Chapter 88: Elimination
Song Miaohua's gaze involuntarily fell upon her belly, softening once more.
She caressed her still-flat stomach and murmured, "It's all Mother's fault. Mother is useless. You must endure, child... Mother has no other choice..."
Her eyes reddened rapidly, her lips trembling. Then she clenched her fist and, without hesitation, struck her own belly!
Once. Twice. The pain made her curl up—at first, it was just the dull ache of impact, but soon, real pain began to spread through her abdomen. Song Miaohua cried out loudly, "Cao Ying! My stomach hurts! Ah... it's killing me! Someone... help..."
The two maids in the western side room heard her. Cao Ying prepared to check, but Huang Li grabbed her arm and said, "Who knows what tricks she's up to in there? We were having fun—don't go!"
Cao Ying hesitated. "Concubine Song is still carrying a child. No matter how grave her mistakes, that child is still part of the Gu family... We should go take a look. If something really happens, do you think the stewards will take responsibility? Mama Xu will just throw us under the cart. I’ve often heard people say, 'When big ghosts fight, little ghosts suffer'..."
Huang Li thought it over and grew a little afraid. If anything happened to Concubine Song's child, they would surely be blamed!
Cao Ying removed her kingfisher feather bracelets, picked up a candlestick, and followed Huang Li into the inner chamber. There, they found Concubine Song curled up on the kang, her face ashen, her forehead drenched in cold sweat.
Huang Li thought, Thank goodness we came in! She exchanged a glance with Cao Ying before stepping forward to ask, "Concubine? How are you feeling?"
Concubine Song was too consumed by pain to hear her, only moaning in agony.
Cao Ying said, "You stay with her. I'll go inform the matrons outside!" She darted off to find the old maids, who, upon hearing the news, rushed to inform Gu Jinzhao and Gu Dezhao.
Gu Jinzhao had just been about to sleep when a young maid came to report. She draped a cloak over her shoulders and sat on the kang to listen to the old maid's message.
After a moment's thought, she instructed Mama Xu, "Father is likely on his way to the Waterside Pavilion. Send someone to fetch Liu Daifu." Mama Xu acknowledged the order and left. Jinzhao then had Qingpu help her dress and fix her hair, taking her time without urgency. She picked up a pair of beaded earrings, set them down, and chose a pair of red coral ones instead.
Qingpu couldn't help but ask, "...Young Miss doesn’t seem particularly concerned."
Jinzhao replied coolly, "Calling the doctor is just for show. She’s perfectly healthy—why would her stomach suddenly hurt for no reason?"
Concubine Song was no pushover. When cornered, she would naturally fight back. Right now, the only card she had left to play was her child. Going early would only be an eyesore. Better to wait until Father arrived before paying a visit. After all, nothing Concubine Song did now could escape her notice.
When Gu Dezhao heard the old maid's report, he hesitated briefly.
Then he ordered a maid to fetch his Hangzhou silk cloak and strode swiftly toward the Waterside Pavilion.
Song Miaohua might be vicious, having harmed Xiangjun and Chaojie. But the child she carried was still his, and she had served him for over a decade. Because of Xiangjun, he could hate her, despise her, even consider sending her to a nunnery after she gave birth. But he couldn’t turn a blind eye at a time like this.
The maids and matrons at the Waterside Pavilion hurriedly bowed when they saw Gu Dezhao arrive.
He stepped forward and looked at Concubine Song, who lay on the bed clutching her stomach, moaning in pain.She was only wearing a Plain Silk Back Robe in the color of autumn leaves, her hair disheveled and cheeks gaunt. In just half a month, she had aged noticeably.
“Well? Did you send for a physician?” he asked Mama Xu, who stood nearby.
Mama Xu replied, “The Eldest Miss ordered one to be summoned. Concubine Song only complained of stomach pain—we don’t know the specifics.”
