Chapter 14: Concubine Tao Meets with Misfortune
The monthly wages for the Xie family's menial servants weren't particularly high—just over five hundred wen.
An increase of fifty wen per month meant nearly an extra tael of silver per year. How could this not make people happy?
"Our lady is truly considerate of us servants."
"Our lady is the legitimate daughter of the general's household—why would she care about such small sums?"
"I really don't understand why the lady is having the eldest young lady manage household affairs. If this continues, the household will fall into chaos."
"Anyway, the eldest young lady will marry out sooner or later. The lady runs this household—what is there to fear?"
"I hope the eldest young lady marries soon."
"..."
He Shi, standing not far away, was fuming with rage.
Ping Jie'er had saved three hundred wen per month from each servant's wages, and now the lady was giving these servants a raise of fifty wen—wasn't this using Ping Jie'er's accomplishments to win favor for herself?
The lady was truly cunning, actually stepping on Ping Jie'er to build her own reputation and authority in the household.
If word got out that Ping Jie'er couldn't manage household affairs, what prominent family would still want to marry her as their matriarch?
Wei Ge'er was still injured and confined to bed, and now Ping Jie'er's reputation was nearly ruined. What exactly was the lady trying to do?
She couldn't wait until things reached an irreversible point to act—by then it would be too late.
He Shi's eyes darkened as she turned and left.
Not long after, a servant from the outer courtyard came to report: "Lady, just now Mother He personally went out to the medicine shop..."
A smile appeared on Yun Chu's face. "Bring the chicken soup we stewed at noon. We're going to Anshou Hall."
It was just after dinner, with dusk beginning to fall. The lanterns hadn't been lit yet in the courtyard, and passing servants would stop to respectfully greet her as "Lady."
They soon arrived at Anshou Hall. Two matrons stood guard at the entrance, while two maids were sweeping in the courtyard. Two more maids stood at the main door, and through the lifted curtain, two additional maids and matrons could be seen attending inside.
Just in Anshou Hall alone, over ten servants attended to the Old Madam.
They didn't have the family wealth for it, yet insisted on such extravagance.
Yun Chu curled her lips slightly and stepped inside.
The Old Madam sat in the main seat, with Madam Yuan Shi seated beside her. The two were chatting casually.
"So Mother is here too," Yun Chu said with a smile. "I only brought one bowl of chicken soup—this puts me in an awkward position."
The Old Madam said, "Your mother brought me a bowl of bird's nest with rock sugar when she came. I couldn't possibly drink more—let your mother have it."
Ting Shuang brought the chicken soup to Yuan Shi.
After taking a few sips, Yuan Shi praised the soup for being sweet, fragrant, and perfectly tender. Then she said, "Chu'er, how has Ping Jie'er been managing the household these past few days? I've been hearing some rumors..."
"Mother, have you forgotten that when I first took over the household affairs, I went through the same thing," Yun Chu replied. "When Ping Jie'er becomes a matriarch in the future, she'll inevitably face servants' deliberate challenges. Here in our Xie family, with my support and personal guidance, what is there for Mother to worry about?"
Yuan Shi looked comforted. "Jingyu's greatest achievement wasn't becoming the Number One Scholar, but marrying such a capable wife like you."
Yun Chu looked up at the Old Madam. "The Old Madam's birthday is coming up soon. This year, I plan to entrust the arrangements to Ping Jie'er. What does the Old Madam think?"
The Old Madam frowned slightly. "Is Ping Jie'er capable of handling it?""Isn't Yun Chu here?" Yuan Shi said with great assurance. "If Ping Jie'er makes any mistakes, Yun Chu can simply offer some guidance. There definitely won't be any problems."
After some thought, Old Madam spoke: "Very well."
Ping Jie'er's marriage was extremely important. If she married well, it would be a great asset to the Xie family. She absolutely must learn household management properly.
Yun Chu took a sip of tea and raised her eyes: "Old Madam, I heard from the servants that you sent some things to Wei Ge'er's courtyard this morning?"
Old Madam was momentarily speechless.
She had previously vowed not to interfere with Yun Chu's discipline of the children anymore, yet here she was, contradicting herself.
"Wei Ge'er has been spoiled and his temperament needs to be properly restrained," Yun Chu said. "I'll keep the things you sent for now. When Wei Ge'er shows improvement, I'll deliver them on your behalf."
Those items were originally things she had respectfully presented to Old Madam, so taking them back was perfectly justified.
Old Madam's expression darkened considerably.
The items sent to Wei Ge'er were all extremely rare and precious treasures, yet they had been taken away by her granddaughter-in-law just like that.
As the three were speaking, suddenly an old maidservant rushed in from outside: "Old Madam, something terrible has happened!"
Already irritated from her exchange with Yun Chu, Old Madam immediately vented her anger on the maidservant, shouting furiously: "I'm sitting here perfectly fine! How dare you say something terrible has happened? You have no sense of propriety!"
The maidservant slapped her own mouth and then said: "Concubine Tao has had an accident! She's bleeding heavily! This old servant has already taken the liberty of summoning a physician!"
Old Madam stood up abruptly: "The child is only six or seven months along! How could she be bleeding? Let's go check on her!"
Yun Chu and Yuan Shi quickly rose as well, following Old Madam to Concubine Tao's courtyard.
As the household authorities arrived, Concubine Tao's maid hurriedly paid respects: "Old Madam, Madam, Mistress. Concubine Tao started feeling unwell last night, but it was just some diarrhea and vomiting. Just now she suddenly complained of abdominal pain and started bleeding below..."
Though it wasn't yet time for delivery, all the women present understood what bleeding at this stage meant, and their expressions turned grave.
As they spoke, the physician arrived belatedly. The maid quickly ushered him inside to check Concubine Tao's pulse.
Before long, the physician emerged: "The concubine likely ate something improper that triggered fetal movement. Fortunately, she didn't consume much and has vomited most of it. With some pregnancy-preserving medicine and proper rest, the child should be preserved."
Old Madam breathed a sigh of relief.
As one grows older, one enjoys having children and grandchildren around. More descendants represent greater family prosperity, and she would be able to face her ancestors with pride after death.
Therefore, she wouldn't allow anything to happen to any child.
Old Madam spoke: "Bring everything Concubine Tao ate today for the physician to examine and determine what she consumed that was improper."
The maid hurried to retrieve the items - bringing what remained uneaten and listing what had been completely consumed for the physician's review.
"This chicken soup..." The physician's gaze fell on the mostly unfinished chicken soup. He dipped his finger in the broth to taste it, and his expression immediately changed. "Did the abdominal pain begin after drinking this soup?"
The maid nodded: "The concubine felt worse after a few sips of soup and put it down. As soon as she lay down, the abdominal pain and bleeding started..."
"There's saffron in this soup," the physician said with a grave expression. "Old Madam, you should investigate this matter thoroughly. If this happens again, this child definitely won't survive."After the physician left the prescription, he picked up his medicine chest and departed.
Old Madam had someone slip silver to the physician—a clear indication that she hoped he wouldn't spread the Xie family's dirty secrets.
Yuan Shi stepped forward, disbelief in her voice, "Isn't this the same as the chicken soup Chu'er brought earlier?"
Old Madam's gaze fell upon Yun Chu, filled with doubt and scrutiny.
Yun Chu met it without flinching: "I did bring the soup—one bowl to Ansou Hall, and the other to Concubine Tao."
Old Madam's face darkened: "The physician said there's saffron in the soup you delivered. How do you explain this?"
Yun Chu had been punishing several children these past few days. She had turned a blind eye, thinking it was for their own good.
She never imagined Yun Chu would resort to harming an unborn child...
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