Thinking carefully, Gu Jin Rong’s expression darkened. He truly hadn’t considered the points Jin Chao raised. He had come immediately after Second Sister mentioned it, without considering whether the matter was true or false, without considering either person’s face. His actions had indeed been somewhat rash. If word reached his father’s ears, he would be scolded again.
Jin Chao, seeing him silent, his still childish and handsome face alternating between red and white, felt she should let Gu Jin Rong think for himself. She softened her tone and said, “Mother is still ill. If she hears that you and I are not getting along and have caused trouble, how can her health improve? If you don’t like me, that’s fine, but you must care about mother. After all, the blood flowing in our veins is the same.”
After a moment, Gu Jin Rong asked, “…Then, Elder Sister, is it true that you forcibly took this maid from Second Sister?”
Jin Chao simply said, “This maid is outside the door now. Let me have her come in and speak.”
She walked straight out of the study door. After a while, Gu Jin Rong saw a very tall maid enter. She first kowtowed to him in greeting, then began to speak: “This servant Qing Pu was originally Young Miss’s personal maid. Later, this servant made a mistake, and Young Miss punished me. A few days ago, seeing this servant at Second Miss’s place and feeling nostalgic, considering that this servant had already reformed, she allowed this servant to return and continue serving her.”
Qing Pu spoke steadily, not even raising her eyelids.
Gu Jin Rong saw that this maid was indeed one who had always been by Jin Chao’s side before.
He also noticed she wore jade bracelets and had two gold-threaded pearl flower ornaments in her hair. Though simple in style, these were not ordinary items, suggesting the maid was well-treated here.
He continued to ask: “Are you willingly following the Young Miss?”
Qing Pu smiled faintly and said, “This servant has always belonged to Young Miss. I did rough work in Second Miss’s small kitchen for a year, my hands covered in wounds. Naturally, I want to continue following Young Miss. At least Young Miss treats me very well.”
Gu Jin Rong’s brow twitched slightly: “You did rough work in the small kitchen?”
Qing Pu opened her hands, her voice still steady: “This servant was originally pampered, but Second Miss helped me develop thick skin. Rough work truly tempers a person. Chopping firewood with bare hands—Young Master has surely never seen a maid do such work?”
A pair of hands once fine and white now had interlacing scars across the palms, deep and shallow, even blurring the palm lines.
It was quite shocking to see.
After leaving Qingtong Courtyard, Gu Jin Rong immediately went to Cuixuan Courtyard. He wanted to get to the bottom of this. He couldn’t believe that his always gentle Second Sister would mistreat someone who had originally served Elder Sister. If it were true… then Second Sister’s intentions would be clear.
Gu Lan hadn’t expected him to return so quickly. She wondered whether he had quarreled with Gu Jin Chao or had actually brought Qing Pu back—either outcome would please her. But Gu Jin Rong’s expression was very unpleasant as he headed toward her…
Had he been upset by Gu Jin Chao? Or… had he discovered something?
Thinking of Gu Jin Chao, whom she found increasingly unfathomable lately, Gu Lan became wary. Her thoughts quickly settled as she went to greet him.
“What’s happened to our Rong that makes him so hurried!”
Seeing Gu Lan’s gentle, flowing smile, Gu Jin Rong’s heart calmed somewhat. He said softly, “Second Sister… I have something to ask you. Let’s speak in the study.”
After hearing what Gu Jin Rong said, Gu Lan was also surprised: “I didn’t know the people in the small kitchen treated her so harshly! Originally, when Gu Jin Chao drove her out without giving her anything, I felt sorry for her and kept her in Cuixuan Courtyard… I intended to treat her well and find her a good match. I never expected such a thing to happen at my place…” Her little face paled, tears faintly gathering in her eyes. “I have failed her, and I was worried that Elder Sister wouldn’t like her if she went back. That’s why I wanted to keep her…”
Seeing Second Sister so remorseful, Gu Jin Rong’s earlier doubts somewhat dissipated.
After all, they had shared the bond of siblings for many years, and he knew Second Sister’s character. She wouldn’t even step on an ant, how could she deliberately mistreat a maid? With his heart slightly relieved, Gu Jin Rong comforted her: “Second Sister, please don’t cry… Your intentions to save her were good. This isn’t entirely your fault. If you keep crying, Concubine Song will certainly be distressed when she sees you… If you’re afraid of wronging Elder Sister, I can prepare some gifts for that maid. Elder Sister probably won’t blame you.”
After Gu Jin Rong left, Jin Chao ate the pastries she had made. They had grown cold, but the taste was still good.
Qing Pu was massaging her legs. Since standing in the snow for a long time that day, her legs had been faintly aching.
“Do you think the Young Master will doubt Second Miss?” she asked.
