Chapter 331: Power Play
After returning, Fourth Master Chen went straight to his study in silence, smashing several flower pots and vases. Even his favorite marble screen inlaid with purple jade was cracked from his outburst. The noise woke Wang Shi, who threw on an outer robe and went to check on him.
He was lying back on the Dongpo chair, eyes closed and breathing heavily.
Not daring to question him, Wang Shi quietly called for the maids to clean up the mess.
Suddenly, he snapped sharply, "Who told you to touch these? Get out!"
Startled, Wang Shi quickly retreated with the maids.
Alone in the western side room, she grew increasingly uneasy. Hadn't he spent the night with Concubine You? Why was he in such a rage upon returning?
With a sigh, Wang Shi summoned her personal maid, Pomegranate, and sent her to inquire with Concubine You.
Mama Jiang brought her a bowl of hot soup. After taking a sip, Wang Shi couldn't hold back her tears.
Mama Jiang said softly, "After all these years, why shed tears now? It's not worth it."
Wang Shi sighed, "It's precisely because so many years have passed that it feels bitter."
Mama Jiang comforted, "Things will improve once the young master grows up."
Wang Shi remained silent. This was the only consolation she could offer herself.
Pomegranate returned and reported that Third Master Chen had summoned Fourth Master for a talk. Two guards from Third Master's retinue had accompanied Fourth Master back and were now stationed outside the courtyard, keeping close watch.
So it had nothing to do with Concubine You... Wang Shi relaxed slightly but grew puzzled. "What did Third Master say to Fourth Master to provoke such anger?"
Just then, a servant arrived with a message: Fourth Master wanted to see Wang Shi.
Exchanging a glance with Mama Jiang, Wang Shi rose and headed to Fourth Master's study.
Seeing her enter, Fourth Master pointed to a chair. "Sit down and listen."
His unusually stern expression made Wang Shi even more uneasy. She asked timidly, "Fourth Master, have I... done something wrong?"
Fourth Master frowned impatiently. "Are you going to listen or not?"
"Just listen. Don't speak," he continued. "Third Brother has stripped me of my authority over household affairs. From now on, I can only participate in Chen Family matters, not make decisions. During my time managing the business, I diverted many hidden accounts to our branch. You must safeguard these. In front of Mother, keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention."
Wang Shi was stunned. Instinctively, she wanted to ask why Third Master would revoke Fourth Master's authority. Was there some conflict between them? But seeing Fourth Master's dark expression, she swallowed her questions.
"Yes, I understand," she replied, standing to curtsey.
Fourth Master closed his eyes and waved her away. "Enough. You can't help anyway. Go to bed."
After opening the lattice window, Wang Shi glanced back at him resting on the Dongpo chair before quietly leaving the room.
The next morning, Gu Jinzhao awoke to see Third Master Chen leaning against the bed, reading.
Blinking, she remembered it was the fifteenth—a day of rest.
"Awake?" he asked, still reading.
The weather had grown colder, but the bedding was warm. He hadn't risen yet, only draped in an outer robe.
Gu Jinzhao murmured in acknowledgment. "You're up early. Didn't you sleep late last night?" She then asked, "What were you doing last night?"He lowered his gaze to look at her. Gu Jinzhao's face, set against the bright red mandarin duck pillow embroidered with gold threads, appeared exceptionally fair.
Third Master Chen said, "Last night, I dealt with the matter concerning Fourth Brother. He didn’t try to justify himself and admitted everything. I’ve assigned guards to monitor him closely to prevent any further trouble. However, the issue he left behind with the Yangzhou silk factory is quite complicated. I discussed it late into the night with Jiang Yan before reaching a decision."
Gu Jinzhao propped herself up and tugged at his sleeve. "But once Lord Zhang finds out, won’t you... have completely broken ties with him?"
Third Master Chen smiled faintly. "That bridge was burned the moment I went to rescue you... Now it’s just a matter of timing. Even if he discovers it, he won’t act openly. If he becomes more wary, then so be it."
Gu Jinzhao hesitated before asking, "Have you decided to oppose Lord Zhang?"
Zhang Ju Lian had been his mentor for years, and Gu Jinzhao knew this well. Strictly speaking, Zhang Ju Lian had even been a benefactor to Third Master Chen.
"Indecision invites disaster," Third Master Chen said with a smile. "In the world of officials, there are no fathers or sons—let alone teachers and students."
He had finally made up his mind.
Gu Jinzhao tightened her grip on his hand and asked softly, "Then how do you plan to proceed? Actually... I might be able to help."
He closed the book in his hands. "My teacher’s disciples are everywhere, and his faction is vast. Now that he controls the Grand Secretariat, ordinary methods won’t even shake him." Third Master Chen looked at Gu Jinzhao. "If you have an idea, go ahead and share it."
When he asked like this, Gu Jinzhao didn’t know what to say.
Though she knew some things, compared to these seasoned political players, what was she?
After thinking for a while, Gu Jinzhao finally said, "You once mentioned that while Lord Zhang himself isn’t corrupt, his close associates exploit the Zhang family’s influence to act recklessly—selling offices and titles. Why not start with his associates, picking them off one by one? Once Lord Zhang has no one left to rely on, dealing with him will be easier. He doesn’t hold military power; his strength lies in connections and influence. If the tree is shaken, he likely won’t be able to hold on."
