Chapter 258: Recuperation
Since Third Master Chen was staying in the outer courtyard, Jinchao found it inconvenient to visit frequently. After two days, when his injuries had improved somewhat, he was moved back to Osmanthus Hall to recuperate. Due to the frequent visits from the imperial physician, it was inconvenient for him to stay in the inner chamber, so he temporarily resided in an empty room cleared out in the western wing.
Physician Wang came daily to change his dressings, and the medicine was brewed in a pot specially brought by the physician, untouched by the maids of Osmanthus Hall. Jinchao only needed to attend to Third Master Chen’s meals. After lying on the heated bed for a few days, Third Master Chen was able to get up and move around, so Physician Wang no longer needed to visit. The task of changing his dressings was handed over to Gu Jinzhao.
During this period, Third Master Chen did not need to attend the Grand Secretariat. With this newfound leisure, he resembled a scholar even more, dressed in a gray-blue straight robe, leaning against the large heated bed by the window to read. The window was half-open, and a cluster of slender bamboo planted outside swayed gently in the breeze.
Jinchao entered carrying a large red lacquered tray, followed by a maid holding a copper basin of water.
"I’ve come to change your dressing," Jinchao said as she approached him. The maids set down the items and withdrew in order.
Third Master Chen set aside his book and untied the sash of his straight robe and the collar of his inner garment. The arrow wound was located two inches below his collarbone. Thanks to Physician Wang’s treatment, the wound had already begun to scab. When Gu Jinzhao unwrapped the cotton bandage and saw the gruesome wound on his chest, she couldn’t help but feel her nose sting with emotion.
Third Master Chen noticed her crouching silently, her gaze fixed on his wound. He sighed with a smile. "I told you it’s nothing... Don’t look anymore." Seeing her distress over his injury, he felt a pang of guilt.
How could it be nothing? Even when she pricked her finger while sewing, it hurt, let alone such a large wound.
Gu Jinzhao averted her eyes, took a deep breath, then applied the medicinal ointment and wrapped the wound with fresh cotton.
"You’ve been reading all day. Why not rest a little longer?" she suggested. "Shall I help you lie down on the heated bed?"
Third Master Chen shook his head. "I rarely have such leisure. I’d rather spend more time with you."
Since he didn’t wish to rest, Gu Jinzhao didn’t insist. She had a maid bring over her sewing basket and sat with Third Master Chen as she worked on her needlework.
Third Master Chen noticed she was embroidering an infant and lotus pattern—the chubby limbs of the baby looked adorable. He watched her for a long while by the heated bed table before asking with interest, "Who is this for?" She was stitching with great care, the veins of the lotus leaves clearly defined, and there seemed to be characters embroidered beside them.
Jinchao paused before answering softly, "It’s a Dudou for the child..."
The infant and lotus pattern was traditionally a child’s design, alongside motifs like cranes and deer, though none were as lively as the infant and lotus.
For the child...
Third Master Chen reached out. "Let me see."
Jinchao shook her head. "Wait until it’s finished. There’s not much left to do."
Third Master Chen chuckled softly. Taking advantage of his longer reach, he effortlessly plucked it from her hands. Caught off guard, Gu Jinzhao could only watch as the child’s Dudou fell into his grasp. Her cheeks flushed. "Don’t look..." She had embroidered something else on it.
She leaned forward, reaching to snatch it back, but Third Master Chen held her wrist and moved it further away, examining it with amusement. "No wonder you didn’t want me to see... You’ve embroidered his poem here."In Third Master Chen's study hung a painting of deer traversing a pine-lined path, with this very poem inscribed beside it. However, Jinchao first learned this poem from a poetry collection during her early studies of tonal patterns in classical verse. She had once greatly admired Third Master Chen's poetry...
Gu Jinzhao couldn't decide whether to be angry, so she simply ignored him: "Then take it if you want. You can mend the rest yourself..."
Now that she was pregnant, Third Master Chen dared not tease her further. In the past, when Jinchao was angry, she would force herself to maintain a respectful demeanor. But now her anger manifested differently—sometimes she even dared to ignore him outright, becoming increasingly willful.
Third Master Chen returned the child's dudou to her and pulled her into his arms to coax her: "I was only joking, don't be angry. Hmm? If you like my poetry, why don't I write a few more for you? I'll stamp them with that Bamboo Mountain Hermit seal and hang them in your study."
Gu Jinzhao tried to break free from his embrace but accidentally elbowed his wound with too much force. She heard Third Master Chen grunt in pain and turned to look at him.
His face had paled, but he managed a weak smile: "...It's nothing."
Gu Jinzhao's heart softened again. After a moment's thought, she said: "I was only ten when I first read your poetry. The collection was from Third Cousin's study—it included poems by you and Minister Yuan. I memorized them after reading." Minister Yuan referred to Yuan Zhongru, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shanxi. His literary talent had always been considered on par with Third Master Chen's—otherwise, he wouldn't have topped the palace examinations that year. Both men's poetic works were widely circulated.
Third Master Chen sighed: "It's hardly a good poem. My father was still alive then, and I accompanied him to Qingcheng Mountain seeking enlightenment. The mountain paths were treacherous, and we couldn't find our way up. Instead, we happened upon the scenic Deer Bridge, which inspired this poem. In those days of youthful ignorance, my heart soared higher than the heavens. But with age, I've come to realize many things need not be expressed..."
Was this not like what Xin Qiji described—having tasted all life's sorrows in maturity, one begins to speak of them no more, only remarking instead: "What a cool autumn day"?
Gu Jinzhao silently agreed. Indeed, as people age and gain understanding, many matters no longer seem worth dwelling upon.
