News of the Yao family breaking the engagement quickly spread throughout the entire Gu household.
All the maids serving Madam Feng suddenly feared for themselves. Everyone knew how much Madam Feng had valued this marriage alliance, and now that the Yao family had suddenly broken the engagement, who knew how humiliated and angered she would be!
Everyone served her with trepidation, but after several days, they discovered that not only had Madam Feng’s mood not worsened, it had improved considerably. When Cui Huan, who served her, accidentally broke Madam Feng’s favorite celadon-glazed bean-green vase, Madam Feng merely reprimanded her lightly, without even ordering her to kneel as punishment.
Moreover, Madam Feng called Gu De Zhao over again and spoke to him very gently: “…Regarding the betrothal gifts for the Xu family, mother was wrong. Let’s increase the betrothal gifts to thirty-six chests, and add four pure gold ruyi scepters to top the chests. What do you think?”
The mere thought of connecting with the Chen family of Wanping made Madam Feng’s heart soar. A little money was nothing—let the Xu family have it. Once the second branch aligned with Third Master Chen, Gu De Zhao would have reason to be envious!
Gu De Zhao was shocked by Madam Feng’s behavior.
When the Second Madam heard about the Yao family breaking the engagement, her feelings were complicated. Madam Feng had quietly told her the inside story, instructing her not to tell anyone else. Connecting with the Chen family of Wanping would certainly be advantageous, and once Gu Lian married into that family, she would immediately hold the rank of a second-grade madam—such glory would far surpass being the son of Grand Secretary Yao. But marrying Grand Secretary Chen, no matter how good, still meant being a second wife…
They knew Yao Wen Xiu well. But what about this Grand Secretary Chen? Why had he taken a particular interest in their Gu Lian?
Most importantly, Gu Lian had her heart set on Yao Wen Xiu. She had been looking forward to marrying him ever since their engagement.
Thinking of how unhesitatingly Madam Feng had agreed to Madam Yao’s proposal, the Second Madam couldn’t help but feel a chill in her heart.
When Gu Lian learned about the Yao family breaking the engagement, she was indeed thunderstruck.
She collapsed on the kang bed, clutching the Second Madam’s sleeve and murmuring: “Mother, how could the Yao family break the engagement? How could he fall for another woman? Mother, I don’t believe it!” She sobbed, “I want to see him, to get a clear answer! I’ve been looking forward to marrying him all this time, how could he just reject me like this? I must get to the bottom of this… How could he bear to humiliate me so…”
Looking at Gu Lian’s devastated state, the Second Madam both pitied her for suffering such humiliation and felt somewhat disappointed in her lack of self-respect.
A girl should have self-respect and self-love. Behaving like this in front of Yao Wen Xiu would only make him despise her. If Yao Wen Xiu truly had fallen for someone else and wanted to break their engagement, and Gu Lian still behaved this way, she would only become a laughingstock!
Seeing Gu Lian crying so hard she could barely breathe, the Second Madam could only sigh and hold her tightly in her arms.
Gu Lian clung to her mother’s neck, crying even more bitterly: “Mother, after such humiliation, how can I ever hold my head up in front of others! What advantages do I have over the other girls now…” She had always prided herself on her engagement, looking down on the likes of Gu Jin Chao, believing their futures were simply different. Now that her only advantage was about to disappear, she felt both panicked and frightened, fearing that Gu Jin Chao would lord it over her.
The Second Madam patted her back: “Silly child, you just don’t understand. Your grandmother agreed to the broken engagement because she wants something better for you. You’ll only have more advantages over them.”
Gu Lian felt as if the sky had fallen. She didn’t understand what the Second Madam was saying. After clutching her mother’s clothes and crying for a while, she said: “Mother, I want to speak with Grandmother. I want to see Young Master Yao and clarify everything…”
Knowing that Gu Lian usually listened to her grandmother, the Second Madam nodded in agreement. Madam Feng would surely be able to persuade Gu Lian.
Gu Lan heard about this matter the next morning.
A copper basin of water with just four or five drops of fragrance oil made it incredibly aromatic. Gu Lan liked to wash her face with such water. After washing, she would carry a subtle fragrance all day. She had just opened the fine-necked blue and white porcelain bottle with intertwined branch patterns, preparing to add fragrance oil, when she heard Mu Jin mention this matter.
She almost knocked over the fragrance bottle.
“Is this true?” She found it hard to believe.
Mu Jin said: “Absolutely true. I heard it from the sweeping woman in the East Wing Courtyard.”
Gu Lan steadied herself against the tall table and slowly sat down on the large kang bed.
Seeing her mistress so disturbed, Mu Jin asked with confusion: “Miss, what’s wrong…”
Gu Lan waved her hand: “Go fetch me a bowl of warm cinnamon water.”
Learning that the Yao family had broken the engagement, beyond shock, she naturally felt delighted. But upon further reflection, she felt somewhat uncomfortable. Madam Yao said they were breaking the engagement because Young Master Yao had taken a fancy to someone else, but who had he fallen for… to the extent of breaking an engagement for her!
Gu Lan clutched her embroidered handkerchief tightly. In his last letter to her, Young Master Yao had mentioned his studies at the Imperial Academy, how a classmate of his was married, and how his wife would send him things every month. But the one who sent him things was her…
She had blushed profusely when she read that.
Gu Lan felt that Yao Wen Xiu must have some feelings for her, but it was impossible that these feelings would lead him to break his engagement with the Gu family. If she wanted to be with him, she would certainly need to plan carefully… Now that Gu Lian’s engagement to him was ending, did she have a chance?
After thinking randomly for a while, Gu Lan drank the warm cinnamon water that Mu Jin brought her, then went to attend to Madam Feng.
