Concubine Song had been increasingly fatigued and sleepy these days, and her complexion wasn’t good. Now, lying on the large kang bed by the window, she felt too weak even to sit up.
She said softly to Madam Song: “…When I was pregnant with Lan, I didn’t vomit much, but with this child, I’ve been throwing up several times a day! I feel completely drained. The day before yesterday, I noticed some blood below, and I don’t know why…”
Madam Song comforted her: “During pregnancy, such discomfort is normal. If the child is active, it means they’re lively—perhaps it’s a boy! As for the bleeding, it’s not a serious matter. You’ve seen the doctor, and he said it was nothing to worry about…” Seeing Concubine Song’s poor condition, she added sympathetically, “Even if you’ve made some mistakes, the child in your womb is still of the Gu family. How could they treat you so harshly? I just checked the small kitchen and found no nourishing medicines…”
Concubine Song now didn’t want Jin Chao to find a doctor for her. She feared Jin Chao would conspire with the doctors, and what if they harmed her child? Besides, the maids had seen her bloodstained undergarments, yet none of them reported to Jin Chao—evidence of Jin Chao’s cold-heartedness! As for the nourishing soups, she was unwilling to drink them. Now, all her food was handled by Ban Lian, as she feared Jin Chao might tamper with it.
She smiled without continuing this topic and instead asked about Madam Song’s family affairs. It had been four or five years since she had returned home.
Seeing her daughter, Madam Song naturally had much to say. Having heard from Gu Lan about how the Young Miss of the manor was dissatisfied with Concubine Song and had instigated several maids and servants against her, she was even more eager to stand up for her daughter, which was why she had come along with Gu Lan.
Hearing her ask about home, she naturally wanted to tell her everything: “…Your nephew by concubinage took the provincial examination, though he didn’t pass. But your father inquired privately and learned that his essay was quite good, just lacking in word choice… In three years when he takes it again, he should pass.”
Gu Lan, who was listening nearby, couldn’t help but ask: “Grandmother, are you talking about Song Yan? I remember he gave me pea pastries when I was little…”
Madam Song smiled: “Of course it’s him. Among the sons by concubinage, he’s the most obedient, so I favor him more. Fortunately, he’s perceptive enough never to go see his birth mother over these years.” At this point, Concubine Song felt a pang of sadness.
What if, when her child was born, Jin Chao took it away? Would the child be raised like this, not close to its birth mother? But in front of Madam Song, she didn’t want to bring this up.
Madam Song noticed her downcast expression and held her hand, saying: “Don’t worry, with me here, I’d like to see who dares to take your child!”
Concubine Song’s eyes reddened, and she gripped Madam Song’s hand without being able to speak.
Just at this moment, Huang Li came to announce that the Young Miss had arrived.
Madam Song raised an eyebrow and scoffed: “I don’t wish to see her, yet she comes to visit.”
Before coming, she had already heard about many things this Young Miss had done, and she was seething with anger.
When Jin Chao entered, she saw a woman in her fifties sitting on an embroidered stool. She had a long chin, somewhat high cheekbones, and a rather harsh appearance. Looking closely, Concubine Song did resemble her five parts out of ten. She wore false hair pieces, two gold-plated longevity hairpins, a pair of cloud-patterned hairpins inlaid with rubies, and an eggplant purple brocade dress. She was dressed extremely lavishly.
Cao Ying was still kneeling on the blue brick ground outside, her knees swollen, tears streaming down.
After entering, Jin Chao smiled and said: “Cao Ying, what are you still standing there for? Bring me an embroidered stool.”
Seeing the Young Miss arrive, Cao Ying knew she would no longer have to suffer. Gratefully calling out “Young Miss,” she tearfully got up from the ground and hurried to bring Jin Chao a stool.
Madam Song lowered her eyelids. Just as Jin Chao pretended not to see her, she naturally pretended not to see Jin Chao.
She felt her status was higher than Jin Chao’s, so Jin Chao should greet her first.
Madam Song sat motionless, steady as a mountain, but Gu Lan had no choice but to rise and bow to Jin Chao. Concubine Song called out “Young Miss” and added: “It’s such trouble for you to come here so late at night. I’m not convenient to move… so I won’t bow to you.”
