Chapter 37: Studies
Mama Xu reported the matters of Tranquil Residence to Madam Ji in detail.
Madam Ji chuckled helplessly: "Jinchao really... but this is just as well. At least we can finally set our minds at ease regarding Concubine Luo's side. However, I still don’t understand the reason behind Ziling’s punishment. Unless she committed a grave mistake, given Chaojie’s current temperament, she would never have allowed Qingpu to strike her."
Mama Xu pondered for a moment before replying, "From what I gathered from Eldest Miss’s words, it seems Ziling often spoke ill of her in front of the young master."
Madam Ji looked displeased: "...Just like her mistress in temperament."
"Should we summon the young master and explain this matter to him?" Mama Xu asked.
Madam Ji hesitated: "He’s leaving for Qifang Alley the day after tomorrow. It might not be the right time to bring this up. I always thought he was old enough to distinguish right from wrong, but this child is truly troublesome. How can he inherit the Gu family’s legacy in the future..."
Before long, Mo Xue announced from outside that Jinchao had arrived to accompany her for lunch.
The mistress and servant ceased their conversation and had a small table brought in. As Madam Ji’s illness made movement difficult, she now took her meals in the inner chamber.
Jinchao entered, paid her respects, and sat opposite her mother. She chatted about her recent activities in Paulownia Courtyard and how she had planted grapevines. Her rambling brought a lively atmosphere, and Madam Ji watched her with a smile. Jinchao never mentioned Song Yiniang or Gu Lan in front of her, nor did she speak of the discord with her younger brother, as if she didn’t want to trouble her mother in the slightest.
The dishes were served: a purple clay pot of pigeon stewed with gastrodia, a plate of steamed seabass, a dish of marinated goose webs, and a plate of tender cucumbers. The seabass and goose webs were prepared for Jinchao, as Madam Ji could now only eat extremely light dishes. Jinchao ladled a bowl of soup for her mother and fed her.
After some thought, Madam Ji said, "As for your brother... you must listen to your mother and try to get along with him. After all, you’re the elder sister. He’s still young and can’t yet distinguish right from wrong. Don’t distance yourself too much from him..."
Jinchao’s hand paused briefly—her mother must have learned about what happened in Tranquil Residence that morning.
She nodded. "I understand. There’s no need for Mother to worry."
The next day, Jinchao stood beneath the grapevine trellis and instructed Mama Tong to have the outer courtyard servants place stone tables and stools beneath the vines so they could enjoy the shade in summer. She also asked her to check Tranquil Fragrance Study to see if Jinrong was preparing to leave for Qifang Alley and to inform her if he was.
In the afternoon, she returned to the warm pavilion to tend to the carnations and Lychnis coronata that would bloom in late spring. Then she spent half an hour practicing the qin and calligraphy in the study before lying down on the daybed for a while. By the time she woke, it was nearly evening, and the sound of fine rain pattered outside the window.
She opened the window lattice, and a wave of damp, rainy air greeted her. The drizzle fell softly, dripping onto a banana plant outside.
Qingpu hurried in. "Miss, you’re finally awake. Mama Tong has been waiting for you for an hour. I didn’t wake you earlier because you were sleeping so soundly."
Jinchao frowned, wondering what matter was so urgent that Mama Tong insisted on speaking to her directly and had waited all this time. After washing her face, she walked to the western chamber, where Mama Tong sat on a brocade stool, peering anxiously toward the door.
Unconsciously quickening her steps, Jinchao asked, "Mama Tong, what’s the urgent matter?"Mama Tong hurried forward when she saw her: "This servant isn't sure if this counts as important... but since you instructed me to keep an eye on the Young Master's studies, I thought I should inform you."
Jinchao invited her to sit and asked, "What is it? Is the Young Master leaving tomorrow?"
Mama Tong shook her head: "Not exactly... This servant heard from Qingran in the Young Master's courtyard that he doesn't plan to continue studying at Qifang Alley. Yesterday he went to see the Master and asked him to hire a private tutor to teach at our Gu residence instead. He said it would be more convenient for looking after Madam... Whether the Master agreed or not, this servant doesn't know, but he didn't seem to refuse either."
Jinchao set her teacup down heavily on the table, her anger already rising. She took a deep breath and said to Mama Tong, "This is indeed something you should tell me—you did well!" Then she called loudly for Qingpu to come help her change clothes.
Mama Tong considered that although the Young Master not studying at Qifang Alley might affect his education, it was for Madam's sake and somewhat understandable. She didn't understand why the Young Miss was angry or where she was going... But instead of asking directly, she said, "Young Miss, should we inform Madam about this?"
Jinchao glanced back at her. Baiyun was tending the fire in the room, and Qingpu was helping her arrange her hair.
"Mother must not know about this. Whoever lets it slip will be punished." Seeing Qingpu pick up a pair of cat's eye earrings, she added, "Just finish my hair. Go get an umbrella. Where is Father resting today?" This last question was directed at Mama Tong, as Jinchao had specifically asked her to keep track of such matters.
Mama Tong quickly replied, "At Concubine Luo's Tranquil Residence. But... Young Miss, it's nearly dark and starting to rain. Perhaps you should go tomorrow morning instead."
Jinchao shook her head: "This can't wait." Seeing Mama Tong still looked confused, as if she didn't quite understand, she explained further: "How many times has Gu Jinrong visited Mother since returning home, and for how long each time? Using Mother as an excuse to stop studying at Qifang Alley is ridiculous! Someone must have put this idea in his head—he's the type to believe whatever he hears. If we let him stay at the Gu residence to study, who knows what trouble will follow..."
