Jingcheng, Zhuque Avenue, Anren Ward.
The residence of Lord Feng, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stood along this street. The five-courtyard manor housed over a hundred rooms, with two stone lions guarding the entrance, carved beams and painted rafters, and dark blue bricks and tiles. A light rain a few days prior had washed the brick walls spotlessly clean. Against the wall near the moat leaned a crooked-neck willow tree, invigorated by the recent shower.
In the late spring of March, the sun was not intense but cast a lazy warmth over people.
The current Shilang Manor had a simple household. The mistress had two sons and two daughters, with the youngest son and daughter being twins. Their birth had even reached the ears of the Emperor in the palace, and since childhood, they had been deeply cherished by everyone in the manor.
Feng Manor, Mingxin Xuan.
The second young lady of the manor resided here. At the moment, Mingxin Xuan was bustling with activity. Jinshu stepped in from outside and, seeing her young lady still lazing in bed, called out helplessly:
“Dear young lady, you agreed to meet Miss Jiang today. If you don’t get up now, I’m afraid you’ll be late.”
Feng Wenyu pouted. She had stayed up half the night reading novels and now found it hard to resist sleep, stubbornly refusing to rise. However, she was someone who hated breaking promises. As soon as Jinshu’s words reached her ears, no matter how drowsy she was, she forced herself up.
Shuyao covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. When the young lady glared at her in embarrassment, she hurriedly brought over the prepared dress. The fine fabric sent by the mistress a few days ago had just been made into a spring dress. The overall color was a watery blue, covered with a thin layer of sheer silk gauze, indescribably beautiful. The young lady had just passed her coming-of-age ceremony and loved to look pretty, making this color perfect for her.
After washing up and changing into her new dress, Feng Wenyu’s mood improved. She looked into the bronze mirror, where she saw a young woman with lightly powdered cheeks, bright and intelligent eyes, and delicate eyebrows. Her drowsiness immediately faded significantly. Jinshu then adorned her bun with a buyao and two velvet flowers before helping her up. With a graceful turn, she stood tall and elegant.
Feng Wenyu hastily nibbled two pieces of pastry and, without even having time to pay respects to her mother in the main courtyard, urged:
“Hurry, hurry, or we’ll miss the appointed time.”
Jinshu and Shuyao quickly followed her. The necessary items had long been prepared, and the carriage was waiting outside. Thus, they didn’t delay much time, allowing Feng Wenyu to arrive at Yinya House just before the agreed hour.
As soon as Feng Wenyu alighted from the carriage, another carriage rushed past behind her. She instinctively turned her head and, upon recognizing the emblem on the carriage, widened her almond-shaped eyes. Unfortunately, before she could call out, the carriage had already passed her by.
Jinshu also hesitated, “Was that Lord Gu’s carriage just now?”
Though she phrased it as a question, she had clearly seen the emblem on the carriage. She often saw it and couldn’t possibly mistake it.
Lord Gu had become engaged to their young lady at the beginning of the year. Since then, the two families had maintained close relations. Although Lord Gu was known for his reserved and aloof demeanor, he had always been gentle and considerate toward the young lady. Thinking of this, Jinshu suddenly realized that it seemed quite some time had passed since they last saw Lord Gu.
Hearing this, Feng Wenyu subtly pursed her lips. Tugging at her handkerchief, she said:
“Who cares who it is? I’m here to see Sister Jiang today.”
Jinshu chuckled to herself. Having served the young lady since childhood, she could tell that the young lady was a bit displeased.
Jinshu remarked, “I suppose Lord Gu didn’t notice you, miss. Otherwise, he would surely have come down to speak with you.”
Feng Wenyu had already stepped into Yinya House. At these words, she lifted her pale chin slightly and muttered with proud disdain:
“As if I cared.”
Upstairs, Jiang Zhilan was already waiting for her in the private room. Hearing faint sounds below, she leaned out to look and immediately waved upon spotting her. “What’s taking you so long? Hurry up and come upstairs!”
Compared to previous dynasties, social customs were now more liberal, and women were not restricted from going out.
Feng Wenyu promptly set aside her distracting thoughts, lifted her skirt, and bounded cheerfully upstairs as if embracing the vibrant warmth of spring. Entering the private room, her eyes curved into a smile:
“I nearly arrived late and kept you waiting, sister.”
Jiang Zhilan shot her a mock glare. If she truly thought herself late, why add “nearly”? It was just empty words to wheedle forgiveness. But being long accustomed to Feng Wenyu’s ways, she didn’t press the matter. The two young women hadn’t seen each other for some time, and now reunited, they inevitably began sharing private conversations.
Feeling peckish, Feng Wenyu first nibbled on two pieces of pastry before broaching a topic:
“Mother mentioned that Aunt Li has been arranging potential matches for you lately. Have any caught your eye?”
The Aunt Li she referred to was Jiang Zhilan’s mother.
For families like theirs, matchmaking was neither simple nor straightforward. With intricate family connections and their proximity to the imperial seat in Jingcheng, they had to avoid certain individuals while still seeking compatible partners. Beyond their own family’s searches, they inevitably relied on official matchmakers.
People always weigh their options carefully, let alone for a lifelong commitment. With so many eligible young men in the capital, decisions could never be made in just a day or two.
Hearing this subject raised, Jiang Zhilan’s expression soured.
