“Sit down this instant.”
Gu Jiu barked sternly at Gu Yue.
“San meimei, do you even realise where you are? This is the council hall, not a place for you to throw tantrums. You even dare to smash an abacus at someone – you are far too insolent!”
“Why should you scold me? Da jiejie scolds me, and you don’t interfere. But when I try to hit someone, you step in?” Gu Yue fumed angrily.
Gu Jiu’s sharp gaze turned toward Gu Zhen, who was laughing.
The moment Gu Zhen met Gu Jiu’s eyes, her smile froze on her lips. She slowly lowered her head, not daring to laugh openly anymore.
Gu Jiu’s expression was grave. “No matter the reason, you cannot strike people. Qing Mei, take that abacus away from san guniang.”
Qing Mei obeyed at once, stepping forward. She said politely, “San guniang, forgive me.”
Then she pried open Gu Yue’s fingers by force and took the abacus from her hands.
Gu Yue slumped into her seat, sulking. “Er jiejie, are you satisfied now?” she muttered resentfully.
Gu Jiu didn’t bother to reply.
Satisfied? This girl had the audacity to act aggrieved – where did she even get such thick skin?
Turning toward Zhang shi, Gu Jiu gave a small bow. “We’ve let da bomu see a joke.”
Zhang shi felt a little guilty. “It was my carelessness. I shouldn’t have brought this matter up.”
Then, her face hardened as she said sternly, “Zhen yatou, Yue yatou – you two are sisters by blood. Yet here you are, beating and cursing in front of everyone. You clearly have no regard for me as your elder aunt. Xiao Jiu wasn’t wrong to scold you. You are being insolent.”
Gu Zhen and Gu Yue both lowered their heads together, putting on a look of remorse.
Zhang shi snorted coldly. “I don’t know how er dimei has been raising you, but under my watch, I won’t tolerate this behaviour. If either of you dares act like this again, then don’t bother coming to the council hall to take part in household affairs. This place is small, and it cannot accommodate the two of you if you act unruly.”
“Da bomu, I was wrong. Please give us another chance,” Gu Zhen said meekly, lowering her gaze.
“Da bomu, I won’t dare again,” Gu Yue added, wearing a pitiful look, on the verge of tears.
Zhang shi kept her face cold. “Enough, enough. Now you’re both acting like you’re the ones wronged. Let this matter rest here. From now on, no one is to bring it up again.”
“Yes!”
With the New Year approaching, there were endless matters in the household.
Every day, Gu Jiu and her sisters followed Zhang shi around, busy helping her manage affairs.
On Xie shi’s side, however, her health had not been good. She looked listless and weak, with no energy.
Several physicians had examined her and all said the same: she was suffering because her heart was too weighed down with resentment and gloom. They urged her to let things go.
Xie shi nodded as though she had taken their advice to heart.
But the moment the doctors left, she sighed bitterly. “Let things go? Easy to say, but hard to do. Benfuren simply cannot let it go.”
Chun He, her maid, tried to console her. “Taitai, san guniang’s marriage is already settled. You needn’t worry anymore.”
Xie shi gave a self-mocking smile. “Easy for you to say. Just preparing Yue’er’s dowry is enough to kill me.”
Her chest filled with frustration.
Gu Yue was betrothed to Zhao erlang, and ever since then, Xie shi had felt a fire in her heart with no outlet.
Yet she couldn’t show it openly. Instead, she had to painstakingly prepare the dowry.
As the di daughter, marrying into the household of a hereditary count’s son, Gu Yue’s dowry could not be less than twenty thousand taels.
At the very least, twenty-five thousand taels, and one hundred and twenty sets of bridal goods.
Xie shi rubbed her temples.
If this marriage had been something she herself arranged, she would willingly prepare the dowry.
But since it was something Gu Yue had schemed for on her own, Xie shi felt resentment with every step of preparation.
Resentment in her heart, yet no way to vent it.
No wonder she had no energy all day long, not even the mood to argue with Zhang shi about the division of household authority.
At that moment, the maid Dong Mei came in from outside. “Taitai, a matchmaker has come to call.”
