As soon as Gu Dezhao returned, he was summoned to the eastern wing without even having time to change out of his official robes.

Considering that Madam Feng had never called for him with such urgency before, he assumed it must be an emergency and walked quickly. When he arrived at the eastern wing, however, Madam Feng invited him to sit and drink tea. Gu Dezhao was indeed quite thirsty and began drinking immediately after removing the lid. Madam Feng took this opportunity to explain how Third Master Chen had proposed marriage to Gu Jinchao.

Gu Dezhao spat out a mouthful of tea.

Madam Feng quickly handed him a handkerchief, saying, “Drink slowly!”

Gu Dezhao looked at Madam Feng in bewilderment and asked, “Mother, is it… Third Master Chen? Did you hear correctly?”

Madam Feng smiled, “How could I mishear something like this? Our daughter Chao is truly blessed!”

His direct superior wants to become his son-in-law.

Gu Dezhao felt a cold sweat breaking out. Although he was ten years older than Third Master Chen, the man’s position was far superior, and he hardly dared to breathe in his presence, always speaking with extreme caution. Now he was about to become Third Master Chen’s father-in-law…

No, wait… how had his thoughts jumped to becoming a father-in-law? He hadn’t agreed to this yet!

Gu Dezhao finally composed himself, deciding it was better not to put down his teacup. After clearing his throat, he said, “Mother, we need to consider this matter carefully. While Third Master Chen is certainly a good match, this situation is truly strange. How did he come to notice our daughter Chao? Have they even met? Given Third Master Chen’s status, he could marry anyone he wished. Besides, this would be a second marriage, and I don’t want our daughter to suffer…”

Madam Feng felt her son was being obtuse: “What suffering are you talking about? If she marries Master Chen, she’ll have protection and won’t need to manage Chen’s household affairs. Master Chen already has two sons and a daughter, all grown up, so she won’t need to raise young children. If Master Chen renders meritorious service to the court in the future, she could even receive an imperial title… What an honor that would be! Isn’t that much more reliable than those impoverished scholars you’re considering?”

Gu Dezhao frowned.

He had already wronged Ji Shi, and he absolutely would not harm their daughter.

“Mother, I won’t say anything more about this. It all depends on Chao’s decision. If Chao agrees, I have no objection… but if she shows even the slightest reluctance, I absolutely will not consent to this marriage!” Gu Dezhao declared firmly.

Madam Feng was inwardly furious. This fourth Gu was truly wooden-headed! When he made up his mind, he was incredibly stubborn, though such occasions were rare. The second household was still hoping eagerly, and now that the opportunity had fallen to him, he was acting as if he could take it or leave it.

“Have you not considered that Master Chen is the Minister of Revenue, while you’re merely a minor official in the same ministry? If you reject him and cause him to lose face, how can things go well for you in the future? How can things go well for our Gu family?” Madam Feng was so angry her hands were trembling.

Gu Dezhao remembered how Third Master Chen had helped him considerably in the Daxing granary matter, even saving his life, and felt somewhat guilty. Though he should repay this debt, he would willingly rush into fire and water himself, but he would never offer up his daughter! He said, “Don’t try to persuade me and don’t pressure Chao either… just let Chao decide for herself. Whatever she says, I’ll support!”

After speaking, Gu Dezhao left, leaving Madam Feng furious. She felt that everyone in the fourth household was abnormal!

…

After proposing at the Gu household, Old Madam Chang took her carriage to Wanping. Old Madam Chen invited her into the western side room to talk.

Old Madam Chang smiled, “Don’t worry, elder sister. There’s certainly no problem! The Gu family should consider this marriage proposal a blessing!”

Hearing this, Old Madam Chen felt relieved and invited Old Madam Chang to stay for dinner.

When her son returned from court, Old Madam Chen brought a maid to see him.

Chen Yan’yun was listening to Chen Yi’s report on the Yao family’s affairs: “…Yao Ping and Wang Xuanfan have now fallen out, but the news of the broken engagement hasn’t spread. If it were to spread, it would be a laughingstock for the Yao family. Master Yao wanted Madam Yao to go to the Gu household before us and reconfirm the engagement, pretending nothing had happened. However, Madam Yao was delayed on her way… Old Madam Chang went to the Gu family this morning. Everything is going well.”

Chen Yan’yun untied his cape and placed it on the clothes rack, observing that night had just begun to fall outside the window.

She must know I’ve proposed marriage by now. I wonder what expression she has…

Chen Yan’yun said softly, “Continue keeping an eye on the Gu family.”

Chen Yi acknowledged the order but felt hesitant. Thinking of Jiang Yan, who had been sent by Third Master Chen to supervise the ancestral hall renovation in Baoding, he felt he shouldn’t ask too many questions. Third Master Chen must have his reasons for his actions… After a moment, he said, “Scholar Feng mentioned that a confidential letter has arrived from Shaanxi, requiring Master Jiang’s attention. When does Third Master plan to recall Master Jiang?”

Chen Yan’yun remained silent for a while, then extended his hand: “Where is the letter?”

Chen Yi didn’t immediately understand what Third Master Chen wanted with the letter.

Chen Yan’yun continued smiling, his tone very casual: “Jiang Yan isn’t here. I’ll review the letter personally.”

Chen Yi broke into a cold sweat: “How could we trouble you with this? Scholar Feng will be here shortly!” He dared not say more and retreated from the study after taking his leave, only to encounter Old Madam Chen approaching from the opposite direction.

Chen Yi bowed and said, “Good day, Old Madam,” before retreating to the corridor. Old Madam Chen nodded, adjusted her vest, and slowly entered her son’s study.

