DBB – Chapter 46: Hairpin Ceremony
A few days later, her father summoned Jinchao to ask about Ye Xian.
Jinchao replied calmly, “Last time, the Shizi accidentally injured my cat. This time, he came specifically to apologize.”
Gu Deshao gave her a long look, clearly doubtful.
After sitting down, he continued, “Lan’er said the Shizi once gave you a painting?”
Jinchao didn’t bat an eye. “He felt guilty about the cat and gifted a painting—of a cat. Second Sister was there and saw it. Hasn’t she explained it to Father?”
Gu Deshao frowned slightly, then gave her a word of caution. “The Shizi is your elder in terms of generational hierarchy. You must treat him with the utmost respect from now on.”
That warning was meant to prevent rumors of an improper relationship. Jinchao couldn’t help but smile—even if she were ten times bolder, she wouldn’t dare harbor private feelings for Ye Xian.
Gu Deshao soon changed the topic to Gu Lan’s coming-of-age ceremony.
“Your Second Sister’s hairpin ceremony is in half a month. The household will be quite busy. As her elder sister, you should begin thinking about what kind of gift you’ll prepare. She also needs a sponsor for the ritual. Would you be willing to serve as her zan zhe?”
Jinchao naturally agreed. Though, in her heart, she doubted Gu Lan would be pleased. That girl was prideful to the extreme—she probably thought Jinchao’s reputation too poor to be her ceremonial sponsor.
“Have you and Mother chosen who will insert the hairpin and officiate the rites?” she asked.
Gu Deshao replied, “Your Song Yiniang wants to select one of her two elder sisters—both already married into respectable families—to insert the hairpin. As for the officiant, she’s thinking of using one of her nieces. You needn’t worry about it.”
After returning to Qingtong Courtyard, Jinchao asked Tong Mama to send word to Luo Yongping in Baodi.
Luo Yongping was now the steward of two silk shops jointly run by the Gu and Ji families, a position secured thanks to Jinchao’s personal recommendation to her mother. He was deeply grateful to her and carried out any instruction she gave with care and precision.
He arrived in fine silk robes patterned with auspicious flowers, looking even rounder and fairer than before. With a beaming smile, he asked, “What instructions does Eldest Miss have for me today?”
Jinchao asked him to prepare a hairpin ceremony gift for Gu Lan.
“Something extravagant—shining gold, the kind of thing that looks expensive at first glance. And there must be a full set of gold-thread insect motif hair ornaments. She’s especially fond of those.”
Baiyun and Caifu both pressed their lips into knowing smiles.
Luo Yongping nodded eagerly. “I’ll see to it at once, Miss.”
Jinchao then remembered what her father had said about Song Yiniang’s elder sisters. She had little knowledge of the Song family and didn’t know what kind of women they were, or whom they had married.
She instructed Luo Yongping again. “Song Shaoqing of the Court of Ceremonial Affairs has two legitimate daughters who married into other families. Help me inquire about them.”
Luo Yongping paused to think, then caught on immediately. “Understood, Miss.”
Two days later, he sent a servant to deliver the items. There were three lacquered boxes: two containing gold-thread hairpins with fine insect engravings, and one with a pair of gilded bracelets.
Jinchao was quite pleased and asked Tong Mama to store them away carefully.
Then Luo Yongping pulled out a slim, blue booklet from his sleeve. “This is the household background of Song Yiniang’s two elder sisters. I feared I might forget something if I explained it aloud, so I prepared this written summary for you.”
He was, as always, thorough and meticulous.
Jinchao rewarded him generously and had him seen out. Then she had Qingpu open the window to let in the sunlight and reclined on the kang bed, spreading the booklet open in front of her.
The elder of Song Yiniang’s sisters had married Li Xuanfu, a military commissioner stationed in Shaanxi. Though he held post in the province, he had only taken his personal servants with him, while his wife, Madam Li, remained in Daxing County with her mother-in-law and two daughters.
Rumor had it that Commissioner Li had taken a concubine and fathered a son in Shaanxi, which was why he refused to return to the capital. Madam Li was proud and highly sensitive about this. Once, she overheard a servant gossiping about it and immediately drove her out of the household.
She placed great emphasis on female virtue and propriety, and her two daughters were known far and wide for their refinement and dignity.
The second sister had married Minister Wen, an Assistant Director at the Court of Imperial Banquets. Though only a fifth-rank official, he had once been a disciple of Zhang Julian and was considered part of his faction—his prospects were promising. Madam Wen had borne a legitimate eldest son and moved comfortably in the social circles of court officials’ wives and daughters.
Luo Yongping had not only written up the family backgrounds but also included several discreet rumors. Everything was detailed and precise.
After reviewing it, Jinchao discussed it with Tong Mama.
“In terms of personality,” said Tong Mama, “I think Song Yiniang will likely choose Madam Wen as the one to insert the hairpin. She’s cheerful and known for matchmaking—most of the marriages she’s arranged turned out well. Song Yiniang will surely want to keep her close for the sake of Second Miss’s future.”
“But Madam Li is proud. If she’s not properly appeased, she might secretly hold a grudge.”
Jinchao smiled faintly. “Then perhaps she should be the one chosen. If it were me, I’d pick Madam Li. Better to offend a gentleman than a petty soul. There’s nothing more dangerous than being resented by someone narrow-minded… Though I suppose there’s no need to worry. Gu Lan knows how to handle these things.”
Tong Mama chuckled. “I’d forgotten that. You should rest now, Miss. You’ll need to visit Madam later in the afternoon.”
Jinchao nodded and had Qingpu light the candle stand. She then personally burned the booklet to ash.