Xie shi was startled. “A matchmaker? No one in the household is arranging a marriage right now. Could she be looking for the eldest branch?”
Dong Mei shook her head. “No. The matchmaker said with her own lips – she has come to speak with you about a marriage matter.”
Xie shi frowned. “Did you ask her whose marriage she is here to discuss?”
“Nubi did, but she wouldn’t say. She insists she must speak with you directly.”
Xie shi let out a cold snort. “Even matchmakers these days dare to put on airs. Who do they think they are?”
Chun He quickly advised, “Taitai, you’d best see her anyway. Matchmakers have sharp tongues. If you refuse to meet her, nubi fear she may start spreading nonsense and harm the young ladies’ reputations.”
After a pause, Chun He added, “Besides, taitai, si guniang’s marriage is still unsettled.”
The meaning was clear: for Gu Shan’s sake, Xie shi couldn’t afford to offend a matchmaker.
Never mind that matchmakers were seen as lowly – since they went door to door in every household, their news was always astonishingly well-informed.
Many scandals in wealthy families were spread around by them. And many a young lady’s reputation was ruined at their lips.
The best way to deal with them was to show courtesy from a distance and tip them generously. So long as their mouths were stuffed with silver, they could be surprisingly discreet.
Xie shi furrowed her brow. “Fine. Bring her in. I’ll reluctantly see what she has to say.”
“Yes!”
Dong Mei went to fetch the visitor, and soon returned with Matchmaker Li.
Matchmaker Li had the quintessential matchmaker’s look, and her speech and gestures were all exaggerated.
“Congratulations, taitai, felicitations!” she began at once.
Xie shi arched her brow with a faint smile. “And what exactly am I to be congratulated for?”
Without waiting to be asked, Matchmaker Li plopped herself onto a chair. “Taitai doesn’t know yet? Someone has taken a fancy to your er guniang. They’ve sent me to propose a match.”
“Someone fancies my er guniang?” Xie shi was astonished. That sickly Gu Jiu – someone actually had their eye on her, and even sent a go-between to propose.
At once her interest was piqued. “Which family has taken a liking to my er guniang? Speak quickly, let me hear.”
Matchmaker Li chuckled cheerfully. “To be honest with taitai, the family that admires your er guniang is truly first-class in wealth and prestige. They said they aren’t picky about anything else – what they value is er guniang’s intelligence and virtue.”
“Enough riddles. Which family is it?” Xie shi asked impatiently.
Matchmaker Li gave a proud smile, then lowered her voice mysteriously. “It was Lu hou furen who sent me here to propose on behalf of her di younger son, to take your er guniang in marriage.
“Taitai, am I not right? Lu hou is one of the foremost noble houses in the capital. He commands great military power, holds high rank – many families wish to curry favour with the hou fu, but few can succeed.
“And now the hou furen herself has set her sights on your er guniang. Tsk tsk, your daughter is truly fortunate – soon to marry into a lofty house and enjoy a life of luxury.”
Xie shi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You mean to say the Lu hou furen entrusted you to make this proposal?”
“Exactly! Taitai, this is a marriage match you couldn’t find even if you searched by lantern light. As long as you nod your head, I can guarantee the matter will be settled.”
She patted her chest with confidence, as if everything were already under her control.
In her mind, with such a fine match, only a fool would refuse. Next, the two households could discuss the betrothal details. Once settled, she would collect a handsome matchmaker’s fee. Just the thought of Lu hou furen’s generosity filled her with delight.
But Xie shi’s feelings were complicated. Lu hou furen truly had chosen Gu Jiu – it wasn’t a joke? How could that be possible? Was Lu hou furen blind, to favour Gu Jiu?
Chun He quietly reminded her mistress, and Xie shi collected herself, gave a light cough, and asked, “Did Lu hou furen say anything else?”
Matchmaker Li beamed. “Rest assured, taitai. Houye’s younger di son – I have seen him myself. Handsome in appearance, trained in martial arts from youth, already holding a military post. A young hero indeed. Paired with your er guniang, it would be a perfect match of talent and beauty, a union made in heaven.
