Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 211: Returning Home

The matter settled, Jinchao had the servants clear out the side room of the main hall that afternoon. Although Madam Chen had said there was no need to pay respects today, Jinchao and Third Master Chen still went to Sandalwood Mountain Courtyard after lunch. Madam Qin was there with her two daughters-in-law, chatting with Madam Chen. The elder daughter-in-law, Madam Shen, had a gentle appearance, while the younger, Madam Zhuang, was plain-looking but came from an exceptionally prestigious family. These two daughters-in-law were Madam Qin’s favorites and were often by her side.

Jinchao curtsied in greeting, and the two daughters-in-law stood to return the courtesy to Third Master Chen and Jinchao: "Greetings, Third Uncle, Third Aunt." Madam Chen excused them to rest, so Madam Qin led the two into an adjoining room for tea.

A maid brought over stools, and the two sat down. Madam Chen smiled and asked Jinchao, "Are you settling in well at Osmanthus Hall? Has this old third been bullying you?"

Jinchao thought to herself—what kind of question was this? Was Madam Chen teasing her?

She shook her head. "...Third Master treats me very well." Chen Yanyun, listening beside her, noticed the slight hesitation in her words and lowered his head with a faint smile. If bullying was the question, then yes, he certainly had bullied her.

Madam Chen said, "Don’t cover for him! He may seem dull and honest, but he’s actually the craftiest of them all!"

Jinchao could only smile, thinking to herself that Third Master Chen didn’t seem all that honest to begin with.

Madam Chen continued, "...When he was young and studying the Analects with the fifth master, their uncle was very strict. Every time their uncle was about to check their lessons, he would drag the fifth master off to listen to storytelling. The fifth master would recite poorly, and their uncle would focus on scolding him instead, leaving this one untouched..."

At this, Madam Chen’s expression dimmed slightly. Third Master Chen chuckled. "The fifth was just easy to fool, that’s all."

Madam Chen sighed and then brought up the matter of Jinchao’s three-day return visit to her maiden home.

They had only spoken for a short while when Chen Xuanxin entered, holding a plate of spiced melon seeds, his voice lively. "Grandmother, I brought some aniseed melon seeds from Sixth Uncle..."

As he stepped inside, he caught sight of his father and immediately quieted, greeting them in a much softer voice.

Hearing him mention Sixth Master Chen, Chen Yanyun frowned. "You went to your sixth uncle’s place again?"

Chen Xuanxin grew uneasy, his delicate face flushing. "Sixth Uncle said he brought me melon seeds from Wei Xiang Ju..." Seeing his father’s impassive expression, he quickly added, "I’ll go less often from now on."

Madam Chen beckoned him over, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, and chided Chen Yanyun, "It’s just a plate of melon seeds—why scold him?" But then she turned to Chen Xuanxin and warned, "You should visit your sixth uncle less often. His place is always in chaos."

Chen Yanyun said nothing more, but the tension in the back of his hand was visible. Jinchao noticed it when she glanced down. She couldn’t help but think that Third Master Chen’s concerns were justified—Chen Xuanxin later ended up achieving nothing, not even passing the provincial exams, and relied entirely on Chen Xuanqing’s influence to get by.

After leaving Madam Chen’s quarters, she said to Third Master Chen, "Grandparents always dote on their grandchildren. If you want him to be more disciplined, perhaps his older cousins could take him to study at the Imperial Academy. Books teach wisdom."Third Master Chen gently stroked her hair and sighed softly. "People gain wisdom from books, as the saying goes. His sixth uncle was at least a provincial graduate back then, but who would have thought he'd end up like this? I can still keep him in check at home, otherwise his behavior would be even more outrageous... Xuanxin has always been raised by his grandmother. She never agreed to send him to the Imperial Academy, instead hiring private tutors to teach him at home. The boy lacks academic talent but shows great interest in unorthodox pursuits, much like his sixth uncle..."

