Chapter 179: Marriage Proposal
Father returned soon after.
Seeing his gloomy expression, Jinchao knew his meeting with Madam Feng must have ended poorly.
When Gu Dezhao noticed his eldest daughter looking at him, he paused before saying, "...Your grandmother said many things trying to exonerate Cheng Baozhi, but I didn’t agree." He felt he had done the right thing and thus spoke with more conviction, "I absolutely will not marry her to be your stepmother!"
Jinchao smiled faintly. Madam Feng likely hadn’t pressured Father either—she knew the more she pushed, the more he would resist marrying Cheng Baozhi.
She helped her father remove his cloak.
But after a moment’s thought, Gu Dezhao asked, "Chaojie... do you think having a stepmother would be good?"
Madam Feng would undoubtedly urge Father to remarry, so Gu Jinchao wasn’t surprised. She wanted to hear his thoughts.
"What do you mean by that?"
Gu Dezhao hesitated. "I truly don’t wish to remarry—I want to observe mourning for your mother. But your grandmother does have a point. Right now, you’re the one managing our household, but you’ll eventually marry and leave. If someone else takes over later, how can they be as devoted? Rong Ge’er still needs to study and marry, and your younger sisters can’t be left without care... If you think it’s acceptable, we could choose a respectable young woman from a modest family..."
He wanted his eldest daughter’s opinion. This remarriage was entirely for the sake of the fourth branch—it didn’t matter who he married, as long as she could take care of the household.
After some thought, Jinchao replied, "Father, are you worried I’d resent a stepmother?" Without waiting for his answer, she continued, "I truly don’t want you to remarry, and I don’t want to call another woman ‘Mother.’ But these are childish sentiments... No one can replace Mother in my heart. The same goes for Rong Ge’er—it’s just a title. You needn’t worry."
Having lived two lives, she understood this clearly. The living were what mattered most.
Gu Dezhao fell silent. Jinchao had already thought this through. On his way back, he had been agonizing over how to broach the subject with her, especially since he had previously vowed not to remarry.
Gu Jinchao then asked about Cheng Baozhi: "...Did Grandmother tell you about her background?"
Gu Dezhao nodded, marveling at his daughter’s foresight. "She did, and it made me uncomfortable. I even asked if she intended to match me with Cheng Baozhi, but she flatly denied it."
That wasn’t surprising. After what had happened, Madam Feng wouldn’t dare reveal her plans—it would only deepen Gu Dezhao’s aversion.
But Jinchao seemed lost in thought before suddenly smiling.
"Father, don’t worry about this. I have a solution." Pleased with her idea, she asked, "Do you remember the third young miss of the Xu family?"
...
Ji Wu Shi received Gu Jinchao’s reply and burst into laughter after reading it, startling Liu Shi, who was holding Chun Ge’er.
Clutching the sleeping child tighter, Liu Shi asked, "...Grandmother seems so happy. Did the young mistress share good news?"
Ji Wu Shi chuckled. "Not exactly good news—that little imp!"
She then called for Mama Song and instructed her to prepare a carriage, several boxes of Zaozhi cakes and Yunpian cakes, large boxes of crisp sugar, and a pair of wild geese. She was heading to the Xu family to propose a marriage alliance.Mama Song was startled. "Tai Furen, this... who are we proposing marriage for?"
If it were for Gu Dezhao, would it be their place to propose? Wasn't it said that Madam Feng wanted to betroth her own niece to Gu Dezhao? Would they really be sent to propose to the Xu family?
Ji Wu Shi merely smiled. "Hurry and prepare the gifts. You'll find out soon enough."
Gu Jinzhao's plan was to act first and report later.
Madam Feng had spoken to Gu Dezhao, hoping he would remarry, but she denied any intention of betrothing Cheng Baozhi to him. So couldn’t Gu Dezhao find someone himself?
It would be better to entrust her to first settle this marriage proposal, then go to Madam Feng and say it was something Gu Dezhao had previously mentioned to her, which was why she approached Miss Xu the Third. As Gu Jinzhao’s maternal grandmother, she had every right to intervene in this matter.
Even if Madam Feng was furious, she wouldn’t dare make a scene. How could an agreed-upon marriage be broken off? That would be a slap in the face to the Xu family. Given the Xu family’s status, Madam Feng wouldn’t dare say such a thing. She’d have to swallow her anger.
As long as the Xu family agreed, there would be no issues at all!
Gu Jinzhao had one last thing to say... she could only trouble her grandmother to play the villain for now.
Ji Wu Shi was more than happy to play that role. She would delight in seeing Madam Feng seething with anger but unable to voice it.
She took a carriage to the Xu residence in Kuanzhai Hutong, Wanping, and explained her purpose to Madam Xu. Madam Xu was also surprised. Why was Ji Wu Shi personally handling such a matter? After some thought, she accepted the gifts and invited Ji Wu Shi to stay for lunch, saying they needed a few days to consider.
Ji Wu Shi praised Gu Dezhao so lavishly that even she felt she had gone overboard before finally taking the carriage back to Tongzhou.
She was eighty percent confident and not the least bit anxious.
Madam Xu discussed the matter with Xu Laoye. After some consideration, Xu Laoye found it quite reasonable.
