Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 94: Threat

Concubine Song had been feeling increasingly exhausted and drowsy these past few days, her complexion also looking rather poor. Now lying on the large kang by the window, she could barely muster the strength to get up.

She said softly to Song Furen, "...When I was pregnant with Lan Er, I didn’t vomit much, but with this child, I’ve been retching several times a day! I’m truly exhausted. The day before yesterday, there was a bit of blood... I don’t know why..."

Song Furen comforted her, "Pregnancy often comes with discomfort like this. If the child is active, it might be a lively one—perhaps a boy! A little blood isn’t a big deal. Just have a physician check on you, and if they say it’s fine, then it’s fine..." Seeing how pale Concubine Song looked, she added sympathetically, "Even if you’ve made some mistakes, the child in your belly is still a member of the Gu family. How could they treat you so harshly? I just checked the small kitchen—there aren’t even any nourishing tonics prepared..."

Concubine Song was reluctant to let Gu Jinzhao call a physician now. She feared Gu Jinzhao might collude with the physicians to harm her child. Besides, the maids had already seen the bloodstained undergarments, yet none of them reported it to Gu Jinzhao—what did that say about Gu Jinzhao’s heart? As for the nourishing tonics, she had refused to take them herself. Nowadays, all her food was handled by Banlian, as she was afraid Gu Jinzhao might tamper with it.

She smiled and changed the subject, asking Song Furen about matters at home. It had been four or five years since she last returned.

Song Furen naturally missed her daughter dearly. Hearing from Gu Lan about how the Eldest Miss in this household held a grudge against Concubine Song and had incited maids and servants to target her, Song Furen’s anger flared, and she resolved to stand up for her daughter. That was why she had come with Gu Lan.

Now that Concubine Song asked about home, Song Furen eagerly shared, "...Your nephew by a concubine took the provincial examination. Though he didn’t pass, your father inquired privately—his essays were actually quite good, just lacking in phrasing... In three years, he should pass."

Gu Lan, listening nearby, couldn’t help but ask, "Grandmother, are you talking about Song Yan? I remember he used to give me pea cakes when we were little..."

Song Furen smiled. "Of course, it’s him. Among the concubine-born sons, he’s the most obedient, so I favor him a bit more. Thankfully, he’s also sensible—all these years, he’s never gone to see his birth mother." At this, Concubine Song felt a pang of sorrow.

What if this child of hers was taken away by Gu Jinzhao after birth? Would it grow up the same way, estranged from its own mother? But she couldn’t voice these worries in front of Song Furen.

Noticing her downcast expression, Song Furen grasped her hand and said, "Don’t you worry. As long as I’m here, no one will dare take your child!"

Concubine Song’s eyes reddened, and she clutched Song Furen’s hand, unable to speak.

Just then, Huang Li came in to announce that the Eldest Miss had arrived.

Song Furen’s eyelids lifted slightly, and she scoffed. "I didn’t want to see her, yet she comes knocking at my door."

Before arriving, she had already heard of the many things this Eldest Miss had done, and her resentment was at its peak.

When Jinchao entered, she saw a woman in her fifties seated on a brocade stool. The woman had a long chin, high cheekbones, and a rather sharp, unkind face. A closer look revealed that Concubine Song bore some resemblance to her. The woman wore false sideburns adorned with two gilded longevity hairpins and a pair of cloud-patterned hairpins inlaid with rubies. Her attire was a luxurious eggplant-purple python-patterned satin gown, making her look exceedingly opulent.Cao Ying was still kneeling on the brick floor outside, her knees swollen from the prolonged position as tears streamed down her face.

Jinchao entered with a smile and said, "Cao Ying. What are you still dawdling for? Bring me an embroidered stool."

Seeing the Eldest Miss arrive, Cao Ying knew her suffering was over. Gratefully, she called out "Eldest Miss," wiped her teary eyes, and scrambled up from the ground to fetch the stool for Jinchao.

Song Furen lowered her eyelids, and Gu Jinzhao pretended not to see her. Naturally, Song Furen reciprocated by ignoring Gu Jinzhao.

Her status was higher than Gu Jinzhao's, so by all rights, Gu Jinzhao should have greeted her first.

