Chapter 85: The Child
After Mama Xu left, Gu Dezhao remained silent for a long time.
Once his anger faded, he seemed utterly exhausted, his eyes devoid of their usual vigor.
In truth, what Concubine Song had said was correct—who had caused Madam Ji’s death? It was he himself who had driven her to it! But while the incident with the rhubarb wasn’t the direct cause of Madam Ji’s demise, Song Miaohua had undeniably harbored malicious intent to harm her.
It was he and Song Miaohua who, step by step, had pushed Madam Ji to her death!
Gu Dezhao stood alone before his desk, the wolf-hair brush in his hand having soaked through the paper, leaving a dark blot of ink.
A gentle breeze drifted in from outside, carrying the delicate fragrance of Hosta flowers that filled the room. Unable to bear the weight of his emotions, Gu Dezhao slumped into the Grand Preceptor’s Chair and buried his face in his hands, his muffled sobs escaping.
Heaven’s punishment for him was to endure this heart-wrenching agony for the rest of his life.
Outside, several stewards, having heard about Steward Sun’s dismissal, were deeply displeased. Steward Sun had never committed any major faults in the Gu household and had always been amiable. How could the Eldest Miss simply dismiss someone at will? If this was how things were, what use were stewards like them? They gathered together and went to the Chrysanthemum Willow Pavilion to seek Gu Dezhao’s opinion on the matter.
Upon hearing Shui Ying’s report, Gu Dezhao received them in the flower hall.
The stewards explained their purpose—they wanted to argue that the Eldest Miss’s actions were unreasonable, that she punished people arbitrarily and could not command respect. Steward Sun had served the Gu family diligently for so many years, yet this was his fate. They felt compelled to speak out against such injustice.
Gu Dezhao listened in silence for a long time. If Steward Sun had dared to treat Chaojie with such disrespect, wasn’t it because these people believed that with Madam Ji dead and Concubine Song poised to take her place, they no longer needed to regard Chaojie with any deference? Were they only now beginning to bully her?
As the stewards were about to continue speaking, Gu Dezhao slowly said, “From now on, whatever the Eldest Miss says regarding household matters is final. There’s no need to consult me further.”
The stewards were stunned. Was the master really showing such favoritism toward the Eldest Miss?
Gu Dezhao continued, “Anyone who dares to defy the Eldest Miss or disobey her orders in the future will be expelled from the household—just like Steward Sun!”
The stewards were shocked. Exchanging bewildered glances, they dared not say another word and hastily withdrew, scrambling to find out what had happened. Only then did they learn that Concubine Song had been placed under house arrest and could no longer manage the inner household affairs. With Mama Xu, Xue Sixteen, and the master’s support behind her, how could the Eldest Miss be compared to Concubine Song?
In an instant, none of the stewards dared to act out of line again. The Eldest Miss had directly bound Steward Sun and thrown him out, and the master hadn’t uttered a word of protest. Who would dare oppose her now? It would be tantamount to courting death! Those who had hoped to rely on Concubine Luo now saw that it was no longer an option.
The day after this incident, Mama Xu went to the Affairs Office to sort through Madam Ji’s belongings, checking them against the inventory. None of the office’s stewards dared to slack off, and one of the senior stewards even personally came to assist Mama Xu with the inventory. He said to her, “...Concubine Song wasn’t satisfied with those two maids. I’ve selected two new ones, aged nine or ten, from a bankrupt wealthy family—they’re the daughters of a concubine. They’ve just arrived and haven’t been properly trained yet. What do you think?”
Mama Xu nodded in approval. The steward then added with a smile, “...These two girls are quite spoiled, having been raised in luxury before their family’s downfall. Since they’re new, they haven’t been disciplined properly.”Mama Xu thought to herself, Eldest Miss's move had indeed frightened these people. They were always swaying like grass in the wind, ready to switch sides at the slightest change—now they were bound to lean toward them!
Mama Xu packed the items into boxes and had the servants carry them back to Paulownia Courtyard. Madam Ji had left behind so many things that Jinchao had specially designated a few clean back rooms as storage. The keys were kept by Mama Xu.
However, sorting through her mother's belongings was just the beginning. Jinchao now had to take over the management of Madam Ji's dowry. When Madam Ji had fallen ill, many matters concerning the villa, lands, and shops had been neglected. Only when things became absolutely urgent did Mama Xu step in to make decisions. Now that Jinchao had taken charge, tasks came flooding in like a tidal wave.
Mama Xu helped her organize the letters from various places and said, "...The steward of a villa in Xianghe wishes to pay you a visit. He says recent heavy rains have flooded over ten acres of fruit seedlings. He seeks your advice on whether the villa should switch to planting something else. The land there isn’t suitable for fruit trees..."
Jinchao rubbed her temples, feeling overwhelmed. Managing the inner household was easy for her, but business matters were something she only half-understood.
What fruit trees should be planted? If not fruit trees, then what? How would she know!
Jinchao instructed Mama Xu, "Have him draft a letter first, detailing the land conditions and the fruit tree cultivation, and list a few feasible alternatives for me to consider. Xianghe is so far from Shi'an—by the time he comes and goes, the seedlings would have long drowned. Tell him not to bother coming!" Mama Xu acknowledged and went to fetch paper and ink to reply.
Caifu entered the study carrying something, drenched from the rain outside. Her pale green skirt had turned dark with moisture. After setting the item down, she quickly wrung out her clothes and dried herself before daring to step inside.
"Miss, the maids from the outer courtyard just delivered something," she said, presenting the item to Jinchao.
