Chapter 40: Top Student Gu Xingwan

Jian Aozhu further revealed that the one who truly held her heart was Mei Xianghan. With her previous disparagement of Zhang Yan, her illicit affair with Mei now seemed justified. After all, who would willingly marry such a violent brute? She had gauged Mo Li’s personality perfectly: a chivalrous soul of the pugilistic world, driven by a strong sense of righteousness, who detested scoundrels like Zhang Yan above all else.

"Aozhu, it seems now that Zhang Yan is indeed unworthy of you. On the contrary, the Mei family is of noble standing and profound heritage. Mei Xianghan possesses the talent of a top scholar; his rise in the official ranks is only a matter of time. He is your true match. You have a keen eye."

Mo Li spoke from the perspective of a devoted sister, looking beyond mere worldly considerations. Jian Aozhu clutched her chest, a flash of feigned panic crossing her face. "Princess, Zhang Yan is a man of stubborn conviction. I fear he will refuse to annul the engagement."

"Do not be afraid. I shall personally entreat the Empress Dowager to intervene on your behalf and compel the Zhang family to withdraw the betrothal. When the time comes, you shall marry the top scholar with a clear name."

Jian Aozhu lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes. This was not enough. She had to completely eliminate Zhang Yan as a future threat. The farce at Yanbo Pavilion must never repeat itself. With a pained expression, she said, "Princess, with the Empress Dowager’s mediation, the Zhang elders will surely have no choice. But Zhang Yan has always been headstrong and extreme in his ways... I fear he will not let this rest."

"Hmph!" Mo Li snorted coldly, her expression darkening. "That depends on whether he has the opportunity to do so. A man guilty of such egregious crimes shall not be tolerated by the laws of Southern Chu."

Jian Aozhu felt a surge of secret joy; things were proceeding exactly as she had planned. With Mo Li’s intervention, Zhang Yan would not only see his career destroyed but would surely face imprisonment. He would never be able to rise again in this lifetime.

Jian Aozhu assumed a fragile air once more. "Princess, rumors are spreading in town that I have been involved in a clandestine affair with Young Master Mei, tarnishing my reputation. I fear it will be difficult for us to be together..." She bowed her head, sobbing softly.

Mo Li, feeling for her dear friend, comforted her. "Do not cry, Aozhu. Once the Zhang family annuls the betrothal, I will ask the Empress Dowager to bestow a marriage upon you both. Who would dare disparage a union ordained by the Imperial House?"

The joy in Jian Aozhu’s eyes could no longer be contained. She grasped Mo Li’s hands, overcome with gratitude. "I have troubled you so much with my personal affairs, Princess!"

"What foolish talk is this? You and I are sisters of the heart. Remember what we swore when we became sworn sisters? To treat each other with sincerity, to share our innermost thoughts, and that whoever broke the vow would fall into the abyss. Your troubles are my own."

Jian Aozhu’s brow smoothed. With the Empress Dowager’s blessing, the Jian family would not dare to slight her, and the Ministry of Rites mansion would not dare to mistreat her either. Even if the Jin woman hated her to the bone, she would have to swallow her resentment in silence. This game, which had seemed lost, had been turned around by her own hand. Gu Xingwan, I may not necessarily lose to you in this life.

...

At the Gu residence, Gu Xingwan asked Tingzheng, "Is there any movement from the Duke of Yu’s mansion? Are they preparing for the betrothal gifts?"

At the mention of this, Tingzheng was indignant. "My lady, don't pin your hopes on Lu Lan having any sense of responsibility."

"What do you mean?"

"I’ve been out shopping these past two days, and every time I pass by the Duke of Yu’s mansion, I stop to take a look. I’ve waited for ages, and there isn't even a whisper of activity."

Gu Xingwan tapped her on the forehead. Realizing her language had been crude, Tingzheng lowered her head and stuck out her tongue. Gu Xingwan pondered it and found it strange. "Indeed, that is odd."

High-ranking households were not like ordinary families; hosting a grand wedding could not possibly be so quiet. Not to mention the gold and silver jewelry that required custom orders from specialized shops, even the basic necessities—the red sedan chair, the lacquered baskets, the red silk garments, the candles and quilts, the fireworks, the dried fruits, pastries, and wines—were a massive undertaking. Add to that the coordination of matchmakers and the delivery procession, which would involve rehearsals that would stir up half the neighborhood.

Why was the Lu family so silent?

Tingzheng pouted, "It’s clear the Lu family doesn't see your wedding as a significant event." Had it not been for the fact that Mei Xianghan was even worse—sneaking around with another woman immediately after breaking his engagement, only to be caught by the woman’s fiancé—Tingzheng would never have been able to muster even a shred of favor for Lu Lan.

"Hush. The Lu family is a household of prestige and tradition; they would never break their word."

More importantly, it wasn't necessary. If Lu Lan didn't want to marry, he had a thousand excuses to decline. Since he had agreed, there must be a hidden reason. Regardless of Lu Lan’s motives, Gu Xingwan felt she could at least ensure the marriage took place.

"My lady, I also discovered something while out shopping. The Lu family is posting notices along the streets, preparing to sell off Mount Dadong, claiming they are selling it at a low price and are open to negotiation." Tingzheng sighed, "It must be as the Madam said; the Lu family is just an empty shell. When you marry into it, you might even have to use your own dowry to support the household! It’s simply preposterous."

"Mount Dadong..." Gu Xingwan’s brows furrowed.

In the original story, Mount Dadong was the very place where Pang Shiyuan, the richest man in Southern Chu, made his fortune. He mined coal to create "scented coal briquettes" and amassed a massive fortune. Pang Shiyuan was the financier the original owner of this body befriended after entering the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, and he had been completely infatuated with her. So, he had bought the property from the Lu family.

Coal?

In the book, Mount Dadong was not described as a good place; it was filled with poisonous miasma that the citizens of the capital avoided at all costs. But it was in this very place, despised by all, that Pang Shiyuan had struck gold.

Poisonous gas—wasn't that just sulfur dioxide? The ancients didn't know how to desulfurize, but she did!