Chapter 123: Tactics
She rose at mao hour (5-7 am), when the sky was still dark.
Jinchao sat on the embroidered stool before the dressing table as Qingpu combed her hair.
"I found a brazier and hand warmer for you in the western side chamber. The weather is gradually turning cold, so you can warm your hands when you return from Tai Furen’s place..." Qingpu set down the comb and picked up a sandalwood hairpin to fasten her hair.
Jinchao acknowledged with a hum and said, "...If any of you feel cold, go to the private storeroom for extra bedding. No need to inform me."
Qingpu assented. Once her hair was done, Caifu brought in a bowl of chestnut porridge, a plate of crispy fried pastries, and pickled silverfish. After breakfast, Qingpu accompanied Jinchao to the eastern courtyard.
Tai Furen had risen earlier than usual today, and the western chamber was already lit. The steward serving Second Master Gu stood under the corridor with hands clasped, waiting deferentially. Seeing him, Jinchao slowed her steps. For Second Master Gu to seek Madam Feng so early, there must be important matters to discuss.
Jinchao thought of the matter concerning the Changxing Marquis household.
As she reached the corridor, the steward bowed in greeting, while Song Xiang went inside to announce her.
She soon entered the western chamber and saw not only Second Master Gu but also her father inside. Madam Feng sat on the Arhat bed, dressed in a linen jacket, her left hand fingering Bodhi beads. Spotting Gu Jinchao, she smiled and pulled her to sit beside her. "Our Chaojie has arrived already." Turning to Gu Dezhao, she added, "She’s such a well-behaved child, coming to attend to me before chen hour (7-9 am) every day, diligent and efficient. I’m quite fond of her."
Jinchao smiled modestly. "Grandmother flatters me." She could feel the coldness of Madam Feng’s palm, slick with scented ointment.
Gu Dezhao looked at his daughter and chided gently, "If Grandmother praises you, it’s because you deserve it. Take it graciously. I’ve asked the Baodi shopkeeper to make you a few new satin jackets. Along with the pastries your maternal grandmother sent, they’ve been delivered to your Beautiful Embroidery Hall."
Jinchao thanked him but inwardly thought her father shouldn’t have mentioned such things in front of Madam Feng—these matters should have been discussed privately.
Sure enough, Madam Feng’s expression darkened at the mention.
Back when Gu Dezhao had sought to marry Madam Ji, she and Ji Wu Shi had clashed fiercely.
Gu Dezhao seemed to realize his misstep and coughed awkwardly before adding, "Making winter clothes for Chaojie was just incidental. The main purpose was to have jackets made for you, Mother. Lianjie’er, Lan’er, and the others all received theirs too. Since the household servants also need winter attire, I simply instructed the Baodi shopkeeper to handle everything. If you commissioned others, they’d surely overcharge. Having it done through me costs you nothing."
Madam Feng’s mood improved slightly, though she still reproached him, "...Running a tailor’s shop is still a business. How can I take advantage of you, Mother? Don’t do this next time." Yet she made no mention of reimbursing him.
In Madam Feng’s view, since Gu Dezhao had returned to the Gu family, his assets naturally belonged to the Gus as well. She simply hadn’t found the right moment to ask him to contribute, especially since much of his wealth had come with the Ji family’s support. But with his household living under the Gu roof, she couldn’t help feeling resentful if he didn’t share some of his resources. His willingness to be generous was certainly welcome.Second Master Gu suddenly spoke up, "In that case, Third Brother and I will take our leave first. Since Marquis Changxing is seriously ill, please remember to visit him this afternoon and also comfort Fifth Sister-in-law properly."
Madam Feng nodded, "I understand. You still have to enter the palace for mourning rites, so go ahead."
After Second Master Gu and Gu Dezhao left, maids gradually brought in barley porridge, honey pastries, Yellow Cake, and a plate of freshly shredded cucumbers. Jinchao helped Madam Feng with her breakfast and peeled a Fuzhou tangerine for her.
Madam Feng leaned against the large pillow, half-closing her eyes as if drowsing. Having risen too early today, she wasn't in good spirits.
Jinchao, however, was pondering what Second Master Gu had mentioned—Marquis Changxing was injured, and so severely that Madam Feng needed to visit personally... In her previous life, the Marquis had died on the spot. Since he survived this time, and judging by Second Master Gu's reaction—if the Marquis had been accused of treason, they would have avoided him at all costs. Yet he still asked Madam Feng to visit, which proved the Marquis's household had escaped this calamity.
She wondered how Ye Xian had managed to save Marquis Changxing.
Since the charge of treason hadn't fallen on the Marquis, would Prince Rui simply let it go so easily?
Jinchao knew nothing.
After some thought, she began massaging Madam Feng's temples and said softly, "Grandmother still seems exhausted. Why not rest for a while? Second Uncle and Father came to speak with you so early—you probably didn't get proper rest. Father should have been more considerate..."
Madam Feng didn't open her eyes, but the tension between her brows eased slightly. She replied slowly, "The matter was urgent; don't blame your father... Last night, Prince Rui was executed by the Marquis for treason, and the Marquis was severely injured. Your Fifth Aunt sent word overnight—it couldn't be delayed. I'd like to rest too, but I must handle household affairs now since I'll be going to the capital this afternoon..."
Prince Rui was executed for treason?
Jinchao was stunned. Wasn't it supposed to be Marquis Changxing who was accused of treason? How had it become Prince Rui being executed for rebellion?
