After the Minor Cold solar term, snow fell continuously. Beijing was covered in ice for thousands of miles, with snow drifting across the landscape, wrapping everything in silver.

Gu Jin Rong learned that his sister’s engagement had fallen through and felt it was a pity. In the evening, he came to play chess with her.

Gu Jin Chao was never skilled at chess. Even with Gu Jin Rong giving her a three-piece advantage, she still walked into a dead end. On the cold night, the two sat around the stove playing chess. Finally, Gu Jin Rong gave up and hesitantly suggested, “Elder Sister, why don’t I keep you company while you paint instead!”

His painting skills were quite poor.

Gu Jin Chao burst into laughter and asked Qing Pu to bring a bowl of warm cinnamon water to warm Gu Jin Rong’s stomach.

Gu Jin Rong snorted: “I haven’t even laughed at you, yet you’re already laughing at me…” He just wanted to cheer her up.

Jin Chao comforted him like a child: “I know! Drink the warm water and go to sleep.” As they were older now, they needed to maintain propriety.

Gu Jin Rong still had something to tell her: “Elder Sister, I want to study at the Imperial Academy after the new year. I can still come back once a month… The teacher at the Yu family school also said that if I take the spring examination first, studying at the Imperial Academy would be more suitable than staying at the Yu family school.”

After hearing this, she nodded: “For matters concerning your studies, talk to Father tomorrow. I can’t help with that.”

Gu Jin Rong went to speak with Gu De Zhao, who then discussed the matter with Gu De Yuan. To avoid delaying Gu Jin Rong’s studies, it was better for him to study at the Imperial Academy. The Yu family school now focused on their two young masters, who already held the title of Recommended Scholar, which wasn’t very suitable for Gu Jin Rong.

Gu Jin Chao sent people to retrieve Gu Jin Rong’s belongings from Shi’an.

Apart from this, everyone treated the Ji family’s marriage proposal as if it had never happened, and Gu Jin Chao continued her morning and evening greetings to Feng Shi as usual.

As the New Year approached, not only were there New Year preparations to attend to but also Gu Lian’s coming-of-age ceremony, which would take place eight days before the New Year. The household temporarily set aside Gu Jin Chao’s marriage matters and busied themselves with Gu Lian’s coming-of-age ceremony.

After all, Gu Lian’s coming of age was a major event for the Gu family. She was to marry Yao Wen Xiu, the second son of the Yao family, so her ceremony needed to be grand and impressive.

That morning, Jin Chao went to the east wing courtyard, where Feng Shi was discussing the coming-of-age ceremony with Gu Lian. Gu Lan, the Second Madam, and the Fifth Madam were also present.

Upon seeing Gu Jin Chao arrive, the Second Madam called her over to sit together, smiling: “Jin Chao has come at the right time. Your grandmother was just saying she wanted to find you.”

Gu Jin Chao paid her respects and sat down.

Feng Shi held Gu Lian’s hand, smiling kindly: “After your coming-of-age ceremony, you’ll marry into the Yao family. This matter must be handled well. You said you don’t like the gold hairpins and hairpins we prepared for you, so as you requested, go to Yuzhao Alley and select them yourself… I’ll have your First and Second Cousins accompany you. However, for the ceremonial dress, you can’t be so picky…”

Gu Lian’s cheeks were flushed, but her eyes were bright. Her voice was soft and sweet: “Grandmother, I understand! Why do you say so much…”

Feng Shi tapped her forehead, “You little imp! If Grandmother doesn’t remind you enough, you’ll forget!”

Feng Shi then called Gu Jin Chao and Gu Lan over: “…As her elder cousins, you must help with Lian’s coming-of-age ceremony. Tomorrow, accompany her to Yuzhao Alley to pick out some things she likes.” She specifically called Jin Chao over and said, “Grandmother trusts your judgment. Help Lian choose well.”

Gu Jin Chao had been hoping to raise this herself. She wanted to use Gu Lian’s coming-of-age ceremony as an excuse to go out and meet Luo Yongping. Unexpectedly, Feng Shi brought it up herself. She smiled and agreed: “There are many jewelry shops in Yuzhao Alley. Why don’t we also get some new clothes for Lian? I can accompany her to Dezhong Alley too. I heard several new silk shops have opened there.”

Feng Shi nodded and called in the housekeeper to arrange for more servants and guards to follow them tomorrow.

Gu Lan smiled and asked Gu Lian: “Look how quickly time passes. You’re already coming of age. Have you found your ceremonial attendants yet?” She and Gu Lian had a good relationship. If family sisters were chosen as attendants, she would certainly be one.

Gu Lian nodded: “I’ve chosen the Third Miss from my Elder Sister’s in-laws, and the Sixth Miss from the Fan family, who are close to our family. You should come and watch. I’ll introduce them to you. They’re quite prominent in Yanjing. Even before coming of age, many families have already proposed to them, unlike others…”

Gu Lan’s smile froze momentarily, then she inwardly mocked herself for forgetting. Feng Shi and Zhou Shi eagerly hoped for Gu Lian to rise like a phoenix, so her ceremonial attendants would certainly be extraordinary. Not only did she not qualify, but neither did Gu Jin Chao.

Moreover, Gu Lian’s words seemed to mock Gu Jin Chao, whose engagement had just been called off.

She glanced at Gu Jin Chao, only to find her quietly discussing the outing with Feng Shi as if she hadn’t heard Gu Lian’s words at all.

Seeing that Gu Jin Chao did not react, Gu Lian pursed her lips and took Gu Lan’s hand, telling her which ladies and misses had been invited to the ceremony, and what Feng Shi had prepared to purchase for her. She spoke very excitedly.

