Shortly after, a young maid from Madam Feng’s side came to deliver a message, asking Gu Jinchao to visit Madam Feng.
Jinchao changed her clothes and freshened up before heading to the east wing.
Madam Feng had set up a table in the flower hall. Gu Lan, the Second Madam, and the Fifth Madam were all present. Madam Song wore a jacket of dark patterned satin, a pair of gold filigree earrings set with yellow beryl, and a hairpin indicating mourning for the Emperor. Madam Song had always been one who enjoyed dressing luxuriously, so this was already considered modest for her.
Gu Lan was no longer wearing yesterday’s light pink satin jacket but instead, a thin, plain upper garment, standing beside Madam Feng. Her eyes contained tears, but her face wore a smile.
After Song Xiang announced her, Madam Feng beckoned Jinchao over, smiling as she said to Madam Song: “…Here comes Jinchao!”
Jinchao walked over in a few steps, paid her respects to everyone, and Madam Feng pulled her to her side. “Ordinarily, Jinchao and Lan’er are the best of friends, so I’ve also asked her to come pay her respects to you.” She then said to Jinchao, “Your second sister’s maternal grandmother rarely visits. She has brought many things for you girls, which will be delivered to each of you later.”
Jinchao felt that Madam Feng was being overly enthusiastic. Even if Madam Song held a fourth-rank title, there was no need for Madam Feng to be so eager to please her. Looking at Madam Song’s attire, although she was observing national mourning, she wore gold filigree earrings set with yellow beryl, and the pattern on her dark satin was of peacocks… These were ornaments belonging to a third-rank title!
Jinchao remembered that before the Emperor’s death, Minister An had retired, leaving the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review vacant. Now, Lord Song had likely successfully taken this position. No wonder Madam Song had the confidence to come to the Gu family. Lord Song was now the third-rank Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, someone whom Minister Chen intended to promote. Who would dare look down on their family?
Madam Song detested Gu Jinchao in her heart and had no intention of showing her a pleasant face. Without mentioning Jinchao at all, she spoke to Madam Feng: “…Lan’er has always been timid by nature. I find this temperament quite problematic—how would she cope if others tried to bully her? I heard that Third Madam Cao has also come to the Gu family, intending to propose a marriage between Lan’er and the eldest young master of the Mu family. Surely Old Madam Gu hasn’t agreed? What kind of person is this eldest young master Mu? Wouldn’t marrying him harm our Lan’er?”
Madam Feng had, in fact, already discussed with the Second Madam that they would agree to this match once an official matchmaker arrived.
Hearing Madam Song’s words now, she could only reluctantly say: “Of course, we wouldn’t do that! But Lan’er has already turned fifteen and isn’t engaged yet. I’m anxious about this…”
Madam Song smiled: “I can see how much Old Madam Gu cherishes Lan’er.”
And indeed she could see—in this cold weather, Gu Lan didn’t even have a padded jacket to wear. She had also lost quite a bit of weight, which pained Madam Song deeply.
“…If it were someone more formidable, they would certainly find fault with Lan’er’s etiquette or attire. They might even use this to create trouble and punish Lan’er by making her do rough work!” Madam Song’s words were alluding to something, and the Second Madam’s face immediately darkened.
But Madam Feng was unaware of the issues between the Second Madam and Gu Lan, thinking that Madam Song was merely joking.
Madam Song had servants bring in a package: “I heard that Old Madam Gu enjoys Buddhist worship, so I thought of bringing you a Maitreya Buddha statue made of old mountain sandalwood.”
When the silk cover was removed, everyone saw an exquisitely carved Buddha statue. The luster of the old mountain sandalwood, with its smooth grain, probably took several decades to develop such a shine. Buddha statues made of sandalwood were easy to obtain, but pieces made from such old material were rare.
Madam Feng was delighted. She had a string of prayer beads made from old mountain sandalwood that she treasured too much to wear. She hadn’t expected Madam Song to give her such a fine gift! Smiling with gratitude, she had the servants put it away.
Madam Song continued: “My visit to see Lan’er isn’t just about bringing gifts. Our lord is now on good terms with Minister Chen, who has been promoted to Minister of Revenue. He thought of introducing Secretary Gu to Minister Chen, as knowing him would certainly benefit Secretary Gu’s career. Unfortunately, Secretary Gu isn’t at home today, so I can only ask Old Madam Gu to convey these words… I would also like to sit with Lan’er for a while and have a heart-to-heart talk. Since her mother’s incident, our grandmother and granddaughter haven’t had a chance to be close.”
Madam Feng nodded repeatedly, pulling Gu Lan’s hand for the first time and smiling as she said: “…Accompany your maternal grandmother well! She rarely visits.”
Afterward, Madam Feng had everyone leave but specifically retained the Second Madam for a talk.
Gu Jinchao then returned to Yanxiu Hall.
Madam Song’s visit had a very clear purpose—to provide backing for Gu Lan.
But letting others know that Gu Lan had her as a maternal grandmother was not enough. She also dangled a huge benefit for the Gu family: a path to promotion for Gu Dezhao. The Gu family’s grandfather had once reached the third rank as an Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince and was posthumously honored with the title of Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince, a second rank. That was when the Gu family was at the height of its glory. Now, Second Master Gu was merely a fourth-rank Supervising Censor, overseeing the Five Districts Surveillance Office. The Five Districts Surveillance Office had its own Five Districts Military Command, which reported to the Ministry of War. Second Master Gu’s position was somewhat nominal.
