DBB – Chapter 24: Yielding
Although Ye Xian was the legitimate heir of the Marquis of Changxing, he had been frail since birth and showed little interest in martial pursuits. Exceptionally intelligent, he was said to have composed poetry effortlessly by the age of seven, a talent nurtured by his maternal grandfather, a Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy. Yet, despite his brilliance, he had no inclination toward an official career, and for the first two decades of his life, he remained largely unremarkable.
It was only after Emperor Shenzong’s ascension that Ye Xian stepped into the political arena. The Marquis of Changxing repeatedly suffered suppression at the hands of Zhang Julian, prompting his son to enter court affairs. From then on, his rise was meteoric. He had an unparalleled aptitude for intrigue and manipulation, outmaneuvering even the most seasoned officials. His temper was unpredictable, his actions unconventional, and his machinations ruthless—so much so that Chen Xuanqing, an upright man, had long harbored an intense disdain for him.
Jinchao still remembered many things about him.
In the early days of the dynasty, the founding emperor, in a bid to promote frugality and humility, had decreed that every imperial meal must include a dish of tofu, as a reminder of their humble origins. When the custom reached Emperor Shenzong, he grew weary of the monotonous fare. It was Ye Xian who offered a suggestion—why not prepare tofu using the brains of birds? The dish would retain its pristine, silken appearance, yet transform into an unparalleled delicacy.
The emperor delighted in the idea and ordered the dish to be made. Each plate of tofu required the brains of hundreds, even thousands, of birds. Soon, the palace followed suit, and before long, the trend spread among the nobility. The so-called “Thousand-Bird Tofu” became a coveted delicacy, leading to the near extinction of birds in the capital.
Then there was the matter of the lingchi executions. In the seventh year of the Wanli reign, while serving as the Minister of Justice, Ye Xian sought to determine the maximum number of cuts a person could endure under the punishment of death by a thousand cuts. Seizing authority, he had prisoners brought before him and, with great enthusiasm, personally conducted his experiment. Thirty-seven individuals perished before he finally determined the optimal method.
The incident sent shockwaves through the court. Numerous officials petitioned for Ye Xian’s punishment, yet the emperor, deeply fond of him, dismissed their protests. “The Marquis of Changxing has defended our borders for years. How could we condemn his son over mere criminals?” the emperor argued. Then, turning to Ye Xian, he asked, “What is the highest number of cuts one can endure?”
Ye Xian had merely shaken his head and answered, “One does not need a blade. Bind them to a wooden frame, pour boiling water over them, and scrub them with an iron brush until only bone remains…”
Recalling these past deeds, Gu Jinchao felt a chill creep up her spine. This was not a man to cross. Should she ever provoke him, she might not even know how she met her end.
That evening, the Hanging Flower Hall was illuminated by eight delicate crystal lamps, and a night banquet was laid out.
The Old Madam, assisted by Fifth Madam Gu, took her seat, but upon glancing around, she noticed Ye Xian was absent. Beckoning Gu Jinxiao over, she asked, “Where is your cousin?”
Gu Jinxiao respectfully replied, “Grandmother, he said he was feeling stifled indoors and wanted to go for a walk.”
The Old Madam frowned. “You are too careless! His health is still frail—what if he falls ill in this household?”
Fifth Madam Gu gently reassured her, “Mother, don’t worry. Ever since seeking treatment from Xiao Qishan of Puding in Guizhou, he has improved significantly… Here, have some snow fungus soup with lotus seeds and Sichuan fritillary. I’ll send someone to fetch him.”
Since it was Fifth Madam Gu who spoke, the Old Madam’s expression softened slightly. Then, recalling what Second Madam had mentioned that afternoon, she glanced at Fifth Madam’s serene profile, unsure whether to voice her thoughts. After all, while she was Fifth Madam’s mother-in-law, she was also the Marquis of Changxing’s daughter…
In the end, she swallowed her words.
Fifth Madam Gu summoned several guards, but before she could instruct them where to search, a lean, long-limbed figure approached. His robes fluttered lightly as he walked, the lantern’s glow enveloping him in a soft radiance. His profile was as flawless as polished jade, warm yet distant.
She hurried to meet him, catching his hand with a touch of concern. “Where have you been? Why did you take so long to return?”
Ye Xian smiled faintly. “No need to worry, Second Sister. I went fishing.” He lifted a rope in his hand, at the end of which dangled a plump golden koi, still wriggling. He swayed it slightly before her, as if seeking praise.
Fifth Madam Gu was caught between amusement and exasperation. “That fish belongs to the Old Madam’s pond! Never mind, I don’t even have the energy to scold you.”
Ye Xian chuckled and remarked, “This fish is unusual. While the others scramble for food, this one remains still. You see—even fish have their own tempers. It refuses to accept what is merely offered… Though, I wouldn’t call it wise.”
Fifth Madam Gu sighed. “Enough of your nonsense! Wash your hands and take your seat.”
Handing the fish to a waiting servant, Ye Xian instructed, “Put it in the porcelain vat in my study—keep it with the turtle.” The servant, fearing the fish might perish, hurried away to find a suitable vessel.
Meanwhile, Fifth Madam Gu resumed her conversation with the Old Madam. As the banquet ended, it was time for Fourth Master Gu, Gu Deshao, and his family to take their leave, and a question arose—who should see them off?
