Housekeeper Xu told Madam Ji about everything that happened at Jing’an Residence.
Madam Ji laughed: “Jin Chao is… but this is for the best. At least we can put our minds at ease about Concubine Luo. But regarding this matter with Zi Ling, I don’t know what’s going on. If she hadn’t committed a serious offense, given my daughter’s current temperament, she wouldn’t have let Qing Pu slap her.”
Housekeeper Xu thought for a moment, then said: “From what this servant heard, it seems that Zi Ling frequently speaks ill of the Young Lady in front of the Young Master.”
Madam Ji’s expression turned gloomy: “…Just like her mistress.”
“Should we summon the Young Master and speak to him about this?” Housekeeper Xu asked.
Madam Ji hesitated: “He’s leaving for Qifang Hutong the day after tomorrow. It might not be good to discuss these matters with him now. I always thought that since he’s grown up, he should be able to distinguish right from wrong. This child is too worrisome… how will he ever inherit the Gu family business…”
Shortly after, Mo Xue announced from outside that Jin Chao had arrived to join her for lunch.
The two servants stopped talking. They had small tables brought in, as Madam Ji was seriously ill and unable to walk, so she now took her meals in the inner chamber.
Jin Chao entered, paid her respects, and sat opposite her mother. She began chatting about what she had been doing recently in Qing Tong Courtyard, including planting grapevines. As she chatted away, the place seemed lively. Madam Ji smiled as she watched Jin Chao. In her presence, Jin Chao never mentioned Song Concubine or Gu Lan, nor did she speak of her unpleasant interactions with her brother. It seemed she didn’t want to worry her mother at all.
The dishes were served: gastrodia and pigeon stew in a purple clay pot, steamed bass, pickled goose feet, and tender cucumber. The bass and goose feet were prepared especially for Jin Chao, as Madam Ji could now only eat very bland food. Jin Chao ladled a bowl of soup for her mother and helped her drink it.
After some thought, Madam Ji said: “Regarding your brother… you must listen to your mother and get along better with him. After all, you’re his elder sister. He’s still young and can’t clearly distinguish right from wrong. Don’t be too distant from him…”
Jin Chao’s hand paused briefly. Her mother must have learned about what happened at Jing’an Residence this morning.
She nodded: “I understand. Mother needn’t worry.”
The next day, Jin Chao stood under the grape trellis to examine it. She asked Matron Tong to find someone from the outer court to place stone tables and stools beneath the vines, which would provide a nice cool spot in summer. She also instructed her to check on Jin Rong at Jing Fang Studio to see if he was preparing to leave for Qifang Hutong, and if so, to notify her.
In the afternoon, she returned to the warm pavilion to tend to the pinks and autumn clematis that would bloom in late spring. She then practiced the zither and calligraphy in the study for half an hour before lying down on the daybed. When she awoke, it was almost evening, and the sound of fine rain could be heard outside the window.
She opened the latticed window and was met by a damp, rainy breeze. The rain fell steadily, pattering on a plantain tree outside.
Qing Pu hurried in: “Young Lady, you’re finally awake. Matron Tong has been waiting for you for an hour. This servant saw you sleeping soundly and didn’t want to wake you.”
Jin Chao frowned, wondering what urgent matter required her attention that Matron Tong had waited so long. After washing her face, she went to the west side room where Matron Tong sat on a stool, gazing toward the door.
Jin Chao’s steps involuntarily quickened. “Matron Tong, is there something urgent?”
Seeing her, Matron Tong hurried forward: “This servant doesn’t know if it counts as urgent… but you instructed me to pay attention to the Young Master’s studies, so I thought I should inform you.”
Jin Chao invited her to sit down and asked: “What is it? Is the Young Master departing tomorrow?”
Matron Tong shook her head: “That’s not it… This servant heard from Qing Ran in the Young Master’s courtyard that the Young Master doesn’t plan to continue his studies at Qifang Hutong. Yesterday he went to see the Master and asked him to hire a tutor so he could study here at the Gu mansion. He said this would make it easier to look after the Madam… Whether the Master agreed or not, this servant doesn’t know, but the Master didn’t seem to refuse.”
Jin Chao set her teacup down hard on the table, anger rising within her. She took a deep breath and said to Matron Tong: “This is indeed something I needed to know about. You’ve done well!” Then she called loudly for Qing Pu to come in and help her change clothes.
Matron Tong thought to herself that although the Young Master not studying at Qifang Hutong would affect his education, his intention to care for his mother was understandable. She didn’t understand why the Young Lady was angry or where she was going… Instead of asking directly, she said: “Young Lady, should we inform the Madam about this?”
Jin Chao looked back at her. White Yun was also in the room tending to the fire, while Qing Pu was helping her arrange her hair.
“The Madam absolutely must not know about this. Anyone who speaks of it will be punished.” Seeing Qing Pu pick up a pair of cat’s eye earrings, she added, “Just finish my hair, then bring an umbrella. Where is Father resting today?” The latter question was directed at Matron Tong, whom Jin Chao had specifically asked to keep track of this matter.
Matron Tong quickly replied: “At Concubine Luo’s in Jing’an Residence. But… Young Lady, it’s almost dark and raining. Perhaps you should go tomorrow morning instead.”
Jin Chao shook her head: “This matter can’t wait.” Seeing that Matron Tong still seemed confused, she explained: “How many times has Jin Rong visited Mother since he’s been home, and for how long each time? Not going to Qifang Hutong because of Mother is simply ridiculous! Someone else gave him this idea—he’s always swayed by what others say. If he stays at the Gu mansion to study, that would be disastrous…”
Jin Chao couldn’t imagine who had advised him to stay at home—it was absurd.