Jin Chao said, “I don’t know… Since Gu Jin Rong can be swayed so easily by a few words from me, he can certainly be swayed just as easily by Gu Lan. He’s still young, how can he truly discern? I only hope some doubt remains in his heart. Even a little would be good.”
She added, “I made two portions of pastries earlier. Put the other portion in a food box, and we’ll take it to mother.”
Carrying the food box to Xiexiao Garden, they found mother sleeping. Half an hour later, mother woke up and lay on the arhat bed chatting with Jin Chao about family matters.
The New Year was approaching. Last year, mother had managed the household, but this year it would likely be Concubine Song. Still, Ji shi had instructed her to assist Concubine Song. She should learn these things, so she wouldn’t be at a loss when managing a household at her future husband’s home.
“We should make two more silver hairpieces for you. I’ve noticed your clothes and ornaments have been simple lately. Have you grown tired of the old ones?” Ji shi asked with a smile.
Jin Chao knew her mother doted on her and smiled back: “I just feel too much luxury isn’t good. Daughter’s storeroom is already full of things, there’s no need to make more.”
Ji shi said, “The Ji family has a gold and silver shop in Changzhou Prefecture with many skilled craftsmen. Their craftsmanship in making gold hairpieces and ornaments is excellent… Many relatives of officials and nobles order from them. You’ve been of age for half a year now, yet you don’t care to dress up. This won’t do… Mother has a box of rubies, transparent and rich red, a rare quality item. Would it be good to make two sets of gold hairpieces for my Jin Chao, and add a pair of gold filigree grasshopper ornaments?” She spoke with great enthusiasm, her spirits notably improved. “…Use twelve taels of gold, with lotus and auspicious cloud patterns…”
Jin Chao found it both amusing and exasperating—twelve taels of gold, wouldn’t that be too heavy to wear on one’s head! But seeing her mother in such good spirits, she didn’t refuse.
Not seeing Concubine Song, Jin Chao asked Madam Xu about her.
“With the New Year approaching, the master has fewer matters at court. Concubine Song is probably accompanying the master,” Madam Xu replied with a smile.
Gu Jin Chao’s heart tightened. If Concubine Song continued to spend day and night with father, pregnancy would be just a matter of time. If mother truly met with misfortune, and Concubine Song gave birth to a boy, becoming the main mistress would be effortless. At that point, it would be much harder for her to overthrow Concubine Song!
But this was not something she could prevent… If only there was a way to keep them from spending day and night together.
Ji shi, however, didn’t mind: “…The master needs someone to attend to him, and Concubine Song has a good temperament. She needn’t come here often… Madam Xu, go to Juliuge Pavilion and relay a message later. Say that with the New Year approaching, Concubine Song should remain by the master’s side to serve him and needn’t come here.”
Jin Chao’s brow furrowed as she grasped her mother’s hand and said, “That must not happen.”
Ji shi was puzzled. She was ill and unable to serve personally, so it was perfectly natural and proper for a concubine to serve the master.
Jin Chao had Madam Xu take the maids out and close the door before saying softly, “Mother, if you were to select a concubine for Father, do you have someone in mind?”
It was evening when Gu Jin Chao finally left.
After seeing Jin Chao out, Madam Xu had a little maid come in to change the already cold brazier. She noticed Ji shi’s expression was vacant.
Concerned, she went to Ji shi’s side and tucked in her brocade quilt: “The madam is rarely lost in thought.”
Ji shi smiled: “Zhao has grown up and understands that fate can be shaped by human efforts…”
Madam Xu sensed that Ji shi wanted to tell her something, and indeed, Ji shi continued: “Jin Chao asked me to help select another concubine for her father. Family background and virtue need not be considered too much; being obedient and docile, with good looks, is most important.”
Madam Xu was inwardly shocked. The Young Miss was indeed raised by her maternal grandmother—how boldly she acted! Who else would suggest selecting a concubine for their father, especially an unmarried young lady? If word got out, it would affect the young lady’s reputation.
But seeing that Ji shi didn’t seem angry, she asked, “What do you think?”
Ji shi closed her eyes wearily: “I don’t completely trust Concubine Song, but I do believe she is gentle and virtuous, with a rare thoughtfulness and ability to care for others. But Jin Chao doesn’t trust Concubine Song at all and is completely on guard… I don’t know if this child has heard something from others or if these are her own thoughts…”
Madam Xu said, “Do you think… someone is gossiping around the Young Miss?”
Ji shi nodded: “Her personality has become much gentler recently, yet she’s smarter and more strategically minded. If there isn’t someone instructing her, how could she change so much? I still understand my child.”
Madam Xu hesitated: “Then should this servant…”
Ji shi said, “No need. This is something I’m willing to see… Just help her select the stewards she wants to meet.”