Chapter 181: Departure
Madam Feng coldly lowered her eyelids, staring expressionlessly at Cheng Baozhi. After a long while, she finally spoke: "How dare you cry? If not for your foolish actions, would we have ended up in such a situation?" She had been dragged into this disgrace as well.
This niece of hers—what a poor choice she had been!
Cheng Baozhi froze for a moment before her tears flowed even more fiercely. "Aunt—you're my own aunt! With the bond between us, how can you just abandon me like this? Third Sister said you and my mother were the closest of friends..."
Madam Feng impatiently closed her eyes. Such a stupid woman wouldn’t even be able to suppress the Fourth Branch if she married in.
Her own younger sister had been gone for so many years—who still remembered any bonds of affection? She had long since married into the Gu family and had little contact with the Fengs. Did Cheng Baozhi really expect her to show mercy?
Madam Feng said indifferently, "If you still want to enter the household, you can wait here in the Gu residence until Miss Xu the Third marries in. If she agrees, Gu Dezhao can take you as a concubine—or you can start as a bed-warming maid and be promoted to concubine once you bear a son. The choice is yours."
Cheng Baozhi finally stopped wailing, staring blankly at Madam Feng.
A concubine... Her father had five concubines, none of whom dared to breathe too loudly in front of her stepmother. Her stepmother dealt with them however she pleased. The daughter born to the Third Concubine was handed over to the stepmother to raise—she died within a month, and her father hadn’t even asked about it...
A chill crept through Cheng Baozhi’s heart. She murmured, "I won’t be a concubine. If I marry, I’ll be the legal wife, not a concubine..."
What would she even be, awkwardly staying here after Miss Xu the Third entered the household? The entire estate would laugh at her.
Shamelessly clinging to another family’s home, just to become some man’s lesser wife...
Madam Feng had no desire to speak further with Cheng Baozhi. She beckoned Xu Momo over and instructed, "Miss Cheng will return to Jiangxi tomorrow. Help her pack her belongings and give her twenty taels for the journey. As for the jewelry she no longer needs, take it back."
Xu Momo acknowledged with a smile and went to Cheng Baozhi’s side chamber with two maids. Cheng Baozhi scrambled up and stumbled after them.
The two maids rummaged through her belongings while Peihuan cowered in fear, not daring to speak. Cheng Baozhi shrieked at them, "Those South Sea Pearls are mine—so is the bracelet! You lowly wretches, how dare you bully me? Don’t you dare take my Purple Ying Bracelet!" She snatched the items back from the maids, clutching them tightly to her chest, then shot Peihuan a fierce glare, willing her to step in and help.
Madam Feng rubbed her temples in irritation and sent a maid to relay a message: "Forget it, let her take those things! If this commotion continues, I won’t be able to bear the shame."
No matter how greedy one was, there had to be limits. Madam Feng suddenly felt a twinge of relief that Cheng Baozhi hadn’t married into the family.
The next day, Cheng Baozhi was escorted out of the Gu residence, weeping bitterly the entire way.
Gu Jinzhao had Caifu send over a box of tea cakes. "...Consider it our farewell gift to our cousin."
No one else from the Gu family even bothered to see her off.
By the time Gu Dezhao’s marriage was finalized, it was already early February—when the weather teetered between lingering cold and tentative warmth.In just one month, Gu Lian was supposed to get married. Madam Feng, still troubled by the incident with Cheng Baozhi, had originally intended to arrange Gu Lian's wedding meticulously. However, the Yao family sent a letter stating that Yao Wenxiu's aunt had passed away, and he would observe mourning for three months, requesting to postpone the wedding until June.
Madam Feng found this inappropriate and said to Second Madam, "In June, the fourth son is remarrying. It's already inauspicious to have two joyous events within a year, let alone in the same month." She sent word back to the Yao family, proposing to delay the wedding until August.
Gu Lian, who had been eagerly anticipating this day and had even begun embroidering handkerchiefs, shoes, and socks for the wedding, was deeply upset to hear it would be postponed by half a year. In her frustration, she punished a maid who had made a minor mistake by making her kneel for an entire afternoon.
Gu Lan tried to console Gu Lian, but the latter, sulking, ignored her, leaving Gu Lan to swallow her own irritation. Returning to her study, Gu Lan pondered for a long time before asking Mu Jin to bring her some letter paper. Calmly, she said, "...I heard Yao Wenxiu's aunt raised him since childhood, and they were very close. Since he's observing mourning for her and Gu Lian is upset, I should at least offer him some words of comfort."
Mu Jin whispered hesitantly, "...Last time, Tai Furen said not to accept any more perfumed gifts from Yao Wenxiu. I thought you wouldn't have any further contact with him..." After all, Yao Wenxiu was engaged to Gu Lian. If anyone discovered Gu Lan's actions, they would be too ashamed to show their faces.
She looked at her mistress. Since Gu Lian's coming-of-age ceremony, Gu Lan had grown noticeably thinner. Now, her face was as delicate as polished jade, with a slender, pointed chin and eyes as soft as spring water—her beauty even more striking than before.
Mu Jin's heart ached for her young mistress. Despite being far more beautiful and capable than Gu Lian, she was merely an unfavored concubine's daughter...
Gu Lan knew this all too well. If Madam Feng discovered her secret correspondence with Yao Wenxiu, the consequences would be dire.
After all, Gu Lian's marriage was the old madam's greatest vulnerability.
Gu Lan smiled faintly. "Look at Gu Jinzhao—she's formidable, isn't she? Yet no matter how strong-willed she is, she's still a woman confined to the inner quarters, subject to Madam Feng's control. When Madam Feng betrothed her to Wang Zan, did she dare refuse? If even Gu Jinzhao is powerless, what chance do I have?" Song Furen rarely visited the Gu family now, and Madam Feng paid even less attention to her. When it came time for her to marry, she would likely be wed off to anyone...
