HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 5

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 5

After so many years, to tell it in detail would be quite a long story.

Matron Tao began from the day Consort Jin entered the household. She and several other elderly servants had been assigned to serve at Danyue Pavilion from the very beginning, so she remembered clearly how Consort Jin had lived with the Xie family. Consort Jin was beautiful, with that typical southern beauty – a rosy complexion, delicate features, and an air of natural refinement. Who in the world doesn’t love beauty? Though Master Xie Shu was a military officer, he was well-read and could compose writings as well as any scholar. As for Consort Jin, although she came from a humble background, she was also literate and wrote with an excellent hand. This especially earned the master’s deep affection.

Every relationship has its promising beginnings. In the first two years after the consort entered the household, the two were inseparable, their delicate sentiments beyond description. However, those who enjoy such favor inevitably attract jealousy. At that time, the master already had one wife and two concubines, all of whom had borne sons and daughters. Consort Jin was alone in this vast residence, and in places beyond the master’s attention, she suffered countless silent grievances.

“Suffering grievances would have been bearable if the master had remained devoted. At that time, before he took up his post in Jiannandao while serving as the Military Commander in Shengzhou, his subordinates curried favor by presenting him with Consort Xia, who was skilled in singing and dancing. Gradually, Consort Jin fell out of favor,” Matron Tao shook her head repeatedly with sighs. “People say that in great households, the competition for favor between wives and concubines can be deadly – indeed, trouble arose immediately. Not long after Consort Xia began serving the master, she became pregnant and gave birth to the Third Young Lady. After her confinement period, she complained daily of stomach pains, and within half a year, she suddenly died. Later, xiamaxian was found in the medicinal soup that Consort Xia regularly consumed. When the master investigated, piece by piece the evidence pointed to Consort Jin. A young maid also testified that Consort Jin had ordered someone to buy that herb, claiming it was for reducing water retention and swelling. Consort Jin could not defend herself against these accusations and was ultimately driven out of the Xie family.”

Qingyuan sat there listening quietly, her hands and feet growing cold. “Why would my mother want to harm Consort Xia? Was it just for a favor?”

Matron Tao said, “That’s what they say – don’t all the madams and consorts in the household live for the master’s favor? Think about it, Young Lady – with your mother’s extraordinary beauty, how could she not have a chance to rise again? To put it crudely, a woman who hasn’t borne children is different from one who has. The master didn’t lack for heirs, so he would have eventually returned to Danyue Pavilion.”

“If that’s the case, there was even less reason to kill Consort Xia.” Qingyuan fell silent for a moment before continuing, “The most favored one died, and the other was driven out. Now that both thorns in their sides were removed, true peace was achieved – truly killing two birds with one stone.”

Matron Tao smiled helplessly. In a great household, those with strong foundations couldn’t be removed, while newcomers without backing could be crushed at will.

Qingyuan’s mind was in chaos, her fingers tightly wrapping her handkerchief until her knuckles lost their color. She couldn’t imagine how her mother had been so hastily condemned back then. Based on medicine dregs in Consort Xia’s medicine pot and the testimony of one small maid, her mother was branded a murderous poisoner and driven from the Xie family without explanation. If her mother hadn’t unknowingly been with the child, she might never have had the chance to come into this world.

She plunged into that whirlpool of thoughts, gritting her teeth: “If someone commits murder, they should pay with their life. Why was she only driven out? It makes no sense.”

Matron Tao explained: “I suppose it was to preserve the family’s reputation. The Xie family has held official positions for generations. If it had been reported to the authorities, causing a huge scandal, it would have brought shame to the master. So they only said externally that Consort Xia had accidentally taken the wrong medicine and died from it, but how could they stop the endless gossip? The master originally wanted to have Consort Jin executed, but the Madam pleaded for mercy, and that’s how she kept her life.”

Qingyuan let out a long sigh. Hearing this, she finally understood that Madam Hu had been the cleverest. Xie Shu still had feelings for her mother – if he had killed her in anger, he would surely have regretted it after calming down. When people regret, they harbor resentment, and they would certainly remember those who hadn’t tried to stop them at the time. Madam Hu recognized this point, so she preferred to play the role of a kind person and gain a reputation for virtue. Either way, once someone was driven out, they couldn’t return – the Old Madam wouldn’t allow it.

