Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Old Madam Shen looked at her son. She knew him well — if he did not care about something, he would never ask a single question about it. The fact that he had specifically brought it up meant it mattered to him.
A calling card had indeed arrived from the Gu Residence that morning. It said they were grateful to Shen Si for taking charge of the matter at the Censorate and upholding justice, and that they wished to call on her in person to express their thanks.
She received countless cards like that. People were always finding some flimsy excuse to visit the Shen Residence and offer gifts.
Old Madam Shen had never had the patience to deal with them. She had no need to accommodate anyone, much less waste her time listening to their flattery. She rejected nearly all such requests without a second thought.
The card from the Gu Family had not explained exactly how Shen Si had helped them, or even which Gu Family it was. She had planned to have someone send a written refusal the next morning.
Now that Shen Si had come, however, the only matter from today that had anything to do with him was the card from the Gu Family.
A thought suddenly occurred to her.
This Gu Family…
Old Madam Shen looked at Shen Si and asked, “What did you help the Gu Family with?”
Leaning back in his chair, Shen Si merely said, “It was nothing important.”
Then he added, “I only lent a hand in passing. I didn’t do much.”
Old Madam Shen did not press him. She accepted the tea offered by a maid, took a sip to moisten her throat, and said, “The Gu Family sent a card this morning. They said they wanted to thank you for seeing justice done and asked to visit sometime in the next few days.”
She glanced at Shen Si again. “But I was planning to refuse. I generally don’t entertain cards like that.”
Only then did Shen Si raise his eyes. “Didn’t you say last time that you would invite the Gu Family over?”
At that, Old Madam Shen studied him carefully. Now she finally knew which Gu Family it was.
What a rare thing. He had actually remembered her mentioning that she intended to invite the Gu Family over.
Old Madam Shen’s expression grew serious as she finally understood why Shen Si had made this trip.
He must have learned that the Gu Family had sent a card and worried she would reject them.
This was a first in several decades. The sun had truly risen in the west today.
She hurriedly set down her teacup and scrutinized Shen Si’s expression. “Have you truly taken a liking to that Third Young Lady from the Gu Family?”
Shen Si’s expression remained unchanged. “No.”
Old Madam Shen immediately smiled. If he had not taken a liking to her, he never would have come all this way just to ask about the matter.
Her heart finally lightened. If things went smoothly, the household might soon have a happy occasion to celebrate.
Ignoring Shen Si’s denial, Old Madam Shen said, “Then I’ll send a reply tomorrow and invite them to come the day after. What do you think?”
Shen Si rested his fingertips on his knee, looking as though he did not care in the slightest. “Do as you see fit, Mother.”
With that, Shen Si rose and made to take his leave.
Old Madam Shen stopped him. “You still haven’t told me what you did for the Gu Family.”
Shen Si paused, then walked out without saying a word.
Seeing that Shen Si still refused to answer, Old Madam Shen smiled and said to the senior maidservant beside her, “Before this, he didn’t seem interested in Miss Gu at all. I don’t know what suddenly opened his eyes, but he certainly seems to care now.”
She continued, “When the Third Young Lady of the Gu Family came last time, I asked about some of her preferences. You were there too. Go make the arrangements. Prepare some pastries and fruit she likes for the day after tomorrow, and choose two attractive hairpins as gifts.”
“It isn’t easy for Ah Si to take a liking to a young lady, so we must treat her well. We should let her know that our Shen Family truly values her and that she won’t suffer any grievances after marrying into this household.”
The senior maidservant promptly smiled. “Rest assured, Old Madam. You were born with such a kind and benevolent face. Third Young Lady Gu is sure to see how fond you are of her.”
Old Madam Shen let out a relieved sigh. Rolling an eighteen-bead qinan agarwood bracelet carved with Double Happiness motifs between her fingers, she murmured, “The standing of the Gu Family may be a little low, but as long as the girl has good character and an unblemished reputation, and she and Ah Si share genuine affection, it doesn’t matter. It won’t be difficult to elevate the Gu Family in the future.”
The senior maidservant agreed with a smile. “It is rare indeed to see the Marquis take an interest of his own accord. Rest assured, Old Madam. By my reckoning, this household truly will have a happy occasion soon.”
The reply from the Shen Family was delivered to the Gu Residence early the next morning.
First Madam Gu’s face lit up with joy as soon as she received the card. She promptly brought Gu Wanyun to Old Madam Gu’s quarters to share the good news.
Old Madam Gu was delighted to hear it, especially when Madam Zhang told her how seriously Old Madam Shen was taking their visit. The card had asked them to arrive early and said that the household would prepare a banquet to entertain them.
It had even asked which dishes Gu Wanyun preferred, saying they need only send word and the household would have everything prepared.
They were clearly being treated as honored guests. The fact that the Shen Family had singled out Gu Wanyun to ask about her preferences was no casual courtesy either.
Old Madam Gu was overjoyed. She drew Gu Wanyun over to sit beside her, the smile never leaving her face. Holding Gu Wanyun’s hand, she said to Madam Zhang, “Wanyun looked especially blessed even as a child. I said then that this girl was destined for great fortune. See? Isn’t this proof that she was born for wealth and rank?”
“Just look at the standing of the Shen Family! Marquis Shen holds a marquisate at such a young age. In the past, we would never even have dared dream of such a match. But when someone is born to a noble fate, there is no holding back that good fortune. It falls straight into her lap, doesn’t it?”
Madam Zhang was smiling so broadly that her face nearly split. She nodded repeatedly and said, “Exactly! This is an honor beyond measure!”
