Chapter 201: Trouble Arises
Madam Feng told Gu Dezhao that they wouldn't add more to the dowry in terms of villas or shopfronts, but would include some valuable items to make it ninety loads in total. Although not much money was spent, it would look impressive when carried out in procession.
"Bringing honor to Chaojie means bringing honor to the entire fourth branch," Xu Jingyi agreed readily with a smile, then discussed with Madam Feng what additional items to include.
As the clan matriarch of the household, Second Madam also had to oversee these matters. But Madam Feng was engrossed in conversation with Xu Jingyi, leaving her sitting aside with inevitable resentment. What kind of clan matriarch was she... First, it was Fifth Madam who overshadowed her, and now the fourth branch had produced Gu Jinzhao who soared to prominence—was Xu Jingyi also going to outshine her? And she hadn't even been in the Gu family for long!
Madam Feng had long prepared sixty loads for Gu Lian's dowry. Gu Dezhao had added many items for Gu Jinzhao, so Madam Feng quietly called Gu Lian over and secretly included an additional property in her dowry—after all, she was the one raised by her side, and she couldn't help but favor her more. She had originally thought that while it might seem less on the surface, the actual difference wouldn't be significant... but now she realized just how vast the gap truly was.
While the elders discussed matters, Gu Lian sat with Gu Lan under the corridor, drinking tea.
"It's just marrying someone as a stepmother, yet they're making it seem like the sky's the limit!" Gu Lian muttered under her breath. "Who knows how things will turn out after the wedding..." She couldn't shake the feeling that this marriage was irregular. If Chen Ge Lao was still young, why would he choose Gu Jinzhao?
Gu Lan said leisurely, "We'll find out when she returns after the wedding!" She wasn't the least bit worried about this marriage—once Gu Jinzhao married, the real spectacle would begin.
Gu Lian couldn't help but feel stifled thinking about that gilded gift list. She took Gu Lan's hand and asked, "How much dowry will your father give for your marriage to Zhao Juren's son? Since Gu Jinzhao got so much, surely you won't be treated unfairly, right?"
Gu Lan tightened her grip on the teacup before gently releasing it and replying calmly, "I don't know."
Her father hadn't been as affectionate toward her as before.
After much deliberation, Gu Lian tried to console her: "Even though it's just a Juren's son, at least the household is peaceful and there won't be much to worry about... Don't worry. If you ever struggle in the future, I won't abandon you."
Gu Lan felt a pang of discomfort. "Not much to worry about"... Was this a mockery of her marrying into a simple family?
And "won't abandon her"... Did she already assume Gu Lan would have a miserable life? While Gu Lian herself would thrive?
Gu Lan nodded. "No need to say more about our friendship."
Better than some, worse than others... After some thought, Gu Lian still believed her own marriage prospects were the best. She then called a maid over to bring some tea snacks.
Xu Jingyi later relayed the dowry arrangements to Jinchao.Jinchao was also surprised. In her previous life, the Chen Family's betrothal gifts had been two thousand taels of silver plus ten loads of goods... What was Third Master Chen doing, giving her so much? Sitting on the heated kang, Jinchao pondered—this was just a marriage to a second wife... Was this even proper etiquette?
But since it had already been given, what more could she say.
Third Master Chen hadn't sent any messages at all. Only the steadily progressing wedding arrangements made her feel increasingly uneasy.
Even in her past life, things hadn't been like this... Jinchao almost wanted to laugh at herself—regressing the more she lived!
Just then, Mama Tong entered to discuss the dowry attendants. Mama Xu had returned to Daxing two days prior to retire, leaving all matters now in Mama Tong's hands. Wearing a lilac-colored beizi, she looked radiant. When the Chen Family's betrothal gifts were carried into the Gu household, everyone had witnessed it, and news spread quickly through the estate. Mama Tong now walked with her head held high.
"Master's instructions—all the indentured servants from the villas given to you will count as dowry attendants. From the late madam's side, there's Luo Yongping's family. From Baodi, Song Chuan's family—he gave you two villas. From Xuanwu, Hu Yongchang's family, and from Shijingshan, Duan Xiang's family. To assist you in managing household affairs, besides me, there's also Li Guanshi's son Li Cheng and his wife..."
Midway through, Qingpu entered to announce that the young master had returned and was heading her way.
The Imperial Academy was on break at this time.
Jinchao smiled. "I was just thinking of him... invite him in quickly."
Before Qingpu could relay the message, a tall, slender youth lifted the curtain and entered.
"Elder sister!" He approached with a smile. Jinchao stood to grasp his arms and examine him—previously so frail, yet after these few months apart, he'd grown sturdier. Dressed in a stone-blue Hangzhou silk robe, his delicate features had become much more defined.
A maid brought over a stool.
Gu Jinrong sat and continued, "The break coincided with your wedding... When Grandmother sent word that you were to marry Chen Ge Lao, I was astonished." No matter how he thought about it, this marriage seemed mismatched—truly peculiar.
Most scholars had heard of Chen Yanyun's fame and read his essays. That his elder sister was to marry this legendary Chen Ge Lao greatly surprised Gu Jinrong. Yet he found nothing improper—Chen Ge Lao's temperament and cultivation were both exemplary.
Jinchao chuckled. "Lucky you made it back. Later, I'll take you to pay respects to Mother."
Gu Jinrong paused before realizing she meant his father's new wife. He asked cautiously about Xu Jingyi and how she treated Jinchao, his expression guarded.
Jinchao couldn't help laughing. "Don't worry, she's quite wonderful."
