DBB – Chapter 30: Luo Su

The next day marked Ji Chun’s Zhuazhou, a first birthday ceremony where he would choose an object predicting his future. The child had been well cared for, chubby and healthy, and could already call out to people.

Jinchao smiled as she held her little nephew. The boy was lively, constantly turning his head to look around while clutching at the lotus-patterned silver hairpin in her hair. The young wet nurse hurried to take him back. “Chun-ge’er, you mustn’t grab the young lady’s hairpin!”

Afraid of upsetting Jinchao, Liu Shi quickly smiled. “It just means he likes his cousin.”

Jinchao winced slightly as her hair was pulled, unable to hold onto the little monkey-like child any longer. She handed him back to the wet nurse, then removed the hairpin and passed it to Chun-ge’er. She kissed his cheek with a smile. “If Chun-ge’er likes it, then Chun-ge’er can play with it.”

The boy was delighted to grab the silver hairpin, waving it excitedly. He turned to Liu Shi and babbled, “Mother, give… give…”

Old Madam Ji watched in amusement. “Chun’er is so young, yet he already knows how to borrow flowers to offer to Buddha!“¹

Laughter filled the reception hall. Many guests had come for the ceremony—wealthy families from Tongzhou, relatives of the Ji family, and even the Gu family had sent a steward bearing gifts.

…But Jinchao’s father did not come.

Jinchao glanced at the steward presenting an exquisite gold Maitreya Buddha.

Soon, a large table was set before the kang bed, displaying various objects: seals, Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist scriptures, brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, an abacus, coins, account books, and more. Chun-ge’er was placed in front of the table. He crawled around, seemingly uncertain, then looked toward his wet nurse and Liu Shi. The adults found him amusing, while he babbled in a way no one could understand.

Suddenly, something caught his attention, and he eagerly crawled toward it. In his excitement, the silver hairpin in his hand slipped out.

At last, he grabbed what he liked—an abacus. Clutching it tightly, he shook it with enthusiasm, thoroughly enjoying himself. Liu Shi relaxed and let out a small smile.

The women congratulated Old Madam Ji and Liu Shi. “Chun-ge’er will surely be skilled in calculations and commerce, a future Tao Zhu Gong!” (A historical merchant known for his success.)

After a while, Chun-ge’er lost interest in the abacus and crawled back, picking up the hairpin Jinchao had given him.

Why did he pick up the young lady’s hairpin…? Liu Shi felt uneasy, glancing at her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. Neither showed any reaction. But Chun-ge’er clutched the hairpin tightly, refusing to let go, and happily reached out to be held.

Jinchao was also surprised. Well, children naturally liked grabbing beautiful things during this ceremony.

Fortunately, Old Madam Ji wasn’t concerned. Instead, she laughed. “Chun-ge’er already knows how to choose valuable and beautiful things!”

Liu Shi whispered, “It seems he really likes his cousin.” Sure enough, her grandmother’s smile deepened, and she finally relaxed.

With the ceremony over, Chun-ge’er was taken to the outer courtyard. The women stayed together, chatting and playing mahjong. Not long after, a servant woman entered and whispered something to Old Madam Ji, who nodded and beckoned Jinchao over.

“…Concubine Yun has returned ahead of schedule. Let’s go see her.”

Back already? The journey from Tongzhou to Taihe County took at least half a day, let alone a round trip. She must have traveled day and night to return quickly with news. If she came back first, it meant the matter was likely settled.

These thoughts flashed through Jinchao’s mind, and she nodded, following her grandmother to her courtyard. Concubine Yun awaited them in the west side room.

She looked utterly exhausted, dark circles under her eyes. Holding a doucai² teacup, she slowly sipped a sweet tonic.

Old Madam Ji excused her from formal greetings and allowed Jinchao to question her.

Concubine Yun managed a faint smile. “When we arrived in Taihe County, the county magistrate himself greeted us. Upon hearing our purpose, he immediately summoned County Deputy Luo. This Luo family has four sons—my elder sister married the son of County Deputy Luo’s concubine.”

“The niece’s name is Su. She came of age six months ago, delicate and fair, with a gentle temperament—not inferior to my sister in her youth. She had been betrothed to a scholar in the county, but once County Deputy Luo learned of our proposal, he personally arranged to annul the engagement. Within a few hours, everything was settled. The girl is now preparing to travel here and should arrive by evening.”

Jinchao nodded. “And the scholar… agreed so easily?”

Concubine Yun’s lips curled slightly. “Even if he didn’t want to, what choice did he have? He wouldn’t dare offend the Ji family. But he didn’t object—he’s just a poor Xiucai³ scholar still preparing for the provincial exam. We gave him a thousand taels of silver, and he had nothing more to say.”

Jinchao let out a silent breath of relief. Since the girl hadn’t married yet, things would be easier to handle. Once she arrived, Jinchao could assess her herself. If she proved capable of persuading her father to elevate County Deputy Luo’s position, then it would all come down to her own abilities.

Securing ties with the Gu family was something many people dreamed of.

Old Madam Ji said, “You’ve had a long journey. Go rest.”

Concubine Yun accepted the dismissal and left. Old Madam Ji then summoned a servant woman. “Take two sets of gold hairpins with infant and lotus patterns, a pair of gem-encrusted filigree gold hairpins, fine Shu brocade and Hangzhou silk, and a fifty-year-old ginseng root to Concubine Yun. Also, have Mama Li prepare a guest room.” The servant left to make the arrangements.

Concubine Yun had done well in this matter—wealth and success would follow.

Jinchao clasped Old Madam Ji’s hands. “Grandmother, you’ve gone through so much trouble for me…”

Old Madam Ji gazed at her kindly. “I watched you grow up. I wish I could give you nothing but the best. How could this be considered trouble?”

