“When you bullied me back then, when you ordered me around like a servant, when you threw your unwanted jewelry at me as if tossing scraps to a beggar—where was your righteousness then? Just because you are the legitimate daughter, everything good had to be yours. We were all expected to endure, to yield, to pamper you. Why should it have been so!”
Gu Lan stared coldly at Jinchao. “As for birth, your mother may be the legitimate daughter of the Ji family, but my mother is also the legitimate daughter of the Assistant Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices! Just because your mother was the main wife, I became the concubine-born daughter. And as for talent and virtue, you are inferior to me in every way! Yet you shamelessly threw yourself at a man who was already engaged—you utterly disgraced the Gu family!”
“Tell me—was anything I said wrong? Liuxiang went mad because of you. Father took a concubine because of you. My mother lost her favor because of that Luo Yiniang—all of it because of you!
Did I wrong you in any of these things?
You accuse me of sowing discord between you and Gu Jinrong—well, even if I did, we have over ten years of sibling affection between us. No matter how angry he is today, he will never bear true hatred toward me!
You know perfectly well what kind of person he is!”
Jinchao gazed quietly at Gu Lan.
In her past life, even until the day she died, she had never truly understood why Gu Lan had hated her so.
It had not been enough to ruin her; she had even dragged Gu Jinrong down with her, leaving him destitute and cast out from the Gu family.
But now, she saw clearly.
Gu Lan simply could not endure it.
Jinchao said mildly, “You fear that I might harm you. Then simply leave no opportunity for me to do so.
One who walks the night road too often is bound to encounter ghosts—you have only yourself to blame.
As for the things I did, you know better than anyone why they were necessary…
You still wish to curry favor with Gu Jinrong? Then do so.
Even if he does not come to hate you, do you really think your bond will ever be the same?”
“Rather than worrying about me, Second Sister, you should consider how you will manage your coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow.
Perhaps Madam Li can replace Madam Wen and perform the ritual for you.
As for a patroness… forgive me, but I am unworthy to serve in that role.
Your aspirations are higher than the heavens—how could someone like me be worthy?”
Jinchao smiled slightly and said, “Elder Sister will take her leave now.
Second Sister, you should discuss matters carefully with Madam Li.”
Standing to the side, Madam Li had listened to every word between the two sisters.
She had now understood the entire play.
She had once thought Gu Lan to be a reserved and well-mannered young lady, but who would have imagined she was so fond of stirring up trouble and seeking to outshine others?
And trying to drive a wedge between her and Madam Wen?
If she still agreed to assist Gu Lan’s ceremony now, she would have to be utterly witless.
Gu Lan knew that Madam Li would not help her.
Seeing Madam Li turn away without a word, she made no attempt to stop her.
Taking a deep breath, Gu Lan felt a new tide of fear crash down upon her now that her earlier rage had been spent.
The matter had caused an uproar.
Madam Wen had left in anger, Gu Jinchao had refused to act as her patroness—
Before long, the entire Gu household would know, and her father would surely hear of it.
Father had always doted on her—surely he would not bear to scold her too harshly?
But what about tomorrow’s ceremony?
Fidgeting anxiously, Gu Lan hurried with Ziling, who had been waiting at the side entrance, toward Song Yiniang’s quarters.
Song Yiniang smashed a green-and-white glazed teacup to the floor!
“This must be Gu Jinchao’s doing!” she snarled through gritted teeth. “She is truly a troublemaker—and she chose to create a scene right before your coming-of-age ceremony!
If there’s no suitable woman to officiate tomorrow, you will become the laughingstock of the entire city!”
Gu Lan clutched her mother’s hand, panic rising. “Then what should we do?”
From the side, Qiaowei whispered, “For such a timely incident to occur… it must not be a coincidence. Mistress, I believe there is a traitor among our servants in the wing room…”
Song Yiniang closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. “First, stabilize matters over there. Post guards—no one must leave. Summon all the maids and old servants who were present and warn them—
Whatever happened must not be spread!
