DBB – Chapter 20: The Ancestral Home

The New Year festivities passed swiftly. In Shian, days were filled with leisure and lively outings—relatives and friends gathered to partake in activities such as pitch-pot, wine-drinking games, stick-fighting, kickball, and listening to storytelling performances. Jinchao’s father, along with his colleagues, Lord Mu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Lord Zhou, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, also joined in the revelry. Meanwhile, the women of the household visited familiar relatives. The Gu family’s residence in Silihu Hutong was close to that of the Song family, where Lord Song served as the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, as well as the Yongyang Bo Manor.

Madam Gu had always been close friends with the Yongyang Bo Madam, who made a special visit to see her. Due to Madam Gu’s frail health, she could not leave the house, so Song Concubine took Gu Jinchao and Gu Lan to Dingguo Gong Manor in Luoxian Hutong to visit the Fan family—her father’s biological mother’s family. The Fans had once extended great support to her father, and the two families remained closely connected.

On the eighth day of the New Year, it was time to visit the Gu family’s ancestral home.

This time, her father intended to bring Jinchao and the three younger sisters along. He had instructed them well in advance to prepare themselves properly and had ordered the steward to prepare gifts—golden beans for the children, pearl and jade hairpins, cakes, preserved meats, and other delicacies. The last visit to the ancestral home had been three years ago, and things had not ended on a pleasant note between her father and Grandmother. Perhaps with that in mind, her father also had a chahua-colored satin robe embroidered with symbols of blessings, longevity, and joy prepared as a gift.

When Jinchao came to pay her respects, she saw the outfit laid out before him and commented, “The chahua color does not complement the patterns. Grandmother is a devout Buddhist—perhaps it would be better to use sandalwood-colored plain satin instead, which would appear more solemn. Additionally, we should add two strands of agarwood prayer beads and have them blessed at Daguo Temple.”

Her father gave her a thoughtful look, as if surprised—he hadn’t even known that his mother was so devoted to Buddhist practices.

Jinchao explained, “The last time I visited, I noticed Grandmother keeping a strand of prayer beads tucked within her sleeve.”

Her father nodded in approval, “You were only twelve then, yet you still remember. Very well, let’s follow your suggestion.” He instructed the steward to make the changes accordingly.

Jinchao naturally wouldn’t tell her father that she had a lot of contact with her grandmother in her previous life. When she married into the Chen family, she was very glorious. The Gu family and their ancestors came to curry favor with her, and her grandmother also gave her many things.

Song Concubine, who had been watching, smiled and remarked, “I never realized our Jinchao was so observant.”

Jinchao remained silent, but her father responded, “She is intelligent, much like her mother.”

At this, Song Concubine refrained from saying more, and Jinchao quietly withdrew.

Back at Xiexiao Courtyard, Madam Gu inquired whether she had made any preparations. Jinchao, being a junior, was not expected to prepare much—perhaps just some golden beans and silver ingots for her younger siblings. After all, she was the one who would be receiving gifts from others.

Still, her mother worried. Since Gu Lan had taken the gold hairpin set meant for Jinchao, Madam Gu had the steward open the storeroom and select a few additional items: a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with eighteen red and blue sapphires, a phoenix-and-cloud-patterned gold hairpin adorned with yellow tourmalines, a gilded butterfly-and-blossom silver hairpin, and a pair of jet-black jade bangles. She also had the maid Moxue accompany Jinchao for the visit.

Jinchao looked at the hairpin, its inlays gleaming in the light, and couldn’t help but chuckle—at last, she understood why she had amassed so many extravagant accessories. Her mother, deeply influenced by her grandmother, was determined to give her only the finest and most luxurious things. But she would not wear these outside, she had no intention of wearing such an ostentatious display.

On the morning of the eighth, Jinchao dressed in a pale green embroidered skirt and a moon-white brocade jacket adorned with intricate floral patterns. Feeling it was too understated, she added an apricot-colored sash and carried a dark blue sachet at her waist. Once satisfied, she stepped into the carriage alongside Qingpu and Moxue.

