Gu Jin Chao encountered Ji Yao walking toward her on the path to the outer courtyard.
Dawn was just breaking, and Gu Jin Chao noticed snow on his black hair and collar. His lips had lost their color from the cold.
Upon seeing Gu Jin Chao approach, Ji Yao stood still and watched her.
Jin Chao stepped forward and asked, “Second Cousin, why are you here?”
She frowned, and without waiting for Ji Yao’s answer, continued, “In such heavy snow… has something happened to Grandmother?”
The only reason she could imagine Ji Yao braving the heavy snow was for Madam Ji Wu. Gu Jin Chao’s heart sank. Grandmother was getting old; could she have suddenly… No, that shouldn’t be the case. In her previous life, Grandmother had been perfectly fine at this time!
Ji Yao looked at her and smiled.
Jin Chao wore a white fox fur cape, her face nestled in the fluffy collar, with a rabbit fur hat on her head. Her face was as white as jade, her autumn-water eyes reflecting the dim light of the snowy day. She appeared peaceful yet slightly confused.
He had rushed here so urgently just to see if she was well. Seeing her now, he felt his heart settle.
“Grandmother is fine,” he said. “Cousin Jin Chao, I’ve come for another matter I need to discuss with you.”
Since her grandmother was fine, Gu Jin Chao was relieved.
She invited Ji Yao to the warm pavilion to sit, as they couldn’t talk in the falling snow.
Jin Chao had Cai Fu bring hot tea for Ji Yao. The pavilion was not only warm, but also had several camellia flowers arranged in the corner, elegant as spring. Ji Yao drank his tea in silence, which made Jin Chao suspicious. If nothing was wrong with Grandmother, why had Ji Yao come through such wind and snow?
Gu Jin Chao noticed his black hair was wet with melted snow. His hands holding the teacup remained pale, the veins on the back of his hands slightly raised.
After a moment of silence, Ji Yao said, “Cousin Jin Chao, I heard about Madam Wang coming to propose marriage on behalf of Wang Zan.” He paused, then continued, “A man like Wang Zan is not someone you should marry. If the Gu family wants you to marry him, they would be violating all principles.”
Had news of the proposal reached Tongzhou already? Gu Jin Chao thought this impossible; most likely Grandmother had people watching her all along. She certainly wouldn’t marry Wang Zan, but why had Ji Yao come to tell her this? What was his intention?
Perhaps Grandmother was concerned about her marriage and had sent Ji Yao specifically?
She should distance Ji Yao from this matter; her marriage shouldn’t keep involving him.
Jin Chao nodded and said, “I understand what the Second Cousin is saying, but marriage matters are for the Father and Grandmother to consider. You needn’t worry…”
Ji Yao looked at her, his voice low and urgent: “Are they planning to marry you to the Wang family’s son… Someone like Old Lady Gu certainly won’t care how you fare after marriage!” The words turned over and over in his mind before he suddenly blurted out, “Don’t rely on them. I will marry you.”
Gu Jin Chao was stunned.
Ji Yao became resolute: “I will marry you, then you won’t have to marry Wang Zan. And no one will gossip about you anymore.”
He had braved such heavy snow from Tongzhou to Daxing just to tell her “I will marry you”?
Gu Jin Chao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Ji Yao even knew about Madam Wang’s proposal to her. Coming so urgently must mean that Grandmother had learned of Madam Wang’s proposal and, fearing she would be mistreated, had sent Ji Yao to propose. This wasn’t necessary.
After a moment, she said, “Second Cousin, don’t be hasty. I understand everything. You’re constrained by Grandmother; this proposal is likely made reluctantly.” Back when she was disciplining the estate manager at the country manor, Ji Yao wouldn’t even help her, so how could he want to marry her now? “You don’t need to feel obligated. I’ll personally explain this to Grandmother. Don’t worry about Wang Zan either; the Gu family has no intention of accepting that proposal.”
Ji Yao smiled slightly: “Cousin Jin Chao, you’ve misunderstood.”
Originally he had been unwilling to marry Gu Jin Chao, but now that he had come to propose, Gu Jin Chao was unwilling to accept.
He had anticipated this reaction but wasn’t anxious at all. He told her, “If I were unwilling, I would have found an inn when the heavy snow started and come tomorrow morning instead. I braved the wind and snow because I wanted to tell you first.”
Ji Yao smiled at her, looking at her in a way he never had before.
Earnest and full of tenderness.
His meaning now… was he saying he voluntarily wanted to marry her? Gu Jin Chao was surprised by her conjecture.
She had seen such a look from him before. In her previous life, when he looked at the Yongyang Baron’s fourth daughter, he had the same expression.
The Baron’s fourth daughter, holding their infant child, had talked to her about making a new silk-embroidered jacket for the baby. Ji Yao hadn’t even glanced at her; he gazed at his wife and child with complete contentment.
Gu Jin Chao felt confused. In this lifetime, she had been reborn, and Ji Yao had never met the Baron’s fourth daughter. Why was Ji Yao willing to marry her now? What about the Baron’s fourth daughter? What about his child?
These people and events had never existed, had never happened.
Before she could say anything, Ji Yao stood up: “The day after tomorrow, the matchmaker Grandmother invited will come to propose. It would be improper to see you again before then, so I must leave now. After your mourning period ends, I will marry you.”
