The Gu family from Wuxi had sent a letter, and the Zhang family was already aware of the situation. However, what they didn’t expect was the conversation that Gu Zhenguan brought with him.

“Brother Dunfu, it was my oversight…”

Gu Zhenguan sighed, looking even more aged than before. He had never imagined the response from Gu Yaofang. Though the Gu family was respectable, he had long lost his official position. If they were to truly consider the match, it was Gu Yaofang who was marrying above her station by being promised to Zhang’s second son. Gu Zhenguan had thought this match was secure, never expecting that Gu Yaofang would be so obstinate.

Zhang Ying knew Gu Zhenguan well. After working in the imperial court for so many years, he was naturally adept at reading people. Ever since he had accidentally seen Gu Huaixiu leave his old friend’s room yesterday, he had already had some inklings.

The Gu family’s eldest daughter was well-mannered, with a reputation for her refined talent. Occasionally, a few of her poems would circulate among the womenfolk, and they were praised for their elegance and purity. It was not only Gu Zhenguan who was satisfied with Zhang Tingyu; Zhang Ying also held Gu Yaofang in high regard. The parents of both families had considered the match a perfect fit, but who could have foreseen such an unexpected turn of events?

After some thought, Zhang Ying had not considered that the issue might be with his own family’s status or prospects. He simply assumed it was his second son’s well-known reclusiveness, which had perhaps made the young women hesitate. Gu Zhenguan, of course, wouldn’t bluntly criticize the Zhang family. Instead, he offered a polite explanation: “It seems her old illness has flared up again, and she must return home to rest. The marriage talk will need to be postponed.”

Both understood the unspoken truth behind such polite excuses.

Zhang Ying was fully aware that the problem lay with Gu Yaofang. Not wanting to damage his long friendship with Gu Zhenguan, he laughed heartily, “As you said, children have their own fates. It doesn’t help for us old men to worry. If any news comes up after your return to Wuxi, it would naturally be a joyous occasion. If things don’t work out, well, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Let the younger generation handle it.”

Such open-mindedness was characteristic of Zhang Ying’s approach to life.

Before long, the topic had shifted. It was as though the marriage discussion between the two families had never happened. Neither Zhang Ying nor Gu Zhenguan mentioned it again.

Initially, their trip to Tongcheng was meant for sightseeing. But after the recent developments, with the household reporting that Gu Yaofang had fallen ill after learning about the marriage proposal, Gu Zhenguan was filled with concern. He no longer found pleasure in the outing and decided to pack up for an early return to Wuxi, a journey of just a few days.

Their departure was scheduled for two days later. However, disturbances in the Anhui area, reportedly caused by bandits, delayed their departure by a day.

Thus, this morning found Gu Huaixiu once again sitting at the table, having porridge.

But today’s porridge was different from the past couple of days.

Gu Huaixiu frowned while twirling her porcelain spoon decorated with a painted bird and flower at the bottom, and stirred the porridge. “Jujube seeds? Longan? Yesterday, they served red bean and coix seed porridge. Why the change today?”

Qingdai, her maid, could only go and inquire with the servants outside.

A maid in a teal satin jacket entered and curtsied. “Third young lady, when we returned to the kitchen yesterday, Second Young Master happened to pass by from the south wing. Hearing that the third young lady is very particular about her meals and that Qingdai mentioned how you often wake up early and sleep poorly, the Second Young Master casually remarked that brewing some jujube seeds and longan porridge for about ten days would help. Somehow, the next day, the kitchen switched to this porridge…”

So it was that Zhang’s Second Young Master again, wasn’t it?

Gu Huaixiu thought to herself that a troubled mind couldn’t be cured by mere food remedies. Dietary adjustments could have some effect, but much of it was psychological — the patients felt better because they believed they were recovering. She stirred the porridge, but for some reason, her appetite had vanished. However, as a guest in someone else’s home, Gu Huaixiu merely smiled. “If we happen to meet him again, do extend my thanks to the Second Young Master.”

She gave Qingdai a meaningful glance, and Qingdai nodded, albeit without taking immediate action.

Gu Huaixiu poured herself some porridge, tasted it briefly, and found it quite ordinary. There was nothing remarkable about it. A skilled cook could turn even plain porridge into a dish worthy of royalty. Without exaggeration, the Zhang family was impeccable in most respects, but in this case, their cook failed to meet her expectations.

Fortunately, she wouldn’t have to endure this for much longer. After finishing the porridge, she promptly forgot about the whole matter.

However, when the dishes were being cleared away, Qingdai discreetly pressed a small string of copper coins into the maid’s hand, saying, “The third young lady is rewarding you. We’re leaving soon, and there hasn’t been a proper farewell gift. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

The maid seemed a bit flustered, trembling as she accepted the coins. “The third young lady isn’t upset about the kitchen making a change, is she?”

“Why would she be? We’re guests. It’s just that my lady ate very little this morning, and the porridge was really quite delicate. Once she eats the porridge, there’s no room for anything else, and she doesn’t want to refuse the Zhang family’s kindness. Ah, my lady is still waiting for me; I’ll explain in more detail later.”

