Xu Jingyi cast a cold glance at Gu Lan.

If she wanted to destroy herself, then let her do it! Yet she dared to drag the fourth branch down with her. If this wasn’t handled properly, it would even affect Jin Chao’s marriage. Gu Lan truly didn’t care about anything. Someone with such little regard for herself deserved no protection.

Seeing Gu Lan’s tearful state made Madam Feng’s forehead throb. She asked Nurse Xu to take Gu Lan away first: “…What a sight! Wash up and change your clothes. Looking at you makes me angry!” Nurse Xu acknowledged the order and moved to help Gu Lan up.

Madam Feng said in an icy tone: “Can’t she stand up by herself?”

Nurse Xu quickly stepped aside, and only then did Gu Lan slowly rise to her feet and follow Nurse Xu out.

A maid brought stools, but no one sat down.

Madam Feng then said to Xu Jingyi: “Gu Lan belongs to the fourth branch. Now that this has happened, do you have any suggestions?”

If she couldn’t come up with a solution, Madam Feng would certainly criticize her inability to manage household affairs. But this was no easy solution to find—either way would be wrong. They couldn’t let Gu Lan die! Besides, her death would also cause problems.

After brief consideration, Xu Jingyi stepped forward and said to Madam Feng: “Mother, regardless of anything else, Gu Lan is at fault. I leave her entirely to your judgment, and I have no objections… But regarding a plan, we should first speak with the Third Young Master Yao. Though Gu Lan is wrong, Young Master Yao cannot escape responsibility.”

The Second Madam glanced at Xu Jingyi and said to Madam Feng: “Mother, with someone like the Third Young Master Yao, I’m not comfortable with Miss Lian marrying him. Perhaps we should call off the engagement with the Yao family…”

Madam Feng coldly replied: “You want to break the engagement? That’s fine. After all, Yao Wen Xiu has already made his mistake. We can marry Gu Lan to him instead.”

The Second Madam was suddenly speechless. Anyone with eyes could see that even if Gu Lan wanted to meet Yao Wen Xiu secretly, she wouldn’t choose a spot next to the main gate… She was trying to scheme against Yao Wen Xiu, or perhaps she was plotting against the entire family! If Gu Lian broke off the engagement with the Yao family, it would play right into this worthless girl’s hands. She could take advantage of this opportunity to marry into the Yao family!

How could they let her succeed?

But with someone like Yao Wen Xiu, wouldn’t Gu Lian suffer if she married him…

Madam Feng said through gritted teeth: “We’ve gone back and forth with this Yao family engagement. If we break it off again, what will people say? Will Miss Lian ever marry?” After two broken engagements, where would they find a match as good as the Yao family?

If Gu Lan were to marry into the Yao family, being a concubine-born daughter who behaved improperly, the Yao family would at most give her the status of a concubine. Both of them would be ruined.

The Second Madam sat down on a stool, her face pale. After a moment, she covered her face with a handkerchief and began to cry softly.

Her poor youngest daughter was raised in the palm of her hand since childhood. How could she endure such humiliation?

Madam Feng remained upset for quite some time. Xu Jingyi naturally kept silent, lowering her eyes as she quietly contemplated the situation.

Though young, Gu Lan was truly ruthless in her actions. Unfortunately, she was still too inexperienced, unaware of the many tactics others could employ… Anyway, now that Madam Feng and the Second Madam were troubled by this, she would simply wait and see.

Madam Feng then summoned Yao Wen Xiu to speak with him.

This time, Yao Wen Xiu respectfully cupped his hands and said with deep remorse: “Old Madam, it’s all due to my poor moral conduct that such a shameful thing has happened. If you wish to punish someone, punish me…”

Madam Feng sneered. Punish him? He was the legitimate son of Grand Secretary Yao. How would she dare punish him?

Madam Feng said: “I cannot control the customs of your Yao family. But you must be clear about this—Miss Lian is about to marry you. After what you’ve done with Gu Lan, what exactly are your intentions?”

Yao Wen Xiu’s handsome face alternated between red and white. What else could he do… One was already engaged to him, and the other had already become his woman. At worst, he could marry them both. After all, they were sisters, so they should get along better than most. In his heart, he preferred Gu Lan, but unfortunately, she was only a concubine’s daughter. Although Miss Lian wasn’t as understanding as Gu Lan, she was still a lovely girl.

He couldn’t bear to hurt either of them.

Besides, if his elder brother found out about this, he might break his legs…

“I’ll take responsibility for my actions. I’ve wronged the Fourth Miss Gu, and I’ll certainly treat her well in the future. As for Miss Lan… I’m willing to take responsibility for her as well,” said Yao Wen Xiu.

The Second Madam clutched her handkerchief tightly. He wanted to enjoy having both of them!

Just as she was about to speak to Madam Feng, the old woman said first: “It’s good that you want to take responsibility, but you must discuss this matter with Madam Yao when you return. Just how do you plan to handle it…” Madam Feng closed her eyes briefly in restraint.

The current solution was to marry Gu Lan to Yao Wen Xiu as a concubine. They hadn’t yet exchanged horoscope cards with the Zhao family, so there was still time… After Gu Lian married into the Yao family, they could then send Gu Lan into the Yao household as well. All of this would happen after Jin Chao’s wedding, and everything would be fine, peaceful, and quiet.

She continued, “…decide when you will come to take Gu Lan.”

Yao Wen Xiu hurriedly said ‘Of course,’ then felt embarrassed and followed Nurse Xu back to the side room to rest.

