After the banquet, Zhang shi found an opportunity to speak privately with Xie shi.
“It seems that Haixi bo furen is very pleased with Zhen yatou. If nothing unexpected happens, this marriage should go through. Dimei, Zhen yatou is about to get married—have you prepared her dowry?”
Xie shi ignored the last sentence and instead asked, “Haixi bo furen truly favours Zhen yatou?”
Zhang shi nodded.
Xie shi said, “That Zhao silang—I don’t know much about him. I need to hear laoye’s opinion first. If laoye says there’s no problem, then we can continue discussing this marriage.”
“Of course. Marriage isn’t just about the groom choosing the bride; the bride’s family also has to evaluate the groom. But if this marriage does go through, Zhen yatou’s dowry must be prepared properly. Given the status of the Haixi bo fu, her dowry can’t be too shabby—it should be at least five to six thousand taels of silver.”
Xie shi frowned. “Five to six thousand taels? That’s too much.”
Zhang shi raised an eyebrow. “I actually think it’s too little. That’s a noble bo fu—do you really think five to six thousand taels is a lot for a bo fu’s daughter-in-law? Won’t you be afraid of being laughed at?”
Xie shi’s expression darkened. “Zhen yatou is a shu-born daughter. It’s not customary to prepare such a large dowry for someone of her status.”
Back when she married Gu daren, her own dowry was only one thousand taels, and that was already everything she had.
Zhang shi snorted. “Dimei, while it’s true that Zhen yatou is of shu birth, she is marrying the eldest young master of Haixi bo fu’s main branch.
“If she only brings two to three thousand taels as a dowry, it won’t just be embarrassing for her—it will also reflect poorly on you and your husband. Our entire household might even be mocked as stingy misers.”
Xie shi was displeased. “Is dasao calling me stingy?”
Zhang shi seemed to smile, yet not smile. “I wouldn’t dare. But my words don’t just reflect my own opinion; they also represent the views of the neighbouring fu’s lao furen.”
Xie shi frowned. “Lao furen has spoken on this?”
Zhang shi nodded.
Xie shi felt annoyed. Why was lao furen interfering in her daughter’s marriage? She had even sent someone to remind her not to be too stingy.
Did people really see her as miserly?
She had conveniently forgotten how she once looked down on Ma shi when the latter mentioned giving a shu-born daughter only one to two thousand taels as a dowry.
Now that it was her turn to provide a dowry, she was no better than Ma shi—just another person reluctant to spend money.
Xie shi didn’t dare to defy lao furen’s words.
Feeling frustrated, she said, “I understand what lao furen means. If this marriage truly happens, I will prepare a dowry of six thousand taels for Zhen yatou.”
Zhang shi nodded in satisfaction. “I’m relieved to hear dimei’s words..”
Though Xie shi outwardly agreed, she had different thoughts in her heart.
If she had known that marrying Gu Zhen into Haixi bo fu would require such a large dowry, she wouldn’t have pursued this marriage at all.
Compared to Gu Zhen’s future, money was far more important.
Just then, a maid arrived to report that the theater performance was ready.
Xie shi and Zhang shi invited the other noblewomen and young ladies to the theater to enjoy the show.
The Gu family had hired one of the most renowned opera troupes in the capital, piquing the interest of all the ladies present.
Laughing and chatting, they made their way to the theater and took their seats.
Xie shi, now much less enthusiastic, deliberately avoided interacting with Haixi bo furen.
If Haixi bo furen became displeased and called off the marriage, that would be perfect for her.
Just then, the two young masters of Haixi bo fu, Zhao erlang and Zhao silang, entered the theater to pay their respects.
Haixi bo furen smiled upon seeing her sons. “Come greet the two taitai and all the furen.”
Zhao erlang and Zhao silang respectfully greeted Xie shi, Zhang shi and the other ladies.
It was the first time Xie shi and Zhang shi had seen the two young masters, and they both nodded approvingly. Both were good-looking, with Zhao erlang appearing slightly superior in appearance.
