Chapter 340: The Concubine
Chen Xuanqing had been staying at the county office during his time in Suning, bringing only a few maids and servants with him. If Yu Wanxue were to accompany him, there would inevitably be a lot of luggage and no shortage of maids to attend to them.
Originally, Chen Xuanqing had planned to leave after the New Year, but now it seemed things wouldn’t be so simple. He would have to wait for Yu Wanxue to pack her belongings.
After lunch, the two took their leave and returned.
Gu Jinzhao spent some time practicing a newly learned piece with Chen Xi when a maid from Madam Chen’s household came to summon her, saying Madam Chen wished to discuss something with her.
Gu Jinzhao changed into a silk jacket lined with white fox fur and went to see Madam Chen.
The path to Ban Zhu Pan was secluded, flanked by thickets of green bamboo. Granny Zheng was leading young maids in collecting snow from the bamboo leaves, a large jar already half-filled. Seeing Gu Jinzhao approach, Granny Zheng curtsied in greeting and led her into the greenhouse.
Inside, the underfloor heating system kept the room warm, but only two personal maids were in attendance—Madam Qin and the others were nowhere to be seen. Madam Chen’s face was unusually devoid of its usual smile as she gestured for Gu Jinzhao to sit on a stool and dismissed the attending maids and servants.
It seemed there really was something important!
"...I called you here to discuss Second Master Chen’s matter," Madam Chen began.
Gu Jinzhao was puzzled. Why would Second Master Chen’s affairs concern her? Shouldn’t this be discussed with Madam Qin? As someone from a separate household and his sister-in-law, how could she possibly intervene?
But soon, it occurred to her that this might be something Madam Qin couldn’t be told.
"Second Master Chen has been rather improper!" Madam Chen muttered under her breath. When Chen Yanzhang had spoken to her about this the previous night, he had been evasive and hesitant, which had angered her, yet she couldn’t very well scold him. He was already in his forties, a high-ranking official of the second rank—far beyond the age where she could reprimand him. In the end, she could only rebuke him a few times and send him away, knowing she would have to clean up his mess later.
Naturally, she wouldn’t share these details with Gu Jinzhao—after all, this concerned Second Master Chen’s dignity.
Madam Chen warmed her hands on a hand warmer and spoke slowly, "Second Master Chen told me he’s brought a woman back... She was originally kept in Shaanxi, and he hadn’t planned to bring her home. But after she bore him a child, he decided to send her back. After all, in a few months, he’ll be transferred to Huguang. For now, she’s staying at one of the Chen Family’s residences in Wanping County... You know how Madam Qin is. She won’t take kindly to this woman and child... He’s afraid of any mishaps, which is why he hasn’t brought them home yet."
Second Master Chen had kept a woman outside?
Gu Jinzhao was surprised.
After a moment’s thought, she realized it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Second Master Chen had been stationed in Shaanxi—it was unlikely he had gone without a bed companion all this time.
In her past life, she hadn’t paid much attention to Second Master Chen’s affairs. In any case, Madam Qin had plenty of ways to handle such matters discreetly.
"...Is it a boy or a girl?" Gu Jinzhao asked.
Madam Chen replied, "A boy, already three months old. He still hasn’t been given a name."
This complicated things. A girl might have been inconsequential, but a boy couldn’t remain an outsider forever. This was Second Master Chen’s legitimate bloodline—he would have to be recognized by the family. Moreover, in a few years, he would need to begin his education."What do you think, then?" Gu Jinzhao asked her. "Second Sister-in-law's matter isn't something I should interfere with. If she finds out about this later, it might create a rift between us..." Besides, it involved Second Master Chen's illegitimate child.
"I understand," Madam Chen nodded. "But keeping this child outside isn't a solution! My health isn't good now, so I can't handle these matters. The child can't follow him to his post... Since you're managing the outer courtyard now, allocate some silver to be sent to them monthly. I'll also send two suitable maidservants over to help look after them for now!"
