Chapter 197: Preparations
After the marriage arrangement with the Chen Family was settled, Jinchao spent most of her time on needlework.
Since Madam Yao's visit that day, it was as if nothing had happened, and the marriage between the two families proceeded as usual.
When Jinchao saw Gu Lian again, she understood clearly that the latter was no longer as happy as before.
"...With the weather about to turn hot, let's make summer clothes for everyone again," Jinchao called Mama Xu over and said. "Baiyun has come of age, so we should start looking for a suitable match for her. Keep an eye out discreetly, and let me know when you find someone suitable..."
Although Baiyun wasn't particularly clever, she had the advantage of not stirring up trouble. However, Baiyun was already over sixteen, and keeping her in service would delay her prospects. It would be best to settle her marriage before Jinchao left for the Chen Family, to avoid having to adjust to new arrangements after arriving there.
Mama Xu agreed, saying, "Miss Baiyun has been your personal maid. I think she should marry the son of a shopkeeper or a Villa steward..."
Jinchao took her hand and added, "And as for you, after serving my mother for half your life, it's time for you to enjoy your retirement. Once Baiyun's marriage is settled, you should return to Tongzhou to retire. I'll arrange a two-courtyard house for you there, with the deed in your name, so your son and daughter-in-law can move in to take care of you. I'll send you monthly provisions of rice and flour. How does that sound?"
Jinchao had considered everything, and Mama Xu understood perfectly.
Lately, Mama Xu had been feeling her health wasn't as strong as before, with a persistent cough that wouldn't go away. Moreover, she hadn't seen her son in Tongzhou for nearly two years. Though she had grown distant from her own son, she had watched Gu Jinzhao grow up. Beyond the bond of mistress and servant, there was also deep affection.
Mama Xu knelt to thank Gu Jinzhao, but the latter quickly stopped her.
"There's no need to kneel. If Mother were still here, she wouldn't have let you go unrewarded either..."
Tomorrow would be the day Xu Jingyi entered the household.
Mama Xu sighed and simply bowed. "I must still thank you, young mistress. In my old age and frailty, to have your protection is a blessing..."
After Mama Xu left, Jinchao asked Qingpu to put away the sewing basket. It was time for her afternoon nap.
But through the bamboo curtain came Xiuqu's voice announcing that Gu Dezhao had arrived.
Jinchao had no choice but to gather her energy and receive her father in the parlor.
"...Tomorrow is the day of the wedding procession. The household will likely be very busy," Gu Dezhao said. "Before that, I wanted to discuss your dowry with you. Everything your mother left for you will be part of your dowry—you won't leave anything for Gu Jinrong. As for me, I also have things to give you. Eighty loads of dowry—I'll make sure everything is properly prepared."
Gu Dezhao listed them for her: "A red-lacquered, gold-traced Canopy Bed with auspicious beasts, a marble-painted screen, an ivory dressing set..." Down to the styles of combs and mirrors, Gu Dezhao recounted every detail. Jinchao listened as her father rambled on, as if making some solemn promise to her.
"In Shi'an, I own two southern goods shops, a paper-making workshop, and two cloth shops. In Wanping, there's a five-hundred-mu Villa in Xuanwu, and another eight-hundred-mu Villa in Shijingshan. All of these will go to you..." In total, it amounted to no less than eight thousand taels.Gu Jinzhao said, "Father, you can give me the two villas in Wanping. As for the shops in Shi'an, it's better to leave them for Jinrong." If these were given to her, her father's wealth would be reduced by a significant portion. Gu Jinzhao already held nearly twenty thousand taels of silver in her hands and wasn’t the least bit worried about her dowry being insufficient.
Gu Dezhao waved his hand dismissively. "Take them all. Rong’er can earn his own fortune in the future..." But how could a woman earn her own fortune? She would still have to rely entirely on her natal family and her husband’s family. With a family like Third Master Chen’s, if her dowry wasn’t substantial enough, she would have even less standing.
His voice lowered slightly. "All of this was earned through your mother’s hard work. Naturally, it should go to you..." He took a deep breath, his eyes slowly reddening. "I’ve wronged her all my life." And he had never dared to forget her.
In the past, Jinzhao would have retorted, Father, just because you wronged Mother, does that mean you can ease your guilt like this? But seeing the faint redness in her father’s eyes, she no longer refused. Only after she agreed to accept the properties did Gu Dezhao slowly rise and leave.
Tomorrow was the day of the wedding procession, and Xu Jingyi would soon enter the household. The Gu residence had already begun decorating days ago, preparing for a grand banquet, and all sorts of relatives from the Gu family would attend... Ever since Jinzhao’s marriage to the Chen Family was finalized, many more had sought to establish ties with the Gu family.
These matters were all handled by Madam Feng and Second Madam. As the bride-to-be, it wasn’t appropriate for her to assist in the arrangements.
After discussing this matter with Jinzhao, Gu Dezhao still had to speak with Madam Feng.
When Madam Feng heard about the dowry, her eyelids twitched.
Those properties weren’t entirely his anymore—they belonged to the Gu family as a whole. Yet he was giving so much to Gu Jinzhao... Madam Feng couldn’t openly object, so she could only gently advise, "Chaojie already has considerable wealth at her disposal. The eighty crates of dowry you’re giving her are more than enough. There’s no need to add these shops on top of it—how would she even manage them in the future?"
Gu Dezhao was firm. "Mother, with stewards overseeing them, there won’t be any issues. Chaojie is marrying Third Master Chen. Their statuses are already vastly different—if her dowry is lacking, how will she ever have any standing?"
The moment Madam Feng remembered that Gu Jinzhao was betrothed to Third Master Chen, all her objections died in her throat.