A maid brought in hot water, wrung out a cloth, and moved to wipe Concubine Song’s face. But Concubine Song avoided the maid’s hand, weakly opening her eyes to call for Gu Dezhao. “Master… Master, this concubine is in such pain… Could it be… could it be that the child cannot be saved…”
Before Gu Dezhao could respond, Mama Xu interjected, “You mustn’t worry. There’s no bleeding—the child is fine.”
Gu Dezhao nodded. “...Mama Xu has experience in these matters. Don’t overthink it.”
Concubine Song was no longer in as much pain as before, but she pinched her palm hard, forcing tears to roll down her cheeks like pearls. She sobbed, “Master, this concubine feels she won’t survive… It must be retribution. This concubine… this concubine harmed Madam, and now it’s coming back to me… I’ve already realized my wrongs!”
Gu Dezhao said coolly, “So you do know you harmed her! After committing so many heinous acts, if you still hadn’t realized your mistakes, you’d truly be beyond redemption.”
Concubine Song understood immediately—Gu Jinzhao must have uncovered many of her misdeeds!
She continued weeping. “If the retribution falls only on me, it doesn’t matter! But… but it mustn’t harm Master’s child. The only reason this concubine still clings to life is for the sake of the baby in my womb. I want to protect this child… In the future, I’m willing to fast and chant prayers for Madam…”
Mama Xu’s lips twitched at the sheer audacity. How shameless—to dare use Madam’s name like this!
If she truly regretted her actions, why didn’t she just dash herself and the child against a wall and be done with it!
Gu Dezhao said to Concubine Song, “There’s no need to panic. The child will be fine. Liu Daifu will arrive shortly… It’s good that you wish to fast and chant for Xiangjun. You owe her much.”
Liu Daifu, having received the summons, rode over in the Gu family’s carriage and was led straight through the inner gate.
He took Concubine Song’s pulse, listening carefully for a while before frowning. “Though the fetal signs are slightly unstable, there’s no serious issue. In principle, there shouldn’t be abdominal pain…” After a thorough examination, he cupped his hands toward Gu Dezhao. “Forgive this old man’s limited skill, but I truly cannot detect anything wrong with the concubine. Perhaps it’s due to fright or excessive worry—she must rest and recuperate properly…”
Since there was no actual illness, even the most skilled physician wouldn’t be able to diagnose one.
But Concubine Song refused to accept this. “How could there be nothing wrong when I was in such excruciating pain earlier? Physician, did you examine me properly?”
Mama Xu smiled and said, “Concubine, you’re overthinking it. Liu Daifu is one of the finest physicians in Yanjing. If even he can’t find anything, you must truly be fine.”
Liu Daifu felt somewhat displeased at Concubine Song’s words. His self-deprecating remark about limited skill was mere courtesy—yet she took it at face value.
Gu Dezhao also found Concubine Song’s words inappropriate. After all, the physician had come in the middle of the night to examine her—it wasn’t an easy task. He said to Liu Daifu, “We’ve troubled you, Physician. Since there’s no issue, please prescribe a tonic to nourish the pregnancy.”
Naturally, Liu Daifu didn’t argue. He packed his medical kit and went to write the prescription.Concubine Song said tearfully, "I was too impatient... When I woke from my nap this afternoon, it was already dark, and there was no one in the room. My stomach started hurting, and I called for the maids, but no one came for a long time... It was truly..."
She had mentioned her stomachache, and they had responded at the time! Huang Li was about to speak when Cao Ying tugged her sleeve.
They had been playing with Concubine Song’s jewelry—if anyone found out they dared to take their mistress’s belongings, they would surely be dragged out and beaten to death!
Cao Ying whispered, "We were sweeping the courtyard and didn’t hear you call, Concubine... We deserve death!"
Gu Dezhao had previously turned a blind eye to matters at the Waterside Pavilion, but now that the child was at risk, he felt he should say something.
He addressed the two maids, "...Let it pass this time, but from now on, serve Concubine Song diligently and ensure her health isn’t compromised."
