Resumen del episodio 28 de A Splendid Match
> Resúmenes de A Splendid Match
Madam Ji sat with Gu Jinzhao to discuss the intricacies of the Chen family, hoping to prepare her for her upcoming marriage. She explained that Chen Yanyun has two older half-brothers born to concubines. The eldest brother passed away at twenty from malaria, but the second brother, Lord Yanzhang, was raised by the family’s matriarch and is highly esteemed.
Currently serving as the Provincial Governor of Shaanxi, Yanzhang even submitted a special memorial to the Emperor to request leave for the wedding, a gesture highlighting the importance of this union. His wife, Lady Qin, comes from a noble background and took over household management immediately upon marriage. However, because Yanzhang is stationed far away, Lady Qin often travels between regions, meaning her role as the primary manager might not be permanent.
To Madam Ji's surprise, Jinzhao expressed a sincere hope that Lady Qin would continue managing the estate indefinitely. Jinzhao pragmatically noted that overseeing such a large household is a thankless, exhausting task that often requires the mistress to supplement the budget with her own funds. She preferred to focus her energy on managing her own business interests instead.
Madam Ji was heartened by this, feeling that her efforts in raising Jinzhao to look beyond petty domestic power struggles had been successful. They also discussed Yanyun’s younger brother, Yanwen, the Fourth Lord. Despite passing the provincial exams, he had withdrawn from public life to handle the family's internal affairs. Jinzhao revealed that Yanyun had already confided in her that Yanwen suffered from convulsions, which reassured Madam Ji that the couple shared a deep level of trust.
The evening before the wedding, the atmosphere turned tense when Ye Xian arrived at the Gu residence in a heavy downpour, insisting on delivering a dowry gift. Panicked by the potential scandal of an unrelated man visiting so late, the Gu family attempted to block him. Old Madam Gu confronted him, reminding him of the risk to Jinzhao’s reputation, but Ye Xian brushed her off, claiming he was visiting as her "uncle."
He brought a screen inscribed with the words "Jinzhao Liangchen" (Splendid Dawn, Golden Hour), a gift clearly heavy with romantic sentiment that did not go unnoticed by the family. Inside her room, Jinzhao refused to open her door but spoke to Ye Xian through the window, even offering him a cloak to ward off the cold. Ye Xian, desperate for answers, asked why she chose Chen Yanyun and wondered if she resented him for never formally asking for her hand.
Jinzhao clarified that while she would risk her life for him out of deep friendship and gratitude, it was not romantic love. She confessed that she saw herself in him—two people who were equally stubborn, defensive, and terrified of vulnerability. After years of feeling exhausted by her own pretenses, she could not bear to be with someone who was her own reflection.
While being with Yanyun might also be tiring, it was a path she chose willingly because he was a man who truly listened to her and respected her feelings. The confrontation was interrupted by Chen Yanyun, who arrived and struck Ye Xian, declaring he would only tolerate such disrespect once due to Ye Xian’s "youthful arrogance."
As that tumultuous night ended, tragedy struck the Marquis of Changxing’s mansion; the old Marquis passed away just as his wife went to check on him. The following morning, the mood at the Gu residence shifted to celebration. Chen Yanyun arrived with an impressive entourage of high-ranking officials, including Chancellor Chang, Minister Liang, and the Imperial Lecturer. The presence of such influential figures relieved the Gu family, signaling that the previous night's drama had not tarnished the wedding's prestige.
As she prepared, Jinzhao felt the presence of her late mother, vowing to live the harmonious life her mother had once hoped for. After the couple bid a formal farewell to her parents, Yanyun escorted her toward her new home. The wedding procession eventually crossed paths with the funeral of the Marquis of Changxing.
Recognizing the gravity of the loss, Jinzhao suggested they show respect and yield the road, but Ye Xian, leading the funeral party, ultimately ordered his group to clear the way for the bridal carriage. Jinzhao felt a pang of guilt for the coincidence, but the procession continued to the Chen residence, where the couple completed the traditional marriage rites. During the ceremony, an Imperial Decree arrived that stunned the guests.
The Emperor, citing Jinzhao’s merit and virtuous nature, bestowed upon her the title of Second Rank Imperial Lady on her wedding day. This unprecedented honor sparked gossip among the noblewomen, including the wives of the Grand Secretary and Wang Xuanfan. While some noted that such titles are usually earned through a husband's long-standing merit, the Grand Secretary’s wife acknowledged Yanyun’s diligence but wondered if Jinzhao would prove worthy of such a sudden rise in status.
In the quiet of the bridal chamber, Jinzhao finally removed her heavy phoenix crown, exhausted by the day's events. Sensing she might be hungry, Yanyun sent a spread of dishes to her room. Despite the festivities, Jinzhao remained uneasy, asking her maid if she had confirmed whose funeral they encountered, as she was certain she had heard Ye Xian’s voice.
Concerned about Yanyun’s well-being at the banquet, she sent her maid to the front hall with sobering soup to ensure he wasn't overwhelmed by the many toasts. At the banquet, the Grand Secretary discussed political shifts with Yanyun, noting the Emperor's intention to have Ye Xian inherit his father's title.
Though his peers viewed Ye Xian’s inheritance as a threat, Yanyun dismissed the young man's recent actions as the desperate struggles of a cornered beast, choosing not to let the rivalry overshadow his wedding night.