Mid-spring had passed, and late spring was giving way to early summer. In her courtyard pond, the lotus plants had begun to bud, delicate tips tinged with pale violet.
The Gu household was lively with preparations. Pomegranate trees, oleanders, and cannas were moved out from the greenhouse to fill the courtyards with color. A special flower platform was even constructed for the celebration.
Gu Deshao personally drafted the guest list and hired the Deyinfang Opera Troupe to perform. As the day of Gu Lan’s hairpin ceremony approached, gifts poured in—not only from nearby families like the Marquis of Yongyang and the Songs, but also from the Luos of Luoxian Hutong and the Fang family of the Duke of Dingguo’s residence.
Jinchao was in her room dyeing her nails.
That morning, the balsam flowers had bloomed beautifully. Seeing her pale hands, she suddenly wanted to stain her nails red. She had Yutong bring out a glass bowl, and plucked the petals herself from the garden.
The petals were crushed and mixed with white alum, forming a vivid red paste. She carefully applied the mixture to her nails and wrapped each fingertip in cotton.
As her hands rested on a small table, Caifu read aloud the list of recent gifts copied from the registry:
“From the Luo family of Luoxian Hutong, one set of glazed bowls and goblets… From the Fang family of Duke Dingguo’s household, an antique three-footed incense burner with twin beast handles… From the Mu family of Yuer Hutong, a pair of jade bangles in filigree settings…”
Upon hearing the name Mu family, Jinchao asked Caifu, “They sent a gift too?”
Caifu replied, “Several of Father’s close colleagues sent gifts—but the one from the Mu family was by far the most generous…”
“The more lavish the gift, the more trouble it brings them,” Jinchao said with a nod, signaling her to continue reading.
After a while, Baiyun came in to report, “Miss, Madam Li and Madam Wen have arrived. They’re currently with Song Yiniang.”
With only four days remaining until the hairpin ceremony, Song Yiniang had already asked Father for permission and sent a steward to escort her two elder sisters to the Gu household. They would be staying for a few days, giving the sisters and nieces time to catch up.
Previously, Madam Li and Madam Wen had kept a certain distance from Song Yiniang. But now that there was a faint possibility of her being elevated to principal wife, they had grown markedly more affectionate. After all, her daughter’s sponsor was soon to be promoted, and the Gu family had ties by marriage to the ancestral branch—connected to none other than the Marquis of Changxing. Aligning with the Gu family could only bring benefits.
Jinchao considered this and asked Caifu to help her wash her hands.
Caifu was puzzled. “Miss, it’s not the right hour yet…”
“A soft pink hue looks best. No need for bright red,” Jinchao replied casually.
Caifu assisted her, and sure enough, her nails, pale as cream, now glowed with a delicate rosy tint—graceful and lovely.
Jinchao took Qingpu and Caifu with her to pay a visit to Song Yiniang, specifically to meet Madam Li and Madam Wen.
Madam Li had brought her second daughter, Li Fu, who was clearly meant to serve as sī zhě, the ceremonial attendant. Li Fu, age fifteen, wore a lilac robe embroidered with curling vines. She was modest and reserved—pretty in her own way, but a touch stiff in demeanor.
Madam Li’s expression turned odd the moment she saw Jinchao. There was a trace of disdain in her eyes, and when Jinchao greeted her politely, she barely returned a curt nod before turning away.
Jinchao recalled what Luo Yongping had written in the booklet: Madam Li placed great value on the Three Obediences and Four Virtues expected of women. Someone like Jinchao—rumored to be arrogant and unruly, and not entirely proper—was the sort of girl Madam Li especially disapproved of.
Madam Wen, however, greeted Jinchao warmly with a smile. “Chao’er, you’ve grown more beautiful by the day. Even the garden blooms seem dull beside you.”
Madam Li eyed her more critically and said, “Eldest Miss has such vivid beauty. Perhaps she might try something more plain in attire.”
As if to imply she looked too alluring.
Jinchao found the remark absurd. She was wearing a celadon silk robe patterned with auspicious clouds—what could be more modest than that?
Even Song Yiniang sensed her elder sister’s lack of tact and chuckled, “Our Eldest Miss is famed in all of Shian for her looks. It’s not often she visits me here. I heard you’re fond of lotuses, and the ones by the Misty Veranda are blooming beautifully. If you like, pick a pot to take home.”
Jinchao smiled and teased, “Aunt, your lotuses are thriving—I wouldn’t dare take what you cherish!”
Song Yiniang’s gaze flickered, and just as she was about to reply, Qiaowei came in to announce, “Second Miss has arrived.”
Gu Lan entered with a bright smile and immediately took Madam Wen’s hand. “Madam Wen! It’s been ages since I saw you!”
Madam Wen beamed and pulled her close. “Let me see—you’ve grown into a proper young lady!”
Gu Lan laughed, “No matter how much I grow, I’ll always be close to you. I still remember when I was little and wouldn’t take my medicine—you bought me honey taffy!”
Song Yiniang chided her gently, “Mind your manners. Come greet Madam Li and Second Miss Li.”
Gu Lan then turned to Madam Li with another smile. “I was just too happy to see you. Madam Li is so gracious, and Second Miss is so gentle and composed—I knew you wouldn’t hold it against me.”
Madam Li replied, “Of course I wouldn’t. But you’re too naïve. One day, someone will take advantage of that, and you won’t even realize it.”
Gu Lan smiled sheepishly. “With my elder sister around, who would dare bully me?” Her gaze slid toward Jinchao, full of meaning.
Madam Wen stroked her hair affectionately.
Jinchao watched the exchange, hiding a small, wry smile.
Gu Lan’s skill at speaking one way before people and another behind their backs… truly masterful.