So being a concubine was truly a matter of life and death. No wonder everyone wanted to be the principal wife – since even as a concubine one couldn’t maintain endless favor, it was better to secure a good position to suppress those who came after.

Qingyuan released her hands. The gentle breeze blew in through the gaps in the bamboo blinds, and her mind gradually became clearer. She collected herself and asked, “That maid who accused my mother – where is she now?”

Matron Tao said, “After the consort was driven out, the gates of Danyue Pavilion were sealed, and the servants who had attended there were reassigned to various places. I couldn’t say where they went.”

Baoxian, who had been listening silently, saw the young lady’s unyielding expression and softly advised: “Try to let it go. So many years have passed. If that maid truly was instructed to falsely accuse the consort, after the incident she was either killed or sold far away. How could she still be in Shengzhou?”

Qingyuan felt distressed, standing up to pace aimlessly around the room, muttering, “I just want to know who was behind it all, who caused my mother to suffer these years of injustice.”

Two lives were lost at that person’s hands, and even now her mother had to bear the criminal charges others had forced upon her, living with a guilty conscience. Thinking about it deeply, it truly was unbearable.

Matron Tao pondered for a moment and said, “Young Lady, please be patient while I think of a way. I’ve been in this household for over thirty years and still know some people. I can make inquiries everywhere; there might be news.” She paused, observing Qingyuan’s expression before continuing, “But I must also advise the Young Lady that in life there are many great storms. Although such old matters cut deep, you should take better care of yourself. Even if we discover who did it, what then? The Madam and the two consorts’ sons and daughters are all grown now. For their sake, the master won’t pursue the matter further.”

Qingyuan nodded, “I understand, Matron, don’t worry.”

She just wanted to find out who that person was. As for what to do afterward, that would be her decision.

Matron Tao curtsied and slowly withdrew. Baoxian saw her standing lost in thought by the latticed window and called out, “Young Lady, you rose early today. Since there’s nothing urgent now, why not rest for half an hour?”

She didn’t respond, still standing there blankly. Outside, the morning mist had been scattered by the wind, making the sky clear. She stared for a while before finally turning away, saying, “It’s time for Old Madam’s medicine.”

She left Danyue Pavilion, heading to the corridor outside Huifang Garden. Baoxian followed behind, not understanding why she was still bothered when the Old Madam showed no appreciation.

The little maid in charge of tending the fire saw her come again and curtsied, holding her fan. She was about to tell Fourth Young Lady to rest when she heard her say, “I’ll brew the medicine. When it’s done, you can have Yuejian take it to Old Madam.”

The little maid hesitantly answered “Yes,” wondering to herself. Among all the masters and young ladies in the household, usually, none bothered to show filial piety, not even for appearance’s sake. Unlike Fourth Young Lady, who sought no credit, quietly crouching here to tend the fire and add medicine.

Yet this boring task became fragrant with the beauty’s presence. The little maid watched her unhurried movements – the way she turned her wrist to the fan, the way she bent to stoke the charcoal – everything was naturally beautiful. The child’s heart had a few complicated thoughts, secretly sighing that the Fourth Young Lady’s future match must be someone as divine as an immortal. Among men in this world, the pure were few and the muddy many. That person would need a crystal-clear heart to not be scared away by Consort Jin’s infamous reputation.

With a “pop,” the charcoal in the stove cracked lightly, sending up several blue sparks. Qingyuan used cloth as padding to lift the lid and look – in the rolling medicine soup, she could see the medicine dregs settling at the bottom. She moved the pot aside, placing it on the blue brick beside it.

Just as she was pouring the medicine into a bowl, Yuequan came by, smiling: “Why does Fourth Young Lady need to do this herself? These little maids are here, yet you’re letting them grow lazy bones.”

The little maid complained with a pout: “I did tell Fourth Young Lady not to trouble herself…”

Yuequan gave her a look, and the little maid immediately fell silent, retreating to the side.