Gu Jin Chao returned to Yanxiu Hall after finalizing arrangements with Feng Shi. She picked up her brush to write to Luo Yongping, informing him that she would be visiting the newly opened silk shop.

Cai Fu came to light the lamp for her, whispering: “I’ve prepared your winter jacket for tomorrow…”

Gu Jin Chao acknowledged with a sound, finished writing, and sealed the letter with wax.

Cai Fu continued: “This afternoon, Miss Lian’s words were indeed excessive, yet the Eldest Madam and Second Madam didn’t say anything to her… This servant truly feels sorry for you.”

Gu Jin Chao smiled and said: “Such people are not worth fearing; they’re the simplest to deal with. She’s about to come of age and marry into the Yao Minister’s family. Look, who in the entire household dares to say a word against her? Everyone just wants to keep her comfortable… Just ignore her, pretend you didn’t hear.” She had heard countless times worse things; why would she be bothered by these mild remarks?

If Gu Lian didn’t change her temperament, she would suffer after marrying into the Yao family.

Gu Jin Chao asked Cai Fu to deliver the letter to Xu Mama. Then Qing Pu brought in a bowl of angelica ginger mutton soup: “It’s cold outside. Drink this mutton soup to warm yourself. I’ve prepared a hot water bottle for you to hold while reading.”

Gu Jin Chao accepted and drank it, then told her: “I won’t read today. Help me prepare the incense burner for the Guanyin statue. I’ll take it with me tomorrow.” Since she was still in mourning, she needed to bring the incense burner when going out.

The next day, Gu Jin Chao wore a honey-colored winter jacket with branch patterns, a lake-colored embroidered skirt, and only a lotus-patterned white jade hairpin in her hair, with no other ornaments, looking fresh and clean. Qing Pu carried the incense burner as they arrived at the screen wall.

Gu Jin Chao boarded the carriage first. Shortly after, Gu Lan and Gu Lian arrived, led by Chen Yong’s wife, who usually assisted Feng Shi with her grooming and was specially assigned to advise Gu Lian. After boarding, she paid respects to the young ladies before urging the carriage to depart.

Daxing was an important county in the capital region and a very prosperous place. Yuzhao Alley was particularly popular among ladies and madams, with numerous ready-made clothing shops, secondhand clothing shops, cosmetics, jewelry, and jade stores, which specially provided clean and bright spaces for these noble women to select items. However, Gu Jin Chao’s accompaniment of Gu Lian was merely for appearance’s sake. If she genuinely tried to help Gu Lian choose items, Gu Lian would likely accuse her of meddling.

After purchasing gold hairpins and wooden hairpins, they needed to go to Dezhong Alley to buy clothes for Gu Lian. Dezhong Alley was different from Yuzhao Alley; it had large silk shops and the famous Liuhe Restaurant. Although Gu Lian was the legitimate daughter of the Gu family, she had never seen these things before. That’s why when Gu Jin Chao suggested visiting Dezhong Alley, she didn’t object outright.

Luo Yongping’s newly opened Suzhou-Hangzhou Silk Shop was in Dezhong Alley. Upon arriving, Gu Jin Chao smiled and told Gu Lian: “…I heard from the Yongyang Marquis’s daughter that Suzhou and Hangzhou silk is the finest, making one’s complexion look excellent.” Chen Yong’s wife also thought they could take a look, so Gu Lian agreed, and everyone took the carriage to the silk shop.

As the head shopkeeper, Luo Yongping normally wouldn’t personally receive them, but Gu Jin Chao had informed him of her visit. Therefore, Luo Yongping had prepared early, changing into a brand-new sapphire blue floral winter jacket, waiting at the entrance, and discreetly inviting them in for tea.

Gu Jin Chao looked around. Dezhong Alley was bustling with people, and this shop was doing excellent business, with many officials and noble visitors.

Gu Lian selected two bolts of fabric, which together cost ninety-seven taels of silver. She signaled Chen Yong’s wife to help her assess. Even though she spent money freely, these two bolts were quite expensive. Chen Yong’s wife, who knew merchandise, could help determine if they were worth the price.

Chen Yong’s wife glanced at them and whispered: “Silk brought from Suzhou and Hangzhou costs this much; we can’t negotiate… If Second Miss thinks it’s too expensive, just take one bolt. After all, our household doesn’t lack silk.”

Gu Lian then picked out a scarlet rose-patterned bolt for forty-eight taels of silver, and couldn’t help whispering to Gu Lan: “A shop like this must make so much in a year. It’s too expensive…” Gu Lan’s eyelids twitched; she couldn’t afford a single item here—she wasn’t Gu Lian.

Seeing that Gu Jin Chao seemed reluctant to leave while still selecting items, Gu Lian smiled, “Cousin, take your time looking. Lan and I will look around outside.” Gu Jin Chao was examining a goose-yellow fabric with spring-green persimmon calyx patterns, looking at it from all angles. Upon hearing this, she smiled and let them go: “…I’ll look some more and join you shortly.”

As soon as they left, Luo Yongping led her inside to make selections, immediately having servants bring tea. With hands lowered respectfully, he asked: “…Young Miss, how do you find the shop?”

Gu Jin Chao nodded; Luo Yongping was a clever businessman, and these matters were safe in his hands. Her hand holding the teacup paused as she told Luo Yongping: “I didn’t come to discuss the shop…” She had come to plan her marriage. Since she had to marry, she wanted to marry someone she could control.

After her engagement with Ji Yao fell through, her father felt regretful and was already looking at young men he deemed suitable. Gu Jin Chao also wanted Luo Yongping and Cao Ziheng to keep a secret watch; she needed to find suitable candidates herself rather than leaving the initiative to others. She couldn’t allow someone like Wang Zan to have another opportunity to visit.