Chapter 187: Breaking Off the Engagement
Gu Jinzhao was tending to her camellias in the side room, selecting the varieties that bloomed in spring to send to her father. She pointed to a pot of white and pink camellias and instructed Qingpu, "When we go to pay respects to Grandmother at noon, bring this pot along."
A few days ago, Madam Feng had formally sent a matchmaker to the Xu family in Tongzhou to set the wedding date for May 28th. Recently, Madam Feng often summoned Jinzhao to discuss matters, mostly about the arrangements after Xu Jingyi's marriage into the family. She had also consulted with Jinzhao's father about the betrothal gifts.
Mama Xu privately told Jinzhao, "Tai Furen said that the betrothal gifts for a second marriage shouldn’t be too extravagant. After all, the household is about to have another wedding soon and must prepare dowry for Fourth Miss Lian. Twenty loads of betrothal gifts should suffice..." Madam Feng placed great importance on Gu Lian's marriage, fearing any conflict between the two weddings, so she suppressed the arrangements on Jinzhao's father's side.
After all, the engagement between Gu Dezhao and Xu Jingyi still displeased Madam Feng, who was eagerly hoping that Gu Lian would bring glory to the Gu family.
Jinzhao said to Mama Xu, "If the betrothal gifts are too meager, the Xu family might feel disrespected. Please inform Father that even if there are only twenty loads, each must be carefully selected and not appear shoddy. If he lacks funds, he can draw from my account."
Mama Xu relayed this to Gu Dezhao, who immediately came to see Jinzhao.
Dark circles under his eyes showed he hadn’t been sleeping well. "How could I take money from you?" he said firmly. "Your money was left by your mother and is meant for your dowry. No matter how difficult things get, I would never touch what belongs to you."
Jinzhao countered, "Then what do you plan to do? Your income is all in Grandmother’s hands, isn’t it? At most, you have a little over a thousand taels on hand—not even enough for two fine jade Buddhas, let alone the golden ingots for the dowry chest. Will you go plead with Grandmother?"
Her eldest daughter was well aware of his finances. Gu Dezhao flushed and said, "Your grandmother is also in a difficult position. The entire household depends on the income from your Second Uncle and our branch. Perhaps I could sell a small villa in Liangxiang to raise funds. The returns from that estate aren’t great anyway..."
Jinzhao smiled. "Second Uncle’s salary? Twenty-four dan of grain and a hundred strings of cash per month—barely enough to support his own branch. With Lian Jie'er’s wedding approaching, Grandmother is pouring all her funds into preparing her dowry." She recalled overhearing Madam Feng and Second Uncle speaking recently.
"...Second Uncle said that since our branch joined, expenses have increased significantly. But your monthly income alone exceeds two thousand taels, all of which is in Grandmother’s hands. Our fourth branch—Xi Jie'er, Yi Jie'er—who among us isn’t frugal? How much could the expenses really be? And now, even those funds can’t cover the betrothal gifts?" Jinzhao chuckled.
Gu Dezhao fell silent at her words. He had always defended Madam Feng in front of Jinzhao, not wanting their relationship to sour. But sometimes, Madam Feng’s favoritism was undeniable. The best always went to the second branch—because of the higher-ranking Gu Deyuan, Gu Lian’s impending marriage into a grand secretary’s household, and even the high expectations Madam Feng held for Gu Jin Xiao.
Gu Dezhao asked Jinzhao, "Did your Second Uncle really say that?"Jinchao simply said, "I don’t wish to interfere with you, but we can’t let the Xu family lose face. You must find a way to resolve this. However, the farmland deeds and property titles are in your hands and cannot be easily moved." Only with these assets in his possession did her father have the leverage to speak.
Gu Dezhao then went to speak with Madam Feng.
That day, Madam Feng was furious and highly agitated: "How is this favoring your second brother? Think about it—Lianjie’er marrying into the Yao family will bring us great prestige, and the Yao family will treat us well in the future. The entire Gu family will benefit! You mustn’t be so short-sighted!"
Gu Dezhao replied, "I understand everything you’re saying. When those profits were handed to you, did I ever utter a word of protest? It’s fine if you want to prepare Lianjie’er’s dowry, but the betrothal gifts for the Xu family can’t be too meager either. If you feel there isn’t enough money, why don’t I sell the things meant for Chaojie and use them for Lianjie’er’s dowry first?"
Madam Feng was left speechless by his words. Selling Chaojie’s belongings to supplement Lianjie’er’s dowry—how would that sound if word got out?
Coldly, Madam Feng said, "The Xu family’s young lady hasn’t even married in yet, and already your heart leans toward her. You’re so afraid I’ll slight her with the betrothal gifts—do you still see me as your mother?" The thought of Gu Dezhao and Xu Jingyi’s affair made her liver ache with rage!
The two of them had settled the marriage behind her back, forcing her to send Cheng Baozhi back to Jiangxi. Otherwise, how could these betrothal gifts have ended up in an outsider’s hands?
Once Xu Jingyi married in, who knew if she would even submit to her authority!
After a moment of hesitation, Gu Dezhao finally said, "Of course you’re in my heart. I only fear that I’m no longer in yours."
With that, he left the eastern courtyard.
Madam Feng fumed for half the day before summoning Second Madam again to discuss the matter, increasing the Xu family’s betrothal gifts from twenty to thirty loads.
Once the matter was settled, she refused to speak to Gu Dezhao for a long time. Only after the betrothal gifts were delivered did Madam Feng gradually begin to feel better. Not long ago, Madam Yao had even made a special trip regarding Gu Lian’s marriage. Though the wedding was delayed, she treated Madam Feng with even greater respect and gentleness. After meeting with Madam Yao, Madam Feng’s mood improved considerably, and she no longer paid much attention to the trivial matters of the fourth branch.