The Old Madam’s head maid still commanded quite some authority. Qingyuan filled the medicine bowl and covered it, smiling: “I’m free anyway. Finding some tasks to do keeps people from growing idle. The medicine is ready, please take it to Grandmother, Sister.”

Yuequan hesitated, “Why doesn’t Young Lady deliver it herself?”

Qingyuan was still smiling, “Grandmother shares Sister’s opinion, preferring that I spend my time on reading and writing…”

Before she could finish, someone from the corridor behind them continued her words in a drawling, malicious tone: “Sister Yuequan, you’d better be careful. Who knows if someone added something extra to the medicine? If Old Madam suffers any harm, you won’t escape blame.”

Qingyuan turned to look – it was Qingru and Qingrong. Qingru held a scroll of paper, presumably having finished copying her assigned “Inner Instructions” to show Old Madam. Qingrong accompanied her, and whenever she saw Qingyuan, it was as if seeing her mother’s murderer, her eyes full of deadly hatred.

If she hadn’t heard Matron Tao’s account, she wouldn’t have known what happened fourteen years ago. Qingrong’s barbed words were uncomfortable, and she might have felt angry and wronged and might have confronted her directly. Now knowing the reason behind it all, she instead felt calm, though in the deepest part of her heart, there was an untouchable pain that could only be endured.

She gave a slight bow, “Second Sister, Third Sister.”

Qingrong was even fiercer than Qingru, showing no courtesy because she considered herself the victim. To her, Qingyuan was a criminal who deserved to be trampled underfoot. She looked down at Qingyuan with contempt, sneering: “Don’t dare call me that! How could someone as formidable as you be my sister? When Grandmother and Madam discussed bringing you back earlier, I said you wouldn’t want to return. Better to be a phoenix in a chicken coop than a leper in a golden cage. Though the Chen family isn’t an official household, at least they gave you a decent life with servants to command. Who knew you’d be so good at climbing higher branches, forgetting the kindness that raised you, preferring to bow your head in the Xie family, rushing to do servants’ work? Let me ask you, is this kind of life good?”

Qingrong’s words hit directly at the mark, cutting to the bone. Qingru listened with great satisfaction, watching Qingyuan and giggling maliciously.

Given how the sisters were behaving, the bystanders couldn’t intervene, all nervously watching Qingyuan.

Qingyuan’s face remained calm as usual, naturally handing the tray to Yuequan, placing a begonia box beside it with instructions for what Old Madam would need after taking the medicine.

Seeing her unresponsive, Qingrong felt like she was punching a cotton bag, growing even more furious. She turned to Qingru: “Second Sister, look at this – there are such people in the world, unmoved even when insulted to their face. I finally understand, like mother like daughter – that saying is true.”

At this point, even Baoxian couldn’t stand it anymore and spoke up: “Third Young Lady, you shouldn’t speak like that…”

Qingyuan gently pulled her back and turned to smile at Qingrong: “Third Sister, I originally didn’t want to return, but feared it would look bad if taken to court, so I entered the Xie family. Now that I’ve been home for over a month, I increasingly feel coming back was right – this is my root. Every day I look at Grandmother and Madam, feeling only closeness. The brothers at home treat me very well, and my sisters all look after me. Even though I didn’t grow up here, everyone remembers our blood ties and accepts me.”

Qingrong had wanted to provoke her into an argument, to escalate the situation – people already disliked Qingyuan, and if there was a fight, they would naturally unite against her even more. But she handled it well, deflecting the force and telling obvious lies, leaving Qingrong momentarily speechless.

Yuequan, seeing that Qingyuan could handle the situation, smiled and said: “I’ll take the medicine to Old Madam. Young Ladies, are you here to see Old Madam? I’ll pass along the message, and you can go over it later. Earlier, Old Madam was just saying she wanted to check your studies. Fourth Young Lady must have finished copying ‘Admonitions for Women’ too – bring it along for Old Madam to review.”

Thus, the situation was diffused. Qingyuan had no intention of fighting with them anyway, so she used this excuse to temporarily avoid them.

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