Jinchao looked up to see a cloisonné enamel flowerpot in Caifu's hands, exquisitely crafted. Inside grew a peculiar plant with thick, fleshy leaves covered in long brown spines.
What was this?
She asked Caifu, "Who sent this?"
Caifu replied, "It was sent by the Ye family of Marquis Changxing. The servant who delivered it also relayed a message from their young master. He said, 'Though no flower stays red for a hundred days, I guarantee this plant will stay green for a hundred days, so you needn’t worry.' Oh... and he said it’s called a 'cactus.'"
Jinchao couldn’t help but laugh. Ye Xian really was amusing!
She had Caifu bring the cactus closer for inspection. The plant looked wild and bizarre, its spines jutting out aggressively.
"Place it on the curio cabinet, facing east, and keep it toward the back so it doesn’t prick anyone," Jinchao instructed.
After gazing at the cactus for a while, Jinchao felt a bit lighter at heart. She stood and walked to the study’s entrance. The rain was pouring heavily—midsummer showers were always torrential—but even as it seemed relentless, it would likely stop soon.
Jinchao asked Caifu, "How is Concubine Song faring?"
Caifu answered, "The new maids sent by the attendants are utterly disobedient. At night, they even jump rope, making so much noise that the concubine can’t sleep. If she asks them to do anything, they refuse outright. Now she’s handling all her daily needs herself. That Banlian was sent back to Cui Xuan Yuan by the matrons, leaving the concubine in an even more pitiable state."Jinchao smiled faintly and said calmly, "With all her struggles, I'm afraid she won't be able to carry the child to term."
Concubine Song probably wouldn't last much longer. Moreover, Father had just learned about her past misdeeds and now despised her even more.
Caifu listened and muttered softly, "This servant actually thinks it would be better if she couldn't give birth. She's such an eyesore..."
Caifu usually never spoke like this—she was always so cautious with her words.
Jinchao chuckled, "Rare to see you so ruthless."
Caifu flushed with embarrassment, "This servant was just speaking thoughtlessly. I truly detest her."
Jinchao fell silent for a moment. She had also considered the possibility of Concubine Song failing to deliver the child.
Now that Concubine Song was confined to the Waterside Pavilion, her only reliance was her unborn child. With her collusion with the steward recently exposed by Jinchao, there was no chance for her to recover. It might be better to take away this child and ensure she could never rise again!
Originally, she hadn't thought of harming the child.
But speaking of miscarriages, she couldn't help but recall the time when Yu Wanxue had lost her child—the pool of blood beneath her, Chen Xuanqing's murderous glare, the silent accusations from everyone. As the mistress of the household, no one dared to voice their complaints aloud.
No one knew that she truly hadn't been aware of Yu Wanxue's pregnancy. Had she known, she wouldn't have been so harsh.
Memories flooded back... Jinchao snapped out of her reverie and fixed her gaze on the grapevines in the distance.
Concubine Song had harmed her mother in their past life and now sought to harm her in this one. Did she hate her? She wished she could tear her flesh and drink her blood! And this child—conceived while her mother was gravely ill and announced after her death—filled her with disgust whenever she thought of Concubine Song's swollen belly!
She had been preoccupied with her mother's funeral arrangements and hadn't yet found the time to deal with her. She had thought that prolonged torment would be more satisfying, but now she realized her grandmother's swift and decisive approach might be better—ensuring Concubine Song could never recover.
Besides, if this child were born, it would only bring trouble. Once he learned his birth mother was Concubine Song, who knew what chaos he might stir up? With Gu Lan around, how could such a secret possibly be kept from him?
She pondered for a long while, and Caifu didn't disturb her.
After a long silence, Caifu finally heard the Eldest Miss say slowly, "Caifu, you're right. I was the one who hadn't thought it through."
Caifu noticed the faint smile on Jinchao's lips and was puzzled. What had she been right about?
She couldn't recall saying anything significant...
Outside the Waterside Pavilion, Gu Lan stood in the pouring rain. Mu Jin held a bamboo-handled oiled paper umbrella over her. The heavy rain muffled all sound.
Several matrons blocked her path, refusing to let her enter.
Gu Lan's skirts were soaked through, the cold dampness clinging to her like a snake. She glared at the matrons and said coldly, "Don't think I don't know what's happening! Someone must be mistreating my mother inside. Who gave you the audacity to keep me out?"
One of the matrons chuckled, "Second Miss, we're just following orders. Making things difficult for us won't help! You'd best return quickly. The master has already warned that you'll be punished if you try to see the concubine again. She's perfectly fine inside—no need to worry."
Gu Lan bit her lip hard, tears of frustration welling in her eyes.
As if she didn't know! When Banlian had been sent back, she had told her everything!Her mother, though not the primary wife, was still a noble concubine—who would dare slight her! Yet now even two lowly maids dared to bully her! She went to plead with her father, but not only did he refuse to relent, he even scolded her harshly, demanding she behave herself!
The rain fell in dense sheets. Gu Lan glanced inside and saw two maids hiding under the covered corridor, laughing and playing as they caught rainwater dripping from the eaves. She cursed them silently in her heart—her mother was still pregnant, yet not a single one of them was inside attending to her!
This wouldn’t do. She had to think of a way.
After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Lan shot the two matrons a fierce glare and led Mu Jin back to Cui Xuan Yuan.
P.S.:
The site’s acting up again—it took me forever to log in.
Thank you to Murong Xueyuan, Bookfriend 100110130442856, Dan Dan Yi Ren, Crispy Little Chips, Mi Yin, and . for the pink votes, and to Si Gu Chan Chan for the two Scented Sachets. I’m so touched—thank you all!
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