Madam Ji Wu took a sip of tea before saying leisurely, “This Miss Xu… she is the second legitimate daughter of the Commissioner…”

Madam Feng’s forehead throbbed. “Old Madam Ji! I already know that. What I want to ask is how this marriage was arranged?”

Madam Ji Wu glanced at her: “Elder Sister, don’t be impatient. I was just about to explain. This Third Miss Xu is virtuous and respectful. Though she’s not exceptionally beautiful, she is clean and neat in appearance, healthy and dignified. Didn’t you already approve of all these qualities? Why are you now asking me instead?”

Madam Feng endured for a long while before finally saying, “Please wait in the reception area, Old Madam Ji. I have a matter to attend to briefly.”

Madam Ji Wu smiled and said it was ‘no trouble.’

After returning to the west side room, Madam Feng summoned Nanny Xu and asked her what kind of person this Third Miss Xu was.

Nanny Xu, who was always well-informed, replied: “Madam, this Third Miss Xu is indeed not bad. However, she is a bit older, nearly twenty now… I heard she was too picky in her earlier years, and since she’s only average in appearance, she was left behind. Now that she’s older, it’s even harder for her to marry.”

Madam Feng frowned slightly. The age issue wasn’t a major concern. Since Gu Dezhao was taking a second wife, it would be difficult to refuse. And they couldn’t refuse…!

The thought made Madam Feng gnash her teeth in hatred.

The Xu family must have connections with the Ji family. She didn’t believe there wasn’t someone calculating behind this. Who asked Madam Ji Wu to meddle in arranging Gu Dezhao’s marriage, and even claim it was at her instruction…

Hearing Madam Feng’s summons, Gu Dezhao quickly arrived at the east wing. After entering the west side room and paying his respects, Madam Feng immediately demanded in a stern voice: “Explain this clearly to me! What’s this about the Xu family’s Third Miss!”

Gu Dezhao was bewildered and clasped his hands: “Mother, what Third Miss Xu? I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”

Madam Feng was so angry her fingertips trembled, and her voice grew colder: “Your dear mother-in-law has even arranged a marriage for you. Are you saying you don’t know about it?”

Gu Dezhao still didn’t understand.

Beside them, Nanny Xu briefly explained to Gu Dezhao about Madam Ji Wu coming to propose the marriage.

Gu Dezhao immediately explained: “Mother, you misunderstand. After you spoke last time, didn’t I go back to think it over carefully? Since we needed to find someone suitable to take care of the Fourth House, I thought for a long time before thinking of Third Miss Xu. We once met briefly at a banquet of the Ji family. Since my mother-in-law and Madam Xu are old acquaintances, I asked a few questions. My mother-in-law must have heard my words and gone to the Xu family to propose.”

Madam Feng looked at him coldly: “For such an important matter, you didn’t even consult with me before running off to talk with Madam Ji Wu? You arranged a marriage behind my back. What else are you capable of doing? Do you still consider me your mother?”

Gu Dezhao also felt wronged: “Mother, I’m not clear about this either! I only asked my mother-in-law a few questions, thinking I would tell you once things were settled. Who knew she would misunderstand and think it was our intention, then go ahead and arrange the marriage?”

Listening to this, Madam Feng felt blood rushing to her head. Gu Dezhao was passing the buck! Madam Ji Wu pushed the explanation onto him, and he pushed it back to Madam Ji Wu. Both were playing dumb with her, completely shirking responsibility! She couldn’t help but scold: “This matter cannot be so unclear! Fourth Son, you’re heartless. It seems Madam Ji Wu is scheming against our Gu family! You knew I had someone in mind. Is it that you’re dissatisfied with this old woman…”

Gu Dezhao was even more confused: “Mother, what are you saying? Who did you have in mind… My mother-in-law has arranged the marriage. Shouldn’t this be a good thing? Why do you look so unhappy?”

Madam Feng nearly fainted!

After a long while, she finally took a deep breath. Indeed, who had she chosen? She had denied to Gu Dezhao that she wanted to match Cheng Baozhi with him, yet advised him that taking a second wife would be beneficial. He went back and set his sights on Third Miss Xu, who, apart from being a bit older, was perfect in every way. She should be happy that the marriage was arranged and should even thank Madam Ji Wu. After all, despite past grievances, she had helped arrange Gu Dezhao’s marriage…

Madam Feng had never felt so stifled; she couldn’t utter a single word of what she had prepared.

What could she say? She had no excuse to rebuke Gu Dezhao. All she could do was thank Madam Ji Wu and accept this marriage.

If she were to use the excuse that Madam Ji Wu had misunderstood and went to the Xu family to cancel the engagement, it would become a huge joke. The Xu and Gu families would certainly become enemies from then on. With Master Xu being the dignified Commissioner, they couldn’t afford to offend him.

Seeing Madam Feng’s silence, Gu Dezhao continued: “It was indeed inappropriate of me not to inform Mother beforehand. However, since my mother-in-law has already settled the matter, I’m afraid we cannot go back on it. I think we might as well proceed with it…”

Madam Feng raised her eyes to look at him.

…

After Gu Dezhao left, Madam Feng smashed her favorite white-glazed blue-and-white chrysanthemum and plum tea cup. A long while later, she called Fuling over and said in a gloomy tone: “…Invite Madam Ji Wu to come.”

Gu Jin Chao arrived at the east wing but lingered outside for a moment before entering.

The maids, elderly servants, and concubines stood outside the main hall, heads lowered, looking at their shoes, not daring to breathe loudly.

