Chapter 300: Farewell
After the Lantern Festival, the official document appointing Chen Xuanqing as the magistrate of Suning County in Hejian Prefecture arrived.
Madam Qin was combing Chen Zhao's hair when she heard the report from her maid Hanzhen. She raised an eyebrow slightly. "The document has already arrived?"
Hanzhen nodded. "...Tai Furen heard about it and summoned Seventh Young Master overnight to give him instructions. The next day, the attendants began preparing for the journey."
"How strange," Madam Qin murmured, her nails stained with henna tracing the edge of a jewelry box before selecting a hairpin inlaid with amethyst for Chen Zhao. She said coolly, "He is the eldest legitimate son of the third branch and holds the title of Third Scholar. By rights, he should stay in the Imperial Academy for a few more years before being assigned to a more remote prefecture—even a prefectural magistrate position would suit him. But now he’s being sent as a county magistrate? That means he’ll have to endure several more years of hardship..."
She patted Chen Zhao’s head with a smile. "All done. Does Mama’s hairstyle look pretty?"
Chen Zhao had long grown restless, squirming on the stool. "Pretty, pretty! Mama, can I go play with Third Sister-in-Law today?"
Madam Qin washed her hands in the warm water brought by a maid. "No. Your father will be here soon. In a few days, he’ll return to Shaanxi. You barely see him all year—shouldn’t you spend more time with him? Besides, you can visit Eldest Sister-in-Law or Second Sister-in-Law, but you should go to Third Sister-in-Law less often."
Chen Zhao pouted unhappily but didn’t dare argue with her mother.
A maid brought breakfast, and the nurse carried Chen Zhao away to eat.
Madam Qin sat before the dressing mirror, staring at herself for a long time.
She had been beautiful in her youth, but now, nearing forty, even the best care couldn’t hide the signs of aging. Looking at the other wives in the household, they were all still young and lovely. Madam Qin adjusted her hairpin and applied a bit more rouge before asking Hanzhen, "How do I look?"
Hanzhen smiled. "This servant thinks you look graceful, whether lightly or heavily adorned."
Madam Qin chuckled. "Really? I feel like Second Master hasn’t been as attentive to me as before—he’s always absent-minded when speaking." Chen Yanzhang was far away in Shaanxi, and even if she wanted to intervene, her influence couldn’t reach that far. She knew he had taken in two bedroom servant girls, and though it pained her, she endured it. They were just bed-warming maids—she didn’t consider them a threat. Chen Yanzhang would never develop feelings for mere servants.
But she wondered if there were other women...
Madam Qin recalled how, not long ago, Lady Wu had mentioned that Duke Zheng, Chang Hai, kept a mistress outside. Duke Zheng’s wife, Lady Jiang, was weak-willed and couldn’t control her husband. Even knowing about the mistress, she swallowed her anger. Besides, Chang Hai was in the prime of his youth—naturally prone to romantic entanglements. Later, when the mistress became pregnant and bore a child, Chang Hai brought the child back to the Duke’s residence. Lady Jiang had no choice but to grit her teeth and accept the child, registering it under her own name to raise.
Madam Qin thought that if she were Lady Jiang, she would have long since disposed of that wretched woman and her child together.
Her grip on the golden hairpin tightened as she asked Hanzhen, "How is Chen Xuanyue doing in the outer courtyard?"
Hanzhen replied, "Ninth Young Master is learning martial arts from the master at Crane Extension Tower and studying characters with Seventh Young Master. I heard he can recognize some words now and has grown much taller."
Madam Qin was satisfied. He was just a fool—if he wanted to live in the outer courtyard, so be it. She couldn’t be bothered to deal with him now...
Second Master Chen arrived, and a maid lifted the bamboo curtain for him.
He wore a gray Taoist robe, looking tall and dashing.Madam Qin served him porridge and dishes, speaking softly, "Second Master, have you heard? Seventh Young Master is going to become a county magistrate."
Second Master Chen lowered his head to sip the porridge. "Third Master mentioned it. What about it?"
"I just find it strange," Madam Qin smiled faintly. "Isn't there supposed to be a three-year observation period? How is he taking office so soon?"
Second Master Chen shook his head. "Who can guess what Third Master is planning? Let him be. His future won't be bad anyway."
Madam Qin's smile stiffened. She wanted to find more topics to discuss with him, but Second Master Chen brushed her off with a few words. After breakfast, the nursemaid brought Chen Zhao over. Seeing his father, Chen Zhao sweetly called out to him and nestled in his arms, chattering away.
Second Master Chen then carried Chen Zhao to see the newly bloomed weeping crabapple flowers.
...
Changing out of winter clothes made everyone feel lighter and more refreshed.
Gu Jinzhao sat in the sun, keeping Chen Xi company as she did needlework. Many crabapple flowers had bloomed in the courtyard—spring had arrived early this year.
Chen Xi had gone to Bao Xiang Temple with Madam Chen to pray for blessings and had brought back several amulets. She needed to make scented sachets to hold them, so she came to ask Gu Jinzhao for guidance. She picked out blue Hangzhou silk, saying, "...This one is for Seventh Brother. He's leaving for his post soon, and I won't get to see him often." Holding her needle and thread, she thought for a moment and asked Jinzhao, "Mother, what pattern should I embroider? I can do lotus, orchid, or treasure-flower designs."
Gu Jinzhao smiled faintly. "Then the lotus it is."
Chen Xuanqing seemed to like lotuses quite a bit.
Chen Xi nodded and earnestly began embroidering the lotus on a small hoop, with Gu Jinzhao guiding her stitches.
