Chapter 220: Responses
Wang Shi smiled. "That's our Ninth Young Master. He rarely comes out, so it's no wonder Third Sister-in-law doesn't recognize him."
In her previous life, after marrying into the Chen Family for five years, Jinchao had only occasionally seen this child during banquets but had never paid him much attention.
By the time she saw Chen Xuanyue again, he had already become the renowned Left Commander of the Capital Military Command. It was during a trip back to Baoding to pay respects to their ancestors. Surrounded by a large entourage of personal guards, he appeared steady yet formidable. That day, it was Chen Xuanqing who received him, and the two brothers entered the ancestral hall to talk. The area outside was heavily guarded, and she didn’t even have the right to enter the hall, only able to watch from afar as Chen Xuanlin stood outside, waiting for his elder brother to emerge.
...She still remembered that it was the fifteenth year of the Wanli era, just two years after she had moved out of the side courtyard.
Jinchao had overheard the servants gossiping about how this Ninth Young Master was originally a simpleton but later went to Shaanxi with General Zhao, where his condition was miraculously cured. General Zhao, out of respect for Second Master Chen, took special care of Chen Xuanyue, who eventually rose through the ranks to become Vice Commander. Later, during the Mongol uprising, he was appointed as the commander to quell the rebellion and was promoted to Left Commander, enjoying boundless glory.
Wang Shi whispered, "He was born to Second Master’s Bed Warming Maid. As a child, he suffered a high fever that left him mentally impaired. He was raised under Second Sister-in-law’s care. Mother pitied him and once wanted to take him in herself, but the boy proved too unruly. That wasn’t all... Originally, Mother’s room didn’t house a golden Buddha but a white jade Buddha from Hotan. The child was so mischievous that he broke the jade Buddha, and Mother lost all interest in raising him. Now, only Second Sister-in-law occasionally looks after him, but he’s grown up with petty habits—even begging for candied chestnuts..."
She finished with a dismissive wave. "Mother has already said he doesn’t need to observe the morning and evening rituals. He only comes to pay respects when there’s something specific. Honestly, not just Second Sister-in-law—no one wants to see him..."
Jinchao sensed something meaningful in Wang Shi’s smile. She had merely asked about the Ninth Young Master, yet Wang Shi had shared so much.
Earlier, Chen Xuanyue had hesitated at the door, and someone had pushed him from behind... He wasn’t even properly groomed. Clearly, the servants attending to him weren’t diligent. Jinchao sighed inwardly. Who would have guessed this person would one day become a high-ranking commander?
In her past life, if not for him and Chen Xuanqing, the Chen Family would have been utterly devoured by Ye Xian.
After Chen Xuanyue left, Madam Chen had the maids take the children out to play, keeping only a few daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law behind to discuss the marriage prospects for Chen Rong, the fourth branch’s illegitimate daughter. She asked Wang Shi if there were any suitable candidates.
Chen Rong was fourteen by nominal age, born to Fourth Master Chen’s concubine, and now at the perfect age for marriage discussions. Wang Shi smiled and said to Madam Chen, "This daughter-in-law is still looking into it. The wife of the Zhao family in Hulu Lane has mentioned her nephew as a potential match."
Madam Qin asked, "The Zhao family’s nephew? I haven’t heard of him. Is he the son of the sister who married into Liangxiang?"
Wang Shi nodded. "Exactly. He’s already earned the title of xiucai. Their family owns thousands of acres of farmland in Liangxiang—quite wealthy."
A faint smile appeared on Madam Qin’s lips. "That would indeed be a suitable match for Rong-jie."
A xiucai’s rank meant nothing to the Chen Family. After all, Chen Rong was just an illegitimate daughter—it made little difference either way.Madam Chen thought it was quite good. "It's not easy for someone from a wealthy family to still dedicate themselves to studies. When you have time, go invite Madam Zhao over and get all the details about their family situation."
Wang Shi agreed. Then Madam Chen asked Gu Jinzhao for her opinion.
What could she say? She'd never even heard of them before.
Jinchao couldn't outright say whether it was good or bad, so she replied, "Mother is right. It's always good to ask for details."
Madam Chen squeezed her hand. "Don't try to be evasive. Once we've settled Rongjie's marriage, you'll have to take charge of Xuanqing's wedding arrangements."
In their previous life, Chen Xuanqing had married before even taking the Metropolitan Exam. But in this life, there had been no movement on that front.
Jinchao demurred, "I've just married into the family and lack experience. I'm afraid I won't handle this well..." She didn't want to get involved in Chen Xuanqing's affairs at all.
Madam Chen laughed at her. "Silly child. Why so modest? No one is born knowing everything. Just go ahead with it—your second sister-in-law and I will be watching over you. Xuanqing was already betrothed to Miss Yu long ago, so it won't be so troublesome..."
Madam Qin also smiled. "The Seventh Young Master is already the Third Scholar with an official post in the Imperial Academy. It's time he had someone to look after him. Don't worry about not handling it well, third sister-in-law. When I first married in, I knew nothing either—it was Mother who taught me everything..."
After more discussion about Miss Yu and lunch, Gu Jinzhao finally left Madam Chen's quarters.
All the way back, Jinchao kept thinking about Yu Wanxue.
What occupied her thoughts most was that time when Yu Wanxue had fallen ill and she'd wanted to visit. But she'd been stopped at the courtyard gate by an old maidservant. When Chen Xuanqing arrived to see Yu Wanxue, he'd glanced at her briefly but frowned deeply. "What are you doing here?"
She should have just lain like a living corpse in her lifeless room, waiting to die.
Gu Jinzhao had been holding a box of chestnut cakes. She'd stared coldly at Chen Xuanqing, with nothing to say.
