After finalizing the marriage arrangement with the Chen family, Jin Chao spent most of her time doing needlework.

After Madam Yao’s visit that day, everything continued as if nothing had happened, and the marriage arrangements between the two families proceeded as before.

When Jin Chao saw Gu Lian again, she understood clearly in her heart that Lian was no longer as happy as before.

“…The weather will soon be getting warmer, so I should make summer clothes for everyone.” Jin Chao called Mama Xu over and said, “Bai Yun is of marriageable age now, and we should look for a suitable family for her. Keep an eye out quietly, and when you find someone suitable, tell me…”

Although Bai Yun wasn’t particularly clever, she had the virtue of not causing trouble. However, Bai Yun was already over sixteen years old, and having her continue as a maid would only delay her prospects. It would be best to settle her future before Jin Chao married into the Chen family, to spare her the need to adapt after moving to the Chen household.

Mama Xu acknowledged this, saying: “Miss Bai Yun is your maid after all. I’m thinking she should marry a shopkeeper’s son or a manor steward…”

Jin Chao then held her hand: “And as for you, after serving my mother for half your life, it’s time for you to enjoy your retirement. After we’ve arranged Bai Yun’s marriage, you should return to Tongzhou to enjoy your later years. I’ll give you a two-courtyard house in Tongzhou, and you’ll hold the deed yourself. Have your son and daughter-in-law move in to take care of you. I’ll send people to deliver rice and flour to you every month. What do you think?”

Jin Chao had considered everything, and how could Mama Xu not understand her intentions?

She had been feeling that her health wasn’t as good as before, with a persistent cough that wouldn’t go away. Moreover, she hadn’t seen her son in Tongzhou for almost two years. She had grown distant from her son while watching Gu Jin Chao grow up. Beyond the master-servant relationship, there was much affection.

Mama Xu was about to kneel to thank Gu Jin Chao, but Jin Chao quickly stopped her.

“Please don’t kneel to me. If my mother were still here, she would certainly not have neglected you…”

Tomorrow would be the day when Xu Jing Yi would enter the Gu household.

Mama Xu sighed and only bent her body in a respectful bow: “I still must thank the young miss. In my old age and weakened state, having your protection is truly fortunate…”

After Mama Xu left, Jin Chao asked Qing Pu to put away the basket of needlework. It was time for her afternoon nap.

Through the bamboo curtain came the voice of Xiu Qu announcing that Gu De Zhao had arrived.

Jin Chao could only muster her energy and meet her father in the flower hall.

“…Tomorrow is the bride-fetching ceremony, and the household will likely be very busy.” Gu De Zhao said, “Before that, I want to discuss your dowry. Everything your mother left for you will be part of your dowry; you’re not leaving anything for Gu Jin Rong. From my side, I have more things to give you. For eighty loads of dowry, your father will surely prepare everything thoroughly and properly for you.”

Gu De Zhao enumerated the items for her: “A red-lacquered, gold-decorated auspicious beast bedstead, a painted marble screen, an ivory dressing set…” Down to the styles of combs and mirrors, Gu De Zhao could name them all. Jin Chao listened to her father’s rambling as if he were making her some kind of promise.

“Your father has two southern goods shops in Shi’an, a paper-making workshop, two fabric shops, a five-hundred-mu manor in Wanping, and an eight-hundred-mu manor in Shijingshan. All these will be given to you…” Adding it all up, it would be no less than eight thousand taels.

Gu Jin Chao said: “Father, you can give me the two manors in Wanping. But the shops in Shi’an should remain for Jin Rong.” If these assets were given to her, nearly half of her father’s property would be gone. Gu Jin Chao already held nearly twenty thousand taels in assets and didn’t fear having an insufficient dowry.

Gu De Zhao waved his hand, “Take it all. Rong can earn his living in the future…” But as a woman, how could she earn a living? She would have to rely on her natal family and her husband’s family. With someone of the Third Master Chen’s status, having an insufficient dowry would leave her without confidence.

His voice lowered a bit: “All of this was earned through your mother’s hard work, so naturally it should go to you…” He took a deep breath, his eyes gradually reddening, “I’ve failed her all my life.” And he never dared to forget her.

In the past, Jin Chao would certainly have questioned her father: Are you trying to ease your guilt toward my mother this way? But seeing her father’s reddened eyes, Jin Chao no longer refused. After she agreed to accept everything, Gu De Zhao slowly stood up and walked out.

Tomorrow would be the bride-fetching ceremony when Xu Jing Yi would enter the household. The Gu family had begun decorating the mansion with festive colors a few days ago, preparing to host a grand banquet, with various relatives of the Gu family attending… Since Jin Chao’s betrothal to the Chen family was confirmed, more people wanted to associate with the Gu family.

These matters were handled by Madam Feng and the Second Madam, as Jin Chao, being a bride-to-be, could not appropriately help with the arrangements.

After discussing these matters with Jin Chao, Gu De Zhao went to tell Madam Feng.

When Madam Feng heard about the dowry, her eyelids twitched.

Now those properties weren’t entirely his; they should be considered part of the Gu family’s assets. Yet he had given so much to Gu Jin Chao… Madam Feng couldn’t say much, only gently advising: “Zhao’er is quite wealthy already, and the eighty loads of dowry you’re giving her are more than enough. There’s no need to add these shops. How will she manage these places in the future…”

Gu De Zhao was firm: “Mother, she’ll have stewards to help oversee them, so what problem could there be? Zhao’er is marrying Third Master Chen, so her status is already much lower. If her dowry is also inferior, what status will she have in the future?”