Madam Chen sighed. "I thought only Sixth Master would get into such trouble... When Second Master told me, I was furious. Even if he wanted someone to serve him, he could have just taken one. How could he let that woman bear his child!"
Gu Jinzhao keenly sensed that the child's mother was unusual.
If it were an ordinary girl, Madam Chen wouldn't speak like this.
Gu Jinzhao asked, "Mother, what exactly is the woman's background?"
Madam Chen hesitated before answering softly, "...A Yangzhou shouma."
So it was a Yangzhou shouma!
Gu Jinzhao immediately understood. Girls raised as shouma were trained in all manner of servile arts—docile and obedient, but their status was even lower than that of maids sold into service since childhood. No matter how much Second Master Chen liked her, such a woman could never be publicly acknowledged.
Let alone allowing a shouma to bear a child—such a mother would drag down the child's status too.
Seeing Gu Jinzhao silent, Madam Chen thought she was uncomfortable hearing such vulgar matters and changed the subject. "...Never mind what the woman is like, we can't leave the child outside forever. I want to bring the child back—at worst, I'll raise him here myself. Xuanxin has already moved to the outer courtyard anyway. Even if your Second Sister-in-law dislikes it, there's no helping it. You just need to look after the mother and child for a month or two until I recover, then I'll take over."
Unable to refuse, Gu Jinzhao agreed for now.
After all, it was just a matter of delivering silver and provisions.
Having settled Second Master Chen's matter, she discussed with Madam Chen about Yu Wanxue accompanying Chen Xuanqing to his post.
When Madam Chen heard it was Third Master Chen's idea, she nodded in agreement. "...Then let it be as he suggests. He's never wrong about such things."
With so many daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law before her, she didn't need Wanxue to attend to her filial duties. It was more important for Yu Wanxue to spend time with Xuanqing—the two lacked even the usual newlywed intimacy after separation.
"Third Master these days..." Madam Chen trailed off uncertainly.
Ever since Third Master Chen left her chambers that day, he had grown somewhat distant. He still visited her, but without his former cheerful demeanor. Several times she tried speaking with him privately, only to be gently evaded. She dared not mention Fourth Master Chen's matter, fearing it would anger Third Master further.
"Has he said anything about Fourth Master? Or seemed particularly upset?" Madam Chen asked. "Ever since he confined Fourth Master, he's seemed perpetually displeased."
Third Master Chen had kept Fourth Master's situation tightly concealed. Everyone knew Fourth Master was confined to his study, but none knew why.Of course, such matters of brothers harming each other could never be made public.
Third Master Chen had likely kept it from Madam Chen as well, probably because her health was poor. He must have been afraid of upsetting her!
After all, they were siblings born of the same mother, all from her womb. Third Master Chen would never say, "Fourth Master tried to harm me but failed, and instead harmed you," would he?
Gu Jinzhao thought for a moment and simply said, "Third Master values loyalty. He was very good to Fourth Master before. Confining him now might be a necessary measure, as he wouldn’t want others to accuse him of being cold and heartless... You needn’t worry. Third Master knows what he’s doing."
After hearing Gu Jinzhao’s words, a bitter smile appeared on Madam Chen’s face.
"Despite bearing and raising him, spending over thirty years together, I understand him less than you do. No wonder he resents me."
Third Master Chen hadn’t told her about what happened that night, and Gu Jinzhao wasn’t sure what Madam Chen meant by her words.
But Madam Chen didn’t intend to elaborate further. She waved her hand, dismissing Gu Jinzhao.
That evening, Gu Jinzhao relayed Madam Chen’s words to Third Master Chen.
Third Master Chen had just returned from the Grand Secretariat and had changed out of his official robes. He sat on the heated bed table, sipping tea as he listened to Jinzhao.
"I know about the 'thin horse' matter. It’s not a big deal—let him be." Third Master Chen wasn’t particularly concerned about such things.
In truth, many men indulged in such habits. There were officials who secretly took concubines or bought courtesans outside. Though it didn’t reflect well on one’s reputation, it wasn’t considered a major offense. Second Master Chen had mentioned it to him yesterday. While Third Master Chen thought his actions were careless, Chen Yanzhang was still his elder brother, so he couldn’t say much.
