Chapter 93: The Truth
Concubine Du's hands trembled slightly. After a long silence, she finally managed to ask with difficulty, "What does Eldest Miss mean by this...?"
Jinchao took out the jade pomegranate from the brocade box, gently stroking its smooth surface. "If Mother knew in the afterlife that all these things were done by you, she would surely be heartbroken. She treated you well for so many years and cared for Yi Er with all her heart. Yet in the end, you and Concubine Song conspired to frame her. She would never have imagined that you would pin the blame on her. It truly saddens me for Mother."
Concubine Du remained silent, biting her lip tightly, her eyes already reddening.
Gu Jinchao didn’t even glance at her and continued, "I often heard Mother say that one should harbor kindness in their heart. She not only taught me this but also taught Yi Er the same. Who would have thought that such kindness would lead to such an end... Yi Er has such a gentle nature. If she were to learn what you’ve done, she would surely never speak to you again." Jinchao sighed as if lamenting the situation.
Concubine Du’s mind was in turmoil. How did Eldest Miss find out about this? There was no point in questioning it now!
She couldn’t bear the thought of Jinchao telling Yi Er about this. Yi Er already disliked her. If she were to learn that she had harmed Madam, Yi Er would surely hate her. She only had this one daughter... Even though Yi Er never called her "Mother," she was still her child!
Gu Jinchao had come to her with this matter instead of going directly to Gu Dezhao, which meant she likely had no concrete evidence. She probably just wanted her to confess and clear Madam’s name. But... was this something she could admit to?
Trapped between a rock and a hard place!
Concubine Du looked at Jinchao, her voice barely audible, "Eldest Miss... what exactly do you want...?"
Jinchao knew Concubine Du was weighed down by hesitation. If she didn’t offer some assurance, how could she expect her to confess?
She exhaled deeply. "To be frank, yesterday a maid came to tell me that Concubine Song had revealed your secret to Lan Er, using it to threaten you into helping her. Otherwise, how would I have known? Do you truly wish to be at the mercy of Concubine Song and Gu Lan for the rest of your life?"
Concubine Du’s face paled. Song Miaohua had actually told Lan Er about this!
"If she only threatened you with minor matters, it might be bearable. But what if Concubine Song commits a grave mistake and forces you to take the blame? What then? You’re a smart woman; I needn’t spell it out further." Jinchao paused before adding, "If you confess, I will plead with Father to spare you. Moreover, when Yi Er marries, I will gift her two shops in Baodi. That way, she can hold her head high in the Du family."
At this, Concubine Du’s resolve wavered.
As Gu Jinchao had said, she had no desire to live under Concubine Song’s threats! And the guilt over Madam Ji’s death had tormented her day and night...
After all these years of Madam Ji’s kindness, this was how she had repaid her.
Seeing her silence, Jinchao sighed one last time. "Concubine Du, even if you refuse to speak, how can you live peacefully knowing you carry the weight of three lives on your conscience?"
Concubine Yun, her unborn child, and Madam Ji’s death—wasn’t she indeed responsible for three lives?
As if drained of all strength, Concubine Du slumped onto the embroidered stool and whispered, "Actually... what happened back then wasn’t like that..."As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, her weeping uncontrollable: "I never imagined I'd become the one who harms others... I truly never meant to hurt Yun Xiang. Though I disliked her when she stole my favor, I never intended her harm..."
"...That day, because of Concubine Yun, the master punished Third Miss with confinement. When Third Miss was finally released, she had become withdrawn. My heart ached for Third Miss, and my hatred for Concubine Yun grew... One day when the maids were absent, I went to the kitchen to check if her pregnancy tonic was ready... I saw two medicine chests. In a moment of madness... I only switched one portion! I never thought it would actually happen that the maid took the wrong medicine... After taking it, Yun Xiang went into premature labor and encountered complications. The child wasn't delivered alive..."
Concubine Du continued: "Actually... I've been filled with remorse all these years, constantly seeing Concubine Yun returning with her child to haunt me..."
She stared blankly at the sunlight outside the window, tears falling, "I kept comforting myself that it really wasn't my fault, that Concubine Yun simply lacked fortune!... Yet my heart remained heavy with guilt. Even seeing the master filled me with shame... After all, she died because of me..."
Jinchao listened silently. This was clearly no accident. Yet Concubine Du was pitiable too. Usually so cautious, she committed one small misdeed that unexpectedly led to catastrophe, completely transforming her...
Wiping her tears, Concubine Du smiled bitterly: "Eldest Miss, I'm not some great villain. Having done these things, I despise myself—I haven't slept peacefully in over ten years... It's good to confess. I'm willing to admit everything, if only you'll protect Third Miss hereafter. That would satisfy me completely."
After a long silence, Jinchao nodded: "Rest assured, I'll safeguard Yijie. But I have one more question for you, Concubine Du... How did Concubine Song learn of this matter?"
