settled your belongings, go pay respects to Father and your two uncles. And don’t forget your two cousins who study at the Imperial Academy—they are much older than you..."
Gu Jinrong smiled faintly. "After just a few months apart, Eldest Sister has become quite talkative."
After Madam Ji's passing, Jinchao had taken charge of everything concerning him. During their time in Shi'an, she had meticulously arranged all his winter clothes, bedding, meals, and even cold-weather gear like knee pads. Gu Jinrong deeply appreciated her care and had been eagerly looking forward to returning to see her. Fortunately, she seemed to be doing well in Daxing—she hadn’t lost weight, and seeing this put his mind at ease.
Jinchao replied, "And now you’re complaining that I’m nagging..." She gazed at his face, which bore some resemblance to their mother’s, and brushed the snow off his fur coat. "Fine, I won’t say more. Just remember to visit Grandmother in the east wing later."
Gu Jinrong grinned and tugged at her sleeve, refusing to let her leave. "I haven’t even asked you about something yet! I heard you’re getting engaged to Second Cousin?"
Jinchao shook her head. "That’s nothing more than a rumor. Where did you hear that?"
Gu Jinrong avoided answering and instead said seriously, "Second Cousin is a good man—worthy of my eldest sister!" He clung to her arm and pleaded, "I want to eat the cloud-patterned sesame leaf cakes you used to make... Will you make some for me?"
Jinchao found him acting like a child again and nodded in agreement. After Gu Jinrong paid his respects to his father and uncles, he hurried back to Jinchao’s quarters, trailing behind her eagerly. He insisted she add extra sugar to the cakes and include raisins and dried longan in the hawthorn cakes.
The small kitchen was already cramped, and Jinchao, annoyed by his constant chatter, soon shooed him off to the study.
Gu Jinrong had just sat down to sip tea when he casually picked up a book Jinchao had left on the desk.
A maid came in to announce that Second Miss had come to see him.
Gu Lan soon entered the study, where a brazier burned warmly.
Gu Jinrong stared at her coldly as she held up a food box with a smile. "...Second Sister made some pastries for you."
Gu Jinrong pointed to the desk, signaling for her to set it down, and said flatly, "Thank you, Second Sister."
Gu Lan looked at him, recalling how he used to cling to her like a shadow. He had always been close to her—arguing with Jinchao on her behalf, learning ivory carving just to please her...
She forced a smile. "Rong'er, why are you so distant with Second Sister now? Even if I made mistakes, I’m still your sister... If you’re still holding a grudge, I’ll apologize, won’t that do? Look at how I am now—are you really going to reject me too..."
Her voice trembled with emotion, and tears began to fall.
Gu Jinrong frowned. Seeing Gu Lan like this now only filled him with disgust.He smiled instead, "Does Second Sister think you're pitiful? I think you're pitiful too. What are you trying to gain by currying favor with me? Is it because you have no one to back you up now, and your heart is unsettled?" He sympathized with Gu Lan, but who would sympathize with him? When Madam Ji had just died, he was left alone in a state of constant fear, because he had indirectly caused his mother's death. His elder sister ignored him, and he couldn't even forgive himself.
Just thinking about the scene of his mother's death and his elder sister's tear-streaked face made Gu Jinrong find Gu Lan utterly detestable.
Gu Lan was taken aback.
But Gu Jinrong continued, "Second Sister—I still call you Second Sister, so please do your part as a concubine-born elder sister! Eldest Miss is about to get engaged to Second Cousin, and I just want her to be happy. Don’t you dare bully her! Even if you hadn’t come to me, I would have said this to you. If you dare harm my elder sister, I won’t let you off."
Gu Lan sneered, "Can I bully her? She knows her own affairs best!" Remembering Gu Jinzhao's threats, Gu Lan didn’t press further. She finally muttered, "Gu Jinrong, you were the one who disregarded our sibling bond first. Don’t blame me for tearing all pretense apart!"
Gu Jinrong still smiled at her. Gu Lan left the Beautiful Embroidery Hall.
In the evening, Jinchao heard about this from Caifu and pondered for a long time.
Rong-ge had improved greatly in how he treated others and had become more responsible. Their mother’s death had truly changed him so much. He was even worried that Gu Lan might bully her and ruin her engagement, so he warned Gu Lan.
"He’s maturing..." she thought, then instructed Mama Xu to prepare New Year’s cured goose and chestnut cakes to send to the Yuan family. Seeing how well Rong-ge was doing, it was clear the Yuan family treated him very well.
