Chapter 133: Counterattack
Caifu brought the handkerchiefs given by Song Xiang to Jinchao, who carefully compared them with the white crepe silk handkerchief from Hangzhou.
Being highly skilled in embroidery, Jinchao could immediately tell they were crafted by the same person.
It was clear that the handkerchief had indeed been given by Song Xiang to Manager Zhao, and their secret dealings must have been going on for quite some time. Song Xiang had likely intended to marry Manager Zhao—despite him already having a wife—since he was at least handsome and held a position as the head of the Affairs Office.
Caifu recounted the conversation she had overheard between the maids outside the back annex: "This servant thinks Miss Song Xiang isn’t exactly kind-hearted. But what I don’t understand is, if she already had her sights set on Manager Zhao, why is she also showing such affection for Manager Lei’s scholar son..."
Jinchao smiled. Someone as shrewd as Song Xiang would naturally abandon a lesser branch when a higher one was within reach.
Holding the handkerchief, she pondered how to inform Madam Feng about this matter. Directly telling her wouldn’t work—it would be best if Madam Feng discovered it herself... Suddenly, an idea struck Jinchao.
She summoned Mama Tong and asked, "Can you identify the little maid from the eastern courtyard who helped Song Xiang deliver things?"
Mama Tong nodded. "The old woman has been keeping a secret watch and can recognize the girl."
Jinchao handed her the white crepe silk handkerchief embroidered with peonies and instructed, "Find that maid, bribe her, and have her return this to its original place. Then send a message to Xu Houcai, telling him the handkerchief was a gift from Song Xiang. Say that Miss Song Xiang from Tai Furen’s side has always fancied him and wishes to invite him to the eastern courtyard for a chat..."
Mama Tong was momentarily stunned. Eldest Miss’s words... she couldn’t quite grasp their meaning.
Jinchao explained, "This is a strategy that kills two birds with one stone. Xu Houcai once scorned our Qingpu for being beneath him—well, now he’ll get someone ‘worthy’ of him."
It took Mama Tong a moment to understand Gu Jinzhao’s intention, but she still hesitated. "Eldest Miss, what if Tai Furen finds out and questions the maid? What if the little girl exposes us?"
Jinchao smiled. "Wasn’t she already doing such things before? Just threaten her—if she doesn’t obey, we’ll report her role in delivering messages for Song Xiang to Grandmother. That will ensure her cooperation. After she helps, compensate her with a bag of silver bullion."
Finally comprehending, Mama Tong chuckled and went to carry out the plan.
Meanwhile, Xu Houcai was supervising a servant as they fed hay to the horses, grumbling all the while. "Why so much wheat bran mixed into the hay? Do you think wheat bran grows on trees?! It’s not even feeding time—add more grass!" After berating the servant, Xu Houcai sat down and took a swig of liquor to warm himself. The weather was getting colder, and his thin cotton-padded jacket was barely enough to fend off the chill. He casually plucked a few stalks of wheat straw, crumpled them, and stuffed them inside his jacket for extra insulation.
A servant came to inform him that a young maid from the eastern courtyard was looking for him.
Assuming it was about that marriage matter again, Xu Houcai was reluctant to go. He dawdled for a long time before finally making his way outside the stables. The girl, her hair tied in double buns, complained the moment she saw him. "What took you so long?! Miss Song Xiang needs to speak with you!"Miss Song Xiang? Xu Houcai naturally knew her—she was a favorite of Tai Furen. His spirits lifted at once, and he asked the little maid, "What does Miss Song Xiang want with me? Did Tai Furen send orders?"
The maid seemed uneasy, as if eager to leave. She lowered her voice further. "Miss Song Xiang asked me to tell you that she actually admires you and wants you to meet her in the eastern courtyard. She’s off duty the day after tomorrow… She also has something to give you—it’s hidden in the crevice of the Taihu rock outside. Go find it yourself!"
With that, the maid scampered off, leaving Xu Houcai utterly stunned. That Song Xiang from Tai Furen’s side, the maid who usually looked down her nose at people like him—she admired him? And wanted to talk to him?
He’d heard Song Xiang was betrothed to the son of a steward from the Third Master’s household. Was she confessing her feelings to him now because she was about to marry?
Xu Houcai couldn’t help but grin. To have a beauty like Song Xiang, with her high standards, admire him—how could he not be pleased? Straightening his cotton-padded jacket, he hurried outside to the Taihu rock. Sure enough, he found a white crepe handkerchief tucked inside. The handkerchief carried a faint, sweet fragrance and was embroidered with a cluster of roses. Such fine material was beyond the means of an ordinary maid.
Xu Houcai brought the handkerchief to his nose and inhaled deeply, his face alight with delight, before tucking it into his robe. A smug satisfaction settled over him. He’d never cared for that Qingpu, but Miss Song Xiang was a real beauty. Pity she was already promised to someone… Still, as long as she wasn’t married yet, there was still hope, wasn’t there?
Two days later, Xu Houcai collected the items to be delivered to the eastern courtyard from the Affairs Office and personally took them over.
Jinchao was in the western chamber listening to Madam Feng expound on Buddhist scriptures. Gu Lan and Gu Lian were also present, though Gu Lian was struggling to stay awake, her eyelids drooping.
