DBB – Chapter 28: Fury
Ji Yao stormed out of Shexian Pavilion, his chest burning with frustration. He walked along the pavilions and corridors, eventually stopping by the lakeside, taking several deep breaths—but the anger within him refused to subside.
“Now that your cousin is here, you should spend more time with her and send her gifts. The two of you were never close as children, but now that she has come of age… You will have to marry her in the end. Once your aunt’s health improves, we will propose the marriage to the Gu family.”
Thinking of his grandmother’s words, Ji Yao felt a sharp twitch at his temples. Waves of suppressed fury rose within him, yet he had nowhere to vent. His nature and upbringing would never allow him to take his anger out on servants.
He stared at the lake for a while before turning toward his study. Zian followed cautiously, observing his master’s expression—he had no idea what the Old Madam had said to the Second Young Master at Shexian Pavilion, but it had clearly left him fuming.
Upon returning to his study, Ji Yao instructed Zian to open all the windows. Outside, a dense grove of black bamboo swayed gently in the night breeze. He stood at his desk, dipping his brush into ink in an attempt to calm himself. After finishing a copy of Su Dongpo’s Ding Feng Bo, he stared at the still-drying ink for a moment before inhaling deeply.
“We’re going to see the First Madam.”
The First Madam was in the middle of her evening grooming routine, assisted by her maids. Upon hearing that Ji Yao had come looking for her, she quickly had them re-knot her simple bun.
“…It’s already the hour of the pig (9–11 PM). What could bring him here at this hour?”
The old maidservant who had reported to her shook her head. “I’m not sure, but this evening, the Old Madam summoned the Second Young Master to Shexian Pavilion.”
The First Madam pondered this for a moment before saying, “Bring him to the warm chamber at the back. It’s freezing outside—he must be chilled from rushing over.”
After composing herself, she entered the warm chamber. Seeing her normally mild-mannered son looking so grim, his hands clenched into fists, she softened at once.
“Yao’er, it’s late. Why have you come to the inner courtyard?”
“Mother!” Ji Yao pressed his lips together tightly, his emotions simmering. It took a long moment before he continued, “I have no interest in meddling with the Ji family’s affairs. But for you, for Grandmother, I’ve done my part. If managing the family’s academic pursuits is necessary, let Third Brother handle it. I have compromised in every way possible, but can’t I at least have control over my own life? I have never liked Gu Jinchao. I do not want to spend my life bound to her!”
The First Madam’s heart clenched. “What nonsense are you saying?” She immediately ordered the maids and study attendants to leave, making sure they guarded the outer doors before taking her son’s hands. “Did your grandmother finally speak plainly?”
Ji Yao took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. “I had thought she would eventually abandon this idea… But you know what kind of person Gu Jinchao is. We grew up together—just look at the things she’s done. When I was young, my wet nurse offended her with a single remark, and she had Grandmother throw her out of the household. When Fourth Brother accidentally touched her favorite pastries, she made him kneel in the ancestral hall for an entire day without water… Have you ever seen her do a single act of kindness?”
The First Madam fell silent for a moment before attempting to reason with him. “But those were childhood grievances. Chao’er seems much better now.”
Ji Yao shook his head. “You don’t understand. Last year, during the Lantern Festival at the Yongyang Bo Estate, a little maid accidentally blocked her path. She grabbed the girl and slapped her across the face—right in front of all the young ladies and gentlemen from noble families. Her hair was filled with glittering golden ornaments, and at that moment, I didn’t even want to admit she was my cousin. Asking me to treat her with courtesy is one thing, but to marry her? Absolutely not.”
The First Madam felt a bitter ache in her chest. Her son was a refined and restrained young man—why must he be forced into a marriage with Gu Jinchao? Her mother-in-law had only ever considered her granddaughter’s future, but what about her own grandson’s wishes?
“What can I do?” she sighed. “Once your grandmother has decided on something… who can possibly change her mind?”
Ji Yao gritted his teeth and gave a mirthless laugh. “Even if I refuse, Grandmother has countless ways to force my hand…”
The First Madam squeezed his hand comfortingly. “Don’t worry. If your grandmother brings this up again, I’ll try to dissuade her…” Even if it was futile, she had to try—for Yao’er’s sake.
The next morning, Second Master Ji came to pay respects to Old Madam Ji, who casually asked him about Concubine Yun.