She was only half a year older than Feng Wenyu and had just celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony last year. As the only daughter in her family, her parents wished to keep her longer and hadn’t considered matchmaking before her ceremony. But immediately after, the entire household became occupied with the matter—even her two sisters-in-law would discreetly inquire about suitable candidates when attending banquets.
Jiang Zhilan gritted her teeth in frustration. “You wouldn’t believe it—I recently met the youngest son of the Chief of the Capital Prefecture’s household.”
Feng Wenyu had heard vague rumors but knew no details, so she immediately set down her pastry to listen attentively.
Jiang Zhilan shot her an annoyed look, but some grievances demanded venting. She couldn’t help complaining:
“They claimed there were no concubines or maids in their household—that they’d surely wait for the formal wife to enter first. But when I met him, the scent of cosmetics still clung to him! As if they could fool anyone!”
Feng Wenyu stared in astonishment. “This isn’t seeking marriage—it’s seeking enmity.”
As the daughter of the Chief Judge of Dali Temple, doted upon by her family, Jiang Zhilan had no shortage of suitors. But few were as audacious as the Chief of the Capital Prefecture’s household.
No matter how well secrets are kept before marriage, walls have ears. Once Young Master Zhang’s true nature came to light, even if they were already wed, did they think the Jiang family would simply accept it?
Jiang Zhilan took a sip of tea to calm herself. Listlessly, she sighed:
“Now I envy you. Your elder brother and Lord Gu are close classmates who know each other thoroughly. Back when Lord Gu first earned the top scholar honors, your betrothal was immediately settled. You have no idea how many families hoping to ‘catch a son-in-law from the rankings’ returned disappointed that year.”
Now that Gu Yushi has gained the Emperor’s favor, it’s only a matter of time before he secures an Imperial decree for Feng Wenyu.
Most importantly, with Elder Brother Feng’s connection, the Feng family knew Gu Yushi’s background thoroughly. At the very least, there was no worry about Feng Wenyu being deceived before marriage.
Feng Wenyu blinked but didn’t respond to this remark.
When her engagement to Gu Yushi was first settled, many had disapproved of the match. Her own elder sister had married into an illustrious aristocratic family, while Gu Yushi, though having topped the imperial examinations, came from a humble background with no influential mentors or political connections at court.
Meanwhile, her grandfather enjoyed the Emperor’s high regard, and her father’s name was known to the sovereign as well.
When the Feng residence announced they were seeking a suitable match for her, numerous noble families and even imperial clansmen sent matchmakers. No one expected Feng Wenyu would ultimately be betrothed to Gu Yushi.
The Feng family never disclosed that this marriage had actually received her personal approval.
The Feng household was already prominent enough—they didn’t need her to marry for political alliance. They only hoped she would find someone who truly cherished her, ensuring her married life wouldn’t be dreary.
Gu Yushi treated her with thoughtful consideration and personally promised he would never take concubines. She had to admit she held affection for him too. Once she confirmed her choice in her heart, she expressed her wishes to her parents, thus formalizing her engagement to Gu Yushi.
However…
Feng Wenyu subtly furrowed her brow.
Jiang Zhilan was still lamenting: “These official matchmakers exaggerate so much—you can’t even trust thirty percent of what they say. It’s utterly exhausting. Thankfully you don’t have such troubles.”
Hearing this, Feng Wenyu immediately snapped back to attention. She curved her eyes in a comforting smile:
“Your parents dote on you most—they’ll naturally vet his character thoroughly and won’t let you suffer any grievances.”
As for troubles… she certainly had her share too.
Just as this thought crossed Feng Wenyu’s mind, Jiang Zhilan asked curiously: “Speaking of which, why haven’t I heard you mention Lord Gu today?”
The only time he was mentioned had been when she brought him up herself.
Feng Wenyu’s hand, holding a pastry, stilled.
Jiang Zhilan’s eyes widened in disbelief: “Did you have a disagreement with Lord Gu? He actually managed to upset you?”
Outsiders might not know, but those close to them had witnessed how Lord Gu, though dignified and mature in public, treated Feng Wenyu with endless tenderness—truly holding her dear in his heart.
Though Feng Wenyu could be somewhat prideful, she was also exceptionally endearing and never unreasonable.
Could these two really be at odds?
Jiang Zhilan grew genuinely curious: “What did he do to offend you?”
Feng Wenyu twisted her handkerchief. She hadn’t wanted to speak of it, but a lingering resentment churned within her. Unable to withstand Jiang Zhilan’s repeated questioning, she muttered:
“Precisely because he hasn’t done anything to offend me.”
Jiang Zhilan was momentarily confused before slowly grasping Feng Wenyu’s meaning—she was upset that Lord Gu hadn’t come to see her for so long.
Hesitantly, Jiang Zhilan suggested: “I heard from my father that Lord Gu has recently caught the Emperor’s attention. Perhaps His Majesty has assigned him important tasks, causing him to neglect you temporarily?”
Otherwise, it made no sense.
Feng Wenyu refused to accept this explanation:
“No matter how busy he is, he still must eat and sleep.”
“It all depends on whether he cares enough.”
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the young lady’s pouting lips. Her delicate brows drooped slightly as she simmered with both irritation and melancholy—a truly pitiable sight.
Jiang Zhilan didn’t press further. Matters of the heart between two people could easily turn sour with too much outside interference.
Being somewhat partial, she couldn’t bear to see Feng Wenyu in such a state and said bluntly:
“If you’re truly troubled, just go find him and ask directly.”