Osmanthus Hall quickly became a hive of activity as maids bustled in and out with hot water. Jinchao undressed Chen Xi and wiped her down with the warm water. Madam Chen arrived upon hearing the news, furious. She scolded all the maids and elderly servants in Chen Xi’s quarters, punishing more than ten of them by making them kneel under the scorching sun.
Qiutang had been in the kitchen chatting with the cook, trying to get some astragalus root for herself. After pestering the cook for a long time, the woman finally relented, considering Qiutang was, after all, the head maid of the Fourth Young Miss. Qiutang lingered in the kitchen, sipping tea, until she saw Xia Kui, who also served the Fourth Young Miss, come running in, panting and urging her to return.
Qiutang frowned. “What’s the rush? Has the Fourth Young Miss woken from her nap? I already told you I’d be back soon.”
Xia Kui’s lips trembled with fear. “Sister Qiutang, the Fourth Young Miss has a high fever… It was the Third Madam who discovered it. Tai Furen has summoned you for questioning, and now…”
Qiutang’s face instantly paled. How could she suddenly have a fever? She had been perfectly fine this morning!
If anything happened to the Fourth Young Miss, all the maids serving her would surely be sold off—where would her comfortable life as a head maid be then?
She snatched the bundle of astragalus root from the table and hurried back.
Madam Chen entered the side room and saw Chen Xi lying unconscious on the Arhat bed, her heart aching with pity and distress. “Has the fever not subsided yet?”
Jinchao checked Chen Xi’s forehead. Though they had wiped her down with hot water earlier, bringing the temperature down slightly, it was still alarmingly high.
She shook her head. “I’m afraid she’ll need medicine to break the fever.”
A maid came in to report, “...Physician Ji has arrived and is waiting in the main hall.”
Jinchao instructed Qingpu to carry Xi Jie’er to the East Side Room for examination. Madam Chen went to the East Side Room to oversee things.
Just as Jinchao sat down to sip some tea to soothe her throat, Caifu brought Qiutang in.
Qiutang immediately dropped to her knees. “Third Madam, it’s this servant’s fault! I failed to take proper care of the young miss…”
She wept, her face streaked with tears and snot.
Gu Jinzhao said coolly, “Why are you in such a hurry? No one’s competing with you to confess. Tell me, what were you doing in the kitchen, and why were you gone for so long?” She paused. “Speak the truth—don’t try to deceive me. If I hear a different story from the kitchen maids, you’ll regret it!”
She was well aware of the underhanded dealings among the maids. This Qiutang had sticky fingers in her past life too. Back then, Mama Wang had been in charge of Chen Xi’s household affairs, so Jinzhao hadn’t interfered.
Qiutang hesitated before stammering, “This servant… this servant went to the kitchen to ask for some astragalus root. My mother is getting older, weak and frail, and her feet have been swollen lately, making it hard for her to walk. I consulted a physician, who said drinking astragalus tea could strengthen her qi and fortify her defenses…”
Gu Jinzhao asked further, “How much is your monthly allowance?”
“Th-three taels of silver.”
Jinzhao turned to Granny Sun. “How much astragalus root can three taels buy?”
Granny Sun replied respectfully, “Enough to buy fifty catties of premium astragalus root.”
Qiutang fell silent, her palms slick with sweat. She had been saving her monthly allowance as dowry. Naturally, she would take things from wherever was convenient—why would she spend her own money? The manor had more than enough of such supplies anyway…
Gu Jinzhao continued, “So you were gone all noon just to get some astragalus root? Is this how you serve the Fourth Young Miss?”Qiutang said pitifully, "An Momo has returned to her hometown in Liangxiang. Otherwise, she would be on duty today while I rested... I know I was wrong, Madam. Punish me however you see fit. It's all my fault..."
