After discussing with Madam Feng, the eldest son of the Yao family left, but Madam Yao stayed for a few more days.
Upon Jinchao's return, Madam Feng had specifically instructed that she need not observe the morning and evening courtesies, only to visit the eastern courtyard daily to see her. Naturally, Jinchao avoided the eastern courtyard and instead stayed with Xu Jingyi, teaching Gu Yi how to write and manage accounts.
By the ninth month, Gu Yi would have her hair pinning ceremony. After the ceremony, she would marry into the Du family. She had grown into a graceful young woman, elegant as an orchid or chrysanthemum, and very courteous. She was learning diligently under Jinchao's guidance.
As a concubine's daughter, Gu Yi had never been taught household management before. However, since the Du family was heavily involved in trade, Gu Yi would inevitably have to manage such matters after marriage. Jinchao was now teaching her to prevent her from being taken advantage of due to ignorance. Meanwhile, Gu Xi played cat's cradle with Xu Jingyi's maidservant nearby.
Xu Jingyi had the kitchen prepare chilled pear syrup, which was brought out for them to enjoy during their break. They stayed there until evening when Xu Jingyi leaned over to look at the account book in Jinchao's hands and said with a smile, "I once learned the 'six-six abacus rhyme.' Would you like me to teach you?"
Just then, Gu Dezhao arrived, and Xu Jingyi had the servants set up dinner in the side room.
After the meal, everyone left one by one, and Gu Dezhao asked Xu Jingyi, "Can you also manage accounts?" He explained, "When I came in earlier, I heard you mention knowing the 'six-six abacus rhyme.' If you can handle accounts, perhaps you could help me manage mine. I have several villas and shops outside, and some matters are difficult for the stewards to oversee..."
Xu Jingyi was surprised. "I know a little, though not as well as Chaojie..."
Gu Dezhao interrupted her. "That's alright. Chaojie grew up with her maternal grandmother and learned through observation. You don't need to compare yourself to her. I'll have someone bring the account books for you to review later."
Xu Jingyi nodded with a smile. "I see Lian jie er is about to marry. I’d like to gift her a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with rubies as part of her trousseau. What do you think?"
Gu Dezhao considered it. "When Chaojie married, Second Madam gave her a pair of gold bracelets for her trousseau. Your gift is quite fitting. If you need funds for the purchase, just ask Li Guanshi. He manages my private money."
His tone was calm.
Xu Jingyi was about to decline, as her monthly allowance of forty taels was sufficient, when a maidservant announced from behind the curtain that someone from the eastern courtyard had come to summon her.
Xu Jingyi changed her clothes and went to the eastern courtyard. Gu Lan had lost her child. The old maidservant said she had fallen from the wormwood bed and injured her abdomen...
When Jinchao went to see her, Gu Lan was still unconscious, her hands gripping the silk quilt tightly, refusing to let go.
The back rooms were quietly bustling, with maidservants carrying hot water in and out. Madam Feng stood in the main hall, watching the scene in the side room, and sighed. "Such misfortune has befallen our family... What a tragedy. Well, we’ll speak of it once she recovers..."
Fifth Madam couldn't bear to look at Gu Lan, whose sweat had soaked her hair as she lay on the wormwood bed, and turned away. She had no patience for the family's feigned concern and walked out to gaze at the crescent moon in the sky. Her attendant whispered, "Madam, if you're unwell, perhaps you should rest. Besides, our Eleventh Miss should be fed soon..."Fifth Madam nodded. "Go inform Mother. Seeing all that blood beneath her, I truly can't bear it. After all, she's still just a child..."
Upon hearing the maidservant's words, Madam Feng nodded in agreement. "Go back then. There's nothing much to do here anyway."
She yawned and said to Xu Jingyi, "I'm rather tired too. You handle things here first. Come update me tomorrow."
Xu Jingyi curtsied in acknowledgment, and Madam Feng left for the eastern courtyard supported by Second Madam.
Jinchao said to Xu Jingyi, "...I'll wait here with you."
Just then, a young maid came running in carrying a pillow but was stopped by the attendant at the door. "Qiushui, what are you doing?"
The maid replied, "Third Miss had a stiff neck from sleeping recently, so I made her a buckwheat-husk pillow..." She craned her neck to peer inside and asked curiously, "Xu Momo, is Third Miss very ill? I'll just put the pillow inside and leave immediately, I won't take long..."
Before she could finish speaking, a sharp scream came from the inner room, followed by loud wailing.
Startled, the maid widened her eyes at the people in the room.
Xu Jingyi led the attendants into the side chamber.
Jinchao closed her eyes briefly, as if transported back to the night Concubine Song lost her child.
The young maid stood outside the main hall and called softly, "Second Miss..."
Only then did Gu Jinzhao ask her, "What do you need?"
The maid said cautiously, "I've finished making the pillow. Should I put it in Third Miss's room? It's buckwheat-husk, as Third Miss requested days ago."
Gu Jinzhao took the pillow and examined it. "You may go. I'll handle it."
When she entered the side chamber, Gu Lan had already stopped crying. She lay on the wormwood bed with tightly closed eyes, tear tracks still crisscrossing her face.
Xu Jingyi watched her silently before saying coolly, "Why must you be like this? One should yield when necessary. If you think marrying Scholar Zhao's son is beneath you, don't regret becoming Yao Wenxiu's concubine later..."