“It seems that thank-you note I sent was the right move. Perhaps they would have invited us even if we hadn’t sent it.”
Old Madam Gu nodded. Seeing the smile on Madam Zhang’s face, she added, “Still, the Shen Family are imperial relatives and one of the highest noble houses. Their household must have many rules.”
“Although the Shen Family probably does have such intentions, we still cannot neglect proper etiquette.”
With that, Old Madam Gu turned to Gu Wanyun. “Girl Yun, that goes especially for you. You must be particularly mindful of everything you say and do at the Shen Family. I suspect Old Madam Shen intends to observe you closely this time. You must leave her with a good impression.”
By then, Gu Wanyun’s face was already flushed crimson. She lowered her head, her eyes brimming with shy delight as her heart pounded wildly.
She had never even caught a glimpse of Marquis Shen. The last time they visited the Shen Family, Marquis Shen had never appeared. She had assumed the whole matter was merely a passing whim of Her Majesty the Empress and that Marquis Shen himself had no interest in it. Though she had been disappointed, she had not dared to hope for much in the first place.
She knew perfectly well that the difference in status between herself and Marquis Shen was as vast as that between the clouds and the mud.
But she had seen the invitation from the Shen Family this time, and hope rose uncontrollably in her heart once more. She had heard that Marquis Shen possessed a regal bearing and was exceptionally handsome. With his lofty position and influence, if she married him, she would become the envy of every woman in the capital.
Who would not wish to marry such a noble and powerful man? Even if Marquis Shen had been plain-looking, she would still be extraordinarily fortunate to marry him. She would be guaranteed wealth and splendor for the rest of her life, and her father would be able to return as well.
Gu Wanyun could not calm her pounding heart. She nearly missed what her grandmother was saying beside her, and it was not until her grandmother repeated herself that she hurriedly nodded. Her long, fair fingers twisted together while her mind was already imagining what Marquis Shen might look like.
Seeing Old Madam Gu’s smiling face, Madam Zhang leaned closer and said, “The Shen Family isn’t an ordinary household. They’re one of the foremost families in the capital. When we visited last time, everything was so grand that even their maids looked more dignified than ordinary young ladies. Since we’re visiting the Shen Residence to express our gratitude, we can’t arrive looking shabby and embarrass ourselves.”
“Old Madam Shen holds an imperially conferred title. It wouldn’t look right if we went dressed too plainly, would it?”
Old Madam Gu paused and looked at Madam Zhang’s eager face.
Madam Zhang continued, “Besides, Old Madam Shen will surely be paying particular attention to my Wanyun this time. She can’t dress the way she used to.”
Old Madam Gu glanced at her. “If you have something to say, say it plainly.”
Madam Zhang smiled. “Old Madam, don’t you have a gold-mounted jade-and-pearl lotus jewelry set? It’s only sitting there unused, so why not let Wanyun wear it? If she wins Old Madam Shen’s favor this time, won’t the entire Gu Family prosper along with her in the future?”
Old Madam Gu pressed her lips together.
The jewelry set had been a birthday gift from her daughter. Made of gold and jade, it was far more valuable than the usual gilt-silver pieces. There were eleven pieces in total, each one worth a considerable sum.
Even after disaster struck the Gu Family, she had kept the set untouched because it was a gift from her daughter. Yet Madam Zhang had now set her sights on it.
Besides, Old Madam Gu had long since made other plans for the set. Ji Hanyi had left the Xie Family without taking anything with her and no longer owned any presentable jewelry. Since the set had originally been a gift from her mother, Old Madam Gu intended to leave it to Ji Hanyi.
Just yesterday, she had noticed that Ji Hanyi did not even have a pair of earrings on. Her heart aching for the girl, she had given Ji Hanyi the pair of gold lotus earrings set with rubies from the jewelry set.
Ji Hanyi had refused them, but Old Madam Gu had forced them into her hands anyway.
Now Madam Zhang wanted the set as well. Old Madam Gu fell silent for a moment, knowing that if she handed anything over today, Madam Zhang would certainly never return it.
She turned to look at Gu Wanyun, who sat beside her. Wanyun was also a granddaughter she had raised under her care since childhood. Both girls were her own flesh and blood, and she knew she could not favor one over the other.
Moreover, Madam Zhang’s words did make some sense. Old Madam Shen was accustomed to wealth and luxury. It would be inappropriate for them to arrive looking too shabby, and others might think they did not attach enough importance to the visit.
Old Madam Gu finally nodded and instructed an attendant to bring out one central hairpin and a pair of side hairpins from the jewelry set.
The attendant soon returned with two exquisite cases. When they were opened, the jewelry inside looked as good as new, having always been carefully stored away and never worn. No expense had been spared on the gold, and Madam Zhang’s eyes gleamed at the sight.
By her rough estimate, the gold alone had to weigh ten or more taels.
Even so, she was still somewhat displeased. There were eleven pieces in total, yet Old Madam had brought out only three. What was she saving the other nine pieces for?
Still, she had at least achieved part of her goal. She led Gu Wanyun in thanking Old Madam.
Having finally pried some of Old Madam’s treasured jewelry from her, Madam Zhang happily pulled Gu Wanyun away. As they left, she instructed her on how to dress for their visit to the Shen Residence the day after tomorrow and said they should buy the finest rouge and face powder from the shops.
She also mentioned the fabric Ji Hanyi had sent over before the New Year. Its pattern and embroidery had looked expensive at a glance. Fortunately, Madam Zhang had already sent it away to be made into clothes for Gu Wanyun. Tomorrow, they could stop by and see whether the outfit was finished.