“By the way, taitai, should we invite er guniang out? I could also take a look on behalf of the Marquis’s household.”
Xie shi smiled faintly. “My er guniang has been frail since childhood. The weather is cold now – she mustn’t be exposed to the wind. Best not to trouble her.”
“Oh?” Matchmaker Li drew out the sound with meaning, secretly studying Xie shi’s expression, trying to gauge her thoughts.
Before coming, she had already inquired thoroughly into the Gu family’s situation.
Er guniang was the daughter of the first wife, while Xie shi was the stepmother. Everyone knows how stepmothers usually regard their predecessor’s children.
To hear that the first wife’s daughter might marry into such a powerful house – naturally, Xie shi would be displeased.
Matchmaker Li said with a smile, “Taitai is right, young ladies are delicate. In such cold weather, it’s best not to go out. So – what do you think of Lu hou fu’s proposal? Truly, it’s a rare opportunity. Miss it now, and there won’t be another like it.”
Xie shi replied with a polite smile, “Don’t worry, I will give the matter careful thought. But when it comes to the children’s marriages, my husband must also give his approval.
“Here’s what we’ll do: return for now. In a few days I’ll send for you, and then tell you directly what my husband thinks.”
Matchmaker Li smiled broadly. “Taitai is most considerate. Such matters do require caution. In that case, I shall take my leave for today.”
“Wait a moment!” Xie shi suddenly stopped her.
“What further instruction does taitai have?” asked Matchmaker Li with a smile.
Xie shi hesitated, then asked, “Is it truly Lu hou furen who has chosen my er guniang?”
“Of course it’s true,” Matchmaker Li said very solemnly.
Xie shi smiled faintly. “Then I can rest easy. With so many daughters in the house, and only the san guniang’s marriage settled, I’ve been terribly anxious, worried their futures might be delayed.”
The matchmaker immediately leaned closer. “Taitai, are you perhaps saying you’d like me to help arrange marriages for the others as well? Leave that to me! Whichever young master you favour, just tell me, and I’ll make the inquiries.”
Xie shi’s eyes curved in a smile. “My sons’ marriages are also undecided. Especially sanlang – he’s no longer young. Could you perhaps look into a match for him?”
“Of course! Which young lady does taitai have in mind?”
“I’m not yet familiar with the young ladies of the capital. Why don’t you introduce a few to me first?”
The two fell into easy conversation.
Matchmaker Li began introducing families one by one – most were equal in standing with the Gu family, some even slightly lower.
She did not mention any families of higher rank.
After all, daughters could marry upward, but sons usually had to marry within their station or lower – that was the old rule. For Gu Ting to wed, it would likely be a girl of equal or lesser family background. To marry higher was nearly impossible, unless by sheer luck.
[T/N: Guess how lucky Gu Ting is?]
So Matchmaker Li kept things practical, deliberately leaving out the lofty households.
Xie shi listened with great attention. Clearly, she was truly considering arranging a marriage for Gu Ting.
The two women talked for half an hour, even going through two servings of tea.
Xie shi spoke warmly to Matchmaker Li, “If not for you, I’d be like a blind fool, unable to tell one noble household in the capital from another.”
Matchmaker Li laughed. “There are many wealthy families in the capital, and their ties are complicated – relatives upon relatives. Taitai has only just returned to the capital; it’s natural not to have everything sorted out yet. Don’t worry – give it some time, and you’ll have the relationships clear in no time.”
“Hopefully. The Lu hou furen bore three di sons and one di daughter for Lu hou – what good fortune. Has Lu hou’s second di son married yet?”
“He’s in the middle of negotiations. The marriage should be settled very soon.”
Xie shi gave an “oh” in response, her expression unreadable.
Matchmaker Li, being an old hand, immediately saw through Xie shi’s thoughts. But she made no comment.
After all, it was the Lu hou furen who had engaged her; unless Xie shi offered greater benefits, she wouldn’t speak or act on her behalf.
Xie shi asked again, “And Lu hou’s youngest di son? He shouldn’t be very old.”
“He’ll be seventeen after the New Year.”
