Chapter 32: Decision
Song Miaohua only instructed Qiaowei to keep an eye on Gu Dezhao's movements and paid no further attention to Gu Jinchao.
The next day, Gu Jinchao went to pay her respects to her father.
Her father had just finished discussing matters with the Assistant Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud in his study and had changed into a blue straight robe. Although Gu Dezhao was approaching middle age, he had maintained himself exceptionally well. Unlike those frivolous young nobles who indulged in hunting and leisure, he had a tall and well-proportioned figure, regular features, and a composed demeanor. The blue straight robe further accentuated his refined and handsome appearance.
"...How are your uncles? I heard your third cousin just took the provincial examination—did he pass?" her father asked.
Jinchao nodded: "Cousin Ji Yun passed the provincial examination and earned the title of Provincial Graduate. It’s a double celebration—his eldest son turned one the day before yesterday and had his Zhua Zhou ceremony. He grabbed an abacus, which is an excellent omen!"
Her father smiled: "Passing the imperial examination at such a young age is truly a joyous occasion! They should have sent word—I would have prepared gifts to send over!" He spoke with evident delight and even called for the steward, instructing him to prepare an inkstone made of refined clay and calligraphy by famous artists to send to Ji Yun.
Jinchao shook her head slowly and said, "Not necessarily. Perhaps Cousin will be the one sending gifts to you."
Gu Dezhao, in high spirits, laughed and said, "What joyous occasion could there possibly be in our household?"
Jinchao stood up, curtsied, and said, "Father, not long ago, when I visited the Ji family, I happened to meet a young lady named Luo Su, who was visiting relatives there. I noticed she bore some resemblance to Concubine Yun, so I inquired about her identity. To my surprise, she turned out to be the daughter of Concubine Yun’s elder sister, who had married into Taihe County."
"I thought to myself that with Mother seriously ill and Concubine Song busy managing the household, the other two concubines might be overwhelmed. So, with the consent of Miss Luo’s parents and relatives, I brought her back with me..."
Gu Dezhao frowned as her words took an unexpected turn. "Why did you bring her back?"
Gu Jinchao smiled. "As I said, Father, you lack attendants. I brought Miss Luo back to serve you. She’s currently waiting in the Tranquil Residence next door. Would you like to meet her first?"
Gu Dezhao’s face darkened as he glared coldly at Jinchao. "Whose idea was this? Your mother’s?"
Jinchao met her father’s tense expression calmly, her tone steady as she looked directly at him. "Mother is far too ill to trouble herself with such matters. This was my idea. Moreover, apart from Mother giving birth to a younger brother, no other sons have been born into the Gu family. For the sake of continuing the family line and expanding our descendants, you should take another concubine."
Hearing his daughter’s words, Gu Dezhao grew angry and slammed his teacup onto the table. "How could you think of doing such a thing...? An unmarried young lady arranging a concubine for her father—what will people say if this gets out? Send her back immediately, and never mention this again!"
Jinchao had anticipated her father’s anger. At this critical moment, his own daughter bringing someone back for him to take as a concubine would undoubtedly unsettle him.
She glanced at the celadon-glazed porcelain cup in his hand—still intact—and continued, "At least see her first, Father. Otherwise, I’ll simply find someone else. You know my temperament. If you don’t take this step, I won’t let it rest."
Gu Dezhao saw that though she lowered her head, she remained silent and showed no sign of backing down.The two stood in silent confrontation for half a quarter of an hour before he finally snorted, "Fine! You're becoming more and more capable! I'll go along with you this once, but don't even think about me taking another concubine. No matter what, never bring this up again!"
Tranquil Residence was planted with many willow trees. Through the window lattice, Luo Su could see the bare willow trees by the frozen lake outside, and she felt a chill.
Qingyi was helping her light the stove when Mama Xu entered and stopped her, waving for her to leave first.
Standing by the screen, Mama Xu said softly to Luo Su, "Miss, you should get dressed and ready."
Luo Su snapped out of her thoughts and saw Mama Xu looking at her, feeling somewhat uneasy. Dressing up... was Master Gu coming? Her father had told her that Master Gu was a fifth-rank official, and his family background was even more impressive. The highest-ranking official she had ever seen was the county magistrate... She had no idea what Master Gu would look like. Would the masters of these wealthy families be especially intimidating?
Her fingers brushed against the cold gold ornaments on the dressing table.
These things seemed to wound her—the dazzling pearls and jade, the black-lacquered rosewood furniture, the silk curtains, and the delicate vases and trinkets displayed on the Curio Cabinet... all these luxuries she had never even seen before were casually used as decorations.
Mama Xu walked over, picked up a comb, and said with a smile, "Miss Luo, let me help you."
She styled Luo Su's hair into a Fallen Horse Bun and pinned two pale pink silk flowers the size of copper coins into it, using no pearls or jade. For earrings, she chose warm, lustrous pearls that accentuated Luo Su's soft and delicate features. Looking at Luo Su's reflection in the mirror, Mama Xu smiled and said, "Miss, you truly resemble your aunt. The master will surely like you." The resemblance wasn't just in appearance but also in that gentle, serene demeanor.
