Chapter 200: Betrothal Gifts
After Xu Jingyi entered the household, many of the tasks previously handled by Jinchao were transferred to her. Within just a few days, she became familiar with managing the daily clothing and meals of the young ladies, as well as her father-in-law's daily routines. She was remarkably quick to adapt.
At first, Jinchao felt somewhat awkward around Xu Jingyi, but Xu Jingyi treated her like a close friend, always seeking her opinion on matters. Gradually, the two began to converse more freely.
Jinchao reflected that, in terms of interpersonal skills, few could compare to Xu Jingyi. Even with her two lifetimes of experience, there were many areas where she fell short. It was no wonder that in her past life, Xu Jingyi, as a woman confined to the inner chambers, had managed to single-handedly support the entire Luo family.
A few days later, Chang Laofuren from the Zheng Taigong residence and Madam Chen personally visited the Gu family. The Marriage Certificates had already been exchanged a few days prior, and now it was time for the formal betrothal ceremony. They brought offerings of livestock and wine, formally presenting the betrothal letter and setting the wedding date for the eighteenth day of the sixth month. Madam Feng invited all the female members of the household to pay their respects to Madam Chen.
As Jinchao approached the flower hall, she saw Madam Chen seated upright in an armchair. Madam Chen wore a jacket adorned with longevity motifs, a forehead band, and a Round Bun hairstyle secured with a mutton-fat jade hairpin. Though past sixty, Madam Chen had been a beauty in her youth, and even in old age, her countenance remained gentle and kind.
Jinchao entered and curtsied respectfully to Madam Chen, who studied her carefully.
Jinchao lowered her gaze slightly, maintaining a composed smile.
Neither subservient nor overly assertive, her demeanor was natural and unaffected. Madam Chen was quite pleased, though if there was one flaw—it was that she was perhaps too beautiful.
Having served Madam Chen for many years, Jinchao understood her temperament well. Madam Chen was compassionate, and with age, she had grown indifferent to many things. As long as others did not cross her bottom line, she was generally forgiving. Like all mothers-in-law, she simply wished for a daughter-in-law who was obedient, sensible, and capable of caring for her husband.
Madam Chen took Jinchao’s hand and smiled. "Such a well-mannered and respectful girl. I find her quite pleasing..." She instructed Granny Zheng to present Jinchao with a red-lacquered box carved with peonies. Jinchao accepted the gift with another curtsy, offering no excessive flattery.
Madam Feng, standing nearby, remained silent, sipping her tea.
Madam Chen, however, was satisfied. She disliked those who were overly glib. While it was nice for a young woman to say a few clever words, too much chatter was grating.
Though this future daughter-in-law was strikingly beautiful, her character was beyond reproach. Her son had chosen well.
Madam Chen turned to Madam Feng with a smile. "You’ve raised her excellently."
Madam Feng set down her teacup solemnly and replied modestly, "You flatter me, Madam."
Chang Laofuren, observing from the side, added, "The Gu family’s daughters are all exceptional. Every one who came to pay respects earlier was lovely and graceful. But Chaojie is truly outstanding—you’ll be fortunate to have her..." She took Madam Chen’s hand, and Madam Chen chuckled in agreement.
As a woman with a first-rank noble title and two sons holding second-rank official positions, Madam Chen carried herself with unshakable dignity wherever she went.
After withdrawing, Jinchao recalled her first meeting with Madam Chen in her past life—the day after her wedding. While serving tea, she had accidentally spilled some, scalding her hand. She had scolded the maid who handed her the cup, and though Madam Chen had still smiled, her expression had been far less warm than it was now.The maid serving overly hot tea was indeed at fault, but scolding the maids from Madam Chen's quarters right in front of her was truly inappropriate.
Jinchao never saw that maid again afterward.
Wasn't this also a good beginning...
After meeting with Madam Chen, Jinchao took Qingpu to Wanhua Hall.
