Madam Feng had the serving woman bring out several desserts—almond crisps, hawthorn lotus root powder cakes, and others.
When the maid brought tea, she accepted it and handed it to Old Madam Chang.
Old Madam Chang had already used this opportunity to size up the Gu household. The Zheng Grand Master’s family and the Chen family were old friends. Old Madam Chang and Old Madam Chen even had a distant relative relationship. When Old Madam Chen visited her yesterday and asked her to help arrange a marriage, Old Madam Chang readily agreed. However, this Gu family… seemed somewhat unsuitable for the Chen family’s status…
The Gu family in Yanjing could at best be considered a second-tier aristocratic family, perhaps even slightly below that. From the moment she entered, she could see that the Gu family’s layout, furnishings, and the maids’ attire were all rather modest. Madam Feng had come to welcome her, especially changing into a long, silk-embroidered auspicious cloud-patterned vest without a single wrinkle.
She had probably prepared it long in advance… Old Madam Chang thought privately.
After accepting the tea, she took a small sip, then placed the cup aside and smiled, saying: “I don’t often interact with Old Madam Gu. It’s rare for me to visit, yet I’m treated so well. I won’t beat around the bush with you. I’ve come to propose marriage for a young lady of your noble house.”
Madam Feng was delighted—she had indeed come to propose on behalf of Third Master Chen!
“Please speak, Madam. I’m listening.” She put down her teacup.
Old Madam Chang smiled kindly and said: “Yesterday, Old Madam Chen entrusted me to come and propose marriage, so today I’ve come to speak with you. The one proposing is Third Master Chen of the Chen family, as you know. He is currently the Minister of Finance and a Grand Secretary of the Eastern Hall. The former Third Madam Chen, née Jiang, passed away more than two years ago. Third Master Chen observed the mourning period for Lady Jiang for two years, showing he is a man of deep feelings and righteousness. Old Madam Gu, do you see any issues with this?”
Since Madam Feng was prepared, she must have known about this matter, so Old Madam Chang didn’t want to speak indirectly. For the Gu family to connect with the Chen family, and with the foremost Third Master Chen at that, was more than just a prestigious match—it was extraordinary. They were about to soar to great heights.
Old Madam Chang believed the Gu family wouldn’t refuse such a marriage proposal, so her tone became much more relaxed.
Madam Feng could hardly restrain herself from grasping Old Madam Chang’s hand and agreeing immediately.
She composed herself for a moment, straightened up, and smiled: “For the Chen family to choose our daughter is our blessing. Perhaps we should consider it for a few days before giving you an answer, Madam. What do you think?”
This was natural—agreeing immediately would make the girl seem too cheap.
Old Madam Chang nodded: “Take your time to consider, Madam. I must return now. When you’ve decided, please send someone to Jiang Xiang district to inform me. However, you should first let your Chao know about this so she can be prepared. Don’t rashly decide without asking for the young lady’s thoughts.”
Old Madam Chen had specifically instructed her to make this clear to the Gu family and to ask if the girl was willing.
Madam Feng smiled and nodded: “Of course…” Her expression suddenly changed. Wait, Old Madam Chang had mentioned Chao.
What did this have to do with Chao?
Madam Feng tentatively asked: “Old Madam Chang, what… what does this have to do with Chao? Is there something you need her to do?”
Old Madam Chang found this puzzling: “I’ve come to propose marriage for your Second Miss Gu, Gu Jin Chao. Seeing that Old Madam Gu was well-prepared, I thought you already knew.”
Madam Feng was stunned for a long while.
How could it be Gu Jin Chao? Madam Yao had clearly said it was for Gu Lian, and she had even broken off Gu Lian’s engagement because of this.
How could it possibly be Gu Jin Chao? How could Third Master Chen take an interest in her?
Madam Feng was both shocked and confused, her face alternating between pale and flushed, feeling dizzy. Gu Jin Chao… yesterday Gu Lian wanted to take Gu Jin Chao’s maid, and she had half-heartedly helped. She had always looked down on Gu Jin Chao, thinking that marrying a humble scholar or a licentiate would be good enough for her, and had treated her with less respect than Gu Lian. But now she was about to soar and become a phoenix!
Madam Feng’s hands tightly clutched her handkerchief, unable to utter a word.
Noticing her unusual expression, Old Madam Chang gently asked: “Does Old Madam Gu find something inappropriate? Please share your thoughts with me, so I can discuss them with Old Madam Chen.”
Madam Feng finally came to her senses and quickly smiled: “There’s nothing inappropriate. I was just thinking of something else… I see the sun is already high. Perhaps Old Madam Chang could stay for lunch before leaving?”
Old Madam Chang smiled: “I dare not stay longer. I still need to report back to Old Madam Chen.”
After several unsuccessful attempts to detain her, Madam Feng rose to escort Old Madam Chang out.
Upon returning, she collapsed onto the luohan bed. Fu Ling was startled and quickly reached out to support her.
“Old Madam, what’s wrong…”
Madam Feng felt cold on her forehead, and when she touched it, she found it was covered in sweat. It took her a long while to calm down. She said in a low voice: “Quickly go call the Second Daughter-in-law for me!”
The Second Madam soon arrived at the east wing and had a lengthy private conversation with Madam Feng. When she emerged, her face had turned pale.
Madam Feng then sent someone to summon Gu Jin Chao.
Since it wasn’t the time for morning or evening greetings, if Madam Feng was summoning her, it must be for something important. Gu Jin Chao asked Cai Fu to put away her needlework, thinking that since Old Madam Chang had just visited, perhaps Madam Feng wanted to discuss Gu Lian’s affairs with her. But Madam Feng had never sought her out for such matters before.