At the thought that Gu Jin Chao was engaged to Third Master Chen, Madam Feng couldn’t voice any objections.

She could only watch helplessly as Gu De Zhao brought property deeds and land contracts for Gu Jin Chao’s dowry. Inside, her heart ached terribly, as the income from these properties had been under her management.

In the afternoon, Madam Feng invited Jin Chao over to discuss matters. When she arrived, Gu Lian and Gu Lan were also in Madam Feng’s west-side room. Madam Feng had her maids bring baskets for them to do needlework: “I’ve already agreed with Madam Guo that we’ll discuss Lan’er’s marriage in August. The other party heard about our Lan’er and agreed without hesitation,” Madam Feng held her hand and said, “You’re all about to be married, but none are as steady as you. I’m making them do more needlework to cultivate their temperament…”

Jin Chao smiled without saying anything.

In truth, up until now, she felt that her decision to marry Third Master Chen was like a dream. This was Third Master Chen, after all… It was as if she wasn’t yet prepared; what would she do after marrying him? Her feelings toward Third Master Chen were complex, but what about his feelings toward her?

Although she had married him in her previous life, she had never paid attention then. She hadn’t even lived with the Third Master. There was not the slightest flutter in her heart. Now, hearing others mention her marriage, she felt somewhat uneasy. She didn’t know what it would be like after she married into his family…

Gu Lan listened from the side, her stitches dense and tight along the edge.

She laughed coldly inside.

Others might not know, but she did. The improper relationship between Gu Jin Chao and Chen Xuan Qing, and her deep feelings for Chen Xuan Qing. Gu Jin Chao’s marriage to Third Master Chen was truly bewildering, and Gu Lan had been uncomfortable about it for a long time. But when she thought of Chen Xuan Qing, she felt at ease.

Gu Jin Chao would have much to worry about after marrying into that family. She didn’t believe Gu Jin Chao had forgotten Chen Xuan Qing, considering how much she had once liked him.

Fearing repercussions, she had never spoken of this secret. She wasn’t stupid; while this matter could hurt Gu Jin Chao, it would also greatly affect all of them. If the marriage was called off, the reputation of all the Gu family women would be ruined, and no one would escape unscathed. Moreover, Madam Feng certainly wouldn’t let her off, and her father would hate her to the bone. That’s why Gu Lan had kept this buried deep in her heart.

Now she thought it better to wait and see. Marrying into the Chen family was certainly a good thing, but with Chen Xuan Qing there, it might not be so fortunate.

After talking for a while, Madam Feng wanted to take Jin Chao to the west side courtyard to see the newly prepared residence for Xu Jing Yi. As they left, Gu Lian could no longer sit still and pushed her small embroidery frame into Gu Lan’s hands, lowering her voice to say: “Dear Lan sister, please help me finish this embroidery!”

Gu Lan said: “When Grandmother comes back, she’ll scold you again.”

Gu Lian snorted: “Right now, she only has eyes for Gu Jin Chao, what can she say about me? What’s the use of needlework? She says it cultivates temperament, but writing would be better… Just help me with this, you have nothing else to do anyway!” She also wanted to go to the west side courtyard to take a look.

She had heard that her new Fourth Aunt was not particularly attractive and somewhat older. She wondered what kind of person she was. The Xu family had sent servants to prepare the new room, and she might be able to see people from the Xu family…

Gu Lian took her maid and went to the west side courtyard, leaving Gu Lan alone in the east side courtyard, making silk stockings for Madam Feng.

Her heart was filled with discontent. Gu Jin Chao could marry Third Master Chen, and both Gu Lian and Yao Wen Xiu had good matches. Only she had a poor match, having to marry the son of a Provincial Examination graduate…

If she married like this, she feared she would never be able to improve her status.

The maid Mu Jin saw Gu Lan’s hand and exclaimed softly: “Young Miss, please don’t grip the thimble so tightly!” She quickly opened Gu Lan’s hand, but blood had already flowed out. Mu Jin hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wrap Gu Lan’s finger and called for the small maid waiting outside to come in.

Looking at the silk stockings for Madam Feng now stained with a touch of blood, Gu Lan suddenly felt a strange beauty in it.

Her lips curved slightly: “Don’t bother with bandaging, it’s just a small wound. Bandaging it would only make my hand less mobile.” After wiping away the blood, Gu Lan said, “It’s unlucky now that blood has been drawn. Bring me another piece of silk fabric.”

If she didn’t do something soon, she would be at others’ mercy. She needed to take action. And it had to be something significant; Madam Feng paid no attention to trivial matters now.

At that moment, Ye Xian’s carriage had just arrived at the Gu residence.

It was early the next morning, with many coming and going guests. The Gu family mansion was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, with gongs and drums creating a festive atmosphere.

Ye Xian’s face was cold as ice and extremely gloomy. The Gu family was holding a joyous occasion. Could it be that Gu Jin Chao was getting married today?

If so, hadn’t he arrived too late?

Seeing it was the carriage of the Marquis of Chang Xing’s household, a servant escorted it in separately. The guests only saw a handsome young man in black-trimmed white brocade robes stepping out, his face as beautiful as jade. Surrounded by guards, the young man walked toward the inner courtyards of the Gu family with a gloomy expression.

One glance was enough to be dazzled. When others inquired, they learned that this was the renowned Heir of the Marquis of Chang Xing, causing everyone to exclaim about “heroes emerging from youth”! Though young, he was extraordinarily outstanding.