Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 184: Hundred Days

The maids searched the outer courtyard but found nothing. When they reported back to Madam Feng, they also mentioned accidentally entering the room where Lord Chen was resting. Madam Feng grew visibly anxious and immediately asked if Lord Chen had been angry. The maid replied, "...Lord Chen didn't come out, so this servant wouldn't know."

Madam Feng lay back on the Arhat bed, silently gazing at the clepsydra placed on the long side table.

The next day, when Third Master Chen was leaving the estate, Madam Feng rose early to see him off.

"...We deeply regret disturbing you last night!" Gu Deyuan said with an apologetic smile, cupping his hands in salute.

Third Master Chen's guards stood around the screen wall, while Gu Deyuan, Gu Dezhao, and Gu Dexiu—all dressed in official uniforms—had come to bid him farewell.

Yet Third Master Chen wore a gray-blue straight-collared robe with a black Hangzhou silk cloak draped over his shoulders. Adjusting his sleeves, he asked indifferently, "Are the guards in your Gu household so lax that even thieves can break in?"

Gu Deyuan was taken aback but quickly laughed it off. "...A thief did indeed intrude! Fortunately, no valuables were lost."

"Was the culprit caught?" Third Master Chen pressed.

Gu Deyuan found it odd that Lord Chen would take such an interest in the matter. Still, he could only say, "He's already been apprehended," lest Lord Chen think the Gu family incompetent, unable to subdue a mere thief.

Third Master Chen said nothing more, but his expression darkened after he entered the sedan chair.

No matter why Gu Jinzhao had barged into his room, it was clear she wasn’t living well in the Gu household. The Gu family members were hardly commendable—Gu Deyuan was a habitual hypocrite, two-faced in public and private. Gu Dezhao was too weak-willed, rigidly adhering to convention in all matters. And that Madam Feng had even attempted to storm the banquet and rest area last night—evidently, she was too accustomed to being indulged in the household, unaware of proper boundaries.

He also recalled something he had overheard by chance—Gu Jinzhao was already past sixteen yet still unmarried. Her family had nearly betrothed her to the son of a bankrupt imperial merchant, a man who had once beaten his own maid to death...

Third Master Chen stared impassively at the sedan chair’s blue linen curtain.

He had gone out of his way to protect her... yet others dared to mistreat her so easily.

When Gu Jinzhao heard that Third Master Chen had left, she sighed in relief.

Setting aside the half-embroidered silk socks, she gazed absently at the slender buds of the weeping crabapple outside her window.

She hadn’t dared to dwell on Chen Yanyun’s words... nor could she bring herself to.

In her past life, their interactions had been few. Five years after their marriage, Chen Yanyun had died in Sichuan due to bandit unrest. When she heard the news, she hadn’t grieved—if anything, she had felt relieved. And in the decades that followed, she had never once thought of him. His death had been silent, as though he had never existed in her life...

After her rebirth, Jinzhao had let go of her obsession with Chen Xuanqing. Only then did she begin to truly see Third Master Chen—yet she still didn’t understand him.

If his protectiveness stemmed merely from pity after saving her, how could his words be explained?

Gu Jinzhao felt a pang of frustration. Was she destined to be entangled with Third Master Chen? She feared she would only bring him harm.

Perhaps he had only spoken those words in passing...

That was the only explanation she could accept. Overthinking would do her no good.

She called Caifu in to tidy up the sewing baskets and threads. Soon, Madam Feng would summon them to accompany Gu Lian to Bao Xiang Temple for prayers. With her marriage delayed, Gu Lian had been in low spirits lately, and Madam Feng had instructed everyone to be patient and comfort her.Half a month later, the imperial decree was announced. The newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue was not selected from within the ministry but was instead transferred from the position of Changde Prefect in Huguang. When the news reached the Gu family, Madam Feng was quite disappointed but also secretly relieved. She summoned Gu Dezhao for a long conversation.