Gu Jinzhao placed the pillow beside Gu Lan, who reached out to touch it before opening her eyes to look at Jinzhao. "Elder Sister, do you remember? What you used to kill my concubine-mother's child was also a pillow..."
Xu Jingyi glanced at Jinzhao, who responded, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
Gu Lan continued, "After my concubine-mother went mad, I searched through her belongings. While bedding could be burned, pillows weren't necessary... Later, the more I thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. You went to great lengths..."
Xu Jingyi acted as if she hadn't heard anything and said to Jinzhao, "I'll check if the attendants have boiled the water. Stay here and keep Lan Er company." She walked out directly, closing the door behind her.
Only then did Gu Jinzhao say calmly, "You should have evidence before making accusations. Don't make baseless charges." What did it matter if she figured it out now? Did she dare retaliate? It was a matter long since bereft of witnesses—Gu Lan's words were mere conjecture.Gu Lan clutched the pillow tightly, whispering to her, "...I miss my concubine mother. I want to see her. But even if I do, she's just a madwoman now—what good would it do? She can't help me anymore. No one can help me. I can only rely on myself." She rubbed her cheek against the pillow and smiled. "Elder Sister, once I marry into the Yao family, everything will be fine. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have a child now—I’ll have more later..."
Gu Jinzhao chuckled lightly, "That’s true. There will always be more." But seeing that pillow, she knew it was impossible.
Gu Lan closed her eyes. "Ah... I only spoke to you because I had no one else to talk to. You should go now. I'm tired..."
Seeing her close her eyes and fall silent, Gu Jinzhao stood up and left as requested.
On the twenty-fifth of July, the Gu household began decorating with lanterns and banners, setting up tents and testing stoves to prepare for hosting guests.
The Yao family’s betrothal gifts were carried over, and when the gift list was handed to Madam Feng for review, she was quite pleased. Though it paled in comparison to the betrothal gifts the Chen Family had given Gu Jinzhao, it was far more than expected. By the first day of August, the dowry boxes arrived, filling the entrance of the Gu residence—whole pigs and sheep, geese, wine, cakes, and pastries. There was also a gold-embroidered bridal veil, rouge boxes, and a complete set of pearl and gold hair ornaments. It all looked very respectable.
Gradually, Gu Lian’s smiles became more frequent.
On the wedding day, Jinzhao was awakened early by Xu Jingyi, and the two went together to the western courtyard. Gu Lian was dressed in a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, her makeup radiant. Jinzhao and Xu Jingyi both gave additional dowry gifts, and Second Madam invited them to sit and drink sweetened white fungus soup.
The "blessed woman" invited to comb Gu Lian’s hair was Second Madam’s cousin, who had traveled from Lingbi. Gu Lian affectionately called her "Auntie." The woman was amiable and well-dressed, chatting warmly with Second Madam.
At that moment, Caifu entered from outside. After a quick curtsy, she said to Jinzhao, "...Third Master Chen has arrived."
Third Master Chen was here? He had mentioned coming to fetch her, but Jinzhao hadn’t expected him to attend the wedding.
Second Madam was equally surprised. "Third Master Chen is here?"
Having Third Master Chen present at Lian jie er’s wedding was no small matter. When the Yao family’s procession arrived and saw him, they would surely hold Gu Lian in even higher regard. Smiling, she took Jinzhao’s hand and teased, "...He must miss you terribly. Hurry and go see him!"
It had been nearly half a month since Jinzhao last saw him, and she was eager for their reunion. But Third Master Chen would surely pay respects to her grandmother and father first. She could wait until the banquet began to join him. Besides, his presence alone... greatly elevated the Gu family’s prestige.
Jinzhao replied, "I probably won’t see him right away. I’d rather stay here and chat a while longer."
Second Madam discreetly nudged Gu Lian’s arm, prompting her to react. With an unprecedented warmth, Gu Lian smiled and said, "I’d love to spend more time with Second Sister too. Once I’m married, it’ll be harder to meet. Here... try this plate of pea cakes—they’re very sweet." Her attitude was uncharacteristically friendly.By noon, the sound of firecrackers echoed, and Yao Wenxiu finally arrived at the Gu residence with a few young men. After kneeling in reverence to Second Master Gu and Second Madam in the main courtyard, he proceeded to the eastern annex to serve tea to Madam Feng, then was ushered by the crowd to the western annex. Jinchao caught a distant glimpse of Yao Wenxiu, who wore a smile and seemed quite cheerful. She then headed to the western annex with Xu Jingyi.
Jinchao asked the attending maids and learned that Third Master Chen had already arrived, but Second Master Gu had invited him to the banquet and rest area. Seeing no urgency to meet him, Jinchao decided to have her meal in the flower hall first.
The womenfolk were dining in the flower hall. Before Jinchao could enter, she heard a voice behind her:
"...Just here to see my niece. Since my cousin’s daughter is also getting married, I thought I’d join the festivities. No need to go out of your way to entertain me."
The voice was languid yet clear—it sounded like Ye Xian.
Gu Jinchao turned and saw a strikingly handsome, tall young man dressed in a jade-white Black-edged Robe, surrounded by guards. Fifth Madam accompanied him, seemingly leading him toward the banquet and rest area.
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