A few days later, Father summoned Jin Chao to ask about Ye Xian’s visit.

Jin Chao explained: “The Young Master accidentally injured my cat last time, so he came specifically to apologize.”

Gu De Zhao glanced at Jin Chao, seemingly not quite believing her.

After sitting down, he continued asking: “I heard from Lan that the Young Master gave you a painting?”

Jin Chao’s expression remained unchanged: “The Young Master felt guilty about hurting the cat, so he sent a painting—of a cat. The second Sister was present and saw it. Didn’t she explain clearly to Father?”

Gu De Zhao frowned and cautioned her: “The Young Master’s status is higher than yours after all. You must be very courteous to him in the future.” These words suggested he feared they might have a private relationship. Jin Chao couldn’t help but laugh inwardly—she wouldn’t dare have any private dealings with Ye Xian even if she had ten times the courage…

Gu De Zhao then mentioned Gu Lan’s coming-of-age ceremony: “…Your Second Sister will come of age in half a month, and the household is gradually becoming busy. As the elder sister, you should consider what coming-of-age gift would be appropriate for Lan. Lan’s ceremony needs someone to give the congratulatory speech. Are you willing to do it?”

Jin Chao naturally agreed. But in her heart, she thought that even if she was willing, Gu Lan might not be. She was an extremely proud person and would surely look down on Jin Chao’s tarnished reputation.

“Has Father selected who will insert the hairpin and who will be the officiating woman?” Jin Chao asked her father.

Gu De Zhao said: “According to your Concubine Song, she wants to choose one of her two married sisters from the Song family to insert the hairpin and select one of her nieces as the officiating woman. You need not worry about this matter.”

After returning to the Qing Tong Courtyard, Jin Chao sent Madam Tong to Baodi to summon Luo Yong Ping.

Luo Yong Ping was now the manager of two Hangzhou silk shops, a position Jin Chao had vouched for him to her mother. He was very grateful to Jin Chao for this, and handled all tasks Jin Chao entrusted to him extremely well.

He wore a silk robe patterned with Buddhist treasures, making him look even plumper and fairer. Smiling, he asked Jin Chao: “…What instructions does First Miss have?”

Jin Chao asked him to prepare a coming-of-age gift for Gu Lan: “…It must be luxurious, glittering with gold, looking expensive. There must also be a gold filigree headdress—she loves those things the most…”

Bai Yun and Cai Fu both smiled with suppressed laughter.

Luo Yong Ping promised: “I will certainly arrange it properly for Miss!”

Jin Chao thought about the two sisters of Concubine Song that Father had mentioned.

She had never been familiar with the Song family’s situation and didn’t know what these two sisters were like or into which families they had married.

She instructed Luo Yong Ping further: “The Minor Minister Song of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices has two legitimate daughters who married into other families. Help me inquire about these two women.”

Luo Yong Ping thought for a moment, then immediately responded: “…This servant understands.”

Luo Yong Ping left with his orders and returned two days later with servants carrying items in three boxes. Besides two gold filigree hairpins with insect motifs, there was also a pair of gilt bracelets.

Jin Chao was very satisfied and asked Madam Tong to put the items away. Luo Yong Ping then took out a blue booklet from his sleeve: “This contains information about Concubine Song’s two sisters’ families. Fearing I might miss something in an oral report, I specially wrote this copy for First Miss.”

Luo Yong Ping was extremely thorough in his work.

Jin Chao had Madam Tong reward Luo Yong Ping and see him out. She then asked Qing Pu to open the window, allowing sunlight to flood the room and lay on the large kang to carefully read the booklet.

Regarding Concubine Song’s two sisters: The elder sister was married to Pacification Commissioner Li of Shaanxi. Though the Commissioner served in Shaanxi, he only took servants with him. Madam Li lived with her mother-in-law and two daughters in Daxing County. Rumors had it that Commissioner Li had long kept a concubine in Shaanxi who had borne him a son, which was why he didn’t want to return to Yanjing. Madam Li was very proud and particularly hated people gossiping about this—the last time she overheard a young maid gossiping, she immediately drove her out of the mansion.

She placed great emphasis on a woman’s three obediences and four virtues. Both her daughters were known far and wide for their virtuous and proper behavior.

Concubine Song’s second sister was married to Minister Wen, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Household Department. Their marriage was harmonious. Although Minister Wen was only a fifth-rank official, he had been a disciple of Zhang Ju Lian and was considered part of Zhang’s faction, so his prospects were unlimited. Madam Wen had given birth to a legitimate eldest son and had some influence in the circle of high officials’ relatives in the capital.

Luo Yong Ping had not only written about the family situations of Concubine Song’s two sisters but had also included some secret rumors. It was extremely detailed.

After Jin Chao discussed this with Madam Tong, the latter said: “Judging by Concubine Song’s character, she would likely choose Madam Wen to insert the hairpin for Second Miss. Madam Wen has a cheerful personality and enjoys matchmaking—nine out of ten marriages she arranges to turn out harmonious. Concubine Song would want to curry favor with Madam Wen for Gu Lan’s marriage prospects.”

“However, Madam Li is proud by nature. If not properly appeased, she might secretly hold a grudge against Concubine Song.”

Jin Chao smiled slightly: “The choice isn’t certain. If it were me, I would choose Madam Li. Better to offend a gentleman than a petty person—being resented by someone narrow-minded is not good… But why worry about this? Gu Lan has plenty of tactics.”

Madam Tong smiled in agreement: “This servant had forgotten. Miss should take your midday rest now; you still need to pay your respects to Madam this afternoon.”

Jin Chao nodded and had Qing Pu light a candle, personally burning the small booklet to ashes.