Seeing that Concubine Song hadn’t moved at all, Jin Chao smiled and nodded: “You’re with child, there’s no need for formalities.”
After Cao Ying brought the embroidered stool and Jin Chao sat down, Madam Xu smiled and said: “Young Miss, this is Madam Song from the Song family of Daxing. You probably haven’t met her before.”
Jin Chao seemed to notice Madam Song only then, looked at her with a smile, and said: “So you’re Madam Song. Indeed, your elegance is overwhelming. Look at you—you came and didn’t even have a maid notify me. I would have prepared a side room to welcome you.”
Madam Song slowly replied: “My health has been poor lately, and I couldn’t pay my respects to Miss Gu. That was truly impolite of me.” Yet she still kept her head down, examining her fingernails dyed with garden balsam juice, frowning slightly as if finding the color too light.
Jin Chao glanced at Gu Lan and asked her: “Didn’t you say you were going to Guang Ci Temple to offer incense? How did you end up bringing Madam Song back? Did you disturb her peace by going to her manor?”
Gu Lan’s face turned cold. Madam Song, hearing these words, felt uncomfortable and was about to raise her head to say something.
But Jin Chao smiled again: “Please don’t be offended. My sister is used to telling lies! She said she was going to Guang Ci Temple, but somehow went to Daxing instead—truly without manners! No wonder I saw you punishing Cao Ying to kneel outside. When the beam is crooked, the rafters will be askew. If the mistress doesn’t follow rules, how can the maids? You’re right to punish her. In my opinion, Sister Lan should be punished too!”
Gu Lan was so angry she couldn’t speak. Why should Jin Chao control where she went? Don’t think that because you’re managing the household, you can control everything!
She didn’t dare offend Jin Chao, and despite her hatred, she could only bite her lip without speaking. Madam Song, however, couldn’t bear to see Gu Lan insulted like this and retorted with a smile: “What is the Young Miss saying? Why should Young Miss worry about where Lan goes? How does Young Miss know that Lan went to Daxing? We happened to meet at Guang Ci Temple. You come here so aggressively to reprimand the Second Miss—aren’t you afraid of disturbing Concubine Song’s pregnancy?”
The last sentence was suddenly severe, frightening several young maids who trembled.
Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is. Concubine Song was more astute than Gu Lan, and Madam Song was even more capable.
Jin Chao raised an eyebrow and smiled, “I’m now in charge of the inner chambers, so naturally I must manage the Second Miss. If I don’t, wouldn’t she run wild? According to you, since Concubine Song is pregnant and shouldn’t be disturbed, why did you punish her maid and insist on changing the screen in her room… I’ve heard that during pregnancy, things in the room shouldn’t be moved randomly to avoid affecting the fetus. Madam Song, aren’t you harboring ill intentions, trying to harm the child in Concubine Song’s womb?”
Madam Song’s face changed dramatically, and she gritted her teeth in anger. “Young Miss’s words are too much!”
This Gu Young Miss was indeed sharp-tongued! Even she, who had navigated the inner chambers for decades, couldn’t get the better of her in conversation.
Jin Chao smiled again: “How is it too much? This is the Gu family, and I am the Gu family’s Young Miss. Whatever I say is right. Look at Madam Song, ordering people around in our Gu family… One might think you’re the one in charge here!”
Madam Song was so angry she choked, and couldn’t help but say furiously: “Young Miss… I still respect you as Lan’s elder sister, don’t push me too far…”
Jin Chao, however, soothed her gently: “Madam, please don’t be agitated. I’m just reasoning with you, how am I pushing you?”
Just as she finished speaking, Concubine Song, who had been listening nearby, covered her chest and suddenly began to vomit with a “Wa” sound.
Ban Lian quickly brought over the spittoon. Concubine Song’s face was frighteningly pale, her eye sockets deeply sunken—she didn’t look like a pregnant woman at all. She vomited as if she were about to bring up her heart and lungs, alarming even Madam Song, who hurriedly stepped forward to pat her back.
Jin Chao looked at Concubine Song’s condition and paused… it was almost time, she sighed inwardly.
