Chapter 347: Shaving One's Head
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Madam Qin's attitude toward this suddenly recovered illegitimate son was rather peculiar.
She had previously sought physicians to treat Chen Xuanyue's condition, but none had managed to cure him.
Yet now, without any clear reason, how had he suddenly recovered?
She had even specifically questioned the tutor teaching Chen Xuanyue, who said the Ninth Young Master had a weak foundation and could barely keep up with lessons, let alone excel in them. This eased her mind somewhat. If Chen Xuanyue truly possessed extraordinary intelligence, she would have had more to worry about.
After answering, Chen Xuanyue naturally took a seat beside Gu Jinzhao. Changsuo, cradled in his wet nurse's arms, giggled and called out "Ninth Brother," stretching his little body forward eagerly. Chen Xuanyue took him, and Changsuo immediately wrapped his tiny arms around his neck affectionately, refusing to let go.
Chen Xi stood behind Jinchao and also glanced at Chen Xuanyue.
As she grew older and more sensible, she was no longer as easily shy as before. Chen Xuanyue was amusing Changsuo by coaxing him to repeat words, and the child followed along with childish enthusiasm. Chen Xuanyue listened with evident delight, his smile carefree and unrestrained... Chen Xi couldn't help but stare a little.
In terms of looks, the most handsome man Chen Xi had ever seen was likely her seventh brother, though all the Chen family's Xuán-generation cousins were quite good-looking. Yet Chen Xuanyue carried an extraordinary air about him—one of effortless composure, his features exuding a faint nobility.
Gu Jinzhao didn't notice this. Instead, she observed Madam Qin casting several glances at Chen Xuanyue and thought to herself, No wonder Madam Qin is uneasy!
As long as Chen Xuanyue stopped pretending to be a fool, his innate elegance made him stand out unmistakably—clearly no ordinary person.
Madam Chen invited everyone to share freshly made toon leaf cakes.
The tender young leaves of the toon tree had a delicate fragrance. One of Madam Chen's maids was particularly skilled at making pastries, and her toon leaf cakes were light and not at all greasy. Gu Jinzhao ate quite a few.
Once everyone had finished, the maids swiftly cleared the dishes, and Madam Chen said, "Third Daughter-in-law, stay and keep me company. The rest of you may leave."
Why was she being singled out?
Gu Jinzhao was startled, assuming Madam Chen wanted to discuss Fourth Master Chen.
Only after the others had withdrawn did Madam Chen explain: she had recovered her health and now intended to bring back the mother and child Second Master Chen had been keeping outside. "The child is already over half a year old. He can't stay with his mother forever," Madam Chen said, still displeased with the mother's lowly origins. She lowered her voice and added, "It wouldn't do for the child to be raised improperly. Tomorrow, arrange for someone to fetch them..."
Gu Jinzhao was massaging Madam Chen's calves and nodded in response. "What about Second Sister-in-law? How should we explain it to her?"
Madam Chen waved her hand. "Leave that to me."
"If Second Sister-in-law learns Second Master has kept a mistress, she'll surely be furious. You must comfort her carefully," Gu Jinzhao sighed.
Madam Chen chuckled. "She's not foolish. A man can't be expected to remain devoted to one woman forever—she'll come to accept it." Then, realizing this might sound inappropriate to Gu Jinzhao, she added, "Third Master, however, is deeply devoted. He's been like this since childhood—once he sets his mind on something, he never wavers. It's a shame about Fourth Master's situation..."Mentioning Fourth Master Chen made Madam Chen's heart ache.
She thought of the words she had said to Third Master Chen.
Life hasn't been easy for Third Master. Outside, he’s been busy upholding the prosperity and wealth of the Chen Family, while those at home only add to his troubles. Even a man of iron would struggle under such strain. And yet, she had doubted his actions, believing him to be ruthless and incapable of tolerating his own brothers…
When she spoke to Chen Yanwen, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as she told him, word by word: "Do you think I don’t know you bear responsibility for Fifth Brother’s death? You’re foolish enough to think others can’t see through you. You and Fifth Brother had long been at odds, and that day, you two were the only ones absent. When you returned, I saw grass seeds clinging to the hem of your robe and knew you had been by the pond… When Fifth Brother died, your father was furious. To cover for you, I even had all of Fifth Brother’s attendants exiled… How could you not understand?"
