Chapter 26: Discussion
Ji Wu Shi doted on her, and the entire household knew it.
When she was little, she had been playing in her second cousin's study and took a fancy to his favorite Duanshi inkstone, insisting on taking it home with her. Though her second cousin usually yielded to her in everything, this time he refused to part with the inkstone. She immediately complained to Ji Wu Shi, who without hesitation ordered him to deliver the inkstone to her study and instructed servants to fetch two fine replacements from the storeroom for him.
That inkstone had been a gift from his first tutor, and he treasured it deeply. That day, he stood silently alone in his study for a long time, gazing at the clusters of green bamboo outside. Jinchao hadn’t particularly liked the inkstone itself—she had only been drawn to the carved deer on its surface. After playing with it for a few days, she tossed it into a corner of her study, where it eventually grew moldy and was lost forever.
After this incident, the maids and matrons of the Ji family understood clearly: even the legitimate sons of the Ji family couldn’t compete with Jinchao. In the entire household, who could possibly rival Gu Jinzhao in winning Tai Furen’s favor? As a result, those below indulged her even more, spoiling her thoroughly.
After visiting Eastern Dwelling, the large entourage accompanied Ji Wu Shi to the Immortal Crossing Pavilion in the outer courtyard. This was where she met with the managers of various merchant houses and the stewards of the family’s villas. Her eldest uncle and others were already waiting there. The Ji family had only one legitimate son and one illegitimate son. Jinchao also had two aunts who had married far away and hadn’t returned to Yanjing in years.
The eldest uncle and his wife had one son. A bed-warming maid had borne him an illegitimate eldest son, but the child had died young. The legitimate eldest son was her second cousin, Ji Yao, while the illegitimate son was her third cousin, Ji Yun, whose concubine-born daughter had already married. The second uncle and his wife had a fourth cousin, Ji Can, as well as two unmarried daughters born to concubines. Yun Yiniang had never borne any children, so her status in the Ji family was rather low.
At this point, Jinchao took out the gifts she had brought—presents for each household, a Longevity Gold Lock for her eldest nephew, and a box of candies for her grandmother. When her grandmother saw the several black-lacquered boxes of sweets, she laughed and teased, "You still remember I like candies? You’ve brought so many! But I’m old now—I can’t possibly eat them all!"
Jinchao smiled brightly and linked arms with her. "How could you be old? Your hair is still glossy black, and you’re more energetic than I am!"
Gu Jinrong, in turn, paid his respects to both uncles and his cousins.
Ji Yao, the legitimate eldest son of the Ji family, was dressed in a moon-white fine cloth straight robe, his hair fastened with a jade hairpin. Handsome and tall, he carried himself with grace.
Ji Wu Shi said to Jinchao about Ji Yao, "...Now he’s learning household management from me, and he’s picking it up quickly. I handed him that restaurant in Baodi to manage, and business has been thriving. He’s even introduced several signature dishes. If you’d like to try them, he can take you there!"
Ji Yao smiled faintly and cupped his hands toward her. "It’s been a long time, cousin."
Gu Jinzhao returned his smile, though inwardly she was surprised. In her memory, she had always thought her second cousin’s passion lay in scholarly pursuits rather than commerce. He exuded the refined, composed air of a scholar. But as the legitimate eldest son of the Ji family, he didn’t have the luxury of choosing his own path.
The eldest uncle, tall and steady-faced, was now in his forties. He inquired about Gu Jinrong’s studies.Gu Jinrong replied, "...I haven't been studying at the Imperial Academy, but rather with Mr. Zhou in Qifang Alley. We've already covered 'The Great Learning' and 'The Doctrine of the Mean,' and are now studying 'The Analects.'" When it came to scholarly pursuits, Gu Jinrong became much more cautious, especially since his uncle had passed the provincial examination. He himself would be attempting the autumn examinations in three years, though he wasn't very confident about his chances.
His uncle nodded and said, "You're still young. Failing once isn't a big deal. Your third cousin, on the other hand, is a privilege student at the Imperial Academy..."
His aunt chimed in with a smile, "Now he's a recommended student!"
That meant he had passed the provincial examination and become a provincial graduate! Jinchao was delighted to hear this. She only vaguely remembered that Ji Yun had passed the provincial exam and later participated in the palace examination, though he hadn't been selected as an Imperial Academy Bachelor. But she couldn't recall the exact timing—she hadn't realized it was this early.
Ji Yun, standing nearby, merely smiled. He was a very composed person.
Gu Jinrong congratulated him, "I hadn't heard about this from Third Cousin! A young provincial graduate—that's truly remarkable!"
As someone who studied himself, Jinrong knew just how difficult it was to pass the provincial examination, especially since Ji Yun wasn't even twenty yet.
Fourth Cousin Ji Can also grinned and said, "I have no hope of passing the provincial exams—Third Brother is the family's only scholarly hope. Most people would be overjoyed and boast everywhere after passing, but Third Brother is odd—he won't even step out the door now."
Jinchao was also happy. Regardless of whether Third Cousin would later pass the palace examination, having another provincial graduate in the Ji family was a good thing. She tugged at her grandmother's hand and asked, "Why didn't you write to tell me?"