With curiosity in her heart, she went to the east wing. Madam Feng was sitting on the luohan bed in the western side room with her eyes closed, resting. She greeted Madam Feng with a curtsy. Madam Feng then opened her eyes to look at her.
Jin Chao had never seen Madam Feng look at her like this before as if truly examining her from inside out for the first time. Her gaze was quite peculiar.
Jin Chao thought to herself that today she was wearing a lake-colored branch-patterned vest, a plain-colored skirt, and a slate blue belt… surely she hadn’t dressed inappropriately!
Madam Feng beckoned her to sit beside her, took both her hands, and examined her carefully, smiling as she said: “Today is the first time I’ve truly noticed that our Chao is indeed a peerless beauty.”
Madam Feng had never valued Gu Jin Chao before. She knew she was pretty but had never paid much attention. Now, looking at her from head to toe, she was amazed at how truly beautiful she was. If it were just facial beauty, that would be one thing, but her temperament was as clear as water, calm and gentle. An extremely rare kind of beauty.
Madam Feng felt as if an eagle had pecked out her eyes, to have treated Gu Jin Chao like this before. Had she known of her current fortune… she would have treasured this person in her hands! Now she could only try her best to make amends.
Hearing Madam Feng praise her, Jin Chao felt even more puzzled.
How had the conversation turned to her appearance? In the past, no matter how much Madam Feng praised her, it was only with words like “clever” and “sensible.”
Madam Feng spoke to her softly: “Today, Old Madam Chang came to our mansion to discuss a marriage proposal. Grandmother wants to know your thoughts…”
About Gu Lian’s marriage? Why ask for her opinion?
“You know the Chen family of Wan Ping, don’t you? Old Madam Chang came to propose marriage to you on behalf of Third Master Chen. When your father returns from the government office, I’ll discuss it with him. If you both agree, we can settle this marriage. Grandmother has watched you grow up, and I’m truly reluctant to see you marry. However, this is an excellent match, and we’re the ones benefiting. Although it’s a second marriage, Third Master Chen has just passed thirty years of age and is the Minister of Finance and a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet…” Madam Feng spoke with a sense of awe—such an official position could easily crush the Gu family!
Gu Jin Chao almost thought she had misheard. Who was Old Madam Chang proposing marriage to?
Third Master Chen was proposing to her?
Wasn’t it for Gu Lian?
Seeing her silence, Madam Feng smiled and asked: “What does Chao think… Grandmother thinks it’s quite good. The Chen family still has Second Madam Chen, who is now the family matriarch. If you marry into the Chen family, you won’t have to manage household affairs, nor will you be looked down upon…”
Jin Chao felt her thoughts in turmoil. She couldn’t say a word. Madam Feng didn’t press her, letting Fu Ling escort her out. She told her to rest well and said it wasn’t too late to come back with an answer tomorrow after thinking it through.
Gu Jin Chao sat in her study, wanting to practice calligraphy to calm her mind, but she saw the ink bamboo painting she was copying still on the desk. In Third Master Chen’s painting, several bamboo stalks of varying heights were arranged harmoniously, standing tall and elegant. The brushwork was strong yet rounded, with the bamboo stalks painted in light ink, contrasting with the varying darkness of the bamboo leaves.
She still couldn’t understand why Third Master Chen had proposed to her.
What she didn’t understand in her previous life, she still didn’t understand in this one. Marrying her offered no benefit to Third Master Chen.
She recalled what Third Master Chen had said to her: “You’re so clever, you must understand. Why would I be so kind to someone for no reason…”
A man like him wouldn’t be so kind to someone without reason.
Gu Jin Chao hadn’t written a single word, but the tip of her brush had spread a pool of ink.
She gave a bitter smile. From her current position, marrying Chen Yan Yun would be the best option. He could not only protect her but also protect the Fourth Branch. She was most familiar with the Chen family’s situation, so she wouldn’t make mistakes after marrying into it.
But she had many concerns. The person she least wanted to see was Chen Xuan Qing. Was she going to marry Chen Yan Yun and become his stepmother? She had wronged the Third Master too much in her previous life. If she married him in this life, would she harm him again…
This person was Chen Yan Yun!
Gu Jin Chao simply threw down her brush and exhaled softly: “Qing Pu, bring the small embroidery frame!”
Since she couldn’t write a single good character, she might as well practice embroidery.
Madam Feng, however, couldn’t sit still. She ordered a maid to wait by the screen wall and have Gu De Yuan come to her as soon as he returned. After pacing for a round or two, she still felt uneasy and said to Fu Ling: “Never mind, help me change my clothes. I’ll go wait myself!”
As soon as Gu De Yuan stepped out of his carriage, he saw Madam Feng pacing in front of the screen wall and was quite startled: “Mother, why have you come outside?”
Madam Feng didn’t bother to explain, pulling him along and telling him the matter as they walked.
After hearing it, Gu De Yuan also found it incredible, his expression turning sour: “How could it be Gu Jin Chao! What was the Yao family doing? Why did they tell us it was for Lian… and even broke off her engagement!”
Madam Feng shook her head. She also found this strange!
“Breaking off the engagement with Lian doesn’t benefit them either! I suppose they must have misheard something… Now the Fourth Branch has good fortune. Judging from Old Madam Chang’s manner, I fear Third Master Chen had set his sights on this marriage long ago…”
With this marriage, the Fourth Branch would be completely transformed.