Soon after, the hundred-day celebration for the Eleventh Miss arrived. This time, even more guests attended than before. The child’s name had also been decided—'Tang,' chosen by Lord Gao, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. For the occasion, Gu Jinzhao gifted the baby a pair of golden rattles. The infant, just freed from swaddling, was held by the wet nurse, squirming and reaching for things, full of energy.

The ladies who hadn’t seen the child last time gathered around, praising her rosy complexion and delicate features, saying she looked just like Fifth Madam.

Gu Jinzhao sat sipping tea when she noticed Madam Feng calling Gu Lan over for a talk.

Madam Feng was admiring the newly bloomed crabapple flowers in the flower hall, while Jinchao sat under the corridor eaves, which afforded her a clear view of the scene.

Beside Madam Feng sat an unfamiliar woman dressed in a deep purple embroidered jacket and a green horse-face skirt with intricate floral borders. She wore a fiery red chicken-blood stone bracelet and a headband adorned with South Sea pearls and jade. Around forty years old, she had slender phoenix eyes.

Madam Feng said to Gu Lan, "...This is Madam Guo from Baoding."

Hearing this, Gu Jinzhao’s heart skipped a beat, and she set down her teacup. Madam Guo of Anxiang—she knew this woman! She was famously skilled at matchmaking in the Northern Zhili region. Her husband was the Prefectural Vice Magistrate of Baoding, and both her parents were still alive. She had a son and a daughter and was often invited to serve as a "complete blessing" matchmaker.

Gu Lan, however, had never heard of her and greeted Madam Guo with a smile.

Madam Guo smiled warmly but scrutinized Gu Lan from head to toe, making her uneasy.

Just as Gu Lan was about to speak, Madam Feng interjected, "...I think the kitchen just made red bean and yam cakes. Could you fetch a plate for me?"

After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Lan had no choice but to comply and leave. Madam Feng then began whispering with Madam Guo.

"...Lan Er is very gentle and well-versed in the Admonitions for Women and Lessons for Women . Her looks are also quite pleasing. Madam Guo, do think about whether there’s a suitable match for our Lan Er. Seeing Lian jie er already engaged to Young Master Yao, I can’t help but worry about her two older sisters..."

After a pause, Madam Guo replied, "She’s quite good, but it’s a pity she’s a concubine-born daughter. Still, it’s odd that no one has proposed to the Third Miss Gu yet... I heard she originally lived in Shi’an with your Fourth Master, not raised under the Old Madam’s care, is that right?"

Madam Feng smiled. "There have been proposals, but I found them unsuitable, so it’s been delayed until now. It’s been nearly a year since the Fourth Branch returned to the Gu family. This child’s nature is quite good, and with her younger sister’s influence, she won’t fare too poorly in the future."

Madam Guo, however, only smiled and didn’t respond further, instead lifting her teacup to drink.

Madam Feng was clearly trying to arrange a marriage for Gu Lan...

Last time, the Mu family had sent someone to propose a match for Mu Zhizhai, but it fell through due to Song Furen’s interference. Within a few months, Mu Zhizhai married the fourth concubine-born daughter of the Earl of Anyang, who was already past seventeen and not in a position to be picky.

In her past life, Mu Zhizhai had also married the fourth concubine-born daughter of the Earl of Anyang.

Gu Jinzhao mused silently, wondering what kind of family Madam Feng would arrange for Gu Lan this time...Madam Guo began speaking again, "The young ladies of your Gu family are all quite beautiful. I recall the Second Miss hasn't married yet. I've heard much about your Second Miss—exceptionally lovely... She isn't betrothed, is she?"

Why was the conversation turning to her... Gu Jinchao glanced toward the flower hall. Madam Feng and Madam Guo had their backs to her, admiring the crabapple blossoms.

Madam Feng thought of Madam Wang, who had previously come to propose a match for Gu Jinchao, and shook her head. "That girl indeed isn't betrothed, but her father is overseeing it. There's no need for me to intervene..." Gu Jinchao's marriage arrangements had been personally handled by Gu Dezhao, making it difficult for Madam Feng to interfere even if she wanted to.

Madam Guo didn't press further about Gu Jinchao. Instead, she said, "As for your Third Miss's matter, allow me to think it over carefully. I'll discuss it with you again once I find a suitable candidate."

