Chapter 269: The Visit
Chen Xi came to see her early in the morning and asked, "Mother, you said your younger sister is coming to visit you today?"
Gu Jinzhao replied, "Yes, remember to greet them properly later. The younger one is your aunt, and the elder one is your great-aunt."
Chen Xi nodded to show she understood, then asked, "Mother, will Aunt and Great-Aunt bring any delicious treats?"
"They will. But don’t eat too many sweets—you’re losing teeth right now, and we don’t want to ruin your new ones." Jinchao pinched her cheek lightly. Chen Xi had just lost a tooth a few days ago, and An Momo had already started limiting her sugar intake.
Chen Xi obediently agreed. This child rarely threw tantrums over such matters.
Gu Jinzhao held Chen Xi’s hand as they waited outside Osmanthus Hall. Soon, they saw a carriage approaching in the distance. It stopped at the entrance, and a maidservant placed a footstool to help Gu Lian and Zhou Shi step down.
Gu Lian had styled her hair in a married woman’s bun, but otherwise, she looked much the same.
However, Gu Lian quickly took in Gu Jinzhao’s appearance—she was surrounded by maids and elderly servants, dressed in a light pink changshan with treasure-flower patterns, a water-red Xiang skirt, and her hair in a Fallen Horse Bun adorned with a Jeweled Knot and a carved hairpin embedded with yellow tourmaline. The little girl holding her hand wore a white changshan with cherry blossom motifs, her delicate face like finely carved jade, with eyes as dark as black grapes. Around her neck was a golden necklace set with a pearl nearly as large as a longan...
Such a large pearl was undoubtedly expensive. This little girl must be Chen Xi, Third Master Chen’s legitimate daughter.
Zhou Shi stepped forward first with a smile, and Jinchao curtsied to her. Chen Xi softly called out, "Great-Aunt."
Gu Jinzhao’s gaze then settled on Gu Lian.
Only then did Gu Lian force a smile and step forward to greet her. "Second Sister, your residence is truly grand—even entering the inner gate requires a carriage!"
Gu Jinzhao knew this was just Gu Lian’s nature and merely smiled without taking offense, instructing Chen Xi to call her "Aunt."
Gu Lian said gently, "This must be the Fourth Young Miss. She’s so adorable!" She reached out to take Chen Xi’s hand.
Chen Xi, who had been chatting happily with Jinchao moments ago, now seemed shy around strangers. She timidly hid behind Jinchao, pulling her hand back, and whispered, "Mother, it’s cold outside. Xi Jie'er wants to go inside."
Gu Lian was taken aback. This little thing was so close to Gu Jinzhao—why was she still afraid of strangers?
Gu Jinzhao invited them inside to rest and have tea, suggesting they visit Madam Chen later.
She knew they had come to persuade her to help Gu Deyuan. However, Second Madam was shrewd and naturally wouldn’t bring it up immediately. Instead, she first congratulated Gu Jinzhao on her pregnancy, mentioning the nourishing gifts she had brought.
Only then did she bring up Second Master Gu’s arrest for embezzlement.
"Your second uncle is imprisoned in the Dali Temple, with no food or drink. He’s grown so thin..." At this sorrowful point, Zhou Shi took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Your father has been running around trying to save him, and Mother is so worried she’s developed blisters on her lips. It’s all because we women are useless..."
Gu Lian also began to cry. "Second Sister, it was all my fault before. I was immature back then—I never meant to harm you... Let’s forget past grudges. Now that my father is detained, you must help us."
For a moment, mother and daughter wept bitterly.Granny Sun, who had been listening outside, instructed a maid to bring the pastries from the small kitchen. She personally carried them in and said with a smile, "...Madam had these pastries prepared early. Please, both of you, try them."
Gu Jinzhao had remained silent until now. She finally spoke, "Come now, don’t cry. Try this crab-shell pastry." She sighed before continuing, "I know about Second Uncle’s situation, but since things have come to this, you should think about what to do next. I’ve heard the Left Vice Censor of the Censorate is Second Uncle’s good friend and superior. With his help, Second Uncle shouldn’t lose his official position, right?"
Zhou Shi was taken aback. How did Gu Jinzhao know about the Vice Censor?
"Even if he keeps his position, it’ll only be a minor sixth or seventh-rank post. You know how proud your Second Uncle is..." Zhou Shi sighed. "He’ll likely never rise again, and our Gu family... will struggle from now on."
Gu Jinzhao thought to herself that if Zhou Shi knew how the Gu family had nearly been destroyed in her past life, she’d realize how fortunate they were to even retain a minor official post.
She felt they were being greedy—like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Gu Deyuan had embezzled first; expecting to keep his position entirely was impossible.
"You’ve come all this way to visit me. Dwelling on this will only bring more sorrow. Have some pastries first, and later I’ll take you to pay respects to Tai Furen." Gu Jinzhao smiled and called for a maid to arrange their stay in the west wing.
