Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 209: Address

As night deepened, Madam Chen sent Luo to relay a message, saying she had been tired from the day's activities and that the morning and evening courtesies could be excused the next day. Jinchao thanked Luo and rewarded her with a premium red envelope. Luo smiled and said, "Third Madam is too kind. This servant merely delivered a message."

She curtsied and left. Shortly after, Mama Wang entered and asked Jinchao where she would like to have her evening meal.

Jinchao inquired, "Has Third Master returned yet?"

Mama Wang replied, "Not yet, but all of Third Master's daily necessities have been moved over."

He had said he would come to see her, yet she hadn't caught a glimpse of him all afternoon. Jinchao thought to herself before saying, "No need to prepare dinner yet. Let's wait until Third Master returns."

She then stood and had Qingpu assist her in freshening up. She changed into a plain, muted pea-green full-length jacket and a white drawn-thread skirt. Her hair was styled into a small bun, adorned with two peony-blue gauze silk flowers the size of wine cups and a pair of white jade earrings. Just as Qingpu opened the scented cream box to apply it for her, a young maid announced from outside.

Mama Wang entered again and said, "The three concubines have arrived... to pay their respects to you." She added, "Just handle them briefly."

Recalling these three concubines, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Jinchao's lips. "Let them in," she said.

Chen Yanyun's three concubines had all been brought in under Jiang Shi's arrangement. Jiang Shi was a kind-hearted woman who believed that since her husband was indifferent in this regard, it would be livelier to bring in a few new faces. Moreover, her health was poor, and she feared she might not be able to bear him heirs... This was what Madam Chen had later told her.

These three concubines came from humble backgrounds and knew their place. They never overstepped their bounds with the true mistress of the house, though their behind-the-scenes squabbles were quite lively.

When the three entered, they curtsied to her in turn.

The eldest was Xue Rong, Xuanxin's birth mother and originally a second-tier maid under Madam Chen. She was a year older than Third Master Chen. Dressed in a begonia-red jacket, she wore a cheerful smile. Next was Lu Hanyan, the daughter of a rice shop owner in Baodi, who had borne no children. The youngest was Yu Xianyin, who had been brought in the year before Jiang Shi fell ill. She was originally the daughter of a secretary in Wanping County's yamen and was only twenty this year.

All three were startled at the sight of her. Xue Rong was the first to react, smiling as she said, "Madam is truly beautiful. I was so captivated I lost myself for a moment—please forgive my rudeness." Lu Hanyan shot her a glance. "Xue Concubine is as silver-tongued as ever!" She then curtsied to Jinchao and said, "This humble one, Lu Shi, pays respects to Madam. I lack Xue Concubine's eloquence, but she did speak the truth."

Yu Xianyin stood behind them, lowering her head with a cold smile. When it was her turn, she performed a perfunctory curtsy. "This humble one, Yu Shi, pays respects to Madam."

Jinchao had her maids reward each of them with a premium red envelope and gifted them gold hairpins with lotus patterns.

Xue Rong was the first to express her gratitude, saying, "I felt an instant connection with Madam. I’ll come to pay my respects every morning and evening from now on—I hope you won’t find me a nuisance."

If she came daily, the other two would surely follow, and Jinchao’s quarters would become quite the lively scene.

Jinchao smiled without responding and took a sip of tea before summoning Mama Wang to ask, "Where are the three concubines currently residing? Do they have enough maids attending to them?"Mama Wang replied respectfully, "The three concubines reside together in the Carp-envying Pavilion. Concubine Xue lives on the first floor, while Concubine Yu and Concubine Lu share the second floor. Concubine Xue is attended by five maids, and Concubines Yu and Lu each have four. The rough labor maids are not counted among them."

The Chen Family was wealthy, so even the concubines had many maids serving them.

Jinchao set down her teacup but remained silent.

The three concubines dared not speak either. Concubine Xue inwardly regretted speaking up earlier. The new mistress was formidable—she had them standing there without addressing them directly, instead summoning Mama Wang to ask questions, clearly showing she didn’t regard them highly. When she heard that Third Master Chen had married a young girl, Concubine Xue had been delighted for days, thinking she would be easier to handle than Jiang Shi. But though the new mistress was young, her ability to control people was remarkably sharp...

Concubine Xue had borne a son, so her treatment was better than the other two concubines. Once she was managed, the other two would follow easily. Jinchao had handled such matters effortlessly in her past life, and now it was even simpler. She addressed Concubine Xue, "This afternoon, Mother took me to tour the garden, and I glimpsed the Carp-envying Pavilion from afar. Since you live quite a distance away, there’s no need to come daily for morning greetings. Just come on festivals, the first, and the fifteenth of the month. If you lack anything, send someone to inform Mama Wang."

The three concubines bowed in gratitude.

Outside, a young maid announced through the curtain that the Third Master had arrived.

Chen Yanyun lifted the curtain and entered, frowning slightly at the sight of so many people in the room.

First, the old master of the Chen Family had passed away, and Chen Yanyun had observed the mourning period. Just as the three years ended, Jiang Shi fell ill. Among the concubines, Concubine Xue had at least borne a son, Concubine Lu had served him a few times, but Concubine Yu had never attended to Chen Yanyun at all... The three of them were visibly nervous upon seeing him, bowing and addressing him as "Third Master."

Chen Yanyun acknowledged them with a faint hum and asked, "Why are you all here?"

Jinchao smiled. "They came to pay their respects to me."