She then inquired about Gu Jinrong's studies at the Imperial Academy.Gu Jinrong said, "The teachers at the Imperial Academy are indeed excellent, and the discipline is very strict..." Having been pampered all his life, he initially suffered quite a bit when he first arrived, but gradually grew accustomed to it. He continued, "Now I can carry two buckets of water up the mountain! When you get married, I'll carry you to the bridal sedan..."
Traditionally, it was the elder brother or maternal uncle who carried the bride to the sedan. Although she had no full brothers, there were two cousins in the family, so it wouldn't be Gu Jinrong's turn. Jinchao shook her head and said, "You mean well, but I'm afraid you might not have the strength."
Gu Jinrong had been looking forward to carrying his elder sister to the bridal sedan and felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this. But after a moment's thought, he brightened up again: "Elder sister, does that mean I'll become Chen Ge Lao's brother-in-law in the future..."
The teachers at the Imperial Academy all held Chen Ge Lao in high regard, considering him a truly learned scholar. If he became Chen Ge Lao's brother-in-law, the teachers probably wouldn't dare to punish him anymore. Excited, Gu Jinrong went on: "Lord Chen's son, the one who ranked as the Third Scholar in the last Metropolitan Exam, is adored by all the teachers at the Imperial Academy. Whenever we see him, we respectfully address him as 'Chen Recommended Student.' Won't he have to call me uncle now?"
Only after thinking this through did Gu Jinrong truly grasp the magnitude of his elder sister's marriage arrangement.
How had he suddenly become connected to figures he couldn't even exchange a word with normally?
Hearing news of Chen Xuanqing, Jinchao's smile faltered slightly. In this life, he had indeed still achieved the Third Scholar rank... which meant he would soon take up a post at the Imperial Academy.
"Don't dwell on such nonsense. You should focus on studying hard at the Imperial Academy!" Jinchao chided him. Yet seeing Gu Jinrong's current state, she felt a wave of relief. At least things were turning out well.
She still remembered the Gu Jinrong from her past life—the one who had come to the Chen Family to find her, utterly dispirited and destitute, as if he had lost all will to live.
Gu Jinrong nodded energetically. "I know, elder sister." Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, I came back with the third son of Yao Ge Lao's family this time—the one engaged to Gu Lian. He said he wanted to pay respects to Grandmother."
Jinchao asked, "Are you close with him?"
Gu Jinrong shook his head. "We exchange a few words, but we're not close. According to his roommate, he often secretly corresponds and exchanges gifts with a woman, but it doesn't seem to be Gu Lian..."
Jinchao glared at him, and his voice immediately dropped to a whisper. "I just happened to overhear it..."
Jinchao knew all too well what kind of person Yao Wenxiu was. She warned Gu Jinrong, "Don't get too involved with him, and don't pry into such matters. I know Privilege students have lax supervision, but you must be careful."
Gu Jinrong nodded. Such gossip circulating in the Imperial Academy was indeed inappropriate.
Jinchao first took Gu Jinrong to pay respects to Madam Feng, then to Xu Jingyi.
At Xu Jingyi's place, she naturally spent more time chatting with Gu Jinrong.Jinchao found Xu Jingyi quite agreeable. It was evident from her speech that she was well-read, and conversing with her was pleasant. Xu Jingyi also took the opportunity to size up Jinchao. She had a rough idea of his character—still young and naturally lacking in steadiness.
Before long, Second Madam sent someone to invite Fourth Madam to the western courtyard for dinner.
Xu Jingyi smiled at Jinchao and said, "We might as well go together... I have a mutton fat jade bracelet here that would go perfectly with your light blue overcoat." She instructed An Momo to fetch the bracelet.
After a moment's thought, Jinchao didn’t refuse and allowed Xu Jingyi to slip the bracelet onto her wrist. Seeing this, Jinchao’s favorable impression of Xu Jingyi grew. If she treated his elder sister so well, she couldn’t be a bad person.
This dinner was likely arranged specifically for Yao Wenxiu, Jinchao mused silently. Soon after, she accompanied Xu Jingyi to Second Madam’s quarters. The women dined in the banquet and rest area, while Jinchao was summoned by Gu Dezhao to the flower hall. Jinchao glanced around but didn’t see Gu Lian anywhere. When Gu Lian finally arrived, her face was radiant. She wore a rosy cloud brocade overcoat, a golden lotus hairpin inlaid with rubies, and had even applied floral makeup.
Jinchao couldn’t help but glance back at Gu Lan, who was dressed in a light pink cherry blossom patterned overcoat, a white drawn thread skirt, and a pinkish-red ribbon, her hair styled in a parted bun. Her makeup was fresh and delicate—this understated elegance suited her best, the kind that would stir any man’s tenderness.
Gu Lan kept peering anxiously through the lattice window. Gu Lian walked over and took her hand, laughing, "Lan Er, what are you looking at?"
Gu Lan smiled. "The magnolias are blooming—their fragrance is lovely."
Gu Lian whispered to her, "I met him... None of those things were his idea. We talked for a long while, and he even gave me a box of rose-scented cream. I’ll show you later."
Gu Lan nodded with a smile. "Alright, we’ll look at it later."
Jinchao averted her gaze, sensing something profound in Gu Lan’s smile. It was the same expression she often wore when smiling at Jinchao.
After dinner, Jinchao chatted with Xu Jingyi for a while before retiring to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall for the night.
In the middle of the night, a flicker of candlelight passed through her room. Jinchao, a light sleeper, was instantly roused. Qingpu lifted the bed curtain and whispered urgently, "Miss, something terrible has happened. Madam’s maid is waiting outside..."
Still groggy, Jinchao jolted awake at the news. What could be so urgent as to wake her in the dead of night?
She glanced at the clepsydra—it was barely past the third watch!
P.S.: First update. I’ll write the second one after class tonight...
I was wrong—I don’t think I’ll get to the wedding today. ==
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