Jin Rong’s academic performance was already mediocre; he could barely keep up at Qifang Hutong. He was also easily influenced by his environment. With no other young men of the family to study with him, and only a hired tutor to teach him alone? He would likely fall apart within days!
If he stayed at the Gu mansion, Song Concubine or Gu Lan might secretly influence him, making his upbringing even worse. Then there would truly be no hope for him.
Jin Chao had Qing Pu hold an umbrella, and the two headed toward Jing’an Residence.
Though the rain wasn’t heavy, it still dampened their shoes and socks. As soon as Jin Chao arrived at Jing’an Residence, Matron Liu spotted her and quickly ushered her into a side room, bringing a hand warmer and hot tea. “It’s still raining, Young Lady. What brings you to Jing’an Residence?”
Jin Chao handed the tea to Qing Pu, who had shielded her from the rain but got her shoulder half-wet in the process. She deserved to warm up now.
“Find some dry clothes for Qing Pu to change into. I need to see the Master.”
Now that everyone at Jing’an Residence was loyal to Jin Chao, none of the maids or servants would say a word against her wishes. Matron Liu went to find clean clothes, while Matron Chen led her to the east side room: “Concubine Luo is having dinner with the Master now, with Qing Yi attending them. Young Lady, please wait here to avoid the rain. I’ll go inside and announce you.” She invited Jin Chao to sit in the main hall’s armchair.
Jin Chao looked outside the main hall. It was completely dark now, with a curtain of fine rain obscuring everything from view.
Matron Chen invited her to come over.
Entering the east side room, she was greeted by warmth. Concubine Luo stood beside her father, helping him serve food. Under the light of the floor lamp, she looked graceful. She nodded and smiled at Jin Chao, her face showing a hint of shyness.
Jin Chao noticed a set of used bowls and chopsticks on the table and saw Qiu Kui holding chopsticks nearby. She immediately understood—Concubine Luo had been dining with her father… But this wasn’t what she came to discuss. She bowed to her father and said: “…Daughter has heard that Jin Rong wants to hire a tutor to study at home. He has already requested Father’s permission. May I ask what Father thinks about this?”
With someone like her father, it was more efficient to ask directly.
Gu De Zhao smiled and asked his daughter to sit down first, then instructed Qiu Kui to set out a bowl and chopsticks for her. “You rushed over here and probably haven’t had dinner yet. Yes, Jin Rong did mention this to me. He’s concerned about your mother’s serious illness and wants to stay home to look after her. This embodies the principle that filial piety comes first among all virtues… Although it might somewhat affect his studies, hiring Mr. Guo, who used to teach at the Imperial Academy, should be adequate.”
Jin Chao shook her head: “Father, although Jin Rong wants to be filial, you know Mother. She would certainly prefer Jin Rong to study at Qifang Hutong rather than stay home to attend to her… If Jin Rong succeeds in his studies and passes the provincial examinations in three years, returning to bring honor to the family—wouldn’t that be an even greater expression of filial piety?”
Gu De Zhao fell silent for a moment, then asked: “You don’t want him at home? I thought with Jin Rong at home, you two siblings might become closer.”
With Gu Lan around, the longer Jin Rong stayed at home, the more distant they would likely become.
She didn’t mention this but continued to persuade: “Father, you know very well that Jin Rong isn’t someone who’s dedicated to his studies. If he studies at home, I’m afraid he’ll be inconsistent—fishing for three days and drying nets for two. Recently, Marquis Yongyang’s third son has been coming to spend time with him. You know what this third son is like… Jin Rong went horseback riding in the outskirts with him not long ago.”
The third son of Marquis Yongyang was notorious for his idleness. While all his elder brothers studied at Qifang Hutong, he refused to go. As the youngest legitimate son, neither the Marquis nor his wife could control him, and he had developed extravagant habits. Jin Chao had known about this for some time, but given her poor relationship with Jin Rong, she hadn’t wanted to provoke him by mentioning it.
Concubine Luo spoke softly from the side: “I think the Young Lady makes sense. The Young Master should prioritize his studies for the examinations. He shouldn’t be swayed by the Second Young Lady into staying at home indefinitely.”
Gu De Zhao frowned and asked Luo Su: “This was Gu Lan’s idea?”
Concubine Luo curtseyed slightly: “This concubine heard from the servants that the Second Young Lady often seeks out the Young Master, telling him that if he goes to Daxing County, they won’t see each other for a long time… But this concubine didn’t know that the Young Master would discuss this with you.”
Gu De Zhao’s expression changed. If Jin Rong was reluctant to go to Qifang Hutong for Madam Ji’s sake, it would be understandable, but if it was for other reasons…
Gu De Zhao came back to himself and told Jin Chao to return: “…I will discuss this clearly with him tomorrow.”
Luo Su offered to see her at the door. Jin Chao noticed she seemed to have something to say, so she didn’t refuse. As the two stood under the covered corridor watching the endless rain, Luo Su spoke softly: “Young Lady, what I said was heard from Qiu Kui, who is friendly with Mu Jin from the Second Young Lady’s household… Qiu Kui seems to know some other things about the Second Young Lady. Would you like to question her tomorrow?”
Jin Chao replied: “…That won’t be necessary for now. When the time comes, I’ll return to talk with her. Thank you for your help this time.”
She hadn’t expected Luo Su to suddenly direct attention to Gu Lan. Now she realized that although Luo Su appeared timid, she wasn’t foolish.
Luo Su smiled: “Young Lady, no need for thanks. This is what this concubine should do.”