When Chen Yan’yun truly made up his mind about something, he would act immediately.
Gu Jinchao married into the family three months later.
It was autumn, and clusters of chrysanthemums in the courtyard were blooming beautifully. The mansion was decorated with lanterns and ornaments, extraordinarily lively.
He entertained guests in the front courtyard, where someone offered him a toast. He accepted with a smile and drank it in one gulp.
After everyone had left, he finally went to her courtyard.
She was still sitting on the stepped bed, in her elaborate wedding attire. Her dowry maid dozed at the doorway. The room was quiet and cold, with only the red candles burning.
The bridal veil had already been lifted. She now looked somewhat tired, with her eyes lowered coldly.
Seeing this, Chen Yan’yun felt a chill in his heart. She seemed… unhappy.
Indeed, Chen Yan’yun had not guessed wrong. She didn’t like this marriage at all and even felt some aversion to it.
The warmth in his heart gradually cooled.
It continued like this for days. Even when Chen Yan’yun was considerate toward her, she accepted it silently, rarely speaking to him except to ask what he wanted to eat or do. Most of the time, she just read her books. When paying respects to the Old Madam, she was absent-minded and even accidentally dropped a teacup.
Chen Yan’yun learned of this incident only when he returned from court.
She had been scolded by Old Madam Chen and was now sitting on the couch, brooding.
He sat down in front of her and asked calmly: “What did you do wrong?”
She glared at him with reddened eyes, looking both pitiful and stubborn: “It wasn’t my fault. The tea was too hot!”
He asked again: “So you think you’re right, and that’s how you answered when Mother asked you?”
Gu Jinchao said: “That’s exactly what I said, and it’s the truth!” She tightly gripped her scalded fingers and said in a low voice, “If you’ve come to reproach me too, don’t bother. I did nothing wrong.”
Chen Yan’yun noticed her hand and reached out to take a look: “Is the burn serious?”
She avoided his touch, shaking her head without speaking.
Chen Yan’yun stood up with a sigh and went to his mother.
Old Madam Chen was also displeased and had him sit down to talk: “…Although she’s still young, she’s too inconsiderate! Your eldest sister-in-law and Lady Jiang were about her age when they married into the family, but I’ve never seen anyone so impetuous! Scold her a little and she acts like the sky is falling.”
Chen Yan’yun could only defend her: “She’s still young. Please teach her patiently. I’ve spoken to her already. She knows she was wrong but is just too stubborn to admit it.”
With her Grand Secretary son speaking up for her, how could Old Madam Chen say more? She sighed: “Fine, fine. I’m getting on in years and am not trying to find fault with her. I just worry for you. Can such a person take good care of you?”
Chen Yan’yun smiled and told his mother: “I have hands and feet. Why do I need others to care for me?”
He wanted to be tolerant of her. Gu Jinchao was just too young and didn’t know better.
Yet since Gu Jinchao disliked his presence, he didn’t want to bother her and gradually stopped visiting her quarters.
Winter came quickly.
Soon, North Zhili was blanketed in heavy snow.
He had just finished reading memorials and was resting in his Dongpo chair. The charcoal fire in the stove burned warmly. Chen Yan’yun suddenly wanted to check on her. He put on a cloak and slowly walked along the corridor toward the inner courtyard.
Gu Jinchao stood alone under the porch, watching the snow.
Chen Yan’yun saw her and stopped at a distance. She wore a red fox fur cloak. Her hair was neatly combed, though she wore only a single gold hairpin with flower buds. She must have just finished washing up before coming out. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead. Chen Xuanqing was picking plum blossoms with Yu Wanxue.
The couple had picked a large bundle of winter plum branches and walked away hand in hand.
She seemed to lose all strength, leaning against the corridor pillar, perhaps crying.
Chen Yan’yun watched silently for a long time until she slowly stood up and walked back. Only then did he turn to leave.
He stood silently in his study for a long time but finally smiled.
Chen Yan’yun called Chen Yi in and asked him to investigate Gu Jinchao’s past.
When the results were delivered to him, they were as he expected. He glanced at them, tossed them aside, and paid no more attention.
The New Year was always festive.
Chen Yan’yun went to sit with Gu Jinchao for a while and noticed that the edges of her couch were somewhat damaged. Several concubines were accompanying Gu Jinchao as she did needlework. Her needlework was very poor, though she seemed unaware of it. The concubines didn’t dare say anything, each with a strange expression. He read for a while and then left on his own, without saying a word to Gu Jinchao. He only heard an old servant woman quietly saying behind him: “…the master didn’t stay.”
After returning, he summoned someone from the household affairs office and had them replace the couch with a new one.
The next day, Gu Jinchao came to his study to find him.
She brought him a pair of winter socks she had made herself.
“This concubine didn’t make them well…” she said hesitantly. “Mother said you didn’t have winter socks.”
Chen Yan’yun held up the socks she had made. The edges were not sewn evenly; they were indeed poorly made.
“You’re not being modest,” he said softly.
Faced with Chen Yan’yun’s casual mockery, Gu Jinchao felt somewhat embarrassed.
“Anyway, I’ve delivered them,” she said, her face slightly flushed but her tone composed. “If you find them ugly, you don’t have to wear them.”
Chen Yan’yun held the socks and smiled, looking at her for a long time. Then he said: “Thank you.”
Gu Jinchao made a sound of acknowledgment. She felt uncomfortable standing in the Third Master’s study and said: “…I’ll be going back now.”
Chen Yan’yun nodded, watching her walk quickly out of Ninghui Hall.