Chapter 216: Unexpected Events
The steamed lotus leaf rice was served in tall bowls and distributed among the ladies for tasting.
Madam Wu couldn’t stop praising Jinchao’s culinary skills and helped herself to several extra pieces, prompting Madam Chen to tease her, “There’s sticky rice in this—be careful not to overeat!”
Jinchao smiled and said, “It’s not just my doing. Xi Jie’er helped shell the peas and mix in the diced cured meat.”
Chen Zhao immediately tugged at her sleeve, insisting on being acknowledged too. “Auntie, I also shelled peas!” Everyone burst into laughter.
Chen Xi sat beside Gu Jinzhao, her cheeks flushed with shyness. Working with Jinchao to prepare the lotus leaf rice had been such fun—she had never felt so at ease before. Her mother had always taught her to be modest and proper, and since her mother considered kitchen work unrefined, she rarely allowed Chen Xi to participate. Even when she did enter the kitchen, the servants would hover around her, afraid she might cut herself with a knife or get oil stains on her clothes, for which they would be scolded by her mother.
And yet, Jinchao even knew how to sing little lotus-picking tunes…
Chen Xi found Jinchao to be an incredibly delightful person and sat pressed closely against her. Whenever someone praised the lotus leaf rice, a small smile would appear on her face.
Winning over children was actually quite simple—treat them well, and they would naturally sense it. Jinchao gazed at the tiny pearl hairpin on Chen Xi’s double bun hairstyle, feeling a sudden surge of tenderness. Though Chen Zhao was two years younger than Chen Xi, she was far more lively. In the kitchen, Chen Zhao would clamor to do this or see that, while Chen Xi stood obediently, never refusing any task assigned to her.
It was as though, knowing she no longer had a mother, she had matured rapidly, becoming cautious and reserved.
Jinchao whispered to her, “I have a lotus pond screen at my place—one I embroidered myself. Do you like lotus flowers? How about I give it to you?”
Chen Xi nodded, her voice childlike. “Mother said the lotus rises unsullied from the mud and remains unspoiled by clear ripples.” She added, “I have a plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo screen in my room. It’s been there for years. I’ve seen embroidered lotus screens before, but never one with a lotus pond. Does it also have a little pavilion like the one by the back garden’s pond?”
Jinchao smiled and nodded. “Yes, there’s a pavilion and even weeping willows by the pond.”
Chen Xi gave a small nod, clearly looking forward to the lotus pond screen. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Then I’ll give you a handkerchief in return. I’ve learned to embroider dragonflies from An Momo.”
Jinchao thought to herself that Jiang Shi’s upbringing had been quite good—at the very least, Chen Xi was remarkably well-mannered for her age.
Soon after, Madam Ge came to pay her respects to Madam Chen. She wore a blue brocade jacket with white tea motifs, her hair styled in a simple round bun and adorned with a pair of silver clove earrings. Her haggard appearance startled Madam Chen. “Daughter-in-law of the sixth branch, what’s happened to you?”
How could she appear wearing mere silver clove earrings? People might think the Chen Family mistreated the wives of their lesser sons!
Madam Ge smiled weakly. “I slept wrong last night and got a stiff neck. It’s nothing serious.”
Madam Chen nodded. “If your health is poor, you shouldn’t use bamboo or jade pillows like others do. I still have some wormwood from last year’s Mid-Autumn drying—take it and make a pillow.”
Madam Ge declined politely. “How could I use something you dried for tea to make a pillow? I still have some cassia seeds at home that will do.”Jinchao noticed the dark circles under Madam Ge's eyes and surmised she must have learned about Sixth Master Chen's affair. While keeping a mistress was bad enough, making it public knowledge must have been devastating for her. With her timid nature, she wouldn't confide in anyone—not even her sisters-in-law who weren't particularly close to her—only deepening her depression. At least Madam Chen still showed her some kindness.
With Sixth Master Chen carousing outside, she naturally didn't dare utter a word of complaint.
...No wonder things ended the way they did later.
Jinchao beckoned Madam Ge over and offered her a plate of Filigree Candy. "...Mother brought these earlier for the girls. I tried one—it melts in your mouth, sweet but not cloying. Would you like some?" She remembered Madam Ge had a sweet tooth.
Madam Ge glanced at Gu Jinzhao before murmuring her thanks and picking up a piece of candy.
Meanwhile, Madam Qin whispered to Madam Ge, "Sixth Sister-in-law, you really shouldn't wear plain silver earrings here, especially with Madam Wu and her daughter-in-law present. Fortunately, Mother didn't say anything. Do be more mindful."
Madam Ge nodded. "Second Sister-in-law is right, it's my fault..." Her voice choked up despite the candy in her mouth, her eyes quickly reddening. Even Madam Qin was startled—she hadn't expected her remark to reduce Madam Ge to tears!
Unable to control herself, Madam Ge wiped her tears with her sleeve and stammered, "I won't do it again..."
The commotion startled the women playing cards. Madam Chen immediately called Madam Ge over. "Why are you crying? Did someone wrong you? If so, tell me..." She shot a glance at Wang Shi, who promptly escorted the Wu ladies to the side room for tea.
But Madam Ge was crying too hard to speak. As they helped her sit on the Arhat bed, Madam Chen's tone turned stern. "Did that scoundrel Sixth do something again? I haven't even scolded him for the Cui affair yet! Tell me the truth. If you won't, I'll summon him here myself."
Madam Ge clutched Madam Chen's sleeve, shaking her head. "Mother... no... please don't call him!"
