Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 191: Refusal

Caifu and Qingpu accompanied Jinchao to the eastern courtyard today. Upon hearing Gu Lian's words, Caifu immediately knelt down, not daring to utter a single word...

Why would Fourth Miss Lian suddenly ask for her? She hoped her mistress wouldn’t misunderstand! What if her mistress thought she had been secretly communicating with Fourth Miss Lian? Caifu wished her mistress would glance back at her, to see that this wasn’t her intention. But her mistress remained still.

Jinchao raised an eyebrow slightly and slowly placed the lid on her teacup. "Lianjie has taken a liking to one of my maids?"

Gu Lian understood perfectly well—she wasn’t foolish. To Gu Jinchao, things like Madam Feng’s favor, wealth, or jewelry meant nothing. What truly mattered were the people close to her. She guarded those under her protection fiercely, whether it was her father, her younger sister, or the maids in her household. In return, they were either exceptionally devoted or treated her with utmost loyalty.

Last time, when Madam Feng tried to marry Qingpu off to Xu Houcai, what happened? She ended up losing Song Xiang instead. Now, Xu Houcai had returned to his debauched ways, completely uncontrollable. Song Xiang had once been pregnant with a girl but suffered a miscarriage. The once lively girl now lived like a resentful woman, constantly complaining—either about Xu Houcai or Madam Feng. When a servant reported this to Madam Feng, she couldn’t even be bothered to deal with it.

Gu Lian smiled sweetly. "Cousin Jinchao, are you unwilling? I’ve never asked you for anything before—can’t you grant me this small request? After all, you’ll soon be married into another household. What use do you have for so many maids? Why not lend one to me?"

Madam Feng frowned slightly. The only flaw in Gu Lian’s character was her narrow-mindedness—she couldn’t tolerate others surpassing her. As the youngest legitimate daughter of the family, she had been doted on by everyone, always receiving the best of everything. She simply couldn’t bear the thought of anyone rising above her.

But given Gu Lian’s current prospects, Madam Feng couldn’t easily rebuke her.

Caifu knelt on the ground, her hands trembling. The thought of leaving her mistress to serve Fourth Miss Lian… she’d rather die!

She cautiously lifted her head and saw Fourth Miss Lian glaring coldly at Jinchao, while Madam Feng scrutinized her with icy indifference.

…They held her life in their hands, toying with it as if she were nothing more than a grasshopper.

Madam Feng spoke calmly, "Lianjie, your grandmother also has steady maids here. Your second sister’s maids were all brought from Shi’an and have served her for a long time. They wouldn’t suit you—"

Gu Lian clung to Madam Feng’s arm and continued wheedling, "Grandmother, when I marry in the future, I’ll need clever and sensible maids. Those from Shi’an would be perfect. I’ve never been there—she could even keep me company with stories!"

Caifu broke out in a cold sweat.

It seemed they were determined to sacrifice Gu Jinchao.

Madam Feng sighed helplessly and glanced at Jinchao, speaking gently, "Chaojie, why not let Caifu serve Lianjie for now? She’ll likely lose interest in a few days. If you’re short on maids, you can always pick someone from my household to replace her…"

Gu Jinchao suppressed her rising anger. To send Caifu over just to amuse Gu Lian—how shameless!

She replied coolly, "Lianjie, the family’s seniority has been rearranged. You should address me as Second Sister."

Gu Lian’s smile froze.Jinchao continued, "As for Lian jie er taking a liking to Caifu, that's Caifu's fault! If a maid cannot serve her master loyally, it's a grave offense. I dare not hand her over to Lian jie er. What if Caifu causes trouble for you in the future? Wouldn't that ruin Lian jie er's prospects? Caifu," Jinchao said, "this is your mistake. Hurry up and apologize to the Fourth Miss."

Only then did Caifu hastily say, "This lowly servant is foolish and unworthy of serving the Fourth Miss. Please spare me, Fourth Miss!"

Gu Lian's face flushed red and pale alternately.

Gu Jinchao had always been firm in such matters. With such words spoken, Madam Feng didn't dare press further. If pushed too hard, Gu Jinchao was capable of anything. With Gu Dezhao and the Ji family backing her, she wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Madam Feng yawned and said, "Since Caifu is unwilling, let's drop the matter. I'm tired. You may leave now."

Gu Jinchao curtsied and withdrew with her two maids. As they passed a cluster of yellow locust trees, Gu Lian called out to her.

"I didn't greet Second Sister properly earlier, so I'll make up for it now," Gu Lian said with a slight bow. "Second Sister may dismiss this matter today, but you must be more careful in the future. One can eat recklessly, but words must never be spoken carelessly." Once she married into a higher family, what would Gu Jinchao amount to then?

Gu Jinchao turned back with a smile. "Lian jie er is too kind. How could I trouble you with such formalities?"

Her arrogance was practically shoved in my face. So impatient.

"The Yao family called off the engagement. I thought Lian jie er would be heartbroken, but it seems you don't mind much," Jinchao continued.

Gu Lian reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, glaring fiercely. "What business is it of yours if the Yao family broke off the engagement? You're just shortsighted. Do you think Grandmother would have agreed unless there was something better?" Remembering Madam Feng's words—'Naturally, there's something better'—Gu Lian straightened her back, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Instead of worrying about my marriage, you should think about yourself. Even Lan Er is getting married soon. Aren't you ashamed?"

Something better? No wonder Madam Feng had been so cheerful lately.

Gu Jinchao smiled faintly. "No need for you to trouble yourself over it."

