Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 161: Stolen

After concluding discussions with the Marquis Changxing's household, Gu Dezhao and the others hurried back to the Gu family overnight.

Gu Jinchao had already instructed Qingpu to wake her if her father returned. Qingpu kept watch under the corridor and, upon seeing the lanterns light up in the front courtyard, entered the eastern chamber to rouse the Eldest Miss. It was only midnight, and as Jinchao left the warmth of the heated kang bed, she felt a chill seep into her bones.

She donned her winter coat and draped a mink cloak over her shoulders before heading to her father’s quarters in the front courtyard.

Gu Dezhao had not rested for a full day and night. His eyes were bloodshot, and his handsome face looked haggard. Hearing that Jinchao had come, he hastily ordered his attendants to light the brazier, then scolded her, “...Why did you get up?”

He had just returned, and the room was as cold as an icehouse.

No matter what, Jinchao had the advantage of foresight from her past life. If she knew how events would unfold, she might be able to devise a countermeasure. After sitting down, she asked her father, “...How did the discussion with the Marquis Changxing’s household go?”

Gu Dezhao sighed and fell silent for a moment. Jinchao understood—the Marquis Changxing’s household was currently lying low. If they openly aided the Gu family now, all their previous efforts would be wasted. Most likely, they had only promised to protect her father. Coming out unscathed was impossible.

The Ye family had never been particularly loyal to the Gu family, and the old marquis was ruthless, willing to sacrifice anything.

In her past life, after Fifth Madam’s death, the Gu family had sent word to the Ye family. At the time, the Ye household was still draped in mourning hemp and white banners, yet the old marquis remained unmoved, merely uttering a faint “Hmm.” Not a single member of the Ye family attended Fifth Madam’s funeral.

Perhaps they had resented the Gu family deeply by then.

Gu Dezhao murmured, “It’s my fault for being useless. Nearing forty, I’m still stuck in the position of a ministry official, never promoted... And now, I’ve carelessly fallen into someone’s trap, powerless to even protect myself. Worse still, I’ve dragged you all down with me.” He placed a hand on Jinchao’s shoulder, his eyes reddening as he said, “Chaojie. If your father truly doesn’t make it... be filial to your grandmother and take good care of your younger siblings. I know our family has grown distant from the main branch. If I’m gone, you’ll have to endure even more hardships...”

If he were gone, would Madam Feng treat his children well?

He didn’t want Jinchao to live a life of forced compromise in the Gu household, but what choice was there? Merely surviving through hardship would be a blessing. What he truly feared was the collapse of the Gu family, generations of effort reduced to nothing—where would Chaojie and the others go then?

Having lived two lives, Jinchao had grown indifferent to many things. Yet seeing her father on the verge of tears, her heart ached unbearably. No matter his faults, he was still her father...

She whispered, “Don’t despair. There may still be a way out of this. Rest well first, and when you’re refreshed, we’ll think of something.”

Gu Dezhao nodded and urged her to return to bed. It was good that Chaojie was sensible, but these matters were beyond her control. No matter how clever or mature she was, she was still an unmarried young woman.

Before leaving, Gu Jinchao asked her father, “When is the granary scheduled to open?”

Gu Dezhao paused before answering, “The twenty-fourth of November.”

That was three days from now.Time was too tight; they probably couldn't wait for Cao Ziheng to finish his inquiries. Gu Jinzhao pondered slowly on her way back. If Third Master Chen's affairs were so easily uncovered, he wouldn’t be worthy of being a Grand Secretariat minister. She had a better idea in mind...

She wanted to ask Third Master Chen directly.

Since he was willing to warn the Gu family, he surely didn’t mean them harm. The matter might be complicated—even within the same faction, conflicts could arise. For instance, in her past life, Third Master Chen and Prince Rui had always been at odds, with their factions constantly undermining each other.

Could it be... that Third Master Chen wasn’t trying to help them but rather to suppress his rivals?

Or, as she had originally guessed, was there some connection that made him want to shelter the Gu family?

Human compassion was hard to explain. If she asked, Third Master Chen might be willing to point her in the right direction.

But meeting Chen Yanyun was no simple matter, especially for a sheltered young lady like her who rarely stepped beyond the inner courtyards. She would likely have to wait until after Gu Lian’s hair-pinning ceremony. Only then could she use the excuse of shopping at Yuzhao Lane to go out.

Jinzhao sighed as she gazed at the ceiling before slowly closing her eyes to sleep.

Tomorrow was Lian jie er’s hair-pinning ceremony, and the household was bustling more than ever. Early in the morning, Jinzhao was roused by Madam Feng’s maid to accompany Gu Lian to meet Yu Ming Ying. When she arrived at the western courtyard’s side chamber, Yu Ming Ying was speaking with her personal maidservant, while Gu Lian chatted and laughed with Gu Lan, the two groups ignoring each other entirely.

Seeing Gu Jinzhao enter, Gu Lan rose slowly to greet her, but Gu Lian twisted her handkerchief and turned away, addressing Yu Ming Ying’s maidservant instead: "Nurse Wen, that sleeveless jacket you’re wearing is so stylish—it doesn’t make you look old at all!"

The corner of Jinzhao’s mouth twitched. Was Gu Lian deliberately mocking the old nurse, or was she simply tactless?

Nurse Wen smiled warmly. "You flatter me, Miss Gu. It’s only because our Third Young Lady is kind enough not to mind an old, clumsy servant like me."

Yu Ming Ying, however, cast a glance at Gu Lian with her almond-shaped eyes before settling her gaze on Gu Jinzhao. Frowning, she asked, "I’ve seen you before. Who are you?"

Nurse Wen quickly had a maid bring over a brocade stool and whispered something into Yu Ming Ying’s ear.

