Chapter 155: Gu Lian
After the Minor Cold solar term, heavy snow fell continuously, blanketing the capital in a thousand miles of ice and ten thousand miles of swirling snow, transforming the city into a silver-clad world.
Gu Jinrong knew her marriage prospects had fallen through and felt deeply regretful. In the evening, he came to play chess with her.
Gu Jinzhao had never been skilled at chess. Even after Jinrong gave her a three-stone handicap, she still found herself trapped in a dead end. The night was cold, and the two huddled around the brazier while playing. In the end, Jinrong gave up and hesitated before finally making up his mind. "Elder Sister," he said, "how about I accompany you in painting instead?"
His painting skills were rather poor.
Gu Jinzhao burst into laughter and instructed Qingpu to bring Jinrong a bowl of Cassia Twig Boiled Water to warm his stomach.
Jinrong snorted. "I haven't even laughed at you yet, and here you are laughing at me..." He had only wanted to cheer her up.
Jinzhao comforted him as if coaxing a child. "I know! Drink the boiled water and go back to sleep." Now that they were older, they had to be mindful of propriety.
But Jinrong still had something to discuss. "Elder Sister, I want to study at the Imperial Academy after the New Year. I can come back once a month... The teacher at the Yu family school also said that if I plan to take the spring examinations first, the Imperial Academy would be more suitable for me than staying with the Yus."
She nodded after hearing this. "For matters of scholarly pursuit, you should speak with Father tomorrow. I can't be of much help."
Jinrong then went to discuss it with Gu Dezhao, who consulted Gu Deyuan about the matter. To avoid delaying Jinrong's studies, it was decided that he should indeed attend the Imperial Academy. The Yu family school was now focusing on two young masters who had already earned the title of provincial scholars, making it less suitable for Jinrong.
Jinzhao then sent someone to fetch Jinrong's belongings left in Shi'an.
Apart from this, everyone acted as though the Ji family's marriage proposal had never happened. Jinzhao continued her daily morning and evening visits to Madam Feng as usual.
As the year-end approached, preparations for the New Year were in full swing, but even more pressing was Gu Lian's upcoming hair-pinning ceremony, which fell exactly eight days before the New Year. For now, the family set aside concerns about Jinzhao's marriage and focused entirely on Gu Lian's ceremony.
After all, Gu Lian's coming-of-age was a major event for the Gu family—she was to marry Yao Wenxiu, the second young master of the Yao family, and her ceremony had to be grand and splendid.
That morning, Jinzhao went to the eastern courtyard. Madam Feng was discussing the ceremony with Gu Lian, and the room also held Gu Lan, Second Madam, and Fifth Madam.
When Second Madam saw Jinzhao arrive, she beckoned her over to sit and said with a smile, "Chaojie, you've come at just the right time. Your grandmother was just about to look for you."
Jinzhao curtsied and took her seat.
Madam Feng held Gu Lian's hand, her expression warm and affectionate. "After your hair-pinning ceremony, you'll be married into the Yao family. This event must be handled with care. You said you didn’t like the gold hairpins and combs we prepared for you, so we’ll follow your wishes—you can go to Yuzhao Workshop to pick them out yourself... I’ll have your elder and second cousins accompany you. But as for the ceremonial robes and jackets, you can’t be too picky..."
Gu Lian’s cheeks flushed pink, but her eyes sparkled brightly. Her voice was sweet and soft as she replied, "Grandmother, I know! Why must you say so much..."
Madam Feng tapped her forehead lightly. "You little imp! If I don’t remind you, you might forget!"Madam Feng then called Gu Jinzhao and Gu Lan over to speak: "...As her elder cousins, you two must help with Lian jie er's hair pinning ceremony. Accompany her to Yuzhao Lane tomorrow to pick out some things she likes." She specifically beckoned Jinzhao closer and said, "Your grandmother trusts your taste. Help Lian jie er choose well."
Gu Jinzhao had actually been planning to suggest this herself, as she wanted to use Gu Lian's coming-of-age ceremony as an excuse to go out and meet Luo Yongping. She hadn't expected Madam Feng to propose it first. Smiling, she responded, "There are many jewelry shops in Yuzhao Lane. Why don't we also get Lian jie er some new clothes, and I'll take her to Dezhong Lane as well. I heard several new silk shops have opened there."
Madam Feng nodded and summoned the stewardess to arrange for more servants and guards to accompany them tomorrow.
Gu Lan smiled and said to Gu Lian, "How time flies! You're already having your hair pinning ceremony. Have you chosen your sponsors yet?" She was close with Gu Lian and would certainly be selected if they chose cousins as sponsors.
Gu Lian nodded: "I've chosen the third young miss from my elder sister's in-laws' family, and the sixth young miss from the Fan family who's close with ours. You should come watch, and I'll introduce them to you. They're quite prominent in Yanjing—many families sought their hands in marriage even before their hair pinning ceremonies. Others simply can't compare..."
Gu Lan's smile froze momentarily before she inwardly mocked herself. How could she have forgotten? Madam Feng and Zhou Shi were determined for Gu Lian to marry into nobility, so of course her sponsors would be of high status. Not only was she unqualified, but Gu Jinzhao shouldn't even dream of it.
Moreover, Gu Lian's words carried a veiled jab at Gu Jinzhao, whose recent engagement had just fallen through.
She glanced at Gu Jinzhao, only to find her quietly discussing the outing with Madam Feng, seemingly oblivious to Gu Lian's remarks.
Seeing no reaction from Gu Jinzhao, Gu Lian pouted and took Gu Lian's hand, chattering about which ladies and young misses had been invited to her ceremony and what Madam Feng planned to buy for her, making quite a lively conversation.