Madam Chen emerged from the East Side Room just as Gu Jinzhao was questioning the maid. Her tone was icy as she declared, "You will indeed be punished. From now on, you shall no longer serve the Fourth Young Miss. Since you're so fond of the kitchen, you may stay there permanently." She ordered the matrons to drag Qiutang to the kitchen, instructing, "Tell Zhao Yong's wife that Qiutang will be responsible for tending the fires from now on."
Qiutang was terrified, struggling and weeping as she was taken away. The maids and matrons kneeling outside bowed their heads, not daring to look, sweat trickling down their faces.
Seeing Madam Chen enter, Jinchao rose and curtsied, saying, "Mother, for the servants to be so neglectful is also my failure in discipline. I share the blame."
As the one managing the Fourth Household's affairs, it was inexcusable that no one had reported Chen Xi's severe illness to her.
Madam Chen motioned for her to sit. "...Qiutang originally served under Jiang Shi. After Jiang Shi passed, she became increasingly frivolous. This isn't your fault." As a stepmother, Gu Jinzhao had to maintain an appropriate distance with Chen Xi—neither too close nor too distant. Matters in Chen Xi's quarters required discretion, and with her own limited oversight... such incidents were inevitable, especially with An Momo absent from the estate.
Madam Chen mused thoughtfully, "...Xi Jie'er staying in Fragrant Splendor Pavilion is indeed inconvenient. Perhaps she should move to the courtyard behind Osmanthus Hall, where you can keep an eye on her daily." The small courtyard behind Osmanthus Hall had remained vacant, featuring a lotus pond, a moon gate leading to the central courtyard, and a separate passage directly connecting to Madam Chen's quarters—making visits convenient.
Gu Jinzhao assented, "Then I'll have the courtyard cleaned."
Madam Chen nodded. "The child shouldn't return to Fragrant Splendor Pavilion—it's too lonely. Until the preparations are complete, have her stay in the side chamber first."
Gu Jinzhao inquired about Chen Xi's condition. Madam Chen explained it was due to cold pathogens invading her body. The attending maid mentioned she had consumed two bowls of chilled white fungus soup yesterday morning. Being so young, her body couldn't handle it. "...The matrons are already preparing the decoction. Once she drinks it, the fever should break, but she'll need several days to recover."
The two proceeded to the easternmost chamber, where Madam Chen attempted to feed Xi Jie'er the medicine. The child, barely conscious, only registered the bitterness and refused to drink. Medicine spilled onto the bedding as she whimpered pitifully.
Having no experience caring for children, Gu Jinzhao could only watch from the side. Growing impatient, Madam Chen had the matrons restrain Xi Jie'er's limbs, determined to pour the medicine down her throat.
Xiuqu entered and announced, "...The Seventh Young Master has arrived."
Chen Xuanqing strode in swiftly, crossing to the kang in a few steps to check on Chen Xi.
Seeing his younger sister in such distress pained him deeply. He called softly, "Xi Jie'er."
Chen Xi, who greatly relied on her elder brother, murmured at his gentle voice, "Brother..."
Chen Xuanqing lifted his sister, cradling her against him while patting her back soothingly. "Don't be afraid. Brother's here." He gestured for the matron to hand him the medicine bowl. Scooping a spoonful, he brought it to Xi Jie'er's lips. "Be good. Drink this and you'll feel better. It won't taste bitter..."
Turning to Gu Jinzhao, he asked, "Mother, do you have any preserved fruits here?"
Gu Jinzhao nodded affirmatively and personally fetched an assortment—candied winter melon strips, salted plums, and golden thread honey dates.Chen Xuanqing had almost finished feeding the medicine to Chen Xi. He coaxed her to drink the last spoonful and was momentarily stunned when he saw the preserved fruits Gu Jinzhao had brought over.
These were all his favorite kinds...
Gu Jinzhao hadn’t considered this. She didn’t have many preserved fruits on hand—these three varieties had been added by Granny Sun.