Song Mama, who attended to Madam Ji Wu, walked over to her and said with a smile in a low voice: “Miss… everything has been arranged. The Old Madam is inside speaking with Madam Feng. She’ll be out shortly.”

Gu Jin Chao felt relieved. With her grandmother present, she indeed didn’t need to worry about anything.

A moment later, Madam Ji Wu came out of the west side room smiling, saying that Madam Feng claimed to be ill and wouldn’t see anyone.

Gu Jin Chao accompanied Madam Ji Wu back to Yan Xiu Hall and thanked her sincerely. Madam Ji Wu pinched her nose: “You owe your grandmother plenty already. No need to thank me for this small matter!”

As the maid brought tea and snacks, Madam Ji Wu told her how she had angered Madam Feng, who had to suppress her anger even as her veins bulged, and finally had to thank her. Jin Chao smiled hearing this: “…This was all thanks to Grandmother. Did you and Grandmother settle Father’s marriage?”

Madam Ji Wu nodded: “We discussed it first, then invited the Marquis Ding Guo’s Old Madam Fan to be the official matchmaker for the proposal. Both sides will settle the matter first. The wedding will take place after your father completes his mourning period in May.”

Gu Jin Chao pondered for a long time and sighed: “Although it’s good that Third Miss Xu is marrying into the family when I think of Mother, my heart still can’t let go…” But this was already the best outcome, certainly better than Madam Feng choosing someone like Cheng Baozhi to be her stepmother.

Madam Ji Wu held Jin Chao’s hand and said softly: “Jingyi is a child who values loyalty and has a good nature. If she had married the Luo family’s eldest son, she might have been wasted. She is a very mature and steady person. If you marry out in the future, with her in the Fourth House, Madam Feng won’t be able to mistreat your younger siblings.” She also hated Gu Dezhao immensely for Ji’s death and hoped he would die in remorse to satisfy her anger! But these words she couldn’t say to Jin Chao.

Jin Chao could only speak so openly before her grandmother. She returned the grip on Madam Ji Wu’s hand and smiled: “Jin Chao understands everything.”

Madam Ji Wu smiled: “Good, as long as it’s not Madam Feng’s niece marrying in. I just took a look at that Cheng Baozhi earlier; she’s truly shabby, wearing several bracelets on her wrist, not afraid of breaking them…” She added, “You clever girl, to think of such an idea. Madam Feng truly has suffering she cannot express!”

After chatting for a while, Madam Ji Wu had matters to attend to in Tongzhou and returned by carriage.

By evening, someone from the east wing came with a message: Madam Feng wanted Gu Jin Chao to visit.

Gu Jin Chao changed into a thick winter jacket and went to the east wing. She saw that not only had she been summoned, but her younger sisters from the Fourth House were also there. The Second Madam was sitting beside Madam Feng, while the Fifth Madam, cradling the sleeping Eleventh Miss, was gently patting her and talking with the Second Madam.

Cheng Baozhi stood on Madam Feng’s other side, her eyes red from crying.

Gu Jin Chao noticed she was missing a kingfisher feather and gold hairpin she usually wore, and her face looked much more haggard.

Madam Feng pointed to an embroidered stool for her to sit on. Her expression was bland, showing neither joy nor sorrow as she counted the prayer beads in her hand and said: “Jin Chao knows that your grandmother visited this afternoon. She has arranged a marriage for your father with the Third Miss of Commissioner Xu’s family. When she marries, she will be the stepmother to your sisters. You should prepare yourselves. After your father completes his mourning in May, the wedding will be set for June…”

Gu Lan showed slight surprise and glanced at Cheng Baozhi. Gu Xi and Gu Yi looked toward Gu Jin Chao, as their eldest sister was their main pillar of support.

Cheng Baozhi bit her lip without speaking, but tears flowed down her face.

Madam Feng pretended not to notice and continued to stare at Gu Jin Chao: “Jin Chao, you are the legitimate daughter of the Fourth House. You must be accommodating in all matters. In a few days, Grandmother will go to see Third Miss Xu. You should talk with your sisters about showing respect to your stepmother when she arrives. You must not offend her…”

She hoped to discern something from Gu Jin Chao’s expression, but apart from the initial surprise, Gu Jin Chao simply responded respectfully with agreement, as if she knew nothing. She showed no sadness or anger at Madam Feng’s words.

Madam Feng felt like she was punching cotton, and grew more confused. Madam Ji Wu had suddenly arranged a marriage for Gu Dezhao, and there had to be more to it. Even if Madam Ji Wu had helped, she couldn’t believe that Gu Jin Chao hadn’t been involved in planning this.

Madam Feng couldn’t help recalling when Gu Lian came of age and she wanted Gu Jin Chao to take her place, with Gu Jin Chao threatening suicide.

…This granddaughter of hers was truly no ordinary person!

Gu Jin Chao knew Madam Feng suspected her, but since everything had proceeded naturally, Madam Feng’s suspicions were useless.

She calmly responded to Madam Feng’s words.

Having finished her instructions, Madam Feng felt quite tired and dismissed everyone.

After everyone left, Cheng Baozhi knelt, hugged Madam Feng’s legs, and cried: “Aunt, now that you’ve decided this, what am I to do…” Madam Feng suddenly arranging a different marriage for Gu Dezhao was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for her. Before this, she had already made plans for what she would do after marrying Gu Dezhao and becoming the mistress of the Gu family. Everything had seemed so wonderful, but now, a sure thing was slipping away!

Madam Feng had her travel from Jiangxi, only to have Gu Dezhao marry someone else. Wasn’t that making a fool of her?

She wasn’t willing to accept this!