He didn’t wait for Gu Jin Chao to speak before lifting the curtain and walking out of the warm room.
Gu Jin Chao was dumbfounded—he hadn’t given her any chance to respond. By the time she stood up and went outside, Ji Yao had already left the courtyard. A line of diagonal footprints in the snow was quickly being covered by the falling snow.
Gu Jin Chao returned to the warm pavilion, staring blankly at the snow outside the lattice window. The maids had already risen and were sweeping the accumulated snow off the steps, coming and going between the western wing and the small kitchen, busy lighting stoves and heating water. Day had fully broken, but the snow hadn’t stopped.
Gu Jin Chao was thinking about Ji Yao’s matter. She hadn’t expected that Ji Yao genuinely wanted to marry her.
If she were to marry, Ji Yao would naturally be the best choice. His character was excellent, and after marrying him, she would have Grandmother’s protection, ensuring her safety and security. But she was reluctant to separate him from his wife in the previous life… There was always a gap in her heart, feeling that Ji Yao should be the husband of the Baron’s fourth daughter, her cousin-in-law. In her previous life, even when she was destitute, he often had his wife check on her.
But if this life started anew, and Ji Yao had never met the Baron’s fourth daughter, did those past events still count?
Gu Jin Chao hesitated. If not Ji Yao, who else would be suitable?
Ji Yao had braved such wind and snow to come; how could she refuse such sincerity? Besides, even if she could refuse, what about Grandmother? What about Father?
In her two lifetimes, she had faced such dilemmas too many times.
Gu De Zhao told Madam Feng about Ji Yao’s desire to marry Gu Jin Chao.
Madam Feng was overjoyed: “…Fortunately we didn’t agree to the Wang family’s proposal!” Though there were tensions between the Gu and Ji families, she would be happy if Gu Jin Chao could marry Ji Yao. The Ji family’s status was certainly not inferior, with Ji’s elder brother holding the fifth rank position of Deputy Magistrate. What was the Wang family compared to that!
If this marriage could be arranged, they could also use the opportunity to mend relations with the Ji family.
Establishing connections with the Ji family would be beneficial for the Gu family. Not to mention, their business would improve considerably…
With these thoughts, Madam Feng found the match perfect!
On the third day, when the Baroness of Yongyang arrived, Madam Feng received her in the reception hall. The Baroness wore a light purple, orchid-embroidered, pink-edged vest with a dark blue pleated skirt, and a pure gold hairpin inlaid with purple gems—elegant yet dignified. Her speech was also very gentle, explaining the marriage proposal in just a few sentences.
“…Your sister and I are old friends, and as neighbors to the Gu family, I’ve watched Zhao’er grow up. I presume I can speak more freely, so I’ve taken the liberty of acting as a matchmaker. The Ji family’s second son is Zhao’er’s cousin; there’s nothing to criticize about him. He’s virtuous and talented, with a clean personal life—not even a bedchamber maid. Our Zhao’er has a gentle and modest temperament. Elder Sister is truly blessed with a houseful of children and grandchildren. If you find this match acceptable, I shall convey your response to the Ji family…”
The Baroness spoke with perfect propriety, and Madam Feng listened with satisfaction.
She invited the Baroness to stay for lunch, and in the afternoon, they watched the chrysanthemum terrace and invited the Second and Fifth Madams to join them for card games. Finally, Madam Feng smiled and told the Baroness, “I must consult with my granddaughter first, and will give you an answer in a few days.”
The Baroness returned home very satisfied. Although Madam Feng hadn’t directly accepted the proposal, she felt it was almost certain and had her maid relay the message to Madam Ji Wu.
The Baroness had deliberately followed Madam Ji Wu’s instructions to make the proposal very public, specifically to humiliate the Wang family.
Indeed, within two days, all the noble families in Daxing knew about it, and the news even spread to aristocratic circles in the capital.
Madam Wang was so angry that she smashed her favorite gold-trimmed, powder-colored porcelain teacup at home, declaring she would end her friendship with Madam Song: “…Look at what she’s done! I had just gone to propose, and immediately someone else rushed to their door. Isn’t this a slap in my face? How can our Zan face anyone now!” She continued indignantly, “That Ji family’s second young master must have lost his mind. How could he be interested in Gu Jin Chao? If not for their cousin’s relationship, I doubt this marriage could succeed!”
She no longer mentioned going to the Gu family to await Madam Feng’s response. Madam Wang felt too embarrassed and not only resented the Gu family but also held a grudge against Madam Song.
When Madam Song heard that Ji Yao had gone to the Gu family to propose, she was also extremely surprised.
She immediately clicked her tongue: “This Ji family old lady… she knows how to sacrifice!” The Ji family matriarch must have heard about the Wang family’s proposal and sent her grandson to propose, rescuing Gu Jin Chao from her predicament.
The reporting maid said that Madam Wang had returned a pair of gold-inlaid enamel earrings that she had given her.
Madam Song also felt full of resentment: “That woman… so petty!” Recalling Madam Wang’s dismissive expression when she went to discuss Gu Jin Chao’s marriage, Madam Song couldn’t contain her anger. Despite all her good intentions, Madam Wang had rushed to propose herself—completely brainless! She had squandered such a perfect match! Madam Song told her maid, “Ignore her; such a person will never improve. I had originally wanted to help Miss Lan… Now we can’t get involved in this matter anymore. Let’s just wait and see!”