Gu Jinzhao figured he didn’t care, and it wasn’t something he could easily intervene in anyway.
He could manage matters concerning Sixth Master Chen, but he wouldn’t interfere with Second Master Chen’s affairs...
Leaning against the heated bed table, she tidied the edges of a sock by candlelight and asked, "So, was that all you discussed with Second Master Chen yesterday?"
Third Master Chen shook his head. "We talked about Zhang Ju Lian. He has connections with Zhao Huai in Shaanxi. If it ever comes to open conflict with Zhang Ju Lian... I don’t hold military authority, so I need to plan ahead."
"Do you already have a plan?" Gu Jinzhao was a little curious.
Third Master Chen smiled. "What if I told you I’ve been thinking about this for over a year? Would you believe me?"
Why wouldn’t she?
Gu Jinzhao thought to herself that perhaps from the day he entered the Grand Secretariat, Third Master Chen had already foreseen this scenario.
Noticing the needlework in her hands, Third Master Chen reached over and took it. "Working on this at night strains your eyes. Haven’t I told you before?"
Gu Jinzhao was busy all day and only had time for needlework in the evenings. For the children’s undergarments, she insisted on making them herself. She reached out to grab it back, but Third Master Chen held it behind him. When she tried to snatch it from behind, he moved it to the other side, watching her with amusement. "Still trying to take it?"
He was taller, quicker, and stronger than her. There was no way she could win.
Gu Jinzhao sighed helplessly, feeling as though he was teasing her, completely at ease.
"If you don’t give it back, I won’t finish tonight..." she said. "I still have to meet with the steward tomorrow."Third Master Chen said, "You're usually exhausted as it is. How can you handle doing these things at night too? I think the needlework of your maids Caifu and Xiuqu who came with your dowry is quite good—they can certainly make some shoes and socks for the child. Don't overexert yourself." In short, there was no way she was getting those socks back today.
Gu Jinzhao thought to herself, what did he know? There was a difference between something made by oneself and something made by others.
Seizing the moment when he wasn’t paying attention, she reached out to snatch them back. But she lost her balance and ended up falling onto him. To protect her, Third Master Chen didn’t dare move aside and was pressed onto the bed, serving as her "cushion." He let out a muffled groan from the pain. Feeling a little embarrassed, Gu Jinzhao asked, "Did I crush something?"
Third Master Chen sighed. "You really..."
Seeing her flushed face, he finally said slowly, "It’s fine. Get up first, and I’ll check."
It turned out to be Changsuo’s Luban lock—perhaps he had been playing with it earlier, and the maids hadn’t cleaned it up properly.
Gu Jinzhao was also a little embarrassed. Seeing that he was unharmed, she said, "Well... I didn’t mean to..."
Third Master Chen rubbed his sore back and remarked, "Even if you had, I wouldn’t blame you." Then he added calmly, "At the very least, it counts as throwing yourself into my arms."
Gu Jinzhao grew even more flustered. What kind of "throwing herself into his arms" was this? She took the socks and placed them in the sewing basket, only to meet his gaze. Hastily, she said, "I’ll leave them for tomorrow afternoon."
Only then did Third Master Chen nod. Sitting up straight, he said, "If you pull something like this again, I won’t let you off so easily." He picked up a book from the table and began reading.
What else could he possibly do?
Gu Jinzhao watched his tall yet scholarly figure, his focus as he read, and felt as if a warm breeze had swept through her heart.
Her heart was full of tenderness.
P.S.: I’ve been utterly charmed by my own male lead—I can’t take it, I’ve turned into a total goofball...
Thanks to dear jojo for the Heshibi jade reward, and for not minding my laziness! And for the generous tip to this goofball~
Recommending a friend’s novel:
Medical and Culinary Delights : Transforming into a feisty little chef with a built-in recipe system—Hey there, young man, congee is on sale, care for a bowl?
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