Chapter 48: Persuasion
Upon returning to the Waterside Pavilion, Qiaowei recounted the events at Slanting Cloud Garden to Concubine Song.
After hearing the story, Concubine Song also felt uneasy: "...Meeting Ji Wu Shi is one thing, but my two elder sisters aren't the type to be blinded by money. However, how did Ji Wu Shi find out about the Mu family's marriage proposal? If this spreads, they definitely won't agree to assist Lan Er in her hairpin ceremony!"
If they refused, it would be difficult to find suitable replacements on such short notice.
Given the circumstances, it seemed better to choose Madam Wen as Lan Er's hairpin ceremony assistant. At the very least, Lan Er's marriage prospects couldn't be delayed any longer. If Madam Wen could secure a better match for Lan Er, then the matter of the Mu family's eldest son wouldn't be her concern anymore.
However, Madam Li and Madam Wen had always been at odds. If she chose Madam Wen, Madam Li might take offense...
Concubine Song's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Once she made up her mind, she went with Gu Lan to the side chamber where Madam Wen was temporarily staying.
Madam Wen was doing needlework in the chamber. Seeing Concubine Song and Lan Er arrive, she quickly had her maid bring out embroidered stools.
"...Just here for a casual chat," Concubine Song said with a smile, picking up the small embroidery frame in Madam Wen's hands to examine. "This pattern is truly exquisite!"
Gu Lan also praised it: "So neat and delicate, with such soft and elegant colors—I really like this style!"
Madam Wen smiled. "Just a way to pass the time... How is Lan Er's needlework these days?"
Concubine Song sighed. "Speaking of that, it's a sore spot for Lan Er. The household hired a master embroiderer from the Ji family to teach Suzhou embroidery, but she only instructs the Eldest Miss. Lan Er can only learn needlework from me."
Madam Wen frowned slightly. "Though Lan Er is a concubine-born daughter, she is still a proper young lady of the Gu family. How could they not even hire an embroidery tutor for her?"
Gu Lan tugged at Concubine Song's sleeve. "Auntie, let's not talk about this anymore."
But Concubine Song continued, "That's not all... The madam had jewelry made for the Eldest Miss, but Lan Er, who is also about to have her hairpin ceremony, received nothing. The Eldest Miss dares to scold and hit Lan Er's personal maids as she pleases, taking whatever she wants. Lan Er has a gentle temperament and doesn't want to compete with her, yet the Eldest Miss still bullies her at every turn, and I can do nothing about it..."
Madam Wen couldn't stand hearing about people abusing their power!
She scoffed coldly. "This Eldest Miss Gu is far too domineering!"
Concubine Song said, "If only Lan Er could marry well and leave the Gu household, she wouldn't have to suffer such mistreatment. But a good match is hard to come by..."
Madam Wen couldn't help but take Gu Lan's hand to comfort her. "There's no need to worry about that. Auntie will keep an eye out for you—I'll definitely find a good match for our Lan Er!"
By referring to herself as "Auntie," she was expressing genuine closeness to Gu Lan.
Gu Lan smiled softly. "You're always so kind to me."
After a moment of thought, she added, "My elder sister's marriage prospects are also difficult. Perhaps you could keep an eye out for her as well."
Madam Wen snorted. "Someone like her? I wouldn't dare arrange a match for her! Last time, I heard that the Assistant Surveillance Commissioner of Shandong returned to the capital to report on his duties and asked the Earl of Anyang to propose marriage—he wanted Gu Jinzhao as his second wife. Though Master Guo is over forty, he is still a proper fifth-rank official's wife. Yet your father actually chased him out... In my opinion, Gu Jinzhao isn't even worthy of Master Guo! Don't play the good person here—after how she's treated you, why would you still want to help her?"Concubine Song smiled and said, "It's not that I want to help her. You just need to find someone whose family background appears prosperous on the surface... As long as the Eldest Miss is married off, not only will her marital affairs be settled, but Lan Er will also suffer less bullying. It's beneficial for both sides..."
Madam Wen immediately understood—Concubine Song wanted to marry off Eldest Miss Gu, and it didn’t matter who the groom was. In fact... it would be even better if he had some flaws!
Seeing Madam Wen remain silent, Concubine Song smiled and said, "Today, I actually came to ask you to be Lan Er’s hairpin ceremony assistant. I didn’t mean to bring up so much. I shouldn’t trouble you with other matters first. Would you be willing to assist Lan Er in her hairpin ceremony?"