"I’ve met Gu Dezhao before," Xu Laoye said as Madam Xu helped him adjust his official robes. "During the Shanxi relief efforts last time, he contributed greatly. Though he’s nearly forty, he still looks young and handsome. His wife passed away nearly a year ago, and he’s kept himself clean—he doesn’t even attend drinking gatherings with colleagues. Compared to someone like the Luo family’s eldest son, he’s far superior."
Madam Xu hesitated. "But it’s still a remarriage..."
Xu Laoye disagreed. "Do you think Jingyi could find a better match as a first wife? I think this is acceptable. But let’s ask Jingyi’s opinion. If she disagrees, then we’ll drop it." Xu Laoye had always been open-minded in such matters.
Madam Xu was indecisive by nature. Even trivial matters like choosing fabric patterns required her daughter’s input. In her eyes, her husband and second daughter were the pillars of the household. Since her husband had spoken, and if her daughter also agreed, then there was no doubt left.
Xu Jingyi blushed deeply upon hearing the proposal but nodded earnestly. "Mother, he’s not a bad man..."
With her mind made up, Madam Xu visited Ji Wu Shi in Tongzhou the next day, bringing her daughter’s birth characters.
Ji Wu Shi took them to a Taoist priest at Changchun Temple for a compatibility reading—the eight characters matched perfectly!
On the third day, she took a carriage to the Gu residence.
Gu Jinzhao was still embroidering summer silk socks with Caifu when she heard that Ji Wu Shi had come to visit.Jinchao was startled. "...Just like that?" She had written to her grandmother, expecting a reply once matters were settled. Yet in just three days, everything was already arranged?
Her grandmother was truly swift and decisive! Coming directly to their home meant the matter must already be resolved.
Indeed, no one could match her grandmother's reliability.
Jinchao hastily asked Qingpu to fetch her shoes and rushed straight to the eastern courtyard.
Madam Feng was still teaching Cheng Baozhi how to review account books when a maid announced, "...Old Madam Ji has arrived, bringing many gifts to see you!"
Madam Feng found it strange. It wasn't a festival or special occasion, nor was there any happy event in the household. Why would Ji Wu Shi come visiting?
A guest was a guest nonetheless, so Madam Feng received her in the banquet and rest area.
As soon as Ji Wu Shi entered, she walked up and took Madam Feng's hands, smiling. "Old sister, the matter your Gu family entrusted is finally settled!"
Madam Feng was baffled by Ji Wu Shi's words. What did she mean? What matter had she supposedly helped settle?
Ji Wu Shi continued, "Are you trying to deny my efforts? The matter of finding a stepmother for Chaojie is settled. Your fourth son said he's taken a liking to Miss Xu the Third, and that this was your wish too. Didn't I rush to the Xu family to propose on your behalf? They've agreed. In fact, on my way here, I even had their birth charts matched. If you don't believe it, you can have them checked again!"
Madam Feng felt as if struck by lightning!
She seemed to understand each word Ji Wu Shi said, but when strung together, what did they even mean?
She had found a stepmother for Gu Jinzhao and even matched their birth charts? Who had asked her to do such a thing!
Gu Dezhao said he fancied Miss Xu the Third? Since when did Madam Feng know anything about some Miss Xu? She had clearly intended for Cheng Baozhi to marry Gu Dezhao to keep the fourth branch under her control. How did this engagement with Miss Xu the Third come about?
Madam Feng's face darkened. "Old Madam Ji, you'd better explain yourself clearly. I never mentioned any Miss Xu the Third!"
Having weathered many storms, Ji Wu Shi paid no heed to Madam Feng's anger. Her maid brought over a Grand Preceptor's Chair, and Ji Wu Shi sat down without waiting for an invitation, ignoring Madam Feng's stormy expression as she continued cheerfully, "Miss Xu the Third of the Wanping Xu family—wasn't she your choice? Her father is the Transmission Commissioner, a third-rank official. She's the second legitimate daughter, with an elder sister married to the second son of Marquis Pingjin. Her character is beyond reproach—the Xu family is known for scholarly traditions, and their daughters are impeccable... The Xu family has already agreed. That's why I'm here to discuss with you."
Madam Feng felt her vision darken. The legitimate daughter of a third-rank Transmission Commissioner...
How could she possibly agree to marry Gu Dezhao as a stepmother?
Seeing Madam Feng silent, Ji Wu Shi feigned surprise. "Old sister, surely you're not thinking of going back on your word? The Xu family is among the most prominent in Wanping. This match was only pursued after Gu Dezhao confirmed his interest. I've been running around for days to arrange this..."
Hearing this, Madam Feng couldn't even storm off, her fury trapped in her chest with no outlet. She cursed Ji Wu Shi inwardly. Who wanted her meddling? Who had ever mentioned marrying Miss Xu the Third?She needed to calm down first and think about what to do. Ji Wu Shi had gone to propose the marriage—could that be beneficial for her? What about her niece who had come from Jiangxi? Ji Wu Shi's enthusiasm was definitely suspicious!
With a dark expression, she ordered Fuling to quickly summon Gu Dezhao. Then she asked Ji Wu Shi, "Old Madam Ji, I never agreed to this marriage. Tell me, how could Miss Xu the Third, the legitimate daughter of the Transmission Commissioner, possibly agree to become Fourth Master's second wife?"
In her heart, she hoped this Miss Xu had some sort of illness—otherwise, she really wouldn't have a good excuse to refuse this marriage arrangement.
After all, Ji Wu Shi had already settled it, and the other family's status was impeccable. If they backed out now, wouldn't they earn the other party's resentment?
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