Holding these warm, calloused hands, Jinchao found herself at a loss for words. No matter what she said, it wouldn’t be enough.

By evening, a plain carriage with green curtains quietly rolled into the inner courtyard, stopping at Xidongpan. Stepping down first was Song Mama, the favored confidante of the Grand Madam.

Following her, a delicate figure in a pale pink cloak descended onto the carriage stool.

Trailing behind was a maid in a short brown tunic, her hair in two simple buns. Thin and sickly, she carried a package far too large for her frail frame.

Song Mama led the two into the warm pavilion of Xidongpan.

Old Madam Ji had gone to entertain the guests, leaving Jinchao in the warm pavilion, tending to the Luoyang Red peonies she had brought for her grandmother. As she carefully pruned the delicate branches, Song Mama lifted the curtain and entered. “Young Miss, they have arrived.”

Two figures followed her in single file.

Jinchao acknowledged her with a soft hum but did not look up, continuing her careful work on the flowers.

Only after finishing the arrangement did she speak. “These Luoyang Reds are delicate and cannot be left outside the greenhouse. Be sure to instruct the servants to take proper care of them. By late spring, they will bloom with a hundred blossoms, draped in petals like cascading pearls.”

Song Mama smiled and nodded in agreement. Only then did Jinchao allow Qingpu to assist her in washing and drying her hands before she finally settled into the grand teacher’s chair, her gaze falling upon the two newcomers.

The young girl standing at the front was as fragile as a willow, her pale face smooth as jade, evoking pity at first sight. Her black hair was simply arranged in a small twist, adorned with a plain silver hairpin etched with cloud patterns. She kept her head lowered, staring at the embroidered tips of her satin shoes. Clad in a light blue jacket and skirt, the newly tailored garment did not fit her well, accentuating her slender frame.

Jinchao’s voice was calm and indifferent. “You don’t even know to greet properly? Introduce yourself.”

The girl’s palms were sweating as she nervously clutched the edge of her sleeve. She lowered herself into a bow and spoke in a soft voice, “Greetings, Eldest Miss Gu. My name is Luo Su. My grandfather is the County Deputy of Taihe County.”

Before Luo Su could finish, the young maid behind her suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud. “This servant’s name is Erya. I am thirteen years old and come from Zhao Family Village in Taihe County. I was bought yesterday by Mama Song to serve Miss Luo.”

This little maid was quite bold and quick-witted—certainly, someone chosen by Song Mama would be.

Jinchao nodded. “Since you now belong to Miss Luo, it’s time for a new name. From now on, you will be called Qingyi.⁴”

The little maid showed no hesitation and responded crisply, “Thank you, Eldest Miss, for bestowing a name upon me.”

Jinchao then instructed Qingpu to take Qingyi to settle their belongings, have a hot bath, and dress her in a warm cotton jacket before returning to serve.

Having established her authority, Jinchao finally smiled and turned to Luo Su. “Have a seat first. Don’t be afraid of me.”

Luo Su, after all, was only fifteen. The grandeur of the Ji household, with its lavish decorations and numerous servants, had already overwhelmed her. And now, facing Gu Jinchao—calm and poised, radiating the effortless elegance of a noble young lady—she couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

“…I am not afraid,” Luo Su murmured. “It’s just that Eldest Miss carries an air of nobility that commands respect.”

Jinchao gave a faint, knowing smile. Others might take such words as flattery, but she would not.

After inviting Luo Su to sit, she signaled for Caifu to serve tea, then asked directly, “Do you understand the purpose of following me to the Gu family?”

Luo Su nodded, her pale face tinged with a hint of red. “My father said… I am to serve Master Gu.” Her voice grew weaker as she spoke.

It seemed everything had been explained to her clearly.

Jinchao continued, “Do you know how to serve someone? What skills have you learned?”

Luo Su replied hesitantly, “I have learned embroidery, household management… I also learned to play the pipa from my aunt. She was once a courtesan… Before I came here, she taught me how to… serve others.”

There was an obvious hesitation in her voice—this “service” was clearly different from the one she had first mentioned.

Jinchao had no objections. As long as Luo Su could keep her father occupied, that was enough. She was satisfied—beyond Luo Su’s delicate beauty, she had a mild and obedient temperament. Although timid and weak, with proper training, she could be of great use.

The only question was whether, over time, as she saw more and experienced more, she would start to develop ambitions of her own.

Jinchao took a sip of tea. This Luo Su… she would have to be firmly held in her grasp.

1. The idiom 借花献佛 (jiè huā xiàn fó) literally means “borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha.” It refers to the act of using something borrowed or not originally one’s own to present as a gift, often as a means to gain favor or goodwill. ↩︎
2. Doucai is a technique in painting Chinese porcelain, where parts of the design, and some outlines of the rest, are painted in underglaze blue, and the piece is then glazed and fired.
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3. Xiucai (秀才) refers to a scholar who has successfully passed the county-level imperial examination, the Tongshi (童试). This was the entry-level title in the imperial examination system, granting scholars certain privileges, such as exemption from corvée labor and minor legal protections. However, it did not guarantee an official position. A Xiucai could continue studying to take the provincial examination (Xiangshi, 乡试) in hopes of achieving the rank of Juren (举人). ↩︎
4. The name Qingyi (晴衣) can be interpreted as “clear garments” or “sunlit attire”, symbolizing a fresh start, purity, and brightness. The character 晴 (qíng) means “clear” or “sunny,” while 衣 (yī) means “clothing.” Given that names often carry symbolic meanings in historical contexts, Qingyi may reflect a hope for a new and stable future under Luo Su’s service. ↩︎