Chapter 193: Unwillingness
Gu Dezhao was immediately summoned to the eastern courtyard upon his return, not even having time to change out of his official robes.
Considering Madam Feng had never called for him so urgently before, he assumed it must be something pressing and hurried over. Yet when he arrived, Madam Feng merely invited him to sit and have tea. Thirsty as he was, Gu Dezhao lifted the teacup lid and drank. Seizing the opportunity, Madam Feng recounted how Third Master Chen had proposed marriage to Gu Jinzhao.
Gu Dezhao spat out his tea.
Madam Feng hastily handed him a handkerchief. "Drink slowly!"
Bewildered, Gu Dezhao stared at her. "Mother... Third Master Chen? You didn’t mishear?"
Madam Feng smiled. "How could one mishear such a thing? Chaojie truly has good fortune!"
His highest superior wanted to become his son-in-law?
Gu Dezhao felt cold sweat prickle his skin. Though he was ten years older than Third Master Chen, the man’s status was transcendent—Gu Dezhao hardly dared breathe in his presence, speaking only with utmost caution. And now, he was about to become Third Master Chen’s father-in-law...
Wait—why was he even thinking about being a father-in-law? He hadn’t agreed yet!
Finally regaining his composure, Gu Dezhao decided it was best not to set down the teacup. He cleared his throat. "Mother, we must consider this carefully. Though Third Master Chen is exceptional, this is truly peculiar. Why would he take a liking to Chaojie? Have they even met? With his status, he could marry anyone he pleases, especially as this would be a second marriage. I don’t want Chaojie to suffer..."
Madam Feng found her son utterly obtuse. "How would she suffer? Marrying Lord Chen means she’ll have his protection without needing to manage the Chen household’s affairs. Lord Chen already has two sons and a daughter, all grown—she wouldn’t even need to raise young children. If Lord Chen achieves further merit for the court, he could even secure her a noble title... What an honor! Isn’t this far more reliable than you marrying her off to some impoverished scholar?"
Gu Dezhao frowned.
He had already failed Madam Ji—he absolutely could not harm their daughter.
"Mother, I won’t say more on this. It’s up to Chaojie. If she agrees, I won’t object... But if she shows the slightest hesitation, I’ll firmly oppose this marriage!" His tone was resolute.
Madam Feng was exasperated. This fourth son of hers was utterly wooden! Once he made up his mind, he was stubborn as a mule—though such moments were rare. The second branch was eagerly hoping for this match, yet here he was, acting as if it were something to take or leave.
"Have you considered that Lord Chen is the Minister of Revenue, while you’re merely a minor official in the ministry? If you reject him so bluntly, how will you fare in the future? How will our Gu family fare?" Her hands trembled with anger.
Gu Dezhao thought of how Third Master Chen had helped him greatly during the Daxing granary incident, even saving his life, and felt a twinge of guilt. Though he owed repayment, he would gladly risk his life—but he would never sacrifice his daughter! "There’s no need to persuade me, and don’t you dare pressure Chaojie either... Let her decide for herself. Whatever she chooses, I’ll support it!"
With that, Gu Dezhao left. Madam Feng was furious, convinced that everyone in the fourth branch was out of their minds!
...
Meanwhile, Chang Laofuren, having delivered the marriage proposal to the Gu family, boarded her carriage and headed for Wanping. Madam Chen welcomed her into the western chamber to talk.Old Madam Chang smiled cheerfully. "Don't worry, sister, there won't be any problems! For the Gu family to be able to secure this marriage alliance would be a stroke of great fortune!"
Hearing this, Madam Chen felt relieved and invited Old Madam Chang to stay for dinner.
When her son returned from court, Madam Chen took her maids and went to see him.
Meanwhile, Chen Yanyun was listening to Chen Yi's report about the Yao family: "...Yao Ping and Wang Xuanfan have fallen out now, but the matter of breaking off the engagement hasn't spread yet. If it does, it would become a joke for the Yao family. Yao Daren wanted his wife to visit the Gu family before us to settle the marriage as if nothing had happened. However, Madam Yao was delayed on the way... Old Madam Chang went to the Gu family this morning. Everything went well."
Chen Yanyun took off his cloak and placed it on the rack, noticing the evening light just beginning outside the window.
He wondered what expression she would have when she learned about his marriage proposal...
Chen Yanyun said softly, "Continue keeping an eye on the Gu family."
Chen Yi acknowledged the order but hesitated inwardly. Thinking of Jiang Yan, who had been transferred by Third Master Chen to Baoding to oversee the ancestral hall repairs, he felt he shouldn't ask too much. Third Master Chen naturally had his reasons for everything... After a pause, he added, "Mr. Feng said there's a confidential letter from Shaanxi that needs Mr. Jiang's review. May I ask when Third Master plans to recall Mr. Jiang?"
Chen Yanyun didn't respond immediately. After a while, he extended his hand: "Where's the letter?"
Chen Yi was momentarily confused—why would Third Master want the letter?
Still smiling, Chen Yanyun said in an utterly calm tone, "Jiang Yan isn't here. I'll review the letter myself."
Chen Yi broke out in a cold sweat. "How could we trouble you with such matters? Mr. Feng will be here shortly!" He dared not say more and withdrew from the study after bowing, only to encounter Madam Chen approaching.
Chen Yi bowed and greeted, "Good evening, Madam," before retreating to the corridor. Madam Chen nodded, straightened her jacket, and leisurely entered her son's study.
