Chapter 113: Purge
When Gu Dezhao returned from the ancestral home, Second Madam accompanied him.
She wore an eggplant-colored brocade jacket with decorative patterns, her hair neatly styled in a Round Bun, adorned with a pair of floral hairpins inscribed with the character for "fortune" and a delicate golden hairpin with a lotus pond design. Her fair, oval face was graced with phoenix eyes brimming with warmth as she took Jinchao's hand and said with a smile, "…I was overjoyed to hear you were moving back. Your grandmother specifically instructed me to come and assist, fearing you might be overwhelmed."
Jinchao caught the elegant scent of rose perfume emanating from her.
She smiled in return. "I’m naturally delighted to have Second Aunt’s help."
Gu Lan and the others also came forward to greet Second Madam. Upon hearing about Gu Yi’s engagement to the Wuqing Du family, Second Madam held her hand and chatted for quite some time, leaving Gu Lan sidelined for a while. According to seniority, she should have been addressed first, yet Second Madam had shown such closeness to Gu Yi—clearly, she didn’t regard Gu Lan with any importance…
Gu Lan silently fumed, though a faint smile remained on her face. Because of Song Yiniang’s affairs, she supposed everyone from the ancestral home now looked down on her. The more others despised her, the more she had to maintain her dignity—so that one day, she could make them all see.
Yet an inexplicable chill crept into her heart. After moving to the Gu family… life would likely become even more turbulent. If she didn’t find a way to protect herself, she might very well be devoured by this den of wolves!
Meanwhile, Gu Jinchao glanced at Gu Xi, who was now learning etiquette from a new governess. Perched stiffly on an embroidered stool, she dared not move, clearly miserable. Her eyes, however, darted around restlessly. When she noticed her elder sister watching, she made a pitiful face. The governess, Madam Jin, whispered sternly, "Fourth Miss, sit properly."
Gu Xi immediately straightened up, casting a helpless glance at Jinchao, who smiled faintly in response.
Gu Xi would soon turn ten. Their father, finding her too lively compared to the well-mannered Gu Yi, had specially assigned a new governess to discipline her.
After finishing her conversation with Gu Yi, Second Madam Zhou Shi finally turned to Gu Lan. "…Your father mentioned that your mother, Song Yiniang, has been unwell lately and won’t be joining us in Daxing. It’s truly unfortunate. From now on, you’ll follow me and learn proper conduct—this was your grandmother’s arrangement. As for your mother’s affairs… you should let go. Once you move to Daxing, there’s no need to return to Shi’an…"
Gu Lan smiled and nodded, though fury burned within her. What was Zhou Shi implying? That her mother had failed to teach her proper manners and corrupted her? And forbidding her from returning to Shi’an—how utterly disdainful she was of her mother!
Recalling how warmly Zhou Shi had once treated her mother, Gu Lan sneered inwardly. Truly, a rolling melon stops nowhere!
Second Madam then took Jinchao’s hand again, speaking even more gently. "As for our Chaojie, she’ll be personally instructed by your grandmother. When she marries, no one would dare look down on a young lady raised by the Gu family!"
Feng Shi intended to personally guide her? Jinchao nearly laughed bitterly to herself. Seeing Gu Lan’s darkened expression, she must have thought being under Feng Shi’s tutelage was a great honor. Jinchao, however, felt no such way. Having lived over forty years across two lifetimes, what more did she need to learn? Moreover, serving under Feng Shi would only mean walking on eggshells, never daring to make a single misstep.Jinchao couldn't help but feel secretly relieved that she had first sought Cao Ziheng's help in managing the accounts. Otherwise, given Madam Feng's strict upbringing, she would certainly not allow an unmarried girl to handle such matters.
Second Madam then summoned the three concubines for a talk. Concubine Du now spent her days fasting and chanting Buddhist scriptures, never stepping out of Tong Ruo Lou. Concubine Guo was even more aloof by nature, while Concubine Luo appeared delicate and charming. Zhou Shi was quite satisfied with what she saw and specifically kept Concubine Luo behind for a conversation.
Luo Su looked at Zhou Shi's dignified demeanor with some trepidation. She had never been in such grand company before, but fortunately, she managed to maintain her composure. After greeting Second Madam properly, she lowered her head to stare at her dark blue satin shoes.
Zhou Shi had been sent by Madam Feng this time not only to assist Gu Dezhao with the move but also to assess his concubines. Seeing Concubine Luo's timid nature made her even more pleased. The most important qualities for a concubine, besides serving their master, were obedience and docility. After everyone else had left, she asked Gu Jinzhao, "...Does your father often see those two concubines, Du and Guo?"
Jinchao pondered the meaning behind Zhou Shi's words. Concubines Du and Guo were long-serving attendants of her father. Now that their beauty had faded and their favor waned, and they showed no interest in competing for attention, it seemed her grandmother might be planning to clear out her father's inner circle... Was she considering selecting new concubines for him?
Even before the move, Jinchao could already sense Madam Feng's domineering approach everywhere.
After some thought, she replied, "Father didn't see them much before. Now that Mother has passed, he's been grieving and hasn't visited the concubines for a month or two."
Her father was still observing mourning for her mother—surely Madam Feng wouldn't arrange for him to take a concubine at this time?
Zhou Shi nodded upon hearing this. "Your father is a man of deep sentiment..." She gazed at Jinchao for a long moment before sighing. "Your mother... passing at such a young age has been hard on you sisters. Once you arrive at the Gu household, your second aunt will surely take good care of you. Don't be afraid, Chaojie."
Of course, she wasn't afraid.