Fourth Master Chen had been imprisoned for months, cut off from all contact, tormented beyond measure.
Hearing this, he froze for a long moment before his lips began to tremble. Clutching his mother’s hand, he whispered hoarsely, "I… I nearly brought ruin upon you… It’s my fault…"
His hands were skeletal, his skin pale, his spirit broken. Muttering these words, he laughed and wept in turns.
Madam Chen’s heart ached at the sight, and she couldn’t help but embrace her son and weep. When she returned, the memory of Third Master’s cold indifference only deepened her anguish.
Gu Jinzhao didn’t know what had transpired between Madam Chen and Third Master Chen.
She suspected there must have been some misunderstanding, as Madam Chen seemed consumed by guilt.
What could a mother have done to feel such remorse toward her own son?
She took Madam Chen’s hand and said, "Mother, Third Master doesn’t mean to distance himself from you. He’s been extremely busy these days. How about tomorrow evening, I’ll come with him to pay our respects? Would that be alright?"
"I know he’s busy," Madam Chen nodded. "With the court in such turmoil, I shouldn’t trouble him further."
"It’s just that Fourth Brother wishes to see him. He told me Third Brother would never agree unless I spoke on his behalf… Could you relay this for me?"
Gu Jinzhao agreed.
When Third Master Chen returned, she told him of Fourth Master’s request.
Third Master Chen fell into deep thought.
"I had no intention… of seeing him," he said wearily at the mention of Fourth Master.
Gu Jinzhao quickly added, "Mother asked me to pass this along. I think Fourth Master must have something important to tell you, or he wouldn’t have gone through her. It won’t take much of your time—"
"Alright." To her surprise, Third Master agreed almost immediately.
Gu Jinzhao was taken aback, but Third Master smiled at her. "Since you’ve said so, I might as well see him."
Gu Jinzhao nearly laughed. She fetched his cloak and handed it to him. "Even though it’s spring, the night wind is still cold. Don’t be long."
Third Master gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment and left shortly after.
Gu Jinzhao stayed with Changsuo, teaching him to recognize objects on the Arhat bed. His chubby little hands grabbed a piece of Chestnut Cake, scattering crumbs all over the bed. When he couldn’t eat anymore, he offered it to Gu Jinzhao, pressing it toward her mouth. "...Mama eat."
Gu Jinzhao chuckled and ruffled his soft cheeks. Changsuo blinked up at her in confusion.
She had the nursemaid take him to wash his hands and face, then personally tucked him into bed.She had just asked Caifu to light a few candlesticks and was leaning over to embroider summer socks when Third Master Chen returned.
Gu Jinzhao set aside her sewing basket under the small table and went to greet him, but Third Master Chen remained silent.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Jinzhao asked softly.
Had Fourth Master Chen done something again? That couldn’t be possible—he was already in such a state...
“Old Fourth gave me some things,” Third Master Chen said to her. “About the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
Something related to the Directorate of Ceremonial? Gu Jinzhao asked, “Evidence of Zhang Ju Lian’s collusion with them?” Back then, without the Directorate’s support, how could Zhang Ju Lian have seized power so easily? Feng Chengshan controlled the young emperor’s vermilion endorsements, so whatever Zhang Ju Lian said went.
Third Master Chen ruffled her hair. “Something like that. But what he has is too little... not enough to make a real impact.”
Then why had he done this? Gu Jinzhao didn’t quite understand.
Third Master Chen motioned for her to sit down. “He wants to go to Bao Xiang Temple to cultivate himself—to shave his head and become a monk.”
... Gu Jinzhao was surprised. Fourth Master Chen had actually come up with such an idea! No wonder Third Master Chen had been silent.
