Chapter 336: Buddhist Beads
Could there be something unusual about that string of Buddhist beads?
Gu Jinzhao felt a wave of puzzlement.
Shortly after, Madam Qin arrived with several daughters-in-law.
Though Half-Bamboo Bank had beautiful scenery, its location was rather remote, and the furnishings inside were too extravagant for Madam Chen's taste. Madam Qin directed several maids to replace the room's folding screens, ivory floral decorations, and Hangzhou silk cushions embroidered with gold thread. They set up the Sandalwood Buddha statue that Madam Chen often displayed.
Once everyone was seated, Madam Qin spoke to Gu Jinzhao: "Sister-in-law, with the New Year approaching and Second Master returning soon, the household will become busy again. Since Mother is ill now, perhaps I should take care of her while you manage the outer courtyard affairs alone... What do you think?"
Gu Jinzhao nodded: "I naturally trust Second Sister-in-law to care for Mother. I only worry that if I make any mistakes in management, you'll need to point them out."
Madam Chen smiled warmly: "I think you're doing very well. At my age, I enjoy liveliness and look forward to their return." She sighed slowly, "If anything happens to my health, they might not even get to see me one last time."
Madam Shen quickly said: "Grandmother has Buddha's blessing—good fortune naturally follows the virtuous!"
Madam Chen merely shook her head with a faint smile. "Moreover, Fourth Master has been unusually quiet these past months. Even with me being this ill, he hasn't come to visit..."
Madam Shen smiled: "Fourth Uncle must be very busy." Everyone knew what had actually happened to Fourth Master Chen, but no one dared mention it.
Gu Jinzhao thought Chen Yanwen was indeed being unreasonable—no matter what, Madam Chen had raised him, yet he couldn't even be bothered to visit.
Madam Chen then asked Madam Shen: "Didn't Xian Ge'er come with you?"
"Xian Ge'er went to play with his eighth brother yesterday and insisted on going to Tao Peak Academy with him today. I thought it wouldn't hurt for him to listen in, so I had the nanny take him." Madam Shen replied.
After the New Year, Xian Ge'er would also be attending Tao Peak Academy.
Madam Chen nodded: "It's just as well he didn't come. I wouldn't want him catching my illness."
Listening to Madam Chen's words, Madam Qin's smile appeared somewhat forced.
After helping Madam Chen take her medicine, Gu Jinzhao remembered she had matters to attend to elsewhere. With Madam Qin present to care for the elder, she took her leave first.
When Gu Jinzhao returned to Osmanthus Hall, she happened to see Mr. Song—the medicine expert—arriving. The man smiled and bowed to her before entering the study in the front courtyard. After some thought, Gu Jinzhao dismissed the maids and only brought Caifu along to the study.
Outside the study stood Third Master Chen's guards. The leader politely stopped her, explaining that Third Master was currently discussing matters inside.
Gu Jinzhao could only wait outside for a while, sipping tea while gazing at the plaque inscribed "A Beautiful Spring Scene" in the main hall.
When Mr. Song emerged, his expression was grave as he hurriedly left the study.
Only then did the guard invite her inside.
Gu Jinzhao saw Third Master Chen seated at the desk, an account-like book spread open before him. He leaned back with closed eyes in the Grand Preceptor's Chair, idly playing with that string of slightly darkened Buddhist beads.
She approached quietly and took the beads from his hand to examine them: "The texture resembles Old Mountain Sandalwood..."
But Third Master retrieved them from her grasp: "Don't touch these.""How could you..." Gu Jinzhao paused briefly before immediately realizing, "Could it be..."
Is there something wrong with this string of Buddhist beads?
"You just mentioned these beads were a gift from you to Mother. But is there an issue with them?" Gu Jinzhao was somewhat puzzled. Since Third Master Chen had handled it personally, there shouldn't be any problems!
Third Master Chen sighed with a bitter smile: "This item was given to me by someone else... care to guess who?"
His fingers, which had been idly playing with the beads, gradually stilled, his gaze turning icy.
Gu Jinzhao felt she might have guessed. Naturally, he would be wary of gifts from others. Yet Third Master Chen was also someone who deeply valued family. He wouldn't suspect his own kin...
Could these beads have been a gift from Fourth Master Chen?
"Two years ago, Chen Yanwen went to Mount Wutai in Shanxi and brought me this string of beads. He claimed they were blessed by the Enlightenment Dharma Master of Lingyan Temple, making them an exceedingly precious Buddhist artifact," Chen Yanyun explained slowly. "But at that time... I had just met you, and later married you. So I had no use for them and passed them on to Mother..."
His anger might have reached its peak, yet Gu Jinzhao couldn't sense any rage from him.
She looked up at Third Master Chen. Though his face bore a smile, his eyes were dark and unfathomable. His hands trembled slightly.
Her heart turned equally cold, unsure of what to say. No one would take it well, being betrayed by their own flesh and blood. Even someone as strategically brilliant as him—how could he have anticipated a stab in the back from his own brother?
"I've implicated Mother as well!" Third Master Chen sighed. "I thought, despite his resentment, he wouldn't stoop to fratricide... Now I see I underestimated him."
After a long silence, Gu Jinzhao finally asked, "Was it because of me... that you didn't use them?"
Third Master Chen nodded. "I was never truly a devout practitioner to begin with."
