Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 45: Marriage Proposal

Jinchao was momentarily at a loss for words. After some thought, she finally curtsied and said, "Jinchao thanks Uncle for your kindness. Since you've helped me once, I will certainly return the favor if there's ever anything I can do for you."

This favor of hers could spare his father, Marquis Changxing, from death.

Yet Ye Xian replied, "Don't thank me yet—I haven't agreed to help you."

Jinchao stared at him, so furious she was speechless... This heir of Marquis Changxing! If he wasn't planning to help her, why had he gone on at such length?

She took a deep breath and asked, "Does Uncle have any conditions...?"

Ye Xian shook his head, his brows slightly furrowed as if hesitating. "I'll come find you in three days."

Jinchao lost all interest in sightseeing and didn't even bother responding to Gu Lan and Gu Lian's incessant whispering along the way.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Yu Liu Hutong in the capital was where the residence of Marquis Changxing was located. Adjacent to the government office of Shuntian Prefecture's magistrate, Yu Liu Hutong was a neighborhood where the nobility and aristocracy of the capital congregated. The Marquis Changxing's estate stood out among them, occupying more than half of Yu Liu Hutong. Designed like a poetic Jiangnan garden, it exuded elegance.

Though Marquis Changxing was a rough-and-tumble man who knew nothing of such refinement, he had married Gao Shi, the daughter of the Imperial Academy's Chancellor. Compared to most noblewomen, Gao Shi was exceptionally well-versed in poetry and literature. Under her management, the household ran smoothly and orderly.

The couple was harmonious and deeply affectionate, treating each other with the utmost respect. Even though Gao Shi had not borne a son in the ten years since their marriage, Marquis Changxing had never taken a concubine.

Ye Xian was born when Gao Shi was thirty-four.

At this moment, he was deep in thought in his study, seated on a Grand Preceptor's chair draped with fox fur, holding a cup of steaming tea. Mist rose from the cup as a light drizzle blurred the view outside the window. In the celadon fish tank, there was a clunk—the old turtle had flipped over again.

"Young Master, the Old Master has summoned you," his attendant Zhi Shu announced from the doorway.

Ye Xian raised an eyebrow and casually set the teacup on the side table. "...Finally willing to see me."

He strode out into the corridor first. Zhi Shu, startled, hurried to grab an umbrella and chase after him. "Young Master, you mustn't get caught in the rain!"

The "Old Master" referred to the previous Marquis Changxing, now nearly eighty years old. The old man had lived a life of military service, yet he was far more cultured than his son, well-versed in literature and skilled in writing elegant seal script.

The Old Master was practicing calligraphy, his strokes steady and powerful. Upon hearing the maid's announcement, he set his brush on the stand and said, "Let him in."

Ye Xian stepped into the study. The two stood in silence for a long while, grandfather and grandson locked in a quiet standoff. Seeing that Ye Xian remained silent, the Old Master thought to himself that despite his young age, this grandson was far more cunning than his father—daring to test his patience, much like his maternal grandfather's temperament...

Not wanting to waste time, the Old Master cut straight to the point. "...If you bring Xiao Qishan down, can you guarantee his identity won't be exposed?"

Ye Xian pondered for a moment before answering, "The Emperor has been ill for a long time without recovery, and the Empress is deeply distressed. The palace and the Embroidered Uniform Guard are too busy to pay attention to such matters. Besides, Mr. Xiao has lived under an assumed name for years—few recognize him now... Rest assured, as my mentor, I would never put him at risk."

It wasn't a guarantee, but neither was it a refusal.The old master smiled and said, "Back when the Prince of Cheng's faction plotted rebellion, he, being the most revered among the Prince's advisors, should have been executed. I admired his resolve to not abandon the city and flee, thinking that if he could serve the Emperor, he would benefit the people. Who knew he was so stubborn, preferring to retreat to the mountains rather than pledge loyalty to the Emperor..."