Xu Jingyi had recently been teaching Gu Xi needlework. She had mentioned to Madam Feng, "Since I have free time anyway... The embroidery skills of the maids in Xi Jie'er's quarters are too crude..."
Madam Feng couldn't be bothered with such trivial matters—in her eyes, the illegitimate daughters were hardly worth noticing. If Xu Jingyi wanted to teach them, so be it. Xu Jingyi's willingness to attend to these minor affairs was actually convenient. Not only did she have someone prepare fabrics and threads, but she also had various embroidery hoops delivered, along with gold and silver threads.
When Jinchao arrived, Gu Xi was sitting on an embroidery stool while Xu Jingyi, seated cross-legged on the heated kang, was demonstrating how to guide the needle.
Gu Yi was also watching nearby.
Jinchao paid her respects to Xu Jingyi, and the two younger sisters in turn greeted her before pulling her to sit on an embroidery stool.
Xu Jingyi's voice was soft and patient: "That's not the right way, Jie'er—you'll prick your fingers... Guide the needle from the side and loop the thread out from here..."
Jinchao noticed Gu Xi's flushed cheeks and her clumsy fingers, and inwardly scolded herself. She had only ever concerned herself with her sisters' clothing and meals, knowing that their maids were teaching them needlework but never checking their progress. As illegitimate daughters, if they didn't excel in such skills, they would face mistreatment in their future in-laws' homes.
These matters indeed required supervision.
Once Gu Xi finally grasped the technique, Xu Jingyi turned to speak with Jinchao: "Madam Chen visited today?"
Jinchao nodded. Xu Jingyi fell silent for a moment before sighing. "Everyone praises this marriage arrangement... but I think it's hard on you. The Chen family's legitimate sons are already grown. That Seventh Young Master Chen was appointed Third Scholar in the Metropolitan Exam—his procession through the streets after the palace announcement was a glorious sight."
As the old saying goes, only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.
Xu Jingyi believed the Gu family had agreed to this marriage for the Chen family's influence, without considering Chaojie's future. No matter how mature Chaojie was, she was only sixteen—many things would be beyond her.
Jinchao couldn't easily explain these matters to Xu Jingyi, so she changed the subject. "Fortunately, with your guidance, I think Xi Jie'er's needlework has improved quite a bit..."
Xu Jingyi smiled and patted Xi Jie'er's head. "The girls from my elder sister's family are about Xi Jie'er's age, but they're always mischievous. Xi Jie'er is so well-behaved—it's endearing." The children of the fourth branch were all very well-raised.
An Momo, Xu Jingyi's personal maid, entered and curtsied. "Madam, the milk sponge cakes are ready."
They enjoyed the pastries together as dusk gradually fell.
Gu Lan came to pay her respects to Xu Jingyi. The relationship between Gu Lan and Jinchao was complicated, and Xu Jingyi had long been aware of it, treating Gu Lan with indifference. Gu Lan, knowing her place, limited herself to morning and evening greetings, never engaging Xu Jingyi in unnecessary conversation.
Luo Su also came later to greet Xu Jingyi, who treated her warmly. Before Xu Jingyi's marriage into the household, Luo Su had been apprehensive, but she gradually relaxed after spending time with her. Still, she never neglected proper etiquette and always spoke with caution.
Soon, Jinchao and the others left first.
Gu Dezhao arrived after finishing his duties at the yamen.
Xu Jingyi attended to him, helping him change clothes before dinner.The clinking of bowls and chopsticks was the only sound in the silence. Gu Dezhao barely glanced at Xu Jingyi, silently eating whatever she placed in his bowl.
Gu Dezhao remained reserved. Apart from their wedding night, he usually slept in the study at the front courtyard. He came daily to have meals with Xu Jingyi—mainly to preserve her dignity. If Madam Feng misunderstood that he was slighting Xu Jingyi, she might voice criticisms.