Recalling what Concubine Song had said about Eldest Miss Gu’s actions toward Lan Er, Madam Wen nodded without hesitation. "Of course, I’d be willing."
Meanwhile, Jinchao had just escorted Ji Wu Shi to her carriage.
Before leaving, Ji Wu Shi said to her, "If Lan Er’s marriage isn’t handled carefully, it could ruin her. You must do your best to match her with the eldest son of the Mu family... You’re very clever—I don’t need to teach you this. If Lan Er becomes engaged to the Mu heir, Concubine Song will be like a person with a severed arm. By then, you won’t have to fear her anymore..."
She was offering advice.
Yet Jinchao hesitated inwardly. Others might not know the eldest son of the Mu family, but she did. If Gu Lan married him, she would never have to worry about anything in her life. However, if Gu Lan became engaged to him, it would also benefit Jinchao—at least Concubine Song’s threats would be partially neutralized.
Since both sides stood to gain, she would do her best to facilitate this marriage. What happened after the wedding would be Gu Lan’s own affair.
Jinchao replied to Ji Wu Shi, "Jinchao understands."
Ji Wu Shi gently stroked her hair and said affectionately, "As for your own marriage, your grandmother has already made arrangements. Our Chaojie must marry a man who suits her perfectly..."
Jinchao thought of Ji Yao and the restrained look in his eyes when he gazed at her. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
After a moment of silence, Ji Wu Shi sighed and boarded the carriage. Jinchao watched the carriage pass through the festooned gate before turning back with Qingpu.
If Ji Yao married her, he would probably treat her well despite his lack of affection—he wouldn’t deny her anything. But he would certainly never touch her.
She didn’t want to force anyone, nor did she want to marry under such circumstances.
After successfully persuading Madam Wen to assist in Lan Er’s hairpin ceremony, Concubine Song returned to the Waterside Pavilion. Just then, Qiaowei came to invite her to see the newly built opera stage, so she sent a young maid who had just been assigned to her to deliver a message to Madam Li—to thank her but inform her that Madam Wen had already agreed to assist Lan Er.
The maid, named Xiuqu, was only twelve years old by Chinese reckoning and had just been assigned to serve Concubine Song. Unfamiliar with the inner courtyard, she searched for a long time before finding Madam Li’s quarters. She barged in clumsily, just as Madam Li was speaking to the Second Miss of the Li family: "...Your second aunt may seem warm-hearted, but her eyes are fixed on money. I truly think her character is..."
Madam Li’s personal maid spotted Xiuqu peeking in and immediately scolded, "Who’s there? Why are you sneaking around?"
Xiuqu whispered, "Miss, this servant is a maid from Concubine Song’s quarters. My mistress sent me to deliver a message to Madam."
Madam Li’s expression darkened—she had been speaking privately with her daughter, and now a little maid had overheard! "Come in and speak," she said curtly.However, the one who entered was a little maid with her hair in twin buns, who immediately knelt on the ground with a thud: "Greetings to Madam Li and Second Miss Li. Concubine Song sent me to report that Madam Wen has agreed to assist Second Miss with the hairpin ceremony and wishes to thank you for your kindness."
Madam Li thought of the two loads of hair pinning ceremony gifts Ji Wu Shi had given Gu Lan and sneered, "...I see. You may leave now!"
Xiuqu timidly raised her head to glance at Madam Li but was frightened by her icy gaze, quickly retreating from the room.
"Mother, didn't you say we needed to consider carefully about assisting Cousin with the hairpin ceremony? Now that Second Aunt has agreed to it, why do you still seem unhappy..." Li Fu asked quietly.
Madam Li sneered, "Your father's official rank is higher than Madam Wen's. By rights, I should be the best choice to assist. Yet Concubine Song chose Madam Wen without even consulting us, sending such a mannerless little maid to deliver the message! This is truly insulting!"
Her voice was loud enough that Xiuqu could hear every word clearly even outside. When she returned to report to Concubine Song, she repeated everything Madam Li had said.
Concubine Song grew even more displeased: "How petty! She even begrudges such a thing."
She then had Qiaowei summon Gu Lan, as she had matters to discuss.
Xiuqu stood in the inner chamber, unsure where to place her hands and feet. Seeing her timid demeanor and recalling Madam Li's words, Concubine Song angrily scolded her in a low voice: "Why are you still standing there? Get out!"