Concubine Song relaxed inwardly. No matter what, he still cared for his child. Knowing when to stop, she sobbed again, "It’s not their fault. It’s just that I feel guilty and fear retribution falling upon the child. Please, Master, allow a Guanyin statue to be placed in my room. I wish to chant sutras for the late madam..."
This was no great matter, and Gu Dezhao naturally agreed.
Concubine Song added, "I heard Lan Er tried to visit me several times but couldn’t. Please grant me this mercy once—I just want to see her and let her know I’m well. I truly don’t want her to worry!"
Gu Dezhao fell silent. He didn’t want Gu Lan to see Song Miaohua again. If not for Song Miaohua, Gu Lan wouldn’t have ended up like this!
He said to Concubine Song, "Reflect deeply on your mistakes and don’t lead Lan Er astray. Seeing your sincere remorse and your poor health, I’ll allow her to see you once! But she must never come again. You’d better behave!"
With that, he glanced at Concubine Song and left with the maids.
...Even one meeting was enough! Concubine Song sighed in relief. The risk had been worth it.
Mama Xu eyed Concubine Song suspiciously. Sensing something amiss, she had Huang Li attend to Concubine Song while she took Cao Ying aside and instructed, "...After she falls asleep, lift her clothes and check her stomach." Cao Ying obeyed and left.
By the time Gu Jinzhao arrived at the Waterside Pavilion, Concubine Song was already asleep, and Mama Xu was waiting for her on the covered walkway.
Jinchao glanced toward the inner chamber and asked Mama Xu, "...Is the child alright?"
Mama Xu shook her head with a faint smile and whispered, "Not only is the child fine, but the concubine even gained from this..." She recounted the exchange between Concubine Song and Gu Dezhao, then added, "...I had Cao Ying check. Concubine Song’s stomach was covered in bruises. It wasn’t stomach pain—she must have struck herself to fake it! The master pities the child and won’t punish her too harshly."
Jinchao knew her father was unreliable. With just a few words from Concubine Song, he had allowed Gu Lan to visit her again! If Concubine Song’s child was born and she pleaded pitifully, wouldn’t she even get to raise the child?
Gu Jinzhao clenched her fists, anger simmering within. If this continued, it would be disastrous!
She said quietly to Mama Xu, "She dares to drag Mother into this, fearing retribution on her child—as if implying Mother’s spirit is harming her unborn baby!" Mother was already dead, yet Concubine Song wouldn’t let go, dragging her into everything. It was utterly excessive!"This servant also finds it infuriating—Concubine Song is truly incorrigible!" Mama Xu couldn't help but say, then asked Jinchao, "...Otherwise... should we tell the master about the concubine feigning illness?"
Jinchao had already made up her mind—this child could not be allowed to stay. Not only the child, but even the sight of Concubine Song was an eyesore to her!
She sneered coldly and said slowly, "No need to say anything. Didn't she claim she was ill? Then let her truly be ill... If she thinks she can rely on this child to turn things around, she can forget about it in this lifetime!"
After hearing Gu Jinzhao's words, Mama Xu pondered for a long time. To make Concubine Song truly ill—the Eldest Miss meant...
Jinchao said indifferently, "I was too soft before. Keeping this child would only bring disaster. Didn't she complain that Physician Liu's skills were poor? Then we'll find her a better physician. Since she's ill, she must be treated... It wouldn't be good if she miscarried later."
Concubine Song wanted to feign illness? How could that be allowed! She ought to lend her a hand—to make her truly ill, that would be just perfect!
She hated Concubine Song to the bone. If she tolerated such slander against her mother, it would only prove her own magnanimity was too great.
Once that piece of flesh in her belly was gone, let's see if she could still stir up trouble in the future!
Jinchao smiled and instructed Mama Xu, "...From now on, make sure the concubine is well-fed and cared for, lest she complain to Father again about us mistreating her."
Hearing this, Mama Xu understood Jinchao's intentions—she meant to eradicate the problem at its root. She also smiled and replied, "...This servant understands."
P.S.:
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These two chapters are still being posted together—don't miss the previous one!
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