Chapter 311: The Prodigy
Ji Wu Shi had stayed with the Chen Family for several days, and Gu Jinzhao was about to see her off.
Before her departure, Jinchao personally selected many items for her grandmother to take along. Holding her hand, she said, "Once Changsuo turns three months old, I’ll bring him to visit you."
Ji Wu Shi smiled and sighed, "Grandmother is old and naturally wishes to see you. But if you’re too busy, there’s no need to come. I have Chun Ge'er and Yu Ge'er to keep me company, so I won’t feel lonely."
Yu Ge'er? Gu Jinzhao was momentarily taken aback before realizing this must be Ji Yao’s child, Ji Yu.
Ji Wu Shi then slipped something into Jinchao’s sleeve and whispered, "After staying here for a few days, I can see Third Master Chen truly treats you well. But this is still my token of affection—use it if you need it..."
Feeling the smooth texture of paper, Jinchao realized it must be a banknote, and a substantial one at that. She quickly declined, "Since childhood, you’ve already given me more than enough. Now that I’m married, how can I accept this?"
But Ji Wu Shi insisted, pressing the banknote firmly into Jinchao’s sleeve. "Consider it as money for clothes for my great-grandson. Besides, all I want is for you to live well—nothing else matters!"
Unable to refuse, Jinchao sighed inwardly and accepted the banknote. After a moment’s thought, she added, "There’s one more thing I’d like to ask of you, Grandmother." She lowered her voice. "Please keep an eye on the Ever Prosperous Trading Company for me. If anything unusual happens, write to me."
Ji Wu Shi pondered briefly but didn’t ask why. She smiled gently and said, "Very well, I’ll watch it for you."
Jinchao tightly clasped her grandmother’s warm, dry hands and only let go after a long while.
Unable to leave her bed, she had Granny Sun escort Ji Wu Shi out.
When Jinchao examined the banknote, she found it was a staggering three thousand taels...
She instructed Mama Tong to record it in her private accounts.
...
A month later, Changsuo began sleeping soundly through the night. Though the wet nurse still had to wake five or six times to feed him, Jinchao quickly adjusted. Childbirth had taken its toll, but her body had mostly recovered by now.
The baby’s crib was placed in the greenhouse, attended not only by Zhu Momo and two wet nurses but also by a few young maids who had experience caring for younger siblings. Chen Xi had made several cloth tigers and tied them to the head of the crib. At first, little Changsuo had stared at the yellow cloth tigers for a long time, but he soon lost interest and ignored them.
Taking advantage of the warm weather, the wet nurse unwrapped his swaddling clothes to give him a bath.
With nothing else to do, Jinchao amused herself by playing with him. Changsuo kicked his little legs, sitting in a wooden tub filled with warm water as he tried to grab her hand, stretching out his chubby arms like lotus root segments. Jinchao laughed and patted his hand, and he fixed his wide eyes on her face, watching her intently.
Her heart softened. Though children could be noisy, they were undeniably adorable.
After the bath, little Changsuo was placed back in her arms. Jinchao sat on the arhat bed reading, but he, no longer swaddled, reached for her collar and nuzzled his head against her chest, fussing to keep her from reading.
Zou Shi noticed and hurried over to take the child. "Madam, the young master needs to be fed..."Gu Jinzhao currently had no breast milk to feed him, and seeing that little Changsuo was indeed hungry, they could only wait for Zou Shi to take him away to be fed. However, he struggled and cried, seemingly unwilling to be held by Zou Shi.
Gu Jinzhao’s heart softened at the sound. “Never mind… he can eat later when he’s hungry!”
Zou Shi complied and let go, whereupon little Changsuo threw himself back into Jinzhao’s arms, clutching her sleeve and stopping his cries, though he still sniffled pitifully.
Gu Jinzhao gently stroked his soft newborn hair and asked Granny Sun to fetch his six-in-one melon-rind cap for him to wear.
Madam Qin and Wang Shi accompanied Madam Chen over.
Madam Chen visited every other day to hold her grandson and chat with Gu Jinzhao for a while.
This time, Madam Chen had brought her a bowl of red bean sweet soup. Gu Jinzhao sipped it slowly, smiling as she watched Madam Chen play with little Changsuo.
After a while, when it was time, little Changsuo was finally taken away by Zou Shi to be fed.
Madam Chen spoke to Gu Jinzhao, “Tomorrow marks the end of your confinement month. How is your recovery? Some particular families observe a confinement period of one and a half months—I’ve heard the Duchess of Zheng does just that. If you’d like to rest longer, feel free to stay in bed for another half month!”
Gu Jinzhao laughed. “I’ve recovered quite well already. If you make me stay confined for another half month, I won’t be able to bear it!”
Madam Chen chuckled. “Fair enough. You’ve gained some weight during this confinement, and you look radiant now.”
Gu Jinzhao was well aware she had put on weight. Over the past month, nourishing tonics had been served without pause, and Third Master Chen wouldn’t allow her to eat less. Fortunately, she had been too thin before, so the change wasn’t too obvious! Still, Gu Jinzhao felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing the extra flesh on her face.
She had already made plans to walk around Osmanthus Hall for half an hour every day once her confinement ended.
Wang Shi looked at Gu Jinzhao and remarked, “I always thought Third Sister-in-law was a bit too thin before. Now you look just right!”
Gu Jinzhao shook her head. “Not at all. I already feel much heavier… If this keeps up, I’ll soon have a double chin.”