As mid-spring passed and late spring approached, early summer was drawing near. The water lilies that Jin Chao had planted in her small pond had developed pale purple buds.

The Gu household also became lively. Pomegranates, oleanders, and cannas were moved from the greenhouse and arranged throughout the courtyards and gardens, and special flower platforms were built. Father personally drafted the guest list and booked a theatre troupe from De Yin House to perform. In the days leading up to Gu Lan’s coming-of-age ceremony, not only did the nearby Baron Yong Yang’s mansion and the Song family send gifts, but so did the Luo family from Luo Xian Hutong and Marquis Ding Guo’s Fan family.

Jin Chao was dyeing her fingernails in her room.

She had risen early to see the garden balsams in full bloom, and noticing her own fair white hands, suddenly wanted to dye her nails. She had Rain Tong bring a glass bowl while she stood in the flower bed picking garden balsam petals.

The petals were crushed, and the bright red juice was mixed with alum. It was carefully applied to her nails, and then the fingertips were wrapped in cotton cloth.

Jin Chao placed her hands on the small table and listened to Cai Fu read from a registry copied from the accounting office.

“From the Luo family of Luo Xian Hutong, a set of glass bowls and cups… From the Fan family of Luo Xian Hutong, an ancient three-legged incense burner with two handles and an auspicious beast design… From the Mu family of Yu Er Hutong, a pair of jade bracelets with phoenix patterns…”

Hearing the Mu family mentioned, Jin Chao asked Cai Fu: “The Mu family also sent gifts?”

Cai Fu replied: “All of Master’s close colleagues sent gifts, though the Mu family’s gift is the most lavish…”

“The more lavish, the more headache for them,” Jin Chao nodded, gesturing for her to continue reading.

After a while, Bai Yun came to report: “Miss, Madam Li and Madam Wen have arrived. They are with Concubine Song.”

With just four days until the ceremony, Concubine Song had requested permission from Father to send stewards to invite her two sisters over early. They would stay at the Gu household for these few days, allowing the sisters and nieces to converse.

Previously, Madam Li and Madam Wen had been reluctant to associate with Concubine Song, but now, seeing that she might have a slight chance of being elevated to main wife, they had become much more intimate. After all, Father’s mentor was about to be promoted, and behind the Gu family was the ancestral Gu family with marital ties to the Marquis of Chang Xing. Having good relations with the Gu family would certainly be beneficial.

Gu Jin Chao thought for a moment and instructed Cai Fu to help her wash her hands.

Cai Fu found it strange: “Miss, it’s not time yet…”

“A light pink looks best, no need for bright colors,” Jin Chao casually explained. Cai Fu helped her wash her hands, revealing fingernails with a delicate pale pink hue on her hands like white jade—extremely beautiful.

Jin Chao, accompanied by Qing Pu and Cai Fu, went to Concubine Song’s quarters specifically to meet Madam Li and Madam Wen.

Madam Li had brought her second daughter, Li Fu, who was chosen by Concubine Song as the officiating woman for Gu Lan. Li Fu was fifteen, wearing a lilac-colored robe with twining branch patterns. Though pretty and refined in appearance, she was inevitably somewhat rigid in speech and manner.

When Madam Li saw Jin Chao, her expression appeared somewhat strange, as if disdainful. Even when Jin Chao greeted her, she merely grunted and then ignored her.

Jin Chao recalled what Luo Yong Ping had written in the booklet—that Madam Li placed great importance on a woman’s three obediences and four virtues. Someone like Jin Chao, who was rumored to be arrogant and unruly, not following the traditional rules, would be particularly disliked by her.

Madam Wen, however, smiled and praised Jin Chao: “…Chao is so beautiful that even all the flowers in the garden cannot compare.”

Madam Li examined her carefully and said: “The First Miss has a delicate appearance; perhaps she could try more plain clothes.”

It seemed she thought Jin Chao looked too alluring.

Jin Chao found this bewildering—she was wearing a cyan-colored satin robe with cloud patterns. How was that not plain enough?

Concubine Song also felt her elder sister’s words were inappropriate and smiled, saying: “Our First Miss is renowned for her beauty in Shi’an. It’s rare for the First Miss to visit me. I’ve heard you like water lilies—the ones at my Lin Yan Pavilion are just blooming. If you like any particular pot, you can take it back.”

Jin Chao joked with a smile: “Concubine’s water lilies grow so well, I wouldn’t dare to take what you love!”

Concubine Song’s eyes flashed as she was about to say something, but Qiao Wei came to announce that the Second Miss had arrived.

As soon as Gu Lan entered, she smiled and took Madam Wen’s hand, saying: “Madam Wen, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you!”

Madam Wen quickly embraced her: “Let me look at you—you’ve grown into a young lady!”

Gu Lan smiled and said: “No matter how much I grow, I’m still close to you. I still remember when I was little and refused to take medicine when I was sick, you bought me twisted sugar candy!”

Concubine Song reprimanded her: “Behave yourself! Quickly pay your respects to Madam Li and Second Miss Li.”

Gu Lan then took Madam Li’s hand and said, “I was just so happy to see you all. Madam Li is broad-minded, and Second Miss Li is virtuous and proper—I’m sure you won’t mind my behavior.”

Madam Li said: “Of course, I won’t mind! But you silly child, if you’re taken advantage of in the future, you won’t even know it!”

Gu Lan smiled shyly, “With Elder Sister here, who would dare take advantage of me…” Her gaze turned toward Jin Chao, appearing quite meaningful, while Madam Wen affectionately stroked her hair.

Jin Chao watched from the side, secretly amused.

Gu Lan had perfected the art of telling people what they wanted to hear—speaking kindly to humans and devilishly to devils.