Concubine Du shook her head blankly: "...I don't know... Before she framed the mistress, she came to warn me not to speak carelessly, or she'd ruin Third Miss's marriage prospects. Naturally, I didn't dare oppose her..."
"You don't realize how utterly vicious Concubine Song is! As a legitimate daughter forced into concubinage, she's nursed grievances all these years... If you mean to deal with her, ensure she can never recover!..."
Gu Jinzhao nodded, saying: "...Don't worry, I understand. When the time is right, I'll inform you."
Now wasn't the moment for the final blow... but it was coming soon.
Walking back to Paulownia Courtyard, Jinchao noticed moss growing on the stone path, with paulownia trees casting broad shade in the distance. The sunlight was gentle, the breeze tranquil.
Gazing at the nearby lake with willow tendrils brushing its surface, she suddenly felt profound peace.
Though her mother had died, she would avenge her. Having been reborn, she intended to live well—heaven granted this opportunity, and she wouldn't waste it.
Two days later, when Gu Lan returned from temple visits, a maid came running to Paulownia Courtyard as her carriage reached the gate.
"...Second Miss has brought back Song Furen and is taking her to Waterside Pavilion now." After a pause, the maid added, "Song Furen tipped the coachmen two taels upon arrival, delighting them beyond measure!"Qingpu gave the little maid a box of pea cakes, and the girl skipped away delighted.
Mama Tong chuckled upon hearing this and said to Jinchao, "...Madam Song was originally the legitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant from Nanjing. Song Shaoqing was a scholar from a declining family who married her to ensure his scholarly pursuits wouldn't be hindered by financial constraints. After entering the household, Madam Song bore two daughters... Tai Furen couldn't stand it any longer and stopped the contraceptive decoctions for the bed warming maids, which eventually led to the birth of a bastard son. Later, when Madam Song became pregnant again, she gave birth to Song Yiniang."
"...Without bearing a son, her position was naturally unstable. Over the years, Song Shaoqing kept bringing concubines into the household one after another, and Madam Song dared not utter a word. Such a person is most afraid of being looked down upon by others. Lacking confidence, she puts on airs in everything she does..."
Jinchao nodded with a smile. The carriage driver was originally a servant of the Gu family—there was no need for Madam Song to tip him. It was simply her fear of being seen as inferior.
She then said, "...Go and find out how Father reacted."
Madam Song had come to the Gu residence with such fanfare—Father must have known.
Mama Tong returned quickly and reported to Jinchao, "...The master knows but hasn't said anything. He only instructed that Madam Song be well taken care of."
Jinchao understood her father's temperament. He disliked airing family matters in public and had no intention of discussing Madam Ji's affairs with Madam Song. It was easier to maintain a facade of harmony. Gu Lan truly knew him well—aware that he wouldn't intervene, she had deliberately invited Madam Song to flaunt her authority.
Mama Tong continued, "...Earlier, the little maid reported that as soon as Madam Song arrived at the Waterside Pavilion, she scolded all the maids and forced Cao Ying to kneel outside for three hours. She complained about the screen in the concubine's room and made the old maids replace it—what a commotion!"
Jinchao laughed. "It seems Gu Lan told her nothing. She still thinks Song Yiniang is the same as before, daring to order people around so imperiously."
Mama Tong hesitated before asking softly, "Then what do you plan to do?"
Madam Song was merely Song Yiniang's mother—she wasn't even considered part of the Gu family. Acting so boldly in the Gu residence was truly outrageous.
Moreover, as a visiting female guest, Madam Song should not have gone to see Song Yiniang first. What status did Song Yiniang have? Since Gu Dezhao couldn't receive her, she should have come to see Jinchao first. Yet Madam Song didn't care in the slightest.
If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain.
If Jinchao didn't pay Madam Song a visit and make it clear who truly managed the Gu household, it would seem inexcusable.
"She's a guest who has come from afar—naturally, I should pay my respects to the elder," Jinchao said with a smile.
Night had fallen, and the air was chilly with dew. Caifu, worried Jinchao might catch cold, helped her change into an olive-green satin cloak.
Qingpu carried a horn-glazed lantern, while Caifu, Baiyun, and Mama Xu followed behind Jinchao as the group made their way to the Waterside Pavilion.
Mama Xu said, "...Madam Song said she would stay the night in the east wing and ordered the servants to replace all the bedding and pillows with new ones. She claimed she couldn't stand Hangzhou silk covers and demanded Luzhou silk covers in lake green instead."
Jinchao found this even more amusing. Did Madam Song truly believe that with Mother gone, there was no one left to manage the Gu household?She laughed and said, "Not giving anything would make us seem stingy. If she brings up such requests again, just let her rummage through the storeroom herself! Whatever she finds is what she gets—let's see if she has the nerve to use it."
Mama Xu agreed, and the maids listening also pursed their lips in amusement.
PS:
Thank you to Fragrant Crispy Chips for the pink, and to Xi Mengying and ~Sweet~ for the Scented Sachets. ╭(╯3╰)╮
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