Chapter 28: Fury
After leaving the Immortal Crossing Pavilion, Ji Yao was seething with anger. He walked along the pavilions to the lakeside, taking several deep breaths, yet still unable to calm himself.
"...Now that your cousin is visiting, you must spend more time with her and give her gifts. You two didn’t get along as children, but now she’s already come of age... After all, you will have to marry her eventually. Once your aunt’s health improves, we will propose to the Gu family."
Recalling his grandmother’s words, Ji Yao felt his forehead throb with irritation. Waves of uncontrollable anger surged within him, yet he had no outlet for it—his temperament and upbringing forbade him from taking his frustrations out on servants.
After staring at the lake for a while, he turned and headed toward his study. Zi’an followed his master cautiously, observing his expression... He had no idea what Tai Furen had said to the Second Young Master in the Immortal Crossing Pavilion to anger him so much.
Upon returning to his study, Ji Yao ordered Zi’an to open all the windows. Outside, dark bamboo swayed in the breeze. Standing before his desk, he began writing to soothe his mind. After finishing Su Dongpo’s Calming Wind and Waves , he gazed at the still-wet ink and took a deep breath before saying to Zi’an, "Let’s go see the First Madam!"
The First Madam was having her hair combed by her maids when she heard Ji Yao had arrived. She hurriedly instructed them to redo her bun. "...It’s already Hai hour—what brings him here at this time?"
The reporting servant replied, "This servant doesn’t know, but tonight, Tai Furen summoned the Second Young Master to the Immortal Crossing Pavilion."
After a moment’s thought, the First Madam said, "Invite the Second Young Master to the greenhouse in the back. It’s freezing outside—he must be cold after rushing over."
Once properly dressed, the First Madam entered the greenhouse. Seeing her usually mild-mannered son with a darkened expression, his hands clenched into fists, her heart softened. "Yao’er, it’s so late—why have you come to the inner courtyard?"
"Mother!" Ji Yao pressed his lips tightly together before continuing after a long pause, "I don’t like dealing with the Ji family’s affairs, but for your sake and Grandmother’s, I’ve endured it! The family’s scholarly pursuits can be left to Third Brother! But since I’ve already compromised so much, can’t I at least have some freedom in what I like? I’ve never liked Gu Jinzhao since childhood, let alone spending my life with her!"
The First Madam was startled. "Child, what nonsense are you saying?" She quickly ordered her trusted maids to dismiss the attendants and guard the greenhouse before taking her son’s hand. "Did your grandmother make it explicit?"
Ji Yao inhaled deeply, struggling to control his emotions. "I thought... she would give up on this idea. You know exactly what kind of person Gu Jinzhao is—we grew up together. Has she ever done anything good? Just because my wet nurse offended her with a single remark, she had my grandmother drive her out of the estate. When Fourth Brother was little, he accidentally touched her favorite pastry, and she made him kneel in the ancestral hall for a whole day without even letting him drink water..."
The First Madam fell silent for a moment before consoling him, "But those were all childhood matters. From what I’ve seen, Chaojie isn’t so bad now."Ji Yao shook his head: "You wouldn't know, last year during the Lantern Festival at the Earl of Yongyang's residence, a young maid accidentally blocked her path. She dragged the girl over and slapped her hard across the face. Many young masters and ladies from noble families witnessed it. Her hair was adorned with glittering gold ornaments, and at that moment, I didn't even want to acknowledge her as my cousin... Treating her with courtesy is one thing, but I absolutely refuse to marry her!"
Hearing this, Tai Furen also felt a pang of bitterness. Why should her well-mannered, disciplined child, gentle as jade, be forced to marry Gu Jinzhao? Her mother was so concerned about her granddaughter's welfare, why not consider her own grandson's happiness?
"What can your mother do... Once your grandmother decides something... who can persuade her..." Tai Furen sighed.
Ji Yao gritted his teeth and smiled bitterly: "Even if I refuse to compromise, Grandmother has countless ways..."
Tai Furen held his hand to comfort him: "Don't worry, if your grandmother brings it up again, I'll try to reason with her..." Even if she couldn't change her mind, she would at least try, for Yao's sake.
...
The next day, when the second uncle came to pay respects to Ji Wu Shi, she inquired about Yun Yiniang.
The second uncle was puzzled—why would his mother suddenly take interest in his concubine?
After some thought, he replied: "It's been over half a month since I last saw her. Does Mother have urgent business with her? I'll send someone to fetch her immediately."
Jinchao stood beside her grandmother, grinding ink for her.