She could only watch helplessly as Gu Dezhao handed over the deeds and lands to Gu Jinzhao as part of her dowry. Her heart ached terribly—after all, the income from these properties had always been under her management.
By the afternoon, Madam Feng summoned Jinzhao for a discussion. When she arrived, Gu Lian and Gu Lan were also in Madam Feng’s western chamber. Madam Feng had the maids bring out sewing baskets for them to work on needlework. "I’ve already spoken with Madam Guo. Lan Er’s marriage will be discussed again in August. The other party heard about our Lan Er and agreed without hesitation," Madam Feng said, holding Gu Lan’s hand. "Look at them—both about to be married, yet neither is as steady as you. I’m keeping them busy with needlework to temper their dispositions..."
Jinzhao smiled but said nothing.
Truthfully, even now, she felt as though her decision to marry Third Master Chen was like a dream. This is Third Master Chen we’re talking about... It was as if she still wasn’t prepared—what was she supposed to do after marrying him? Her feelings toward Third Master Chen were complicated, but what about his feelings toward her?Although she had married him in her past life, she had never cared about it back then. She hadn't even lived together with Third Master Chen, let alone felt any affection for him. But now, hearing others mention her marriage arrangements, she felt somewhat uneasy. She didn't know what her life would be like after marrying into that family...
Gu Lan sat nearby, her needlework densely stitched.
A cold laugh echoed in her heart.
Others might not know, but she was well aware—the scandal between Gu Jinzhao and Chen Xuanqing, her deep affection for him. Gu Jinzhao marrying Third Master Chen was truly baffling, and Gu Lan had felt unsettled about it for a long time. But whenever she thought of Chen Xuanqing, her heart eased.
Gu Jinzhao would have plenty to worry about after marrying into the Chen Family. She refused to believe Gu Jinzhao had already forgotten Chen Xuanqing, especially since she had once been so deeply in love with him.
Fearing repercussions, she had kept this secret to herself. She wasn't foolish—while this matter could hurt Gu Jinzhao, it would also greatly affect them all. If the marriage fell through, the reputation of the Gu family's women would be ruined, and no one would escape unscathed. Moreover, Madam Feng would never let her off, and her father would loathe her to the bone. That was why Gu Lan had buried this matter deep in her heart.
Now, upon reflection, she might as well wait and see. Marrying into the Chen Family might be a good thing, but with Chen Xuanqing there, it might not be so simple.
After some conversation, Madam Feng prepared to take Jinchao to the western courtyard to inspect the newly furnished residence for Xu Jingyi. Once they left, Gu Lian could no longer sit still. She shoved her embroidery frame into Gu Lan's hands and whispered, "Dear Lan Er, help me finish this too!"
Gu Lan replied, "When Grandmother returns, she'll scold you again."
Gu Lian snorted. "Now she only has eyes for Gu Jinzhao—what could she possibly say to me? What's the use of needlework anyway? She says it cultivates patience, but writing would be better... Just do it for me, it's not like you're busy!" She also wanted to go to the western courtyard.
She had heard that this new fourth aunt wasn't particularly attractive and was somewhat older. She wondered what kind of person she really was. The Xu Family had even sent maids to prepare the bridal chamber—perhaps she might catch a glimpse of someone from the Xu Family...
Gu Lian left for the western courtyard with her maids, leaving Gu Lan alone in the eastern courtyard to work on the silk stockings for Madam Feng.
Resentment filled her heart. Gu Jinzhao was marrying Third Master Chen, Gu Lian was engaged to Yao Wenxiu—both excellent matches. The only one left with a poor prospect was her, destined to marry the son of a mere provincial scholar...
If she married like this, she might never rise above her station again.
Mu Jin, standing nearby, noticed Gu Lan's hand and gasped. "Miss, don't grip the thimble so tightly!" She hurriedly pried open Gu Lan's fingers, but blood had already seeped out. Mu Jin quickly fetched a handkerchief to wrap around Gu Lan's finger and called for a maid outside.
Gu Lan stared at the bloodstain on Madam Feng's silk stocking and suddenly found it strangely beautiful.
The corner of her lips curled slightly. "No need to bother with bandaging. It's just a small wound—bandaging it would only hinder my work." After wiping away the blood, she said, "Blood is inauspicious. Bring me another piece of silk."
If she didn't take action now, she would be at others' mercy. She had to do something—something significant. Trivial matters wouldn't even catch Madam Feng's attention now.
Just then, Ye Xian's carriage arrived at the Gu residence.It was already the morning of the second day, with many guests coming and going. The Gu residence was decorated with lanterns and colored hangings, alive with the sound of drums and gongs.
Ye Xian's face was as cold as ice, his expression extremely gloomy. The Gu family was clearly holding a joyous celebration—could it be that Gu Jinzhao was getting married today?
Then he must have arrived too late!
Recognizing the carriage of the Marquis Changxing's household, the servants ushered it in separately. The guests only saw a youth alight, dressed in a jade-white overgown with black trim, his face as fair and handsome as carved jade. Surrounded by guards, the young man strode toward the inner courtyard of the Gu residence with a dark expression.
At a glance, he was strikingly impressive. Upon inquiring, the crowd learned that this was none other than the renowned Changxing Marquis's Heir. Everyone couldn't help but exclaim, "Heroes emerge from the young!" Though youthful, he was truly exceptional.
PS: Apologies, everyone. I've been drowsy from cold medicine lately, my eyelids heavy as lead. I actually fell asleep while writing halfway through. I just finished in a rush, and my head is still spinning... Must be the flu—so many people around me have caught colds!
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