Everyone laughed, and Madam Chen took her hand, saying, “Once your confinement is over, you can start assisting your Second Sister-in-law with managing the household. She’s currently overseeing some of the Chen Family’s workshops as well as the affairs of the outer residence. I worry she’s stretched too thin, so you can help manage the Affairs Office and the kitchen… Xianlan,” she called to Madam Qin, “your Third Sister-in-law isn’t yet familiar with these matters, so do guide her.”
Madam Qin smiled faintly. “Of course. I’m only concerned that Third Sister-in-law might find it too taxing, having just finished her confinement.”
Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tightly.
As expected, Madam Chen was intent on handing household authority to Gu Jinzhao. The moment Gu Jinzhao was about to leave confinement, she was already being assigned the Affairs Office and the kitchen—the two most critical areas of the outer residence! With Madam Chen’s health declining, she was naturally making arrangements early.
Gu Jinzhao had anticipated that Madam Chen would eventually involve her in household management, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon—right as she was about to leave confinement.
She couldn’t help but glance at Madam Chen, who was smiling gently at her and softly added, “You and your Second Sister-in-law can share the responsibilities, making it easier for both. If you manage well in the future, these duties will remain yours.”
Though surprised, Gu Jinzhao nodded with a smile. “As long as Second Sister-in-law doesn’t find me a bother!”Madam Chen's words left room for reconsideration. If she managed poorly, Madam Chen wouldn't have allowed her to take charge of household affairs... In her past life, Madam Chen had said similar words, though with a much stricter tone. Gu Jinzhao believed that if there had been any other choice back then, Madam Chen would never have granted her the power over household affairs.
If she didn't take charge, the authority would fall into Madam Qin's hands—a situation Gu Jinzhao was unwilling to allow.
Madam Qin smiled and said, "How could that be? Of course, I'm pleased. But to spare Third Sister-in-law the trouble, I'll have the stewards report to you directly. No need for you to come to me—it would be inconvenient for you to walk back and forth."
Madam Chen nodded inwardly, secretly quite satisfied with Madam Qin. She knew how to conduct herself with propriety and could command respect from the servants.
After returning to Sandalwood Mountain Courtyard, Granny Zheng brought hot water for her to soak her feet.
Madam Chen reclined against the backrest with her eyes closed, slowly counting the Old Sandalwood Prayer Beads in her hand as she recited scriptures. Granny Zheng glanced up and noticed, under the candlelight, that her face bore a faint sallow hue. A quiet unease settled in her heart—Tai Furen's complexion truly didn't look well...
"Tai Furen, this servant is a little confused," Granny Zheng ventured. "If you wish for Third Madam to manage the household, why not simply hand it over to her? Why mention whether she does well or not... Are you hesitating?"
Madam Chen sighed. "Third Master's wife is still too young, and her reputation outside wasn't the best before. I want to see if she can shoulder such responsibility. Otherwise, she might have to rely on Third Master's protection for the rest of her life. Qin Xianlan is also capable... but over the years, she's made many underhanded moves behind my back... I simply chose not to interfere, turning a blind eye."
To feign ignorance and deafness—such is the way of a family elder. She had ignored Madam Qin's schemes because they hadn't endangered the Chen Family's foundations. Stirring up trouble would only bring chaos to the household. There had been incidents before, and they had given her headaches.
Granny Zheng pressed further, "And if Third Madam doesn't manage well? Would you still insist on handing it to her?"
Madam Chen remained silent for a long while before finally answering, "...Let's wait and see. Third Master's wife is steady, but I don't know if she can truly command respect."
She slowly closed her eyes, letting Granny Zheng massage her legs.
...
When Third Master Chen returned, Gu Jinzhao told him about Madam Chen assigning her household duties.
Third Master Chen merely smiled. Matters of the inner household were not his to interfere with—Jinchao could manage as she pleased. He teased her, "You don't seem like the type to intimidate people. Should I assign you a couple of guards for support?"
Gu Jinzhao shook her head in refusal. Since when had she been unable to command respect? "...When I managed the Gu Family before, I had everything under control!"
"I just worry you'll exhaust yourself," Third Master Chen said as he sat down to drink tea. "You've only just recovered from childbirth... Should I speak to Mother and ask for a few more months of rest? There's no hurry."
Gu Jinzhao chuckled. "I have nothing else to do anyway—helping Third Sister-in-law is fine. Truthfully, I could use more work. Look how much weight I've gained..."
Third Master Chen reached out and touched her waist. "This doesn't count as weight gain! You were too thin before. Now you look just right to me."
Meeting his smiling gaze, Gu Jinzhao realized the implication behind his words and coughed lightly in response.Fortunately, Zhu Momo brought Changsuo over. The little one was dressed in a red Dudou embroidered with Koi. Seeing his father there, he let go of Zhu Momo's hand and leaned his tiny body toward him, clearly wanting to be held.
Third Master Chen cradled his son in his arms and said, "...I've already thought of a formal name for the child." Holding the boy with one arm, he dipped his left hand in ink and wrote the character 'Lin' on the paper. Raising his head, he smiled at Gu Jinzhao, "Like the qilin galloping across the marshlands, like bears roaming freely in the wilderness. What do you think?"
When Gu Jinzhao saw the character 'Lin' again, her heart ached.
"As rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns..." This name carried too much weight. She nodded with a smile, "It's wonderful, but I fear it might be too precious."
"What's there to fear?" Third Master Chen set down the brush. "He has me as his father!"
It was rare to hear him speak like this.
Gu Jinzhao smiled at him, unable to find any words to say. And truly, nothing needed to be said.
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