Chen Yanyun was writing a letter to his second brother in Shaanxi.
Recently, there had been many promotions and demotions among officials in the Court of Judicial Review, and Wang Xuanfan's influence there had been severely weakened. Zheng Ci, the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was Wang Xuanfan's fellow graduate and close associate, and Zheng Ci hailed from Lintong, Shaanxi. To completely uproot Wang Xuanfan's influence from the court, they would need to start with Zheng Ci. However, Zheng Ci had presided over the court for seven years, making this a potentially tricky matter.
Seeing her son writing, Madam Chen sat down to wait while Shuyan hurried to prepare tea for her.
When Chen Yanyun finally set down his brush, Madam Chen smiled and said, "I've settled the matter for you! Once the Gu family responds, we can proceed with the betrothal. Yet here you are, looking completely unhurried..." She had been eager to bring him the news, but his calm demeanor made her enthusiasm seem one-sided!
Chen Yanyun replied, "If only you had truly settled it for me."
Madam Chen was puzzled. "With our Chen family's standing and your position, how could the Gu family possibly refuse?"
Chen Yanyun shook his head with a smile. "It's hard to explain. I'll visit the Gu family tomorrow—only then will we know."
Madam Chen wondered if her son was being overly cautious.
But Chen Yanyun understood clearly. With someone like Gu Jinzhao's temperament, she wouldn't budge unless pressured.
He needed to talk to her. Her opinion mattered, of course—he couldn't disregard her wishes entirely.
However, this wasn't something she could be willful about. He had let her evade him before, but no more.
Chen Yanyun considered himself reasonable, but on this matter, he absolutely would not yield.Few in the Gu household slept well that night.
Old Madam Chang's visit to propose a marriage alliance was a major event, spreading even faster than the news of the Yao family breaking off their engagement. It wasn't long before the news reached Gu Lian's ears. She found it utterly unbelievable and felt deeply resentful... What kind of person was Gu Jinzhao! How could she have climbed up to the Chen family! She lay in bed brooding for a long while before deciding something was amiss. Slipping into her shoes, she went to Second Madam's Xianya Hall to find her. Second Madam was inside speaking with Gu Deyuan.
Gu Lian entered the western chamber. Seeing the door to the inner room closed, she knew her parents must be inside, with her mother's personal maid standing guard outside. Her eyes flickered as she addressed the maid, "Mother mentioned she had stewed some Sichuan fritillary and pigeon soup today. Go to the outer courtyard's kitchen and fetch it for me."
The maid hesitated briefly—Second Madam had specifically instructed her to guard the door...
Gu Lian glared coldly at her. "Why are you still standing there?"
Remembering the fate of the maid who had broken Gu Lian's flower vase, the girl quickly curtsied and left the western chamber.
Gu Lian dismissed the other two second-rank maids to wait outside, saying she would keep watch here. Once they were gone, she pressed her ear against the door. Lan Zhi whispered anxiously, "Young Miss, isn't this somewhat improper..."
Gu Lian waved her away impatiently.
From inside the room came Second Madam's voice: "...Originally it was meant for Lian jie er, but now it turns out they heard wrong. The Yao family has already broken off the engagement, and now Third Master Chen wants to marry Gu Jinzhao instead. Ah, what will become of our Lian jie er..."
Then Gu Deyuan's voice, seething with anger: "This isn't our fault! It's all that Yao family's doing! Thinking themselves so clever..."
"Don't worry, the Yao family won't benefit either. They probably didn't want to offend the Chen family, so they made up that excuse about 'Yao Wenxiu taking a fancy to someone else.' If Chen Yanyun had actually proposed to Lian jie er, people would have understood. Now they've made enemies everywhere..."
Gu Lian froze upon hearing this.
She took a step back. She knew something felt off! It should have been her securing the better marriage prospect, so how did it end up going to Chaojie instead?
So the Yao family had mistaken the person!
Her engagement had been broken off, while the Chen family wanted to marry Gu Jinzhao!
Gu Lian felt so furious her heart ached with resentment. That wealth and status should have been hers—how did Gu Jinzhao end up with it instead?
Just two days ago she'd told Gu Jinzhao "You can eat recklessly, but don't speak carelessly"—what a ridiculous thing to say! Those words should have been said to her!
Gu Lian's face twisted in displeasure. She had always considered herself superior to Gu Jinzhao—better reputation, higher status. How could someone so beneath her in every way now rise above her, even stealing what rightfully belonged to her!
If there hadn't been a mistake, shouldn't the Chen family's proposal have been for her? Not only was it not for her, but it had also ruined her engagement with the Yao family.
Lan Zhi had heard enough to turn pale with fright. "Young Miss," she whispered, "what should we do... How could they have made such a mistake..."
Gu Lian dragged her out of the western chamber before glaring at her viciously. "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask!"
After a moment, she suddenly laughed as if having reached some realization."Even if she could marry a Grand Secretary, what's the big deal? It's just as a second wife! That Third Master Chen must be quite old if he's already a Grand Secretary. What's so great about being a second wife to some old geezer?" Gu Lian snorted. "I should be glad it's not me!" The thought that Third Master Chen was probably some pot-bellied man in his fifties made her feel much better.
If he weren't some old codger, why would he even look at Gu Jinzhao! What's the use of all that wealth and status when married to someone like that!
PS: I'm about to take an exam~~ Will write the second update when I get back tonight.
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