Pinmei, who had been waiting outside, came in and said, "Mama Xu, the Eldest Miss is bringing the master over."
Mama Xu left with Pinmei. Luo Su didn't know what to do. Her hands clutched at her sleeves, and her eyes fixed on the frozen lake outside the window... She wondered when winter would end. In spring, her third brother used to take her out to play.
Someone lifted the curtain, and Luo Su turned to look. It was a very handsome man standing with his hands behind his back, silently watching her.
Luo Su's face suddenly flushed. Remembering the Eldest Miss's scolding words from that day, she suppressed her fear, stood up, and curtsied, saying, "This humble girl is Luo Su from Taihe County. Greetings, Master."
Her voice trembled.
But from the corner of her eye, she saw the master's expression relax considerably. He looked at her without the slightest hesitation.
Luo Su had expected to see a middle-aged man dressed in lavish clothes, portly and imposing. Instead, she found a graceful and strikingly handsome master. Her heart pounded inexplicably, and she felt extremely nervous.
He still didn't speak. After a long while, Luo Su dared to lift her head but couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. Her gaze fell on the mutton-fat jade pendant hanging from his belt, its blue tassel swaying gently in the breeze from the window.
"What's your name?" Gu Dezhao finally asked.
After a moment's hesitation, Luo Su replied, "This humble girl is named Su.""Luo Su... that's a nice name." Gu Dezhao smiled slightly and said to her, "Don't be afraid, rest for now." He lifted the curtain and stepped out. As Luo Su watched the curtain fall back into place, it was as if all her strength had suddenly drained away, and she collapsed weakly onto the Arhat bed.
Gu Jinchao sat drinking tea on the veranda outside. The courtyard had a dug-out pond filled with many lotus plants, now all withered and blackened by the frost. The Tranquil Residence had long been uninhabited and neglected, though it would likely improve from now on.
When her father emerged, Gu Jinchao stood to greet him, still smiling as she asked, "Father, does the Tranquil Residence need tidying up? The pond is full of withered lotuses." Seeing Gu Dezhao's calm expression, she knew the matter was mostly settled.
In truth, Gu Jinchao felt a faint twinge of disappointment.
For a moment, she had hoped her father would emerge still furious, refusing to take Luo Su in. It was as if that would have spared her mother some heartache and prevented her own disappointment in her father.
But her rationality quickly suppressed such thoughts—she needed her father to agree. This wasn't something she could decide; she had no choice in the matter.
Gu Dezhao gazed at the withered lotuses in the garden, his eyes narrowing slightly as if drifting back many years. The moment he saw Luo Su's face—bearing an eighty percent resemblance to Yun Xiang—all his anger had dissipated. He remembered that frail woman who had died in his arms years ago, her palm-sized face as pale as paper, her hand clutching his tightly, her voice as faint as the weak cry of a sickly infant.
"This concubine is useless... can't... can't bear the master a child..." All he remembered was saying nothing as her body slowly grew cold, then icy. He had held her in his arms the entire night.
Finally, he withdrew his gaze and turned to Gu Jinchao with a sigh. "Chaojie, your father knows what you're thinking. My anger was only because treating Concubine Song this way is unfair to her... She married me as the legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, yet could only become a concubine. These years haven't been easy for her."
Jinchao merely smiled without responding. What did he know? If he truly understood, none of what followed would have happened.
Gu Dezhao continued, "You shouldn't always bully Lan Er either. She is, after all, your younger half-sister. Be more accommodating..." He paused, then added, "Taihe County is too far from Shian. Since Luo Su is already here, there's no need for her to return. Have someone tidy up the Tranquil Residence and prepare fifty loads of betrothal gifts to send to Taihe County..."
Jinchao replied, "Understood."
Currently, Concubine Song managed the inner household, but arranging a concubine's entry seemed something Father was too embarrassed to ask of her.
After her father returned to the Chrysanthemum Willow Pavilion, Jinchao went to inform her mother. Her mother had already anticipated Father's agreement and showed no surprise, merely instructing Mama Xu to notify the other concubines and young ladies. After all, a newcomer's arrival was still a significant event.
Jinchao took her mother's tally to the Affairs Office. With her mother unwell, the task naturally fell to her.She instructed the steward of the Affairs Office, "...Prepare a small courtyard in Qinglian Lane and send Miss Luo Su there first. She will be brought over on the twenty-fifth. Have the betrothal gifts carried on red poles and delivered to the Luo family in Taihe County with gongs and drums along the way—make it grand and lively. Also, assign two quick-handed maids to serve Miss Luo Su in the courtyard, along with two strong matrons. All daily necessities should be provided according to the standard for a Concubine..."
Mama Tong stood by watching. After the steward acknowledged the orders and withdrew, she smiled and said to Jinchao, "...Tonight, someone is bound to lose sleep."
Jinchao replied with a faint smile, "Whether one sleeps or not depends entirely on their skill."
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