Anyone who dares speak a word is to be beaten and driven out of the household!
We must stabilize the situation first.
After that, I will personally go to speak with Madam Wen.”
Qiaowei bowed and hurried away with several old maids.
Gu Lan thought for a moment—then her face changed dramatically. “Mother!
When Madam Wen stormed out just now, I didn’t stop her! She might already be out of the Gu residence!”
Song Yiniang’s heart jumped in alarm. She scolded Gu Lan, “Foolish girl! You should have told me immediately—I could have sent someone to intercept her!”
Gu Lan frowned in confusion. “Mother, even if Madam Wen had stayed, she wouldn’t have helped us.
Why not just let her leave?”
Song Yiniang gave a cold laugh. “Do you think she will simply swallow this humiliation quietly?
She will bear a grudge!
And once she spreads the story among the noble families’ circles, your reputation will be ruined!
If that happens, you will end up like Gu Jinchao, your marriage prospects in shambles.
At that point, Father might truly agree to marry you off to the Mu family—and then you will have no one to blame but yourself!”
Gu Lan stared at Song Yiniang, realizing only now how serious the matter was.
Within moments, Qiaowei returned to report, “Mistress, Madam Wen has already left the Gu residence. It’s too late to stop her now.”
Song Yiniang rose and began pacing furiously around the room.
After a long, careful deliberation, she finally said, “Help me change into fresh clothes. I must go and speak to Gu Deshao personally.”
“This matter cannot be concealed.
I must persuade the Master to invite Second Madam Gu to officiate your ceremony.
Out of regard for your father’s dignity, she will not refuse.
As for the patroness—you are close with Gu Lian.
Go immediately to the west wing and speak with her.”
Gu Lan nodded.
After thinking a moment, she asked, “What about Madam Li? Should we try speaking with her?”
Song Yiniang shook her head. “There’s no need to worry about Song Miaoying. She is bound by propriety and will not gossip.
As for Madam Wen…”
She took a deep breath. “There is nothing we can do. We must wait and counter whatever she tries next.”
While Song Yiniang’s side was plunged into chaos, Jinchao calmly returned to her courtyard, refusing visitors and focusing on embroidering a Screen of Ancient Treasures.
Several young maids gathered around, giggling as they speculated about what had happened in the side wing.
“She always schemed against our Miss,” Yuzhu said with a laugh, “and now she finally got her comeuppance…”
She added proudly, “And it was my information that helped!”
“Indeed! Didn’t the Eldest Miss reward you with so many sweets? You must have no room left under your pillow!” Yutong teased.
Seeing the girls so cheerful, Qingpu couldn’t help but smile faintly. She approached Jinchao and whispered, “There’s a lot of commotion outside.
Are you really going to stay out of it?
What about Madam’s side—should we send someone over?”
Jinchao smiled lightly. “I have suffered such great ‘grievances.’ Naturally, I must keep to my rooms for a few days to show how deeply I value Second Sister.
There’s no need to worry about the outside—
With Song Yiniang there, no matter how messy things get, she will find a way to clean them up.
As for Mother—after managing the inner household for over a decade, she surely has eyes and ears everywhere.
There’s no need for us to intervene.”
She paused, then added, “It is Father who will give Song Yiniang a headache.
Once Gu Lan’s coming-of-age ceremony is over, Father will certainly summon her to apologize to me.
In the meantime, completing this embroidery will suffice for me…”
After speaking, she motioned for Qingpu to hand her the brown thread to change colors.
Outside, though not truly in chaos, peace was far from restored.
When Song Yiniang emerged from Gu Deshao’s study, her expression was wan, her eyes red and swollen.
She had not told Gu Deshao the full details of what had occurred. She only explained that the two Madams had refused to officiate Gu Lan’s coming-of-age ceremony and that Gu Jinchao, angered by Gu Lan, would likely refuse to serve as her patroness. She pleaded with him to persuade Second Madam Gu to step in.