Song Furen sat unmoving like a mountain, but Gu Lan had no choice but to rise and curtsy to Gu Jinzhao. Concubine Song called out "Eldest Miss" and added, "Troubling you to come here so late at night. I'm not in a condition to move easily... so I won't stand to greet you properly."

Jinchao noticed Concubine Song hadn't budged an inch and nodded with a smile. "No need for formalities in your condition."

Once Cao Ying brought the stool and Jinchao had seated herself, Mama Xu finally spoke up cheerfully, "Eldest Miss, this is Song Furen from the Song family of Daxing. I believe you haven't met before?"

Jinchao seemed to notice Song Furen for the first time and smiled at her. "So you're Song Furen! Your magnificence truly dazzles. Look at you—arriving without even sending a maid to inform me. I could have prepared a guest room to welcome you properly."

Song Furen replied slowly, "I've been unwell lately and failed to pay my respects to the Eldest Miss of the Gu family. How improper of me." Yet she continued examining her henna-stained nails, frowning slightly as if dissatisfied with the fading color.

Jinchao then glanced at Gu Lan and asked, "Weren't you supposed to be offering incense at Ciguang Temple? How did you end up bringing Song Furen back? Did you disturb the peace of their household?"

Gu Lan's expression darkened, and Song Furen felt a pang of displeasure, lifting her head to retort.

But Jinchao chuckled first. "Please don't take offense. This sister of mine has quite a habit of lying! Claiming to visit Ciguang Temple, yet somehow ending up in Daxing—utterly lacking in discipline! No wonder I saw you punishing Cao Ying with kneeling outside. When the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will follow. If the mistress disregards rules, how can the maids abide by them? You punished her rightly—in my opinion, Lan Er deserves punishment too!"

Gu Lan was too furious to speak. Where she went was none of Gu Jinzhao's business! Just because she managed household affairs didn't mean she could control everything!

Though she dared not offend Gu Jinzhao, her resentment burned as she bit her lip in silence. Song Furen, however, couldn't bear to see Gu Lan humiliated and countered with a smile, "What kind of talk is this, Eldest Miss? Where Lan Er goes is hardly your concern. How would you even know she went to Daxing? She merely happened to meet me at Ciguang Temple. Storming in here to scold the Second Miss like this—aren't you afraid of disturbing Concubine Song's pregnancy?"

Her last words were suddenly sharp, startling several young maids into trembling.

Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is. Concubine Song was shrewder than Gu Lan, and this Song Furen was even more formidable.Jinchao raised her brows with a smile. "Since I'm now managing the inner household, it's only natural that I oversee Second Miss. If I don't, wouldn't she run wild? As for what you said—Concubine Song is with child and shouldn't be disturbed, yet you punished her maid and insisted on changing the screens in her room... I've heard that during pregnancy, nothing in the room should be moved carelessly, lest it disturb the fetus. Madam Song, isn't this rather malicious? Are you trying to harm Concubine Song's unborn child?"

Madam Song's face darkened, her teeth clenched in anger. "Eldest Miss, such words are too harsh!"

This Eldest Miss Gu was indeed sharp-tongued! After decades of navigating the inner household, even she couldn't gain the upper hand in this conversation.

Jinchao chuckled lightly. "How is it harsh? This is the Gu family, and I am the Eldest Miss of the Gu family. Whatever I say is justified. But look at you, Madam Song, strutting around the Gu household as if you own the place. One might think... you're the one running the Gu family!"

Madam Song choked on her anger and snapped, "Eldest Miss... I still respect you as Lan Er's elder sister. Don't push me too far..."

Jinchao soothed her gently. "Madam, don't get agitated. I'm merely reasoning with you—how is that pushing you?"

No sooner had she spoken than Concubine Song, who had been listening nearby, clutched her chest and suddenly began retching violently.

Banlian hurriedly fetched the spittoon. Concubine Song's face was deathly pale, her eyes sunken deeply, looking nothing like a woman with child. She vomited as if her very heart and lungs were being wrenched out, alarming even Madam Song, who rushed to pat her back.

Gu Jinchao stared at Concubine Song's state, momentarily stunned... It was almost time, she sighed inwardly.