Gu Lan, however, stole a glance at Gu Jinzhao. A few days ago, Jinzhao had sent her a pair of Hetian jade paperweights… What was the meaning behind that?
Did Gu Jinzhao intend to convey something by choosing white jade paperweights? Could she possibly know about Gu Lan’s affair with Young Master Yao? But that was impossible! Gu Lan had been restless ever since, unable to stop thinking about it, yet Jinzhao gave no indication of knowing anything…
Today, it was Jinzhao who had asked Madam Feng to invite them over for the scripture reading. Madam Feng was more than happy to oblige—cultivating virtue was always good for young ladies.
Gu Lan noticed Song Xiang wasn’t attending to Madam Feng; she must be on her day off. She scanned the room but didn’t see Qingpu behind Jinzhao either.
After a while, a maid came in to report, "...Steward Xu has delivered some items. I’ve placed them in the western side room for you."
Madam Feng frowned. "Why did he bring them himself…?"
She finished the remaining verses of the scripture before smiling at Jinzhao. "It’s been days now. I wonder if your Qingpu has taken a liking to Steward Xu. Since he’s here today, why not have Qingpu take another look? If she’s agreeable, we can settle the matter."
As she spoke, Madam Feng realized Qingpu was no longer standing behind Jinzhao.
Puzzled, she asked, "Wasn’t Qingpu here just now? Where has she gone…?"
Jinzhao quickly replied, "Perhaps she stepped out for a moment. Don’t trouble yourself, Grandmother. Please continue with another chapter of the Diamond Sutra!"Gu Lan glanced at Gu Jinzhao, thinking she was acting too hastily in this matter. Qingpu had gone out—why was she so anxious to cover for her? Unless... Qingpu had sneaked out to meet someone, perhaps Xu Houcai?
Gu Lan smiled and said, "I heard Steward Xu has arrived, and now Qingpu is nowhere to be seen. Maybe she went to meet him herself! Grandmother, why don’t we go take a look? Eldest Sister has been refusing to agree, but perhaps they’ve taken a liking to each other on their own!"
Gu Lian also egged them on, "Let’s go see—it’ll be a good chance to get some fresh air!" Listening to the Buddhist scriptures had left her utterly dazed.
Gu Jinzhao looked troubled and hesitated before replying, "I sent Qingpu to fetch some pastries... She... She’ll be back soon."
Hearing this, Gu Lan became even more convinced. "Eldest Sister just said she was attending to personal needs, and now she claims she went for pastries. I think Eldest Sister is deliberately trying to stop us from going..." She linked arms with Madam Feng and laughed. "Grandmother, we can’t let Eldest Sister have her way!"
Madam Feng chuckled. "Jinzhao, you’re too modest. If the maid has taken a fancy to someone, why should you be embarrassed?"
She then urged Lan Er and Lian jie er to get up and go outside for a stroll. Left with no choice, Gu Jinzhao followed them out.
Madam Feng summoned a young maid and quickly learned that Xu Houcai had gone to the rear annex. She led Gu Jinzhao and the others, along with a crowd of maids and matrons, toward the annex. At that moment, no maids were present in the rear annex. After scanning the area and failing to spot Xu Houcai, Madam Feng was about to call out when a woman’s voice came from the small thicket beside the annex: "You... What are you doing... Let go!"
Madam Feng’s expression darkened at the sound. She strode forward with the servants in tow. A matron swiftly parted the bushes, revealing Xu Houcai gripping a girl’s wrist, shouting angrily, "You deceitful wench, turning on me now! Do you think I’m a fool?"
The person he was pulling wasn’t Qingpu—it was Song Xiang!
Madam Feng barked, "Xu Houcai, how dare you harass a maid in the eastern courtyard!"
Only then did the two notice the crowd outside the thicket. They immediately released each other, ceasing their struggle.
Madam Feng snapped, "Disgraceful creatures! What are you gaping at? Come out and kneel! Explain yourselves!"
The sight of them grappling in the eastern courtyard, and in front of so many people, mortified Madam Feng. If Xu Houcai had merely harassed a maid, it would be bad enough—but if they had been carrying on in secret, where would that leave her dignity?
The maids and matrons accompanying them didn’t dare utter a word. Gu Lian and Gu Lan were equally shocked—they had come expecting to catch Qingpu, so why was Song Xiang the one meeting Xu Houcai in secret?
The two knelt on the ground, heads bowed in silence. Madam Feng shot Xu Houcai a cold glare before softening her tone slightly to address Song Xiang first. "Speak. What is the meaning of this?"
Song Xiang kowtowed tearfully. "Tai Furen, it’s all this despicable Xu Houcai’s doing! Today was my day off, but he barged into the rear annex and dragged me into the bushes, saying he had something to discuss. Then he started pawing at me! He just wanted to take advantage of me!"Xu Houcai couldn't take it anymore upon hearing this and loudly retorted, "You damned woman! It was clearly you who asked me to come, saying you liked me. Otherwise, why would I have come to the eastern courtyard to harass you? Wasn't I afraid of being beaten by the guards?"
Madam Feng snorted coldly, "No one asked you to speak yet. Shut your mouth!"
Xu Houcai quickly kowtowed again and pulled out a handkerchief from his robe, handing it to Madam Feng. "Tai Furen, look at this. This was given to me by that woman Song Xiang, saying she liked me. See for yourself whether it's true or not, and don't wrong me for nothing!"
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