After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Chen Xuan Qing’s appointment letter for the position of County Magistrate of Suning County in Hejian Prefecture arrived.
Madam Qin was combing Chen Zhao’s hair when the maid Han Zhen reported this news. She raised an eyebrow slightly, “The appointment letter has already arrived?”
Han Zhen nodded, “…the Grand Madam has already heard about it and summoned the Seventh Young Master overnight to give him instructions. The next day, the attendant office began preparing for the ceremonial procedures.”
“How strange,” Madam Qin said. Her fingernails, dyed with safflower juice, glided over the cosmetic box as she selected a hairpin inlaid with purple agate for Chen Zhao. She continued calmly, “He is the eldest son of the Third Branch and holds the honor of being a Tanhua scholar. By all rights, he should remain in the Hanlin Academy for several more years before being posted to a remote prefecture as a Prefectural Magistrate at the very least. Now he’s going to be just a County Magistrate, doesn’t that mean he’ll have to toil for many more years…”
She smiled and patted Chen Zhao’s head, “There, I’m done. Does mother’s hairstyle look pretty?”
Chen Zhao had been fidgeting on the stool for some time, twisting this way and that. “Yes, yes, it’s pretty. Mother, can I go play with my Third Sister-in-law today?”
Madam Qin washed her hands in the hot water brought by her maid and said, “No, your father will be coming over shortly. In a few more days, he’ll return to Shaanxi, and you hardly see him a few days throughout the year. You should spend more time with him. Besides, it’s fine for you to visit your First and Second Sisters-in-law, but visit your Third Sister-in-law less often.”
Chen Zhao pouted unhappily but dared not contradict her mother.
The maid brought up breakfast, and the nanny took her away to eat.
Madam Qin sat before her dressing mirror, gazing at herself for a long while.
In her youth, she had been beautiful, but now approaching forty, even with the best care, she showed signs of aging. Looking at her sisters-in-law, they were all still young and beautiful. Madam Qin adjusted her hairdo slightly and applied more rouge, then asked Han Zhen, “Does this look alright?”
Han Zhen smiled, “This servant thinks that light or heavy makeup both suit you well.”
Madam Qin smiled slightly, “Is that so? I always feel that the Second Master doesn’t care for me as he once did. When he speaks, his mind seems elsewhere.” With Chen Yan Zhang far away in Shaanxi, even if she wanted to control him, her reach wasn’t long enough. She knew Chen Yan Zhang had taken two chambermaid concubines, and although it hurt her deeply, she had endured it. After all, they were just servants for his bed, not worth her concern. Chen Yan Zhang couldn’t possibly develop feelings for a slave girl.
She just didn’t know if there were other women…
Madam Qin recalled Madam Wu’s recent mention of Zheng Guo Gong Chang Hai keeping a mistress outside. The Zheng Guo Gong’s wife, Madam Jiang, was weak-willed and couldn’t control her husband. Even knowing Chang Hai kept a mistress outside, she endured it silently. Moreover, Chang Hai was in his prime, naturally a passionate time. Later, when that mistress became pregnant and gave birth, Chang Hai brought the child back to the Zheng Guo Gong mansion, and Madam Jiang had to swallow her pride and register the child under her name.
Madam Qin thought that if she were Madam Jiang, she would have had that cheap hussy and her child killed long ago.
Her grip tightened on the golden hairpin as she asked Han Zhen, “How is Chen Xuan Yue doing in the outer courtyard?”
Han Zhen replied, “The Ninth Young Master is learning martial arts from the master at Heyanlou, and learning to read with the Seventh Young Master. I heard he can recognize some characters now and has grown taller.”
Madam Qin was satisfied. He was just an idiot, if he wanted to live in the outer courtyard, let him. She couldn’t be bothered to deal with him anymore…
The Second Master arrived, and the maid lifted the bamboo curtain for him.
He wore a gray Taoist robe that made him look dignified and elegant.
