Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 203: A Double Marriage

Xu Jingyi cast a cold glance at Gu Lan.

If she wanted to court death, she could do it herself! But to drag the fourth branch down with her—if this wasn’t handled properly, it might even affect Jinchao’s marriage prospects. Gu Lan truly spared no thought for consequences. Someone so reckless and self-destructive didn’t deserve any protection.

Madam Feng felt a throbbing in her temples at the sight of Gu Lan’s tearful sniveling. She ordered Xu Momo to take Gu Lan away first. “...What a disgrace! Clean her up and change her clothes. Just looking at her makes me furious!” Xu Momo acknowledged the order and reached out to help Gu Lan up.

Madam Feng’s voice was icy. “Can she not stand on her own?”

Xu Momo hastily retreated to the side, and Gu Lan slowly picked herself up before following Xu Momo out the door.

A maid brought over stools, but no one sat down.

Madam Feng then addressed Xu Jingyi. “Gu Lan belongs to the fourth branch. Now that this has happened, do you have a plan?”

If she couldn’t come up with a solution, Madam Feng would surely accuse her of lacking the ability to manage household affairs. But this was no easy matter—any decision would be fraught with pitfalls. They couldn’t very well let Gu Lan die, could they? Besides, even death would bring its own complications.

Xu Jingyi thought for a moment before stepping forward. “Mother, no matter what, Gu Lan is the one at fault here. I leave her entirely to your judgment and have no objections... But as for a plan, we must first speak with the Yao family’s Third Young Master. Even if Gu Lan is to blame, Yao Wenxiu likely isn’t entirely innocent either.”

Second Madam shot Xu Jingyi a glance before turning to Madam Feng. “Mother, given Yao Wenxiu’s character, I can’t rest easy letting Lian jie er marry him. Perhaps we should call off the engagement with the Yao family...”

Madam Feng said coldly, “You want to break off the engagement? Fine. After all, Yao Wenxiu has already made his mistake—we could always marry Gu Lan off to him instead.”

Second Madam was instantly rendered speechless. Anyone with eyes could see what had happened today. Even if Gu Lan had wanted a secret rendezvous with Yao Wenxiu, she wouldn’t have chosen a spot near the inner gate... She had been scheming against Yao Wenxiu—or perhaps against the entire family! If Gu Lian’s engagement to the Yao family was called off, it would be exactly what that wretched girl wanted. She could seize the opportunity to marry into the Yao family herself!

How could they let her succeed?

But if Gu Lian married someone like Yao Wenxiu, wouldn’t she suffer terribly...

Madam Feng gritted her teeth. “After all the back-and-forth with the Yao family’s engagement, if we break it off now, what will people say? Where else will Lian jie er find a match as good as the Yao family?”

Even if Gu Lan were to marry into the Yao family, as a concubine-born daughter with such scandalous behavior, the most she could hope for was the title of a concubine. Both of them would be ruined.

Second Madam paled and sank onto a stool, soon covering her face with a handkerchief as she began to weep quietly.

Her youngest daughter, raised with such care and tenderness—how could she endure such humiliation?

Madam Feng, too, stewed in anger for a long while. Xu Jingyi naturally remained silent, lowering her gaze as she quietly contemplated the situation.

Gu Lan was young, but her methods were ruthless. Unfortunately for her, she was still too inexperienced to realize just how many countermeasures others could employ... Well, for now, it was Madam Feng and Second Madam’s headache to deal with. She would simply wait and watch.

Eventually, Madam Feng summoned Yao Wenxiu for a talk.

This time, Yao Wenxiu bowed respectfully, his tone full of remorse. “Madam, this is entirely my fault—my lack of virtue led to such disgraceful conduct. Punish me as you see fit...”Madam Feng sneered. Punish him? He was the legitimate son of Yao Ge Lao; how could she dare to punish him!

Madam Feng said, "The conduct of your Yao family is beyond my control. But you must clarify this matter—Lian jie er is about to marry you. After what you and Gu Lan have done, what exactly are your plans?"

Yao Wenxiu's handsome face flushed red and then paled. What else could he do? One was already betrothed, and the other had already become his. At worst, he could just marry both. After all, they were sisters and would surely get along better than strangers. Deep down, he still preferred Gu Lan, but unfortunately, she was only a concubine-born daughter. Though Lian jie er wasn’t as understanding as Gu Lan, she was still a lovely girl.

He couldn’t bear to hurt either of them.

Besides, if his elder brother found out about this, he’d probably break his legs...

"If I dare to do it, I dare to take responsibility. I’ve wronged the Fourth Miss Gu, and I’ll treat her well from now on. As for Lan Er... I’m willing to take responsibility for her as well," Yao Wenxiu said.

Second Madam tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand. So he wanted to enjoy the beauty of both!

Just as she was about to speak to Madam Feng, the latter spoke first, "It’s good that you’re willing to take responsibility, but you must discuss this with Madam Yao first. Decide exactly how to handle this..." Madam Feng closed her eyes briefly, suppressing her anger.

At this point, the only solution was to marry Gu Lan off to Yao Wenxiu as a concubine. Since the Marriage Certificate hadn’t been exchanged with the Zhao family yet, there was still time... After Gu Lian married into the Yao family, Gu Lan could also be taken in. All of this would happen after Gu Jinzhao’s wedding, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly and quietly.

She continued, "...You must decide when to take Gu Lan in."

Yao Wenxiu hurriedly replied, "Of course," then, feeling embarrassed, followed Xu Momo back to the side room to rest.