The situation had changed so drastically—Prince Rui's scheme to frame the Marquis had backfired, costing him his own life! It all seemed too strange. But since this involved Ye Xian, and she knew just how meticulous and calculating he was...
Could Ye Xian have orchestrated this? Such a maneuver—using others to eliminate his enemy—was indeed his style.
Jinchao couldn't help but marvel at the depth of these people's schemes. Court politics were far too complex, shifting unpredictably. Even with foreknowledge, opposing such individuals would likely end in defeat.
Setting aside thoughts of Ye Xian, she saw how exhausted Madam Feng truly was and urged, "Grandmother, you really should rest. Why not let Second Aunt assist you today? You'll be traveling to the capital this afternoon—that will be even more tiring..."
Madam Feng considered this reasonable, as she still had to leave in the afternoon. She had a maidservant summon Second Madam, while Song Xiang attended to her rest.
Jinchao went to the study. Even though Madam Feng was resting, it wasn't proper for her to leave just yet.
Second Madam arrived in haste, wearing only a pair of South Sea pearls the size of lotus seeds in her ears, with no other ornaments. By now, those who had come to pay respects to Tai Furen, seeing she hadn't risen, had gradually departed. Meanwhile, stewardesses and senior maids filed in one after another.Second Madam handled the affairs of the inner courtyard with great ease, clearly having assisted in such matters many times before.
Before long, Gu Lian arrived. After cooing and chatting with Second Madam for a while, she leaned against her side and idly played with an inkstone on the desk.
Since they were in Madam Feng’s quarters, Second Madam couldn’t allow Gu Lian to behave so improperly. She chided her, “Why are you leaning on your mother like this? Sit properly. And put your grandmother’s inkstone back.” That particular inkstone, made of refined clay, had been personally carved by the late master. Madam Feng usually forbade anyone else from touching it.
Gu Lian pouted and tugged at Madam Feng’s sleeve. “My bedding is too thin, Mother. I barely slept last night…”
Madam Feng’s heart ached at once. “Why didn’t Nurse Luo tell me? Let me see…” She reached out to feel Gu Lian’s forehead, worried she might have caught a chill. Any thought of her earlier impropriety was forgotten.
Jinchao sat in a red-lacquered armchair by the side table, flipping through a book of leisure. At these words, she glanced at the two of them before lowering her eyes back to her reading. Second Madam was shrewd and capable, smooth in all her dealings—except when it came to raising Gu Lian. Her elder cousin Gu Jin Hua had been dignified and gentle, so how had Gu Lian turned out like this?
Gu Lian dodged her mother’s hand and said brightly, “I’m fine, but Lan Er is the one who’s truly pitiful. She has nothing in her private storeroom, and the household hasn’t allocated her anything. Last night, she had to sleep with a padded winter jacket draped over her. Not like some people, spoiled by everyone and with plenty of their own things. I just feel so sorry for her—it weighs on my heart. Sisters should have affection for each other…”
Jinchao looked up and saw Gu Lian staring coldly at her. She nearly laughed. What was Gu Lian implying? Trying to stand up for Gu Lan? How amusing. After everything Gu Lan had done to her, where was the sisterly affection? Was she supposed to forget all grievances, even the death of her mother? If Gu Lan lacked something, was she expected to send it over herself?
These words definitely hadn’t come from Gu Lan—she wasn’t that foolish.
Sure enough, Second Madam’s expression darkened. She asked Gu Lian, “Did you think of saying this yourself, or did Lan Er put you up to it?”
Gu Lian had expected her mother to sympathize with Gu Lan, not frown like this. Hesitating, she mumbled, “I thought of it myself. Lan Er really is pitiful.”
Second Madam didn’t believe her. She doted on her youngest daughter and had turned a blind eye to her companionship with Gu Lan. But if Gu Lan dared to use her daughter as a pawn, she wouldn’t let it slide!
Second Madam instructed Nurse Luo to escort Gu Lian back, then approached Jinchao with a smile. “Lian jie er is still immature. Don’t take her words to heart… I have a box of dried fruits in my quarters—I’ll have it sent to you later.”
Gu Jinchao naturally paid no mind to Gu Lian’s words. “There’s no need to explain, Second Aunt. Cousin Lian is still young and easily influenced. I doubt those were her own thoughts. Please don’t scold her—it would only embarrass her.”
Since Gu Lan had handed her this mistake, she might as well make the most of it.
Zhou Shi inwardly praised Jinchao for her maturity while fuming at Gu Lan… How dare she manipulate Gu Lian like this! She hadn’t disciplined Gu Lan these past few days—did the girl think she could be bullied so easily?Gu Jinzhao, however, was free in the afternoon after Madam Feng left for the capital. Coincidentally, Gu Yi and Gu Xi were making satin jackets and invited her to help choose patterns. Jinchao brought along Caifu and Baiyun, both skilled in embroidery, but upon arrival at Yixiang Courtyard, they saw a crowd of maidservants kneeling in the courtyard.
The bluestone pavement was bitterly cold in late autumn. Mu Jin knelt at the forefront, her eyes red-rimmed, while several young maids from Gu Lan's quarters wept quietly. The main room where Gu Lan resided had its doors tightly shut.
When Gu Jinzhao entered, Gu Xi peeked out and beckoned her over with a mysterious expression.
OpenNovel