Whoever suggested he stay at the Gu residence was utterly absurd.
Jinchao's studies were already mediocre at best—he could barely keep up at Qifang Alley. He was especially susceptible to his environment, and with no other young masters at the Gu residence to study with him, having a private tutor teach him alone? He'd likely become completely undisciplined within days!
If he really stayed at the Gu residence, Concubine Song or Gu Lan might secretly influence him, making his upbringing even worse. Then there'd truly be no saving him.
Jinchao had Qingpu hold the umbrella, and the two set off for Tranquil Residence.
The rain wasn't heavy, but it still soaked their shoes and socks. As soon as Jinchao arrived at Tranquil Residence, Old Woman Liu spotted her and quickly ushered her into a side room, bringing a hand warmer and hot tea. "It's still raining—why has the Eldest Miss come to Tranquil Residence?"
Jinchao handed the tea to Qingpu, who had shielded her from the rain but ended up with half her shoulder soaked. She deserved to warm up now.
"Find a change of clothes for Qingpu. I need to see Father."Now that Tranquil Residence was entirely under Jinchao's control, none of the maids or old women dared to disobey her words. Old Woman Liu went to fetch clean clothes, while Old Woman Chen led her to the East Side Room: "Concubine Luo is having dinner with the master, with Qingyi attending. Please wait here, Second Miss, to avoid getting wet from the rain. I'll go inside to announce your arrival." She was seated in the Grand Preceptor's Chair in the main hall.
Jinchao glanced outside the main hall. The sky was completely dark, and the dense curtain of rain made everything indistinct.
Old Woman Chen soon invited her over.
Upon entering the East Side Room, she was greeted by a wave of warmth. Concubine Luo stood beside her father, serving him dishes. Under the glow of the floor lamp, she appeared graceful and poised, nodding at Jinchao with a faintly shy smile.
Jinchao noticed an extra set of used chopsticks on the table and saw Qiukui holding a pair in her hand. She immediately understood the situation—Concubine Luo was dining at the same table as her father. However, she had no intention of interfering. Instead, she bowed to her father and said, "...Father, I heard Jinrong wishes to hire a private tutor at home and has already sought your permission. May I ask your thoughts on this?"
For someone like her father, it was best to be direct.
Gu Dezhao smiled and motioned for his daughter to sit, instructing Qiukui to prepare a bowl and chopsticks for her. "You must not have had dinner yet, coming here in such a hurry. Jinrong did mention this to me. He’s concerned about your mother’s illness and wants to stay home to care for her—filial piety comes first, after all. Though it might affect his studies, hiring Mr. Guo, who once taught at the Imperial Academy, should suffice."
Jinchao shook her head. "Father, while Jinrong’s intentions are filial, you know Mother well. She would undoubtedly prefer him to study at Qifang Alley rather than stay home to attend to her. If Jinrong excels in the Eight-legged essay and earns a provincial degree in three years, wouldn’t that bring greater honor to our family and fulfill his filial duty?"
Gu Dezhao fell silent for a moment before asking, "Do you not want him at home? I thought having Jinrong here would bring you two siblings closer."
With Gu Lan around, the longer Gu Jinrong stayed home, the more estranged they would likely become.
She avoided mentioning this and continued persuading, "Father, you know Jinrong isn’t particularly devoted to his studies. If he stays home, he’ll likely slack off—studying one day and neglecting the next. Recently, the third son of the Earl of Yongyang has been visiting him frequently, and you know this young master’s reputation... Not long ago, Jinrong even went horseback riding in the suburbs with him."
The third son of the Earl of Yongyang was notorious for his idleness. While his elder brothers all studied at Qifang Alley, he refused to go. As the youngest legitimate son, neither the Earl nor his wife could control him, and he had developed extravagant habits. Jinchao had long known about this, but given her strained relationship with Gu Jinrong, she hadn’t wanted to provoke him by bringing it up.
Concubine Luo chimed in softly, "I think the Eldest Miss makes a valid point. The young master should prioritize his scholarly pursuits and not be swayed by the Second Miss’s words to stay home indefinitely."
Gu Dezhao frowned and asked Luo Su, "Was this Gu Lan’s idea?"
Concubine Luo bowed slightly. "This concubine only heard from the servants that the Second Miss often seeks out the young master, telling him they won’t see each other for a long time if he leaves for Daxing County... But I didn’t realize the young master would actually come to you with this request."Gu Dezhao's expression darkened. If it was for Madam Ji's sake, it was understandable that Gu Jinrong didn't want to go to Qifang Lane. But if it was for some other reason...
Coming back to his senses, Gu Dezhao told Jinchao to return first: "...I'll make things clear with him tomorrow."
Luo Su offered to see her to the door. Noticing that Luo Su seemed to have something to say, Jinchao didn't refuse. As they walked under the corridor, watching the endless rain, Luo Su whispered to her: "Eldest Miss, I heard those words from Qiukui. She's close with Mu Jin from Second Miss's quarters... Qiukui seems to know some things about Second Miss. Would you like to question her tomorrow?"
Jinchao replied: "...Not for now. I'll seek her out when the need arises. Thank you for this." She hadn't expected Luo Su to suddenly steer the conversation toward Gu Lan. It seemed that despite her timid nature, she wasn't entirely foolish.
Luo Su smiled faintly: "Eldest Miss needn't thank me. It's only what I should do."
OpenNovel