He trailed off there. Jinchao shuddered at the thought of Sixth Master Chen's unorthodox ways, immediately recalling Madam Ge's pale, despairing face. She changed the subject to matters concerning the back garden.

After some thought, Third Master Chen said, "I noticed a variety of white water lilies blooming on the palace lake recently—they start pink before gradually turning white. If you like them, I could request some for you."

Jinchao had never seen such water lilies before and was immediately intrigued. As they asked and answered many questions, they gradually arrived at Osmanthus Hall. She learned that even the Empress Dowager had a fondness for water lilies—some were even cultivated in bowls, as small as wine cups, for appreciation. Chen Yanyun spoke at length, and seeing her eyes bright as stars, he couldn't help but say, "When you have children someday, I'll teach them to read."

Jinchao was taken aback—how had the conversation turned to children?

Chen Yanyun chuckled. "Don't worry. While I can't boast about other things, my scholarship is passable."

Him teaching children to read... He was a Grand Secretariat academician after all... The thought made her heart skip a beat for some reason. What would Chen Yanyun teaching children look like? She couldn't resist asking, "What if it's a girl? Would you still teach her to read?"

His smile deepened. "Let's discuss that after you've given birth."

Adjusting his robes, he stepped through the doorway.

The next day was the bridal return visit. Jinchao retired early and rose at dawn to find Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinxian arriving by carriage to escort her back home. Madam Chen had prepared two large compartmented boxes filled with assorted sweets, four capital fruits, a basket of freshly harvested summer tangerines, and sacrificial meats and wine—an entire cartload of gifts for the return visit. The four divided into two carriages, which clattered along the road to Daxing.

Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinxian sat stiffly in their carriage. Gu Jinrong had only glimpsed the grand occasion during the wedding, but now, sharing a carriage with the Grand Secretary, he grew nervous. Chen Yanyun, however, inquired gently about his eight-legged essays. Gu Jinrong answered respectfully and seized the opportunity to ask some questions. Chen Yanyun offered additional pointers, prompting Gu Jinrong to exclaim with sudden enlightenment, "The Grand Secretary's scholarship is truly remarkable. Our teachers never explained these issues so clearly... Does Chen, the Recommended Student, also study under you?"

Chen Yanyun shook his head. "He studied under his grandfather, so his learning lacks flexibility." He had reviewed Chen Xuanqing's Metropolitan Exam essays and suspected his appointment as Third Scholar was largely due to his youth and status as the eldest legitimate son—the Emperor merely showing some consideration.

Gu Jinrong couldn't help but feel envious. Even if his learning was inflexible, it far surpassed their own.

Upon reaching the Gu family home in Daxing, Jinchao alighted from the rear carriage with Third Master Chen to pay respects to Madam Feng and Gu Dezhao with ceremonial kowtows.Gu Dezhao was momentarily overwhelmed with emotion. His eldest daughter was dressed in a full-length, gold-woven red gown with wide sleeves, her hair styled in a phoenix-tail bun adorned with two gold filigree phoenix hairpins with rubies and red gold temple flowers inlaid with white jade. A floral appliqué graced her forehead—she was now dressed as a married woman.

In the blink of an eye, his eldest daughter had married. Now, she radiated happiness, showing no signs of hardship. Madam Ji, looking on from the afterlife, would surely smile in contentment.

Second Master Gu invited Third Master Chen to the main hall for tea.

Meanwhile, Xu Jingyi took Jinchao to the eastern courtyard, where Madam Feng was waiting for her.

This time, Madam Feng did not receive her in the western chamber but had moved to the flower hall, where all the women of the Gu family had gathered. Jinchao deliberately glanced around and noticed Gu Lan standing behind Madam Feng. Since the incident with Yao Wenxiu, barely half a month had passed, yet Gu Lan’s cheeks had already hollowed, her spirit broken. She wore a faded pea-green gown with branch patterns, her eyes downcast as she silently curtsied in greeting.