Seeing her reluctance, Madam Chen ordered Luo, "Go fetch Sixth Master immediately! I want answers!"
Panicked, Madam Ge grabbed Luo's arm and whispered tearfully, "It's... a family disgrace. Sixth Master forbade me from telling you. It's about Cui Shi... Fourth Master already went with him to settle it..."
Jinchao sighed.
Madam Chen's voice turned icy. "He needed Fourth to accompany him? What fresh trouble has that wretch stirred up now? Demanding to make her his concubine?"
Realizing her mistake, Madam Ge paled. Ignoring her, Madam Chen turned to Zi He. "You explain. If you refuse, I'll sell you to the mountains this instant."
Terrified, Zi He dropped to her knees and haltingly revealed the truth.
The room fell silent in shock. Madam Chen trembled with rage. "...He drove her to death? Two lives lost? And you hid this from me? Was I to learn of it through gossip?" Pointing at Luo, she commanded, "Bring him here now!"Sixth Master Chen was quickly summoned. He had just returned from the Cui family and hadn't even caught his breath yet. Madam Chen asked him to follow her into the inner chamber to talk. With a forced smile, he said, "Mother, won't you let your son rest for a moment?" Seeing Madam Chen's stern expression remain unchanged, he couldn't help but glance back at Madam Ge, who was still crying.
The female relatives stayed in the western side chamber. Jinchao comforted Madam Ge: "Sixth sister-in-law, no one blames you for this. Please don't cry anymore. It only pains those who care for you, and it doesn't help the situation."
Madam Ge nodded, accepting the handkerchief Jinchao handed her. "I've made a fool of myself in front of Third sister-in-law. I just can't handle things well..."
At that moment, Chen Xuanqing and Chen Xuanxin arrived to pay their respects to Madam Chen. Since his return, Chen Xuanqing had been tutoring Xuanxin in his studies. They had planned to join Madam Chen for dinner but found everyone in the side chamber looking grave. Madam Chen was nowhere to be seen, while Gu Jinzhao was speaking gently to Madam Ge, whose red and swollen eyes showed she had been crying.
He greeted each elder respectfully. When it came to Gu Jinzhao, he paused briefly before saying, "Mother, I hope you are well."
Jinzhao nodded faintly, showing little interest in engaging with him.
Madam Qin motioned him over and whispered, "Your grandmother is inside talking with your sixth uncle."
Chen Xuanqing frowned. Sixth aunt was crying, while Sixth uncle was being questioned by Grandmother inside... What exactly had happened? He asked, "Has someone been sent to inform my father?"
Madam Qin nodded. "Your mother already sent someone."
Chen Xuanqing instinctively glanced toward Gu Jinzhao's direction and saw Chen Xi sitting beside her, whispering something to her.
Gu Jinzhao listened attentively, her expression gentle toward Chen Xi. Chen Xi rarely acted so childishly, whispering to others like this... So perhaps she hadn't mistreated Chen Xi after all... Just as this thought crossed his mind, the sound of shattering porcelain came from the inner chamber, followed by Madam Chen's angry shouts.
Chen Xuanxin craned his neck curiously but couldn't see anything.
A maid served them hot tea. Chen Xuanqing had no desire to drink it and absentmindedly set it aside on the side table.
Finally, the door to the inner chamber opened. Sixth Master Chen emerged looking utterly dejected. Madam Chen had berated him mercilessly and insisted he spend half a year at Bao Xiang Temple, chanting sutras for the deceased Cui Shi and her child. How was he supposed to endure such a life... When he lifted his head and saw Madam Ge's tear-streaked face, all the frustration and resentment he had bottled up these past days turned into fury. He strode over and demanded, "Was it you who told Mother?"
Madam Ge was startled and quickly replied, "Sixth Master, I didn't—"
Sixth Master Chen sneered, cutting her off. "Last time with Cui Shi, wasn't it you who went crying to Mother? If you hadn't told her, would I have treated Cui Shi like that? She wouldn't have died... What are you crying for now? Who are you trying to fool with your pitiful act?"
Madam Ge stood up and said softly, "Sixth Master, how... how can you blame me for this... I, if I had known Cui Shi was pregnant..."Sixth Master Chen grew even angrier upon hearing her rebuttal. "Then you should tell Mother! Didn't I warn you not to speak carelessly? You just want everyone to know and laugh at me! Come back with me and explain yourself properly..." He raised his hand to grab Madam Ge, but with a loud clatter, he knocked over the tea on the side table.
Chen Xi had been sitting right beside the table... Without a second thought, Jinchao swiftly pulled her into her arms. As the table tilted, the scalding hot tea splashed entirely onto Jinchao's arm and back, steam still rising from it.
Chen Xi, unaware of what had happened, only burst into tears when she was released.
Madam Qin quickly took Chen Xi into her arms to comfort her, murmuring "Don't cry," while checking if she had been burned anywhere. Wang Shi grasped Jinchao's hand and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, are you hurt?" Jinchao shook her head, saying it was nothing. Sixth Master Chen, both shocked and remorseful, wondered who had placed a cup of scalding tea on the side table—and now the newly arrived third sister-in-law had been burned. He hurriedly apologized to Jinchao, causing momentary chaos in the room.
That cup of tea... he had placed it there absentmindedly. But it hadn't been intentional. Chen Xuanqing, recalling how Gu Jinzhao had shielded Chen Xi just moments ago, clenched his fists, hesitating to speak.
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