“What do you plan to do? Will you really let him go to Bao Xiang Temple?”
Truthfully, the things Fourth Master Chen had done were enough to warrant death several times over. His current house arrest was well-deserved. If he wished to cultivate himself in a temple, it could be considered accumulating merit. But how would Madam Chen take it? And what about Wang Shi? These were the real problems...
Third Master Chen fell silent again.
After months of house arrest, Fourth Master Chen’s temperament had changed somewhat. He seemed much more clear-headed now, and the words he had spoken earlier were far more rational. If he could spend his life devoted to Buddha at Bao Xiang Temple, it would be better than being trapped in the Chen Family.
“I agreed,” Third Master Chen said. “Once this matter is settled, he can go.”
Gu Jinzhao wasn’t surprised. If it were her, she would have agreed to Fourth Master Chen’s choice as well. She wrapped her arms around Third Master Chen’s arm and smiled. “It’s for the best. Compared to lifelong house arrest, at least he’ll have a place he truly wants to go. By the time you’re done dealing with Zhang Ju Lian, the child in my belly should be born. You named Xuan Lin—let me name this one, alright? I think ‘Xuan Jing’ is nice, carrying the meaning of ‘peaceful years.’ And it works for both a boy or a girl...”
She must long for a peaceful life.
Third Master Chen let her cling to him and smiled faintly. “As you wish.” His hand gently caressed her slightly rounded belly—she was nearly six months along now, and the child was quite active. A tiny kick was easily felt. Jinzhao leaned against him, letting him stroke her belly. “Just as lively as Xuan Lin was. Sometimes it even turns over...”
Third Master Chen pulled her into his embrace, smiling without a word.
Would he even live to see the child’s birth...?
Early the next morning, Third Master Chen left, and Gu Jinzhao arranged for someone to fetch the mother and child.
When the thin horse-drawn carriage arrived, she took a look at the woman. A typical Jiangnan beauty—slender and delicate, with a jade pendant tied at her waist that accentuated her graceful figure. She didn’t look like someone who had borne a child. The little one, dressed in a patterned silk little jacket, sat in the wet nurse’s arms, wide black eyes darting curiously around.Madam Chen came over holding the child, who was quiet and didn't cry. Looking at the baby's tender little face, she couldn't help but soften.
"This child is quite handsome!"
She had already discussed this matter with Madam Qin, who still seemed somewhat dazed. Only now, seeing the child in person, did Madam Qin fully grasp the situation.
Yet Madam Qin first scrutinized everyone in the room. Gu Jinzhao was the one who had brought them back—she must have known about this mother and child long ago. Madam Ge kept her head lowered, staring at the ground, while Wang Shi was lost in thought, gazing at the woman.
Madam Qin felt a sting of humiliation, mixed with something sorrowful, her chest turning cold.
Still, she straightened her back and sat with perfect posture. She was the legitimate daughter of the Qin family—she would never let anyone laugh at her, no matter the circumstances.
Yet hidden in her sleeves, her hands clutched the handkerchief so tightly it nearly tore.
After examining the child, Madam Chen called the woman forward to speak. The woman introduced herself as Yingyuan, her voice soft and delicate, hesitating over every answer. Occasionally, she would brush back the loose strands of hair by her ears, the emerald-embedded gold bracelet on her wrist gleaming conspicuously. Though adorned in gold and silver, her demeanor was worlds apart from Madam Qin's.
Madam Qin had never known her husband favored such a delicate, watery creature. The concubines she had chosen for him were all docile and obedient, never stepping out of line. She had always looked down on women like this, thinking them fragile—as if a mere pinch would leave a mark—and utterly unfit for proper society.
Yet her husband had taken a liking to someone she deemed unworthy. How could that not pain her?
Gu Jinzhao observed Madam Qin's expression and knew exactly what she was thinking. Against her will, she felt a twinge of sympathy. Whatever Madam Qin had done, she was indeed pitiable.
P.S.: I'm also considering how to wrap things up later so it doesn't feel abrupt... It shouldn't be long now.
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