Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 194: Conversation

Jinchao had thought she would toss and turn all night, but instead, she slept soundly without a single dream.

When she woke, daylight was already streaming through the lattice window.

She called for Qingpu as she rose, but it was Mama Xu who lifted the bed curtains and entered, fastening them with silver hooks carved with peonies. Behind her followed a young maid carrying folded garments. Jinchao glanced over—on the vermilion lacquer tray lay a brocade qixiong-ruan jacket in madder red with a treasure-flower motif, a twelve-panel moonbeam skirt in stone blue, and a violet belt inlaid with pearl grains the size of rice. Another vermilion tray held a pair of white jade pendants with purple-blue tassels.

Mama Xu smiled warmly. "Let me help you dress, Miss."

Jinchao remained silent for a moment before replying, "Mama Xu, nothing is settled yet. There’s no need to rush."

Mama Xu stepped forward to assist her up, still smiling. "This was also Tai Furen’s instruction last night. From now on, your attire must be chosen with care. She even sent Chen Yong’s wife to attend to your hair later..."

Gu Jinchao said nothing more and allowed the maids to dress her. Mama Xu carefully fastened the jade pendants for her, murmuring softly, "...This old servant has one foot in the grave already. I’ve served Madam half my life, and now all I wish for is to see you married..."

Mama Xu had been her mother’s wet nurse. She had a son in Tongzhou, though her husband had passed years ago. When her son married some years back, it was Jinchao’s mother who had arranged the match. Mama Xu was getting on in years—it was time for her to enjoy her twilight years. Jinchao mused silently that Mama Xu’s son still worked at the Ji family’s rice shop and was now poised to become assistant manager.

Truly, she had served her mother half a lifetime, with toil and merit.

Jinchao sighed. Naturally, Mama Xu thought this marriage prospect was excellent. She was trying to persuade her to accept it—but how could she understand Jinchao’s reservations?

Soon enough, Chen Yong’s wife arrived and styled Jinchao’s hair into a parted bun with two gold lotus hairpins. She also selected a pair of jade rabbit earrings for her. Jinchao studied her reflection in the mirror. She had worn mourning colors for her mother this past year, and even after the mourning period ended, she hadn’t changed her habits.

She knew full well that bright, vivid colors suited her best, yet she had stubbornly clung to simplicity.

Now, it was as if all the things that had weighed her down had vanished. She felt lighter.

There was nothing wrong with dressing like this... Jinchao thought to herself as she adjusted her clothes and stood. When she turned around, even Chen Yong’s wife was stunned.

Jinchao instructed Caifu to reward Chen Yong’s wife with two silver bullions. "Thank you for dressing my hair. Everything is perfect. You may return and report to Grandmother now."

Chen Yong’s wife stammered, "Second Miss is too kind! This... this is this servant’s fortune!" She accepted the silver and withdrew.

After breakfast, Jinchao went to pay her respects to Madam Feng. To her surprise, almost everyone was present—Second Madam, Fifth Madam, Gu Lian, Gu Lan, and even two of Second Uncle’s concubine-born daughters, all chatting with Madam Feng.

The moment she stepped in, the conversation halted abruptly. Everyone turned to look at her, their expressions uniformly astonished.

Jinchao found it odd. Even dressed more brightly today, her attire was still subdued compared to Gu Lian’s gold-threaded, water-red crabapple blossom jacket! Why was everyone staring? It wasn’t as if they hadn’t seen her before—what was so remarkable?

Madam Feng coughed lightly and smiled, beckoning her to sit beside her.Gu Lan smiled and complimented, "Elder Sister looks truly beautiful today. Even I, as your younger sister, find you dazzling."

In the past, everyone had always fawned over Gu Lian while she remained silently watching from the sidelines. Now, each person felt compelled to praise her a few words, leaving her both amused and exasperated.

Third Master Chen... indeed, no one would dare underestimate him. The mere association with him had elevated her status in others' eyes.

Fifth Madam's expression, however, was peculiar, her embroidered handkerchief clutched tightly in her hand. After a while, she mentioned that the eleventh young miss must be hungry and hinted at leaving. Madam Feng allowed her to depart first.