Jinchao thought this to herself but sighed inwardly. The fact that her grandmother and second aunt were treating them with such caution must be due to her father's influence in front of Madam Feng.
With Zhou Shi's help, the move naturally progressed faster than before. Madam Feng intended to complete the relocation before the Double Ninth Festival so the Gu family could reunite and enjoy chrysanthemums and autumn outings together.
With the support of Marquis Changxing's family and Second Master Gu, who served as the Right Assistant Censor, Gu Dezhao's official position was now secure. Another round of purges in the Ministry of Revenue saw Right Vice Minister Xu Bingkun of Cangzhou implicated and removed from office. Lord Chen personally led the arrest, and Xu was later sentenced to exile in Ili. After this, Fan Chuan's influence in the Ministry of Revenue was completely eradicated. On the sixth day of September, Lord Chen officially entered the Grand Secretariat, appointed as Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall and Minister of Revenue.
By this time, over twenty officials in the Ministry of Revenue had been implicated, and Fan Chuan's other factions suffered successive blows. If not for the covert interference of Marquis Changxing's faction, the number of people involved would certainly have exceeded one hundred and thirty.
While speaking with his advisor, Gu Dezhao couldn't help but lament, "This is truly a case of big ghosts fighting while little ghosts suffer..."
Gu Dezhao's advisor, surnamed Pan and named Shiying, had once passed the imperial examinations as a Tong Jinshi and previously served as a grain and tax clerk in Zhending.Hearing Gu Dezhao say this, he also sighed with emotion: "Lord Chen is barely thirty yet has already entered the Grand Secretariat and been appointed Minister. There are scarcely any in the entire Great Ming who can match this..." Lord Zhang entered the Grand Secretariat at thirty-six, which was already considered early. Now with Lord Zhang's assistance, Lord Chen has entered the Grand Secretariat at thirty, truly enviable.
Pan Shiying smiled again: "Lord Chen's methods are indeed formidable. Just as Marquis Changxing was entangled in the matter of the Crown Prince of Yanping's murder and barely managed to extricate himself, Fan Chuan had already lost his head, leaving no room for reversal... Now with Lord Zhang's faction dominating among the civil officials, Marquis Changxing must have a headache." In court, Lord Zhang controlled the Grand Secretariat while Marquis Changxing held military power—the two had always been most opposed. Now Lord Zhang seemed to be gaining the upper hand.
Gu Dezhao sighed: "Taking advantage of His Majesty's illness and neglect of governance, they've schemed enough for power, both openly and covertly."
He vaguely felt this wasn't over. If Lord Zhang didn't seize this chance to suppress Marquis Changxing, allowing the Marquis to recover, the backlash would surely be even more terrifying.
As he and Pan Shiying were discussing, a servant came to report that the Eldest Miss had been waiting outside for some time.
After Pan Shiying took his leave, Jinchao entered from outside. She had been standing behind the bamboo curtain and overheard most of the conversation inside. She knew the timing was almost right—once the Emperor passed away and Prince Rui made his move, the Marquis Changxing's family would decline.
When the servant invited her in, she was still thinking about the palace coup.
Seeing her distracted, Gu Dezhao smiled: "What has our Chaojie thinking so intently?"
Jinchao snapped back to attention and curtsied: "With Second Aunt's help these past days, the items to be moved ahead have been prepared and packed in pearwood chests to be sent to Daxing. Those without indentures who are willing to follow have been arranged carriages to Daxing first to clean the courtyards. However... Second Aunt seems intent on leaving Concubine Du and Concubine Guo in Shi'an, packing few of their belongings. I wanted to inform Father first—Second Aunt will likely discuss this with you in detail."
Gu Dezhao fell silent for a moment. He hadn't visited the concubines' quarters for months, and lately had seen little of Concubine Guo or Du—especially after what Concubine Du had done. He said indifferently: "Then leave them in Shi'an. We'll send monthly supplies and allowances, leaving some servants to care for them."
The Shi'an residence needed proper upkeep since Gu Jinrong would still study here. After the move, Jinrong would stay in the Chrysanthemum Willow Pavilion in the front courtyard to avoid gossip. Once his year of mourning ended, he'd continue studies at Qifang Lane in Daxing.
Father must utterly despise Concubine Du... Jinchao thought. Not bringing the two concubines was just as well—neither Du nor Guo showed any inclination to move.
Returning from the Chrysanthemum Willow Pavilion, Jinchao found her maids already packing the side chamber. The side and main chambers' items were manageable, but the bulk came from her and Madam Ji's private storerooms. Feeling it improper to bring so many valuables to the ancestral home, Jinchao had Mama Tong sort out unused items to send first to Tongzhou Baodi for her maternal grandmother to safeguard.Her grandmother wrote back teasing her about her secret stash but didn’t say anything and simply helped her store the items away. Jinchao had her reasons for doing this.
Jinchao’s reasoning was actually quite simple. Some of the things Ji Wu Shi had given to her and Madam Ji weren’t officially recorded and couldn’t be considered part of the dowry. What if Madam Feng suddenly took it into her head to help manage her mother’s dowry and ended up pocketing these unrecorded items? Who could she turn to for help then?
Caifu came over to ask if the flowers in the greenhouse should also be sent to Daxing. Jinchao naturally couldn’t bear to part with the flowers she had painstakingly nurtured, but she couldn’t take them all either. She only selected some rare and precious ones to load onto the carriage. Standing in Paulownia Courtyard, she looked around again and took a deep breath—she probably wouldn’t be coming back here again.
P.S.:
Thank you to Xiao Yuanzi for the reward and to Lan Ge Yuewei for the pink~~
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