DBB – Chapter 14: Relapse
Madam Xu, Jinchao’s eldest paternal aunt, stepped in to mediate, her voice gentle yet firm. “You are sisters; speaking like this makes it seem as though you are outsiders…”
However, Gu Jinrong interjected, “Elder Sister’s room is full of treasures, while Second Sister hardly has anything. Why not let Elder Sister suffer a small loss and give this to her?” He glanced at Gu Jinchao, who remained silent, her gaze indifferent.
Every month, the Ji family sent countless gifts to the eldest daughter, filling her room with gold and silver ornaments. Second Sister only wished for a single gold-threaded hairpiece, yet the way she clung to it made it clear she was unwilling to part with it. Perhaps she would rather let it collect dust in some forgotten corner than hand it over.
In such a scene, Concubine Du and Concubine Guo dared not utter a word. Gu Xi clung to Gu Yi’s hand, her eyes red with emotion.
Gu Deshao looked between Jinchao and Gu Lan. Gu Lan’s eyes shimmered with tears, her expression one of fear, while Jinchao remained tight-lipped, exuding stubbornness. He sighed and said, “Chao’er, you are the elder sister. Let your sister have it, will you?”
A sharp pain pricked at Gu Jinchao’s heart.
She smiled, her voice carrying a hint of mockery. “Father, what are you saying? Since Second Sister has had her eyes on it for so long, and it just so happens to be mine, naturally, I must gift it to her. But really, Lan’er, saying it was made for me is too distant a sentiment.” She paused before adding, “Mother originally intended for me to wear these gold-threaded hairpieces for the New Year’s celebrations and the Lantern Festival. But considering that Second Sister will soon be coming of age, these will certainly look better on her.”
Gu Lan’s face stiffened.
Gu Jinchao’s words carried a deeper meaning. Yet, she had indeed taken a liking to those ornaments—what could Jinchao do about it? With Father and Brother supporting her, and her mother managing the household, she was certain Gu Jinchao would not dare refuse.
The family matriarch, a kind-hearted woman, noticed the tension between the sisters and quickly changed the subject. “Mother has decided that on the eighth day of the new year, everyone will gather at the ancestral residence. We have lived apart for many years, and our familial ties have grown distant…”
After finishing their tea, the guests gradually dispersed.
Once they were alone, the matriarch spoke to Gu Deshao about Ji Shi’s condition. “…I went to visit my sister-in-law. She is gravely ill. Though she is not in immediate danger, I fear she will never recover.”
Gu Deshao sighed deeply. “We have been married for twenty years. Though our feelings have waned, the bond remains. She has been ill for months, and I cannot bear to see her in such a state. I fear that the once radiant Xiangjun has withered away beyond recognition…”
The matriarch nodded. “I know you are a man of deep sentiment. Mother sent me to speak with you precisely because you have always listened to me. You must think carefully—if something should happen to my sister-in-law, you must prepare for a new wife. Your career is flourishing; the household cannot go without a proper mistress.”
She feared that Gu Deshao’s lingering affections would make him hesitate in remarrying.
Seeing his silence, she pressed on, “Forgive my bluntness, but the Ji family may offer financial support, yet they hold no influence over your career. Back then, you insisted on marrying Ji Shi, even at the cost of severing ties with the Gu family. But times have changed.”
Gu Deshao understood his mother and sister’s concerns. Years ago, when he passed the imperial examinations, he had been determined to wed Xiangjun, even against the family’s wishes. At the time, the Ji family was far from prominent. Meanwhile, the Gu family, a lineage of scholars, would never have accepted such a match. He had defied them and had since relied on the Ji family’s wealth to support his career, while the Gu family discreetly helped him climb the ranks, securing his position as a fifth-rank official.
His gaze settled on the wooden lattice screen. Outside, the soft glow of red lanterns filtered through the carved patterns, casting a warm and serene light.
“I understand… So, Sister, what do you think of Concubine Song?”
The matriarch nodded. “Concubine Song is a decent choice. Lan’er is charming and clever—she has always been well-liked. But as for Chao’er…”
Gu Deshao frowned. “Do you find fault with Chao’er?”
The matriarch chuckled. “Not at all. I merely heard rumors that she was arrogant and unruly. But now that I have met her, she appears composed and well-mannered, far more measured than Lan’er. And she is truly beautiful—so different from what I had imagined. I was quite surprised.”
Speaking of his eldest daughter, Gu Deshao’s expression softened. “Since her mother fell ill, Chao’er has become more reserved. Recently, she has been particularly thoughtful. She knows I love orchids, so just the other day, she gifted me several rare winter-blooming black orchids…”
Jinchao had not been raised by his side and had never been close to him. In truth, he was fonder of Lan’er and Jinrong. Still, he felt a measure of guilt toward his eldest daughter. As long as she did not make any grave mistakes, he was inclined to indulge her.
That night, the lamps burned late in Xiexiao Courtyard.
Moyu helped Ji Shi sip a bowl of ginseng soup. Just as she set it down, a young maid entered, guided by Xu Mama. She was cleanly dressed, her twin braids neatly tied, no older than thirteen or fourteen.
Ji Shi half-opened her eyes. The girl dropped to her knees. “Madam, when I went to retrieve the Eldest Miss’s gold-threaded hairpieces, the steward informed me that both sets, along with the delicate gold-inlaid headpiece, had already been taken by Second Miss’s attendants.”
Ji Shi frowned. “Why did the steward allow it?”
“He said that Master had approved it.”
Ji Shi’s expression darkened. She signaled to Xu Mama. “…Summon Biyi from Juyliu Pavilion.”
Soon, Biyi arrived, kneeling before her. Ji Shi inquired, “Tell me exactly what happened when the matriarch visited today.”
Biyi recounted the events, her voice growing subdued as she noticed Ji Shi’s face growing stormy. “Master also spoke privately with the matriarch. I do not know what was said.”
“And what did Chao’er say?”
“She did not object. She simply gave up the ornaments.”
Ji Shi’s face turned ashen. She coughed violently, curling in on herself. Xu Mama rushed forward, worried. “Madam, please, do not upset yourself! Your health is most important!”
Ji Shi slammed her fist against the small table, her voice hoarse. “I am not dead yet, yet they already bully my Chao’er! If I were gone, would they not devour her whole? How dare Gu Deshao let them treat her this way! When the Wu case plagued him, who was it that spent their fortune clearing his path? It was the Ji family! And now he repays us like this?”
Blood seeped from the corner of her lips. Xu Mama, horrified, cried, “Madam, please, let me call a physician!”
Ji Shi clutched her sleeve tightly. “No physician. Call the master here…”
At that moment, in her quarters, Jinchao sat by the window with her younger sisters, cutting paper for window decorations. A servant burst in. “Miss, something has happened at Xiexiao Courtyard—Madam has collapsed!”
Jinchao’s heart clenched. “Qingpu, fetch my cloak. We are going now.” Mother had been perfectly fine this morning!
A surge of panic rose within her. If something truly happened to Mother, she had no idea what she would do.