The Second Madam, disregarding Xu Jingyi’s presence, began to cry: “Mother! You see what kind of person he is. How can you still marry Miss Lian to him? Miss Lian grew up by your side, she’s been close to you since childhood. You can’t hurt her like this…”

Madam Feng sighed: “Of course I care for Miss Lian. Come with me to the inner chamber…” Then she said to Xu Jingyi, “Keep an eye on that worthless girl. Although she won’t dare hang herself, don’t let her go around making trouble. Discuss this with Old Four tomorrow as well. If she chooses to debase herself by becoming a concubine, no one can stop her! Don’t say I’m being cruel to her!”

Xu Jingyi agreed and first returned to Wanhua Hall, only to find that Jin Chao had fallen asleep. She couldn’t help but smile: “And she said she would wait for me…” She instructed the maid to watch over her carefully, then went to the back room of the east wing courtyard to watch over Gu Lan.

Gu Lan sat on the canopy bed hugging her knees, staring intently at Xu Jingyi when she arrived.

The back room was damp and sparsely furnished, with only a dim pine oil lamp lit. Outside, two sturdy matrons stood guard.

Xu Jingyi had the matrons bring her a stool, and while watching over Gu Lan, she began embroidering a pattern for Gu Xi. She couldn’t be bothered to say anything to Gu Lan.

Madam Feng and the Second Madam talked for a long time.

“…In the future, Miss Lian will be the primary wife, and Gu Lan will be just a concubine, completely at Miss Lian’s mercy. Besides, Gu Lan has never gotten along with Gu Jin Chao, and Xu Jingyi is completely on Jin Chao’s side. Whatever happens to Gu Lan in the future, no one will help her… Doesn’t Miss Lian still have you, me, and her elder brother and sister? Who does Gu Lan have to help her? You should ease your mind…”

The Second Madam had calmed down but still hesitated: “I’m afraid she’s entrusting herself to the wrong person…”

Madam Feng sighed: “How old are you now? Do I still need to explain this to you? Which man is truly faithful to one woman? Gu Dezhao originally loved Madam Ji so desperately, yet he took one concubine after another. Now that he’s taken Gu Lan, he might show more restraint in the future. He feels guilty toward Miss Lian, and if Miss Lian handles it well, why worry about controlling Yao Wen Xiu?”

“If we create more trouble by breaking the engagement now, could Miss Lian find a better family? Don’t let her end up like Gu Jin Chao… Though Jin Chao is fortunate, having somehow managed to secure the Third Young Master Chen. Can you guarantee that Gu Lian will find someone like that in the future?”

The Second Madam stopped arguing about this, realizing that causing more trouble now would indeed be bad for Gu Lian…

Still unable to let go of her anger, she said softly: “That Gu Lan… Mother, you mustn’t let her off easily!”

Madam Feng smiled at this: “With a stomach full of resentment, would I let her have an easy time? There are plenty of ways to deal with her; she just hasn’t seen them yet!”

A newborn calf fears no tiger—she dared to scheme against her? If she didn’t make Gu Lan suffer terribly, she might as well give up her position as the matriarch!

There were many ways to deal with Gu Lan. Since she chose to be so shameless, she couldn’t blame an old woman for being ruthless. Give her a pot of safflower tea to make her barren for life—who would remember her when she grew old and lost her beauty?

Finally, Madam Feng instructed the Second Madam: “Keep this matter secret for now. Warn all the maids and matrons from tonight, and don’t tell Miss Lian either. She would surely confront Gu Lan, and Jin Chao’s wedding is coming soon… Don’t let this matter spread…”

The Second Madam nodded; she understood all this already.

Madam Feng finally let out a long breath.

Outside, the sky had already brightened.

When Gu Jin Chao woke up, it was already late morning. She hurriedly sat up, realizing she was in Wanhua Hall. Beside the luohan bed was a dozing maid, You Qing, one of Xu Jingyi’s second-class maids.

She still needed to pay respects to Madam Feng, so Jin Chao called Qing Pu to come in.

You Qing quickly sat up: “Second Miss… Don’t rush. Madam specially sent someone back with a message that you don’t need to pay respects to the Old Madam today. She said you should sleep a bit longer. The small kitchen has prepared milk porridge and steamed egg custard. If you’re hungry, I’ll bring them to you…”

No need to pay respects…

It seemed Madam Feng had truly been busy last night, probably not sleeping at all!

Jin Chao asked You Qing: “Did Mother say why?”

You Qing shook her head: “Madam only said that she’s talking with the Third Miss in the east wing courtyard and cannot return to have breakfast with you.”

Jin Chao still asked Qing Pu to come help her wash up. After breakfast, she returned to Yanxiu Hall.

Xu Jingyi’s message was clear—this matter didn’t concern her, and it had been mostly resolved. Since there was no greater commotion, and these maids were all quite confused, probably not a bit of news had leaked out. Madam Feng had suppressed the matter…

Unexpectedly, Gu Lan had indeed schemed to become Yao Wen Xiu’s concubine. In her view, being Yao Wen Xiu’s concubine was probably better than being the primary wife of a scholar’s son. Unfortunately, her move was too risky, and her path forward would certainly not be easy.

Not to mention, once she married into the Yao family, would the Second Madam and Madam Feng let her off? They would probably find countless ways to make her miserable. In this life, she didn’t have a Concubine Song to help her, and Jin Chao herself would certainly remain uninvolved. Her only option would be to fight with Gu Lian.

That would be quite a show to watch.

Jin Chao gazed at the newly blooming gardenia outside the latticed window and sighed softly.

Just five more days… until her wedding day. Why did her heart feel so unsettled…