After a slight hesitation, he picked a salted plum and placed it in Chen Xi’s mouth. She stopped complaining about the bitterness.
Madam Chen sighed in relief. "It’s fortunate you were at home today. Xi Jie’er actually listens to you—it’s quite strange..." Chen Xi had always been close to Jiang Shi, and after Jiang Shi’s passing, she stayed with Madam Chen. She only saw Chen Xuanqing occasionally, yet she was inexplicably fond of him. Perhaps it was the natural bond of blood.
With Chen Xi having taken her medicine, Madam Chen felt at ease. She said to Jinzhao, "There’s still some business to attend to with your second sister-in-law. I’ll head back first and return in the evening to check on her. For the next few days, neither you nor Xi Jie’er need to come for morning and evening greetings." She then instructed Chen Xuanqing, "Xi Jie’er will be staying with your mother for now. Visit her when you have time, and we’ll see after she recovers..."
Chen Xuanqing nodded in acknowledgment.
Gu Jinzhao escorted Madam Chen out.
Since Chen Xuanqing was keeping Chen Xi company in the eastern chamber, Jinzhao thought it inappropriate to join them. Instead, she took Granny Sun to the small courtyard at the back. If Chen Xi was to move in, the place needed tidying up—the window lattices and corridor pillars required fresh black lacquer, and some furniture in the rooms needed replacing... Jinzhao also told Granny Sun, "...Move all of Xi Jie’er’s little playthings over as well. Don’t leave anything behind."
Children were always attached to their belongings, especially sensitive and nostalgic ones like her.
Granny Sun noted everything down and went to borrow some maids from the attendants’ quarters to help with the arrangements.
Jinzhao returned to the main quarters and instructed Qingpu to have the kitchen prepare an extra bowl of Lotus Seed Porridge for dinner that evening.
As she approached the eastern chamber, she softly asked the maid standing guard, "Is the Seventh Young Master still inside?" If he was, she wouldn’t enter.
Before the maid could reply, Chen Xuanqing’s cold voice came from within. "...Come in. I have something to say to you."
Gu Jinzhao frowned slightly. What kind of tone was that...? What did he want now?
"Leave the door wide open and stand guard outside," Jinzhao instructed the maid before stepping inside.
Chen Xuanqing stood by the bed, watching Chen Xi sleep, his expression unreadable. He didn’t look up at Jinzhao.
Jinzhao said coolly, "I am now your stepmother. As someone who studies the classics, you ought to know how to respect your elders."
Chen Xuanqing finally turned to look at her.
The fading sunlight seeped through the window, casting delicate rays over her figure, illuminating her pale green jacket.
Hadn’t she once favored red? That color had suited her so well, making her radiant. These muted tones didn’t suit her at all—it was like seeing a pearl covered in dust, making one itch to wipe it clean and restore its original luster.
Chen Xuanqing wanted to remind her that a young woman ought to know what suited her best. But such words were hardly appropriate now, so he turned away and said, "Thank you for looking after Xi Jie’er."
Gu Jinzhao shook her head. "There’s no need for thanks, Seventh Young Master. I am also Xi Jie’er’s mother. This is simply my duty."
She had no desire to accept gratitude from Chen Xuanqing.Chen Xuanqing was a tall and slender man, always gentle and courteous when speaking to others. Anyone who met him would praise him as a refined gentleman. Only when facing Gu Jinzhao did he feel pushed to his limits—even cold indifference or sharp reprimands couldn’t drive away the woman who clung to him relentlessly.
Chen Xuanqing truly didn’t know what to do.
He had even humiliated her, spoken harshly, and felt himself crossing the line at times.
But now, at last, Gu Jinzhao no longer liked him.
She had become his father’s wife, entering his life in a different way.
"Good, that’s fine," Chen Xuanqing nodded. "Then I’ll take my leave..."
"I’ll send word once Xi Jie'er’s fever breaks," Gu Jinzhao said.
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