Before the sky was completely bright, Gu Lian came to find Madam Feng.
Gu Lan had expected Madam Feng to be less affectionate toward Gu Lian than before, but to her surprise, Madam Feng immediately pulled Gu Lian to sit on the arhat bed, saying with great tenderness: “Lian’s eyes are so swollen, my poor granddaughter!” She held Gu Lian close and instructed Gu Lan, “Go to the small kitchen and bring two boiled eggs.”
Gu Lan agreed and left, but felt puzzled. Madam Feng’s behavior… seemed to indicate she valued Gu Lian even more!
After Gu Lan left, Gu Lian began to sob to Madam Feng.
Madam Feng comfortingly patted her back, saying softly: “Silly child, what use is it to find him? If he doesn’t want to marry you, we naturally have someone better. Grandmother watched you grow up and cared for you deeply. I would never push you into a fire pit.”
Gu Lian looked at Madam Feng in confusion, whispering: “Grandmother, after such humiliation, how could there be anyone better… Even Cousin Jin Chao will look down on me. With no one proposing to me, I’ll surely end up just like her.”
Gu Lian was indeed still young and didn’t understand. Madam Feng sighed and explained: “The reason the Yao family gave for breaking the engagement is disadvantageous to them. And when Madam Yao came to our manor, she didn’t dare put on any airs—do you know why?”
How could Gu Lian know?
Madam Feng smiled: “There’s something behind this. Someone is pressuring them! Just listen to your grandmother and you won’t go wrong. Grandmother will ensure you marry with great pomp and splendor, and to a family better and more prosperous than the Yao family… You child, you don’t understand yet. In the future, not just in the Gu family… anywhere you go, you’ll walk with such authority that no one will dare disrespect you!”
Gu Lian was even more confused, and Madam Feng continued: “Yao Wen Xiu isn’t necessarily good. He doesn’t even have a degree yet. What if he never becomes an official? The Yao family has several legitimate brothers, and the eldest Young Master Yao is already a two-board graduate. If Yao Wen Xiu doesn’t pass the provincial examination, he’ll be nothing in the Yao family, and you’ll suffer if you marry him! It’s better to marry someone who already has a degree…” Madam Feng persuaded Gu Lian for quite some time, telling her that who she married wasn’t the most important thing—what mattered was status and glory. Listening to this, Gu Lian gradually stopped crying.
Gu Lian had never thought about these things, and no one had ever discussed them with her.
She did like Yao Wen Xiu, but it wasn’t as if she would die without him.
But thinking about not marrying Young Master Yao, especially the reason being that he had taken a fancy to someone else, Gu Lian still felt heartbroken. Now, hearing her grandmother’s words, it seemed she could marry even better, making Yao Wen Xiu insignificant in comparison. She couldn’t help but ask: “Grandmother if I don’t marry Young Master Yao… who would I marry?”
Madam Feng stroked her hair and smiled: “Naturally someone infinitely better than him. Just set your mind at ease. Your future will only be better!”
Surely Grandmother wouldn’t harm her.
Gu Lian felt somewhat hesitant, but after thinking for a moment, she decided not to seek out Young Master Yao. What would it mean if she went to find him like this?
Thinking about it now, Gu Lian suddenly felt that her grandmother’s words made sense. Who could guarantee that Yao Wen Xiu would succeed in his scholarly pursuits?
She wondered who Grandmother wanted her to marry.
A rare heavy rain fell in late spring, engulfing the Forbidden City.
Third Master Chen stood beneath a pavilion watching the vast rain. Behind him was the red-lacquered, copper-riveted palace door of the Huangji Hall, with Imperial Guards standing at attention every two steps, solemn and dignified. Hu Rong held a cloak, loyally standing behind him as the heavy rain poured and the wind blew.
The white marble steps were high, offering a view of the distant Wucheng Pavilion and Wenzhao Pavilion. He Wen Xin, the Vice Grand Secretary, was ascending the steps. Behind him, an aide held an oil paper umbrella. He Wen Xin was over sixty; he had previously been honored for his work on drought relief, and the late emperor had bestowed upon him the honorary title of Junior Preceptor. He wore a right-closing robe with a round collar and crane insignia, complemented by a jade belt. Before even approaching, he cupped his hands to Chen Yan Yun with a smile: “Master Chen is in good spirits.”
Chen Yan Yun returned the gesture and smiled: “I simply have nothing to do.” He spoke slowly, yet gave an indescribable sense of pressure.
He Wen Xin thought of how Chen Yan Yun had stood tall on the stone steps earlier, hands behind his back, silent yet composed.
At just thirty years old, he was already approaching the pinnacle of power.
He Wen Xin felt that if he were Zhang Ju Lian, he would certainly deeply fear such a man. Even with his gentle nature and good temper, he couldn’t disguise how he had stepped over corpses on his path to power.
He Wen Xin felt he was too old now, unable to compete with these people anymore. Though honored as Vice Grand Secretary, he was quite isolated in the Grand Secretariat. But regardless, he had no desire to offend Chen Yan Yun, so he said: “Then this old man will go ahead. Master Chen, please take your time.”
Third Master Chen smiled and gestured with an empty hand, and He Wen Xin adjusted the hem of his official robe before entering Huangji Hall.
At this moment, Chen Yi approached from the distance, wearing a straw rain cape and a bamboo hat. After reaching Chen Yan Yun’s side, he slightly lowered his head and said softly: “Third Master, everything has been arranged. The carriage sent to Daxing has departed, and Lord Wang’s confidant is probably rushing here now.”
Chen Yan Yun made a sound of acknowledgment: “…Wait at Wucheng Pavilion first.” After a pause, he began walking toward Huangji Hall.