Concubine Yu’s gaze flickered toward Chen Yanyun before she quickly lowered her head. He noticed and felt even more displeased. Back then, taking concubines... it had been Jiang Shi and Madam Chen who persuaded him. Chen Yanyun had never been fond of such arrangements, and he disliked the personalities of these three concubines. He was well aware of their petty schemes, but at the time, he had to consider the needs of the family.

Seeing that Jinchao had changed into simpler attire but the heated bed table was still bare, Chen Yanyun asked, "You haven’t eaten yet?"

Jinchao shook her head. "Have you eaten?"

Of course not.

Chen Yanyun explained, "I escorted Duke Zheng out the main gate, and by the time I returned, it was already this late. If you were hungry, you should have eaten first. Why wait for me?"

The three concubines exchanged awkward glances. Since Jinchao didn’t intend to keep them to serve the meal, she said, "If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw."

After a moment’s hesitation, the three bowed and took their leave.

Chen Yanyun motioned for Mama Wang. "Tell the kitchen to serve the dishes quickly."

Soon, the dishes arrived: a clear mixed vegetable soup, steamed mandarin fish, marinated goose feet, and stir-fried seasonal greens were placed on the heated bed table. Third Master Chen silently took a bowl and chopsticks from the maid’s red-lacquered tray, filling a bowl of soup and handing it to her.

Jinchao was startled. As a married woman, how could she let him serve her? She accepted the bowl but set it aside, stepping closer to curtsey. "Let me serve you instead, my lord."

Third Master Chen looked up at her.Jinchao also looked at him, thinking wasn't this quite normal... Whoever got married had to serve their husband, right?

Third Master Chen seemed somewhat displeased. He gestured faintly to the seat opposite him. "Sit down and eat."

Yet Jinchao hesitated and asked again, "Should I have the maids serve your dishes instead?"

Though he said nothing, Jinchao could sense his expression darken. His gaze settled on her—silent and calm, yet it felt like reproaching a child who had done wrong, making one's heart tighten involuntarily.

He set down his chopsticks gently and instructed the attending maids, "Leave us for now." The maids exchanged glances before setting down their tasks and withdrawing. Only then did Chen Yanyun extend his hand toward Jinchao. "Come here."

What now... Jinchao suddenly felt the same panic as when she was about to be caned by her tutor as a child.

Chen Yanyun's stern and serious demeanor truly resembled that of a strict tutor. Jinchao recalled her time at her grandmother's house, where she had a particularly harsh tutor. Whenever she slacked off in her studies, she would be caned, and her grandmother never indulged her in this matter. Later, it was thanks to this tutor's severity that she became more learned than most women of the inner chambers.

As soon as Jinchao took a step forward, Third Master Chen suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her into his lap. Caught off guard, Jinchao clung to his neck to keep from falling, staring at him in stunned silence...

With another firm tug from Third Master Chen, Jinchao was pressed tightly against his chest, feeling the warmth radiating through the thin fabric.

Her eyes widened, her face flushed as she stammered, "Wh-what are you doing? Let me down!" No wonder he had dismissed the maids.

Third Master Chen asked her slowly, "What should you call me?"

Gu Jinzhao, acutely aware of the unyielding strength of his arm around her waist, gritted her teeth and asked, "What would you like me to call you?"

Third Master Chen replied, "Guess first. If you get it right, you can go back to eating."

Gu Jinzhao fell silent for a moment. What could she call him? If possible, she'd prefer to address him as "Third Master Chen" like everyone else. But she sensed that wouldn't be the correct answer, so she whispered, "Your courtesy name is Nine Balance, and your literary name is Bamboo Mountain Hermit. How about I call you by your courtesy name from now on?"

Chen Yanyun considered it and accepted. "That will do." With one arm still around her, he picked up his chopsticks with the other and resumed eating.

Jinchao took a deep breath, trying her best to ignore the fact that she was still in his embrace, and asked with a smile, "Didn't you say I could go back to eating if I answered correctly?"

Chen Yanyun gave a noncommittal hum and said coolly, "But you didn't answer correctly."

Jinchao looked crestfallen. "Third Master, I'm a little hungry. How about we continue this guessing game another day?"

Chen Yanyun finally smiled and decided not to tease her further, releasing her. Jinchao immediately returned to her seat across from him and picked up her bowl, never again mentioning serving his dishes. She vaguely sensed... that Third Master Chen was displeased with her earlier gesture, though she didn't understand why.

A while later, the maids returned to clear the dishes.

Jinchao was attended to by Qingpu as she washed up and prepared for bed. Once the maids had withdrawn, she lay staring at the ceiling and the red bed curtains, suddenly recalling the events of the previous night. Third Master Chen had just entered the bathing chamber... She couldn't help but feel uneasy, especially after he had held her so closely earlier.

However, her worries didn't last long. The afternoon garden stroll had exhausted her, and she fell asleep before Third Master Chen even emerged from the bath.After a tiring day and going to bed early, she actually slept very soundly.

Chen Yanyun changed into a Straight Robe and came out of the washroom, only to find her already asleep. He walked to the bedside and watched her for a long moment before gently blowing out the lantern and stepping outside. Chen Yi was waiting there, holding out a stack of letters with both hands, and said in a low voice, "Third Master, these are secret letters from Yunnan."

Chen Yanyun took them and said softly, "The ancestral hall Jiang Yan was supervising should be finished. Have him return from Baoding."

Chen Yi's face lit up with joy—Mr. Jiang could finally come back!

He hurriedly acknowledged the order and withdrew, eager to go to the stables and prepare a horse.

P.S.: Eating meat every day isn't healthy, a little teasing is enough!