Chapter 291: Plans
The Chen household bustled with activity on the first day of the new year, and on the second day, it was time for the bride to return to her natal home.
Although relations with Madam Feng and the second branch were currently strained, Gu Jinzhao still had to return to Daxing since the fourth branch remained part of the Gu family.
She mentioned this to Third Master Chen, who thought briefly before agreeing and accompanied her back to Daxing.
Gu Jinzhao selected some gifts and medicinal herbs to bring along. By evening, their carriage arrived in Daxing.
Madam Xu was waiting behind the screen wall to greet her. When she saw Third Master Chen alight from the carriage as well, she was somewhat surprised. Though dressed plainly, his dignified bearing was unmistakable. Unsure of the proper etiquette, Madam Xu hesitated, but Third Master Chen simply nodded to her with a faint smile.
Gu Dezhao, however, was delighted to see his daughter and son-in-law and invited them to the flower hall for tea.
Noticing the streaks of white at her father's temples, Gu Jinzhao felt a pang of emotion—her father was nearing forty now.
Xu Jingyi updated her along the way: "...After Second Master Gu was demoted, he was appointed magistrate of Dong'an County. He'll assume office after the new year. Your grandmother was so upset by this that her health has declined. I'll take you to see her later."
Remembering the letter, Gu Jinzhao asked, "I received word that Gu Lan had died. It seemed quite sudden—what exactly happened?"
Xu Jingyi smiled faintly. "Who knows? Your father wanted to investigate, but your grandmother forbade him..."
Hearing this, Gu Jinzhao quickly understood.
If Madam Feng had prevented her father from looking into it, the matter likely involved Gu Lian. Gu Lian had long wanted to eliminate Gu Lan. Whether or not she was directly responsible for the incident, she would have seized any opportunity to finish her off. Gu Lan's abrupt death was probably connected to Gu Lian...
"After the deed was done, Gu Lian even promoted one of her maids to concubine. You've seen her before—it's that Lan Zhi..." Xu Jingyi whispered behind her embroidered handkerchief.
At the mention of Lan Zhi, Gu Jinzhao froze momentarily before laughing wryly. History had a way of repeating itself—in the end, it was still Lan Zhi who would contend with her.
"When Lan Er first died, your father grieved for days. Gu Lian returned and said the body had been dumped at the Hill of Disturbed Winds, not even left whole. Your father was furious—it even frightened your grandmother..." Xu Jingyi sighed. "Seeing you both has lifted his spirits somewhat."
"No matter how much Lan Er wronged him, she was still raised under his care. He’ll always remember her," Gu Jinzhao murmured sadly.
Meanwhile, Gu Dezhao was discussing the Zhejiang tax silver scandal with Third Master Chen—a major controversy currently stirring public debate.
Third Master Chen responded to his father-in-law's questions: "It wasn’t the provincial administration commissioner embezzling. The Jiaxing prefect concealed the matter and failed to report it..."
As Gu Jinzhao and Xu Jingyi rejoined them, Gu Dezhao smiled at his daughter. "Chaojie, what were you discussing with your mother?"
Gu Jinzhao replied, "...We were just talking about Grandmother's illness."
Gu Dezhao nodded and motioned for Xu Jingyi to come closer, wanting to speak with her. Noticing Gu Jinzhao's subdued expression, Third Master Chen asked, "What's the matter?"
This was a family affair, and Gu Jinzhao wasn’t sure how to explain. She said softly, "...Gu Lan is gone."
Third Master Chen's expression remained calm. "Ah, your half-sister, wasn’t it? How did she pass so suddenly?"
Gu Jinzhao shook her head with a bitter smile. There was too much history between her and Gu Lan.The person was already gone; there was no point in talking about it now.
Shortly after, Third Master Chen and Gu Dezhao went to the study in the front courtyard, while Gu Jinzhao followed Xu Jingyi to the eastern annex.
Although it was the New Year, the Gu family had just endured a calamity, so there was little festive atmosphere. Only red crepe lanterns hung under the corridor, and the maids and elderly servants were not dressed particularly joyfully—plain sleeveless jackets, pale blue-lined jackets, speaking in hushed tones.
Madam Feng’s health had deteriorated, so she rarely left her bed. Her daughters-in-law took turns attending to her, and today it happened to be Zhou Shi’s turn.
She lay on the Arhat bed, her once-black hair now heavily streaked with white, her cheekbones protruding from weight loss. A small cot had been set up beside her for convenience in caregiving.
Both women felt awkward upon seeing Gu Jinzhao.
Gu Jinzhao calmly curtsied, and a maid brought her a stool to sit.
Madam Feng trembled as she held her hand, taking a long while to steady herself. Her lips quivered as she said, "Lan Er is gone."
Gu Jinzhao nodded. "I already know."
Madam Feng studied Gu Jinzhao’s smoothly combed hair, the red gold ruby-inlaid coronet atop her bun, and the faintly indifferent expression on her face—neither disgusted nor sympathetic. Suddenly, she closed her eyes and said, "Chaojie, you must be pleased now… The second branch will never surpass the fourth. Those who wronged you met terrible ends. Your second uncle is reduced to a mere county magistrate, while you enjoy wealth and status…"
Her words were labored, yet she stared unwaveringly at Gu Jinzhao.
She had once hoped to gain wealth and status through Gu Jinzhao, never expecting her to be so self-serving.
Even now, Madam Feng still fixated on Gu Deyuan’s demotion to county magistrate.
Gu Jinzhao said softly, "Grandmother is mistaken. This is simply the natural order of things. Chaojie neither harms others nor waits idly to be harmed or exploited. As for wealth, status, or fame, they were never the most important things. Besides, it’s the New Year—why speak like this? I’ve come to see you… and brought you many gifts."