After speaking, Gu Jinzhao felt her suggestion was too idealistic. Her face flushed as she added, "It’s just a foolish thought of mine."
Third Master Chen pondered for a moment before smiling at her. "It’s actually feasible. But when you delve into the details, there are many issues. What if Lord Zhang obstructs our efforts to capture his faction? What if, instead of catching them, we stir unrest in the court? Though my teacher lacks military power, he’s on good terms with the commanders of the Five Military Commissions—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to act so boldly with just influence. If it ever comes to military force, neither Chang Hai nor Ye Xian would likely be able to stop him... Even setting all that aside, if I were to systematically eliminate my teacher’s faction, it would take at least five years. By then, I’d have died countless times."
Gu Jinzhao felt she shouldn’t have spoken up.
"I was just rambling..." Her voice grew quieter. "You didn’t have to take it seriously."
Third Master Chen smiled apologetically. "Alright, alright, I won’t take it seriously!"
He leaned down and embraced her, sighing. "So to move against him, we must strike at the throat—one fatal blow. If we fail to kill him and give him room to retaliate, none of us will survive..."
Gu Jinzhao listened intently and asked, "Then... are you planning to have Lord Zhang assassinated?"Third Master Chen shook his head and said, "Assassinate him? My mentor values his life more than anyone. His estate harbors no fewer than five hundred assassins, and he is always accompanied by elite guards. Moreover, he is extremely cautious about his daily meals. There have been attempts on his life before, but none succeeded. He has mastered the art of survival, which is why he’s lived this long..."
Gu Jinzhao frowned. "Then what should we do?"
"Let’s wait and see," Third Master Chen murmured, kissing her cheek softly. "I need the right opportunity. If it doesn’t come, I’ll have to create it myself... Jinchao, do you know the greatest taboo in warfare?"
Gu Jinzhao looked at him, waiting for his answer.
"Impatience," Third Master Chen said gently. "Whoever acts rashly first will lose."
Gu Jinzhao reclined in his arms, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her.
This was a world of political maneuvering, and at this moment, Third Master Chen seemed distant from her. Few had the ability to play this game, where life and death could be decided with a casual remark—because it was far too cruel.
By noon, Gu Jinzhao and Third Master Chen went together to see Madam Chen.
Madam Chen was holding Changsuo, amusing him as he giggled, revealing his tiny, newly sprouted milk teeth.
Babies love to chew when teething, and Changsuo was no exception—he put everything he could grab into his mouth.
Wang Shi and Madam Ge sat on embroidered stools. Madam Ge watched Madam Chen play with Changsuo with a smile, while Wang Shi’s expression remained faintly polite. The other daughters-in-law chatted nearby, while the two boys, at their most energetic age, ran wild through Sandalwood Mountain Courtyard.
Madam Chen laughed and handed Changsuo a slice of apple. He gnawed on it, drooling all over his hands, and Madam Chen couldn’t wipe him fast enough. When she tried to take the apple away, he resisted, clutching her finger and threatening to cry.
Gu Jinzhao took Changsuo back into her arms.
Madam Chen chuckled. "He’s clearly grown heavier again. Yujie is almost a year old, but she’s still so petite."
Sun Shi held Yujie in her lap, the little girl sitting quietly and playing with a rattle.
Sun Shi smiled. "It’s Linge who’s growing fast! He’ll surely be tall and strong someday."
Changsuo gazed pitifully at his mother’s hand, babbling as he clung to her arm, as if asking her something.
His tiny milk tooth was especially adorable.
Gu Jinzhao handed the apple slice wrapped in a handkerchief to the wet nurse beside her and said cheerfully, "He eats so much!"
"Mother, I have a few words for you. Could you ask everyone to wait in the main hall first?" Third Master Chen suddenly spoke.
Madam Chen looked puzzled. He had been silent all this time—she had assumed he had nothing to discuss...
She instructed the other daughters-in-law to go ahead to the main hall.
Wang Shi’s face tensed. She could guess what Third Master Chen wanted to discuss with Madam Chen—it must be about stripping Fourth Master Chen of his authority over household affairs! She glanced at Gu Jinzhao, who held the child with perfect composure. She must already know...
Why would Third Master Chen take away Fourth Master’s authority? Wang Shi couldn’t understand. Third Master Chen was now in the Grand Secretariat and had even less time to manage household matters. Fourth Master was his own younger brother—who else could be more suitable? What had happened?
She had already stepped out of the side room but couldn’t resist looking back. Gu Jinzhao, however, took her hand with a bright smile and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, could you hold Changsuo for me? He’s really gotten heavier—my arms are sore."
Couldn’t the wet nurse help instead...?
Wang Shi couldn’t refuse, so she took Changsuo into her arms.When they sat down in the main hall, the maid brought snacks like melon seeds and salted peanuts, making it even more inappropriate for Wang Shi to go look outside the lattice window. Gu Jinzhao kept talking about Changsuo's matters, and she could only respond with smiles, though clearly distracted. She slowly nibbled on a handful of melon seeds.
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