No matter who it was, as long as it benefited Madam Feng, she would do it without hesitation.
Gu Lan continued, "I refuse to be manipulated by her! I must plan for myself... One day, I'll make them all see that I, too, can rise above them! Fortune favors the bold—those who hesitate starve. If we fear everything, what future do we have?"
She handed the letter to Mu Jin, instructing her to send it out along with the correspondence to Song Furen.
Gu Jinzhao also heard about the wedding delay.
She continued her daily morning and evening visits to Madam Feng as if unaware of the matter.
Meanwhile, the position of Vice Minister of Revenue remained undecided, and Gu Dezhao returned home later each day. With spring plowing approaching and the famine in Shanxi alleviated, taxes for the year could not be collected. Moreover, Lord Chen submitted a memorial to the throne, reducing Shanxi's corvée labor and taxes for two years.
As dusk settled, Gu Dezhao emerged from the Six Ministries offices, deep in conversation with his colleague, Wang Yu, the Director of the Bureau of Revenue."...The death of Lord Yuan is no small matter. It's said he passed away from exhaustion while managing the disaster relief efforts in Shanxi. The Emperor posthumously honored him as Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent and bestowed a memorial archway... erected in his hometown of Jizhou. I suppose this counts as a worthy death—the people of Shanxi have even built a shrine in his honor."
Gu Dezhao sighed. "Though honored in death, it's meaningless once a man is gone."
Wang Yu shot him a glare and whispered, "Save such talk for when we're back."
They hadn't even passed through the Duan Gate yet.
Recalling the humiliations Yuan Zhongru had endured in life, Gu Dezhao couldn't bring himself to agree with Wang Yu. He waved a hand dismissively. "...Never mind, there's nothing more to say." He was about to ask Wang Yu about the matter concerning the Director of the Revenue Bureau when he spotted a sedan chair emerging from the Meridian Gate.
Wang Yu glanced over as well. "That seems to be Lord Chen's sedan—likely coming from the Grand Secretariat."
Carried by four bearers, the sedan moved slowly and steadily, followed by two teams of guards.
Gu Dezhao pulled Wang Yu aside to let Lord Chen's sedan pass. As officials of lower rank than Third Master Chen, their carriage could only wait outside the Gate of Heavenly Purity. Whenever a high-ranking official of the third rank or above emerged from the Meridian Gate in a sedan or carriage, it was customary to stop and wait respectfully.
The sedan approached leisurely, but just as it reached them, a voice from inside called, "Halt."
Both men were flustered by the unexpected attention. After exchanging bewildered glances, Gu Dezhao stepped forward first to bow, followed by Wang Yu, who cupped his hands and greeted, "Lord Chen."
The sedan curtain was lifted, revealing Third Master Chen still clad in his crimson round-collared official robe of the second rank. Smiling at Gu Dezhao, he asked, "Have you two just left the yamen?"
Wang Yu shot Gu Dezhao a look, wondering when he'd managed to forge ties with Chen Ge Lao. The man had always been so unassuming—could he actually have influential connections?
Gu Dezhao was equally puzzled, though he soon recalled how Third Master Chen had intervened to help him during the incident at the Daxing Granary.
Regardless, the man had saved his life—no amount of respect would be excessive.
Gu Dezhao replied deferentially, "We are honored by your concern, my lord. We've just left the yamen and were about to return."
Third Master Chen gave a noncommittal hum. Though neither Gu Dezhao nor Wang Yu were particularly outstanding in ability, they were diligent and dutiful officials in the Ministry of Revenue. Counting his Buddhist beads with his left hand, he continued to Gu Dezhao, "...I wonder if Master Gu would be willing to invite me for a brief visit to your residence?"
Gu Dezhao froze.
Wang Yu's expression grew even more peculiar—Old Gu the Fourth must have truly secured Third Master Chen's favor! For him to personally request a visit—what kind of privilege was this? With Third Master Chen's support, Gu Dezhao would surely ascend to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue.
Before Third Master Chen's arrival at the ministry, there had been two vice ministers. The Left Vice Minister, Lin Xianzong, had been implicated in Fan Chuan's case and demoted to Administrative Commissioner of Shanxi, with Zheng Yun taking his place. The Right Vice Minister, Jiang Bingkun, had been personally arrested and imprisoned by Third Master Chen, temporarily replaced by Yan Mao before his recent retirement. By all rights, someone connected to Fan Chuan like Gu Dezhao shouldn't have been next in line...
Noting his stunned silence, Third Master Chen slowly said, "If Master Gu is unwilling, we can forget the matter..."Gu Dezhao flushed red with embarrassment upon hearing these words. Caught off guard, he hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Your presence would bring great honor to my humble abode, my lord! I only fear my hospitality may fall short... My carriage is still outside Chengtian Gate, so I'm afraid I must trouble you to wait a moment."
Third Master Chen replied, "No need for that. You may ride in my sedan chair instead."
Though Chen Yanyun held the prestigious position of Minister of Revenue, he rarely visited the Six Ministries offices, so officials like Gu Dezhao seldom had the chance to see him. The thought of sharing a sedan chair with Chen Yanyun made cold sweat break out on Gu Dezhao's forehead. That was Chen Ge Lao after all...
Gu Dezhao opened his mouth but couldn't muster the courage to refuse. He could only bid farewell to Wang Yu and board Third Master Chen's sedan chair.
What could he possibly serve that would be worthy of Third Master Chen's visit? Gu Dezhao fretted inwardly.
...He mustn't slight the great Chen Ge Lao!
OpenNovel