Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Since they would not be leaving for the next two days after all, Ji Hanyi had Rongchun put things in order again. There was no need to unpack everything they had already packed; they only needed to take out the everyday necessities. That way, if anything changed, they would not have to scramble to pack everything again.
They had only been at it for a short while, and Ji Hanyi was arranging her writing implements when Rongchun suddenly came in to announce that Gu Wanyun and Eldest Maternal Aunt had arrived.
Ji Hanyi was somewhat surprised to hear that they had come and quickly told Rongchun to show them in.
Gu Wanyun entered with delight written all over her face. The moment she saw Ji Hanyi, she called out, “Sister,” and hurried over to her.
Before Ji Hanyi could ask what had made her so happy, Gu Wanyun said shyly, “The Shen Residence is holding a poetry gathering tomorrow, and they’ve invited both you and me.”
She added, “I don’t know any of the young ladies at the Shen Residence. Fortunately, you’ll be there with me.”
Ji Hanyi paused. She recalled what Shen Changling had said last time. He did seem to have mentioned that the Shen Residence would be holding a poetry gathering, but had she not already declined? Why was she still included?
Then she thought about how the Shen Residence had invited Third Younger Sister again so soon, as well as First Madam Shen’s eager manner the last time they met. Ji Hanyi could not quite fathom what the Shen Residence intended.
Wasn’t it said that His Majesty the Emperor was to bestow a marriage? By inviting Third Younger Sister like this, could the Shen Residence be hoping to marry her to Shen Si to avoid that marriage arrangement?
Ji Hanyi’s thoughts were truly in a tangle, and she could not make sense of any of it.
And if that was indeed their intention, why had Shen Si come to see her?
After considering it briefly, she looked at Gu Wanyun. “I won’t be going tomorrow. I need to look after Mother, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany Third Younger Sister.”
Disappointment immediately filled Gu Wanyun’s eyes. She clutched Ji Hanyi’s sleeve and pleaded softly, “Please come with me, Sister. I’m a little frightened to go alone.”
Gu Wanyun truly was afraid. Every young lady of the Shen Residence came from an impressive background. She had heard that even First Master Shen’s concubines were all daughters of the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. Most likely, even the concubine-born daughters there wore finer clothes and jewelry than she did.
Besides, it was a poetry gathering. Although she had studied from a young age, all she had read were the Four Books for Women, the Classic for Daughters, and Models for the Inner Quarters. Her father had never allowed her to study much of the classics, histories, philosophical works, or literary collections, saying they would be of no use to her. She knew full well that her literary talent probably could not compare to the young ladies of a distinguished scholarly family like the Shen Family.
She had heard that the Former Chief Grand Secretary had enforced strict rules in the past. All the younger members of the clan, whether boys or girls, had attended the clan school together from an early age. The girls had even been tested on their recitations just like the boys.
What Gu Wanyun feared most was humiliating herself there and becoming a laughingstock.
She had only just caught Old Madam Shen’s eye. If she made a fool of herself now, would all her efforts not be ruined in an instant?
Ji Hanyi’s father had been a man of exceptional learning and had personally taught her to read. Gu Wanyun had witnessed Ji Hanyi’s literary talent before. If she could persuade Ji Hanyi to help her, that would naturally be for the best.
Even if Ji Hanyi’s talent could not compare to the young ladies of the Shen Residence, then at least the two of them would lose face together. That would still be better than Gu Wanyun suffering through the ordeal alone.
She could not help wondering if the Shen Residence had invited her to the poetry gathering because Old Madam Shen wished to test her.
Now that Ji Hanyi had said she would not go, Gu Wanyun truly felt as if the sky had fallen.
With Gu Wanyun pressed close and clinging to her sleeve, Ji Hanyi turned and saw that her eyes had reddened as though she might burst into tears. Hearing her plead in that soft voice, Ji Hanyi could not help but soften.
In truth, Ji Hanyi also wanted to ask Shen Si why the Shen Family seemed especially fond of Third Younger Sister lately.
Madam Zhang had been standing quietly to one side, watching Ji Hanyi. At that moment, she suddenly stepped forward and said, “You should go with Wanyun. Old Madam Shen may be fond of Wanyun, but you know how timid she’s been since childhood. She isn’t familiar with the young ladies at the Shen Residence either. With you beside her, she’ll at least feel more at ease.”
Madam Zhang saw the anxiety in Gu Wanyun’s eyes and knew full well what her daughter was thinking. When it came to literary talent, Gu Wanyun was sorely lacking. If she made a laughingstock of herself, Madam Zhang would be mortified enough to die.
This invitation was also an opportunity. If she could make it past this hurdle, perhaps becoming the Gu Family’s daughter-in-law would be all but assured.
Madam Zhang continued, “The Shen Residence invited you as well. If you accompany Wanyun, you’ll have each other for company.”
“Just consider it your aunt getting down on her knees to beg you.”
Seeing the pleading look on Eldest Maternal Aunt’s face, Ji Hanyi paused. She frowned, then agreed. “Aunt, you don’t need to beg me. Since the invitation came from the Shen Residence, I’ll go with Younger Sister Wan.”
Ji Hanyi also thought it would be good to ask Shen Si if she happened to see him there.
Madam Zhang had known that, as a member of the younger generation, Ji Hanyi would never dare let her actually kneel. Otherwise, public condemnation alone would crush her. Only then did Madam Zhang relax.
Gu Wanyun immediately brightened when Ji Hanyi agreed. She then explained what she had in mind: she wanted Ji Hanyi to help her at the poetry gathering.
After saying this, Gu Wanyun looked at Ji Hanyi cautiously. Deep down, she knew it was unfair to ask this of her.
Ji Hanyi now understood why Gu Wanyun had been so eager for her to come. Her expression grew somewhat stern as she said, “If it were anything else within my power, I would naturally help you. But I’m afraid I can’t help with this.”
“If everyone draws lots and takes turns at the poetry gathering, there will be so many eyes on you that I won’t be able to help you anyway. Besides, even if I help you this time, what will you do next time?”
“This is no game. You can’t deceive others like this.”
Ji Hanyi looked at Gu Wanyun and added softly, “Actually, if this truly isn’t your strength, we don’t have to go. I’m sure the Shen Residence won’t say anything.”
But Gu Wanyun interrupted the moment Ji Hanyi finished speaking. Flushing, she said hurriedly, “First Madam Shen thinks highly of me and invited me. How could I not go?”
“First Madam Shen may simply want me to grow closer to the young ladies of the Shen Residence.”
“I have to attend this gathering.”
Ji Hanyi frowned slightly. “Even if you must go, you can’t try to bluff your way through it. If things fall apart there, you’ll be in real trouble.”
Gu Wanyun’s face paled. Then she said, “I was only joking with you just now, Cousin. I didn’t really intend to do it.”
Only after hearing that did Ji Hanyi relax.
Since the poetry gathering was scheduled for the morning, Ji Hanyi and Gu Wanyun rose early and prepared to set out.
Madam Zhang seemed especially nervous. She had dressed herself with great care and spent a long while at the front gate giving Gu Wanyun one last stream of detailed instructions before they all climbed into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Gu Wanyun was terribly nervous as well. She kept asking Ji Hanyi what sort of prompts were usually given at poetry gatherings.