Madam Feng thanked her profusely and had Fuling present a box of South Sea pearls to Madam Guo.

When it was time for the banquet, Madam Feng led the female guests to the western courtyard.

Jinchao still had two months left before the mourning period ended, so she returned to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall to practice calligraphy. By afternoon, Ye Xian arrived with his guards.

The ladies had gathered to play mahjong, leaving only a few maids in Fifth Madam's quarters. He strode in directly. Fifth Madam pulled her younger brother aside to talk. "How can you be so busy... You're even late for your niece's hundred-day celebration!"

Ye Xian frowned at the baby girl wriggling and babbling in the cradle. "...She's drooling."

Fifth Madam laughed at him. "She's just a child!" She beckoned the wet nurse to bring the baby over, urging Ye Xian to hold his niece.

Ye Xian barely had time to dodge and snorted, "I don't want to hold her!"

Yet his hands had no choice but to receive the impossibly soft bundle, holding her stiffly. Seeing the baby continue to babble and look around, seemingly unbothered, Ye Xian finally relaxed. He found dealing with this child far more challenging than deciphering obscure legal documents.

After a moment, he handed the baby back to the wet nurse and told Fifth Madam, "I'm going to speak with Gu Jinxian for a while."

Fifth Madam's expression darkened slightly. "Going to see Xian'er is one thing, but don't you dare visit Gu Jinchao again..."

Ye Xian merely smiled without responding. After leaving Fifth Madam's courtyard, he headed straight for the Beautiful Embroidery Hall.

Fifth Madam was so upset that tears welled in her eyes. "This stubbornness of his will be the death of me..."

Gu Jinchao exhaled softly, setting down her brush to examine the Ink Bamboo Painting she had been practicing for nearly half a month. She still couldn't capture the bamboo's rugged vitality! She instructed Caifu to fetch the Ink Bamboo Painting gifted by Third Master Chen for comparison. After studying it for a while, she sighed in frustration. "It's still far from adequate..."

Her calligraphy was passable, but her painting skills lagged far behind. Jinchao had hoped to master the art of painting bamboo and had even transplanted several clusters of ink bamboo outside her study window for inspiration. Yet after days of practice, her attempts remained unsatisfactory. She decided to copy masterpieces first, but none seemed suitable. Eventually, she began replicating Third Master Chen's Ink Bamboo Painting.

After all, Third Master Chen was a Scholar of the Two Boards and the Emperor's personally appointed Second Place. In his time, only Yuan Zhongru had ranked above him.

Third Master Chen's painting depicted several bamboo stalks, arranged with elegant asymmetry—tall and graceful. His brushstrokes were powerful yet fluid, the bamboo's bones rendered in pale ink that contrasted beautifully with the darker leaves, creating a lively charm. In comparison, her own work showed some compositional promise, but the bamboo lacked the necessary strength and poise.The ink bamboo he painted was truly elegant and refined. How on earth did he practice to achieve this?

While Gu Jinzhao was lost in thought, Qingpu came in to announce that Changxing Marquis's Heir had arrived.

Jinchao instructed Caifu to put away the painting and told Qingpu, "Have the Heir wait in the flower hall for a while."

Qingpu replied, "I already invited him, but the Heir said he only has a few words to say and will leave afterward. He asked you not to prepare tea for him."

Gu Jinzhao's lips twitched as she said, "...Tell him to go to the flower hall. Even if he doesn’t want my tea, he shouldn’t stand in the courtyard catching a cold breeze!"

Qingpu suppressed a laugh and went to relay the message.

PS: I’d love to update more, but my hands are just too slow. Everyone wants to read high-quality content, and rushing it would be too hasty—this chapter already feels a bit rushed… I’ll definitely double update tomorrow, but today I’ll focus on drafting. The update times vary because my class schedule changes daily. Once I’m on break, I’ll double update at fixed times every day!

Also, I’d like to recommend a friend’s new novel, Joyful Affairs of a Homebody , currently on the featured list. It’s also a rebirth story—check it out if you’re interested!