After a while, she asked him: "...Does your wound still hurt?"
Third Master Chen countered: "What would you do if I said yes?"
Gu Jinzhao thought for a moment: "I could blow on it for you..."
This made him laugh. Stroking her hair, he said: "Then never mind—your husband isn't in pain anymore."
As they spoke, Caifu came to announce that Fourth Miss had come to see Third Master Chen. Jinzhao straightened her posture as Chen Xi entered, carrying a box of hawthorn cakes with An Momo following behind.
Chen Xi obediently greeted Jinzhao and Third Master Chen, placing the cakes on the heated bed table: "These hawthorn cakes were brought by An Momo from her hometown. Xi Jie'er brought a box for Father. I heard Father hasn't had much appetite lately—these are sweet and sour, very tasty."
They were children's snacks.
An Momo smiled and added: "Fourth Miss insisted on bringing them. This servant thought it showed her sincere regard."
Chen Xi grew slightly anxious at An Momo's words and asked softly: "Does Father not like hawthorn cakes?"
Third Master Chen beckoned Chen Xi over and reassured her: "Father likes them very much. Your timing is perfect."
Delighted, Chen Xi went to sit beside Gu Jinzhao, watching her needlework and fetching colored threads for her to weave Chinese knots for amusement.Third Master Chen watched the two of them playing together and thought to himself that once Jinchao's child was born, the household would likely become even livelier. He smiled helplessly and picked up his book to continue reading. Before long, Jiang Yan entered and asked him to step outside for a conversation.
"Just as you anticipated, Third Master, Lord Zhang flew into a rage yesterday and ordered Liu Hanzhang's arrest overnight. He should have already reached Changping by now and will likely be detained at the Ministry of Justice by evening," Jiang Yan reported in a low voice.
After a moment of contemplation, Third Master Chen instructed, "Inform the Minister of Justice that this case was originally the achievement of Vice Minister Lu Chonglou. Have him participate in Liu Hanzhang's interrogation... The questioning itself doesn't matter, but Lu Chonglou must be involved. Let him understand who can benefit him." His influence within the Ministry of Justice was still weak.
Jiang Yan quickly grasped Third Master Chen's intention and left to carry out the order.
Qingpu brought in a plate of sliced watermelon and several dishes of pastries. Jinchao took a piece of watermelon for Chen Xi to eat. Noticing Qingpu's sullen silence, she asked, "What's wrong? Has someone bullied you? You look like you're holding a grudge against someone."
Qingpu shook her head. "This servant is fine, just haven't been sleeping well lately."
Gu Jinchao didn't believe her. Having been with Qingpu for so long, she could usually guess what was on her mind. This demeanor suggested something was troubling her, but Qingpu was the type to keep everything bottled up inside.
After Qingpu withdrew, Jinchao summoned Yuzhu and asked if she knew what was bothering Qingpu recently.
Yuzhu whispered, "Sister Qingpu has indeed been somewhat troubled lately, but this servant doesn't know the details... I heard it was a guard who upset her—a very tall one. He was just on duty outside the main hall earlier but should have been relieved by now."
Gu Jinchao recalled what Granny Sun had mentioned about the guard who said Qingpu resembled his mother.
What exactly was going on between these two? With men and women being different, she needed to handle this carefully to avoid giving rise to rumors.
She said to Third Master Chen, "There's a guard under your command, surnamed Lin, currently serving at Osmanthus Hall. May I ask him a few questions?"
A guard surnamed Lin? With so many guards at Crane Extension Tower, Third Master Chen had no particular impression. He nodded. "Go ahead and ask. Has he done something wrong? If so, just have Chen Yi punish him directly."
Gu Jinchao wasn't entirely sure either. "I'll speak with him first."
Third Master Chen then summoned Chen Yi and gave him instructions. Chen Yi went to fetch Guard Lin, while Gu Jinchao waited in the East Side Room to meet him. When Chen Yi brought the guard in, she saw that Guard Lin was indeed exceptionally tall and broad—even taller than Chen Yi by half a head. She rarely encountered someone so tall; he had to duck to pass through the bamboo curtain of the East Side Room. His appearance was honest and loyal, and he didn't dare raise his head.
Gu Jinchao asked him, "Your surname is Lin—what's your given name?"
Guard Lin hurriedly replied, "This lowly one is Lin Yuanshan, from Lijiatun in Liangxiang. This lowly one knows why the madam has summoned me..."
Gu Jinchao smiled. "You know? Then tell me about it."Lin Yuanshan gave an awkward smile: "Brother Chen already questioned me when he came, telling me to be honest. The last time I saw Miss Qingpu... I thought she looked like my mother, which is why I panicked and offended her. These past few days after being transferred to Osmanthus Hall, I occasionally see Miss Qingpu and can't help but talk to her a bit more. But she doesn’t seem to like it, and I don’t know what I did to upset her. If you’d let me explain again, I really didn’t mean any harm... It’s just that my mother passed away a few years ago."
Gu Jinzhao cut him off: "Enough. Qingpu is my personal maid, and she’s a young woman. Don’t do this again." She added a word of advice, "Even if you’re thinking of your mother, you must consider a young woman’s reputation, understand?"
Lin Yuanshan looked somewhat dejected: "Oh... then I just won’t see her anymore."
Chen Yi clasped his hands in apology: "Madam, please forgive this oversight. It’s my fault for not managing him strictly enough. I’ll discipline him when we return." With that, he led Lin Yuanshan away.
P.S.: Today... I’m really stuck on writing. I’ll make it up with a double update tomorrow, mwah!
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