Once the vomiting subsided, Madam Song glared coldly at Jinchao. "Eldest Miss, don't think holding the reins of management makes you invincible. Let me tell you—even if your mother was truly killed by Miaohua, I could still have Miaohua elevated to the main wife! You're just a little girl. You can throw your weight around, but when it comes to schemes, you're far outmatched!... The concubine is unwell. Leave now. And remember—stay out of Waterside Pavilion's affairs, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Mama Xu couldn't hold back and was about to speak, but Jinchao grasped her hand and smiled at Madam Song. "I'll remember your words, Madam Song. I hope you'll remember mine too."

She left Waterside Pavilion with her maids.

Gazing at the darkened night sky, Jinchao asked Mama Xu, "Is Father at Chrysanthemum Willow Pavilion?"

Mama Xu nodded. Jinchao smiled. "Good. I'll speak with Father first. You go fetch Concubine Du."

Mama Xu's heart skipped a beat. "You mean to..."

"Concubine Song's condition is nearly there... Since Madam Song is here, we ought to give her a proper show," Jinchao said coolly.

When Jinchao arrived, Gu Dezhao had just finished dinner, attended by Shui Ying, and was preparing to read in his study.

Delighted to hear of his daughter's visit, he eagerly pulled her over to admire a piece of his calligraphy. Jinchao praised it warmly, and Gu Dezhao beamed like a child. "...If you like it, I'll write more and have them mounted for you!"He was in a rare good mood, so Jinchao stayed a while longer to chat with Gu Dezhao before bringing up the matter of Song Furen: "...I heard that today, the wife of the Song family from Daxing came to visit Father and also met with Concubine Song. The maids from Waterside Pavilion told me that Song Furen scolded all the maids and servants and even made them kneel in punishment. When I went to see for myself, Song Furen also reprimanded me. Daughter finds this truly inappropriate—after all, Song Furen is not a member of the Gu family... I wonder what Father thinks?"

When Gu Dezhao heard Jinchao mention Song Furen, he was momentarily stunned. After a pause, he said, "She is, after all, the wife of the Song family and the matriarch of their clan. How can I say anything? She’ll only be staying for a few days. Just avoid getting involved with Waterside Pavilion during this time..."

Though Jinchao had expected her father to respond this way, she couldn’t help feeling angry upon hearing it. Just ignore it? If Song Furen wanted to replace all the maids and servants at Waterside Pavilion with her own people, was she supposed to stand by and watch? Ultimately, her father’s heart was too soft—always indulging Concubine Song time and again.

She said quietly, "Father, what place does this leave for my mother? Mother died tragically, yet Concubine Song lives well... Now, by letting Song Furen support Concubine Song, does Father intend to elevate her to the position of wife in the future, completely forgetting Mother’s death?"

Gu Dezhao quickly defended himself, "How could I ever think of elevating her!... But today, Song Furen also spoke to me. It’s true that Concubine Song was at fault—she harmed Madam Ji, but Madam Ji didn’t die because of her... Besides, she’s now carrying a child of the Gu family, and the pregnancy has been difficult. Even if I don’t want to see her or elevate her... I can’t mistreat her in other ways. At the very least, I must wait until she gives birth."

"Chaojie, don’t overthink it. Concubine Song is sincerely repentant now. Even if she stays in the Gu household in the future, she’ll only be living a life of prayer and abstinence. I will never let her become the mistress, nor will I let her raise the child..."

Before Gu Dezhao could finish, Gu Jinchao’s heart had already turned cold.

She stared at him icily and asked, "You say Mother wasn’t killed by Concubine Song?"

Gu Dezhao felt there was something wrong with her words and sighed helplessly. "Chaojie, I also despise her deeply for harming Madam Ji. But I can’t blame her entirely for Madam Ji’s death. If anyone is to blame, it’s me. I knew your mother was in poor health, yet I still said such harsh words to her... In truth, I’ve thought a lot about this. Concubine Song merely brought Yu Ping over—I’m the one who truly harmed your mother..."

Jinchao shook her head with a bitter smile. "Father, you’ve underestimated Concubine Song far too much."

He actually believed Mother’s death had little to do with Concubine Song? She had no idea what Song Furen had said to him!

Furious yet strangely calm, she bowed slightly to Gu Dezhao and said, "Father, there’s one more thing I came to tell you—something directly related to Mother’s death..."

PS:

Edited for a long time and finally caught up. This chapter was so long—votes, please!