However, recalling the rumours of Zhao erlang’s violent temper and his history of bringing misfortune to his wives, they were reminded that looks could be deceiving.
By comparison, Zhao silang seemed more agreeable.
Xie shi cleared her throat and instructed her maid Chun He, “Go and invite da guniang over.”
Chun He smiled and withdrew.
A short while later, Gu Zhen was brought in.
Xie shi introduced her, “These are the second and fourth young masters of Haixi bo fu.”
As soon as Gu Zhen heard this, her face flushed instantly, even her ears turning red.
She curtsied, “Greetings, Zhao er ge, Zhao si ge.”
“Gu meimei is too polite!” Zhao silang responded with a smile.
Gu Zhen’s face grew even redder, like a cooked shrimp.
She dared not look up and quietly stepped back to stand behind Xie shi, stealing glances at Zhao silang from the corner of her eye.
He’s really handsome.
That was Gu Zhen’s first impression of Zhao silang.
Her heartbeat quickened—thump, thump, thump—so fast it felt as if it might leap from her chest.
She became even more bashful and slightly flustered.
So nervous.
Xie shi praised Zhao erlang and Zhao silang, with Zhang shi adding her agreement.
Haixi bo furen gave a reserved smile. “The two taitai flatter them—they are not as good as you say.”
After speaking, Haixi bo furen waved her hand. “You all don’t just stand here blocking our view of the opera.”
Zhao silang seemed more lively and at ease. “Erzi will go downstairs with er ge now. If Mother has any instructions, just have someone call us downstairs.”
“Go ahead, enjoy the opera, and don’t be mischievous.”
Gu Zhen secretly watched the two young masters of the Zhao family leave the theater, biting her lip, feeling reluctant.
As soon as the two Zhao brothers descended the theater building, a maid approached them. “Er shaoye, si shaoye, liu guniang invites you to the central courtyard.”
“Why isn’t liu meimei upstairs watching the opera? What is she doing in the courtyard?”
“Liu guniang said that the opera is dull and that the garden is more fun.”
Zhao erlang’s face remained stern. “I’m not going.”
Zhao silang replied, “Er ge, suit yourself. I’ll go to the courtyard and take a look. No matter what, we shouldn’t ruin liu meimei’s fun.”
Zhao erlang snorted coldly. “Go ahead and indulge her nonsense.” With that, he walked away.
Zhao silang had the maid lead the way as he headed toward the central courtyard.
Inside the theater, Gu Zhen had just sat down when a maid silently approached her.
“Da guniang, I just saw Zhao si shaoye heading to the courtyard. I also heard that san guniang and Zhao liu guniang are there as well.”
Gu Zhen frowned upon hearing this. “Are you sure?”
“Nubi wouldn’t dare to deceive you. Would you like to go to the courtyard and take a look? If you delay, nubi fears something might happen.”
Gu Zhen recalled that Gu Yue had always been scheming. Would she take this opportunity to approach Zhao silang and secretly ruin her marriage?
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Taking a deep breath, Gu Zhen turned to Gu Jiu. “Er meimei, it’s stuffy in here. I’m going outside for some fresh air.”
Gu Jiu asked, “Isn’t da jiejie going to watch the opera?”
Gu Zhen shook her head. “I don’t enjoy this performance. If anyone asks where I went, please cover for me.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Go ahead, da jiejie. If anything happens, just send a maid to let me know.”
“Thank you, er meimei.”
Gu Zhen stood up and quietly left the theater with her maid.
Gu Mei noticed the movement and asked Gu Jiu across the tea table, “Zhen meimei left? Where is she going?”
Gu Jiu softly replied, “Da jiejie said it’s too stuffy here, so she went out for some air. She’ll be back soon.”
Gu Mei covered her lips and chuckled. “I think Zhen meimei is feeling shy. Her face was so red—it’s no wonder she needed fresh air.”
Gu Jiu laughed along. “I never expected da jiejie to be so shy.”
“It seems Zhen meimei is quite pleased with Zhao Silang.”
Gu Jiu nodded.