Mama Xu acknowledged and then asked Gu Jinzhao, "Eldest Miss, what do you think about the Ji family’s cousin’s marriage proposal?"
Gu Jinzhao couldn’t help but smile. "What can I think?" Remembering Ji Yao’s gentle, earnest gaze when he looked at her, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything to refuse. She decided to let things take their course. If this marriage were to happen, it would simply be following fate’s will.
Meanwhile, at the Changxing Marquis’s residence, Li Xianhuai had just returned from Shian after thoroughly investigating the Ji family’s background. As instructed by the Young Master, he had dug into their ancestry for generations and even uncovered every detail about Ji Yao. When he returned, Ye Xian was in the study talking with the old marquis.
The grandfather and grandson were discussing the matter of Yuan Zhongru, the Shanxi Provincial Administration Commissioner, and Fan Chuan’s embezzlement case. The old marquis approved of Ye Xian’s approach: "After the late emperor’s passing, your father was severely injured... The Changxing Marquis’s residence needs time to recuperate. We can’t afford to meddle in these messy affairs... Turning a blind eye to Zhang Ju Lian is simply unavoidable..."
Ye Xian seemed lost in thought.
The old marquis glanced at his grandson and slowly began, "You just turned sixteen last month. Among the young masters of noble families, most are either married or betrothed by this age. Yet your marriage remains unsettled."
Ye Xian looked at his grandfather, raised an eyebrow, and said leisurely, "Grandson is in no hurry."The old marquis said to him, "Of course you're not in a hurry!" With Ye Xian's lazy temperament, why would he be anxious? It was the old marquis himself who was restless with impatience. Clearing his throat, he continued, "I've discussed this with your maternal grandfather... I think the eldest daughter of Marquis Wuding is acceptable, while your grandfather favors the second daughter of Grand Secretary He Wenxin of the Wuying Hall. Later, discuss with your mother and decide which one to choose, so your grandfather can arrange the marriage proposal."
The old marquis disliked scholars and had no fondness for his son-in-law, the chancellor of the Imperial Academy. Though they had discussed it, their disagreement had escalated into a heated argument, ending in mutual dissatisfaction.
Lord Gao dismissed the eldest daughter of Marquis Wuding for lacking refinement, as she hadn't even read basic primers like the Three Character Classic or Standards for Students . The old marquis, in turn, found the second daughter of the Grand Secretary too reserved and dull.
Ye Xian fell silent. The two women his grandfather mentioned were undoubtedly among the finest of noble families. The ancestors of Marquis Wuding had been generals who fought alongside the founding emperor, maintaining their prestige for centuries. His eldest daughter, only fourteen, was already renowned for her beauty.
As for the second daughter of Grand Secretary He, not only was she exceptionally beautiful, but she also came from a scholarly family of remarkable talent. Since her coming-of-age ceremony, suitors had flooded the He household, yet none had met their standards.
As the heir of the Changxing Marquis household, it was his duty to ensure the family's continued prosperity. Marrying a well-matched wife who could contribute to their household was inevitable.
Ye Xian suddenly thought of Gu Jinzhao.
Nominally, he was her maternal uncle, but the gap in their status was vast. He could pursue the finest noblewomen because he was the heir of the Changxing Marquis. But what about Gu Jinzhao? Would she marry her cousin? Once married, he wouldn’t be able to visit her freely, talk to her, or give her the cacti he cultivated as he once did.
Leaving his grandfather’s study, Ye Xian gazed into the dark night, lips pressed tightly together.
As the only legitimate son of the Changxing Marquis household, he had been named heir shortly after birth. His actions represented not just himself but the entire Changxing Marquis estate. True freedom was never an option.
Yet he had no desire to marry the eldest daughter of Marquis Wuding or the second daughter of Grand Secretary He. How could they compare to Gu Jinzhao? What exactly was she to him? He exhaled softly into the night.
Li Xianhuai approached. "Young Master... I’ve gathered all the information you asked for."
Ye Xian absentmindedly acknowledged him, signaling him to continue.
He needed to thoroughly understand the man Gu Jinzhao was to marry. Since he couldn’t repay the great debt he owed her, the least he could do was ensure her marriage was a good one.
Deep down, he almost wished her cousin was unworthy.
He didn’t want Gu Jinzhao to marry anyone else.
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