Her grandmother smiled. "He just passed this autumn. I was planning to tell you after the New Year..."
Ji Wu Shi was also overjoyed. It had been many years since the Ji family had produced someone with such scholarly talent. If Ji Yun could later pass the Metropolitan Exam and participate in the palace examination, becoming a jinshi, the Ji family's glory and prestige would reach unprecedented heights!
Gu Jinrong looked at Ji Yun with admiration and asked, "Would it be all right if I came to discuss Eight-legged essays with Third Cousin in the future?"
Ji Yun nodded. "Of course, you're always welcome!"
After meeting at Immortal Crossing Pavilion, Gu Jinrong followed Ji Yun and Ji Can to the study to discuss Eight-legged essays. Jinchao was glad he was spending more time with the Ji family—it was far better than being with Gu Lan.
Ji Wu Shi returned to Eastern Dwelling with her.
Her grandmother was very worried about her mother's illness, but with the heavy responsibilities of the Ji household, she couldn't get away. She had last visited her mother half a year ago.
Jinchao could only assure her that everything was fine. She didn't dare mention her mother's recent episode, fearing it would worry her grandmother.
Ji Wu Shi held her hand and said, "Chaojie, after not seeing you for half a year, I feel you've grown much more sensible..."
She felt a pang of sorrow. If not for some external change, how could Gu Jinzhao have suddenly become so mature? She assumed it was Madam Ji's illness that had saddened Jinchao.
Gu Jinzhao knew what her grandmother was thinking, but she couldn't help feeling a little self-mockery. If only her mother's illness back then had truly awakened her.
Though her grandmother's expression was stern, she treated her with exceptional gentleness. She simply doted on her without any ulterior motives, never questioning the reasons.
Such unconditional love—in both her past and present life—was something Jinchao had only ever received from this grandmother.Mama Song brought up a plate of lotus root powder sugar cakes that Jinchao loved to eat. Watching Ji Wu Shi hold Jinchao's hand by the stove, she smiled and said, "Young Miss should visit more often. Every time you come back, Tai Furen smiles much more."
Mama Song had originally been Ji Wu Shi's dowry maid, having followed her for over fifty years. She was the person Ji Wu Shi trusted most.
Her grandmother also teased her with a smile, "You don't come back often either! Not long ago, I cultivated a whole pond of water lilies for you, thinking you'd come here to escape the summer heat. Who knew the water lilies would bloom and wither, their leaves wilted, and you still hadn't returned."
Jinchao loved admiring water lilies, especially the pale purple and orange-yellow ones.
Jinchao could only smile wryly—she hadn't known about her grandmother cultivating water lilies for her.
But this time, she hadn't returned just to visit her grandmother... She also needed to inquire about that niece of Yun Xiang.
So Jinchao brought up the matter of Concubine Yun.
Ji Wu Shi frowned slightly and said, "Your second uncle's concubine... I don't pay much attention to her. Last year, your second uncle took in Wan Yun, a maid from your second aunt's side, and since then, the concubines from those quarters haven't been very active. Why do you suddenly ask about her?"
Jinchao replied calmly, "Mother at home is currently ill. Concubine Guo and Concubine Du are aging and no longer favored, leaving only Concubine Song to attend to Father. Besides serving Father, she also has to care for Mother's illness and manage all the affairs of the inner household. I'm afraid she's overwhelmed. I was thinking of finding another concubine for Father."
Ji Wu Shi's grip on Jinchao's hand tightened, and her expression turned serious.
"...Such a matter should have been planned earlier! Why tell me only now!"
Gu Jinchao smiled faintly. "Originally, Mother never agreed... We haven't even asked Father yet. I wanted to find a suitable candidate first before bringing it up."
Her grandmother looked at her for a long moment. Jinchao didn't explain further—someone as astute as her grandmother would naturally understand her meaning.
Her father served as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Revenue, overseeing military provisions, tax collection, official salaries, and granary management. The Left Vice Minister of Revenue, Lin Xianzong, was his mentor. In recent years, Lin Xianzong had gained increasing imperial favor and befriended Fan Chuan, the Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall and an auxiliary minister of the Grand Secretariat. This was the perfect time for Lin Xianzong's promotion, and once he rose in rank, her father would undoubtedly benefit as well. At such a critical juncture, her father wouldn't casually take in a concubine.
But if he didn't take one, allowing Concubine Song to remain so favored, she would inevitably bear a child sooner or later. In her past life, half a year after Mother's death, Concubine Song had given birth to a son and was elevated to the position of legal wife. However, that child had been born prematurely by over a month. Calculating the timing, if her father didn't take a concubine now, Concubine Song would likely conceive in about half a month! By then, who could stop her from becoming the mistress of the Gu family?
This matter couldn't be delayed any longer—it had to be settled within these two weeks.
Her grandmother pondered for a long time. Only when she seemed to have made up her mind did she finally ask, "If you just want to find a decent and obedient girl, that wouldn't be difficult. I have many pretty maids here. But why ask about Concubine Yun?"
As expected, Ji Wu Shi understood Jinchao's intentions—she knew exactly what kind of stepmother Jinchao wanted for her father.
Jinchao smiled faintly. If anyone else had heard these words, they would surely have looked at her with strange eyes, but her grandmother wouldn't.
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