Madam Qin served him porridge and arranged dishes, speaking in a gentle voice, “Has the Second Master heard? The Seventh Young Master is going to be a County Magistrate.”
The Second Master lowered his head to drink his porridge, “Old Third mentioned it. What about it?”
“Your wife just finds it strange,” Madam Qin smiled slightly, “Aren’t they supposed to observe the government for three years? How is he taking office so quickly?”
The Second Master shook his head, “Who can guess what Old Third is planning! Let him be, his career prospects won’t suffer.”
Madam Qin’s smile froze. She wanted to find something else to talk about, but the Second Master brushed her off in a few sentences. After breakfast, the nanny brought Chen Zhao up. Seeing her father, Chen Zhao called out sweetly and nestled in his arms, chatting with him.
The Second Master then carried Chen Zhao to see the newly bloomed weeping silk begonias.
…
Having changed out of winter clothes, everyone felt cleaner and more refreshed.
Gu Jin Chao was sunbathing while keeping Chen Xi company as she did needlework. Many begonia flowers had bloomed in the courtyard; spring had come early this year.
Chen Xi had accompanied Old Madam Chen to Baoxiang Temple to worship Buddha and had brought back several safety amulets. She wanted to make sachet pouches to hold them and came to ask Gu Jin Chao for guidance. She selected blue Hangzhou silk and said, “…this one is for Seventh Brother. He’s about to take office, and I won’t be able to see him often anymore.” Chen Xi held the needle and thread, thinking for a moment before asking Jin Chao, “Mother, what pattern should I embroider? I can do lotus flowers, orchids, and Buddhist emblems.”
Gu Jin Chao smiled softly, “Then let’s go with lotus flowers.”
Chen Xuan Qing seemed to like lotus flowers quite a bit.
Chen Xi responded with an “Oh” and earnestly began embroidering lotus flowers on a small frame. Gu Jin Chao sat beside her, guiding her stitching technique.
The Third Master returned in the afternoon and watched her for a while at the door before entering.
Chen Xuan Qing would be leaving early the next morning, so he was coming to bid farewell this afternoon. Not long after the Third Master returned, he arrived.
This was the first time Gu Jin Chao had seen Chen Xuan Qing since that day.
He looked thinner, his demeanor calm and detached. He didn’t look at Gu Jin Chao, just softly spoke a few words of farewell. “This separation will likely last half a year. Father and Mother, please take care of yourselves at home. If anything happens, just write to your son.”
Gu Jin Chao didn’t know what to say at the moment. Seeing Chen Xuan Qing, she inevitably felt awkward.
She had her maid bring out some prepared snacks and food for him, “…Mother has nothing else to give you, please take these.”
The servant boy behind Chen Xuan Qing came forward to receive the gifts.
Chen Xuan Qing thanked her and then took his leave.
Chen Xi chased after Chen Xuan Qing, holding his hand with tears in her eyes, “Seventh Brother, are you leaving? The sachet I want to give you isn’t finished yet…”
She showed him the half-embroidered sachet.
Chen Xuan Qing ruffled her hair, smiling gently, “Give it to me when I return.”
Chen Xi clutched his sleeve, not wanting him to go, tears falling continuously.
“Sister Xi is so silly… after learning from Mother for so long, I still can’t embroider anything well. The pattern was chosen by Mother, and my needlework isn’t good. Inside is a safety amulet. Will Seventh Brother take it? May Buddha bless you with peace and safety.” She pressed the unfinished sachet into his hands.
Chen Xuan Qing rubbed the embroidered lotus, hesitated for a moment, and then accepted it.
He looked up in the direction of Muxi Hall and said to Chen Xi, “While at home, be sure to listen to Father and Mother, and keep them company.”
Chen Xi nodded, “When Seventh Brother returns, you’ll be able to see your little brother.”
Chen Xuan Qing revealed a slight smile, “Yes, and you must be good to your little brother, don’t bully him.”