Who knew what would happen once Xu Jingyi entered the household...
Jinchao set down her pruning shears. Xu Jingyi’s temperament was beyond reproach—she wouldn’t mistreat them and was a woman of strong will. Jinchao didn’t need to worry about the fourth branch being neglected in the future.
With a sigh, Jinchao placed the shears on the large black lacquer tray.
After lunch, she took Chahua to visit Madam Feng.
But as soon as they set out, they saw Mama Tong hurrying toward her, seemingly on her way back to Beautiful Embroidery Hall. She bowed and whispered urgently to Jinchao, "...Young Miss, something terrible has happened!" Then she relayed the news in a hushed tone.
Shocked by what she heard, Jinchao immediately headed for the eastern courtyard.
The atmosphere in the banquet and rest area was tense. Madam Feng gripped her teacup so tightly she nearly dropped it.
Slamming the cup onto the table with a cold clink, she said icily, "Madam Yao, this is not something to be spoken of lightly!"Madam Yao was dressed in a silver-red silk jacket with embroidered borders and wore a pair of gourd-shaped gold hairpins. Fair and plump, with slightly high cheekbones, she had always looked down on the Gu family with an air of arrogance. Yet now, she smiled at Madam Feng and said softly, "Old Madam, please don’t be angry! The blame for breaking off the engagement lies entirely with us—we didn’t think things through properly. Who would’ve guessed that Wenxiu would take a liking to another girl…"
Madam Feng felt a throbbing in her forehead and waves of nausea rising in her throat.
Her heart burned with fury, but she couldn’t direct it at Madam Yao. What status did she have to dare vent her anger at Madam Yao?
But to have the engagement called off just like this—Madam Feng nearly jumped up to point at Madam Yao and curse.
What kind of nonsense was this!
It was Yao Wenxiu who had taken a fancy to Gu Lian in the first place, and now it was him who changed his mind. How could this be?
The Yao family prided itself on being a scholarly household, yet they dared to break off an engagement just because their son fancied someone else? Weren’t they afraid of becoming a laughingstock?
And what of all the dowry she had prepared for Lian jie er? How could she explain this sudden rejection to her granddaughter?
Gritting her teeth, Madam Feng said, "Madam Yao, you must make this clear. We accepted the delay in the engagement, but now you come to break it off outright—this is simply unacceptable! If word gets out, it will damage the reputations of both our families."
To have a sure thing slip through her fingers—Madam Feng was so furious she could vomit.
Madam Yao had expected Madam Feng’s reluctance. If she didn’t lay things out plainly, Madam Feng would never let it go.
"This matter is far too significant," Madam Yao said. "Old Madam, please dismiss your attendants first, and we’ll discuss it in detail."
Madam Feng closed her eyes briefly to steady herself before waving for the servants in the banquet and rest area to withdraw.
Madam Yao moved closer, covering her lips with her hand as she whispered into Madam Feng’s ear, "…This involves something far greater! My husband only hinted at it to me. Old Madam, do you know of the Chen family in Wanping—Third Master Chen?"
Madam Feng nodded. Who hadn’t heard of Third Master Chen, Chen Yanyun?
Madam Yao continued softly, "Your Lian jie er is truly blessed—she has caught the eye of Lord Chen…"
Madam Feng froze, staring at Madam Yao in disbelief. The latter added, "Old Madam, don’t be shocked. This is absolutely true."
Madam Feng was so stunned her jaw nearly dropped. This was utterly absurd—how could Lord Chen possibly take an interest in Gu Lian?
He was the Minister of Revenue, the Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall!
Her hands trembled slightly.
If Gu Lian could marry Third Master Chen, even as a second wife, it would be an incredible stroke of fortune—one that would make their ancestors’ graves smoke with pride!
Could Madam Yao be lying just to break off the engagement with Lian jie er?
But judging by Madam Yao’s demeanor, that seemed impossible. She had never shown Madam Feng such respect before!
The more Madam Feng thought about it, the more she saw signs pointing to its plausibility. Third Master Chen had no prior connection to them, yet he had accepted their food box at Bao Xiang Temple… and later, through Gu Dezhao, he had personally visited the Gu family for dinner. If he had no intentions, why would he go to such lengths?
It took Madam Feng a long moment to regain her composure. Immediately, she ordered the maids to summon Second Madam and Fifth Madam. Her heart raced with excitement—this matter had to be settled quickly. If Lian jie er could marry Third Master Chen, what did Yao Wenxiu even matter?
…When Gu Jinzhao arrived at the eastern courtyard, she saw that Second Madam and Fifth Madam had already come, while Madam Yao had been invited to the flower hall for tea.
A young maid brought her a stool: "Second Miss, please wait here for a moment. Tai Furen will finish speaking soon."
Sitting under the veranda, Gu Jinzhao looked at the tightly closed Lattice Window of the western chamber, feeling puzzled inside.
Mama Tong had said that Madam Yao came to break off the engagement. For Madam Feng, who had long hoped for this marriage alliance between the two families, the Yao family's withdrawal would undoubtedly be a heavy blow. Yet Madam Feng's reaction—summoning her two daughters-in-law for a private discussion—didn't seem like anger at all.
Gu Jinzhao glanced at the Yao family's maids and matrons standing outside. Gone was their usual haughty posture with heads held high; they now appeared extremely meek and submissive.
...Something was definitely amiss here.
PS: First update done. I'll immediately start working on the second one to see if it can be successfully completed. Everyone, please don't wait up—I feel terribly guilty for making you wait yesterday!
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