Only after settling matters with Madam Feng did Gu Jinzhao return to Beautiful Embroidery Hall, where she picked up a brush to write Luo Yongping about visiting the new silk shops.
Caifu came over to light the lamp and whispered, "I've prepared your winter coat for tomorrow..."
Gu Jinzhao acknowledged with a hum and sealed the letter with wax once finished.
Caifu continued, "The things Lian jie er said this afternoon were truly excessive, yet Tai Furen and Second Madam didn't reprimand her... It pains me to see you treated this way."
Gu Jinzhao smiled faintly. "There's no need to fear such people—they're the simplest to deal with. Now that she's coming of age and marrying into Yao Ge Lao's family, who in this household would dare criticize her? They'd rather pamper her endlessly... Just ignore her and pretend you didn't hear." She'd endured far worse insults—a few harmless barbs meant nothing.
If Gu Lian didn't change her ways, she'd face plenty of hardships after marrying into the Yao family.
Gu Jinzhao instructed Caifu to deliver the letter to Mama Xu. Qingpu then entered carrying a bowl of angelica, ginger, and mutton soup: "It's cold out—this will warm you up. I've also filled a hand warmer for you to hold while reading later."Gu Jinzhao took the cup and drank, then said to her, "No reading today. Prepare the incense burner for the Guanyin statue—I'll take it with me tomorrow." Since she was observing mourning rites away from home, she needed to bring the incense burner for offerings.
The next day, Gu Jinzhao wore a honey-colored winter coat with branch patterns and a lake-blue pleated skirt. Her only adornment was a mutton-fat jade hairpin carved with lotus motifs, presenting a clean and refreshing appearance. Qingpu carried the incense burner and followed her to the screen wall.
Gu Jinzhao boarded the carriage first. Shortly after, Gu Lan and Gu Lian arrived, led by Chen Yong's wife, who usually attended to Madam Feng's grooming and had been specially assigned to assist Gu Lian. After greeting the young ladies, she urged the carriage to depart.
Daxing was a crucial county near the capital, a bustling place where Yuzhao Lane was particularly favored by ladies and noblewomen. It housed numerous shops for new and secondhand clothes, cosmetics, and jewelry, with dedicated spaces for elite women to browse comfortably. However, Gu Jinzhao was merely accompanying Gu Lian for formality—if she actually interfered in Gu Lian's selections, the latter would likely resent her meddling.
After purchasing gold hairpins and wooden hair clasps, they headed to Dezhong Lane for Gu Lian's wardrobe. Unlike Yuzhao Lane, Dezhong Lane featured large fabric shops and the renowned Liuhe Restaurant. Though Gu Lian was the legitimate daughter of the Gu family, she had never seen such luxuries. Thus, when Gu Jinzhao suggested visiting Dezhong Lane, she didn't openly object.
Luo Yongping's newly opened Su-Hang Silk Shop was located there. Upon arrival, Gu Jinzhao smiled and told Gu Lian, "…I heard from the Earl of Yongyang's daughter that Su-Hang silks are the finest—they enhance one's complexion beautifully." Chen Yong's wife also agreed to visit, so Gu Lian acquiesced, and they proceeded to the shop.
As the chief manager, Luo Yongping didn’t usually attend to customers personally, but Gu Jinzhao had arranged this visit. He had prepared meticulously, wearing a brand-new sapphire-blue winter coat with floral patterns and waiting discreetly at the entrance before inviting them in for tea.
Gu Jinzhao surveyed the bustling Dezhong Lane, noting the shop's thriving business and the steady flow of elite patrons.
Gu Lian picked two bolts of fabric totaling ninety-seven taels of silver and gestured for Chen Yong's wife to assess them. Even for her extravagant spending, the price was steep. Chen Yong's wife, knowledgeable about goods, could advise on their worth.
After a glance, Chen Yong's wife whispered, "Su-Hang silks are priced this way—no room for bargaining… If it's too costly, Second Miss could take just one bolt. Our household isn’t lacking in such fabrics anyway."
Gu Lian selected a bolt of madder-red silk with rose patterns for forty-eight taels and murmured to Gu Lan, "Shops like this must earn fortunes yearly—it’s absurdly expensive…" Gu Lan’s eyelids flickered. She couldn’t afford a single item here—unlike Gu Lian.Gu Lian noticed Gu Jinzhao still seemed reluctant to stop browsing, and couldn't help smiling. "Cousin, you take your time looking here. Lan Er and I will go explore more outside." Gu Jinzhao was carefully examining a piece of goose-yellow fabric embroidered with green persimmon calyx patterns. Hearing this, she smiled and told them to go ahead first. "I'll look around a bit more and join you later."
Once they had left, Luo Yongping ushered her inside to make her selections and immediately had a servant bring tea. Standing respectfully with his hands at his sides, he asked, "...Eldest Miss, what do you think of this shop?"
Gu Jinzhao nodded. Luo Yongping was a shrewd businessman, and she trusted him with these matters. Pausing with the teacup in her hand, she said to him, "I didn't come to you just to discuss the shop..." She was here to plan her own marriage. Since she had to marry, she intended to marry someone she could control.
After her failed engagement to Ji Yao, her father had been deeply regretful and was already considering other suitable young men. Gu Jinzhao also wanted Luo Yongping and Cao Ziheng to discreetly keep an eye out for her. She needed to find the right person herself—she couldn't leave the initiative in someone else's hands. She couldn't risk giving someone like Wang Zan another opportunity to come knocking.
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