She signaled the maids to present the items. "…Among them is an eighty-year-old ginseng, dug from deep in the mountains. It’s extremely precious."
Madam Feng suddenly laughed. "Good! You’ve always been the most capable, Chaojie!"
Zhou Shi looked at Madam Feng in confusion, not understanding her meaning.
Gu Jinzhao merely smiled without responding.
Soon after, Gu Lian returned with Yao Wenxiu for the customary post-wedding visit. Gu Lian came to see Madam Feng, bringing several boxes of fashionable pastries.
When she saw Gu Jinzhao there, she couldn’t help but frown, recalling how Gu Jinzhao had humiliated her at the Chen residence…
Her gaze inadvertently drifted to Gu Jinzhao’s slightly fuller waistline, stirring mixed emotions.
Why couldn’t she have Gu Jinzhao’s luck! Four months had passed since her marriage to Yao Wenxiu, yet her belly showed no sign of life. Combined with her father’s demotion… Madam Yao now looked at her as if with daggers in her eyes!
As Gu Lian prepared to speak with Madam Feng, Gu Jinzhao excused herself.
She took the opportunity to visit her younger siblings and distribute the gifts she had brought.
Jinrong had grown taller, his delicate features now more mature. Having failed the provincial examinations, he was happy to see Gu Jinzhao but also somewhat ashamed. "I studied diligently—the Imperial Academy’s rules require rising at mao hour, but I started reading by yin’s end. Yet I still didn’t pass…"
His talent was mediocre; in her past life, he had kept trying until he finally passed at thirty.Gu Jinzhao didn’t expect him to achieve great wealth and honor—his diligence was commendable enough. She smiled and comforted him, “Failing once is common. If you study hard, you’ll surely pass eventually.” She then chatted with Gu Yi and Gu Xi for a while, giving them both red envelopes and additionally presenting each sister with a red gold Hetian jade cloud-patterned hairpin.
Before leaving, Gu Jinzhao said to Xu Jingyi, “Please send someone to Shi’an to inform Concubine Song about Lan Er’s death.”
Xu Jingyi nodded in agreement.
……
The residence in Shi’an had long been uninhabited, and some parts had already begun to decay.
The two matrons guarding Concubine Song boiled water to fill their hand warmers and sat outside the house to warm their hands while doing needlework.
In the early years of her madness, Concubine Song would still scream and struggle, but now she had grown increasingly quiet. The two matrons thus had an easier time, often sewing items to sell outside. After a while, sudden incoherent muttering and Concubine Song’s terrified shrieks came from inside.
The two matrons were used to it and shook their heads helplessly. “She’s probably claiming she saw the ghost of the late madame again… Poor Concubine Song. She’s been mad for years and doesn’t even know her daughter is gone.”
A series of frantic thuds came from the room, and one of the matrons finally stood up to check.
Concubine Song was curled up under the blankets, trembling violently. The thudding sounds came from the bed frame.
When the matron lifted the covers to look, Concubine Song immediately cowered in the corner. She had grown so thin that her eyes appeared unnaturally large.
After a moment, she began murmuring again but seemed calmer. Grabbing a blue-and-white porcelain vase, she started smashing it against the bed frame. “Smash you, smash you… You’ve come for revenge, smash you…”
The matron sighed. “Concubine, if you break this one, there won’t be any more vases left.”
Concubine Song paid no heed. Despite her terrifyingly emaciated frame, she was still surprisingly strong.
The matron decided not to bother with her anymore and turned to leave. But then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned back and said, “Oh, Concubine, the new madame sent someone with a message. Your daughter is dead… She was originally a concubine in the Yao family. She was caught harming the main wife and hanged herself out of guilt.”
Concubine Song’s hand paused for a moment before she resumed muttering, “Smash you, smash you…”
The matron sighed softly, convinced she was beyond saving. She closed the door and left. Just as she sat back down and picked up her hand warmer, a loud crash of shattering porcelain came from inside. The matron froze, about to say something, but the other matron picked up her embroidery hoop and started discussing patterns with her.
Soon, the two were absorbed in choosing embroidery designs.
The New Year festivities gradually quieted down.
“Madame, it’s started snowing again outside,” Cong Shuang said softly as she entered with a charcoal brazier. “It’s coming down heavily. I think the Seventh Young Master will stay in the outer courtyard tonight. You should rest.”
Yu Wanxue leaned against a pillow, her jet-black hair loosely tied in a simple bun. Her hair was exceptionally thick and lustrous, cascading like silk when let down. She lifted her eyelids to glance at Cong Shuang, then pushed open the window to look outside. Indeed, thick snowflakes swirled wildly in the wind.
She picked up the iron tongs to add more charcoal to the brazier, listening to the crackling of the fire.
“Fetch my cloak,” Yu Wanxue said calmly. “And bring the trotter soup that was stewed earlier. We’ll take it to the Seventh Young Master.”
Cong Shuang hesitated. “Madame, it’s already very late, and the snow—”
Yu Wanxue’s expression remained gentle but resolute. Once she made up her mind, she wouldn’t change it.Cong Shuang could only prepare the items, while Yu Wanxue led the maids and matrons, with the matrons carrying lanterns, heading toward the outer courtyard.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, she had to brave the snow to seek out her husband in the outer courtyard. Yu Wanxue smiled bitterly in her heart.
The lights of the East Wind Pavilion were already faintly visible ahead.
Without hesitation, she entered with her maids in tow—someone had to take the initiative.
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