Xie shi nodded. “Seventeen isn’t that old. He’s about the right age for my er guniang. I only wonder what his temperament is like.
“My er guniang has been frail and sickly since childhood, with a sensitive nature. If she were to encounter a careless boy, I’d fear she would suffer grievances.”
Matchmaker Li quickly flattered her, “Taitai is so loving. Your worries are entirely justified.”
“To marry into such a household, a girl must not only be clever and virtuous, but also sensible, courteous, and in good health.”
“Taitai is absolutely right.”
Xie shi smiled. “I’m just speaking casually. When you next see the Lu hou furen, please give her my regards.”
“Don’t worry, taitai. Your greetings will surely be conveyed.”
Matchmaker Li rose to take her leave. Xie shi ordered Chun He to escort her out.
At the gate, Chun He handed Matchmaker Li a purse. “This is a small token of my taitai’s appreciation.”
Feeling the thickness of the purse, Matchmaker Li’s face lit up. “Taitai is truly thoughtful.”
Chun He said, “Our si guniang is not so young anymore, yet her marriage prospects are unclear. Taitai worries so much that she can’t eat or sleep. If Matchmaker has a suitable family in mind, please don’t forget our taitai – and si guniang.”
Matchmaker Li grinned. “Don’t worry, Chun He. I might forget others, but never taitai and si guniang. Rest assured – si guniang’s marriage is in my hands.”
“And don’t forget san shaoye’s marriage,” Chun He reminded her.
Matchmaker Li readily agreed. “Of course, of course. I won’t forget.”
–For the sake of money, she certainly wouldn’t forget.
After seeing Matchmaker Li off, Chun He returned to Furong Yuan.
“Has Matchmaker Li gone?” Xie shi asked.
Chun He nodded. “Yes, I’ve already seen her off. Nubi also reminded her, and she said she would remember taitai’s instructions.”
Xie shi frowned, her expression clearly displeased.
“What worries taitai?”
Xie shi said bitterly, “Back in the northwest, I exhausted myself trying to arrange a marriage with the Lu hou fu. Not only did it fail, but we lost so much in the process – even angering laoye. And now, without the slightest effort, the Lu hou fu takes the initiative to propose marriage. Truly infuriating!”
Her face grew darker as she fumed.
Chun He quickly tried to soothe her, “The northwest was a harsh and limited place, with few choices available. Now that we’ve returned to the capital, the young ladies’ and young masters’ marriages will all be settled in turn. Taitai should put her mind at ease.”
Xie shi ground her teeth. “Does Lu hou furen have no eyes? To overlook Yue’er was one thing – but even Shan’er was disregarded. And instead she favours that sickly Gu Jiu! What kind of judgment is that? What’s so good about that wretched girl, that she deserves to marry into the Lu hou fu?”
Chun He opened her mouth – wanting to say that er guniang wasn’t bad at all: skilled at accounts, good at household management, pretty, tall, and her health had improved. That Lu hou furen didn’t mind the Gu family’s lower status and valued the er guniang wasn’t strange at all.
But of course, Chun He dared only to think this, never say it aloud.
She understood Xie shi’s mind very well.
So Chun He advised instead, “Si guniang is destined to be a household’s principal wife. Taitai needn’t be so fixated on the Lu hou fu.
“Even if er guniang marries there, she’ll only be one of several young madams. No matter how capable, she won’t be allowed to run the household.
“Lu hou fu’s eldest young madam is no pushover – and her brothers are all accomplished. Er guniang could never outmatch her.”
Xie shi’s heart was filled with resentment. She made no attempt to hide it, saying outright, “Benfuren cannot accept Gu Jiu marrying into the Lu hou fu. Why should she be valued by Lu hou furen, and end up with a better marriage than Yue’er?”
Chun He asked cautiously, “Does taitai wish for si guniang to take er guniang’s place in marrying into the Lu hou fu, or would taitai rather refuse the proposal altogether?”
Xie shi frowned. “I’ll have to think on it.”
Author’s Note:
Gongzi Zhao: “How dare anyone try to snatch my bride from me? Courting death, are they?”
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