Chapter 188: Persuasion
The news of the Yao family withdrawing from the marriage agreement quickly spread throughout the Gu household.
For a time, the maids serving Madam Feng were all on edge. Everyone knew how much Madam Feng had valued this marriage alliance. Now that the Yao family had suddenly called it off, who could predict how furious and humiliated she would be?
Everyone served her with trepidation, but after a few days, they realized Madam Feng was not only in no worse mood—she was in exceptionally high spirits. Cuihuan, one of her maids, accidentally broke Madam Feng’s favorite celadon-glazed vase, yet Madam Feng merely chided her lightly without even punishing her with kneeling.
Not only that, Madam Feng summoned Gu Dezhao again and spoke to him with unusual gentleness: “...Regarding the betrothal gifts for the Xu family, I admit I was in the wrong. How about increasing them to thirty-six chests, with four gold Ruyi scepters as additional gifts? What do you think?”
The mere thought of forming a marriage alliance with the Chen family of Wanping made Madam Feng feel as if she were floating on air. A little money was nothing—let the Xu family have it. Once the second branch secured ties with Third Master Chen, Gu Dezhao would be the one left green with envy!
Gu Dezhao was utterly bewildered by Madam Feng’s sudden change in demeanor.
Meanwhile, Second Madam’s feelings were complicated upon hearing about the Yao family’s withdrawal. Madam Feng had secretly confided the truth to her, urging her to keep it strictly confidential. While marrying into the Chen family of Wanping was undoubtedly advantageous—and Gu Lian would immediately gain the status of a second-rank titled noblewoman upon marriage—such glory far surpassed anything Yao Ge Lao’s son could offer. However, marrying Chen Ge Lao, no matter how prestigious, still meant becoming a second wife...
They knew Yao Wenxiu well. But this Chen Ge Lao—why would he take a sudden interest in their Gu Lian?
Most importantly, Gu Lian had always been infatuated with Yao Wenxiu. From the moment their engagement was settled, she had dreamed of marrying him.
Thinking of how decisively Madam Feng had agreed to Yao Madam’s request, Second Madam couldn’t suppress a chill in her heart.
When Gu Lian learned of the Yao family’s withdrawal, it struck her like a bolt from the blue.
She collapsed onto the kang, clutching Second Madam’s sleeve and murmuring, “Mother, how could the Yao family break off the engagement? How could he fall for someone else? I don’t believe it!” She burst into sobs. “I must see him—I must demand an explanation! I’ve waited so long to marry him. How dare he cast me aside like this? I have to ask him... How could he humiliate me like this...”
Second Madam watched Gu Lian’s devastated state with both heartache for her daughter’s humiliation and frustration at her lack of composure.
A young lady ought to maintain her dignity and self-respect. If Gu Lian carried on like this in front of Yao Wenxiu, he would only grow more disgusted. If the engagement was truly broken because Yao Wenxiu had taken a liking to someone else, Gu Lian’s behavior would only invite ridicule!
Seeing Gu Lian weeping uncontrollably, Second Madam could only sigh and pull her into a tight embrace.
Gu Lian clung to her mother’s neck, crying even harder. “Mother, how can I ever hold my head up again after such disgrace? What do I have left to compare with the other young ladies...” She had always prided herself on her superior marriage prospects, looking down on the likes of Gu Jinzhao, convinced their futures were worlds apart. Now, even that sole advantage was slipping away. Panic and dread overwhelmed her—she couldn’t bear the thought of Gu Jinzhao lording it over her.Second Madam patted her back: "Silly child, you're just being naive. Your grandmother agreed to break off the engagement because she wants something better for you. You'll only get someone far superior to them."
Gu Lian felt as if the sky had fallen. Not fully understanding Second Madam's words, she clutched at her clothes and sobbed for a while before saying, "Mother... I want to speak with Grandmother. I need to see Young Master Yao and make everything clear..."