When Zhao silang had come upstairs earlier to greet everyone, she had also glanced at him. Her first impression was quite good. Although he was born of a concubine, he didn’t have the pettiness of many such sons.
The way he conversed with Haixi bo furen was natural and fluid, suggesting that their private interactions were similar.
In contrast, Zhao erlang had kept a cold face the whole time, as if the words ‘impatient’ were carved on his forehead.
Gu Jiu didn’t think too much about it and continued watching the opera.
She didn’t fully understand the performance, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying it. In this era, entertainment was scarce, and any chance to watch an opera was a treat.
At first, she didn’t understand much, but as she listened, she gradually grasped its charm.
Looking around, the other taitai and guniang were fully engrossed in the performance, listening with great enthusiasm.
Clearly, this was a popular opera, beloved by all.
After two acts, the audience was still eager for more.
Gu Mei turned around and noticed that Gu Zhen’s seat was still empty.
She murmured, “Zhen meimei hasn’t returned yet? It’s been nearly an hour.”
Gu Jiu said, “She hasn’t come back yet. I don’t know where she went.”
It shouldn’t take an hour just to get some fresh air.
Could it be that Gu Zhen truly didn’t enjoy the opera and had used it as an excuse to slip away?
Gu Jiu didn’t think much of it. “Da jiejie knows what she’s doing. She’s probably resting in her room.”
Gu Mei nodded. “After a long day, it makes sense to take a break. Is Jiu meimei tired? Why don’t you go rest in your room? I’ll watch over things here, so you don’t have to worry.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “How could I? Mei jiejie, don’t worry about me, I can still hold on.”
“If you start feeling tired, just let me know.”
Gu Jiu nodded.
Just then, a young maid hurried up the stairs and whispered urgently into Ma shi’s ear.
Ma shi’s eyes widened in shock. “Really?”
Her loud exclamation immediately drew the attention of everyone in the theater.
The maid solemnly nodded. “Nubi doesn’t dare deceive taitai.”
Ma shi’s eyes darted around nervously before she stood up and approached Xie shi. “Gu taitai, have you seen your eldest daughter?”
Xie shi frowned, displeased with her behavior. “What is the matter, dasao? If there’s no matter, please return to your seat.”
Ma shi forced a smile. “I would love to sit and watch the opera, but something has happened, and I can’t sit still.”
Xie shi immediately had a bad feeling.
Chun He, sensing the tension, quickly sent someone to investigate.
It wasn’t long before Chun He returned with news.
She leaned in and whispered to Xie shi, “Taitai, bad news. Da guniang is in trouble. And it seems… the trouble involves Xie family’s shaoye.”
“What?”
Xie shi gritted her teeth, suppressing her anger, and said to the Zhang shi, “Dasao, please help keep an eye on things here. I’ll be right back.”
Ma shi smirked smugly. “Gu taitai, I wasn’t lying to you, was I?”
Xie shi shot a vicious glare at Ma shi. “Come with me.”
She led her maid ahead, hurrying down the theater building. Ma shi followed closely behind.
Zhang shi watched them leave, her brows tightly knitted.
What on earth had happened? Her heart pounded uneasily, filling her with a sense of foreboding.
She turned to her maid, Shaoyao. “Follow them and see what’s going on. Don’t let er taitai and Xie family’s eldest taitai act recklessly.”
“Nubi obeys.”
Shaoyao hurried after them.
The other noble ladies in the hou fu all turned their attention to the scene.
Zhang shi smiled at them. “It’s nothing serious. No need to worry, saosao.”
Wei shi quietly asked, “Is it really nothing?”
Zhang shi leaned in and whispered, “I’m not sure yet. I’ve sent a maid to check. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.”
Wei shi nodded. “Let’s hope so.”
Zhang shi couldn’t shake the unease. From the look on Xie shi’s face, this was no small matter. She could only hope it wasn’t something truly severe.
Meanwhile, Xie shi led Ma shi hurriedly to the side wing of the courtyard.