Gu Deshao’s face had darkened ominously.
He had already been reluctant to involve their ancestral family in their affairs, and now he was being asked to beg for their help.
He stared coldly at Song Yiniang for a long time, unmoving.
Only when she wept bitterly, crying, “Even if you do not care for me, you must consider Lan’er’s ceremony!” did he finally fall silent and begrudgingly agree.
Hearing Gu Deshao’s request, Second Madam Gu was indeed surprised.
But out of propriety, she ultimately agreed to lend her assistance.
Upon returning, Gu Deshao immediately summoned the old maids from the wing room to question them.
After learning the full story, his body trembled with rage.
In one swift motion, he seized the celadon brush washer from his desk and hurled it to the floor, shattering it into countless fragments.
He then ordered Shuiying to summon Gu Lan to the study.
The moment Gu Lan entered, she sensed that her father’s anger was far beyond what she had anticipated.
He sat there in silence, his gaze sharp and cold, without saying a word.
Gu Lan clenched the hem of her sleeve tightly.
Song Yiniang had already warned her: Father cared deeply for appearances.
Since tomorrow was her coming-of-age ceremony, he would not cause a major scene.
However, a harsh scolding was inevitable.
She need not lie excessively—Father might not know all the details, but he surely knew enough.
“Kneel!” Gu Deshao bellowed, pointing at her.
Gu Lan’s heart tightened. With a thud, she dropped to her knees, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
“Father, please listen to me…”
“Silence!” Gu Deshao roared. “What do you want to say? That you drove Madam Wen away? That you tried to sow discord between others? That you slandered your own sister before outsiders?”
His fury poured out without restraint.
“You needn’t say a word. The day after tomorrow, you will go and apologize to each of them one by one!”
“I even persuaded your elder sister to treat you kindly, to act as your patroness, to prepare your ceremony—and this is how you repay her?
Madam Wen, Madam Li—what are they to you?
No matter what, Gu Jinchao is your elder sister!
How dare you disgrace your own blood in front of outsiders!”
Gu Deshao’s gaze was not only full of anger—but also disappointment.
He had long believed that the daughter he had personally raised, though not skilled in all the arts, was at least gentle, respectful, and kind-hearted.
Yet she had dared to commit such disgraceful acts, slapping his dignity across the face for all to see!
No wonder Jinchao had always kept her distance from Gu Lan.
He had thought it was Jinchao’s fault—believed she had been cold and overbearing!
How blind he had been.
What kind of person was his so-called gentle and sweet daughter, truly?
Gu Lan hastily clutched at his sleeve, weeping bitterly.
“Father, I never meant to slander Elder Sister! I have always treated her well!
I only repeated what the servants said… it was my immaturity, my inability to discern truth from falsehood, that led me to speak recklessly before Madam Li…
But, Father, I am your daughter!
If you cannot forgive me, how could Elder Sister ever forgive me?”
Gu Deshao closed his eyes.
Gu Lan had never begged him so pitifully before.
But thinking of Gu Jinchao, who had endured everything silently without complaint, he hardened his heart once again.
“After your coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow, you will stay home and practice calligraphy.
You will copy The Admonitions for Women and The Precepts for Women1—you are forbidden from engaging in any other activities.
You will also go to your elder sister and offer a proper apology.
If such a thing ever happens again—do not call yourself my daughter!”
Having spoken, Gu Deshao left the study without a backward glance.
Gu Lan collapsed on the floor, unable to rise for a long, long while.
- The Admonitions for Women (Nü Jie, 女誡) and The Instructions for Women (Nü Xun, 女訓) are classical Chinese moral texts intended to educate women in Confucian ethics. Nü Jie was authored by Ban Zhao, the first known female historian of China, and emphasizes the virtues of humility, obedience, diligence, and propriety. Nü Xun, though often referenced in later compilations, is attributed to various sources and serves a similar didactic purpose, reinforcing the roles and conduct expected of women within the patriarchal family structure. ↩︎