Knowing Gu Lian usually listened to her grandmother, Second Madam nodded in agreement. Madam Feng would surely be able to console her properly.
By the time Gu Lan heard about this matter, it was already the next morning.
A copper basin of water became extraordinarily fragrant with just four or five drops of perfume. Gu Lan loved washing her face with such water, which left her delicately scented all day. She had just opened a blue-and-white porcelain bottle with interlocking branch patterns to add more perfume when Mu Jin brought up the news.
She nearly dropped the perfume bottle.
"Is this true?" She found it utterly unbelievable.
Mu Jin replied, "Absolutely certain. I heard it from the cleaning woman in the eastern courtyard."
Gu Lan leaned against the tall stand and slowly sat down on the heated brick bed.
Seeing her mistress so distracted, Mu Jin asked in confusion, "Miss, what's wrong..."
Gu Lan waved her hand: "Go fetch me a bowl of Cassia Twig Boiled Water."
Upon learning about the Yao family's withdrawal from the engagement, aside from shock, she naturally felt joy. But upon deeper reflection, she also felt somewhat uneasy. Madam Yao said the withdrawal was because Young Master Yao had taken a liking to someone else—who could it be? To like someone enough to break off an engagement for them!
Gu Lan tightly gripped her embroidered handkerchief. In his last letter to her, Young Master Yao had mentioned his studies at the Imperial Academy, noting that one of his married classmates received monthly parcels from his wife. Yet it was she who had been sending him packages...
Reading that had made her blush at the time.
Gu Lan believed Yao Wenxiu couldn't possibly be indifferent to her, but to think his feelings would lead him to break off an engagement with the Gu family was simply impossible. If she wanted to be with him, she would have to plan carefully... Now that Gu Lian's engagement was being called off, did this mean she had a chance?
After some distracted thoughts, Gu Lan drank the Cassia Twig Boiled Water brought by Mu Jin and went to attend to Madam Feng.
Before dawn had fully broken, Gu Lian came to see Madam Feng.
Gu Lan had expected Madam Feng to be less affectionate toward Gu Lian, but instead, Madam Feng immediately pulled her to sit on the Arhat bed, saying with great tenderness, "Lian jie er's eyes are all swollen—my poor granddaughter!" She hugged Gu Lian tightly and instructed Gu Lan, "Go to the kitchen and fetch two boiled eggs."
Gu Lan complied but felt puzzled. Madam Feng's behavior... why did it seem like she valued Gu Lian even more now?
Once Gu Lan left, Gu Lian began pouring out her sorrows to Madam Feng.
Madam Feng comfortingly patted her back and said gently, "Silly child, what good would talking to him do? If he won't marry you, we'll naturally find someone better. I've watched you grow up and care for you most of all—I'd never push you into a pit of fire."
Gu Lian looked at Madam Feng blankly and whispered, "Grandmother, after suffering such humiliation, how could there be anything better... In the future, even Cousin Jinchao will look down on me. No one will propose to me, and I'll surely end up just like her."Gu Lian was indeed still too young to understand. Madam Feng sighed and explained to her, "The Yao family wants to break off the engagement, but the reason they're using is unfavorable to them. Moreover, when Madam Yao came to our residence, she didn’t dare put on any airs—do you know why?"
How could Gu Lian know?
Madam Feng smiled and said, "There’s a hidden reason—someone is pressuring them! Just listen to your grandmother. I’ll make sure you marry with great fanfare, and to someone far better and wealthier than the Yao family... You’re still too young to understand. In the future, whether in the Gu family or anywhere else, you’ll walk with such prestige that no one would dare disrespect you!"