After Fifth Madam left, Second Madam took Gu Lian's hand and said to Jinchao with a smile, "...Lianjie'er was immature before and spoke too bluntly." As she spoke, Second Madam felt her eyelid twitch. She had never paid much attention to Gu Jinzhao before, but now, reflecting on Gu Lian's actions... could they really be excused as mere immaturity? When Yu Mingying's tourmaline bracelet went missing, Gu Lian had directly accused Gu Jinzhao to take the blame. And last time, she had even dared to demand Gu Jinzhao's personal maid...

"Chaojie, you know how it is with your younger sister. She's been spoiled rotten since childhood and lacks proper judgment. But her heart isn't bad." Second Madam smiled and took Gu Jinzhao's hand. "Here, let your younger sister apologize to you. All those past incidents were her fault!"

Gu Lian bit her lip, recalling her mother's admonitions from the previous night. After a long pause, she finally said, "Second Sister, I was immature. Please forgive me!"

Gu Jinzhao had never held grudges against her before and had no intention of starting now. But to dismiss wrongdoing with a simple claim of immaturity left her at a loss for words.

Yet, judging by everyone's demeanor, it seemed this marriage arrangement was already set in stone.

Jinchao inwardly sighed.

She replied to Gu Lian, "Of course I don't blame you."

Both Second Madam and Madam Feng visibly relaxed.

Madam Feng was about to say more to Gu Jinzhao when Xu Momo lifted the curtain and announced, "Tai Furen, Lord Chen has come to pay his respects. Second Master has received the visiting card and requests you hurry to the banquet and rest area in the western courtyard..."

Though they had expected someone from the Chen Family to visit, Madam Feng was still astonished by how early it was. She asked, "Is it Chen Ge Lao, Lord Chen?"

Xu Momo nodded.

Madam Feng hastily instructed Xu Momo to help her change clothes and dismissed everyone else, keeping only Gu Jinzhao. "...Wait behind the curtain in the banquet and rest area later. You should see what Third Master Chen looks like." Madam Feng thought Gu Jinzhao had never met Third Master Chen before. Considering the kind of man he was... few women could remain unmoved! Perhaps seeing him would make Gu Jinzhao agree to the marriage!

He actually came in person...

Wasn't he supposed to be swamped with official duties...

Jinchao's heart churned with mixed emotions. The thought of meeting Third Master Chen, the realization that he had actually proposed to her, made her want to turn and flee...

Naturally, Madam Feng took her to the western courtyard.

After walking some distance with Gu Lan, Gu Lian grew increasingly unsettled. She said to Gu Lan, "Why don't we sneak to the western courtyard and take a look... I've never seen what this Lord Chen looks like..."

Gu Lan had been itching to see for herself. Ever since hearing about Gu Jinzhao's marriage proposal from the Chen Family, she had been desperate to know what kind of man would want to marry Gu Jinzhao. Though tempted by Gu Lian's suggestion, she feigned hesitation: "...But what if Grandmother finds out?"Gu Lian couldn't be bothered whether Madam Feng noticed or not, pulling Gu Lan straight to the western courtyard.

In the banquet and rest area.

Gu Deyuan was smiling as he spoke to Third Master Chen: "...Last time Lord Chen visited my humble abode, we didn't get the chance to converse. It's rare to meet again. I've long admired Lord Chen's erudition. If time permits, I'd like to consult you on scholarly matters."

Gu Deyuan occupied the first seat on the right. Gu Dezhao sat second on the right, while Third Master Chen faced Gu Deyuan.

He wore a blue straight-robe with decorative borders, his dark hair tied up with a bamboo-patterned jade hairpin, looking like an ordinary scholar. This made Gu Deyuan's official fourth-rank court attire appear overly formal in contrast. Third Master Chen leaned back in the Grand Preceptor's Chair, sipping tea from the side table before smiling slightly: "We'll see." Then he suddenly addressed Gu Dezhao, "Magistrate Gu mentioned this is fresh Huangshan Mist Tea?"

Caught off guard by the question, Gu Dezhao hurriedly replied: "Yes, fresh. I wouldn't dare serve you stale tea."

Only after speaking did he realize his blunder, wishing he could slap himself. He quickly added: "Huangshan Mist Tea has warming properties, more nourishing than other teas..."