He found it rather odd—why was his mother suddenly interested in one of his concubines?
After thinking for a moment, he replied, “It’s been over half a month since I last saw her. Does Mother need something from her? I will send someone to fetch her at once.”
Jinchao stood beside her grandmother, grinding ink for her.
Every morning at the hour of the dragon (7–9 AM), Old Madam Ji handled reports from various stewards and reviewed account books and land revenues in Shexian Pavilion. Only after her two sons and daughters-in-law finished paying their respects would she meet with household managers. Jinchao had grown up watching her grandmother work, and thus had developed the habit of rising early to assist.
Old Madam Ji took a sip of her Hanshan Xueya tea and said calmly, “Just have her come.” She offered no further explanation. This was, after all, Gu family business—there was no need for outsiders to know.
Understanding his mother’s strong-willed nature, Second Master Ji refrained from asking more questions and ordered Lingqiu to summon Concubine Yun.
When Concubine Yun arrived, she was visibly anxious—she had applied her makeup in haste, and the gold-rimmed hairpin set with yellow tourmaline in her hair was slightly askew.
“Your concubine Yun Jin greets the Grand Madam.”
Old Madam Ji frowned slightly, displeased at how easily rattled she was. Could such a person even be entrusted with a task?
Jinchao, however, studied her closely. Though age had added fine lines to her face, her features remained delicate and refined, her skin pale and smooth. She wore a stone-blue brocade jacket with entwining floral patterns—modest yet dignified.
Concubine Yun was equally apprehensive. As a low-ranking concubine, she rarely had the opportunity to meet the Grand Madam, let alone be summoned personally. She wracked her brain, trying to recall if she had committed any mistakes lately. Failing to think of anything, she steadied herself slightly. When she lifted her gaze, she found Gu Jinchao watching her intently, and she flinched.
In just a moment, she composed herself.
A young lady standing so close to the Grand Madam, with a beauty as vibrant as blooming crabapple flowers… Her attire, though simple, was made of a finely woven jacquard fabric worth a fortune. This could only be the Grand Madam’s most cherished granddaughter, the Gu family’s young mistress—Gu Jinchao.
But why was she here? And why had all the other servants been dismissed, leaving only her?
Madam Ji motioned for her to sit on the grand teacher’s chair before introducing her. “This is the young mistress of the Gu family.”
Jinchao smiled warmly. “From the moment I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity. You resemble your younger sister, Yunxiang, quite a bit. I heard you also have an elder sister named Yun Yan—is that correct?”
Concubine Yun nodded. “Yes, I take after Yunxiang. But my elder sister… she looks almost identical to her. She married long ago, and I rarely hear from her.”
Madam Ji asked, “Do you know where Yun Yan was married?”
Concubine Yun hesitated. “She was taken as a concubine by the son of the magistrate of Taihe County. I visited her twice—the last time was five years ago. If nothing has changed, she should still be there.”
Jinchao’s heart eased. If Yun Yan’s whereabouts were known, their plan would be much easier to execute.
She smiled. “Does your sister have an unmarried daughter?”
Concubine Yun hesitated, sensing something deeper at play… Why would the young mistress ask about the daughter of a maid who had been sent away from the household?
Concubine Yun lifted her gaze toward the Grand Madam, only to find the elder woman looking at her as well. A wave of nervousness washed over her. “Well… yes, she does. But the girl is already fifteen now—I don’t know if she has been betrothed yet… May I ask why the young mistress is inquiring about my niece?”
Jinchao offered her a reassuring smile. “You don’t need to be anxious. My mother’s health has been frail, and attending to my father while managing household affairs has been overwhelming for her. She hopes to find a suitable concubine for my father. Would you be willing to travel to Taihe County and relay our proposal to your niece’s family? If they agree to this match, the Gu family will naturally offer a generous betrothal gift.”
Of course, if it were merely the matter of taking a concubine, it wouldn’t be referred to as a betrothal gift. Jinchao was simply speaking politely.
Madam Ji then added, “If you travel to Taihe County, I will have Steward Zheng and Mama Song accompany you. If your niece is still unmarried, bring her back with you. For the granddaughter of a county magistrate to enter the Gu family as a concubine—that is already a great honor.”
With these words, the Grand Madam had left no room for refusal.