Third Master Chen returned in the afternoon. He stood at the doorway watching her for a while before entering.
Chen Xuanqing was leaving early the next morning and had come that afternoon to bid farewell. Shortly after Third Master Chen returned, he arrived.
This was the first time Gu Jinzhao had seen Chen Xuanqing since that day.
He seemed to have lost some weight, his demeanor calm and detached. Without looking at Gu Jinzhao, he spoke softly to take his leave. "I may be gone for half a year. Father and Mother, please take care of yourselves. If anything happens, write to let me know."
Gu Jinzhao didn’t know what to say for a moment. Seeing Chen Xuanqing inevitably made her feel awkward.
She had a maid bring out some prepared snacks and food for him. "...Mother has nothing else to give you. Please take these."
A servant behind Chen Xuanqing stepped forward to receive the items.
Chen Xuanqing thanked her and took his leave.
Chen Xi chased after him, tugging at his hand with teary eyes. "Seventh Brother, are you leaving already? Xi Jie'er hasn’t finished the scented sachet for you..."
She showed him the half-embroidered sachet.
Chen Xuanqing ruffled her hair and smiled. "You can give it to me when I return."
Chen Xi clutched his sleeve, refusing to let him go, tears streaming down her face.
"Xi Jie'er is so clumsy... Even after learning from Mother for so long, I still can't embroider well. The pattern was even chosen by Mother, and I didn’t do a good job. But there’s an amulet inside. Seventh Brother, will you take it? May the Buddha’s blessing keep you safe." She pressed the unfinished sachet into his hands.
Chen Xuanqing traced the embroidered lotus silently before finally accepting it.
He looked up toward Osmanthus Hall and said to Chen Xi, "While I’m gone, listen well to Father and Mother. Keep her company often."Chen Xi nodded, "When Seventh Brother returns, he can see our little brother."
Chen Xuanqing smiled faintly, "That's right. You must treat him well and not bully him."
"I won't! I love my little brother," Chen Xi quickly replied. "I touch Mother's belly every day to see how much he's grown. Seventh Brother, you must bring a gift for him when you return."
"I'll remember. You should go back now," Chen Xuanqing said with a smile. "An Momo will come looking for you if you stay any longer."
Reluctantly, Chen Xi let go and watched as Seventh Brother tucked the scented sachet into his sleeve before walking away slowly.
In the western chamber.
After Chen Xuanqing left, Gu Jinzhao asked Third Master Chen, "With his qualifications, a few years of observation at the Imperial Academy would qualify him for a prefect position. Being sent away now means he’ll likely remain a county magistrate for years. Did you arrange his transfer?"
Third Master Chen sipped his tea without looking up and gave a faint hum. "As the eldest legitimate son of the Chen Family, he must take responsibility, whether or not there was an incident. His actions were far too immature."
In her past life, Chen Xuanqing had also been transferred shortly after the New Year... Back then, Third Master Chen must have noticed the issue between them and sent him away to sever Gu Jinzhao’s feelings. This time, however, the reason was entirely different.
Gu Jinzhao’s heart was heavy. She understood Chen Xuanqing’s thoughts all too well. Sometimes, the moment you realize you can never have something is when you truly begin to desire it. Perhaps once he calmed down, he would see things clearly.
She instinctively grasped Third Master Chen’s hand and whispered, "Third Master, he will understand."
Chen Yanyun looked up at her, gently caressing her face. He seemed about to say something but only smiled. "I know."
Outside, the crabapple blossoms were in full bloom under the bright sun. Gu Jinzhao picked up a book to read.
Soon, drowsiness overtook her. As she struggled to keep her eyes open, Third Master Chen, who was reading Buddhist scriptures beside her, pulled her into his arms and let her rest against him. Half-asleep, she found comfort in his familiar scent and drifted off peacefully.
Adjusting his position to make her more comfortable, Third Master Chen rested a hand on her belly. In a few months, their child would be born... It seemed larger than usual for seven months, and he worried that a bigger baby might make the birth harder.
Perhaps he should arrange for experienced midwives from the palace to assist, sparing her unnecessary suffering.
As he pondered this, Caifu hurried in to announce Jiang Yan’s arrival.
Third Master Chen signaled for silence, carefully carried Jinzhao to the wormwood bed to sleep, then went to his study to meet Jiang Yan.
"...Vice Minister of War Zuo Hede is in trouble. They say he behaved disgracefully after drinking, leading a group to vandalize the Drunken Immortal Restaurant and even killing one of its workers. The Shuntian Prefect has detained him. The Ministry of War is in chaos, and Lord Zhang is urgently requesting your presence..."
Zuo Hede was Zhang Ju Lian’s chosen candidate for Minister of War, having previously fought against Japanese pirates in the East Sea. No wonder Zhang Ju Lian was frantic.
Chen Yanyun closed his eyes in thought. Without Zuo Hede, this matter would be difficult... Zhang Ju Lian would never willingly relinquish such a crucial position. If he could control the Ministry of War, even if the Marquis Changxing’s family regained power, they would be powerless against him.How could Zuo Hede be so foolish? At such a critical moment, he actually dared to make such a big scene!
Jiang Yan added, "I heard Lord Fan was also present at the time and even tried to cover for Zuo Hede. Who would have thought the Shuntian Prefecture officials would arrive so quickly."
Chen Yanyun remained silent, then smiled. "So we've truly underestimated him... Prepare the carriage for me first. We'll discuss the rest on the way."
Whether it was Fan Hui's doing or Ye Xian's, this move was truly brilliant.
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