Fifth Master Gu was even less significant—if not for the Fifth Madam, he would have no presence in the Gu family at all.
Madam Feng was focused on the family’s honor and glory. She couldn’t count on Second Master Gu anymore and originally had no hope for Gu Dezhao after the incident with Prince Yanping. But now, seeing that the Song family had connected with the Chen family if Gu Dezhao could establish a relationship with Third Master Chen, wouldn’t he be able to rise to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue? That was a third-rank official with real power!
With Madam Song bringing such news, how could Madam Feng not be tempted?
Gu Jinchao pondered for a long time. If the Song family could truly benefit her father’s career, she naturally wouldn’t say anything. But in her previous life, Concubine Song had even become her father’s principal wife, yet had Lord Song ever helped her father seek official positions? Lord Song was unlike Madam Song; he was a shrewd and intelligent man. He had long seen that her father lacked capability and wouldn’t possibly help him make connections.
Perhaps… these words were entirely fabricated by Madam Song, simply to secure a place for Gu Lan.
However, she still couldn’t discern what Gu Lan wanted to do. With Madam Song’s backing, she would certainly seek a more advantageous position for herself. But as long as Gu Lan didn’t target her, Gu Jinchao wouldn’t interfere.
Gu Jinchao thought for a moment, then personally went to the small kitchen to make several desserts for Madam Feng, sending them to the east wing with Cai Fu.
Meanwhile, as soon as Madam Song entered the Yixiang Courtyard, Gu Yi naturally came out to pay her respects. A row of maids and matrons knelt.
Madam Song, followed by servants carrying gifts, glanced at everyone with her triangular eyes, then slowly asked: “Which maids and matrons are yours?”
Gu Lan pointed out Mu Jin, Chun Jiang, and Chun Xi.
Madam Song felt a pain in her ribs from anger. Even at her worst, Gu Lan was still a young lady of the Gu family! Gu Yi, also a daughter of a concubine, had four maids and two matrons. Gu Lan’s status was even higher than Gu Yi’s, yet she had only three maids to serve her, two of whom were only nine or ten years old!
The Gu family was too much!
Madam Song called out loudly: “All of Lan’er’s maids, I have rewards for you!” A nanny immediately stepped forward and gave out high-quality red envelopes. Gu Yi, watching from the side, felt displeased but said nothing. After Madam Song and Gu Lan went inside, she instructed one of her maids: “…Pretend to sweep the corridor and go to the main hall… listen to whatever you can.”
That clever maid picked up a broom and began sweeping the corridor leading to the main hall.
Gu Lan’s two maids opened their red envelopes and sat in the corridor, joyfully counting their money, not noticing the little maid.
Inside the room, Madam Song and Gu Lan embraced and wept bitterly. When Madam Song first heard that her daughter had miscarried and gone mad, she had been heartbroken night after night. Yet Lord Song had prevented her from coming to the Gu family. She had heard various accounts of Gu Lan’s situation, which pained her even more.
With her daughter in such a state and her dear granddaughter—she couldn’t even stand up for her. She had to watch helplessly as Gu Jinchao, Old Madam Gu, and others bullied her. They even wanted to marry her to that fool Mu Zhidai to seek connections. Absolutely not!
When Madam Song finally learned of this, she couldn’t help but have a major confrontation with Lord Song. Only then did he compromise and allow her to visit Gu Lan.
Upon seeing her, Madam Song was truly shocked. Gu Lan, a proper young lady, was dressed less well than the maids beside Madam Feng. Her room was so remote, and she had to share it with Gu Yi. It seemed that only Mu Jin was truly able to serve her.
After expressing much sympathy for Gu Lan, Gu Lan wiped her tears and asked with a smile: “With Grandmother here to see me, I’m not afraid of them anymore… Did Grandfather say anything about your visit this time?”
Madam Song shook her head: “With your grandfather’s temperament, I don’t even want to talk about him. He was unwilling… Those words about helping your father connect with Minister Chen were my own. I was afraid that after I left, they would look down on you, so this way you would always have something to rely on.”
Gu Lan felt somewhat disappointed. When she heard Madam Song’s words earlier, she had thought they didn’t sound like something her grandfather would say.
Madam Song took her hand again and smiled: “Don’t be afraid. If you want to deal with Gu Jinchao and secure things for yourself, do you know what the best method is?”
Gu Lan had thought of many approaches, but when it came to effective methods, she was somewhat at a loss.
Madam Song said meaningfully: “Think of it this way: whenever a stepmother enters the door, she deeply resents the children left by the original principal wife. If we find a proud-spirited woman to be your father’s new wife, I think she would torment Gu Jinchao to death.”
Gu Lan hesitated: “But… I certainly know all this, yet I don’t know how to go about it.”
Madam Song shook her head: “Why should you do anything… I will naturally help you.”
She then brought up Gu Lan’s marriage prospects: “…You are now a daughter of a concubine. Even if you don’t marry Mu Zhidai, you can’t marry into a good family. Moreover, with the rumors from the Mu family preceding you, it would be even more difficult. Your grandmother can help you with everything else, but this—I don’t know what to do…”
Gu Lan also felt momentarily despondent, but she quickly smiled: “What do I have to fear? Speaking of reputation, Gu Jinchao’s is several times worse than mine, and now she’s the eldest daughter in mourning. I still have people proposing marriage to me, but she doesn’t even have a single suitor!”
Hearing Gu Lan says this, Madam Song felt a moment of hesitation. Speaking of Gu Jinchao’s marriage prospects…
She had a good idea in mind.