"Since he is your mentor, you are responsible for his life and safety. Go ahead. After all, the Changxing Marquis Estate will soon be yours to manage—just be mindful of the boundaries." The old master waved him off.

Ye Xian then had his servant prepare a horse and set off for Shian County.

Upon hearing that the young master had come alone to see Jinchao, Gu Dezhao was quite surprised. He hurriedly arranged wine and dishes to entertain him and sent Shui Ying to fetch Jinchao.

When Jinchao arrived in haste, Ye Xian was leaning against the railing feeding the fish, watching the green water ripple in circles as the koi swam beneath. His black sash and jade pendant dangled gracefully, his profile as elegant as fine jade.

From afar, Jinchao silently admired Ye Xian's demeanor. Regardless of anything else, in terms of appearance and bearing, he was undeniably a refined gentleman.

Without turning around, Ye Xian lazily remarked, "Remember, you owe me a favor."

Jinchao's heart leaped with joy—he had agreed to bring Xiao Qishan to treat her mother!

She approached Ye Xian and smiled, "Of course. Might I ask, Cousin, when Mr. Xiao will arrive? I’d like to prepare accordingly."

Ye Xian tilted his head to look at her. Gu Jinchao's eyes were bright with laughter. Though she often smiled, her usual expression carried a lingering gloom. Now, however, she seemed radiant and full of life.

Unconsciously, his lips curved upward as well: "I’m not sure, perhaps in a little over a month. Mr. Xiao prefers tranquility and has no other requirements."

His visit was brief, and he left in a hurry, only adding to Gu Jinchao, "You must remember—you owe me a favor."

As Jinchao walked back to Paulownia Courtyard, her steps were light. Qingpu was equally delighted for her: "So, Madam might recover... Should we tell her first?"

Jinchao thought for a moment and replied with a smile, "If something delays Mr. Xiao’s arrival, it would only worry Mother needlessly. Let’s wait until he arrives—there’s no rush!"

Qingpu nodded in agreement: "The Second Miss’s hair-pinning ceremony is on the thirteenth of April. The household will be busy this month. It wouldn’t be good for Madam to fret over Mr. Xiao’s matter as well..."

As they spoke, they noticed two servants carrying items out of the Chrysanthemum Willow Pavilion in the distance. Upon closer inspection, the items included scrolls, inkstones, tea, and the like. The steward followed behind, urging them to hurry.

Jinchao signaled with a glance, and Qingpu stepped forward to stop the steward, asking, "Li Guanshi, where are these things being taken? Are they no longer needed in the Chrysanthemum Willow Pavilion?"

Li Guanshi turned and, seeing the Eldest Miss standing nearby, quickly replied respectfully, "These were gifts from Vice Director Mu of the Office of the Directorate of Instruction to the master. The master ordered them thrown out of the estate!"

Qingpu frowned in confusion, "But hasn’t Vice Director Mu of the Office of the Directorate of Instruction always been on good terms with the master?"Manager Li said, "You wouldn’t know, but today, Minister Mu invited the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Lord Jiang, to propose a marriage alliance on behalf of his illegitimate eldest son, seeking the hand of Second Miss. Minister Mu’s illegitimate eldest son is dull, round, and fat—no one in the capital wants to marry their daughter to him. Upon hearing this, the master was displeased and had Lord Jiang escorted out. He then flew into a rage in his study, ordering us to throw out all the gifts Minister Mu had previously sent..."

"If not for Lord Jiang’s esteemed reputation and the fact that the master was once his student at the Imperial Academy, he might have outright rejected him on the spot..." Manager Li spoke while carefully observing Jinchao’s expression.

After Qingpu dismissed the manager, she returned to Jinchao’s side and said with a smile, "Miss, now Concubine Song and Second Miss will have quite the headache..."

Jinchao’s lips curved slightly. "Minister Mu holds a higher rank than Father. While Father can vent his anger, he can’t outright refuse. If Gu Lan doesn’t want to marry the Mu heir, she’ll have to rack her brains."

