Chapter 92: Changing Medicine
Jinchao instructed Caifu to light a stick of mint incense. As the cool fragrance gradually filled the air, her fingers lightly tapped against the writing desk.
Mama Xu dismissed the other maids and lit another lamp for Jinchao. She then opened the brocade box containing the scriptures Jinchao had copied and began organizing them one by one.
Jinchao’s gaze lingered on the transcribed scriptures before she suddenly asked, "Mama Xu, was Du Yiniang originally a devout Buddhist?"
Mama Xu set down the brocade box and replied, "This servant doesn’t remember clearly, but although Du Yiniang wore gold and silver, she always had a string of Old Sandalwood Prayer Beads on her left wrist. She was originally the master’s Bed Warming Maid, having followed him from the ancestral home, and was illiterate. A bedroom servant girl like her surely wouldn’t have been devoted to such things..."
Jinchao pondered for a moment before asking again, "I remember returning to the Gu family when I was five, back when Song Yiniang hadn’t yet gained favor. It seemed Du Yiniang was Father’s favorite at the time, and Mother even gifted her a Hetian jade-carved pomegranate, symbolizing fertility and blessings."
Mama Xu nodded. "Du Yiniang was indeed the most favored back then, but after Yun Yiniang’s death, she gradually stopped competing for attention."
Jinchao felt even more certain now. Song Yiniang had claimed to hold leverage over Du Yiniang—something related to Yun Yiniang. If she could use this to threaten Du Yiniang, it couldn’t be anything good. Yun Yiniang had been dead for so long—what else could it be?
...It could only be Yun Yiniang’s death!
She had considered this before. If her mother wasn’t the one who harmed Yun Yiniang, and Yun Yiniang hadn’t died accidentally, then the most likely culprits were among the concubines! At the time, she had suspected Song Yiniang, since she rose to favor only after Yun Yiniang’s death... but she hadn’t considered Du Yiniang, who always seemed so eager to flatter and please others.
Jinchao suddenly recalled how, during her mother’s seventh-day mourning rites, Du Yiniang had wept so bitterly that she fainted multiple times. Normally, she wasn’t the type to behave this way—could it have been out of guilt? If she was the one who had harmed Yun Yiniang but let the blame fall on her mother, she must have been tormented by remorse.
But why would Du Yiniang want to harm Yun Yiniang in the first place?
Jinchao thought for a moment before asking Mama Xu, "...Did Du Yiniang and Yun Yiniang have any conflicts before?"
Mama Xu was taken aback. Why was the Eldest Miss suddenly so interested in Du Yiniang’s affairs? Then she abruptly remembered the words relayed by the maid earlier: "...Song Yiniang said she has leverage over Du Yiniang—something related to Yun Yiniang. She told the Second Miss she could seek Du Yiniang’s help if needed."
Could the Eldest Miss be thinking...?
Her heart jolted, and she hurriedly searched her memory. "...Among the three concubines back then, Du Yiniang was the most favored. Later, the madam arranged for Yun Yiniang to be elevated, and Du Yiniang couldn’t have been happy about it—that much is certain. But even so, she wouldn’t have dared to do anything truly outrageous... However, now that you mention it, I do recall one thing."
Jinchao looked at Mama Xu, signaling her to continue.Mama Xu said, "Don't be fooled by Third Miss's calm and indifferent demeanor now. When she was little, she was actually quite lively. She loved climbing all over Madam's room. One day she hid in a cabinet to play and nearly suffocated. At that time, you weren't by Madam's side, yet she treated Third Miss as well as she treated you... When Concubine Yun was six months pregnant, she came one day to keep Madam company. Third Miss was playing shuttlecock with the maids in the room and accidentally kicked Concubine Yun's belly..."
"...Concubine Yun immediately felt excruciating pain. The master hurriedly called for a physician, and fortunately the baby was unharmed. But the master punished Third Miss by confining her in a dark side room for two days. Third Miss was terrified of the dark and cried incessantly. Though Madam was frantic with worry, she didn't dare defy the master's orders to let Third Miss out. By the time they finally carried Third Miss out, she was so frightened she developed a high fever. After she recovered, she became withdrawn and rarely spoke..."
So there had been such an incident!
Jinchao pondered this revelation for a long time.
What mother wouldn't love her own child? Given what happened with Gu Yi, it was entirely possible that Concubine Du would want to harm Concubine Yun.
Concubine Song knew Concubine Yun's miscarriage was Concubine Du's doing and even tried to use it as leverage against her. She was fully aware of the truth. Yet she still framed Madam using Yu Ping, driving Madam to hang herself. Her cruelty knew no bounds!
Jinchao wanted to clear her mother's name. Though her mother was already dead, she shouldn't have to bear the stigma of being labeled jealous.
Jinchao remained silent for a long time, but these were merely conjectures—she had no concrete evidence to prove any of it.
Would Concubine Du admit to this? She wasn't foolish. Confessing would mean her own downfall.
...She needed to find a way to make Concubine Du confess with her own mouth.
After much deliberation, Jinchao finally said to Mama Xu, "...Go to Jade and Stone Residence and have them carve a pomegranate from Hetian jade—one with visible seeds inside. About the size of a fist would be best."
Understanding the importance, Mama Xu personally left the estate to arrange this.
Jinchao spent her days in Paulownia Courtyard, either doing needlework or practicing calligraphy. She made not only pillow inserts but also a plain lake-green satin hand-warmer cover, and a pale yellow persimmon-patterned skirt for herself. She hadn't visited Waterside Pavilion even once—with Concubine Song currently pregnant, it was better to keep her distance.