Every morning at Chen hour, Ji Wu Shi would first go to the Immortal Crossing Pavilion to handle matters reported by stewards and managers from various estates, review account books, and check harvests from the Villa. Only after receiving morning greetings from her sons and daughters-in-law would she meet with the stewards. Since childhood, Jinchao had developed the habit of rising early to help her grandmother with the ink.
Ji Wu Shi took a sip of the Hanshan Snow Bud tea beside her and spoke unhurriedly: "Have her come first." She didn't explain the reason—this was, after all, a private matter of the Gu family, best kept discreet.
Understanding his mother's domineering nature, the second uncle said no more and instructed his maid Lingqiu to summon Yun Yiniang.
When Yun Yiniang arrived, she was visibly nervous. Her hasty makeup application was evident, and a silver-wire hairpin inlaid with yellow tourmaline was even slightly askew.
"This humble concubine Yun Jin pays respects to Tai Furen." After performing the greeting, Ji Wu Shi frowned slightly in displeasure. She was such a timid woman—would she even be capable of handling the task?
Gu Jinzhao, however, studied Yun Yiniang carefully. Though advanced in years, layers of powder couldn't conceal the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. Yet her delicate features were elegant and refined, with fair, porcelain-like skin that made her quite beautiful. She wore a modest stone-blue brocade jacket with winding floral patterns, appearing dignified and understated.
Yun Yiniang's heart was uneasy. As a lowly concubine, she rarely had the chance to see Tai Furen. Why would she be summoned today? She wracked her brain but couldn't recall any recent misdeeds. Slightly reassured, she lifted her head and suddenly noticed Gu Jinzhao observing her. Startled at first, she quickly realized—who else could stand so close to Tai Furen, radiant as a blooming **, dressed simply yet in luxurious fabric like that hundred-tael water-toned brocade with intricate patterns? It must be Tai Furen's beloved granddaughter, Miss Gu Jinzhao!Why is the young lady here? Or rather, why is she still here when all the maids have withdrawn?
Ji Wu Shi invited her to sit on the Grand Preceptor's Chair and introduced Jinchao to her: "This is the young lady from the Gu family."
Jinchao smiled gently at her: "I felt an immediate sense of familiarity when I first saw Concubine Yun. You bear a striking resemblance to your younger sister Yun Xiang—about fifty percent, I’d say. I’ve also heard you have an elder sister named Yun Yan. Is that correct?"
Concubine Yun was initially puzzled that Jinchao recognized her, but then she recalled her sister, who had accompanied the Eldest Miss as part of her dowry to the Gu family. Jinchao must have met her sister before.
Composing herself, she replied with a smile, "Indeed, I do resemble my younger sister Yun Xiang. Not only that, but my elder sister looks even more like her—almost as if they were carved from the same mold. However, my sister married many years ago, and as I rarely leave the household, I’ve had little contact with her."
Ji Wu Shi then asked, "Do you know where Yun Yan was married off to back then?"
Concubine Yun lowered her head in thought, hesitating slightly.
"She was married as a concubine to the son of the county magistrate of Taihe County... I’ve only visited her twice, the last time being five years ago. Unless something has changed, she should still be in Taihe County."
Gu Jinchao inwardly sighed in relief. She had been worried that Concubine Yun might not know Yun Yan’s whereabouts, which would have made finding her troublesome.
Now that the topic had been broached, she didn’t shy away and asked directly, "Does your sister Yun Yan have an unmarried daughter?"
...Why would the young lady inquire about the daughter of a servant who had already left the household?
Concubine Yun glanced up at Tai Furen and noticed that she was also watching her, which made her nervous. "Well... yes, she does. But the girl is fifteen now, so she might already be betrothed to someone... Why does the young lady ask about my niece?"
Jinchao smiled reassuringly. "There’s no need to be nervous. My mother is currently unwell, and between attending to my father and managing household affairs, she’s overwhelmed. She wishes to find a suitable concubine for my father. Could I trouble you to make a trip to Taihe County and explain our intentions to your niece’s family? If they agree to the match, our Gu family will naturally provide a generous betrothal gift."
If it were merely about taking in a concubine, one wouldn’t normally speak of a betrothal gift—the young lady was being polite.
Ji Wu Shi also spoke up, "If you go to Taihe County, I’ll have Steward Zheng and Mama Song accompany you. If your niece is still unmarried, bring her back. For the granddaughter of a county magistrate to become a concubine in the Gu family would be a great honor."
Tai Furen’s words left no room for refusal.
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