Following the rule of silence during meals, it was only after the dishes were cleared by the servants that Xu Jingyi smiled and said, "Today, I taught Xi Jie'er embroidery. She learned quickly... Would you like to see, my lord?"
Gu Dezhao replied, "I have matters to attend to later. You should rest first."
After he left, An Momo whispered to Xu Jingyi, "Madam, this can't go on forever... The master's heart remains closed."
Xu Jingyi reclined on the daybed, leaning against a large pillow, letting An Momo massage her temples. Softly, she said, "Dripping water wears through stone—it's not the work of a day. His enduring devotion is a virtue. There's nothing wrong with it. In fact, I find it quite comfortable..."
Jinchao's wedding drew nearer.
Mama Xu had found a match for Baiyun—the son of the Xu estate steward in Yongxin, Xianghe. Jinchao gifted her fifty taels of silver as a dowry addition, along with two gold hairpins. Madam Feng, Second Madam, and Fifth Madam each sent maids to deliver their own dowry gifts. When Baiyun departed, she hugged everyone tearfully, finally kneeling respectfully before Jinchao. "This servant can't bear to leave you, young miss..."
Jinchao smiled gently. "Enough now. Go prepare at the residence in Jiuli Alley and marry with dignity. The Xu steward has only this one son. He grew up working diligently on the estate, honest and dependable—he won't treat you poorly."
Baiyun's heart was a tangle of emotions, but she held back her tears.
She had served Jinchao since she was eleven—seven years now. Attending to her had become second nature, making the separation painful.
Accompanied by Mama Xu, she walked to the screen wall and boarded a carriage to Jiuli Alley, awaiting the arrival of the Xianghe wedding party.
Caifu stood under the corridor, watching them disappear into the distance, suddenly recalling Ziling's wedding. Everything had been cold and lifeless then—not even a single prominent maid attended, and the rowdy wedding party had been downright insulting...
She took a deep breath and said to Jinchao, "Young miss, the wind is picking up. Let's go inside."
Jinchao waited until Baiyun passed through the festooned gate before turning back. As they walked, she said to Caifu, "Once we're at the Chen Family, I'll find you a good match too. Don't be impatient..."
Caifu flushed. "Young miss, you're teasing me again!"
Jinchao chuckled without reply. She had already decided on her bridal attendants—Caifu and Qingpu would naturally accompany her, along with Xiuqu and Yuzhu. As for the accompanying servants, her father and grandmother would decide, but they wouldn't shortchange her.
The Chen Family was far more complex than the Gu Family—those who accompanied her needed to be exceptionally sharp and clever.
A few days later, the Chen Family's betrothal gifts arrived.
Four thousand taels of silver, two loads of two-hundred-pound ceremonial cakes, livestock and seafood delicacies, dried longan and peanut candies... Fifty loads in total. Beyond these were larger items. When the Betrothal Gift List reached Madam Feng's hands, her fingers trembled.
Four thousand taels of silver... When the Yao Family betrothed Gu Lian, they had offered only five hundred taels. Their gifts paled in comparison to this grand display. The most significant part of betrothal gifts was always the silver—usually supplemented by ten or twenty loads of items. Yet the Chen Family had sent fifty!Madam Feng quickly summoned Gu Dezhao and Xu Jingyi to discuss the matter. With such generous betrothal gifts, Chaojie's dowry would likely need to be increased!
When the betrothal gifts arrived, Gu Lian happened to be with Gu Lan in the eastern courtyard.
After glancing at the Betrothal Gift List, Gu Lian's face turned pale.
Compared to four thousand taels... five hundred taels seemed utterly paltry!
Why did Gu Jinzhao always have to outshine her in everything!
PS: To address some readers' concerns about Chen San surveilling the Gu family—no matter how closely his men watched, they couldn't observe the inner quarters, so they wouldn't know about Ye Xian and Jinchao's interactions.
Thanks to capf for the He Shi Bi jade gift, mwah! Then let's have double updates on Saturday too! Starting tomorrow, double updates until the wedding.
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