Chapter 190: Claiming a Person
After returning home, Yao Ping summoned his wife with a gloomy expression.
Madam Yao felt uneasy seeing his demeanor. She instructed a maid to place a pot of simmered duck soup on the heated bed table and asked softly, "Husband, what's the matter...?"
Yao Ping waved his hand and asked, "Has Wenxiu returned from school?"
Madam Yao replied, "Husband, you must have forgotten—Wenxiu is currently at the Imperial Academy and won't return until the end of the month... Why do you look so troubled?"
Yao Ping clenched his teeth and remained silent. Among the Grand Secretariat ministers, his official rank was the lowest—merely a third-rank Vice Minister of Rites. He knew his voice carried little weight, so he usually avoided factionalism and focused on his duties. When Wang Xuanfan informed him about Third Master Chen's intentions, though Yao Ping understood Wang had political motives, he feared that if Third Master Chen intervened to dissolve the marriage arrangement, the Yao family would suffer even more. Thus, he took the initiative to withdraw the engagement with the Gu family.
Who would have thought Wang Xuanfan was such a shameless scoundrel, using such underhanded tactics to suppress him!
The excuse he had used to break off Yao Wenxiu's engagement was absurd, but once Third Master Chen made a marriage proposal, it would be easy for others to guess that Yao Ping had backed down to avoid conflict with the Chen family. This would have spared the Yao family any damage to their reputation. But now, it turned out Third Master Chen had no intention of proposing to Gu Lian at all...
A chill ran through Yao Ping's heart.
If the Gu and Chen families later formed a marriage alliance, the Gu family would surely resent the Yao family for abruptly breaking off the engagement.
Yao Ping explained the situation to Madam Yao, who was equally shocked.
When marriage arrangements became entangled in political affairs, it was beyond the control of women like her.
Lowering her voice, she asked, "Husband... what should we do?"
Yao Ping took a deep breath. "We can't let this slide. Before Chen Yanyun approaches the Gu family, you must go to them immediately and reinstate the engagement. We'll swallow this humiliation and act as if nothing happened." Only a few days had passed since the withdrawal, and the news hadn't spread yet—there was still time to fix this! He continued, "When Wenxiu returns, have him apologize to the Fourth Miss Gu and say it was all a misunderstanding."
Breaking off the engagement and then reinstating it—wouldn’t this make the Yao family a laughingstock in the eyes of the Gu family? Madam Yao paled. "Husband, perhaps we should just let the engagement with the Gu family go. If we go back to negotiate again, where will I hide my face...?"
Yao Ping scolded her for being "short-sighted." "Once word spreads about the broken engagement, we’ll be the ones humiliated!"
Madam Yao's face flushed and paled alternately before she acquiesced and withdrew, preparing to visit the Gu family the next day.
Meanwhile, in the Chen residence in Wanping, a maid presented Madam Chen with a bowl of milk and lotus seed porridge.
But Madam Chen set the bowl aside and cheerfully picked up a walnut kernel from a crystal dish, popping it into her mouth. "You're in such high spirits today that you even have time to peel walnuts for me. Did something good happen?"
Third Master Chen sat on a stool, taking two walnuts from the compartmented box. With a light squeeze, he cracked the shells effortlessly and extracted clean, intact kernels, placing them on the crystal dish. Luo, the maid in attendance, watched in astonishment. The walnuts Madam Chen favored were notoriously hard, yet Third Master Chen split them with ease. Who would have thought that a scholar who spent his days reading and writing would possess such remarkable hand strength?They used small hammers to crack walnuts, which often left the kernels broken. Madam Chen particularly enjoyed it when Third Master Chen came to keep her company and peel walnuts for her, as he managed to extract them cleanly and whole. However, Third Master Chen was often occupied with court affairs and didn’t visit frequently.
Third Master Chen smiled. "I’m just here to accompany you."
Madam Chen shook her head helplessly and had a maid bring over the candlestick. She chatted idly with Third Master Chen: "Old Six’s wife came crying to me yesterday. That Old Six is truly outrageous—he went out riding with some friends and somehow took a fancy to the daughter of a widow who sells steamed buns at Nine-Jin Workshop in the west of the city. He’s been keeping her outside for half a year, and now the woman is making a scene, demanding to be let into the household. Only then did he come back and tell his wife. When she refused, he threw a tantrum and refused to return, staying at Nine-Jin Workshop instead."
"That Old Six has always been a scoundrel, just like his birth mother. Yesterday afternoon, I went to Nine-Jin Workshop and beat the little wretch with my cane. He rolled around on the ground, acting shameless—it infuriated me… He’s only ever listened to you since he was young. When you have time, go and bring him back. The Chen Family can’t afford this disgrace!"
Third Master Chen placed a handful of walnut kernels into a crystal dish and said, "Beating him won’t work—he doesn’t respond to that. Take Chen Xuanyu with you and have him call Old Six back. He’ll definitely return."
Madam Chen was skeptical. "Is that appropriate? Will it really work…?"
Third Master Chen replied, "Strike the snake at its vital spot. What he fears most is corrupting Xuanyu. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kept the woman outside."
Only then did Madam Chen relax slightly. "Afraid of corrupting Xuanyu, yet still doing such filthy things…" The thought of Old Six made her feel exasperated. She popped two more walnut kernels into her mouth but then heard Third Master Chen say softly, "Mother, I’d like you to ask Chang Laofuren from Zheng Taigong’s family to propose a marriage on my behalf."
Madam Chen was stunned and nearly choked on the walnut kernels. She hastily took a large sip of the milk and lotus seed soup beside her, while a maid hurriedly patted her back. Wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, she asked in surprise, "What? When did this happen? Why didn’t you discuss it with me? Which family’s daughter is it?"