The past was behind her. She bore no deep grudge against the second branch and no longer cared about what they had done.
Gu Jinzhao accompanied them to visit Madam Chen. After returning, she rested while Gu Lian and Zhou Shi were led to the west wing by a maid.
Gu Lian whispered to Zhou Shi, "Madam Chen doesn’t put on airs at all—she’s like a Bodhisattva. How does she keep her daughters-in-law in line...?" Unlike her situation in the Yao family, where Madam Yao required her to serve breakfast daily, with the exception of the frail eldest daughter-in-law, the other two took turns.
Zhou Shi replied, "Not every family needs to control their daughters-in-law. You’ve just seen too much of your grandmother. Great families like the Chens emphasize filial piety in governance. Disregarding filial duty is a grave offense, so there’s no need for control."
Gu Lian thought of the fine Dehua white porcelain teacups casually used in Gu Jinzhao’s quarters, the heated bed table made of solid golden nanmu wood. The maids were impeccably trained, never speaking out of turn, moving without a sound. Dining at Madam Chen’s came with unspoken rules—even a maid dedicated to removing fish bones, and a special broth for rinsing after meals... This was the way a great family ought to be.
If only... if Third Master Chen had proposed to her instead of Gu Jinzhao, this life would have been hers!
Gu Lian lost herself in thought. Back then, when she’d heard she might marry Third Master Chen, she had resisted fiercely...
Her reverie was interrupted when her mother stopped the guiding maid and handed her some silver. "Young miss, I’d like to ask you a few questions."
The maid accepted the silver with a smile. "Ask away."
Zhou Shi inquired, "I heard Third Master Chen has three concubines. Why haven’t I seen them?"
The maid answered, "The concubines? They live in the Carp-envying Pavilion, quite far away. They only come to pay respects to Madam on the first and fifteenth of the month."Zhou Shi asked again, "Since she's a concubine, she should be serving the master. Is it convenient to live so far away?"
The little maid giggled and replied, "There's no need for the concubines to serve. We serve the madam, and the madam serves Third Master Chen. That's already enough people." As she spoke, they arrived at the western wing, where two maids were already waiting by the open door.
Zhou Shi was astonished. "The concubines... don't attend to him at night?"
The little maid shook her head. "Third Master Chen stays in Osmanthus Hall and doesn't go anywhere else. How could the concubines attend to him?"
After the maid took the silver and left, Zhou Shi remained stunned for a long time.
Gu Lian was also taken aback. "This... this is practically like having no concubines at all. No wonder Gu Jinzhao got pregnant so quickly!" She felt a strange sensation. Weren't all men supposed to be unable to control themselves? How did Gu Jinzhao manage to find one who was so self-disciplined?
Zhou Shi, however, said calmly, "This is actually good. It proves she truly has influence over Third Master Chen... If only Mother were here. Instead, it's us who came, wanting to pressure her but lacking the status to do so." Zhou Shi resolved to persuade her thoroughly the next day. If that didn't work, she would bring up Madam Feng. After all, Gu Jinzhao was still a member of the Gu family and ought to listen to her elders.
...
Gu Jinzhao woke from her afternoon nap and leaned against a large pillow to read.
Granny Sun brought over an eight-fen silver ingot and relayed to Gu Jinzhao what Zhou Shi had asked the little maid.
After listening, Gu Jinzhao pondered for a moment before instructing Granny Sun, "Reward that maid with a pouch of silver bullion. Let this matter rest." Granny Sun acknowledged and left.
Gu Jinzhao continued reading. She didn’t care what the two were snooping about. No matter what they said, she was determined not to help. What could Zhou Shi possibly do to her?
In the afternoon, Third Master Chen returned from the outer courtyard and found her reading.
"All you do is read or embroider. Be careful not to strain your eyes," he said, taking the book from her and placing it on a high shelf of the Curio Cabinet where she couldn’t reach. "I’ll accompany you for a walk. You mustn’t stay idle during pregnancy."
Gu Jinzhao looked up at him. "Where would you take me, my lord? It’s autumn, with leaves falling everywhere. There’s nothing much to see."
Third Master Chen chuckled and shook his head. "You’re getting lazier... Get up now, or I’ll carry you up." He bent down as if to lift her.
Gu Jinzhao quickly sat up, afraid he would actually do it.
After their walk, Granny Sun was already waiting at the door. Seeing them return, she approached and said, "Second Madam Gu wishes to see you. She’s waiting in the western wing."
Gu Jinzhao turned to Third Master Chen. "Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll speak with my aunt for a while."
Third Master Chen smiled faintly but refused firmly. "I’ll go with you."
Gu Jinzhao hesitated. She felt she could handle this alone and didn’t need his involvement—it might complicate things.
But Third Master Chen strode ahead toward the western wing. Gu Jinzhao had no choice but to follow. When he reached back to take her hand, she said nothing, watching his tall figure with a quiet sense of reassurance.
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