Yu Ming Ying then smiled. "Ah, right! My cousin-in-law mentioned you—you’re Gu Lian’s cousin! Come sit. I think you’re quite pretty and well-dressed. Help me see if these floral appliqués should be thrown away."

She spoke as if addressing a maid.

Gu Jinzhao didn’t mind. Some spoiled young ladies spoke to everyone this way. She sat beside Yu Ming Ying and examined the box of assorted floral appliqués, smiling as she said, "I think they’re all lovely. Does Ming Ying prefer gold ornaments or kingfisher ornaments?"

Yu Ming Ying idly flicked through the box with her fingers, raising an eyebrow. "What do you think?"

Jinzhao replied, "Since you dress so elegantly, you probably prefer kingfisher ornaments or floral makeup."

Yu Ming Ying nodded and handed the box to Gu Jinzhao. "These are all gold ornaments, and I don’t like them much. Do you have any better styles?"

After a moment’s thought, Jinzhao said, "Most floral appliqués are made of gold, silver, kingfisher feathers, or colored paper. I’ve also made some from cicada wings and dried petals, though they don’t last. If you like, Ming Ying, you could try making some with fresh petals."Gu Lan glanced at Gu Jinzhao upon hearing about making floral appliqués. Her face was clean and bare, without even a trace of powder—could she really make floral appliqués?

Yu Ming Ying, however, was delighted. "I'm bored staying here. Wait for me while I fetch scissors and a sewing basket—we'll make floral appliqués!" With that, she pulled Wen Momo out to ask Gu Jin Hua for scissors and the sewing basket.

Gu Jinzhao took a sip of tea but noticed Qingpu standing at the door, seemingly calling her softly. She set down the teacup and stepped outside, only to find that Madam Feng had sent a maid to inquire, worried that Gu Lian and Yu Ming Ying might not get along. After speaking with the maid, Jinzhao returned inside but noticed the odd expressions on Gu Lian and Gu Lan's faces. Soon after, Yu Ming Ying returned with the sewing basket and pulled her into the courtyard to make floral appliqués.

By evening, Jinzhao finally returned to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall.

After sitting down and drinking a bowl of goji berry and white fungus soup, Jinzhao went to the study to write a letter to Luo Yongping. She used shopping at Yuzhao Lane as an excuse to switch carriages at Luo Yongping’s place and head to Lanxi Lane. Third Master Chen would pass through Lanxi Lane—where Wanping and Daxing bordered the capital—on his way to court, likely around mid-afternoon. It would be best if she could intercept him there... Fortunately, Third Master Chen disliked traveling with a large entourage of guards.

Just as she finished sealing the letter, she heard Caifu announce from behind the curtain that Madam Feng had summoned her to the eastern courtyard.

Gu Jinzhao changed her clothes and headed to the eastern courtyard. As soon as she reached the main hall, she heard Yu Ming Ying’s voice from the western chamber: "...Did the thing grow wings and fly away? Don’t tell me it just disappeared—you’re just taking advantage of your family’s status to bully me!"

This was followed by Gu Jin Hua’s soothing voice: "Ming Ying, it’s just a tourmaline bracelet. Eldest Sister-in-law will buy you a better one later. Let’s just drop this matter..."

Yu Ming Ying sneered. "Eldest Sister-in-law, I’ve always thought well of you, which is why I haven’t made a fuss. But coming to your Gu family once, and my things get stolen—are you jealous of the Yu family’s wealth? If I hadn’t noticed early, would my entire trunk have been emptied?"

Just as Gu Jinzhao was about to step into the western chamber, one of Madam Feng’s maidservants came out and whispered to her, "Miss Yu’s tourmaline bracelet is missing. They’ve searched for hours but can’t find it. She insists it was Miss Lian who took it... Cousin, you must help mediate."

Yu Ming Ying’s tourmaline bracelet was missing? Gu Jinzhao frowned.

Upon entering, she curtsied in greeting. Seeing her, Yu Ming Ying snorted and fell silent.

Jinzhao noticed Madam Feng’s face on the arhat bed was as dark as a pot. Beside her stood Gu Lian and Gu Lan, both with their heads bowed. Second Madam, Second Madam, and Gu Jin Hua sat to the side.

Madam Feng motioned for Jinzhao to step forward and said to Yu Ming Ying, "Ming Ying, you said your bracelet went missing while Lianjie and the others were present. We’ve gathered everyone here." She turned to Jinzhao. "Chaojie, tell us—were there any other maids in the room at that time?"

Jinzhao thought for a moment and replied, "There were Lian’s two maids and Lan Er’s Mu Jin."

Madam Feng forced a smile and said gently to Yu Ming Ying, "Perhaps one of the maids took it out of ignorance. Don’t worry. Once I question them, if anyone is found to have taken your things, I will not let them off lightly."Yu Ming Ying, however, was unwilling to accept this gesture. She immediately said, "I know you are a reasonable person, Old Madam. Surely you wouldn’t shield someone who has done wrong. Could it be that the maids of your Gu family are so bold as to casually take things belonging to their masters and guests? I don’t believe it. If not for a master’s orders, no one would dare to touch anything. It’s not that I care so much about the bracelet—it’s that I’ve been wronged by your Gu family, and my heart cannot rest!... Old Madam, if you don’t bring out the thief to apologize to me today, I won’t let this matter rest!"

Madam Feng’s expression grew even darker.

Gu Lian might be spoiled and willful, but she was nothing like Yu Ming Ying, who was simply being unreasonable!

It was just a lost bracelet, yet she was acting as if her life depended on it, refusing to listen to reason!

P.S.: Comrades, the recommendation votes are about to break the 10,000 mark. Let’s push a little harder and get past 10,000—thank you all for your support!