Jinchao also greeted Second Madam and the others. Second Madam, however, beamed as she took Jinchao’s hand. "Chaojie, you’ve grown even more radiant."

A maid brought over an embroidered stool. Only after sitting did Jinchao realize Gu Lian was absent. Second Madam explained, "...Her marriage to the Yao family is set for August. Your grandmother wants to temper her disposition, so she’s been confined to needlework. After you return for the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, you’ll see her wed."

Jinchao found Second Madam unusually warm toward her, while Fifth Madam remained aloof, sipping tea without a word.

After lunch, Madam Feng called Jinchao into her chambers for a private talk.

Jinchao noticed Gu Lan’s hands clenching into fists before she lifted her head and shot her a cold glare.

Jinchao had a fair idea of what Madam Feng wanted to discuss.

Madam Feng had Fuling bring a plate of summer tangerines, peeled one, and handed it to Jinchao with a smile. "...Even in the early market, tangerines are rare. This shows how much Third Master Chen values you." It was customary for brides to bring tangerines during the three-day return visit, symbolizing 'binding the child.' Since tangerines were not yet in season, Third Master Chen had arranged for them to be transported from Jiangxi in advance...

Jinchao thanked Madam Feng with a smile. "You’re the elder; it should be my duty to serve you."

Yet Madam Feng couldn’t help but marvel at the pigeon-egg-sized ruby on Jinchao’s hairpin. Who would have thought that the one to rise like a phoenix wouldn’t be Gu Lian but this overlooked Gu Jinzhao? With Jinchao’s marriage, the fourth branch could now stand on equal footing with the second branch.

But pressing matters demanded attention. The mere thought of Gu Lan’s face soured Madam Feng’s mood. She had even considered having Gu Lan quietly disposed of, passing it off as a sudden death. But Gu Lan was, after all, Gu Dezhao’s daughter...

Madam Feng recalled how Gu Dezhao had trembled with rage upon learning of Gu Lan’s scandal, slapping her twice and berating her harshly: "If you’re so eager to degrade yourself as a concubine... then don’t consider me your father anymore! You’ll get not a single coin for your dowry! How dare you carry on with your sister’s betrothed—have you no shame?" She had never seen Gu Dezhao speak so severely.

But Gu Lan had covered her face and wept. "Do you even consider yourself my father? What have you ever done for me? What did you do for my mother? If you won’t fight for me, I’ll fight for myself—what’s wrong with that? My mother was once a legitimate daughter, yet she became your concubine. Is this how you treat us both?"Gu Dezhao was so furious he couldn't speak, flicking his sleeves as he stormed out...

Madam Feng lifted the teacup lid, brushed away the tea leaves, and took a sip before sighing heavily. "There's something your grandmother hasn't told you," she said with grave seriousness. "At the time, I thought it best not to trouble you since you were about to be married. But now I must speak..." She then revealed Gu Lan's illicit affair with Yao Wenxiu.

"Though you are sisters, Lan Er has always been at odds with you—her temperament is too narrow-minded to tolerate others. Now she's done something so disgraceful... it pains me deeply." Madam Feng sighed again. "There's no choice but to have the Yao family take her as a concubine. What does Chaojie think?"

Gu Jinzhao understood perfectly well—Madam Feng was afraid she might interfere in Gu Lan's affairs.

After all, Gu Lan belonged to the fourth branch of the family. If she leveraged Jinzhao's status as the wife of Third Master Chen, she could gain some standing in the Yao family. But Madam Feng was overthinking it. Jinzhao had already shown restraint by not dealing with Gu Lan—helping her was absolutely out of the question. Calmly, she replied, "This matter is entirely up to you, Grandmother. Gu Lan's actions have brought shame upon the Gu family. I will not interfere."

Only after hearing these words did Madam Feng truly relax. With Gu Jinzhao staying out of it, Gu Lan would have to face the consequences alone.