After the vomiting finally stopped, Madam Song glared coldly at Jin Chao and said: “Young Miss, don’t think you’re so exceptional just because you have authority over household matters. Let me tell you, even if your mother was truly harmed by Miao Hua, if I want Miao Hua to be elevated to proper wife status, I can make it happen! You’re just a little girl. Showing off your power is one thing, but when it comes to schemes, you’re far from my match!… The Concubine is unwell, you should leave now. Remember this: don’t interfere with matters at Lin Yan Pavilion, or don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Madam Xu was about to speak up, feeling indignant, but Jin Chao held her hand and smiled at Madam Song: “I’ll remember what Madam Song has said, and you should remember too.”
She left Lin Yan Pavilion with her maids.
Looking at the deep black night sky, Jin Chao asked Madam Xu: “Is father at Ju Liu Pavilion?”
Madam Xu nodded, and Jin Chao smiled: “That’s good. I’ll go talk to Father first, and you go find Concubine Du to come over.”
Madam Xu’s heart trembled, and she said in a low voice: “Are you going to…”
“Concubine Song’s condition is almost there… Since Madam Song is also here, we should let her see,” Jin Chao said calmly.
When Jin Chao arrived, Gu De Zhao had just finished his dinner, attended by Shui Ying, and was about to go to his study to read.
Hearing that Jin Chao had come, he was very pleased and pulled her over to see a piece of calligraphy he had written. Jin Chao praised it, and Gu De Zhao was as happy as a child: “…If you like it, I’ll write several more pieces for you to mount!”
He was rarely so happy, so Jin Chao stayed to chat with him for a while before bringing up Madam Song’s matter: “…I heard that the madam from the Song family of Daxing came to pay respects to father today, and then went to see Concubine Song. A maid from Lin Yan Pavilion told me that Madam Song scolded all the maids and servants and had them punished by kneeling. I went to see them, and Madam Song also said a few words to me. I find this truly inappropriate. After all, Madam Song is not a member of the Gu family… I wonder what father thinks?”
Hearing Jin Chao mention Madam Song, Gu De Zhao was momentarily stunned. After a while, he said: “After all, she is the madam of the Song family and a clan matron. How can I say anything? She’ll stay for a few days and then leave. During these days, you just don’t need to manage affairs at Lin Yan Pavilion…”
Though Jin Chao had expected her father to say this, she couldn’t help but feel angry upon hearing it. Not manage? If Madam Song wanted to replace all the maids and servants in Lin Yan Pavilion with her people, should she just watch with open eyes? Ultimately, their father was too soft-hearted, always indulging in Concubine Songs.
She said softly: “Father, if you say this, where does it leave my mother? Mother died tragically, yet Concubine Song lives well… Now Father lets Madam Song support the concubine. Do you plan to elevate her to proper wife status in the future, completely forgetting mother’s death?”
Hearing this, Gu De Zhao hurriedly explained: “How could I think of elevating her to proper wife!… But today Madam Song also told me that Concubine Song did wrong, she did harm Ji, but Ji didn’t die because of her… Furthermore, she’s now carrying a Gu family child and the pregnancy is difficult. Even if I don’t want to see her, don’t elevate her… I can’t mistreat her either, at least until she gives birth to this child.”
“Chao, don’t overthink. Concubine Song is now sincerely repentant. Even if she stays in the Gu family in the future, she’ll only be eating vegetarian food and reciting Buddhist scriptures. I will never let her be the mistress, and the child won’t be raised by her either…”
Before Gu De Zhao could finish, Jin Chao’s heart had already turned cold.
She looked at Gu De Zhao coldly and asked: “Are you saying the mother wasn’t killed by Concubine Song?”
Gu De Zhao felt Jin Chao’s words were off, and he said somewhat helplessly, “Chao, she harmed Ji, and I hate her extremely for that. But for Ji’s death, I can’t blame her entirely. If blame is to be assigned, it should be on myself. Knowing your mother’s health was poor, I still said those harsh words to her… Father has thought about this a lot. Concubine Song only brought Yu Ping over, but father is the one who truly harmed your mother…”
Jin Chao smiled and shook her head: “Father, you think too simply of Concubine Song.”
He thought mother’s death had little to do with Concubine Song. She didn’t know what Madam Song had said to him!
She felt both angry and furious inside, yet she became calm instead, bowing to Gu De Zhao, “Father, I came to tell you one more thing, which is related to mother’s death…”