Xiuqu had never seen Concubine Song so angry before. Her eyes reddened with fear as she hastily bowed and retreated from the inner chamber.
Gu Lan arrived within the time it took for an incense stick to burn. Concubine Song pulled her inside and had Qiaowei close the door, but their voices faintly carried through: "...You go and persuade her. Since she's unhappy about us and Madam Wen, make her even more displeased with Madam Wen... That would be best for us..."
Gu Lan nodded in agreement: "...It's just a matter of flattering some and disparaging others. As long as the words are soothing enough, Madam Li will surely be appeased..."
Xiuqu suddenly felt she shouldn't be hearing these words—or perhaps she didn't dare to listen anymore. Quietly avoiding the inner chamber, she stepped out of the Waterside Pavilion, her heart heavy with sorrow and unsure whom to confide in, as she had no acquaintances among the maids there.
After wandering by the lake for a while, she found herself near the side chamber where Madam Li resided. Coincidentally, she spotted Yuzhu there, seemingly peering toward the chambers of the two madams.
What was Yuzhu doing here?
Remembering their past friendship in the attendants' quarters and how Yuzhu had once shared sweet rice dumplings with her, Xiuqu approached and tugged at her sleeve: "Yuzhu, if the matrons catch you spying on the madams' chambers, you'll be beaten!"
Yuzhu jumped in fright. She had only been ordered by her mistress to keep an eye on the two madams' chambers and hadn't expected to be caught by this little maid!
She quickly smiled at Xiuqu: "My mistress sent me to see if Madam Li needs anything, so she can send it over..."
Recalling that she had seen Xiuqu enter Madam Li's courtyard earlier, she curiously asked, "I saw you go into Madam Li's place too just now. What were you doing there?"Xiuqu couldn't detect the flaws in Yuzhu's words at all. Mention of Li Furen inevitably reminded her of the two scoldings she'd suffered, and her recently settled grievances resurfaced. "This can't be said... If Concubine Song finds out I've been spreading things carelessly, she'll surely have me beaten to death! Aunt Qiaowei told us during training!"
Yuzhu's eyes sparkled with mischief as an idea struck her. She took Xiuqu's hand and said, "Fine, don't tell me then. How about I treat you to some candy instead? Our Eldest Miss is very kind—she gave me a box of Filigree Candy the day before yesterday, and I can share some with you!"
Thinking she had no immediate tasks and hadn't had a heart-to-heart chat in a long time, Xiuqu smiled and nodded. Yuzhu led her back to the servants' quarters, pulled out a box of candy from under her pillow, and the two girls sat on the kang, swinging their legs as they ate.
"Is it good? I like pulling the Filigree Candy apart and eating it strand by strand," Yuzhu said.
Xiuqu nodded.
Yuzhu continued, "You seem to have a hard time with Concubine Song. If something's bothering you, why not tell me? We'll pinky promise not to tell anyone!"
Xiuqu shook her head vigorously. "No! Aunt Qiaowei said we mustn't talk about anything that happens in the courtyard with anyone!"
Yuzhu thought to herself, This girl may be simple-minded, but she's obedient. She smiled again. "Oh, I know! Let me bring my lady's cat for you to see. It's so chubby—everyone loves it!" Girls naturally adore soft, fluffy things, and Xiuqu perked up at the mention of a kitten.
Yuzhu dashed to the veranda, scooped up the sleeping Baopu, and carried it back to her room without even acknowledging Baiyun's call.
Baopu was placed on the wormwood. Well-fed and round like a fuzzy ball, it stretched out a paw to tug at Xiuqu's sleeve. Xiuqu laughed, stroking the fur on Baopu's head as the cat narrowed its eyes in contentment.
"Your Aunt Qiaowei said not to tell any 'people' about those things, so just pretend you're talking to the cat! You'll feel better after saying it!" Yuzhu coaxed her. "Baopu can't talk—it definitely won't spread anything."
Mustering her courage, Xiuqu held Baopu in her arms and said hesitantly, "Then I'll talk to the cat... but you mustn't eavesdrop."
Yuzhu grinned. "I'll stand outside the door and keep watch so no one catches you two chatting."
Finally, Xiuqu nodded. Telling her troubles to the cat didn't count as disobeying Aunt Qiaowei's words.
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