The Old Madam eventually said, “I should go myself. It has been many years. What lingering grievances are left to hold onto? Besides, Jishi is already so ill…”
She turned to Fifth Madam Gu. “Find two hundred-year-old ginseng roots from the storeroom and send them home with the Fourth Master.”
Fifth Madam Gu nodded. “I understand, Mother. When I have time, I will also pay my respects to Fourth Sister-in-law.”
By the time the night deepened, Gu Jinchao was returning home, riding in a fine carriage draped with dark blue silk.
Her father accompanied her, having taken an interest in the embroidery she had displayed earlier that day in Hengxie Pavilion. With evident curiosity, he asked, “Gu Lan told me all about it. I had no idea before. Why did you never mention your skill in embroidery?”
Jinchao suddenly recalled how Concubine Song had earlier wiped away the white frost from his brows. In a quiet voice, she said, “Father, to surpass others, one must never let them see all their cards.”
Her father frowned. “Surpass whom? What is this talk of hidden cards? Who do you think would ever try to harm you?”
Jinchao merely smiled and said nothing more.
The next morning, she visited her mother to pay respects. The ginseng had already been delivered, andXu Mama had prepared a rich broth of black-boned chicken and ginseng.
Jinchao took the celadon bowl with a carved diamond pattern and personally fed her mother. Ever since her last illness, Ji Shi’s condition had remained weak; she leaned listlessly against the large embroidered pillow, listening as Jinchao spoke to her in a soft voice. Once the soup was finished, Jinchao gently massaged her mother’s legs, afraid that prolonged immobility might cause discomfort.
Ji Shi sighed lightly and said, “Yesterday, your younger brother spent the whole day with me. I spoke to him about you… That child, I don’t know why, but he doesn’t seem close to you at all. When you return to your maternal grandmother’s home at the twelfth-month festival, take him with you. He rarely visits his grandmother’s house…”
Jinchao nodded. She was well aware that Gu Jinrong disliked her. After all, Gu Lan had spent over a decade instilling that notion in him—it wouldn’t be easy to change overnight. She would need to find a way to create distance between Gu Jinrong and Gu Lan. With her mother’s health so unpredictable, there was no telling when another relapse might occur. If Gu Jinrong continued to follow Gu Lan’s lead in everything… the future would be difficult, to say the least.
Ji Shi exhaled softly and asked, “Do you still remember your Second Maternal Uncle?”
Jinchao smiled. “Of course I do. Second Uncle loved raising crickets and birds. He even gifted me a pair of thrushes…”
Her maternal grandmother had only two legitimate children—her eldest uncle and her mother—while her second uncle was a son of a concubine. He lived a leisurely life, tending to flowers and fish, enjoying the simple pleasures of raising birds.
Ji Shi continued, “Your Second Uncle had a concubine named Yun Jin. She was originally his chambermaid, but after your Second Aunt married into the family, she was elevated in status. Yun Jin had a younger sister, Yun Xiang. The two of them looked very much alike… Your father was very fond of Yun Xiang back in the day.”
Jinchao was puzzled as to why her mother had suddenly brought up her Second Uncle’s concubine. She looked at her in confusion, but Ji Shi’s expression remained calm.
“Yun Xiang had two older sisters,” Ji Shi went on. “One of them was sent away from the household at an early age and later became a concubine to the son of a county magistrate. Yun Xiang visited her once… She had a daughter.”
A sudden realization struck Jinchao. She gripped her mother’s hand tightly, staring at her. “Mother…”
Ji Shi continued, her voice gradually tightening with emotion. “That child should be fifteen by now—your age.” Her voice trembled, growing weaker. Her eyes turned red, and she finally choked on her words. “Go find Yun Jin and ask her… Has that child been married off yet?”
Jinchao fell silent. Her gaze drifted toward the shadows of tree branches cast upon the small black lacquered table. The smoke from the brazier rose in thin, curling strands, slowly dissipating. The room was dim—without a fire lit, the cold eaves blocked out the sunlight, leaving only a faint shadow over her mother’s face.
After a moment of thought, she asked softly, “Did Moxue tell you everything that happened at the ancestral home?”
Ji Shi gave a slight nod. If not for that incident, she might not have made up her mind. She had never realized just how bold Gu Lan had become. Though her Jinchao was not one to be easily bullied, listening to Moxue describe what had happened that day had caused an unbearable pain in her heart. What mother could stand to see her daughter treated like that?
If it weren’t for Concubine Song, would Gu Lan have dared to act so brazenly?
She had long known that Gu Deshao favored Concubine Song. But after so many years, whatever feelings had once existed between them had already faded. What could not be kept would eventually be lost. In the past, he had been willing to defy the entire ancestral family just to marry her, but later, he still took concubines one after another. She had long ceased to care. But if Concubine Song dared to use that favor to harm her daughter, that was something she absolutely could not tolerate.
Jinchao knew she should feel pleased that her mother had finally agreed to this matter. Yet, she found herself unable to be happy. She understood all too well why her mother had relented. If not for her and her younger brother, would she have ever agreed?
Continuing to massage her mother’s legs, Jinchao spoke in a soft, steady voice. “Mother, don’t worry. I know what to do.”