She ignored Gu Lian and walked toward Beautiful Embroidery Hall with Qingpu and Caifu. Along the way, she heard Caifu quietly weeping behind her.

Upon reaching Beautiful Embroidery Hall, she personally took Caifu's hand and placed a Red Gold Plum Blossom Hairpin from her dressing case into the maid's palm, sighing. "Stop crying. It's really nothing."

Caifu glanced at Jinchao and nodded softly. "This servant doesn't know why, but the tears just won't stop... I've even implicated you, Miss. How could I dare accept such a reward?"

Jinchao shook her head with a smile. "It was an undeserved misfortune... Since I've given it to you, keep it. I never take back what I've bestowed."

After Caifu finally accepted the gift and withdrew, Jinchao gazed out the window in silence.

Suddenly, she recalled that night—lanterns blazing everywhere, Madam Chen sitting stiffly in the Grand Preceptor's Chair, her own body thrown to the ground. She hadn't wanted to cry, hadn't wanted to give anyone the satisfaction, but the tears had flowed uncontrollably. Chen Xuanqing had stood beside Madam Chen, hands clasped behind his back. As the maids tried to restrain her, she struggled fiercely—Madam Chen's scolding, Fifth Madam Chen's sneer, Second Madam Chen's impassive face. The terror and horror in her heart had made it a nightmare-like scene.Somehow, everyone had disappeared. All sounds had faded away, leaving only Chen Xuanqing's black boots standing firmly before her.

His voice was cold: "How does it feel..." He paused, seemingly surprised. "You're actually crying. What right do you have to cry? Did you ever think about the consequences when you hurt others? The sight of you disgusts me, and pretending to be civil with you makes me sick."

He let out a long sigh. "Thankfully, it's all over now, Gu Jinzhao."

She struggled to lift her head, wanting to see the expression on Chen Xuanqing's face.

But everything felt like a dream, distorted and unreal. All she could remember was the damp, cold woodshed and a rat crawling over her arm. She had screamed in terror, curling into a ball, overwhelmed by despair.

Jinchao woke from her dream.

She had dreamed of the most absurd and pitiful moment of her past life.

Hearing her stir, Qingpu and the others entered with fresh clothes and a copper basin, Caifu smiling brightly.

"...The kitchen made your favorite savory soy milk."

Jinchao smiled faintly. She had dreamed of this scene countless times over the decade she spent in the side courtyard—it no longer stirred any emotion in her.

She took the warm, damp cloth to wipe her face and exchanged a few words with Caifu. After drinking the savory soy milk, she would go to pay respects to Madam Feng. Upon returning, she planned to bring out the large embroidery frame to work on a folding screen.

Since she wasn't skilled at copying paintings, Jinchao decided to stick to what she excelled at—embroidery.

Outside, sunlight streamed generously through the eaves of the corridor, filling the courtyard where a few gardenias bloomed, their fragrance lingering in the air.

Qingpu assisted by handing her thimbles, scissors, or silk threads.

Suddenly, the commotion outside grew louder. Jinchao glanced up and said to Qingpu, "It must be an important visitor. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be this noisy. Go check at the inner gate."

Qingpu obeyed and soon returned with news. "...Zheng Taigong's Chang Laofuren from the Chang family has come to our residence. They say she's here to propose a marriage. Tai Furen personally came out to welcome her, surrounded by attendants like stars around the moon. They’ve gone to the eastern courtyard now..."

Jinchao couldn’t help but recall Gu Lian’s words from last night.

The Chang family, descendants of Zheng Taigong, had followed the founding emperor to establish the dynasty, and their lineage had since enjoyed unending imperial favor. Unlike the Marquis Changxing's Ye family, which thrived in military achievements, the Chang family was renowned for producing many brilliant strategists and scholars. Chang Laofuren, in particular, was highly respected, celebrated for her virtue and talent.

To have Chang Laofuren personally act as a matchmaker... Just what kind of family could this be?

Jinchao felt her left eyelid twitching incessantly.

Could it be that Chang Laofuren was here to propose a marriage for Gu Lian? And to an exceptionally prestigious family—one even surpassing the Yao family? If Madam Feng had already known about this, it would explain why she was so pleased when the Yaos withdrew their proposal. Gu Lian’s remark about "being careful in the future" also suggested she had been aware all along, hence her boldness.

But who exactly was this suitor for Gu Lian?

Who had such influence?

Gu Jinzhao shook her head. What did it matter to her whom Gu Lian married? No matter how grand the match, Gu Lian would never hold her own. Hadn’t that been the case in her past life when she married Yao Wenxiu? Better to focus on repairing the Ink Bamboo Painting in her hands.

She refused to believe she couldn’t capture the bamboo’s unyielding spirit in her embroidery!Madam Feng led Chang Laofuren's attendants to the banquet and rest area in the eastern courtyard, promptly instructing the maids to serve the freshly brewed Taiping Monkey King Tea.

Chang Laofuren, over seventy years old, walked with the support of a maidservant. She wore a sandalwood-colored long gown embroidered with symbols of fortune, prosperity, and longevity, and a black headband adorned with jade. Her silver hair was neatly coiled into a bun, and on her wrist rested a jade bracelet of deep green hue.

With a smile, she said, "Old Madam Gu need not stand on ceremony. This old woman has no refined taste for tea—drinking fine tea would be wasted on me."

Knowing she had come to propose a marriage alliance on behalf of Third Master Chen, Madam Feng dared not slight her. She hurriedly invited Chang Laofuren to the seat of honor and replied warmly, "We must still treat you properly. Let us sit and discuss matters at leisure."