“I won’t, I’ll cherish him,” Chen Xi quickly said. “I touch Mother’s belly every day to see how much my little brother has grown. Seventh Brother, you must bring gifts for little brother when you return.”
“I’ll remember. You should go back now,” Chen Xuan Qing just smiled. “It’s getting late, your nanny will be looking for you.”
Only then did Chen Xi reluctantly let go, watching as her Seventh Brother tucked the sachet into his sleeve and slowly walked away.
In the western side room.
After Chen Xuan Qing left, Gu Jin Chao asked the Third Master, “With his qualifications, after observing government in the Hanlin Academy for a few years, he could have been appointed as a Prefectural Magistrate. Being posted far away now, he’ll probably have to toil for many more years as a County Magistrate. Was it you who arranged his distant posting?”
The Third Master drank his tea without looking up and gave an affirmative “Mm.” Then he said, “He is the eldest son of the Chen family, regardless of what happened, he should bear responsibility. That incident showed his immaturity.”
In her previous life, Chen Xuan Qing had also been posted far away shortly after the New Year… At that time, the Third Master had probably discovered the issue between them and wanted to send Chen Xuan Qing away to separate him from Gu Jin Chao. Who would have thought that in this life, Chen Xuan Qing would also be posted far away, but for entirely different reasons?
Gu Jin Chao felt very conflicted. She understood what Chen Xuan Qing was thinking. Perhaps sometimes you begin to desire something from the moment you realize you can never have it. Once he calmed down, he should be able to see clearly.
She unconsciously took the Third Master’s hand and said softly, “Third Master, he will understand.”
Chen Yan Yun looked up at her, slowly caressing her face. He wanted to say something but just smiled, “I know everything.”
Outside, the begonia flowers were blooming beautifully, and the sunshine was pleasant. Gu Jin Chao took a book to read.
After reading for a while, she began to feel drowsy. The Third Master sat beside her reading Buddhist scriptures. Seeing her nodding off, he took her into his arms, letting her rest her head on him as she slept. In her hazy state, Gu Jin Chao felt reassured by his scent alone and fell asleep peacefully against him.
The Third Master adjusted his position to make her more comfortable. His hand unconsciously caressed her belly. In a few more months, the child would be born… it seemed larger than usual for seven months, which worried him a bit. If the child is too big, the birth might be difficult.
Perhaps he should invite some experienced midwives from the palace to ensure she wouldn’t suffer unnecessarily.
As the Third Master was contemplating this, Cai Fu hurried in to report.
Jiang Yan had come to see him.
The Third Master made a gesture of silence and carried Jin Chao to the bed to sleep. He went to the study to meet Jiang Yan.
“…Left Vice Minister of War Zuo He De has gotten into trouble. They say he got drunk and disorderly, leading people to vandalize the Drunken Immortal Tavern, and even killed one of the tavern’s workers. He’s been detained by the Capital Prefecture Magistrate. Now the Ministry of War is in chaos, and Minister Zhang urgently wants to speak with you…”
Zuo He De was Zhang Ju Lian’s original choice for Minister of War and had participated in the Eastern Sea resistance against Japanese pirates. No wonder Zhang Ju Lian was anxious.
Chen Yan Yun closed his eyes and thought. Without Zuo He De, this would be difficult… Zhang Ju Lian certainly wouldn’t want to hand this position to someone else. The position was too important. If he secured the Minister of War position, even if the Chang Xing Marquis family were to rise again, they couldn’t do anything against him.
How could Zuo He De be so foolish? At such a critical moment, he dared to cause such a disturbance!
Jiang Yan continued, “I heard that Minister Fan was also present and tried to cover for Minister Zuo. But the Capital Prefecture officials arrived too quickly.”
Chen Yan Yun remained silent, then smiled. “So I underestimated him… Prepare my carriage first, we’ll discuss the rest on the way.”
Whether it was Fan Hui’s scheme or Ye Xian’s, this move was extremely clever.