Third Master Chen found his future father-in-law somewhat clumsy but well-meaning. Since he came to propose marriage, he wouldn't intentionally discomfort the man. Naturally, he helped smooth things over: "You remembered just from my casual remark last time."

Hearing this, Gu Dezhao suddenly understood. Third Master Chen wasn't wearing official robes today—he came to propose marriage. If successful, he'd become Third Master Chen's father-in-law, who wouldn't want to embarrass him.

Regardless, he should maintain some dignity. Whether Jinchao approved of the match or not, he shouldn't disgrace her here.

Gu Dezhao straightened his posture and cleared his throat: "...Speaking of which, I was a jinshi one examination before you. After concluding official matters, Lord Chen should join me for drinks so we can further discuss those topics you mentioned."

Join me for drinks...

Gu Deyuan's temple twitched, nearly reaching for a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

Though Third Master Chen disliked alcohol, he couldn't refuse his future father-in-law's invitation. He nodded: "As you wish."

Gu Deyuan turned away briefly before regaining composure.

Finally, a servant announced Old Madam Gu's arrival.

While Madam Feng conversed with Third Master Chen, Gu Lian and Gu Lan hid behind nearby curtains.

Gu Lian could hardly believe her eyes.

"That's Chen Ge Lao?" she murmured. "A Grand Secretary... shouldn't he be in his fifties..."

Gu Lan didn't know if the question was directed at her—she was speechless too.

Outside stood two guards in Chengzi uniforms. The tall man wore a blue straight-robe with decorative borders. Exceptionally handsome yet agelessly refined, his faint smile contrasted with sharp, profound eyes. While bearing a scholar's elegance, he exuded remarkable steadiness.

If a man were wine, age had only made him mellower and more profound.

The more Gu Lian looked, the more distressed she felt—he appeared no older than thirty... Shouldn't he be much older?

Inside, Madam Feng smiled and said: "Since we're discussing Chaojie's matter, perhaps Lord Chen could stay awhile for further conversation."Third Master Chen glanced at the drapes hanging to one side and said with a smile, "Madam, there's no need to rush this matter. I'd like to have a few words with Chaojie first. Do you trust me?"

Madam Feng was taken aback—wasn't this somewhat improper?

But for Third Master Chen, propriety seemed irrelevant at this point.

Gu Jinchao stood behind the drapes on the other side, her heart filled with hesitation. What did he want to say to her?

In her past life, when the marriage proposal came, the Chen Family had simply sent someone to propose. Her father and Concubine Song had discussed it briefly and agreed. After a few words of persuasion from Gu Lan, she had consented as well. But this life seemed entirely different... and because of that, her memories of Third Master Chen had become strikingly vivid.

The two met in the flower hall, with Madam Feng stationing a maid on the brick path not far away.

Third Master Chen stood with his hands behind his back, waiting for her to approach.

Jinchao bit her lip before speaking softly, "Shouldn't you be very busy?"

Third Master Chen chuckled and replied, "Marriage is a significant matter—one cannot afford to be careless. Naturally, I am very busy."

Jinchao felt this Third Master Chen was being somewhat shameless.

She took a deep breath. Now was not the time to let him gain the upper hand with just a few words. She needed to make things clear.

Gesturing toward the stone stool, she invited Third Master Chen to sit and began earnestly, "Lord Chen, you must be aware that my reputation in society is poor. I am also the eldest daughter who lost her mother, and my family background is far from matching yours. I don’t know how you came to your decision, but I feel it might have been made too hastily..."

The smile on Chen Yanyun's face faded, and he seemed to sigh. "Yes, I know all of that."

"You don’t mind?" Gu Jinchao met his gaze directly, holding steady even under its profound intensity.

But Third Master Chen fell silent. His fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the stone table before he finally spoke after a pause, "Do you dislike me for being too old?"

Where did that come from? How could she possibly dislike him for his age?

Jinchao shook her head. "Of course not."

Third Master Chen paused again, lowering his eyes to his hands. "You mustn’t be biased—this isn’t something I could control..." When he would meet her was beyond even his most meticulous planning... The thought left him helpless.