Chen Yan’yun was writing a letter to his second brother in Shaanxi.

Many officials in the Court of Judicial Review had recently been promoted or demoted, and Wang Xuanfan’s influence there had been severely curtailed. The Chief of the Court, Zheng Ci, was a fellow graduate of Wang Xuanfan and had always maintained a close relationship with him. Zheng Ci was from Lintong in Shaanxi. To remove Wang Xuanfan’s influence from the Court, they would need to start with Zheng Ci. However, Zheng Ci had managed the Court for seven years, which could make things difficult.

Seeing that her son was writing, Old Madam Chen sat nearby and waited. The study attendant hurried to bring tea for the Old Madam.

When Chen Yan’yun put down his brush, Old Madam Chen smiled and said, “I’ve settled the matter for you! Once the Gu family responds, we can discuss the marriage arrangements. You seem so calm about it…” She had been eager to inform her son, but now it seemed like she was the only one enthusiastic about it!

Chen Yan’yun replied, “It would be good if you truly settled it for me.”

Old Madam Chen was confused: “Given our Chen family’s status and your position, would the Gu family refuse?”

Chen Yan’yun smiled and shook his head: “It’s hard to explain to you. I’ll visit the Gu household tomorrow, and then we’ll know.”

Old Madam Chen wondered if her son was being unnecessarily anxious.

Chen Yan’yun, however, understood clearly that with Gu Jinchao’s personality, some pressure would be necessary.

He still needed to talk with her; her opinion was certainly important, and he couldn’t disregard her wishes.

However, this matter wouldn’t allow for her willfulness. He could overlook her previous evasiveness.

Chen Yan’yun felt that while he was generally accommodating, on this matter he absolutely would not yield.

Few people in the Gu household slept well that night.

Old Madam Chang’s marriage proposal to the Gu family was a major event, and word spread even faster than the news of the Yao family withdrawing their proposal. Before long, it reached Gu Lian’s ears. She found it utterly unbelievable and deeply unfair… What was Gu Jinchao anyway? How had she managed to secure a connection with the Chen family? She pondered in her room for quite some time, still feeling that something was amiss. She got out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and went to the Xian Ya Hall to find the Second Madam. There, the Second Madam was speaking with Gu Deyuan.

Gu Lian entered the western side room. Seeing that the door to the western end room was closed, she knew her father and mother must be inside, with her mother’s maid standing guard. Her eyes darted, and she told the maid, “Mother said she stewed Sichuan fritillary pigeon soup today. Go to the outer courtyard kitchen and bring some for me.”

The maid hesitated for a moment, as Second Madam had specifically instructed her to guard the door…

Gu Lian gave her a cold look: “What are you standing there for?”

Remembering the fate of the little maid who had broken Gu Lian’s flower pot, the maid finally bowed and left the western side room.

Gu Lian told her two second-class maids to wait outside, saying she would keep watch. As soon as everyone left, she pressed her ear against the door. Lanchi whispered, “Young Miss, isn’t this somewhat improper…”

Gu Lian waved her hand, signaling her to step aside.

From within the room came Second Madam’s voice: “…It was originally meant for Miss Lian, but now there’s been a misunderstanding. The Yao family has already withdrawn their proposal, and now Third Master Chen wants to marry Gu Jinchao instead. Alas, what are we to do about our Miss Lian…”

Then came Gu Deyuan’s voice, gritting his teeth: “This isn’t our fault! It’s all because of the Yao family’s mischief! Being too clever for their good…”

“Don’t worry, the Yao family won’t get away with this either. They probably didn’t want to offend the Chen family, so they used the excuse that ‘Yao Wenxiu had fallen for someone else.’ If Chen Yan’yun had truly proposed to our Miss Lian, others would naturally understand. Now they’ve ended up pleasing no one…”

By this point, Gu Lian was stunned.

She took a step back. She had thought something wasn’t right! She should have been the one making a better match, but somehow it had fallen to Jinchao!

So the Yao family had misunderstood who was being proposed to!

Her engagement had been withdrawn, while the Chen family wanted to marry Gu Jinchao!

Gu Lian felt so angry that her heart and liver ached! The glory and wealth that should have been hers had somehow become Gu Jinchao’s.

Just the day before yesterday, she had told Gu Jinchao, “You can eat carelessly, but you shouldn’t speak carelessly,” such absurd words. Those words should have been directed at her instead!

Gu Lian’s expression was extremely unpleasant. She had always considered herself superior to Gu Jinchao—with a better reputation and higher status. Yet this person, who was inferior to her in every way, had now stepped over her, taking what should have been hers!

If there had been no mistake, shouldn’t the Chen family’s proposal have been for her? But not only was it not for her, it had also caused the Yao family to withdraw their proposal.

Lanchi, having heard most of the conversation, was pale with fright and whispered, “Young Miss, what should we do… how could there have been such a mistake…”

Gu Lian pulled her out of the western side room and glared at her fiercely, saying, “You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask!”

After a while, she seemed to come to terms with it and began to smile.

“Even if she can marry a cabinet minister, so what? It’s just a second marriage! If that Third Master Chen has become a cabinet minister, he must be quite old. Being a second wife to some old codger—what’s so good about that?” Gu Lian snorted, “I should be grateful it wasn’t me!” Imagining that Third Master Chen was probably some pot-bellied old man in his fifties, Gu Lian felt considerably better.

If he weren’t an old codger, why would he be interested in Gu Jinchao? Marrying such a man—what use was all that glory and wealth!