Mu Nian’an’s illegitimate eldest son wasn’t just dull and rotund—he was also somewhat simple-minded.

Last year, while out on an excursion with the second son of the Liu family, the latter told him that horse urine tasted wonderful. The Mu heir actually took a sip and smacked his lips in delight, exclaiming how delicious it was. Though Magistrate Liu reprimanded his son, the incident became a laughingstock about the Mu heir.

No wonder Father was furious upon realizing what his colleague and friend was scheming.

But then again, Gu Lan was a concubine-born daughter—naturally, others would look down on her.

However, despite appearing dull and foolish, the Mu heir was actually quite clever. Jinchao remembered that in the end, he was the one who fully inherited the Mu family. He even married the fourth daughter of the Earl of Anyang and doted on his wife so much that he didn’t even keep a single Bed Warming Maid.

The news quickly reached Gu Lan’s ears.

Her face paled as she clutched Ziling’s sleeve and asked, "Did Father agree?"

Ziling replied nervously, "This servant thinks not... The master later flew into a rage and ordered all the gifts from Minister Mu to be thrown out."

Only then did Gu Lan relax, instructing Mu Jin to fetch Concubine Song at once. She sat by the window on the heated kang, staring blankly at the sunlight outside. She refused to marry a fool! If she were to marry... it should be someone like Ye Xian—a celestial-like gentleman—and as a legitimate wife, no less. She had endured the stigma of being a concubine-born daughter all her life!

Since childhood, her cousins had avoided her, disdainful of her status. As she grew older, she had once liked Gu Jinzhao. But when Gu Jinzhao returned to the Gu household, she received more affection, had better silver and jewelry, and even more maids than her!

Gradually, Gu Lan grew to dislike Gu Jinzhao more and more, sneering inwardly at her arrogant and unruly behavior. She was ten thousand times better than this so-called legitimate eldest daughter, yet she still had to flatter her! But others didn’t see it that way. No matter how obedient and proper she was, people always noticed Gu Jinzhao first—she was nothing! And now, was even her marriage to be so humiliating?Ziling noticed Gu Lan lost in thought and couldn't help saying, "Miss, I actually think the Mu family's eldest son from a concubine would be a good match. After all, the legitimate son's birth mother is no longer here, and there's no maternal family to support him. Although the eldest son is a bit dull, he's honest and loyal. Who knows what might happen in the future... And you'd be the principal wife when married. Master Mu is a fourth-rank Junior Supervisor, so he could secure a good position for the young master later..."

Gu Lan glared at her coldly and snapped, "Shut up! What do you know? Get out!"

Ziling panicked even more, quickly bowed, and retreated.

Concubine Song lifted the curtain and entered to find Gu Lan already sobbing, throwing herself into her arms with tears. "Mother... will Father agree to this marriage?" she choked out.

Concubine Song's expression was also grim as she hugged Gu Lan and guided her to sit on the heated brick bed.

"Your father refused quite firmly this time, but the visitor was after all Lord Jiang—though highly respected, he's never been good at matchmaking. Perhaps if Mu Nian'an sent someone else to propose... your father might hesitate. After all, Mu Nian'an works under the Chen family's Third Master and has a promising future in court. Your father wouldn't truly want to offend him..."

Gu Lan looked at her mother blankly. "Then what should I do... I don't want to marry the Mu family's eldest son!"

Concubine Song comforted her, "I know. Now we can only think of a way to make Mu Nian'an hesitate and dare not bring it up again..."

Gu Lan sat up anxiously.

Concubine Song smiled faintly. "...What if you became a legitimate daughter? Would Mu Nian'an still have the face to propose?"

Gu Lan stared at Concubine Song in shock, taking a moment to understand her meaning. "You mean if... you were promoted to principal wife? But... from the looks of Madam Ji, she could easily live several more years!"

Concubine Song said thoughtfully, "Then we'll have to worsen her illness... When she truly passes, you'll have to observe mourning for a year and can't marry during that time... After a year, I could be promoted to principal wife."