After her father’s separation from the main Gu household, he had settled in Shian, while the ancestral home remained in Daxing County, at the foot of the emperor, in Shuntian Prefecture, within the capital’s jurisdiction. Their journey in the canopied carriage with green curtains took about an hour—not too far, as this was the very same road her father traveled when attending court.

Jinchao lifted the curtain and peered outside. The official road was lined with thriving businesses, bustling teahouses, and well-patronized taverns. The streets teemed with people, all donning Nao Rang Rang ornaments, lending the atmosphere a festive and lively air. Beyond the bustling marketplace, they passed through Taohuawu. If they had not turned, the road ahead would have led straight to the imperial palace…

Jinchao quietly lowered the curtain.

The carriage came to a stop at the ancestral residence’s decorated archway, where several elderly maids waited beside small, covered sedan chairs meant for inner-courtyard use. The leading maid stepped forward and bowed to her father. “Fourth Master, please follow me. The Old Madam is expecting you.”

Her father nodded and motioned for the steward to distribute small pouches of silver ingots to each of the attendants.

Jinchao transferred to the smaller sedan chair, her mind wandering back to memories of the ancestral home.

Her father had been born sixth but had only two full brothers and one half-brother, making him commonly referred to as “Fourth Master.” However, Gu’s First and Third Masters had passed away early, leaving Gu Second Master—currently serving as Right Vice Censor-in-Chief —as the head of the family.

 The Gu family had been a scholarly household for generations, producing imperial scholars and officials for over a century. Their ancestral estate in Taohuawu was vast and prestigious, a stark contrast to her father’s more modest residence in Shian.

As the sedan chair came to a halt, Qingpu helped Jinchao alight.

Looking ahead, she saw high white walls, their surfaces smooth as jade, with a paved stone path leading toward a secluded courtyard. Though it was deep winter, a grove of bamboo rustled gently in the breeze, and the entrance was partially obscured by the overhanging branches of a flowering crabapple tree. Above the doorway, two characters were inscribed: “Yan Xiu” (Graceful Embroidery). Nearby, an artificial rock formation bore layers of snow, yet below, the clear waters of a pond still rippled as vibrant koi swam beneath the surface. Was there a hot spring beneath?

A maid led them through the entrance, where four attendants dressed in dark green embroidered jackets greeted them with deep bows. Beyond the hall, a burst of bright laughter could be heard—light and melodious, like an oriole singing at dawn.

“Grandmother, you must keep your word! You promised this box of bone-in abalone to me!”

At the doorway, the maid respectfully announced, “Great Madam, Third Master has arrived.”

A moment later, a composed and dignified voice answered, “Let them enter.”

Passing through an eight-paneled lacquered screen inlaid with jade carvings of birds flocking toward the sun, Jinchao laid eyes upon a woman of about sixty, seated upon a richly ornamented luohan couch. She was dressed in a deep red satin robe embroidered with eight auspicious symbols, her hair adorned with a single gold hairpin in the shape of a lotus, its delicate filigree forming the character for “Buddha.”

Jinchao recognized her at once—her grandmother, Old Madam Gu, the esteemed matriarch of the Gu family.

She and the other young ladies stepped forward to o to pay their respects, bowing deeply and Old Madam Gu, in turn, distributed meeting gifts to each of them.

With a warm smile, Old Madam Gu extended her hands, beckoning them closer. “Come, come. Let me have a good look at you all.”

Seated around her were the women of the family, and among them was a girl of fourteen or fifteen, playfully clinging to Old Madam Gu’s arm, acting coquettish.

At the sight of this, Jinchao’s father appeared displeased.

Old Madam Gu, noticing his expression, said gently, “Duanxiu, take the Fourth Master’s daughters and concubine to the eastern parlor. Have them rest and enjoy some refreshments.”

She had deliberately kept only her son behind, clearly intending to speak with him privately. Jinchao caught sight of the steward holding the prepared gift boxes and, seeing that all was in order, followed the others without concern.