Third Master Chen set the walnut dish aside and wiped his hands.
"I’m discussing it with you now. If you agree, please ask Chang Laofuren to propose the marriage tomorrow."
Only after Third Master Chen finished speaking did Madam Chen frown and ponder for a moment. This Second Miss Gu… she was practically unheard of. What kind of person could catch her son’s eye? Was his good mood today because of this?
Madam Chen said, "Since you’ve already made up your mind, I won’t say much…" Chen Yanyun’s decisions were always the most resolute and unchangeable. He had been like this since childhood, and now that he held a high position, it was even more so.
However, if Chang Laofuren was to visit tomorrow, she would likely have to speak with her today to clarify matters.
Madam Chen added, "…As long as you’ve properly assessed the girl, I won’t interfere. As long as she is virtuous and well-educated, that’s enough."
Thinking of Jinchao, Third Master Chen couldn’t help but smile. "You’ll understand once she arrives. She’s truly excellent—don’t believe what others say. Seeing is believing."
Madam Chen couldn’t help but feel a bit curious about Second Miss Gu. She had never heard her son defend someone like this before.
Chen Yanyun was always gentle, but she rarely saw him so happy… Whoever it was, as long as they brought him joy, that was enough.Madam Chen laughed, "So you came to shell walnuts for me today just for this matter! Well, for the sake of these walnuts, this old bones will make a trip for you!" Her son was getting married—a joyous occasion indeed. Even if she couldn't trust others, she certainly trusted her own son.
Beaming with delight, Madam Chen felt thoroughly pleased and went to Zheng Taigong's house that afternoon.
Jinchao was reading The Classic of Tea by Lu Yu when the pine-oil lamp wick crackled a few times. A few petals from the Haitang flowers drifted in through the window and landed on the long table by the windowsill. Jinchao looked up and said to Qingpu, "...My left eyelid keeps twitching. I feel like something is about to happen."
Qingpu thought for a moment and replied, "They say left twitches bring wealth, right twitches bring disaster. You must be about to come into some fortune, miss."
Jinchao chuckled and shook her head. As if she'd be getting rich!
After dinner, Madam Feng invited her over for a chat.
"...The wedding date is set for half a month from now. The betrothal gifts have already been sent over. Your second aunt has also finalized the guest list. Come take a look and see if there's anything to add or remove." Madam Feng handed a red silk booklet to Gu Jinzhao.
Though Jinchao was yet to be married, she was the only one in the fourth branch of the family who could manage some affairs now.
Jinchao took it and examined it carefully but found nothing amiss.
Madam Feng continued cheerfully, "Madam Guo came by today. She's found a good match for Lan Er—the son of Zhao Juren from Baodi. Madam Guo said they aren't particularly wealthy, but the young man has already earned the title of Xiucai. As the eldest sister-in-law acting as mother, I wanted to ask your opinion on Lan Er's marriage... I've already discussed it with your father, and he thinks it's a good match."
The son of Zhao Juren from Baodi? She had no idea what kind of person he was.
Jinchao didn’t want to deal with Gu Lan personally, nor did she wish her well. Gu Lan was particularly vain—marrying the son of an obscure Juren would surely be beneath her. But in this matter, Madam Feng and her father had a say, while Gu Lan had no right to refuse.
Jinchao didn’t want to involve herself too much in Gu Lan's affairs.
"Grandmother should decide. What do I know about such matters?"
Madam Feng felt that life had been exceptionally smooth lately, with both granddaughters' marriages settled. Especially Lian jie er's match—it was like gold falling from the sky, leaving her dizzy with joy. She nodded with a smile and then turned to Jinchao's own matters: "...Your father said he’d find you a suitable match, but I don’t see him making any moves. If it doesn’t work out, perhaps we could also ask Madam Guo to help. Those high-ranking families might be out of reach, but marrying into a decent family like Lan Er wouldn’t be bad. I’ll even give you a bit more dowry to help you settle comfortably."
Madam Feng believed this was the best Gu Jinzhao could hope for—she wouldn’t rise to great heights. Once married into a modest family, she’d inevitably be at the mercy of her in-laws. Thus, Madam Feng treated her more kindly now, especially since Lian jie er’s advantageous match had put her in high spirits.
Jinchao smiled without responding. Madam Feng was in such good spirits these days that she treated everyone warmly.
Soon, Gu Lian arrived to pay her respects to Madam Feng. She wore a litchi-red brocade jacket with grapevine patterns, a twelve-panel Xiang skirt, and a white jade pendant at her waist. Her hair was styled in a parted hair bun, adorned with a gold filigree pomegranate hairpin inlaid with rubies.
Lately, Gu Lian had been dressing in exceptionally vibrant styles, making her appear more radiant than the flowers themselves—utterly captivating.
Gu Lian glanced at Jinchao, who was quietly sipping her tea.She felt a bit upset. Ever since the Yao family broke off the engagement, she always felt this way whenever she saw Gu Jinzhao. Was she secretly mocking her?
Gu Lian then sat on the Arhat bed, intimately hugging Madam Feng's arm and calling her "Grandmother." She said, "...The little maid Huizhi who serves me broke my gourd vase with the crane and deer design. She's so careless. I'd like to replace her with a few more obedient and steady maids..."
Madam Feng held her hand and couldn't help but take a closer look. Those hands were as soft and beautiful as congealed fat, with vibrant nail polish, youthful and charming.
She said, "You don't need to ask me about such trivial matters. Do as you wish."
Gu Lian played with the string of Bodhi beads that Madam Feng always wore, smiling softly as she said, "I think Caifu from Cousin Jinzhao's room is quite good!"
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