Chapter 151: Hidden Truths
Li Xianhuai immediately continued, "...The Ji family's ancestors started by trading tea. It wasn't until their grandfather's generation produced a Deputy Salt Transport Commissioner that they truly prospered. Few in the Ji family have held official positions—there’s one who bought the title of Prefectural Vice Magistrate. But for generations, they’ve been Imperial Merchants, trading along the Tongzhou Canal between the north and south. Their wealth is truly staggering. Their Tai Furen is now the helm of the family, and she’s a shrewd one. Over the years, the Ji family has kept a low profile, yet their influence has only grown..."
"This Ji Yao is quite a character, though his family’s wealth has been a burden to him. He’s been acting behind his grandmother’s back, doing many things she doesn’t know about." At this, Li Xianhuai chuckled darkly. "Does the Heir remember the Luo family, those former Imperial Merchants? Their eldest son, Luo Tai? You once saw him at Liuhu Restaurant—the one you splashed with tea?"
Ye Xian thought back. He had just returned to Yanjing at the age of ten and had gone out with his cousin from the Gao family. While resting at Liuhu Restaurant, a slender, delicate-looking young man had gotten into a petty argument with his cousin. Annoyed by the noise, Ye Xian had thrown a cup of scalding tea at him. The young man had shrieked in pain and threatened to make sure they didn’t leave the restaurant alive—until the guards behind them pointed at Ye Xian and said, "This is the Heir of Marquis Changxing," then at his cousin, "And this is the eldest grandson of Lord Gao, Minister of Rites."
The young man, who had introduced himself as Luo Tai, the Luo family’s eldest son, immediately fell silent. After a cold glare from the guards, he dropped to his knees, kowtowing and begging for mercy.
"A clown," Ye Xian remarked dismissively. "What does this have to do with Gu Jinzhao’s cousin?"
Li Xianhuai replied, "Their Tai Furen certainly doesn’t know, but this Young Master Ji has been secretly associating with Luo Tai. The old lady is upright in business, never exploiting her subordinates or earning ill-gotten gains. The Luo family is the exact opposite—she despises them and has forbidden any dealings with them... Yet Young Master Ji met Luo Tai at a flower-viewing banquet and has been defying his grandmother’s wishes by maintaining contact."
Ye Xian fixed Li Xianhuai with a look. "...Get to the point."
Li Xianhuai scratched his head. "When I investigated, Luo Tai’s attendants revealed quite a bit. I wanted to give you the full picture... His association with Luo Tai wouldn’t be an issue if Luo Tai weren’t the kind of man he is. Racing horses and fighting eagles aside, he frequents entertainment quarters. Naturally, he dragged Young Master Ji along... Ji Yao wasn’t truly indulgent—he went once or twice and stopped."
Lowering his voice, he added, "Ji Yao only ever kept entertainers for company, keeping himself clean... But Luo Tai had ulterior motives. He wanted to drag Ji Yao down with him. So he slipped something into Ji Yao’s drink, and Ji Yao ended up deflowering a fourteen-year-old entertainer. After that, Ji Yao cut ties with Luo Tai. What he didn’t know was that the girl became pregnant. Luo Tai secretly housed her, planning to use the child as leverage against Ji Yao in the future..."Ye Xian's eyelids twitched upon hearing this. Everyone has their youthful indiscretions. If no major mistakes were made, it might be forgivable... But this Ji Yao truly wasn't bright. Even if he had acted impulsively and taken a woman's virtue, how could he dare leave behind a child as leverage? What would happen if Gu Jinchao were to learn of this child's existence in the future? How could someone like this make Jinchao's life happy after marriage?
Ye Xian took a deep breath. "Is everything you've investigated confirmed true?"
Li Xianhuai glanced at the young master. This was the first time he had asked such a question. Though Li appeared rough around the edges, he understood better than anyone—given how concerned the young master was about Eldest Miss Gu, even making a special trip to see her earlier, it was impossible that he harbored no feelings.
After some thought, Li replied, "This servant bribed Luo Tai's attendant for the information. Though the attendant's words may not be entirely accurate..."
Ye Xian immediately said, "There's no smoke without fire. Find that entertainer and have her confront the Ji family privately." This matter couldn't be spread openly. "It must be done discreetly. Observe how the Ji family reacts to the child—then we'll know the truth." Not only would this reveal the veracity of the claim, but it would also show the Ji family's true attitude toward Gu Jinchao. If they dared to conceal this matter and proceed with the marriage as if nothing had happened, then this was not a family Jinchao should marry into.
After further consideration, Ye Xian added, "It's almost the twelfth month—I haven't visited my elder sister in a long time. Prepare gifts; we'll visit the Gu family tomorrow."
He had to make this clear to Gu Jinchao. He couldn't let her entrust herself to the wrong person.
Yet hesitation crept into Ye Xian's heart. If Gu Jinchao didn't marry Ji Yao, given her reputation, which respectable noble family would take her as a bride?
From the current situation, the Ji family's prosperity would last at most twenty years. Unless they declined midway, they would inevitably face suppression. The growing influence of merchant officials was detrimental to the imperial court. Thus, the Luo family's rapid decline after the grandfather's generation had actually been a means of self-preservation. The Ji family's matriarch was shrewd enough to know that wealth should not be flaunted, but if the family continued down this path, trouble was inevitable.
Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—the old lady didn't quite grasp why this hierarchy existed. Her vision was simply too narrow.
Meanwhile, in the Gu household of Daxing, Madam Feng had been frequently summoning Jinchao for conversations, her words carrying strong implications that the matter was settled: "...Once your betrothal to the Ji family's second young master is finalized, you'll marry in May after the mourning period ends. This grandmother wants to spend more time with you now, lest I miss you too much after your marriage. If there's anything lacking in your dowry, you must tell me—I'll add more to your trousseau."
Madam Feng smiled as she spoke. The income from Gu Dezhao's assets had been merged into the Gu family's finances, easing their circumstances considerably. She worried that since Jinchao's mother had passed early, her dowry preparations might be inadequate, which would reflect poorly on the Gu family when she married.
Gu Jinchao returned a faint smile. "Grandmother needn't worry—there's nothing I lack." Madam Feng seemed determined to settle this matter, leaving Jinchao unable to voice her thoughts. She knew she should submit to reality and marry Ji Yao. Yet the knot in her heart remained.
The smiling face of the Earl of Yongyang's fourth daughter, the child's visage, and Ji Yao's indifferent gaze—none of these would fade from her mind.Madam Feng's sudden inquiry about her mother's dowry made Gu Jinzhao tense up.
If it were just a casual question, it would be fine—once she got married, the dowry would naturally leave the Gu household. But if Madam Feng took a closer look, the dowry her mother had left behind was substantial. Would Madam Feng really interfere with her dowry when she married?
This was a subtle hint—Madam Feng intended to review her dowry.
Jinchao smiled faintly. "I originally planned to leave half of Mother's dowry for Jinrong. Once things are settled, I’ll bring the inventory for you to review." It was better for her to show Madam Feng voluntarily than to let her speculate unnecessarily.
Madam Feng gave a noncommittal hum. Madam Ji was a daughter of the Ji family in Tongzhou—her dowry couldn’t possibly be meager. Though Jinchao’s daily expenses were never extravagant, she had more maids and servants than the other concubine-born daughters, and none of them seemed to lack for anything. Clearly, her mother’s dowry was generous—but exactly how much, Madam Feng didn’t know.
After taking her leave, Jinchao returned to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall and instructed Mama Tong, "My private storeroom and Mother’s dowry have been inventoried before. Go through them again and make a new record. Divide Mother’s dowry in half—one portion is to be set aside for Rong-ge." After a pause, she added, "Exclude the accounts from the Gold and Silver Tower."
The cash flow from the Gold and Silver Tower was substantial. She would give that portion to Rong-ge later—he was still too young now.
Mama Tong acknowledged the order and took the literate Caifu and Baiyun to begin the inventory.
Jinchao had barely settled down when a young maid came to report that Changxing Marquis's Heir had arrived and was visiting Fifth Madam’s courtyard.
He had mentioned he would come in the twelfth month, Jinchao recalled. But now, at the year’s end, everyone was busy.
He must be here to see Fifth Madam—her child was due in three months.
Jinchao dismissed the maid. With nothing pressing to do, she began sewing a little jacket for Fifth Madam’s unborn child. Sitting by the brazier, her needlework spread on the heated kang, she had Qingpu help her match threads to embroider the Five Bats Offering Longevity pattern. Tiny Chinese knots adorned the bats’ tails, making them look especially charming.
Before long, Yuzhu slipped in quietly.
"Miss, the heir says he has something to discuss with you. He’s waiting outside the side courtyard’s reception room and sent a servant to deliver the message..."
Jinchao set down the half-finished knot and frowned. "Did he say what it’s about?"
Before, sneaking around to meet her could be excused—it was for his father’s sake. But now that she was nearly betrothed, she couldn’t see him privately.
Yuzhu added, "The heir said he told Fifth Madam he wanted to ask you about raising orchids, so you needn’t worry."
Jinchao was torn between laughter and exasperation. She changed her clothes and headed to the side courtyard’s reception room.
Ye Xian stood beneath the ice-draped corridor, watching the light snowfall outside. When Jinchao appeared in the distance, she walked slowly, wrapped in her cloak.
She had brought Qingpu, the maid who often accompanied her.
As Jinchao stepped under the corridor, Qingpu closed the umbrella.
She bowed in greeting to Ye Xian without even removing her hood.
Ye Xian studied her for a long moment, hands clasped behind his back. The world outside was hushed beneath the falling snow.
Without a word, he suddenly reached out and pulled back her hood. Caught off guard, Jinchao stared at him in stunned silence. What was he doing?Ye Xian paused and said, "Your cloak doesn't fit well—the hood is too big. I can't see your eyes." Without waiting for Gu Jinzhao to respond, he immediately added, "I heard you're going to be engaged to Ji Yao?"
Of course he couldn't see—he was too tall. Gu Jinzhao thought to herself. How did he know about her engagement to Ji Yao? Had he come to see her just for this? What business was it of his? She replied, "Why is Uncle asking about this?"
Ye Xian sensed no reluctance in Gu Jinzhao's tone, but she was eerily calm, as if the engagement had nothing to do with her. After a pause, he said, "I told you I owe you a favor. Now I need to make something clear to you. Hold off on the engagement for now. There are things about Ji Yao you might not know—get the full picture first. I don’t want you to suffer after marrying him."
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