After summoning Mr. Xiao for treatment, Concubine Song had stabilized and no longer complained of abdominal pain. Perhaps she feared Jinchao might devise other methods to deal with her, or maybe she was waiting for Song Furen to come support her and her daughter.
Two days later, as expected, Gu Lan asked her father for permission to visit Ciguang Temple. She claimed she wanted not only to mourn Madam Ji but also to pray for Concubine Song's unborn child, as the pregnancy had been difficult. Gu Dezhao naturally agreed and sent a group of maids and matrons to accompany her.
When Gu Lan had been gone for half a day, a matron secretly reported that their party hadn't taken the road to Ciguang Temple, but had instead followed the main highway toward Daxing County.
Jinchao nodded in acknowledgment and said, "...Just keep watching them."
When Mama Xu returned carrying a dark brown brocade box, news had just arrived from Waterside Pavilion.Mama Xu opened the brocade box, and Jinchao picked up the jade pomegranate to examine it. The jade was warm and smooth, the carving exquisite—a rare and excellent piece. After setting it down, she said to Mama Xu, "Today, Cao Ying came to report that Concubine Du has been sleeping restlessly lately, often startled awake at midnight. Her appetite has also worsened, and she feels weak all day." Jinchao knew it was the medicine taking effect. After a pause, she added indifferently, "You should see to it that Concubine Du gets more nourishment. Whatever she eats daily, make sure to add more. We can't have her complaining about discomfort again..."
Mama Xu naturally understood Jinchao's meaning and left to carry out her instructions.
Jinchao took the jade pomegranate and went to Tong Ruo Lou to see Concubine Du.
Jinchao’s guess wasn’t wrong. After Madam Ji’s death, Concubine Du had been plagued by guilt. Learning that Madam Ji had hanged herself after being falsely accused, she had been deeply shaken... She never imagined Madam Ji would be so resolute! Even after Madam Ji was buried, she remained unsettled, reciting scriptures daily and offering incense to the Bodhisattva to ease her conscience.
Burdened by these thoughts, she had noticeably lost weight in just a month.
When the maid announced the Eldest Miss’s arrival, she was still chanting prayers, hoping Madam Ji would find swift liberation... After all, Madam Ji’s death was partly her fault.
She received Jinchao in the western chamber and had the maid serve tea steeped with candied orange peel.
Jinchao glanced at Concubine Du. The Buddhist beads coiled around her left hand were hidden beneath her sleeve, her pale fingers unconsciously curling. Concubine Du wore no gold or silver, nor any makeup, which only accentuated her delicate features.
...Even in her later years, she retained such beauty—no wonder she had once been favored.
Jinchao smiled and had Qingpu hand her the brocade box, opening it for Concubine Du to see. "...A few days ago, while sorting through Mother’s private collection, I found this exquisitely carved jade pomegranate and thought to bring it to you. I remember Mother gave you a jade pomegranate when I was little—I wonder if this is its pair."
Concubine Du hesitated before accepting the box from Jinchao. After examining it, she said, "The carving is indeed superb. I can’t say for certain if it’s a pair, but it’s strikingly similar. It’s kind of you to think of me. Madam was always so good to me—the jade pomegranate she gave me was warm and smooth, and I’ve kept it in my room all these years..."
Jinchao took a sip of the candied orange tea but found it too cloying. Setting it aside, she continued, "I remember Mother doted on Yi Jie’er the most. When I returned from the Ji family as a child, I’d even feel envious! Before her death, Mother arranged Yi Jie’er’s marriage and asked me to support her, saying Yi Jie’er should help manage the household affairs... She treated her no less than she did me."
Concubine Du smiled. Madam Ji had secured a marriage for Gu Yi with the Wuqing Gu family, for which she was deeply grateful.
Jinchao went on, "...I was thinking of giving Yi Jie’er some items from Mother’s dowry when she marries. Though the other half-sisters may seem treated equally, you know Father favors Lan Er the most—Yi Jie’er and Xi Jie’er inevitably get less. If I help furnish Yi Jie’er’s trousseau, she won’t be slighted when she joins the Du family. What do you think?"If Gu Jinzhao was giving Gu Yi a dowry gift, it must be something truly valuable! Concubine Du was delighted for Gu Yi, but she couldn't understand why the Eldest Miss was telling her this. If it was meant as a friendly gesture, why would the favored Eldest Miss bother with an unfavored concubine like her?
After some thought, she said, "Third Miss is truly fortunate to have Eldest Miss looking out for her!"
Jinchao smiled faintly. "To be honest, my heart aches for Yi'er. Mama Xu told me that when Yi'er was little, Father confined her as punishment. She came out with a high fever and hasn't been as lively since. Apparently she had kicked Concubine Yun's belly and nearly harmed her unborn child... Do you remember this incident, Concubine?"
Jinchao watched Concubine Du carefully as she spoke. The concubine's expression visibly tensed, her face growing even paler.
"I... I don't recall it very clearly..." she forced a weak smile.
Jinchao averted her gaze and asked softly, "If you can't remember such an important matter, then you must have completely forgotten about... switching Concubine Yun's medicine."
At these final words, Concubine Du nearly leaped from her embroidery stool in shock!
PS:
Second update Recommending a friend's excellent work: Mei Yan Kongkong's "Flavors of the Countryside" - dumping scumbags, raising buns, and getting rich in satisfying fashion~~
Also begging for all kinds of votes, if you have any please toss one my way~
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