Gu Lian was even more confused. Madam Feng continued, "Yao Wenxiu might not be that great either. Right now, he doesn’t even have an official title. What if he never becomes an official? The Yao family has several legitimate sons, and the eldest is already a Scholar of the Two Boards. If Yao Wenxiu fails the imperial exams, he’ll be nothing in the Yao family. Marrying him would only bring you hardship! It’s better to marry someone with an official rank..." Madam Feng persuaded Gu Lian for a while, telling her that who she married wasn’t the most important thing—status and prosperity were what truly mattered. Gradually, Gu Lian stopped crying.
Gu Lian had never thought about these things before, nor had anyone ever spoken to her like this.
She liked Yao Wenxiu, but it wasn’t as if she couldn’t live without him.
Still, the thought of not marrying Young Master Yao—and worse, because he had taken a liking to someone else—left her heartbroken. But now, hearing her grandmother’s words, it seemed she could marry someone far superior, making Yao Wenxiu insignificant in comparison. She couldn’t help but ask, "Grandmother, if I don’t marry Young Master Yao... then who will I marry?"
Madam Feng stroked her hair and smiled. "Someone infinitely better than him. Don’t worry—your future will only be brighter!"
Her grandmother wouldn’t harm her, after all.
Gu Lian hesitated, lost in thought. In the end, she decided not to seek out Young Master Yao. What would it even mean if she went to him now?
Thinking it over, she suddenly realized her grandmother’s words made sense. Who could guarantee Yao Wenxiu would succeed in his career?
She wondered who her grandmother intended for her to marry instead.
In late spring, a rare heavy rain fell, engulfing the Forbidden City in its downpour.
Third Master Chen stood beneath a pavilion, gazing at the vast curtain of rain. Behind him stood the vermilion-lacquered, copper-riveted doors of the Hall of Imperial Supremacy, flanked every few steps by solemn and imposing Golden Crow Guards. Hu Rong stood loyally behind him, holding a cloak. The rain poured relentlessly, and the wind howled.
The white marble steps were high, offering a commanding view of the distant Martial Achievement Pavilion and Literary Brilliance Pavilion. Grand Secretariat Vice-Minister He Wenxin was ascending the steps, followed by an aide holding an oil-paper umbrella. He Wenxin, now in his sixties, had once been honored with the title of Junior Preceptor by the late emperor for his achievements in drought relief. He wore a robe embroidered with a crane motif, fastened with a jade belt. Before even drawing near, he clasped his hands and greeted Chen Yanyun with a smile. "Lord Chen, what a refined pastime you have."
Chen Yanyun returned the gesture and replied, "Just passing the time." His words were slow, yet carried an inexplicable weight.
He Wenxin recalled how Chen Yanyun had stood high upon the steps moments ago, hands behind his back, silent and composed.
At just thirty years old, he was already nearing the pinnacle of power.He Wenxin felt that if he were Zhang Ju Lian, he would also deeply fear such a man. No matter how gentle his temperament or how mild his disposition, it couldn’t conceal the fact that he had climbed his way up step by step over the bones of others.
He Wenxin believed he was already old and no longer had the energy to contend with these people. Though he held the prestigious position of Assistant Grand Secretary, he was quite isolated within the Grand Secretariat. Still, no matter what, he had no desire whatsoever to offend Chen Yanyun. He Wenxin thus said, “Then this old man shall take his leave first. Lord Chen, please do as you wish.”
Third Master Chen smiled faintly and gestured politely. He Wenxin straightened the hem of his official robes and entered the Huangji Hall.
At this moment, Chen Yi finally approached from a distance, clad in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat. He lowered his head slightly as he reached Chen Yanyun’s side and said in a low voice, “Third Master, everything has been taken care of. The carriage sent to Daxing is already on its way. Lord Wang’s trusted subordinate is likely rushing here now.”
Chen Yanyun gave a quiet hum. “...Let’s wait at the Wucheng Pavilion first.” After a pause, he finally strode toward the Huangji Hall.
P.S.: Don’t rush about the marriage proposal. After all, there are still political conflicts and pre-marriage discussions to resolve.
Until these matters are settled, Third Master Chen won’t be going.
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