Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 98: Concubine Tao's Premature Birth

Yun Chu had just left the study.

Xie Jingyu immediately headed to the courtyard where He Shi resided in Bi He Garden.

He Shi was doing embroidery work when she saw Xie Jingyu arrive. She stood up in disbelief: "Why has my lord come here?"

Since becoming a concubine of the Xie residence, the lord had never set foot in her courtyard, and she hadn't dared to hope for anything.

Having never expected this visit, she naturally felt pleasantly surprised.

She quickly served tea and respectfully handed it to Xie Jingyu.

Xie Jingyu took the tea and drank a sip, his eyes fixed on He Shi.

The year he met He Shi, he was only fourteen years old. At that time, she still went by the surname He.

Now he was twenty-eight, and she was the same age. However, over the years, she had given birth and raised children, later entering the Xie residence as a servant, toiling day and night. Additionally, she deliberately wore dull-colored clothing to make herself look at least thirty-five years old.

If she were to change into light pink, pale yellow, or similar dresses, put on some jewelry, and apply makeup, she would look exactly like Ping Jie'er.

He Shi felt uneasy under his gaze: "My lord?"

Xie Jingyu spoke: "Haven't you noticed that Ping Jie'er looks more and more like you?"

He Shi's fingers stiffened: "My lord, I have done my best to conceal it."

She wore the ugliest clothes, never applied makeup, and aside from a single silver hairpin, never wore any other jewelry.

Even though she was neglected by the lord, she dared not dress up flamboyantly to compete for favor... precisely because she feared others would discover she was Ping Jie'er's biological mother.

"From now on, aside from daily greetings, stay in your courtyard and don't go out," Xie Jingyu stood up. "It's said that Yun Ge'er is ill. Where is he?"

He Shi's expression froze.

Had the lord come here just to see Yun Ge'er?

Suppressing a bitter smile, she led Xie Jingyu into the side room, gently pushing the door open. Xie Shiyun was sleeping on the bed.

At the sound of movement, Xie Shiyun woke up. Seeing Xie Jingyu enter, he disregarded everything else, tumbled off the bed, grabbed Xie Jingyu's sleeve, and cried, "Father, I want to return to my concubine mother."

Xie Jingyu helped him up: "Your concubine mother has made a mistake. Once she corrects it, I will let her come to fetch you."

He Shi breathed a sigh of relief.

With Yun Ge'er staying with her, all his allowances were also sent to Bi He Garden. Her finances were already tight, and Yun Ge'er's monthly stipend could solve many problems.

"Yun Ge'er, stop crying," He Shi stepped forward. "When you're feeling better, I'll take you to see Concubine Yu."

Xie Shiyun sobbed loudly. If his father wouldn't agree, who else could he beg?

Already ill, he cried himself to sleep.

"My lord, Yun Ge'er is just being fussy because he caught a cold. It's nothing serious," He Shi said. "It's almost dinner time. Would my lord like to stay for a meal at Bi He Garden?"

Xie Jingyu's expression remained cold: "No need."

He strode out of Bi He Garden.

Shortly after, the young maid at the door returned to report: "Concubine, the lord has gone to Concubine Yu's courtyard."

He Shi clenched her fingers, took out a piece of broken silver, and tossed it to the young maid: "Keep watching. Report again when the lord leaves."

The young maid took the silver and happily went to carry out her task.

"It seems I've truly underestimated you."

He Shi's face darkened.She had thought the master was too busy to stay for a meal at her place, but never expected him to head straight to that little vixen Ting Yu’s courtyard instead.

Glancing at the side room where Xie Shiyun resided, she recalled the words Concubine Tao had whispered behind her back—that she and Ping Jie’er looked alike—and a thought quietly surfaced in her mind.

Ting Yu’s courtyard was small and remote, with the sole advantage of having its own private kitchen.

She had prepared some delicious and delicate dishes and specifically sent a maid to invite Xie Jingyu over. To her surprise, he came as soon as she asked.

Over the years, she had felt too guilty toward the mistress to use her culinary skills to compete for favor. But now, for Yun Ge’er’s sake, she had to pull out all the stops.

"Master, please try this sweet and sour radish."

Ting Yu stood by the dining table, attending to Xie Jingyu as he ate.

Xie Jingyu was not a man driven by desire—whether physical or culinary—and kept both within reasonable bounds.

But with the recent hot weather sapping his appetite, and knowing Ting Yu’s skill in the kitchen, he had followed the maid over. Sure enough, the table full of delicacies made his mouth water, and he finished a whole bowl of rice in one go.

After the meal, the sky had darkened. Ting Yu rested her hand on Xie Jingyu’s shoulder and said, "Master, you’ve worked hard all day. Allow this humble one to serve you properly."

Xie Jingyu’s expression remained indifferent. "I know exactly what’s on your mind."

Wasn’t it just to beg him to relent and let Yun Ge’er return?

Ting Yu’s face stiffened. She lowered her head and said, "Master, this humble one only wishes to see Yun Ge’er more often. I beg you to grant me this opportunity."

Xie Jingyu considered himself a responsible father. Having just seen Xie Shiyun, he had actually softened a little.

How could a three-year-old child do without his birth mother?

He spoke, "If you behave yourself, Yun Ge’er will naturally return to your courtyard sooner or later."

Overjoyed by his words, Ting Yu attended to Xie Jingyu with even greater devotion.

Xie Jingyu, thriving in his endeavors by day and indulged by his concubine at night, could only sigh inwardly at how worthwhile life felt.

That night, Ting Yu too felt deeply satisfied.

At some unknown hour, a maid suddenly knocked on the door.

Ting Yu opened her eyes and looked out the window—it was still dark outside.

She hurriedly threw on her clothes and stepped out, scolding in a low voice, "Can’t you see the master is still resting? What’s with all the knocking? Have you no sense?"

The master rarely had a day off, and she wanted him to rest well. When he woke, he could directly enjoy the nourishing five-grain stomach-soothing porridge she had simmered.

"Concubine, it’s terrible! Something has happened!" The little maid was on the verge of tears. "Concubine Tao is going into labor!"

Ting Yu frowned.

By her calculations, Concubine Tao should still have a month left before her due date. Why was she giving birth so soon?

But perhaps it was because Concubine Tao’s sharp tongue had brought her no goodwill, and her lack of virtue had caused the child to come early—served her right.

She said softly, "If Concubine Tao is in labor, seek out the mistress. She will handle it. The master is a man—what help could he offer?"

The little maid anxiously replied, "Concubine Tao went into early labor because Third Young Master pushed her and she fell! There’s so much blood!"

"What did you say?" Ting Yu’s composure shattered. "How could Yun Ge’er, a mere child, push Concubine Tao and make her fall? Who in the world would pin the blame on a three-year-old? No, I must go and see!"At that moment, Xie Jingyu inside the inner chamber was awakened by the noise and called out, "What's going on?"

Ting Yu quickly turned back: "Sir, the maid said Concubine Tao was pushed and fell by Yun Ge'er, causing premature labor. Yun Ge'er lives in the Lotus Garden, which is so far from Concubine Tao's residence. Moreover, Yun Ge'er is still ill—how could he possibly commit such an outrageous act? Sir, please go quickly and see to it that justice is done for Yun Ge'er."

Xie Jingyu immediately rose to his feet.

Premature labor for a woman was no trivial matter.

He still remembered how Yun Chu had also fallen back then and gone into premature labor, bleeding so much blood...