Second Madam, disregarding Xu Jingyi’s presence, burst into tears and said, "Mother! Look at his attitude—how can we still marry Lian jie er to him? Lian jie er grew up by your side, always close to you since childhood. You can’t let her suffer like this..."

Madam Feng sighed. "Of course I care for Lian jie er. Come with me to the inner chamber..." Then she said to Xu Jingyi, "Go keep an eye on that shameless girl. Though she wouldn’t dare to hang herself, make sure she doesn’t go around spreading this foolishness. Tomorrow, discuss this with Old Fourth as well. If she chooses to degrade herself by becoming a concubine, no one can stop her! Don’t say I’m being cruel to her!"

Xu Jingyi acknowledged and returned to Wanhua Hall, only to find Jinchao already asleep. She couldn’t help but laugh softly. "She said she’d wait for me..." She instructed the maids to watch over her carefully, then went to the rear annex of the eastern courtyard to keep an eye on Gu Lan.

Gu Lan sat hugging her knees on the wormwood-stuffed bed, staring straight at Xu Jingyi when she entered.

The rear annex was damp and sparsely furnished, lit only by a dim pine oil lamp, with two stout maids guarding outside.

Xu Jingyi had the maids bring her a stool, then sat watching Gu Lan while embroidering a pattern for Gu Xi. She couldn’t be bothered to speak to Gu Lan.

Madam Feng and Second Madam talked for a long time.

"...In the future, Lian jie er will be the legal wife, while Gu Lan will just be a concubine, completely at Lian jie er’s mercy. Besides, Gu Lan has never gotten along with Gu Jinzhao, and Xu Jingyi is entirely on Gu Jinzhao’s side. If anything happens to Gu Lan in the future, no one will help her... Doesn’t Lian jie er still have you, me, and her elder brother and sister? Who does Gu Lan have left? You must ease your mind..."Second Madam had calmed down but still hesitated, "I'm afraid she's entrusting herself to the wrong person..."

Madam Feng sighed, "How old are you? Do I still need to spell this out? Which man is ever devoted to one woman? Gu Dezhao was infatuated with Madam Ji back then—so much so that he was willing to die for her—yet he kept taking concubines one after another. Now that he's taken Gu Lan in, he might restrain himself somewhat in the future. He feels guilty toward Lian jie er. If she plays her cards right, why worry about not being able to control Yao Wenxiu?"

"If we stir up trouble to break off the engagement now, could Lian jie er find a better match? Don't let her end up like Gu Jinzhao... Though Gu Jinzhao was lucky, somehow managing to climb up to Third Master Chen. Can you guarantee that Gu Lian will find someone like that in the future?"

Second Madam dropped the subject. Making a fuss now would indeed be very bad for Gu Lian...

Still resentful, she muttered, "As for Gu Lan... Mother must not let her off!"

Madam Feng smiled at this, "With all the grievances I have, do you think I'll go easy on her? There are countless ways to deal with people—she just hasn't seen them yet!"

A newborn calf fears no tiger—how dare she scheme against me? If I don't make Gu Lan suffer to the point of wishing for death, I might as well not be the matriarch of this household!

There were plenty of ways to deal with Gu Lan. Since she chose to be shameless, she shouldn't blame this old woman for being ruthless. Force her to drink a pot of safflower, make her barren for life. Once her looks fade, who would remember her?

Madam Feng finally instructed Second Madam, "Keep this matter under wraps for now. Warn all the maids and servants who were present tonight, and don't tell Lian jie er either. She would surely go settle scores with Gu Lan. Gu Jinzhao's wedding is coming soon... We mustn't let this news spread..."

Second Madam nodded—she understood all this.

Madam Feng finally let out a long sigh.

Outside, the sky had already brightened.

When Gu Jinzhao woke up, it was already late morning. She hurriedly sat up and realized she was in Wanhua Hall. A maid named Youqing, a second-tier maid serving Xu Jingyi, was dozing by the daybed.

She still needed to pay respects to Madam Feng, so Jinzhao called for Qingpu to come in.

Youqing quickly sat up, "Second Miss... There's no need to hurry. Madam specifically sent word that you don't need to pay respects to Tai Furen today. She asked you to sleep in a little longer. The small kitchen has prepared milk porridge and steamed egg custard. If you're hungry, I can bring them over for you..."

No need to pay respects...

It seemed Madam Feng had indeed been busy last night—probably didn't sleep at all!

Jinzhao asked Youqing, "Did Mother say why?"

Youqing shook her head, "Madam only said she was speaking with Third Miss in the eastern annex and couldn't return to have breakfast with you."

Jinzhao still had Qingpu come in to help her freshen up. After breakfast, she returned to Beautiful Embroidery Hall.

Xu Jingyi's message implied she didn't need to intervene, meaning the matter was mostly resolved. Since there was no bigger commotion and the maids seemed completely clueless, it was likely no news had leaked, and Madam Feng had suppressed the matter...

Who would have thought Gu Lan actually schemed her way into becoming Yao Wenxiu's concubine? In her eyes, being Yao Wenxiu's concubine was probably better than being the lawful wife of a scholar's son. Unfortunately, her move was too risky—her path ahead would surely be difficult.To say nothing of the rest, once she married into the Yao family, would Second Madam and Madam Feng let her off? They would probably go to great lengths to make her life miserable. In this life, there was no Concubine Song to help her anymore, and she certainly wouldn't lift a finger herself. From now on, she could only contend with Gu Lian.

What a spectacle that would be.

Jinchao gazed at the newly bloomed gardenias outside the Lattice Window and sighed softly.

Five more days... until the wedding day. Why was her heart feeling so unsettled...