Chapter 36: Lifted from Confinement
The screen before her was embroidered by the least skilled seamstress Yun Chu could find, completed in just one day.
This was her birthday gift for Xie Laotaitai, costing less than two taels of silver in total.
Over the past four or five years, she had exhausted her creativity in selecting gifts for the Old Madam's birthday. The first year, she presented a coral pot worth eight hundred taels; the second year, she personally helped craft a complete set of emerald and gold-thread hair accessories; the third year... In short, each birthday gift consumed both time and money. Looking back, she felt it truly wasn't worth it.
Take this screen, for example. Though rather unsightly, as long as she claimed to have embroidered it herself, no one would dare criticize it. Instead, they might even praise her for her filial devotion.
Yun Chu instructed the servants to put the screen away as maids brought in the dinner dishes one by one.
She had ordered a table of light dishes that children would enjoy, along with a steamed fish. She personally picked out the bones for Chu Hongyu and placed the fish in his bowl.
Chu Hongyu stood on his chair to reach the table, stretching out his little arm to serve Yun Chu a bowl of chicken soup.
After dinner, the little one picked up his book to continue reading. The "Three Character Classic," which he had previously struggled to read smoothly, he could now recite most of it, albeit haltingly.
Yun Chu instructed Ting Shuang to carefully accompany the child while he studied, then stood up and headed for the small temple within the Xie residence.
Only a young nun and He Shi resided in this temple. Fearing that He Shi might cause trouble again, Xie Jingyu had ordered two matrons to guard the entrance.
Seeing Yun Chu approach, the two matrons hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Madam."
Yun Chu said calmly, "Has He Shi been behaving herself these days?"
One matron replied, "She's been lying in her room all day nursing her injuries. Whatever meals are sent in, she finishes them all. She's been quite docile."
Yun Chu nodded and stepped inside. Ting Feng went forward and pushed open He Shi's door.
He Shi was lying down embroidering something. When she saw Yun Chu, her expression shifted, but she quickly got down from the bed and bowed in submission.
Ting Feng picked up the embroidered item and handed it to Yun Chu.
Yun Chu glanced at it and smiled. "Nanny He, even while confined here, you still think of embroidering a birthday gift for the Old Madam. Such devotion is truly commendable."
He Shi lowered her eyes. "This forehead band just needs half a day more to finish. Could Madam be so gracious as to have someone deliver it to the Old Madam for me?"
"This is a birthday gift you embroidered yourself. It would be more appropriate for you to deliver it personally." Yun Chu's voice was gentle. "The Old Madam's birthday is a rare occasion for joy, so I'll lift your confinement for this one day. But remember, no mischief."
He Shi could hardly believe it.
She had schemed to frame the Madam for poisoning Concubine Tao, which led to her confinement, and now the Madam was voluntarily lifting her confinement for a day?
She didn't dare rejoice too soon, feeling that something unfortunate must be awaiting her.
After saying this, Yun Chu turned and walked out.
Returning to Sheng Residence, she found Chu Hongyu already asleep. The little one still clutched his book, murmuring in his sleep. Listening closely, she realized he was still reciting the "Three Character Classic."
She chuckled softly, took the book from him, removed his clothes, tucked him in, and lay down beside him to sleep.
She slept soundly through the night and woke to find the sky already bright.
Turning her head, she noticed the little one was no longer beside her, and her heart suddenly felt empty.
Ting Shuang said with a smile, "The Young Son woke up very early. He said today is his last day at the Xie residence and he wants to give you a gift, Madam."Yun Chu followed Ting Shuang quietly to the side hall, where she saw the little one holding a piece of wood in one hand and a short knife in the other, carving.
He looked utterly focused, as if engaged in some grand undertaking.
Yun Chu began to ponder—what should she give this child?
"Madam, the concubines have come to pay their respects."
Ting Shuang stayed in the side hall to watch the child while Yun Chu went to the front hall.
Concubine Jiang, Concubine Tao, Concubine Yu, along with several young masters and misses were all present.
"Madam looks well, it seems you've fully recovered," Concubine Jiang said with a smile. "Just in time to attend Old Madam's birthday banquet."
"Speaking of the banquet," Yun Chu began, "I'd like to ask Ping Jie'er—is everything ready for tomorrow? If there are any matters you're uncertain about, we can discuss them now."
Xie Ping replied, "Old Madam has been personally overseeing the banquet preparations. Everything is ready. Mother needn't trouble yourself with these trivial matters."
Old Madam had said that after the banquet concluded, all household management authority currently in Mother's hands would be transferred to her. Until her marriage, she would oversee everything in the Xie residence. For an unmarried young lady to manage the household efficiently would be a significant advantage when arranging a marriage...
Yun Chu didn't inquire further about the banquet matters, instead asking each concubine and child about their recent circumstances.
Concubine Tao's pregnancy was becoming more pronounced—she was likely to give birth during the hottest part of summer.
Concubine Jiang had started having Xian Jie'er learn characters and reading, beginning her education.
Not to be outdone, Concubine Yu had sent Yun Ge'er to the residence's small school to study with the tutor.
Xie Shiwei had become much more subdued since receiving household punishment last time, sitting quietly during the greetings without saying a word.
After the group conversed for a while, they dispersed.
After leaving Sheng Residence, Xie Shiyun tugged on Concubine Yu's sleeve and asked, "Concubine Mother, does Mother not like me anymore? Is it because she has another child?"
Concubine Yu shook her head. Madam hadn't just cooled toward Yun Ge'er—she had become similarly distant toward both the elder and second young masters. Even the Master had been slapped...
To be honest, even though she had served Madam since childhood and knew her habits intimately, she still couldn't discern what Madam intended to do now.
"Concubine Mother, I saw another child in Mother's courtyard," Xie Shiyun whispered. "Yesterday when I came to play near Mother's courtyard, I heard a child's voice inside—a boy's voice. I waited and waited, and finally saw a boy come out from the side hall, about my age... It must be because of this child that Mother doesn't like me anymore!"
This didn't sound like a fabricated story. Concubine Yu looked astonished: "You really saw this?"
Xie Shiyun nodded vigorously.
Concubine Yu's hand tightened abruptly.
This child was likely from some branch of the Yun family. Could it be that since Madam had no children of her own, she intended to adopt one from the Yun family?
If Madam were to raise a child who shared her bloodline, then her Yun Ge'er would never be able to win Madam's favor again.
Did Old Madam know about this? Did the Lady know? Did the Master know?
Tomorrow was Old Madam's birthday banquet. Was Madam planning to reveal this child during the celebration?
Various thoughts raced through Concubine Yu's mind, but she dared not take any action because she remained uncertain of Madam's intentions...
As Yun Chu approached the side hall, the little one quickly hid what he was holding: "Mother, don't look at me. I'll give you a surprise later.""Alright then, I'll be waiting." She sat by the window and began busying her hands as well.
She was also preparing a farewell gift for the little one.
This was the final day. Just thinking about how the child would leave the Xie family tomorrow, an unexpected trace of reluctance quietly bloomed in her heart.
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