Before they even entered the room, they could hear Gu Zhen’s sobbing.
Ma shi secretly smiled, then put on a worried expression. “Zhen yatou is crying. Could she have been bullied?”
Xie shi gave Ma shi another fierce glare, as if to say: Do you really think I don’t hear the glee in your voice? Stop pretending to care. Who are you trying to fool?
Ma shi pinched her nose. “Gu taitai is still so fierce.”
Xie shi snorted coldly. “Dasao, enough nonsense. If your son did anything inappropriate, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
“My son is well-behaved! He wouldn’t act improperly. Maybe it’s your daughter who’s being indecent.”
“What did you just say?”
Xie shi’s eyes turned dangerously cold, sending a chill through Ma shi.
Ma shi quickly corrected herself. “I didn’t say anything. Gu taitai, please don’t misunderstand.”
Xie shi narrowed her eyes. “Dasao, let me make this clear. If I hear any rumours that damage our Gu family’s daughter’s reputation, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”
Ma shi forced a smile. “Understood. I won’t say a word. Gu taitai, you should go in quickly. Judging by the noise, this seems serious.”
Xie shi gave her one last glare before entering the room.
Inside, Gu Zhen was sprawled on the table, sobbing uncontrollably. Her sleeve was torn, revealing the cotton garment beneath.
Her clothes were dirt-stained, her entire body disheveled. Her hair was a mess.
Seeing this, Ma shi sucked in a breath.
Could her son have forced himself on Gu Zhen?
A wave of panic hit her. If he really had, this would be a difficult mess to clean up.
Xie shi took one look at Gu Zhen’s pitiful state. Her personal maid stood beside her protectively.
In the corner, Xie Ding, the second young master of the Xie family, looked utterly at a loss.
The eldest and third young masters of the Xie family stood beside him, both frowning deeply.
“What happened?”
Xie shi demanded sharply.
Gu Zhen only cried harder.
Her maid, Luyi, sobbed along with her.
Xie shi snapped, “What are you crying for? What happened to your guniang? As her personal maid, you must know what happened. Speak!”
Luyi choked back her sobs and pointed at Xie Ding. “It was him. He’s the one who harmed guniang.”
“What exactly happened?” Xie shi pressed.
Luyi sniffled and said, “I was walking with my lady in the courtyard when he suddenly rushed out and knocked her over. They both fell by the bridge, and he… he took the opportunity to take liberties with her! He’s a scoundrel!”
“Watch your words, little girl.” Ma shi glared at Luyi.
Luyi raised her hand and swore, “If I’m lying, may I be struck by lightning the moment I step outside!”
Ma shi was momentarily speechless. The maids of the Gu family were no pushovers—it was best not to provoke them.
Gu Zhen’s wailing only grew louder.
Xie shi burned with fury. She whirled around and glared at Xie Ding.
“Is this true?”
Xie Ding looked guilty, his eyes darting away.
Ma shi barked at him, “Your aunt is asking you a question! If you did something wrong, own up to it!”
Xie Ding lowered his head and muttered, “It was a misunderstanding.”
Smash!
A teacup flew straight toward Xie Ding’s head.
He yelped and dodged just in time.
The cup shattered on the ground with a loud crash.
Ma shi and Xie shi both jumped, turning toward the source of the flying cup.
Gu Zhen was glaring at Xie Ding with eyes full of hatred, her finger pointing at him.
“You dare call it a misunderstanding?! Xie erlang, do you think I’m some ignorant village girl you can deceive? You planned this from the start, didn’t you?! You shameless scoundrel! You’ve ruined my reputation, destroyed my future—I’ll kill you!”
She lunged at Xie Ding.
Xie shi shouted, “Stop her!”
Ma shi yelped, “That won’t do! A young lady should be gentle!”
“Pah!”
Gu Zhen spat directly on Ma shi.
Ma shi was furious—this was her brand-new dress! That wretched girl, just a concubine’s daughter, where did she get the audacity to spit on her?!
This brat—once she married into the Xie family, Ma shi swore she’d make her suffer!
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