Volume 1 Chapter 316: Hidden Struggles
After she finished asking, Third Master Chen fell silent.
His slender fingers combed through Gu Jinzhao's long hair as he pondered briefly.
"His temperament... isn't suited for officialdom. Narrow-minded, lacking flexibility... Without the protection of me and Second Brother, he would have fallen to others long ago. Back then, our teacher, seeing that he was my blood brother, originally intended to appoint him as Shanyin Magistrate after his three-year term as an Imperial Academy Bachelor. If he had performed well in that role, future promotions would have been easier. But I suppressed the arrangement." He withdrew his hand and stood up. "Alright, you should rest now."
Gu Jinzhao understood he didn’t wish to continue the conversation.
She hesitated before murmuring softly, "This concubine feels that Fourth Master’s disposition is too gloomy... and he doesn’t seem inclined toward business either."
Third Master Chen didn’t want her involved in these matters, nor did he want Gu Jinzhao to glimpse that other side of him.
Truthfully speaking, he was a rather ruthless man.
If he refused to engage, Gu Jinzhao had no way to steer the conversation further. But unwilling to let it go, she tugged his hand as she lay in bed. "This concubine observes Fourth Master and always senses he harbors hidden thoughts. A man like that... would never willingly remain subordinate to others..."
Third Master Chen sighed and finally rolled over, pinning her beneath him.
Gazing intently into her eyes, he said, "I’m aware of it all. Don’t trouble yourself with these matters. Though he has ambition, he lacks the corresponding cunning. If he were truly placed in my position, he’d likely be crushed within days... You’ve mentioned him repeatedly today—has someone spoken to you about him?"
His perception was sharp. The sternness in his gaze pressured Gu Jinzhao to the brink of confessing outright.
She explained, "It was just a few words exchanged with Fourth Sister-in-law... Nothing more."
He lowered his head, kissing her cheek before capturing her lips. The iron arm around her waist tightened slightly, pressing her fuller bosom—enhanced by pregnancy—firmly against his chest. Gu Jinzhao pushed weakly at him, hearing his voice grow husky: "...I know."
He merely found release between her thighs. The bed curtains trembled with their panting breaths.
Soon, stillness returned. He wiped her clean with a handkerchief, redressed her in her dudou and undergarments, and held her as she drifted into deep exhaustion. Yet Third Master Chen remained awake, lost in thought. Someone must have spoken to Gu Jinzhao... or perhaps she knew something herself.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have evaded him like that.
......
After the previous incident, Gu Jinzhao understood: revealing certain matters to Third Master Chen was no simple task. A single misstep, and he would see right through her—hardly worth the risk. She cautiously avoided mentioning Fourth Master Chen again but secretly instructed Luo Yongping to investigate his movements.
Mama Tong came to report: "Fourth Master has dealings with Second Madam. She owns several rice shops and a secondhand clothes shop, all supplied by Fourth Master at half the market price. Fourth Master uses public property, while Second Madam deals in private money. Essentially, he’s draining public funds to supplement her personal wealth... Both are complicit yet silent. It seems Third Master and Tai Furen are aware but have said nothing."
Such matters disrupted harmony, and Gu Jinzhao knew neither Third Master nor Madam Chen would speak up.
"Anything else besides this?" Gu Jinzhao asked.Mama Tong shook her head: "There's nothing from Fourth Master... Only Old Madam Ji sent a letter asking you to bring the young master to visit for a while."
The child was already three months old. She had previously promised to take the child to meet his maternal grandmother.
Gu Jinzhao smiled: "I understand. Please prepare some sweets for me. And some small toys for Chun Ge'er and Yu Ge'er."
Mama Tong smiled and went to carry out the orders.
Meanwhile, Steward Liu came over with a ledger: "On the twenty-first day of the eighth month, it's Old Madam Guo's sixtieth birthday from the Guo family of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud. What gift do you think would be appropriate?"
Gu Jinzhao remembered that the Guo family and the Chen family weren't particularly close, but since it was a major birthday, the gift should naturally be more substantial. She took a sip of tea and asked Steward Liu: "When my mother-in-law celebrated her fiftieth birthday, did the Guo family send any gifts?"
Steward Liu replied: "They sent two Hetian Jade Five Bats Presenting Longevity Scepters, one Red Sandalwood Buddha Statue, and five hundred taels of silver as ceremonial money."
That was an exceptionally generous gift. The Guo and Chen families weren't old friends, so why such an extravagant gift? Moreover, Steward Liu hadn't clearly explained the relationship between the two families. This was clearly meant to mislead her.
Gu Jinzhao slowly looked at Steward Liu and smiled: "In your opinion, Steward Liu, what would be an appropriate return gift?"
After working with the Third Madam for over two months, Steward Liu had come to understand her temperament. She didn't like to assert authority or act domineeringly—she would listen as long as one's reasoning was sound, and often sought his opinion. He hesitated before answering: "This humble servant isn't in a position to decide..."
Gu Jinzhao was certain there was something amiss here.
Without exposing it, she calmly said: "Then prepare gifts accordingly for now. Old Madam Guo enjoys flowers and plants, so send some Ink Chrysanthemums, Green Peonies, and Wormwood from my collection. They'll bloom in another month."
Steward Liu accepted the orders and withdrew, soon reporting back to the Second Household.
"...The Third Madam didn't seem suspicious and said to return the gifts as before. However, she asked for my opinion, which I didn't provide."
Madam Qin was eating a plate of tangerines.
Hanzhen peeled the tangerines, meticulously removing every strand of pith before feeding the clean segments to Madam Qin.