With that, Qingdai waved off the maid and went inside.

She walked up to Gu Huaixiu, who was playing with a couple of small strings of beads in a game of “catching marbles.” Flipping her palm, she let a handful of the beads rest on the back of her hand, her expression seeming relaxed. “All set?” she asked idly.

“All set,” came Qingdai’s somewhat sullen reply.

“What did you say?” Gu Huaixiu asked again.

“Miss!” Qingdai finally burst out, unable to comprehend her mistress’s intentions. “Are you not worried about being gossiped about like before? Why make these remarks to the servants? You don’t know what they might say about you afterward!”

Though her words were blunt, Gu Huaixiu appreciated Qingdai’s straightforwardness. Qingdai wasn’t very cunning; neither too dull nor overly quick-witted — an ideal servant. While continuing her game with the beads, Gu Huaixiu’s focus never wavered. “You deserve a scolding! It’s been too long since I disciplined you, and your mouth’s running again. When I get a chance, I’ll teach you a lesson. I want the Zhang family to know they can’t marry a girl like me.”

After all, who would want a picky wife?

Gu Huaixiu wasn’t a fool. The day she was invited to the lantern festival and rejected Zhang’s third son, Zhang Tinglu, outright; yesterday when Gu Zhenguan tried to discuss things with her, he had hesitated as if weighing his options. Gu Huaixiu didn’t know his exact thoughts, but having her marry Zhang Tinglu would certainly be a convenient solution to the current predicament.

However, Gu Huaixiu simply didn’t want to. She refused to be married off against her will.

Qingdai might be tight-lipped about her morning routine of waking early and sleeping poorly, but her eating preferences had surely been leaked by one of the Zhang family’s maids. Such people, once you told them something, would instantly spread the news to everyone they could, making them the perfect messengers.

Once Qingdai shared what she did, the word would soon spread among the Zhang household, which was just what Gu Huaixiu intended.

She knew her reputation wasn’t stellar, but her physical beauty was undeniable. Even with all her flaws, there would be those willing to marry her for her looks alone. It was her only card to play.

Qingdai understood her intention as well, otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone along with it without explicit instruction from her mistress.

Then, Qingdai remembered something. “By the way, there’s some truth to the rumor about Second Young Master Zhang.”

With a “plop,” three strings of beads slipped from Gu Huaixiu’s hand, landing on the table.

For a moment, Gu Huaixiu maintained her pose, holding her hand over the beads, before slowly turning to Qingdai. But she remained silent. Qingdai, seeing her mistress’s reaction, couldn’t contain her curiosity. “What were you thinking just now?”

“I should ask you what you think I was thinking,” Gu Huaixiu shot back.

Qingdai scratched her head and hesitated for a while before daring to say, “I couldn’t help but feel that Second Young Master might have a bit of affection for you.”

“Don’t be silly,” Gu Huaixiu replied without looking up, completely unaffected by Qingdai’s words.

Qingdai, having already broached the subject, was undeterred. After making sure no one was around, she crouched beside her mistress. “Miss, I honestly think so! He’s only three years older than you. That’s not much, and more importantly, he’s talented, handsome, and attentive.”

“It was just a casual suggestion about the porridge! Only you would believe it.”

Gu Huaixiu thought to herself that things were unlikely to be that straightforward. She wasn’t about to overthink this. Every member of the Zhang family was no ordinary person. They wouldn’t place significance on such casual remarks. Should she believe the chef had feelings for her simply because of some porridge? Ridiculous! Yet, she paused again, rubbing one of the beads between her fingers, suddenly feeling a slight shiver down her spine.

Something about this situation felt more complex than she could fully comprehend.

Qingdai, now even closer to the floor, groaned in lament. “Tomorrow we leave, and it’s back to Wuxi, with the eldest young lady’s face constantly looming over us. I already feel sorry for myself…”

Gu Huaixiu laughed aloud at this. “I think once we’re back in Wuxi, my elder sister will feel even worse.”

She glanced into the polished mirror, raised an eyebrow, and reminded herself to focus on preparing her words for Gu Yaofang.

Qingdai couldn’t help but giggle, “Once you go and advise her, who knows how many times she’ll faint. The very thought makes me chuckle.”

Persuasion? That was clearly just a joke.

Even a simple glance at the Zhangs’ elaborately gilded porcelain spoon was enough to remind Gu Huaixiu which family had the greater resources. She had no doubt that Gu Yaofang wouldn’t succeed in marrying into this family. No matter who she ended up with, it would likely spell disaster. There was just one exception, someone who might still protect the Gu family’s reputation.

Gu Huaixiu had known all along that Gu Zhenguan’s visit had been in vain. She left with grace.

At daybreak the next morning, Qingdai woke her early to prepare for the journey. Dressed in a white gown edged with blue, layered over a light, elegant green pleated skirt, her style remained simple: a pair of white jade hairpins holding up her twin-bun hairstyle.

With final farewells, Gu Huaixiu and Gu Zhenguan departed the Zhang household, leaving Zhang Ying and his four sons standing respectfully at the entrance to see them off, ready to head back to Wuxi.