The one who responded to Old Madam Gu’s command was a woman with almond-shaped phoenix eyes and fair, delicate skin, her hair styled into a peony bun. She wore a deep red embroidered robe patterned with auspicious motifs—this was none other than the Second Madam of the Gu family.

With a composed smile, she led them to the eastern parlor and, upon entering, took Song Concubine’s hand with an air of familiarity. “I have not had the pleasure of meeting you before. You must be the legitimate daughter of the Assistant Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, am I right?”

She had not referred to her as a concubine—clearly, she was a woman of shrewd judgment.

Song Concubine returned the smile. “Indeed, and if I am not mistaken, you must be Second Madam. Your elegance and grace are truly remarkable.” She then turned slightly, gesturing toward Jinchao. “Allow me to introduce you—this is our Fourth Master’s eldest daughter, Jinchao.”

Hearing herself mentioned, Jinchao stepped forward and greeted the Second Madam with proper decorum.

For a brief moment, the woman seemed surprised as she studied Jinchao. However, she swiftly recovered her warm smile and presented her with a brocade box.

Song Concubine continued, “And this is our second daughter, Lan.”

Unlike her reserved reaction to Jinchao, the Second Madam greeted Gu Lan with clear fondness, offering a few words of praise before handing her a gift as well.

Gu Lan was always well-received by elders. This was a talent that no one could match.

After introducing Gu Xi and Gu Yi, the Second Madam in turn introduced her own eldest daughter, Gu Jinhua, who had married several years prior and was visiting her parental home for the New Year.

Following the traditions of the Gu family, all legitimate eldest daughters shared the character “Jin” in their names. Because of this, Gu Jinhua felt a natural closeness to Jinchao, more so than to Lan. Taking her hand affectionately, she chatted with her warmly and even gifted her a pair of white jade earrings engraved with cloud motifs.

The girl who had been clinging to Old Madam Gu earlier was the Second Madam’s younger daughter, Gu Lian. At fourteen, she was a delicate beauty, but she had clearly been pampered. Barely acknowledging the introduction with a dismissive hum, she quickly returned to whispering and laughing with another girl by her side.

Song Concubine, naturally, would not comment on her lack of decorum. Instead, she smiled and remarked, “Young Miss Lian is so full of life and energy, unlike our Lan, whom I’ve raised to be far too reserved.”

Gu Lan quickly added, “I find Miss Lian absolutely delightful!”

The Second Madam’s smile deepened at this, her fondness for Gu Lan growing even stronger. She then introduced the daughters of the Fifth Master and a young lady from Gu Jinhua’s husband’s family, to whom Jinchao gifted small pouches of golden beans as a token of goodwill.

“The Fifth Madam is over by the opera stage,” the Second Madam informed Song Concubine. “I’ll introduce you to her later.”

Gu Jinchao’s Fifth Uncle had passed the imperial examinations alongside her father. However, due to his marriage, he had also secured a position as a Vice Commander in the Imperial Guards.

Upon hearing the mention of the Fifth Madam, Song Concubine’s expression subtly changed. “Would she be the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changxing…?”

The Second Madam gave a slight nod.

At this, Song Concubine grew noticeably more reserved.

In most cases, a woman’s status after marriage was dictated by that of her husband. But the daughter of the Marquis of Changxing was an exception. The Fifth Master was merely a concubine-born son, yet by marrying the legitimate daughter of the Marquis, he had risen in rank and secured a solid fourth-rank official post.

Over the years, the Marquis of Changxing had led numerous military campaigns on behalf of the emperor, suppressing rebellions and securing victories on the battlefield. His meritorious service had earned him great imperial favor—so much so that even his wife had been granted the honorary title of a second-rank noble lady.

Compared to the Marquis of Changxing, the Gu family’s ancestral lineage seemed far less distinguished. Even Gu Second Master, despite presenting himself at court, could do little more than make his presence known. The Marquis, however, had the privilege of entering the imperial palace freely, engaging in hunts and archery competitions alongside the emperor. Among military officials, the Marquis of Changxing had become the most highly regarded, standing at the pinnacle of power and influence.