Madam Qin finished chewing a segment before leisurely saying: "She didn't ask why the gifts were so extravagant?"
Steward Liu shook his head: "The Third Madam is young and unfamiliar with aristocratic family relations. She probably doesn't understand the weight of such gifts."
"Back then, the Guo family partnered with us in business, and the funds couldn't be accounted for properly, so they were added to the ceremonial gifts. Yet the Third Madam immediately sent the money away..." Madam Qin sighed. "The recklessness of youth."
Steward Liu chuckled in agreement: "It's not exactly us deceiving her. The Third Madam herself doesn't know about our relations with the Guo family, and she didn't ask for clarification."
Madam Qin took another bite of tangerine. Though early in the season and still slightly green, the fruit was pleasantly sweet and tart.
"These tangerines are excellent. I'll reward you with a basket—take them home to enjoy."
Hanzhen quickly brought out a basket of tangerines.
Gu Jinzhao soon learned about Steward Liu leaving the Second Household with a basket of tangerines.
Granny Sun worried: "Third Madam... this servant observes that all these subordinates are loyal to the Second Madam. They report matters to you, then immediately inform the Second Madam. Once you truly begin managing the household, these people will surely create obstacles in secret."
Gu Jinzhao replied indifferently: "...I'm afraid we won't have to wait that long."Madam Qin was already trying to trip her up. She could roughly guess that if the gifts had already been sent, she would inevitably be scolded by Madam Chen a few times. Taking advantage of the fact that the gifts hadn't been sent yet, she needed to take some action first...
Granny Sun asked again, "Should this servant go and inquire about the Guo family's affairs?"
Gu Jinzhao shook her head, "No need. I'll ask Mother tomorrow." She wasn't exactly a good person either and couldn't be bothered to cover for Madam Qin. Madam Qin wanted her to make a mistake—this was practically a mistake delivered right to her doorstep.
The next day, when paying respects to Madam Chen, Gu Jinzhao brought Changsuo along.
Changsuo ate well and slept well, growing even chubbier and fairer. Gu Jinzhao's arms grew sore after holding him for a while. The child wasn't shy around strangers—anyone could hold him and make him giggle happily.
Madam Chen was overjoyed as she cuddled and played with her grandson. Changsuo, dressed in a little coat, sat in her lap, babbling away.
Gu Jinzhao brought up Old Madam Guo's sixtieth birthday celebration, "Since it's a milestone birthday, will you be attending, Mother?"
Madam Chen smiled and shook her head, "Too old to move around much. Let your second sister-in-law and fourth sister-in-law go instead."
Madam Qin chuckled, "You're just being lazy! That means more work for me and Fourth Sister-in-law."
As she spoke, she reached out to take Changsuo.
Gu Jinzhao continued, "That's strange... I recall when you celebrated your fiftieth birthday, the Guo family sent many gifts. I thought they had a close relationship with our Chen Family. So I had Steward Liu prepare quite generous gifts to send over..." Her voice softened slightly, "Did I arrange the gifts incorrectly?"
Madam Qin's grip on Changsuo tightened, making the child uncomfortable. He squirmed and burst into tears, forcing her to quickly adjust her hold.
Madam Chen frowned and summoned Steward Liu for questioning, "What exactly was arranged?"
Steward Liu answered nervously, "A pair of Famille Rose Enamel Plum Vases, three sets of Red Gold Inlaid Turquoise Chopsticks, and six hundred taels of ceremonial silver."
That amounted to over a thousand taels...
Losing money wasn't the issue—it was the unease it would cause the recipient. Gifts should match the relationship; excessive gifts would raise questions. Fortunately, they hadn't been sent yet, or it would have been hard to rectify.
Madam Chen made the final decision, "Since they haven't been sent yet, make some changes. The three sets of chopsticks can be omitted, and reduce the ceremonial silver to two hundred taels."
Steward Liu acknowledged the order. Madam Chen then asked, "How long have you been a steward?"
Steward Liu replied, "Seven years..."
"After seven years, shouldn't you know what gifts suit what relationships?" Madam Chen asked coolly.
Steward Liu realized Madam Chen's criticism was directed at him. Sweat nearly dripped from his forehead as he stammered, "This lowly one... has always followed orders. It was my oversight! I didn’t expect the Third Madam to be new to managing affairs and unfamiliar with these matters..."
Still trying to drag her down? Gu Jinzhao stood and bowed slightly, "It was also this daughter-in-law's fault. I should have clarified the situation beforehand. Even if Steward Liu had no advice to offer, I should have consulted Second Sister-in-law. I shouldn’t have made decisions recklessly..."When Madam Chen heard her say this, how could she possibly blame her? She reached out to pull her into a seat, saying, "Why would I blame you? Ignorance is no sin! Even when I first started managing affairs, I couldn’t possibly distinguish all the major and minor noble families clearly… Besides, you’re also raising Changsuo now. It’s only natural you can’t spare the energy."
Madam Qin’s expression darkened slightly.
This Gu Jinzhao was quite young, yet she truly knew how to talk. She must have known about the Guo family’s issues long ago but waited for Madam Qin to set a trap for her. Hurting others and herself—for Gu Jinzhao, this was hardly any loss, but Madam Qin might very well lose a loyal steward. The gains didn’t make up for the losses.
…She had thought Gu Jinzhao was young and inexperienced, but it turned out she was an expert in this game!
P.S.: A bit late, but here it is—second update~~
Recommending a friend’s novel by Xue Yaojing 01.
Title: A Hundred Flavors
Synopsis: Transmigrating into a humble peasant girl, she crafts delicacies with her own hands. Sit back, enjoy the food, and laugh as love comes your way.
OpenNovel