It was only because Madam Chen believed Buddhist scriptures brought peace that he, influenced by her, had adopted the faith.
This was a slow-acting poison—not fatal outright, but gradually weakening the body... Gu Jinzhao felt many things were becoming clear. Why Third Master Chen's health had declined over time, why he ultimately met his end at Xie Sixing's hands.
When he departed for the last time, Gu Jinzhao hadn't gone to see him off.
But as he passed by the courtyard where she lived, she caught sight of his gaunt figure.
He had seemed so frail then. Fortunately, his broad frame still carried the weight of that cloak...
For a moment, Gu Jinzhao was lost in thought.
Chen Yanyun lowered his gaze to the beads, his fingers slowly tracing the one engraved with the Buddha's golden body, its surface imprinted with the Buddha's name.
Such was the terror of his world. If even a brother could harbor murderous intent, what of a teacher or student? The hand that smiles at you today may strike tomorrow. One day sharing wine and laughter, the next crossing blades.
Ruthless, without a shred of mercy.
"Jinzhao, you should rest now," Third Master Chen said as he pocketed the beads. "I have matters to discuss with Fourth Master."
Gu Jinzhao murmured an acknowledgment. She said nothing more, only retrieving the gray squirrel fur cloak from the rack and fastening it around him.
Third Master Chen left the study, where Chen Yi and his men awaited him outside.
She stood at the edge of the main hall, watching as he and his retinue vanished into the twilight, the surrounding guards standing solemn and silent. Not a sound stirred within Osmanthus Hall.The last glimmer of light vanished from the horizon, leaving only lingering twilight on the eaves.
Wang Shi had been lying on the wormwood bed for half a day, feeling dizzy from staying still too long.
These past few days during her monthly courses, she had been weak and lethargic, unable to move much. Concubine You had come to attend to her, keeping her company while doing some needlework.
Wang Shi had a maid help her drink a bowl of brown sugar water, then called for Mama Jiang and asked, "Where is Fourth Master?"
Mama Jiang replied, "He seems to be in his study. If you need him, shall I send word?"
Wang Shi merely shook her head—she had only asked casually.
Leaning against the Lu silk bolster with gold thread embroidery, she observed Concubine You's profile under the lamplight—delicate and beautiful.
Wang Shi vaguely recalled Gu Jinzhao's appearance and found some resemblance between the two faces. Closing her eyes, she felt her spirits would worsen if she continued lying down. Extending a hand to Concubine You, she said, "Help me up for a walk."
Concubine You hurriedly set aside her needlework. Though surprised, she still reached out to assist Wang Shi.
Fourth Master Chen had four concubines, and she was the most favored, having borne him a son. Yet, while she dared to act coy and spoiled in front of Fourth Master, she would never presume to be insolent before the mistress.
Wang Shi had never treated her with much regard, so her attendance was merely perfunctory. She hadn’t expected Wang Shi to actually require her service.
In a soft voice, she asked, "Where would you like to go, madam?"
Wang Shi pointed to the outer corridor. Beyond the passageway along the corridor lay Fourth Master's study.
Concubine You gently supported Wang Shi as they stepped outside. Maids followed behind, carrying stools and towels. Palm bamboos lined both sides of the corridor. Wang Shi paused to admire them for a moment when suddenly, noises came from the direction of the study.
Mama Jiang peered ahead. "It seems to be the guards from Crane Extension Tower..."
Wang Shi frowned and had Concubine You help her walk a few steps closer to the study. Just then, she saw a tall figure stride into the study—it was Chen Yanyun! His advisor, Jiang Yan, followed him inside... while guards stationed themselves outside the door.
What was happening?
A chill ran down Wang Shi’s spine. For Chen Yanyun to personally seek out Fourth Master was one thing, but bringing so many men with him?
Not long ago, there had been talk of stripping Fourth Master of his household authority. What else did Third Master Chen want now? Had Fourth Master done something to provoke him?
Pushing away Concubine You’s hand, she took a few steps forward alone when a loud crash came from the study, followed by an angry shout: "What exactly are you trying to do?" It sounded like Third Master’s voice.
Terrified, Wang Shi’s limbs went weak. She clutched a pillar for support, not daring to move closer.
Mama Jiang rushed to steady her. Gasping, Wang Shi said, "Quick, take me to the old madam!"
This matter required Madam Chen’s intervention—otherwise, how could Fourth Master possibly contend with Chen Yanyun?
Mama Jiang hastily escorted her to Half-Bamboo Bank.
The contents of the desk had been swept to the floor. The celadon-glazed ice-crack-patterned pen holder lay shattered in pieces.
Fourth Master Chen stared blankly before finally lifting his head to look at Third Master. "What can I do...? I’m already under house arrest. What more do you want?" A cold smirk curled his lips. "I know things aren’t going well for you at court. Are you taking your frustrations out on me now?"He had never seen Third Brother lose his temper at him like this before. There wasn't a trace of a smile on his face as he stared at him expressionlessly. Chen Yanwen felt a twinge of fear but clenched his trembling hands and continued with a forced smile, "That's what I should be asking you!"
Third Master Chen said nothing. With a sharp snap, he threw the string of beads onto the desk.
When Fourth Master Chen saw the Buddhist beads, his face paled.
"Though it's meaningless now, I still want to ask you—whose idea was this? Yours or Zhang Ju Lian's?" Third Master Chen asked coolly.
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