Chen Xuanqing ignored her. After entering, he'd said something to the maidservant, who then firmly shut the gate. Clutching the box of cakes, she'd heard Chen Xuanqing inside gently coaxing Yu Wanxue to take her medicine, the sound of a bowl falling to the ground, the exclamations of the maids, and Yu Wanxue crying about something—but no matter how hard she strained, she couldn't make out the words. Even standing on tiptoe, she couldn't see inside.
She didn't know what Chen Xuanqing had said to upset Yu Wanxue so. But Jinchao had been utterly powerless, wanting to show kindness to someone who'd been good to her, yet unable to even deliver a box of pastries when that person was ill. She'd lingered outside for a long time that day before dragging her stiff feet back.
Later, she'd heard that the seventh master's concubine was pregnant.
Even after being reborn, Jinchao still felt deep remorse toward Yu Wanxue. Whether intentional or not, in their past life Yu Wanxue had lost her child because of her. If Yu Wanxue had had a child to rely on, even if Chen Xuanqing had taken concubines, her life wouldn't have been so bitter.
Yu Wanxue was the person she'd wronged most in her previous life.
She didn't know if Yu Wanxue would marry into the family this time. Without her interference, perhaps Yu Wanxue would be happier. After all, Chen Xuanqing had genuinely cared for Yu Wanxue in their past life... She ought to help Yu Wanxue however she could.
The embroidered cloak for Third Master Chen was finally finished. Jinchao unfolded it and examined it with satisfaction. She told Qingpu to bring over the brazier to burn some fragrant wood, planning to give it to him when he returned that evening.After Qingpu withdrew, Gu Jinzhao spoke with Granny Sun: "...Granny Sun has served the Chen Family for over ten years and is considered senior. May I ask what your duties are in the sewing room and what your monthly allowance is?"
From being a sewing room attendant to becoming the head matron of a household was quite a leap. Yet Granny Sun appeared neither flustered nor obsequious.
Granny Sun replied, "This servant oversees four young maids and manages the household's needlework. The monthly allowance of six qian silver is quite sufficient."
Gu Jinzhao inquired further about the Chen Family, and Granny Sun answered respectfully and knowledgeably.
Apart from the salaries of Second Master Chen and Third Master Chen, the Chen Family also had their own businesses. However, the family's assets were divided into two parts: the Villas and workshops were managed by Madam Qin, while the stationery shops and silk cloth stores were overseen by Fourth Master Chen. Though he was a jinshi (metropolitan graduate), he did not hold an official position and instead held a nominal post at the Imperial Academy. Leveraging the Chen Family's influence, Fourth Master Chen's business ventures thrived, and the family's wealth was substantial.
Granny Sun was also familiar with some of the Chen Family's business affairs.
At that moment, a young maid announced that Mama Wang had arrived with Jiang Shi's accompanying servants to see her.
Jinchao instructed them to meet in the front hall and asked Caifu to first show Granny Sun around Osmanthus Hall.
Mama Wang brought two men with her. One, dressed in a gray short coat, appeared honest and managed the Villa in Baoding's mountainous area. Kneeling, he greeted her nervously, stammering, "This humble one is Wen Laowu, from Baoding."
Standing behind him, Mama Wang quickly added, "Wen Laowu isn't very articulate, but he excels at farming. Please don't take offense, Madam."
Wen Laowu kept his head bowed, too timid to speak—truly a simple man.
The other, clad in a silk robe with a slightly plump and dark face, knelt with a cheerful smile. "This humble one is Hu Cheng, originally from Jiangsu."
Jinchao asked a few more questions. Wen Laowu mostly remained silent, while Hu Cheng was slick-tongued, skirting around the important details.
Gu Jinzhao set her teacup down and slowly asked Mama Wang, "Weren't there three accompanying households? Where is the third one?"
Mama Wang replied, "There is also Xu Xing, who helped the late madam manage the shops. He's been too busy with business lately and couldn't get away. He sent word that he’d come as soon as the spice shop is settled."
Gu Jinzhao smiled faintly but said nothing.
Hu Cheng glanced uneasily at Mama Wang, who also felt uneasy. "As you know, the larger spice shops handle considerable daily transactions, so it’s hard for him to leave. This servant has already sent someone to urge him."
Jinchao lowered her eyes. "Mama Wang, are you trying to fool me? If the manager of a large shop has to oversee everything daily, what’s the point of having subordinates? If he must watch over everything every day, then he isn’t much of a manager." She raised her head and fixed Mama Wang with a smile. "If something were to happen to him one day, wouldn’t the entire shop collapse?"
Despite her youth, Mama Wang still hadn’t given up trying to manipulate her.Did they think she was easy to fool? Just three spice shops, with a monthly income of only a hundred taels of silver. Luo Yongping and Cao Ziheng were currently managing her properties worth over ten thousand taels, yet they still had to report to her every month and submit their accounts. Whenever she needed Luo Yongping for anything, he wouldn’t dare say he was too busy. Now, a mere steward was managing three spice shops and claimed he didn’t have time to see her—wasn’t this just playing her for a fool?
Mama Wang forced a smile. "Madam, you’re overstating it. The affairs of the spice shops are quite complicated, and you might not be fully aware."
Gu Jinzhao had never shown her temper in front of the servants before, but now her smile faded. "If I’m not aware, then Mama Wang should explain it to me clearly. What exactly is he so busy with? The shops purchase goods in small batches annually, and the retail sales are overseen by junior clerks. The accounts are naturally handled by the bookkeepers. If he’s still too busy, then I truly don’t understand. Mama Wang, go and relay my message—tell him to come see me tomorrow. If he doesn’t show up, I’ll go see him myself."
Mama Wang couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. This new mistress was young, yet her words were sharp and methodical. How did she know so much about the shops’ affairs? (…)
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